Augusta, GA

Augusta commission approves moving forward with review of city charter

Published

2 years 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

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

8 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

20 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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