2 weeks after Helene, storm recovery continues across CSRA

Published

1 month ago

October 12, 2024

2 weeks after Helene, storm recovery continues across CSRA

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been two weeks now since Helene blew through our area and changed life as we know it.

14 days in, and it seems we’re getting better at adapting.

Some communities have recovered quickly from the damage, while others look like the storm just came through the other day.

If you drive around the CSRA, you’ll see what Hurricane Helene left behind.

Debris, downed power lines and even smashed cars. But several people say the scene looks a lot different than it did the day of the storm.

For many, instead of trees, it’s a tarp.

Roads that were blocked before are at least drivable.

Charles Bailey lives in North Augusta and says he and his wife are just trying to get back to normal.

“We’re starting to get groceries back in our refrigerator and freezer, and we’re just doing the cleanup of all the debris that’s left from the trees,” said Bailey.

But sounds he typically didn’t hear before have become all too familiar.

“Backing up, the beeping. Then, there’s gonna be a lot of chainsaws going for a while. It’s gonna be, like, humming to your ears,” he said.

He says normal for him is get the debris cleaned up.

“This is not normal. I mean, this is extraordinarily devastating. And to live with it. You just don’t want to live with it as long as possible,” said Bailey.

North Augusta says next week they will shift more towards clean-up.

Mayor Briton Williams says the debris left behind from power lines will be cleaned up by Dominion Energy.

For others in Augusta, they say they haven’t found their normal yet.

“I’m wondering how a lot of us are going to be able to put all of the pieces back together, being that we can barely go through the streets,” said Augusta resident Barbara Drane-Ealey.

Although the progress is slower than some may want, it’s still happening.

Richmond County started with nearly 94,000 outages, and Georgia Power now only shows 55.

“I think everybody is doing their best as far as circumstances go,” said Drane-Ealey.

North Augusta started with more than 14,000 outages and now has five homes without power.

Richmond County also says they are ramping up the amount of debris clean-up trucks every day.

But several say they know this will be a slow process and many areas may never look the same.

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Blue Angels make trip to Augusta ahead of spring shows

Published

3 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Blue Angels make trip to Augusta ahead of spring shows

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Blue Angels graced the river region’s skies on Thursday.

They landed at Bush Field for some practice ahead of their show dates that start in the spring.

On Thursday afternoon, you might have seen or heard the flight demonstration squad.

After their winter site visit, we heard from the two pilots about the air show.

“Our mission as The Blue Angels is to inspire, serve the country and inspire those to excellence through our flight demonstration and community outreach. So, our hope is to bring a little bit of that to Augusta,” said Lt. Commander Lilly Montana.

According to the show schedule, The Blue Angels are expected to be in Beaufort, S.C. on April 12 and 13 and then in Augusta on April 26 and 27.

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Augusta, GA

WATCH LIVE: 1 killed in early morning shooting on Highland Avenue

Published

11 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

WATCH LIVE: 1 killed in early morning shooting on Highland Avenue

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man was killed early Thursday in a shooting on Highland Avenue, the latest victim in an outbreak of violent crime with a toll that’s nearing 200 in a little over two years across the CSRA.

Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen identified the victim as Chavious Kimmerlin, 50.

At 7:13 am, deputies say they responded to the 500 block of Highland Avenue to investigate a report of gunshots.

Upon arrival, deputies say they found the victim, who had suffered at least one gunshot wound.

The victim was pronounced deceased on the scene by the coroner, according to deputies.

He lived at the home where he was found.

An autopsy will be conducted.

At the scene, yellow crime tape surrounded a white house.

There was a marked Richmond County Sheriff’s Office car and three unmarked cars in the turning lane in front of the house on Highland Avenue.

Investigators were still on the scene at 9:30 a.m. and there is no additional information available at this time, authorities said.

The shooting comes amid a two-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 180 lives across the CSRA.

Cities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River. But as the largest community in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.

Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.

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Augusta, GA

Cannedy and Fletcher lead Fayetteville State over Augusta 79-62 – Fayetteville State University Athletics

Published

19 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Cannedy and Fletcher lead Fayetteville State over Augusta 79-62 – Fayetteville State University Athletics

AUGUSTA, GA — Fayetteville State secured a decisive victory over Augusta with a final score of 79-62 on November 20, 2024, at the George A. Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta, GA.

Ezekiel Cannedy led the charge for Fayetteville State, scoring 23 points, including five three-pointers, and grabbing four rebounds. Tairell Fletcher added 22 points, shooting 10-17 from the field, and contributed three steals. Caleb Simmons was a force on both ends, scoring 17 points, securing nine rebounds, and making two assists. Myles Pierre provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, including a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw line.

Despite a strong effort from Augusta’s Demitri Gardner, who scored 21 points and hit three three-pointers, Fayetteville State’s balanced attack and solid defense proved too much for Augusta to overcome. The win improved Fayetteville State’s record to 4-1, while Augusta fell to 0-4.

After falling behind 24-23, Fayetteville State went on an 8-0 run with 6:54 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Cannedy, to take a 31-24 lead and finish the first half with a 40-33 advantage. The Broncos capitalized on seven Augusta turnovers in the period, turning them into 11 points on the other end of the floor.

Following intermission, FSU kept widening that lead, expanding it to 73-60 before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Myles Pierre’s jumper, to grow the lead to 79-60 with 1:10 to go in the contest. The Jaguars narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Broncos still cruised the rest of the way for the 79-62 win. Fayetteville State capitalized on seven Augusta turnovers in the period, collecting 10 points off those turnovers.

Fayetteville State shot 49.2% from the field, making 29 of their 59 attempts, while Augusta shot 46.4%, making 26 of their 56 attempts. From beyond the arc, FSU hit 6 of 16 three-pointers (37.5%), whereas Augusta struggled, making only 3 of 17 (17.6%). At the free-throw line, Fayetteville State was efficient, converting 15 of 18 attempts (83.3%), while Augusta made 7 of 12 (58.3%). Fayetteville State outrebounded Augusta 33 to 28, with 8 offensive and 25 defensive rebounds compared to Augusta’s 7 offensive and 21 defensive rebounds. Fayetteville State had 8 assists, 8 turnovers, 11 steals, and 2 blocks, while Augusta recorded 9 assists, 14 turnovers, 7 steals, and 5 blocks. Fayetteville State’s efficient shooting and strong defensive play were key factors in their victory. They capitalized on Augusta’s turnovers, scoring 21 points off turnovers compared to Augusta’s 11.

FSU will host USC Aiken on Tuesday, November 26 at 7 pm in the Capel Arena.

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