Augusta, GA

Augusta commissioners agree on reviewing the city charter but not on how

Published

2 years ago

July 18, 2024

Augusta commissioners agree on reviewing the city charter but not on how

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Experts from the Carl Vinson School of Government tells Augusta a charter review should happen.

But it could take a year and a half and cost up to $200,000.

“It’s worth it because in the 28 years we’ve never had any formal review typically governments do it every seven to ten years, so this just makes sense and I think we’re at a crossroads right now in our government,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom.

City leaders getting expert advice on changing the charter but we’re told any changes would only be recommendations and would have to be approved by state lawmakers.

“I think it’s time we look at the charter and consider it, my concern is to make sure it’s open to the public,” said State Representative Karlton Howard.

Experts telling commissioners to get the public involved the mayor and commissioners could make the appointments to an independent charter review committee.

“We are the elected representatives, and we have to pick someone to represent us in the matter,” said Frantom.

But others oppose having city leaders pick a committee and feel the experts at school of government should recommend charter changes

“Any type of appointments by a commissioner or the mayor would lead to this charter review being a political stunt basically,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson.

“Everything in life is political in some manner and it’s going to be political in some form,” said Frantom.

“We need to draft this charter in a way that does not speak to anyone’s personal political preferences including my own,” said Johnson.

City leaders are in favor of reviewing the city charter, but already there’s disagreement on how to get it done.

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Augusta, GA

One dead following a shooting in Richmond County

Published

7 hours ago

March 28, 2026

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One dead following a shooting in Richmond County

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Coroner’s Office said a person has died after a shooting on Division Street Saturday afternoon.

Officials say the shooting happened at the 2100 block around 4 p.m.

The victim was shot at least one time and taken to Wellstar MCG, where he later died, the coroner’s office says.

The sheriff’s office also went to Division Street at approximately 4 p.m. in reference to the incident, deputies say.

An autopsy has been scheduled.

No further information is available at this time.

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Augusta, GA

Sandusky Ohio News | Sandusky Register

Published

19 hours ago

March 28, 2026

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<br /> Sandusky Ohio News | Sandusky Register <br />

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Augusta, GA

Augusta’s Turpin neighborhood to get affordable homes with $1.85M federal grant

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

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Augusta’s Turpin neighborhood to get affordable homes with .85M federal grant

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The historic Turpin neighborhood will soon welcome more affordable homes after Augusta Habitat for Humanity was awarded $1.85 million in federal funding this week.

The grant will fund the construction of at least 12 homes in the area.

“Habitat for Humanity applied for federal funding, and they were awarded the funding,” said District 2 Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.

Reviving a historic community

The Turpin neighborhood was once home to professionals, including educators, doctors, and lawyers.

“These big professionals that lived mostly over this way,” one resident said of the neighborhood’s history.

Pulliam described the area’s former prominence as “its grand days of glory, when it was the place.”

The project brings together city organizers and community partners through the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing, or GICH.

“We have so many partners. We have the Housing Authority on board. We have a representative from the Hub on board,” Pulliam said. “There’s so many great partners at the table that’s helping pull all of this together.”

Federal support and future plans

The project received backing from Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

Habitat for Humanity, with support from GICH, focused its application on Turpin Hill intentionally, as officials say the community had been needing to be addressed for years.

With Habitat for Humanity continuing to advocate for more funds, Pulliam said their motivation could lead to additional housing development in the future.

“We keep going and going and going,” she said. “Now we can do 20. Now we can do multifamily. So it’s fueling our fire to get more housing, but not just housing, to clean up the area.”

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