Augusta, GA

Augusta community honors Nathan Lewis Jr. with candlelight vigil

Published

1 month ago

August 9, 2026

Augusta community honors Nathan Lewis Jr. with candlelight vigil

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta community gathered for a candlelight vigil Saturday on Laney Walker Boulevard to honor the life of Nathan Lewis Jr., who was killed on July 30.

Attendees remembered Lewis Jr. not for his circumstances, but for his character, work ethic, and the relationships he built with those around him.

‘He never lost respect’

Vigil attendee Earnestine McKie said Lewis Jr. lived near her mother’s home and greeted her family with consistent warmth.

“Whenever he saw me or any of my family members, ‘How you doing, Miss Ernestine,’ he never lost respect,” McKie said.

Family reflects on shared memories

Teresa Lewis, niece of Nathan Lewis Jr., described a close bond built through daily life together.

“We used to live together. We used to walk places together. I used to take him to his classes on 56th. We did a lot. We used to cook together. And people only knew it to understand,” Teresa Lewis said.

‘Boogie had a home’

Those at the vigil also pushed back on how Lewis Jr. might be remembered publicly. Teresa Lewis said his housing situation was a choice, not a definition.

“I don’t want nobody to remember him as homeless because that was something that he chose. Boogie had a home,” she said.

Teresa Lewis also noted that Lewis Jr.’s mental health may have contributed to his preference for solitude.

“Sometimes when people are going through mental issues, they tend to want to be alone or just be around people in the street,” Lewis said.

Remembered for work ethic and spirit

Attendees also recalled Lewis Jr.’s work ethic and his enjoyment of time spent with others.

“He worked for everything, all his money. He didn’t go out here robbing and stealing. Boogie, he worked for his money,” one attendee said.

“Just doing things together, doing hobbies together, going places, just so we stayed together. That don’t mean we was in the house all the time. We used to ride out. We used to ride the city,” another said.

Nathan Lewis Jr.’s memorial service will be held at C.A. Reid Sr. Memorial Funeral Home on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 2:30 p.m.

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Augusta, GA

Aiken Co. man dies after mower overturns into Augusta Canal

Published

9 hours ago

September 13, 2026

Press Room

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded at 2:00pm Saturday to the canal at Fenwick Street and James Brown Blvd. Authorities said an employee with a privately owned lawn company was cutting grass near the canal, when the mower overturned into the canal trapping the operator under water. The Richmond County Fire […]

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Augusta, GA

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responds to a mower operator getting trapped underwater

Published

20 hours ago

September 12, 2026

Press Room

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responds to a mower operator getting trapped underwater

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call where a mower died on Saturday afternoon.

The sheriff’s office said the incident took place at the canal on Fenwick Street and James Brown Blvd.

A privately owned lawn company was cutting grass near the canal and the mower overturned into the canal trapping the operator underwater, according to deputies.

The Richmond County Fire Department helped with recovering the male from the water.

The male was soon identified as Robert Duncan, 67, from Aiken County and was pronounced dead on scene, according to deputies.

The investigation is still ongoing.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta tourism leaders launch staycation contest and new downtown campaigns

Published

1 day ago

September 12, 2026

Press Room

Augusta tourism leaders launch staycation contest and new downtown campaigns

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta’s tourism leaders are rolling out a series of new projects aimed at drawing more people downtown.

It’s a way to help businesses that are hurting from ongoing road construction.

Augusta & Co., Destination Augusta and Visit Augusta are launching several initiatives over the next few months to boost foot traffic, make it easier to navigate, and highlight locally owned shops, restaurants and attractions.

The first effort, the Downtown Augusta Staycation Contest, is already underway.

The four‑month campaign runs from September through December and encourages residents and visitors to support downtown businesses. To enter, participants make purchases from at least two participating downtown restaurants, retailers, attractions or other businesses, then submit their receipts and an entry form at Augusta & Co.

Each month, one winner will be selected to receive a curated Augusta staycation package featuring local accommodations, dining and entertainment experiences.

You can learn more and enter at: https://www.visitaugusta.com/augusta-co-giveaway or at www.facebook.com/augustaandco/posts/pfbid0iRuoytxqG8o21rdmQ6KqMzAC6ePjqdJZg3sxqmyPjXYDhkdMH1oBzzn8Hxrr85mGl?rdid=PyJahxLxjS8CoMy7#

Three more initiatives will roll out in the coming weeks:

Small Business Saturday 2026: Destination Augusta, in partnership with Downtown Soul City, plans to turn Small Business Saturday into a coordinated, downtown‑wide shopping and dining event. Participating retailers, restaurants, attractions and experience providers will offer special promotions, discounts, giveaways and holiday experiences.
Downtown signage: A temporary wayfinding initiative will install accessible signs around downtown and back them up with coordinated communications to help residents, visitors, employees and customers navigate construction zones. The signs will point people to parking, open businesses and key destinations, with an emphasis on safety and clarity.
Downtown Augusta Shopping Pass: Starting Oct. 1, a free, holiday‑themed digital shopping pass will launch to encourage people to visit locally owned downtown businesses, then convert to a year‑round program on Jan. 1. Users will be able to check in at participating shops to earn rewards and discover new retailers, with a focus on easing concerns about construction, parking and accessibility.

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