Augusta, GA
Augusta interim administrator joins list of finalists for job
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There’s a new name under consideration for Augusta’s administrator position: the current interim administrator, Takiyah Douse.
She hadn’t been automatically included in the mayor’s top three finalists forwarded to the Augusta Commission. But her name was added for consideration before Tuesday’s meeting of commission members.
She was added after some failed attempts to nominate the other two finalists, Robert Chess and Tameka Allen. Chess and Allen had been among three finalists selected by the mayor, but one of those three withdrew his name from consideration.
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After two failed attempts to nominate Allen (5-4-1) and Chess (2-8) on Tuesday, Douse was introduced as an official third candidate for the administrator position.
All candidates can still be considered when the motion comes back up at a special meeting of the commission on Feb. 13.
Douse wasn’t on Mayor Garnett Johnson’s initial list despite applying for the job after serving in the interim position for twice as long as Odie Donald, the man she replaced.
Augusta Land Bank
The Augusta Land Bank came under discussion at the meeting – in particular, a trip to Tampa.
Tax Commissioner T. Chris Johnson was representing the Augusta Land Bank at the meeting and said multiple times: “I won’t go into great detail.”
But he said the intention of the visit was to look into a potential project to bring to Augusta.
Commissioner Sean Frantom says this makes the city look bad, with this group competing with the Augusta Economic Development Authority. He said it makes things look like Augusta is playing in a “sandbox.”
“Nobody plays in the sandbox better than the Land Bank,” the tax commissioner said.
Augusta Boat House
Commissioners also discussed the Augusta Boat House, which was damaged by mold after water pipes broke during a freeze.
The city is in a quandary over whether the building is worth saving.
“In light of the positive condition of the boat house and the lack of ready alternatives, the Rowing Club recommends that the city reconsiders it’s decision to demolish the boat house,” said President of the Rowing Club, Kirsten Alywood. “This partnership should continue for the good of the local economy, to further Destination Augusta, and to create and support a healthy lifestyle for the people of our city”
On one side of Tuesday’s discussion, Commissioner Brandon Garrett and the Augusta Rowing Club say the building isn’t as damaged as some have claimed,“Don’t try to say all the freaking walls are- have mold in them. Because you’ve misled us before and I’m not going to let it happen again, ” said Garrett.
They conducted their own tests showing the mold is confined to the upstairs kitchen.
The Augusta Central Services Department says otherwise – that despite the building not looking damaged, the mold is spreading.
The department showed pictures of what it claimed is mold damage, although Garrett accused the department of misleading the public.
The commission will now come back in two weeks to discuss the state of the building.
The cost to renovate is in the ballpark of $4.5 million to $7 million if the commission wants to keep the building.
The president of the Augusta Rowing Club said it should be considered that the group has brought in lots of money for the city through its “Head of the South” regatta.
Frayed flags
Johnson gave an update on the appearance of the city.
He noted there are a number of missing or torn flags at the municipal building and missing light poles due to car accidents.
Officials are trying to work out who is responsible for the repairs and replacements, especially the flags.
Douse was asked to figure out who is responsible in the next two weeks.
Also at the meeting
- Commissioners got an update on the Newman Tennis Courts work that’s starting this year with completion projected for summer 2025. Augusta Parks and Recreation Department officials say no funds were available until recently to start the process. Illustrations are expected to go before the commission soon so construction can move forward. Although some proponents expressed frustration over lost revenue from tournaments that can’t be scheduled until the work is done, Parks and Recreation officials say the city isn’t missing out on any money for tennis matches that were not scheduled to begin with.
- Commissioners moved forward with a $6,200 concept for the sign of the newly named Tom Wiedmeier Utility Building. However, commissioners didn’t like the look of a $3,400 sign for the Edward McIntyre Riverwalk, so that goes back to the drawing board.
- Johnson wants to put forward a surplus line in the annual budget for capital, saying a $56,000 surplus wasn’t used in 2023. Johnson wants to roll forward $25,000 of that into the 2024 budget and push the rest into the general surplus. The motion was approved.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was fatally shot in an armed robbery on Lumpkin Road, according to authorities, and a suspect has been arrested.
The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop at 2303 Lumpkin Road around 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.
He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.
After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.
The vehicle was registered in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.
Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.
Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.
The driver, 22-year-old Terrance Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.
According to Burke County deputies, another person was in the passenger’s seat and is believed to be connected to the robbery.
Burke County deputies say they also found a black Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun believed to have been stolen during the armed robbery.
Walker faces additional charges in Richmond and Burke counties, including driving under the influence, according to jail bookings.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Rubeha.
The year is off to a deadly start in Augusta; this is already the third homicide of 2025.
The slayings come amid a nearly three-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed around 200 lives.
Communities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River, but as the region’s largest city, Augusta has been hit hard.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The basketball doubleheader featuring both Augusta University and University of South Carolina Aiken has been moved to Sunday.
The two were originally slated to play on Saturday afternoon.
The women’s game will tipoff at 1:30 p.m., and the men’s will follow at 3:30 p.m in the USC Aiken Convocation Center.
Both the Pacers and Jags men’s team last played on Feb. 10 2024.
AU climbed to a 5-point lead in the final period, winning 98-93.
Prior to their last meeting, USC Aiken had a four-game win streak over the Jags.
Sunday will mark the 89th meeting between the two programs.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple cars crashed due to winter weather conditions on I-20 in the CSRA early Friday morning, according to authorities.
On I-20 in Augusta, the road conditions at the Washington Road exit were hazardous, according to our reporter on the interstate.
Our reporter saw another wreck on the Bobby Jones overpass from I-520 to I-20 at 10:35 a.m. We’ve reached out to learn more.
Across the river, on I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.
We have reached out to learn more.
Dispatch told us crews were on the scene of a multiple-car crash on I-20 eastbound at the Walton Way extension ramp at 9:25 a.m.
Officials say at least two vehicles were involved, but more were reported, and they are unsure how many exactly.
They did however say more vehicles became involved after sliding on the road from weather conditions.
Dispatch says they are unsure of any injuries or if any lanes were blocked.
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CSRA winter weather: Full coverage
- LIVE: Latest news on winter weather across the CSRA
- See the winter weather across the CSRA on our live camera network
- How Augusta and state agencies are preparing for icy winter blast
- CSRA schools move to virtual learning in preparation for winter storm
- List of warming shelters in Augusta to escape the cold
- What Red Cross says to do in a winter storm
- Electric crews ‘ready to help’ during winter storm
- Several local FEMA centers closing due to winter weather
- Protecting your pets during extremely cold weather
- What can renters do if pipes burst due to winter weather?
- Don’t get burned by cold-weather home repair scams
- Local fire crews warn of heating hazards in cold weather
- How to spot warning signs of frostbite, hypothermia
- Protecting your most precious plants from winter’s wrath
- Stay inside if you can during cold snap, experts say
- Winter weather myths debunked to keep you safe
- If your pipes freeze or break, follow this advice from experts
- How to get help with your heating bill in the CSRA
- What to know if you’ll be driving in subfreezing weather
- How to protect your heating system during freezing temperatures
- How to stay warm on a budget and beat the cold weather
- Trouble from burst pipes can linger well beyond a freeze
- Keep your pipes from bursting in freezing weather
- How to prepare your home for major freeze
They also told us about another accident in Columbia County in the same area.
We have reached out to learn more.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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