Augusta, GA
Augusta is one step closer to seeing ice hockey team
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Ice hockey in Augusta is looking more like a done deal than a distant dream.
Now that voters approved the funding for a brand-new James Brown Arena, the plans are starting to take shape.
Oak View, the group that will manage the arena, is working with a company called Zawyer Sports, whose CEO vows to bring ice hockey to Augusta.
He sat down with our Laura Warren to explain why they think Augusta is a great fit.
Laura: “How do you sell out an ice hockey game in a place like Savannah, Georgia?”
Andy Kauffman: “Honestly, it’s just about bringing the community together.”
It’s a model they’ve been able to replicate.
“Started a team out in Lake Tahoe with our buddy Tim Tebow as the managing partner over there. Started a team in Allen, Texas with Miles Jack, who actually played for the Steelers,” said Kauffman.
And now, they’re planning to bring ice hockey to Augusta.
“We have no doubt it’s going to be successful here, and we’re ready to put our money where our mouths are,” he said.
The puck started sliding when voters approved the funds to build a new James Brown Arena. A former Lynx player named John Whitwell really led the charge and captured the attention of Kauffman.
FULL INTERVIEW:
“Just seeing the success we’ve seen in other markets that quite frankly aren’t positioned as well as Augusta. Augusta has a base of hockey fans from the days of the Lynx,” said Kauffman.
The group that will be managing the arena is called Oak View.
The Coliseum Authority in charge of building the arena says things are moving in the right direction, and we could see the demolition of the old building starting mid-July, which puts us closer to seeing a contract in place for ice hockey.
“Once we are in about two years or so of being able to drop the puck for opening night, we basically claim an expansion membership in the ECHL and we come to town, make everyone proud, and celebrate with you guys,” said Kauffman.
Kauffman says they take a community-first approach, and Augusta will have a say in naming the team. This will be an NHL-affiliated franchise.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Shoppers in Augusta will soon lose a longtime retail option, as Lane Bryant’s store inside Augusta Mall is set to close for good this weekend.
Employees at Lane Bryant inside Augusta Mall confirmed that the store will permanently close starting Sunday, April 19.
After the closure, the nearest Lane Bryant location for customers will be in Lexington.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
With deepest and heartfelt sympathy, G. L. Brightharp & Sons announces the transition of Mr. Willie J. Tanksley who entered into rest April 18, 2026.
Mr. Tanksley, a native of Richmond County, was a 1985 graduate of the Academy of Richmond County. He was a member of Greater Young Zion Baptist Church where he served in the Brotherhood Ministry.
Survivors include his wife, Sabrina Tanksley; two daughters, Ashley Tanksley and Taylor Tanksley; siblings, Elise Tanksley of Augusta, GA, Wilhelmina Roland of Atlanta, GA, Terry Tanksley, Tommy Tanksley, Watler Tanksley and Elder Claude (Kimberly) Tanksley all of Augusta, GA; an aunt, Frances Tate; an uncle, James Tanksley; mother-in-law, Sandra Harrison of Beech Island, SC; father-in-law, Jimmy (Elnora) Bing; three sisters-in-law, Fonda Rainey, Nicole Harrison and Nina Bing; a brother-in-law, Eric Bing; a host of nieces , nephews, along with other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Greater Young Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. William A. Blount officiating. Interment will follow at Walker Memorial Park. Viewing will be held from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.
The family will not be receiving visitors at the home. We ask that you continue to pray for them during this time.
Professional Services are under the compassionate care of G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary-North Augusta.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree’s funeral was held on Friday morning.
The funeral began at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, the Rev. Karlton Howard officiating.
WATCH THE FUNERAL
Interment will follow at Noah’s Ark Baptist Church Cemetery in Waynesboro.
A viewing was held on Thursday at Good Shepherd Baptist Church from 2-6 p.m.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Classmate remembers former Sheriff Richard Roundtree ahead of funeral
- Funeral announced for former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree
News 12 first learned of Roundtree’s passing on April 11. He’d been in a metro Atlanta hospital with serious medical issues.
Several people spoke during the funeral service, but one deputy in particular spoke of Roundtree’s leadership.
“He was more than a sheriff. He was an innovator. He looked for better ways to serve. He led with integrity, courage and genuine commitment,” said the deputy.
Roundtree, 57, was the head law enforcement officer in Augusta for more than a decade − and when he took office in 2012, notably no sheriff had been like him.
He was the first African American elected to the title, something he spent a career working toward.
He was highly visible in the community, where he could frequently be seen in a vest, working a crime scene along with his deputies.
Former classmate Clarence Brown said he was proud of Roundtree for his work.
“I was proud of him for, for actually, you know, getting to that level. But at the same time I realized that that’s a heavy weight, especially being from the community, um, and, and to draw in the community,” Brown said. “And so I wanted him to know that there was somebody in his corner that didn’t need anything.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
Arkansas4 minutes agoNo. 6 Arkansas ends top-ranked OU’s 31-game home winning streak with 3-2 decision
-
California10 minutes ago
Billionaire Steyer’s spending binge dwarfs rival campaigns in California governor’s race
-
Colorado16 minutes agoLandeskog – April 18 | Colorado Avalanche
-
Connecticut22 minutes agoOvernight Forecast for April 19
-
Delaware28 minutes agoState Police Arrest Dover Man for Assault and Aggravated Menacing in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
-
Florida34 minutes agoSNAP benefits will be changing in Florida starting Monday
-
Georgia40 minutes agoGeorgia on nobody’s mind: The Dawgs are under the radar, and that’s a compliment
-
Hawaii46 minutes agoLarge section of Aloha Stadium demolished as project proceeds – West Hawaii Today