Augusta, GA
Augusta community in shambles after Hurricane Helene
‘This storm literally spared no one’: Kemp in Augusta
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp surveyed Hurricane Helene’s damage across Augusta, vowing to get everything cleaned up for residents.
AUGUSTA, Ga. – From the air, the view of Hurricane Helene’s toll in Augusta is staggering. Neighborhoods were left in disarray from the storm’s strong winds, which toppled trees and knocked down power lines.
“That’s my house, I lived here for my daughter’s entire life,” said Crystal Watson, who has lived in the home for about a decade.
As Hurricane Helene tore through, four trees came crashing down, narrowly missing two bedrooms where people were sleeping.
“Just looking at my house, I just feel thankful because we’re all okay,” Watson said. “We’re all okay. We’re able to stay here. We’re able to sleep here at night and I know that it’s probably a lot worse for other people.”
Around the area, damage can be found everywhere; on Monday morning, Governor Brian Kemp got a bird’s-eye view.
“This hurricane looks as if a 250-mile-wide tornado has hit,” he said.
SEE ALSO: Death toll rises to 25 in Georgia, Biden asked to approve disaster declaration
Gov. Kemp says the death toll in Georgia stands at 25, including a 27-year-old mother and her one-month-old twin boys who died when a tree fell onto their mobile home just west of Augusta.
Kemp says he is working with federal partners to get help where it is needed.
“This storm literally spared no one,” he said.
The governor stated that at the height of the storm, 1.3 million people were in the dark; however, in the days since, hundreds of thousands have had their power restored. For Georgia Power service areas alone, company officials say more than 7,000 power poles had to be repaired or replaced, more than 700 miles of new wires had to be strung, more than 1,200 new transformers installed, and more than 3,000 trees had to be removed from lines.
For the Watson family, recovery will take some time, but they have insurance. They said their community has really come together during this difficult time.
“We’ve become really close with our neighbors of ten years because of this. It sucks that it takes that kind of disaster to make it happen,” Watson said. “I am glad that communities are helping each other out, and we still have some good humanity left out there.”
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Players and The Imperial Theatre have announced a new Chief Executive Officer.
Shane Peterman will lead the organizations as they continue working toward a proposed merger and a shared future for the performing arts in Augusta.
Peterman brings nearly 30 years of experience in commercial and nonprofit performing arts, including executive leadership, producing, arts education, organizational growth, revenue development and community engagement.
He most recently served as Producing Artistic Director of WaterTower Theatre in Addison, Texas. Peterman has also worked in commercial theatre development and producing in both the United States and United Kingdom.
“Shane brings the rare combination of artistic understanding, business discipline, warmth and vision that this moment requires,” said M. Amy Patton, Interim CEO of The Augusta Players and Search Committee Co Chair. “He understands that strong organizations are built through trust, transparency, relationships, and mission. We believe Shane is the right leader to help guide this next chapter.”
Peterman’s background also includes leadership of performing arts organizations, theatrical producing and presenting, donor and corporate support, arts education and organizational transition.
“I’m deeply honored by the trust both organizations have placed in me during such an important and exciting moment in their histories,” said Peterman.
“The Augusta Players and The Imperial Theatre together represent a nearly 200 year legacy of artistic excellence, civic engagement and community impact. I look forward to working alongside the boards, staff, artists, patrons, donors and the greater Augusta community as we help shape a strong and sustainable future for the performing arts together.”
Peterman is expected to begin his role on June 15.
His leadership comes nearly 7 months after the death of Augusta Players Executive and Artistic Director Scott Seidl.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
College basketball: Keshun Sherrill enters Augusta Sports Hall of Fame
Published 5:34 pm Sunday, May 31, 2026
Staff report
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Keshun Sherrill, one of the all-time basketball greats at West Rowan, was inducted into the Augusta Sports Hall of Fame in ceremonies held on Friday.
Sherrill, a 5-foot-9 guard, had his number retired by Augusta. He was the leading scorer, not only in Augusta University hoops history, but in Peach Belt Conference history with 2,333 points.
Sherrill was honored as Augusta’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2017.
Sherrill was named All-America by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Division II Conference Commissioners Association and played in the 2017 Reese’s Division 2 College All-Star Game. He was Southeast Region Player of the Year as a senior.
Sherrill played for head coach Mike Gurley at West Rowan and graduated in 2012. He was all-county four years and all-conference three years. He was West’s Male Athlete of the Year for the 2011-12 school year.
Sherrill, 31, is the son of Keith and Rhonda Sherrill. His brothers, KJ Sherrill and Jamel Carpenter, were also stars for the Falcons.
Sherrill has played pro ball overseas since graduating from Augusta. He finished his most recent season in Turkey in March.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted for questioning in connection with a robbery and battery at a convenience store in Augusta.
The incident happened May 30 at C&M Curb Market, also known as the Grey Store, at 619 E. Boundary St., according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators say the subject is wanted for questioning in a robbery by force and battery.
He was last seen leaving the area in a small silver SUV with an unknown tag, authorities said.
Anyone with information about the man’s whereabouts or who may come into contact with him is asked to contact Investigator Trivia Hardy at 706-821-1178. Tips can also be directed to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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