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$8M loan provides lifeline for some Ga. Head Start programs during shutdown

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M loan provides lifeline for some Ga. Head Start programs during shutdown


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – With funding for Head Start programs expected to run out after Friday, the YMCA has secured emergency funding to keep Head Start programs open past Friday.

The programs currently serve nearly 700 children in the Augusta area.

Ut’s an important program for many Georgia families.

Take Heather Morris, who lives in Madison County.

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She’s a Head Start teacher, her husband serves in the Army and he’s not getting paid during the shutdown. Two of their children are enrolled in Head Start, receiving speech therapy that’s changed their lives. Now she could lose her paycheck and the care her family depends on.

“Well, yesterday I cried all day,” Morris said.

“You’re looking around your home like, what can we sell or what can we give up? I mean, do you let your children starve? No. Do you pull your children out of school to let them stay with the younger ones? That’s not an option either,” Morris said.

To keep programs like Morris’s open, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta stepped in with an $8 million bridge loan, buying 45 more days of operations for the YMCA, Sheltering Arms, and Easterseals North Georgia.

“Typically philanthropy does not step up to fill the role of the federal government. But these are really uncertain times,” said Frank Fernandez of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

That loan covers about 5,800 children in North Georgia, but families of nearly 700 children in south Georgia are already being told they won’t have a place to go after Friday.

Impact on working families

About 80% of Head Start parents work at least one job, often low-wage and hourly. Without child care, leaders fear some families may have to pull older kids out of school to look after their younger siblings.

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“We need the adult leaders in this country to come to the table and not make the children of our communities suffer,” said Lauren Koontz of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta.

The bridge loan keeps some programs open but only through mid-December. Families and providers say they need more than a temporary fix and need Washington to act.



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Augusta, GA

One killed after shooting on Winesap Way in Augusta

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One killed after shooting on Winesap Way in Augusta


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One man died Wednesday evening at a hospital after a shooting on Winesap Way, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said deputies located a male victim with a gunshot wound about 7:30 p.m. on the 3400 block of Winesap Way.

The victim was transported to Wellstar Medical Center, where he died, the agency said.

Violent crime investigators and crime scene technicians were on the scene until around 10:30 p.m.

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Our News 12 crew reported a large number of sheriff’s deputies, K-9 units and drones on the scene.

At the home, investigators focused on a damaged vehicle in the yard.

The car, which had damage and debris across it, was photographed by investigators.

The tow truck arrived about 10:20 p.m. to remove the vehicle from the property, but the exact connection between the vehicle and the shooting remains unknown.

The home itself also showed damage to its side wall, according to our News 12 crew.

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Neighbors say this is a quiet neighborhood where the most interesting thing that usually happens is speeding.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the victim’s family by the Richmond County Coroner’s Office.

Coroner Mark Bowen says an autopsy has been scheduled.

Authorities have not released information about possible suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 706-821-1020. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Augusta, GA

Sheriff to hold news conference on deputy’s shooting of suspect

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Sheriff to hold news conference on deputy’s shooting of suspect


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County Sheriff Eugune Brantley is holding a press conference at 4 p.m. Wednesday regarding the officer-involved shooting from Tuesday night.

Deputies say they responded to the 4300 block of Peach Orchard Road just before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday for a domestic dispute.

While on scene, deputies made contact with a man who had a firearm and pointed the weapon at deputies.

Another deputy discharged their service weapon, striking the man at least one time, according to the sheriff’s office.

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The suspect was transported to Wellstar Medical Center for medical treatment.

The Columbia County Regional Use of Force Investigation Team responded to the scene. The team is now investigating the incident.

This is the second officer-involved shooting in Richmond County this year.

On Jan. 30, deputies respond to the 200 block of Telfair Street after 911 calls reported several individuals were involved in a fight. While on scene, deputies shot Joshua Derrelle Mormant, 28, of Augusta, after they were fired upon when arriving to the scene.

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Plans move forward for student housing near Augusta University’s Summerville campus

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Plans move forward for student housing near Augusta University’s Summerville campus


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta commissioners voted to approve rezoning for a potential student housing project in the historic Sandhills community, replacing several vacant lots with units for students near Augusta University’s Summerville campus.

The decision has divided community members, with some supporting revitalization efforts while others express concerns about infrastructure and neighborhood character.

Veronica Bogans, who has lived in the Sandhills community for 56 years, supports the project.

“Being revitalized, I think our community is well overdue for that,” Bogans said. “Students coming here from AU, Payne College, we need that. We need that. Those are our future doctors, teachers, lawyers, x-ray technicians. We need that.”

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Darryl Mims, who grew up in Sandhills and lived there for about 25 years, also sees potential benefits.

“It’s a little older community, but I think it put a, get a hill, a fresh start. Everybody love the hill. People on the hill have a lot of pride,” Mims said.

Other residents worry about the proposed housing’s impact on the community. Carolyn Robinson, who moved to Augusta at age four, cited infrastructure issues.

“You have to be very careful when you are traveling and it’s just an issue. The streets are in disrepair. You’ll have more vehicle fumes. Weed is a dead end St. and that’s a problem,” Robinson said.

Some residents said the proposed housing would look out of place, noting the roads are too narrow and citing drug issues in the area that need addressing.

The Sandhills community holds deep roots for longtime residents. Mims described the neighborhood’s past character.

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“Everybody was closed and everybody looked out for each other. The older folks were real kind. You had a bunch of caddies in this neighborhood and they always talked about golf and that was the main thing in this neighborhood. You had to know golf,” Mims said.



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