Augusta, GA
Augusta Dream Center helps teens have a night to remember, for free
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center helped make some teenagers’ prom dreams come true.
Oftentimes getting set up for prom is an expensive process for a memory that could last a lifetime.
It’s a way to help take away any financial stress that comes with prom.
It adds up quickly when it comes to clothes, hair, makeup, and more, but hundreds of girls got all of that for free today at Stephens Creek Church.
It was a day dedicated to making each and every person that walked in the door feel special.
“Specifically for high schoolers, especially that are underprivileged or don’t really have the opportunity to go prom dress shopping. It’s really cool that they offer this opportunity,” said Sarah Smith, a volunteer.
It’s not just for South Augusta, but all across the CSRA.
“I love seeing other girls walk down looking so beautiful and feeling themselves just feeling like how a girl should feel. And when I saw everyone walking down in those dresses, I’m like they must be so happy right now. They look so pretty. They look so happy,” said LJ Lopez, who attended the event.
More than 200 girls chose from up to 3000 donated dresses while also getting their hair and makeup done and choosing from hundreds of accessories for free.
“Just think about how inflation has impacted all of us. So, you know, the cost of their prom tickets are astronomical, if you have a couple of kids in high school. I mean, how do you do that?” said Kellie Newman, Augusta Dream Center Director.
But happiness like this isn’t something you can put a price on.
“I really don’t think there’s a much greater reward than pouring in and investing into the next generation. And so, teenagers today are under so much more stress than ever before, just in this world today we live in, the culture and social media and all of those things,” said Newman.
So the last thing they should stress about is something every teenager looks forward to.
“It’s just like really cool to see like their transformation with their confidence and clothes and everything,” said Mary-Caroline Waldrop, a volunteer.
Everything may have been free but many of them left with something money could never buy.
“Grateful. I appreciate it. Made me feel like Cinderella,” said Aaliyah Samuels, who attended the event.
Augusta Dream Center says this was their biggest Cinderella Day since they started seven years ago.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The South Augusta YMCA will not renew its lease at the Tobacco Road location, the Y confirmed.
The shopping center is being sold, and the current lease ends in October.
The Y has not announced a final day at the current location. Officials said they plan to announce that date and next steps for South Augusta later this month.
The YMCA said it still plans to serve South Augusta after the lease expires.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man who was previously wanted for questioning in an Augusta deadly shooting has now been charged with murder in the case, according to authorities.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says Kemfton Quewanaki Kenon, 27, was arrested on Friday in connection to the shooting death of Khyla Rodriguez, of Augusta.
Kenon is booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and charged with murder and possession of a firearm during a crime, according to jail bookings.
Rodriguez, 25, was found dead after deputies received a call about a shooting on May 15 at 1:11 a.m. on Cameron Drive.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office said Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 2:27 a.m.
Kenon was previously wanted for questioning in the case and was located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. He was interviewed and arrested on an unrelated warrant.
Deputies were also interviewed two other subjects in the case. They were not arrested in the case.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – People who live in South Augusta are raising concerns about the future of the Family Y on Tobacco Road.
Officials say the facility has been operating at a loss for years, and have had a low number of memberships. The location also has a new owner. The cost of the lease is too high and the facility is also in need of renovations, which are said to be costly.
“The reality is we couldn’t afford the current lease that we were in,” said Catie McCauley, president and CEO of Family Y of Greater Augusta. “Over the last 10 years we’ve been subsidizing this lot. So we got to look at a model that we can sustain for the next several generations not just the next couple years.”
The location is set to close in October, but officials say they are working with community members and contractors for a new building that they can move into and are committed to staying in South Augusta.
Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps
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