Augusta, GA
Augusta leaders discuss progress on city cemetery clean-up
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – In December, we told you that the city-owned Augusta cemeteries were locked, and fam ilies have not been able to visit their loved ones.
Now, two months later and five months after Hurricane Helene, leaders spoke at a forum to discuss an audit of the parks and recreation department and progress on restoring the cemeteries.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson and new parks and recreation leader Tameka Williams gave updates.
Williams said she visited the Cedar Grove, West View and Magnolia cemeteries that the city owns.
She said the debris had been removed, but areas deemed unsafe are still blocked off.
Williams also offered a new time frame when the cemeteries may reopen.
“We are looking to within the next couple of weeks,” said Williams. “Our biggest work was getting the debris removed once we hit one cemetery, then we moved to another, and we finished with Magnolia Cemetery.”
Williams said staff would be on site to help people when the cemeteries reopen.
Johnson gave his thoughts on the cleanup as well.
“Most of the roads are clear, a lot of the debris have been removed, it’s the spring time of year and everyone wants to go visit their loved ones,” said Johnson. “Our ceemteries were severely damaged as a result of the hurricane and we’ve asked that they just give us some patience as our primary focus was cleaning up our cities.”
Regarding the audit for the parks and recreation department, leaders gave an update saying they will have to choose a new firm to perform a new audit no later than April 15.
We will keep you updated on that process.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta now has two finalists for planning and development director
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been the better part of a year since Augusta-Richmond County’s planning and development director announced her resignation, but now there are two finalists seeking to succeed her.
Officials announced Friday that the two candidates are Ryan A. Bland and Adleasia J. Cameron.
Officials haven’t yet released information about them, but News 12 requested their job applications and resumes, which are covered under state open records laws.
Carla Delaney resigned as planning and development director effective May 30.
“Augusta has been home to me for many years, from my time as a middle and high school student to earning my graduate degree. It has truly been a privilege to work here and contribute to the community’s growth, sustainability, and development,” Delaney said in her letter of resignation.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
School officials address recorded fight incident at Belair Middle
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Belair Middle School families received a letter Thursday after a fight was caught on camera.
According to the letter, as a bus driver was leaving the building Wednesday, students engaged in a fight that was filmed by others during after-school dismissal.
School officials said the bus driver pulled back in and administrators and public safety officials addressed the incident in accordance with the code of student conduct and discipline.
The students involved were removed from the bus, the letter states.
“Incidents of this nature are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our school,” said Principal Rischa Sturgis.
If you or your children have any safety concerns, please report them to the school or call the Safety Tip Line at 706-828-1077.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Georgia homeowners rally at Capitol for more oversight of HOAs
ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia homeowners took to the Capitol for “HOA Day,” with many fearing they could lose their homes to their community associations.
Atlanta News First Investigates has documented hundreds of homeowners reaching out in the last year. Of those, almost half are in lawsuits with their HOA and 30% have liens on their homes. The average fine they’re facing is near $10,000, and they have no office to go to for help.
HOA Day at the Georgia Capitol began with homeowners gathering in Liberty Plaza. Dozens of homeowners pleaded with lawmakers to help.
“The frivolous fines are like your trash can from your backyard, your mailbox and your driveway should be pressure wash. And your fines are in excess of tens of thousands of dollars,” said Rose Lummus of Decatur.
“There’s no lawyers to fight for a homeowners because there’s more lawyers getting money from the homeowners association because of the financial gain,” said Rosalind Grigger of Smyrna.

Darrell Taylor of Villa Rica said his HOA wants to foreclose on his house. “We say we never got what we were promised, so why do I have to give you what you were promised?”
Even some HOA board members showed up to support reform.
“There’s some board members that are good… so we’re just trying to educate,” said Tamara Chase of Fairburn.

HOA Day was organized by Representatives Viola Davis, Kim Schofield and Sandra Scott and Senator Donzella James. The event continued with a call to action for all lawmakers to prioritize and protect Georgia homeowners.
There are several bills involving HOA oversight in both the Senate and House, but lawmakers are pushing two to the forefront: SB 406 and HB 1035. The bills would assign oversight to the Secretary of State and stop foreclosures for unpaid dues.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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