Augusta, GA
Augusta Commission moves forward on mayor’s credit card policy
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After months of back and forth, Augusta commissioners agreed to move forward with a plan regarding city credit card expenses on Tuesday.
This comes after Mayor Garnett Johnson asked commissioners for reimbursements to his personal credit card he used for city purchases.
The policy the administrator presented to commissioners laid out the credit card policy for all elected officials, including the mayor.
Prior to this policy, the mayor did not have a city credit card and there was no policy for him when it came to him using his own personal credit card for city spending.
For several months now commissioners have tossed around what they think the limit should be for the mayor.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
There are two other elected officials that use a city credit card, the sheriff who has a monthly limit of $5,000, and the marshal who has a monthly limit of $20,000.
Commissioners decided to give the mayor a monthly limit of $15,000 with no daily limit and if any other elected official decides to use a city credit card, their limit will also be $15,000.
“It better reflects our budget in that oftentimes the mayor has to make either travel plans or plans to receive guests,” said Johnson. “Sometimes at the very last moment, we shouldn’t have the hurdles of calling authorizers to approve us with having the ability to entertain guests, having approvals to travel as we need.”
Commissioners also approved the audit of the Parks and Recreation Department.
Commissioner Sean Frantom says they are close to hiring a permanent director and in order to set that individual up for success, they needed to go ahead and audit the department.
This now goes to the full commission for a vote on Tuesday.
Also discussed at the meeting, Augusta’s newly-hired City Administrator, Tamekaa Allen highlighted her plans for the first 180 days in her role.
That involves identifying organization goals, formulating an action agenda and tackling the city’s priorities.
Allen says a “long-range strategic approach” is the key to holding everyone accountable for their performance, as well as clear and honest communication.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The second annual Juneteenth trail ride took place on Old Waynesboro Road in Augusta on Saturday.
The event featured trail rides with horses and ATVs, a mechanical bull contest and music.
People shopped at vendors, and there was entertainment for kids, including a petting zoo, inflatables and games.
“It’s really a privilege just to be able to have the opportunity to share my space, to share my area, and to share for an event with so much value, to give back to my community and a place to celebrate,” said Davon Wallace, chief of operations at Crimson Hills.
Wallace said they will be hosting more events, with a haunted trail coming in October.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
Fitness3 minutes agoAt 31, I’m the Strongest I’ve Ever Been—This Female-Focused Training Plan Is to Thank
-
Movie Reviews13 minutes ago‘Bob and David Climb Machu Picchu’ Tribeca 2026 Review: A Travelogue of Old Friends, Older Knees, and Same Absurd Timing
-
World25 minutes ago
In Taylor Swift’s beach town, every clue becomes a wedding rumor
-
Lifestyle1 hour ago‘Wait Wait’ for June 20, 2026: With Not My Job guest Caro Claire Burke
-
Technology1 hour agoSony’s Xperia 1 VIII is still a phone for the fans
-
World1 hour agoTrump-backed ‘El Tigre’ looks to crush cartels, end Colombia’s socialist era in pivotal election
-
Politics1 hour agoObama Center visitors say project symbolic of ‘Black excellence,’ claim scandal-free legacy while Trump ripped
-
Health2 hours agoPoison centers link growing Benadryl abuse among teens to dangerous social media trends
