Augusta, GA
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.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.
Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.
USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.
On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.
In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.
This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University
Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.
Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.
The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.
Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.
Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.
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.
Augusta, GA
Protestors in downtown Augusta speak out after strikes on Iran
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local protestors made their voices heard after Israel and the U.S. announced strikes on Iran Saturday, ones that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports say.
Protesters lined 13th Street in Downtown Augusta and walked across the river to North Augusta to make sure as many people as possible heard them.
50501 CSRA already had a march planned for Saturday, but in light of the strikes on Iran, decided to expand its focus.
Local leaders spoke about their concerns for the strikes, and roughly 60 people showed up to share theirs as well.
One of the event organizers said to make your voice heard your voice heard.
“Just call your people, call your representatives, if you don’t like that Iran was bombed, I don’t either. But call people and let them know, email them. Let it be relentless. Congress did not approve this. They have a say in this,” Zee Cook said.
The strike is being called “Operation Epic Fury,” with Iran responding with multiple missile and drone strikes across the Middle East.
In a social media post, President Trump said the bombing of the country will continue “as long as necessary.”
People across the world began lining the streets as well in support and against the decision.
Leaders across the world reacted to the news, including those in Georgia and South Carolina.
There’s a protest planned in Charleston and other regional cities this week.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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