Augusta, GA

As temps fall, Augusta buses give rides to warming shelters

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2023

As temps fall, Augusta buses give rides to warming shelters

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – With temperatures over the few days forecast to fall below 34 degrees, Augusta Transit will provide free transportation to certain warming shelters until further notice.

Warming shelter drop-off points:

Augusta Rescue Mission, 526 Walker St. (Route 3 Gold Line/East Augusta)
Garden City Rescue Mission, 828 Fenwick St. (Route 6 Brown Line/Gordon Highway)
Salvation Army Center of Hope, 1384 Greene St. (Route #3 Gold Line/East Augusta)

Pick-up point:

Broad Street transfer facility, 1546 Broad St.

Service will start at the Broad Street transfer facility at 3 p.m. and operate continuously until 7:30 p.m.

As the temperatures cool down, the numbers of those in need are ramping up.

“This fiscal year, we saw so many more people in need. Our numbers skyrocketed, not just for people seeking shelter, but even in our soup kitchen. We saw the numbers tremendously increase to where we’re seeing double the amount of people in our soup kitchen that we’re normally used to,” said Janelys Villalta, a manager for the Salvation Army.

People now are having to decide between power or food, so heat might not be an option. Sometimes you can’t account for other things to go wrong either.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson said: “If you need to get to a warming center but your car broke down, that shouldn’t mean that you have to sit in the house cold. This is a service that I don’t think is something that is profound in any way other than we’re able to use our relationships with our partners to help the community especially those who need it the most.”

Depending on how cold it gets, the Salvation Army will let people stay longer than just overnight.

Villalta said: “We just want to make sure that everyone has a place to stay to be warm. When it’s this cold, if it’s at 32 degrees or below, we will allow them to stay until 10 a.m. instead of check out, if it’s still that cold by 10 a.m. until noon, actually if it’s still that cold, we will let them stay for the whole day.”

At the Salvation Army, they are filling up, and they need a form of ID and security clearance from law enforcement in order to stay there.

If you are unable to get to the Broad Street transfer facility and need a ride, call 706-821-1719 before 8 p.m.

Augusta Transit buses accommodate persons with a disability who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Meanwhile, anyone in need of daytime warming centers can visit any of the locations listed below. Augusta Transit will not be providing free transportation to the daytime shelters, but individuals can use normal bus routes during regular operating hours to get to these locations.

Bernie Ward Community Center, 1941 Lumpkin Road, Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday noon to 4 p.m.
Blythe Community Center, 3129 Highway 88, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Carrie J. Mays Community Center, 1014 11th Avenue, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
May Park Community Center, 622 4th Street, Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday noon to 4 p.m.
McBean Community Center, 1155 Hephzibah-McBean Road, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
McDuffie Wood Community Center, 3134 Old McDuffie Road, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday noon to 4 p.m.
Robert Howard Community Center, 103 Diamond Lakes Way, Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday noon to 4 p.m.
Sand Hills Community Center, 2540 Wheeler Road, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Warren Road Community Center, 300 Warren Road, Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday noon to 4 p.m.

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Augusta, GA

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After swearing in 100 new deputies at the beginning of his tenure, Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley also addressed promotions and appointments for those in the sheriff’s office.

It happened on Friday before the winter weather got underway and impacted the region.

Brantley spoke with us after about why the new promotions, appointments and people in the sheriff’s office will benefit the community.

“For the most part, when you’re suffering from a shortage of staff like we have been and so many other agencies in the state of Georgia and around the country, I think it is a boost in the arm to onboard 100 people to help get things that we need slow down crime and stop what is plaguing our community,” said Brantley.

Brantley said it was the first step to making the community safer.

He says he has been working on improving the jail as well.

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Augusta, GA

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

Published

12 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – AugustaCon was back, but in a new home this time.

Saturday’s event was held in Columbia County at the Performing Arts Center.

The event holds video game tournaments and hosts vendors that had anime and video game-style items.

We spoke to one of the vendors, who helped run the video game tournament there.

“We really love it. It’s a great environment. We love seeing new gamers, collectors, anyone that likes anime,” said Cedric Bacon.

If you missed out on Saturday’s AugustaCon, there are ones usually in the summer and winter as well.

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Augusta, GA

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

Published

20 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was fatally shot in an armed robbery on Lumpkin Road, according to authorities, and a suspect has been arrested.

The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop at 2303 Lumpkin Road around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.

He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.

The vehicle was registered in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.

Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.

Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.

The driver, 22-year-old Terrance Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.