Augusta, GA
Augusta Mini Theatre announces upcoming groundbreaking and event plans
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Augusta Mini Theatre has big plans for the future.
Augusta Mini Theatre held a press conference Wednesday, July 10 to talk about new opportunities ahead in the near future and the changes to come at their campus located at 2548 Deans Bridge Road in Augusta, GA.
During the press conference, they announced a series of significant upcoming events and initiatives that will shape the mini theatre’s future. Pushing to events later this year, they reveal details about the groundbreaking event for the new theater building, as well as some design details.
Founded in 1975, the Augusta Mini Theatre’s focus is to help kids who have a love for acting, singing, and dancing.
After a successful fundraising campaign, construction of a new 150-seat theatre is set for this October, with plans to celebrate with festive grand opening in October 2025.
“The Facility will be more than performing space, “ Augusta Mini Theatre’s founder Tyrone Butler said. “It’s going to be a teaching space. We’ll be teaching lighting and sound design, and students will run the show. They’ll learn the backstage life of the theatre of the arts – so that will bring in more students to learn that.”
This improvements will mark a significant step forward in Augusta Mini Theatre`s mission to provide a state-of-the-art facility for the arts in Augusta.
Other announcements included news that the Augusta Mini Theatre has been invited to participate in the prestigious International Black Theatre Festival, providing an incredible opportunity for students to showcase their skills on an international stage.
For the first time ever, students from the Augusta Mini Theatre will be attending the International Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In doing so, they will become the youngest group to ever perform at the event.
They also discussed event plans for their upcoming 50th Anniversary Weekend and updates on their 2024 Summer Fundraising Campaign, including their monetary goals and how the community can support the Augusta Mini Theatre’s efforts to continue delivering high-quality arts education and performances.
You can learn more by visiting their website.
Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps.
Augusta, GA
Multiple teens arrested in deadly shooting on Warren Road
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Regional Airport hosts drone camp for students
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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