AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – United Way of the CSRA and Piedmont Augusta hosted a public community resource fair on Wednesday.

The event was in honor of 211 Day — the annual day to raise awareness for the 211 helpline.

PHOTO GALLERY: COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR

In the CSRA, the service connects thousands of families to utility assistance, food pantries and health care resources every year.

The event was held in the Piedmont Hospital Cafeteria, 1350 Walton Way, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There were be representatives from the United Way of the CSRA, leadership from Piedmont Augusta and local community resource providers.

Organizers said the aim was to bridge the gap between residents and the essential services they need, including food, housing, and veteran support.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta commissioners are moving forward with plans for a long-promised water park in South Augusta, but the city will not build the facility alone.

The city set aside $5 million in taxpayer money to help jump-start the water park project.

Instead of building it itself, Augusta is trying to recruit a private company to contribute additional funding and operate the park.

The city administrator said Destination Augusta has been collecting proposals and intends to meet with potential partners Tuesday.

Residents push for updates on water park progress

The water park remains in the early planning stages, with no confirmed location or timeline. Voters approved the $5 million in funding through SPLOST in 2021.

Frank Howard, who lives near Diamond Lakes Park, has pushed commissioners for months about the project.

“South Augusta is hungry, we are hungry for some change, for some improvement, for something coming to South Augusta,” Howard said.

Melvin Ivey, another area resident, said he wants transparency about the project’s status.

“We have voted on it twice and no one has said anything. No one has presented any plans or anything. I want to know what’s going on,” Ivey said.

Diamond Lakes Park sees improvements while water park plans develop

While water park plans continue, Diamond Lakes Park is adding three new shaded areas that are currently under construction.

Howard showed the improvements at the park, saying the additions are “much better” and “only the beginning.”

Ivey believes Diamond Lakes Park would be the ideal location for the water park because the site spans more than 250 acres.

“I think Diamond Lakes is the ideal location,” Ivey said. “Diamond Lakes is over 250 acres and all you need is depending on the size.”

Both residents emphasized the need for a quality facility that serves the entire community.

“If you gonna bring water park over here, bring a water park that’s going to be satisfactory to everybody in South Augusta. Not only South Augusta, but the whole Richmond County,” Howard said.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta murder suspect was arrested in Thailand, according to Richmond County deputies.

Cedric Alandus Peters was wanted in the 2024 shooting death of Chavious Kimmerlin, 50, at Kimmerlin’s home in the 500 block of Highland Avenue, according to deputies.

In Nov. 2025, authorities released that Peters was wanted as a suspect in the case.

Peters was wanted by the sheriff’s office for malice murder, three counts of felony murder, two counts of possession of a firearem during the commission of a crime, home invasion in the first degree and burglary in the first degree, according to deputies.

Richmond County deputies say they are working with the U.S. Marshal’s Service on the case.

In January 2025, we reported De’Narian Cobb, 25, of Waynesboro, was charged in connection with the Nov. 21 shooting death.

Cobb was found at his home in the 500 block of Eighth Street in Waynesboro after Richmond County and Burke County deputies went there to take him in for questioning in connection with the shooting.

During their interview with him, Richmond County investigators said they found enough probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant.

Cobb was originally at the Burke County Detention Center for charges that occurred in that jurisdiction, but has since been extradited to Richmond County and booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center on the charges of murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to Richmond County deputies.

Kimmerlin’s slaying in broad daylight shocked those who lived and worked in the neighborhood.

A woman who works at the Wing Express across the street said the victim had just been there the night before, getting food.

“It’s scary out here,” she said. “I just come into work every day and pray I make it back to my car.”

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