Augusta, GA

Augusta commission approves moving forward with review of city charter

Published

7 months ago

June 19, 2024

Augusta commission approves moving forward with review of city charter

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The consolidation bill is what Augusta government has followed since the 1990s, but the document could be in for an overhaul.

“People want to see some change in this government and see in this community,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom. “I think this is a great step towards that and it’s going to happen.”

Commissioners giving the go-ahead to bring in experts from UGA to create a charter review commission, to study the charter and decide if it needs updating.

“The question whether the charter needs to be changed is not a yes or no for me, it’s a let’s look at this charter see what needs to be changed let’s review it properly,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson.

“I don’t know how my colleagues feel. I would like to change about everything that can be changed in it,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight.

“I think it’s time a document that’s been around for a long time, so we need to look to see what we need to change,” said Commissioner Francine Scott.

Right now, commissioners have the hiring and firing powers for department directors Frantom would like to change the charter to turn that authority over to a city manager.

“When you look at how this government has ran in the last 28 years, it’s not been efficient. I think there will be the nay-sayers that we shouldn’t be a city manager form of government that’s the only form of government it should be,” said Frantom.

The consolidation bill is the form of government Augusta has followed for years, but now city leaders are ready to decide if it should remain that way.

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Augusta, GA

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

Published

10 minutes ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple cars crashed due to winter weather conditions on I-20 in the CSRA early Friday morning, according to authorities.

On I-20 in Augusta, the road conditions at the Washington Road exit were hazardous, according to our reporter on the interstate.

Our reporter saw another wreck on the Bobby Jones overpass from I-520 to I-20 at 10:35 a.m. We’ve reached out to learn more.

Across the river, on I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

On I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

We have reached out to learn more.

Dispatch told us crews were on the scene of a multiple-car crash on I-20 eastbound at the Walton Way extension ramp at 9:25 a.m.

Officials say at least two vehicles were involved, but more were reported, and they are unsure how many exactly.

They did however say more vehicles became involved after sliding on the road from weather conditions.

Dispatch says they are unsure of any injuries or if any lanes were blocked.

Augusta, GA

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The new Wayfair outlet is now open at the Augusta Exchange.

You will be able to find furniture and home décor at the location that used to be a Buy Buy Baby store.

It’s the latest store to open in the Augusta area.

One customer we spoke with says he thinks the store will be here for a while as it brings something different to the area.

“People are here spending money and they are here to make their house look better. I never thought I would be a dude in his 40s in an outlet, me in an outlet. But I did it today and I think it’s good,” said Carlton Ferguson.

It’s welcome news for fans of the Augusta Exchange, which has seen a bevy of closures in the past couple of years, including Subway, Genghis Grill, O’Charley’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby and Christmas Tree Shops.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

Published

17 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There can be big time disaster emergencies in Augusta, but an emergency management director is not a full-time position for the city.

“I think lessons learned from Hurricane Helene, we desperately need it as we try to recover our city as we try to prepare from the next storm,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The consolidation bill gives the mayor the authority to name an EMA director.

But for the last 20 years, the mayors have called on the fire chief to pull double duty while getting supplement pay.

But at the Mayor Johnson’s request, commissioners have approved beginning the process to hire a full time EMA director.

“You want to make sure that when disasters come, we are 100 percent fully prepared,” said Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.

“A city our size deserves someone who is full time committed to that role that helps with our storm preparedness,” said Mayor Johnson.

But when commissioners approved this year’s budget in November, funding for a new EMA director was not a part of it.

“You talking about cutting budgets but yet you’re talking about increasing personnel. It comes with a cost,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.

“It will pay for itself as we go through this recovery for Hurricane Helene, as we try to see out grant opportunities and funding opportunities for reimbursement,” said the Mayor.

For sure the city has not seen its last emergency, now the city is seeking a permanent director to manage it.

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