Augusta, GA
Augusta city leaders look to hire full-time EMA director
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The city of Augusta has no full-time EMA director.
Despite this, we’ve experienced several weather events in the last six months, including Hurricane Helene and both winter weather events.
“It’s been an interesting year. We haven’t seen snow in, oh my gosh, it’s been years. I mean, snow on the ground. It’s been several years I can think of,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith-Rice.
Two winter storms in less than two weeks, while many are still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Mayor Garnett Johnson said: “I certainly have learned a lot from Hurricane Helene and these two more recent snowfalls, snow incidents that we need a full-time EMA director.”
Right now, Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden plays dual parts, being the fire chief and EMA director.
Commissioner Jordan Johnson said: “This conversation is not just about a position in my mind. It’s about expanding a department and how much money will we have to amend our budget to meet this expectation.”
Mayor Johnson says the funding is there.
ALSO IN COMMISSION:
- Augusta leaders discussed several topics at Thursday’s commission meeting, including floating homestead exemption, beautification, improvements at 600 Broad and charter review.
“There is a deputy position already. We’re going to use funding to create a director’s position, but the EMA department already has a coordinator, so there’s already a department there. We just got to stand it up with having a full-time director,” said the mayor.
The mayor says Augusta hasn’t had a full-time director for more than 20 years.
“You look at a city of our size. It warrants having a full-time, dedicated EMA director who makes sure that we’re on the cutting edge of technology for preparedness, for disseminating information to all of our community partners and for the hire that we expect to make. I would expect them to have all of those abilities to do that,” said Mayor Johnson.
Of course, moving forward there will be tough conversations.

Commissioner Johnson said: “I know we had a big conversation about not having money in our budget. So, my concern is are we going over budget? Are we getting ready to put ourselves on a budget in a situation that we can’t get ourselves out of?”
Smith-Rice said: “With what we’ve experienced, we need to be cautious, and we need to go ahead and commission needs to get on the ball and start doing our search.”
Because if they’ve learned anything here, preparedness is key.
Johnson says the process to hire a full-time EMA director is getting underway.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta commissioners receive updates on apartment safety improvements, SPLOST 9
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta commissioners received a progress report on safety improvements at two apartment complexes that promised upgrades in August.
Redwood Housing provided updates on work at the Bon Air and Richmond Summit apartments.
The attorney for the housing company said the upgrades at both complexes are close to completion, from renovations inside to new security measures. Commissioners heard a long list of changes being made at both complexes.
The sheriff’s office and code enforcement backed up the improvements, saying their calls at both complexes have decreased compared to six months ago.
“We have to keep their feet to the fire. I’ve received a number of horror stories from people living in both properties, from it being 100 degrees outside, and they’re not having air conditioning, to 13-year-olds being gunned down because of the lack of safety precautions at these facilities,” said Jordan Johnson, District 1 commissioner. “And, the list of these issues just goes on. I think it’s our responsibility to make sure that people have quality and affordable housing.”
District 3 Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice said she has seen improvements at the properties.
“Some people might say they are putting lipstick on a pig, but if you ride by there and see what they are doing, it’s a heck of a lot better improvement than what was there six months ago,” Smith Rice said. “I feel like, though. I’ve had more of a better response with Redwood than I have in the past.”
Ongoing oversight planned
Commissioners said they will keep checking in with Redwood Housing, including regular updates and meetings that include the sheriff’s office.
Redwood Housing is hosting what they call a grand reopening for both the Bon Air and Richmond Summit on Feb. 4. That will be at 10 a.m. at the Bon Air and 2 p.m. at the Richmond Summit.
SPLOST 9 discussions continue
City leaders are deciding how to spend sales tax dollars through the SPLOST 9 project list, which totals more than $300 million. The list includes money for jail renovations, new parks and road projects.

SPLOST 9 is a one-cent sales tax that would last six years. It includes $85 million to renovate the jail, but also includes money for parks, roads and sewer improvements.
For months, commissioners have debated what should make the list. Some commissioners said there needs to be more attention to infrastructure.
“We gotta be able to grow. And the only way you can grow is ensuring that your infrastructure, your sewers, and are expanded and improved appropriately,” said Don Clark, District 5 commissioner. “Roadways need to be improved. The sewers, we still have a lot of folks that are on septics. We gotta get ‘em out of that and get the sewer lines improved, not just for the residents, but even for the introduction of businesses into the environment as well.”
The SPLOST 9 project list goes to voters in May. Commissioners are still debating the details.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Morning Show Co-Host
88.3 WAFJ in Augusta, Georgia, is looking for a Morning Show Co-Host to join our team. If you’re looking for stability, a wonderful community to call home and the opportunity to do live and local radio, you’ll find it all here. As the heritage Christian AC in the market, we have been encouraging the Central Savannah River Area for over three decades. This is a rare opportunity and one that you should inquire about if you are passionate about loving and ministering to listeners who become like family.
We need an engaging storyteller to join an existing partner on the morning show. The right candidate will know how to connect with our listeners through your faith and everyday life. This is not a voice-tracking opportunity. We are looking for someone willing to relocate and join us in actively serving our community. Great things are happening here, and we think you’ll enjoy being a part of them!
When applying for this position, you must have experience in broadcasting or podcasting. We are looking for a gifted communicator who loves Jesus and thrives in doing local ministry. If you meet those qualifications and are looking for a job that is fun, fulfilling and meaningful, then let’s chat.
To apply, send your resume, cover letter and demo to John Bryant at john@wafj.com.
We are part of the Radio Training Network family of stations. Radio Training Network, Inc. (RTN) is a religious broadcaster, and all positions at RTN are subject to a religious qualification, including all positions at WAFJ-FM and WBIJ-FM. As a religious broadcaster, RTN makes reasonable, good faith efforts to recruit applicants without regard to race, color, national origin or gender among those who are qualified for employment based on their religious belief or affiliation.
Augusta, GA
Former Richmond County deputy files complaint against district attorney
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A state bar complaint was filed against Augusta’s district attorney by a former deputy who sued the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office alleging racial discrimination.
The complaint by Quincy Cannon alleges violation of a rule requiring fairness to opposing party and counsel.
The filing says District Attorney Jared Williams selectively granted access to grand jury materials during an investigation by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
That’s an agency that accredits law enforcement officers in the state.
Cannon alleged Williams helped a third-party investigator get and use evidence from secret grand jury proceedings against Cannon, while denying comparable access to Cannon’s attorney.
Although Cannon’s case was presented to a grand jury, the panel chose not to pursue criminal charges.
Cannon’s lawsuit claims he was treated unequally to white deputies who were also investigated over use of force.
A suspect in a deputy shooting accused several other deputies, including Cannon, of assaulting him in an elevator at the sheriff’s headquarters.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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