Augusta, GA

Augusta leaders discuss housing department’s multimillion-dollar scandal

Published

1 month ago

November 6, 2025

Augusta leaders discuss housing department’s multimillion-dollar scandal

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Commission members held a budget workshop session Thursday, and there was much discussion about the Housing and Community Development Department.

That’s the department that left the city on the hook to pay back millions in federal grant money.

The city got more than $6 million in grant money during the COVID pandemic, supposedly to help people who were in danger of eviction.

The city never spent the money for that purpose, so the government demanded it back.

The department didn’t have the money on hand, so the city had to repay it, and then some, from the general fund – $6.3 million of the original grant money and $2.1 million in penalties.

The scandal led to the exit of Housing and Community Director Hawthorne Welcher and sparked an audit of the department.

“The community is highly concerned, just like we are about the fact that we’ve had this many levels of issue. And there doesn’t look like there has been any accountability with it,” Augusta Commission member Don Clark said.

“As of a week ago, still receiving liability issues out of the inadequacies coming from the department. The last pot of money for the emergency rental assistance, we had to pay out some more additional funds,” he said.

On Oct. 28, commissioners in closed executive session approved the payment of up to $32,237.32 from contingency funds for rental assistance previously approved by the Housing and Community Development Department.

This means leaders agreed to take the money from their emergency fund and use it to help people with their rent as part of a program the department had already put in place.

Mayor Garnett Johnson said at the time this was an effort to address letters that were sent out, falsely leading people to believe they were getting some emergency funds.

“ Despite all the great things that it has achieved in the past, the last 12 months have really damaged the public’s trust in Housing and Community Development,” City Administrator Tameka Allen said.

“ I would like to see us refocus this department on its core mission,” she said. “That is implementing its core grant programs as efficiently and effectively as possible. From a financial perspective, we need to live within our means, spending grants appropriately and reducing Housing and Community Development’s dependence on the general fund.”

Commissioners learned at the budget session Thursday that the department owns 64 rental properties compared to the 12 it owned a few years ago.

Allen admitted she only recently learned the current number was 64.

A department staff member said: ”Back before COVID, we found out that we had additional program income and we had a lot of individuals requesting houses, decent safe housing. So our director at that time chose to take that program income and purchase homes to put low- to moderate-income people in.”

The staffer said the department can adjust the rents according to incomes.

The staffer said the homes are managed by a private company, but commissioners admitted they have little oversight of how rents, tenants or repairs are handled.

Commissioners said they need a breakdown of the rental program (who’s in the houses, what rent comes in and how it’s advertised) as well as clarity on how the city monitors the property management company.

“The more I dig, the more I find,” Allen said.

Allen recommended setting a target to reduce general fund subsidy of the department by about $500,000, including five positions in administration and support, as well as other cuts.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson wanted to be sure these cuts wouldn’t gut redevelopment projects.

Allen said she plans to keep the redevelopment sector, the supervisor, and at least one coordinator so those bigger capital projects can keep moving.

She said the department needs a reset after a year of lost community trust and costly mistakes.

She says the goal is to get the department back to its core U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs and fix financial controls once the ongoing audit is complete.

She says the audit is on track to be completed within the next 45 days

Source link

Augusta, GA

Men’s Hoops Blows Past Georgia Southwestern 84-55 – Augusta University

Published

12 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Press Room

Men’s Hoops Blows Past Georgia Southwestern 84-55 – Augusta University

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta men’s basketball turned in a balanced offensive effort and steady defensive performance to earn an 84-55 Peach Belt Conference win over Georgia Southwestern on Saturday evening at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jaguars move to 6-5 overall and 2-0 in league play, while the Hurricanes fall to 6-2 on the season and 1-1 in the PBC.

Augusta shot 50.8 percent (32-for-63) from the field, 45.5 percent (10-for-22) from three-point range, and 71.4 percent (10-for-14) at the free throw line. Georgia Southwestern finished 34.7 percent (17-for-49) from the floor, 30.4 percent (7-for-23) from beyond the arc, and 63.6 percent (14-for-22) at the line.

The Jaguars used an efficient first half to build early separation, going 57.7 percent from the field and 71.4 percent (5-for-7) from three to take a 41-21 lead into the break. Augusta continued to control the tempo in the second half, outscoring the Hurricanes 43-34 and never allowing the margin to fall back into single digits.

Luis Nonfon led four Jaguars in double figures with a game-high 19 points on 8-for-14 shooting, adding eight rebounds, one assist, and one block in 31 minutes. Matias Zanotto followed with 16 points, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, and chipped in six rebounds and three assists.

Off the bench, Tobias Prall added 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting and 4-for-7 from three-point range, while Camryn Pacheco supplied five points, one assist, and one steal. Rodney Scott turned in an efficient line of eight points on 4-for-4 shooting with three rebounds and three assists. Charlie McBeath finished with six points, five rebounds, and three assists, and Elías Pálsson added seven points and one assist.

Augusta held a 38-30 advantage on the glass and converted 16 second-chance points compared to 10 for Georgia Southwestern. The Jaguars also owned a 38-20 edge in points in the paint, a 15-8 margin in fast-break points, and outscored the Hurricanes 28-12 in bench points. Augusta forced 10 Georgia Southwestern turnovers and turned them into 12 points on the other end.

Georgia Southwestern was led by Amir Reaves with 17 points and three rebounds. Markel Freeman added 15 points, including three three-pointers, while JR Jacobs chipped in seven points.

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags

Source link

Augusta, GA

Salvation Army of Augusta gives away local goods at Christmas market

Published

24 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Press Room

Salvation Army of Augusta gives away local goods at Christmas market

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army of Augusta held a Christmas market on Saturday.

From sweet treats and merry music to local goodies and Christmas cheer, you could find it all at the Kroc Center.

We got to speak with one of the organizers about why they only accepted local businesses.

“So we only wanted local vendors because, you know, we serve Augusta and specifically the Harrisburg community. And we just want to be able to have a common place that everyone can come together and show off their creativity, their talents and people to have the opportunity to connect with these different businesses,” said Jennifer Munson, children and youth manager of the Salvation Army of Augusta.

You can learn more about the Salvation Army and their new park they broke ground on Friday here.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Salvation Army of Augusta breaks ground on Ann C. Boardman Park

Published

1 day ago

December 6, 2025

Press Room

Salvation Army of Augusta breaks ground on Ann C. Boardman Park

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)– Recognizing a longstanding community supporter and philanthropist, whose love for the Garden City shows in all of her endeavors.

A packed house turned out on this rainy Friday morning to honor Ann Boardman, including Congressman Rick Allen and Rep. Mark Newton, along with local officials and community leaders.

With hard hats and shovels in hand, a ceremonial indoor “groundbreaking” took place for the Ann C. Boardman Park. It will be located on the Kroc Center grounds off Broad Street.

Mayor Garnett Johnson presented a surprise proclamation, declaring December 5th “Ann Boardman Park Day” in the City of Augusta.

Boardman is a longtime supporter and board member of The Salvation Army of Augusta. She’s excited about the opportunities the park will offer the community.

“I hope it’s going to mean a lot to people around this area because they really have no park to go to, nowhere to be with nature.”

Derek Dugan is the Development Director at The Salvation Army of Augusta.

“What they’re going to get out of this park here is is going to be pickleball courts, volleyball courts, a turf soccer field and most excitedly a adaptive use playground for everyone to use, but especially designed for people with disabilities so that they can have a place to play.”

The park named in Boardman’s honor is expected to open in October of 2026.

Source link