Augusta, GA
Augusta mom accused of threatening to kill principal
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A Jamestown Elementary School parent has been arrested after allegedly threatening to kill the school’s principal, according to law enforcement.
Jasmine Childs, 32, was arrested on April 4, according to law enforcement.
Around 9 a.m. on April 4, officers with the Richmond County Board of Education Police Department responded to Jamestown Elementary School after notification of a parent being unruly.
On scene, officers say they met with the principal, Jermeka Ford, in the front office. Ford told officers that Childs became rude and disrespectful to Ford and other staff members at the school while trying to withdraw her child.
According to the incident report, Childs stated that she would “spit” in Ford’s face.
Childs allegedly made threats toward staff members, stating that she would “beat their a** too”. While exiting the building, Childs also allegedly stated that “I will kill you, I’ll be waiting outside scary a** b****!, according to the incident report.
Officers say they were able to see Childs arguing with staff members as well as Ford through video footage.
According to the incident report, Childs’ grandfather was at the scene and tried to get her to calm down and stop using profanity towards the staff. Officers say he also tried to get her to leave the building several times.
Ford told officers she had to have other staff members take other students out of the main foyer because of the threats and profanity that were being said by Childs.
According to arrest warrants, Childs, “did unlawfully disrupt the operation of a public school, to-wit: Jamestown Elementary School, by making threats to several school officials which interrupted the beginning of school.”
Officers say Ford is seen on video approaching Childs to ask her to exit the building. Ford points to the door several times, and then Childs is seen walking towards her. Childs eventually leaves the building with her child, according to the incident report.
When they arrived at Childs’ home to take her into custody, officers say Childs ran into the house, pushing past her son.
After a brief dispute with law enforcement, officers say they were able to arrest her without further incident.
Childs is charged with terroristic threats and acts and disrupting a public school, according to arrest warrants.
She is being held in Richmond County jail, according to the incident report.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan campaigned in Augusta ahead of Election Day, making stops at two churches and meeting with local faith leaders.
The former lieutenant governor visited Good Hope Baptist Church on Cedar Street, where he spoke with the Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition’s “Music to the Polls” group.
Duncan told us that, if elected governor, he wants to expand Medicaid, pass what he called “common-sense gun legislation,” and create more economic opportunities statewide. He also pointed to affordability concerns impacting families and businesses.
“I want to take $1.7 billion of our state’s fund and wrap it around the axle of poverty,” Duncan said, adding that he wants to lower child care costs and improve temporary assistance programs.
Duncan also stopped at Miles Memorial Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.
According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.
Here’s what to know.
Where can you save the most in Georgia?
The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.
Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.
Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:
- One-bedroom rent: $1,000
- Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
- Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450
Why are roommate savings so high?
With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.
The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?
Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:
- Cleveland, OH
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Memphis, TN
- Boise, ID
- Augusta, GA
- New Haven, CT
- Chattanooga, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Shreveport, LA
Methodology
The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.
For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.
The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.
Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.
Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.
“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.
Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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