Augusta, GA

Augusta National honors local veteran as hometown hero

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2024

Augusta National honors local veteran as hometown hero

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta National honors hometown heroes in our community with free tickets to the Masters.

After nominations are considered, they honor EMS workers, police officers, teachers and veterans like Jerry Lyda who go above and beyond for their community.

Smiling ear to ear under the famous leaderboard at Augusta National is Jerry Lyda and his lifeline, Sailor.

“I still haven’t got it all hooked in yet. But I know, to me, it’s an honor. It really is to be appreciated that much,” said Lyda.

Lyda is the CEO of Veteran K-9 Solutions.

He says he’s still in disbelief Augusta National recognized him as their newest hometown hero for his work in rehabilitating canines from animal shelters to rehabilitate veterans.

“The dogs are just a piece of equipment. That’s all they are to most folks. To the veterans, they are a lifeline,” said Lyda.

On top of a one-way ticket to Amen Corner, the Community Foundation, the non-profit arm of Augusta National, gave him a grant for more than $13,000 to continue his mission of saving two lives at one time.

“That covers a lot of things as far as the upkeep of the dog, the food, the veterinarian care and it covers the veteran for the equipment he may need for the dog — the vest, the leash, the collar,” said Lyda.

The grant is helping to expand the impact to other cities, too.

Over the last several years they have trained over 30 dogs each year. This year, they are looking to beat the record with 80 dogs.

“We’ve got a girl that trains with us. She’s Air Force, active duty. She’s gone to San Antonio, and she’s going to open one of our sister companies there. We got another gentleman in Myrtle Beach wanting to do that. So, we’ll be in three different places,” said Lyda.

And for that, he is grateful.

“All these things that the Lord is putting on me, it’s all him. It’s not me. It’s all him,” said Lyda.

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Augusta, GA

Historic Masters landmark purchased and renovated by local resident

Published

10 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Historic Masters landmark purchased and renovated by local resident | News | wfxg.com

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Augusta, GA

Georgia governor candidate Olu Brown campaigns in Augusta

Published

22 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Georgia governor candidate Olu Brown campaigns in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Olu Brown visited Augusta on Friday evening, stopping near the Sand Hills Community Center as early voting continues.

Brown is one of six candidates in the Democratic primary.

Campaign priorities

Brown said his vision as governor would focus on three main areas.

“One, it’s affordability around health care and making sure we expand Medicaid and expand Peach Care and make sure we continue to make our rural health care systems healthy and vital,” Brown said. “Number two, we’ve got to address education in all of Georgia, making sure every kid in Georgia gets an excellent education, and we’re paying our teachers more. And number 3, we’re protecting the rights of all women. Folks in the Gold Dome shouldn’t be making decisions about their bodies or the choices that they make.”

Brown is running against Amanda Duffy, Derrick Jackson, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mike Thurmond.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Prep student arrested over picture of LEGO gun, threat he called a joke

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Prep student arrested over picture of LEGO gun, threat he called a joke

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta Prep student was arrested on a charge of terroristic threats over a picture of a LEGO gun he posted on social media.

It happened Wednesday, according to an incident report from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

Eric Hedinger, the principal of Augusta Preparatory Day School, told deputies a student had uploaded a picture to Snapchat of a “pistol” with the caption “shooting up the school so I don`t have to take the stats exam tomorrow. Don`t come yall!”

The principal said he spoke to the student and his father about the photo.

The principal also provided deputies with the student’s address in Grovetown.

A deputy went there and was told by the student that the “pistol” was a LEGO set that he had built.

He also said the comment he made was supposed to be a joke because he was not looking forward to taking his Advanced Placement statistics test this week.

The student showed the deputy the box that the LEGO set came in, and how the set was already disassembled.

The deputy also looked in the boy’s room to make sure he was not in possession of any weapons.

The mother advised that there was one firearm in the residence but it was locked up.