AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Xzavier Neil grew up, by his own account, as an angry kid in Augusta. Now 18, he is heading to the Navy — and leaving behind a legacy rooted in anti-violence advocacy.

Neil credits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta with changing his path. Through the organization, he found mentors and developed an interest in technology and cybersecurity.

“They exposed me to a lot of opportunities,” Neil said. “If I wasn’t here, I wouldn’t have been able to do them — like a passion for technology, cybersecurity.”

From Harrisburg to Washington

Neil and fellow club members organized a “Stop the Violence” basketball tournament in Augusta’s Harrisburg neighborhood. The effort drew national attention, earning the group an invitation to the Summit for America’s Youth in Washington, D.C., where they met with Georgia Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and U.S. Rep. Rick Allen.

“One thing I got from him [Rick Allen] is — speak up,” Neil said.

Life and Workforce Readiness Specialist Amisha Webb said the teens made a direct case to their elected representatives.

“When we got to go talk to our representatives, they got to explain to them — this is why this is important, this is why you should continue to support the Boys and Girls Club that we get to encounter every day,” Webb said.

A personal pledge

Back in Augusta, the teens signed a personal pledge to actively work against violence in their own neighborhoods. Malachi Branch, a former club member who now works at the organization, said the mission is personal.

“Kids that young shouldn’t be focused on guns,” Branch said. “They should be focused on things they love and enjoy — sports, finding passions that they can grow up into.”

Neil said the group is not waiting to act.

“We aren’t waiting until we are adults,” he said. “We see a problem and we are acting on it.”

As he prepares to leave for the Navy, Neil said he hopes the work continues after him.

“I just hope when they think of me, or they want to do something — they act on it,” he said. “It reaffirms what I want to change. It makes me want to push harder… push against the violence.”

After-school registration is currently open at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta. The organization serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade, with programs in leadership, technology, arts and sports.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – A heavy thunderstorm led to flooding in some areas Thursday afternoon.

Just before 4 p.m. in North Augusta, the West Martintown Road entrance ramp to eastbound Interstate 20 was closed due to standing water.

Drivers were asked to avoid the area and use an alternate route until conditions improve and the ramp could be safely reopened.

One resident of Augusta’s Summerville neighborhood reported flooding in her garage.

Water was also seen spewing out of storm sewer entrances on her street.

Advertisement

The Richmond County School System said some afternoon bus routes might be delayed as drivers took safety precautions.

“We will continue to monitor the weather and share any updates to staff via email, our inclement weather landing page, our social media channels, and local news outlets,” the district said.

A large tree’s trunk split and it fell down in front of the Academy of Richmond County on Walton Way.

We also received reports of trees down in Lincoln County on Mount Zion Church Road near Salem Church Road.

Across the Savannah River in Lexington County, a person reportedly was struck by lightning.

Lexington County Emergency Management responded to a call for a person being hit by lightning on Pleasant Creek Drive just before 3:30 p.m.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A local chocolate shop is selling white chocolate candies featuring the likeness of Jimothy, a raccoon believed to have a genetic disorder that gives him a shortened spine.

La Bonbonniere, located in the Furys Ferry Station behind Fleet Feet, is selling the Jimothy-themed chocolates. Owner Melody Roebuck created the candy in honor of her late mother and the shop.

Roebuck said her mother loved critters and would have loved Jimothy.

“Jimothy! We all love Jimothy!” Roebuck said.

Roebuck said the candy came out of a difficult period earlier in the year.

“We just felt like we needed a little bit of levity after a really hard time in May,” Roebuck said. “Barbara, our manager, and I were chit-chatting and were brainstorming ideas. And Jimothy just seemed like the perfect fit for all of it.”