Augusta, GA

Augusta celebrates Dr. King’s legacy in annual MLK Day Parade

Published

2 years ago

January 14, 2024

Augusta celebrates Dr. King’s legacy in annual MLK Day Parade

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The storms moved out just in time for Augusta to host its Martin Luther King Junior day parade.

Bands from the Academy of Richmond County, Lucy C. Laney High School, Cross Creek High School and Many more took to the streets of Laney Walker and James Brown Boulevard, showing off their pride for the civil rights activist.

The sound of gratitude and pride for Dr. King’s sacrifice rang out through Augusta.

From city leaders, to bands, to motorcycle clubs, hundreds of people from Augusta came out to celebrate.

“We’ve been doing this event for about the last 20 years and we gone continue to keep coming out here to support Augusta. Martin Luther King fought for justice and we want to always show that what he fought for was not in vein,” said President of South Augusta Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, Martin Session.

Keeping the dream alive, it’s why Aniyah Parker brings her kids to the parade every year.

“Imma teach one. Teach my kids, let them know ‘Hey this is Martin Luther King, this is what he’s done, this is why we celebrate him. This is why we honor him, you know in January,” she said.

For many people, the parade is a way to celebrate the freedom we gained from his sacrifices and a way to spend time with family.

“I’m really actually excited for..I can throw out candy and I can…I can just be in the parade and share my family,” said attendee, Rayna Patterson.

From James Brown Blvd., to Laney Walker, and ending on 11th St., two hours of floats, music, and dancing filling Augusta with spirit.

“Martin Luther King is the epitome of what it means for us as a black community. You know black folks, he fought for our civil rights,” said attendee, Maureen Ruiz.

It’s the first of many celebrations going into the holiday celebrating Dr. King.

If you’d like a full list of events for the weekend, click here.

Source link

Click to comment

Augusta, GA

Lane Bryant to close Augusta Mall store this weekend

Published

9 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Lane Bryant to close Augusta Mall store this weekend

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Shoppers in Augusta will soon lose a longtime retail option, as Lane Bryant’s store inside Augusta Mall is set to close for good this weekend.

Employees at Lane Bryant inside Augusta Mall confirmed that the store will permanently close starting Sunday, April 19.

After the closure, the nearest Lane Bryant location for customers will be in Lexington.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Willie James Tanksley Obituary April 16, 2026 – G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary

Published

22 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Willie James Tanksley Obituary April 16, 2026 – G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary

With deepest and heartfelt sympathy, G. L. Brightharp & Sons announces the transition of Mr. Willie J. Tanksley who entered into rest April 18, 2026.

Mr. Tanksley, a native of Richmond County, was a 1985 graduate of the Academy of Richmond County. He was a member of Greater Young Zion Baptist Church where he served in the Brotherhood Ministry.

Survivors include his wife, Sabrina Tanksley; two daughters, Ashley Tanksley and Taylor Tanksley; siblings, Elise Tanksley of Augusta, GA, Wilhelmina Roland of Atlanta, GA, Terry Tanksley, Tommy Tanksley, Watler Tanksley and Elder Claude (Kimberly) Tanksley all of Augusta, GA; an aunt, Frances Tate; an uncle, James Tanksley; mother-in-law, Sandra Harrison of Beech Island, SC; father-in-law, Jimmy (Elnora) Bing; three sisters-in-law, Fonda Rainey, Nicole Harrison and Nina Bing; a brother-in-law, Eric Bing; a host of nieces , nephews, along with other loving relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Greater Young Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. William A. Blount officiating. Interment will follow at Walker Memorial Park. Viewing will be held from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.

The family will not be receiving visitors at the home. We ask that you continue to pray for them during this time.

Professional Services are under the compassionate care of G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary-North Augusta.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Funeral held for former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree

Published

1 day ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

Funeral held for former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree’s funeral was held on Friday morning.

The funeral began at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, the Rev. Karlton Howard officiating.

WATCH THE FUNERAL

Interment will follow at Noah’s Ark Baptist Church Cemetery in Waynesboro.

A viewing was held on Thursday at Good Shepherd Baptist Church from 2-6 p.m.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Classmate remembers former Sheriff Richard Roundtree ahead of funeral
Funeral announced for former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree

News 12 first learned of Roundtree’s passing on April 11. He’d been in a metro Atlanta hospital with serious medical issues.

Several people spoke during the funeral service, but one deputy in particular spoke of Roundtree’s leadership.

“He was more than a sheriff. He was an innovator. He looked for better ways to serve. He led with integrity, courage and genuine commitment,” said the deputy.

Roundtree, 57, was the head law enforcement officer in Augusta for more than a decade − and when he took office in 2012, notably no sheriff had been like him.

He was the first African American elected to the title, something he spent a career working toward.

He was highly visible in the community, where he could frequently be seen in a vest, working a crime scene along with his deputies.

Former classmate Clarence Brown said he was proud of Roundtree for his work.

“I was proud of him for, for actually, you know, getting to that level. But at the same time I realized that that’s a heavy weight, especially being from the community, um, and, and to draw in the community,” Brown said. “And so I wanted him to know that there was somebody in his corner that didn’t need anything.”

Source link