Augusta, GA
Annual rowing event brings ‘a lot of cheering’ to Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 26th annual Head of the South Fall Regatta took place on Saturday.
We talked with organizers about the participants, economics boost and how they bounced back to be ready after Helene hit our area.
It is one of the largest head races in the southeast.
“I think they’re having a good time. I see a lot of smiles down there by the shelf trailer,” said Kirsten Aylward, president of Augusta Rowing Club.
Rowers from states all over travel to the CSRA to compete.
“We have over 40 teams with us this year, about 1,100 athletes from all over the southeast and as far away as Colorado and Pennsylvania,” said Aylward.
Rowers of all ages can compete in the Regatta.
“It’s the head race. So, it’s 5,000 meters. Our start line is up at Hammonds Ferry dock, and our finish line is one of the homes in River North. And so, it’s a total little over three miles,” she said.
Aylward says they were unsure if they were going to be able to host the event this year after Hurricane Helene.
“The impact it would have was the flooding that occurred on the Augusta on the Savannah River, but we were very fortunate that the boathouse held up well. The river recovered nicely,” she said.
She says the only obstacle now is the course itself.
“They’re going through four different bridges, and they have to navigate some of the abutments and obstacles in the river,” said Aylward.
But the course isn’t the only challenge.
“The wind and the chop on the river is posing some obstacles for the rowers, but they seem to be working around it pretty well,” said Aylward.
Aylward says they are just happy to be able to leave it all out on the water.
“So, there’s a lot to do, a lot to see, a lot of excitement. A lot of cheering, as you can hear in the background, for their teams, and just a great event,” she said.
The Augusta Sports Council’s economic data says the regatta brought in more than $1 million for the CSRA last year, so the event provides a boost to the region.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The second annual Juneteenth trail ride took place on Old Waynesboro Road in Augusta on Saturday.
The event featured trail rides with horses and ATVs, a mechanical bull contest and music.
People shopped at vendors, and there was entertainment for kids, including a petting zoo, inflatables and games.
“It’s really a privilege just to be able to have the opportunity to share my space, to share my area, and to share for an event with so much value, to give back to my community and a place to celebrate,” said Davon Wallace, chief of operations at Crimson Hills.
Wallace said they will be hosting more events, with a haunted trail coming in October.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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