Augusta, GA

Augusta interim administrator applied for job but didn’t make top 3

Published

2 years ago

January 26, 2024

Augusta interim administrator applied for job but didn’t make top 3

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta’s interim city administrator was among those applying for the permanent job, according to the mayor’s office.

Takiyah Douse has been serving in the role for nearly two years now – twice as long as Odie Donald served as city administrator before she was named to the interim role.

She applied for the permanent job that’s open, and Mayor Garnett Johnson was tasked with narrowing down the list to three recommendations to give the Augusta Commission.

Johnson early this month submitted the top three names to the commission:

Tameka N. Allen
Richard D. Chess
Robert J. Sivick

The three were chosen based on qualifications and experience, according to the mayor’s office.

Sivick soon removed his name from consideration.

“At that time, and at the recommendation of legal counsel, the Office of the Mayor and the Augusta-Richmond County Commission agreed to ask the remaining finalist candidates for approval to release their information,” a spokeswoman for Johnson said Friday.

Douse was the only candidate to agree. The remaining candidates withdrew their names for consideration, according to the spokeswoman.

Johnson will not be making any additional nominations or recommendations until the current candidates are voted on, the spokeswoman said.

News 12 filed an open-records request to get a copy of Douse’s cover letter and resume submitted with her application for the job.

SEE THE COVER LETTER AND RESUME:

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Augusta, GA

FBI agents identify chemical used in Georgia acid attack

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

FBI agents identify chemical used in Georgia acid attack

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The FBI agents have confirmed that they’ve identified the chemical used in a Georgia acid attack.

Just last month, Ashley Wasielewski was walking around Forsyth Park in Savannah when a man hiding in the shadows near Whitaker Street suddenly came out and attacked Wasielewski with an unknown chemical substance.

Despite the hardship she’s been through and that lies ahead, Ashley Wasielewski is smiling in a photo from her hospital bed.(Contributed)

Sources close to the investigation say that liquid melted through Wasielewski’s clothing and headphones and left her with severe burns.

On Friday, the FBI released that they now know what that substance was but are not releasing the name of the substance to the public at this time.

FBI officials say that SLED assisted and did the testing on behalf of the the organization.

Agents are also following up on leads now that the substance has been identified.

Just days after the attack, more than $260,000 had been raised for Wasielewski, who was recovering at a burn center in Augusta.

One of Ashley’s friends, Kristen Oddi organized a GoFundMe to help pay for Wasielewski’s extensive medical care.

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Augusta, GA

Another name joins Augusta mayor race

Published

15 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta mayor race now has three candidates as another person has announced their candidacy.

Eric Gaines, who’s on the charter review committee and is a local real estate investor, announced on Sunday that he is running for mayor on Sunday.

He said in a Facebook post that his campaign is built on a simple idea: People before politics.

Transparent leadership you do not have to decode.
Accessible government that listens instead of lectures.
Decisions based on what actually improves lives not what protects careers.

“I’m not running because someone tapped me on the shoulder. I’m not running because a political machine told me it was my turn. And I’m definitely not running because I raised a mountain of cash behind closed doors,” he said.

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Augusta, GA

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate Rep. David Clark visits Augusta

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate Rep. David Clark visits Augusta

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate state Rep. David Clark made a stop in Augusta Saturday. He says that some of his priorities if he wins include expanding school choice, eliminating the state income and property taxes, and reaching out to younger voters.

Clark is also an Army veteran, who served overseas. He hopes to represent all Georgians.

“Before politics and parties we’re Americans, we’re Georgians. That’s the biggest thing. People want someone who stands up and listens to people,” said Clark.

“I’m not saying we’re always going to agree, but in the end—we’re the American family, we’re the Georgian family.”

The Georgia primary will take place on May 19th, and the general election will be on November 3rd.

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