Augusta, GA
Augusta bars keep their doors open for their only Sunday of the year
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Super Bowl Sunday was the one designated Sunday for bars to be open and sell alcohol in Richmond County.
There has been lots of controversy that’s poured into commission meetings over this state law but not many people or bars jumped on the opportunity as you would think.
“We needed Super Bowl Sunday because we’re a sports bar. So, you know, Super Bowl Sunday is one of our biggest days,” said Clifton Thomas, owner of Cliffisms Sports Grill.
Local bars are only able to be open one Sunday a year in Georgia, this year voted by the Augusta Commission, it’s super bowl Sunday, again. But they are hoping it will change.
“If we’re allowed to open on Sundays, this would be a consistent crowd. We’re on the south, south side of Augusta. There’s nothing else out here. So you know, these people that are here need the same amenities that they have across town,” Thomas said.
It’s the same issue all over the CSRA every Sunday.
“We would like that opportunity as a bar to be open on a Sunday, I think it’s a great opportunity, with sports and everything going on, think about it, you got it. Every season, there’s something from football, to basketball, to college football to college basketball that goes on as an opportunity as to generate revenue for the city,” said Syderist Manuel, owner of Pedal Pub.
They say if being open on Sundays became permanent., it would help more than just their business.
“Augusta is the second largest city in Georgia and that is something to be I mean all around the world and we have the perfect opportunity to have other people come from other places. So just want to be at our beat in our area. Oh, we can keep up with it. It will be an awesome thing and something as simple as that is being open on Sunday will be a ticket for that,” said Charity Jones, owner of Pedal Pub.
So they plan to keep fighting for a change and doing what they can to keep the customers coming in
“But if we can open on Sundays, that’ll boost our revenue tremendously,” said Thomas.
Even though there is am effort in the Augusta commission to try and let bars individually pick which Sunday they would like to be open, nothing has moved forward yet.
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EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple areas of Columbia County are reporting flash flooding Monday evening with more rain on the way.
Viewer video shows significant water on William Few Parkway near Windmill Plantation Neighborhood Park in Evans.
One resident said the flooding near West Lake Country Club swallowed their yard entirely — “Lost our dog fence to our new river,” they said.
Flooding has also been reported on Fury’s Ferry Road.
A stalled front parked over the region is bringing excess moisture and slow-moving storms, creating an elevated flooding threat — especially in areas already prone to flooding.
Steady rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the evening.
Drivers are urged to use caution and avoid flooded roadways. Turn around, don’t drown.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- A new Georgia law that took effect this month is aimed at helping drivers and passengers with autism during traffic stops.
Rio’s Law, already active in South Carolina, provides a special license plate for drivers and extra training for law enforcement with the goal of making traffic stops involving people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) smoother.
“Our deputies deal with hundreds and hundreds of people every single day. And that’s face to face contact,” said Major Andy Shedd, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Rio’s Law went into effect in Georgia on July 1st.
According to Major Shedd, since 2025, law enforcement officers across the Peach State have been training on how to interact with people with ASD, which the new law will expand.
“And it’s also been embedded in our community oriented policing training that we take online. And the beauty of that is some of the far reaching agencies in Georgia, some of the more rural police officers and deputies that that work in the rural areas, the online training gives them that format to where they can receive it also.”
Rio’s Law was created when a mother in California was pulled over for a traffic stop with her autistic son as a passenger. The officer wasn’t well versed in how people with ASD can react to stressful situations.
“They have reactions to specific types of sensories, whether they’re sound or lights or patterns that that can trigger some uncomfortable feelings, especially for people who are neurodivergent or living with things like autism,” explained Dr. Vijay Nagpol, a physician at ER Doctors Hospital Evans.
More noteworthy than the additional training is the access to a special license plate.
“That way, if law enforcement deals with you in the form of a traffic stop or a traffic accident, the deputy knows as soon as he sees that tag that he’s dealing with someone within the vehicle, either driver or passenger that may have autism,” Major Shedd explained.
This knowledge will allow the officers to use tools from training to keep the situation from escalating or to de-escalate if the person is already extremely upset.
“It may be hard for them to react in a way that would be expected from the police who are pulling them over law enforcement. They may have trouble focusing on the task at hand, which is conversing and cooperating with law enforcement,” said Dr. Nagpol.
Experts say that when law enforcement interacts with someone with ASD, awareness and education are key to keeping everyone calm.
“I think it all boils down to communication. The deputy should have good communication with whatever this person is going through,” said Major Shedd.
“I think it’ll be great once it’s rolled out is definitely going to take some training and awareness on the side of law enforcement,” said Dr. Nagpol. “But I know it’ll be something that’s relieving to people who are living with autism and also their loved ones.”
You can find out more about Rio’s Law HERE.
To find more information on getting an Autistic/Neurodivergent license plate in Georgia visit the Department of Revenue’s website or go to your local DMV.
In South Carolina you can go to the DMV website or visit your local DMV office.
Doctor’s Hospital treats and helps people with any health related problem at any of their location.
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