Augusta, GA
Augusta needs to lose weight, ranking top 5 in ‘America’s fattest cities’
Jelly Roll talks weight loss at the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala red
Jelly Roll shows off his fit and talks about his weight loss journey at the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala red carpet.
USA TODAY ENTERTAINMENT
The Mayo Clinic defines obesity as a complex disease involving too much body fat. The problems it creates go beyond the cosmetic looks, increasing patients’ risks of liver disease, sleep apnea, certain cancers, and other conditions. So where is it the biggest problem?
On Monday, WalletHub released its list of the ‘fattest cities in America.’ This looked at number of residents who are overweight, diabetic, have high blood pressure, and/or have heart disease as well as obesity-related death rates, access and consumption healthy foods, number of health educators, access to recreational facilities, and similar metrics.
Obesity in Augusta
Augusta is not only the fattest city in Georgia, it’s one of the fattest in the U.S. ranking No. 5. The Garden City had the second highest percentage of diabetic adults in the nation.
Obesity in Georgia
The only other Georgia city to make the list was Atlanta in the No. 56 spot overall. The capital city ranked in the bottom 20 for food and fitness, but was in the top 30 for sheer obesity and overweight resident numbers.
According to body mass index data from the CDC, as of 2024, almost 70% of Georgians are overweight and just over one-third are obese. However, the accuracy of BMI has become controversial. If you want better information about your weight and where it stands, talk to your doctor.
What are the ‘fattest cities in America?’
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- McAllen, Texas
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Augusta, Georgia
What is the healthiest city in US?
- Honolulu, HI
- Denver, CO
- Seattle, WA
- Colorado Springs, CO
- San Jose, CA
Average US weight
According to the CDC, the average weight for American men is 199 pounds and for women it’s 171.8 pounds.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
Augusta, GA
Men’s Golf Regional Preview: Commodores Head to Athens with NCAA Championship Hopes
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Dates: May 18-20
Location: UGA Golf Course- Augusta, GA
Teams
1. Auburn
2. Illinois
3. Vanderbilt
4. BYU
5. Georgia
6. Louisville
7. Kansas
8. Northwestern
9. College of Charleston
10. Rice
11. Southern Mississippi
12. Harvard [The Ivy League]
13. Howard [Northeast Conference]
Format
The NCAA organizes six regional tournaments, and each field consists of 12 teams and six individuals. After three rounds of stroke play at a regional tournament, the top five teams from each location advance to the national championship. The top individual on a non-advancing team from each regional site advances as well.
The Course
The UGA Golf Course has received numerous accolades during its 55+ years of existence. It is a fixture in Golfweek Magazine’s collegiate golf course rankings, coming in at #26 in 2022. In the state of Georgia, the UGA Golf Course is ranked as the 12th best public golf course to play by Golfweek Magazine. GolfAdvisor, which is more focused on customer reviews, ranked the UGA Golf Course as the #1 course in Georgia, the #1 collegiate course in the U.S., and the 10th best course in the nation to play according to data collected in 2021.
In May 2006, Love Golf Design of St. Simons Island was hired to renovate the green complexes and add 21 new tees to both lengthen and shorten the golf course to improve playability for all golfer abilities. The new championship Bulldog Tees stretched the course to almost 7,300 yards and provided the best collegiate and professional golfers with a very stern test. The golf course reopened in December 2006 to rave reviews.
Vandy’s Roster
Wells Williams- Senior
#20 ranked player, 1 Top 3, 68.4 scoring average
Will Hartman- Freshman
#278 ranked player, 70.9 scoring average
Chase Nevins- Junior
#180 ranked player, 70.1 scoring average
John Ed Steed- Freshman
#86 ranked player, 1 Top 3, 69.5 scoring average
Ryan Downes- Sophomore
#80 ranked player, 1 win at the Bryson Invitational, 69.6 scoring average
How Vandy Got Here
Vandy put together another nationally relevant season in 2026, spending much of the spring ranked inside the top 15 and consistently competing against elite SEC and national fields. Under head coach Scott Limbaugh, the Commodores combined veteran leadership with one of the country’s strongest young cores.
The season was highlighted by several strong tournament finishes, including a runner-up performance at the Mason Rudolph Championship in Nashville, where Vanderbilt finished behind Auburn after shooting under par in all three rounds. Freshman Jon Ed Steed emerged as one of the team’s breakout stars with multiple top-five individual finishes during the spring.
Senior standout Wells Williams anchored the roster throughout the year and earned first-team All-SEC honors, while Steed was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. Williams also repeated as SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, becoming the first Commodore golfer to win the award in consecutive seasons.
At the SEC Championship in Sea Island, Vanderbilt entered as a top-10/top-15 caliber team nationally, but the tournament ended disappointingly. The Commodores were in contention entering the final stretch before a difficult closing round dropped them to 15th place overall at 3-over par, ending their SEC title hopes early.
Opponents
1. Auburn
#1 ranked team nationally, won 5 and placed Top 3 in 10 events out of 12 played. Placed 1st in SEC Championship stroke play and 3rd in match play. Lead by Jackson Koivun (#1 nationally, 66.4 scoring average). Most famous golf alumni is Jason Dufner.
2. Illinois
#12 nationally ranked, Big Ten runner up, 3 wins and 8 Top 3’s in 11 tournaments. Finished 2nd in the Big 10 Championship. Lead by Max Herendeen (#51 ranked player, 69.5 average, 1 win). Most famous golf alumni is Steve Stricker.
4. BYU
#24 ranked, 3 wins and 6 Top 3’s in 12 tournaments. Finished 6th in Big 12 Tournament. Lead by Khei Akina (#6 ranked player, 68.0 scoring average, 2 wins and 4 Top 3’s. Most famous golf alumni is Johnny Miller.
5. Georgia
#26 ranked, 3 wins and 4 Top 3’s in 12 tournaments. Host school for region. Lead by Carter Loflin (#67 ranked player, 69.7 scoring average, 2 wins. Kevin Kisner is most famous golf alumni.
6. Louisville
#36 ranked nationally, 0 wins but 3 Top 3’s in 10 tournaments played. 7th in ACC Tournament. Lead by Cooper Claycomb (#115 ranked player, 1 win, 69.8 scoring average). Most famous golf alumni is Adam Hadwin.
7. Kansas
#37 ranked team, 1 win and 5 Top 3’s in 12 events. 5th in Big 12 Tournament. Lead by William King (#145 ranked player, 0 wins or Top 3’s but a 69.9 scoring average). Most famous golf alumni is Gary Woodland.
8. Northwestern
#50 ranked team, 0 wins or Top 3’s. Finished 9th in Big 10 Tournament. Lead by Daniel Savard (#69 ranked player, 2 Top 3’s, 69.2 scoring average). Matt Fitzpatrick is most famous golf alumni.
9. College of Charleston
#51 ranked team, 3 wins and 5 Top 3’s in 10 events played. Finished 3rd in CAA Championship. Lead by Miles Eubanks (#117 ranked player, 1 win and 2 Top 3’s, scoring average of 69.7). Most famous golf alumni is Kieron van Wyk.
10. Rice
#62 ranked team, 2 wins and 4 Top 3’s in 11 events played. Finished 3rd in the American Conference Championship. Lead by Lukas Boandl (#93 ranked player, 1 win and 2 Top 3’s, 69.6 scoring average. Most famous golf alumni is Brad Lardon.
11. Southern Mississippi
#63 ranked team, 2 wins and 7 Top 3’s in 10 events. Finished 3rd in the Sunbelt Conference Championship. Lead by Benjamin Fernandez (#203 ranked player, 4 Top 3’s, 70.6 scoring average). Most famous golf alumni is Mark Blackburn.
12. Harvard
#124 ranked team, 2 wins and 3 Top 3’s in 7 events played. Won the Ivy League Championship. Lead by Barry Zhang (#598 ranked player, 1 win at the Ivy League Championships, 72.2 scoring average). Most famous golf alumni is Edwards Stimpson who invented the stimp meter.
13. Howard
#190 ranked team, 2 wins and 4 Top 3’s in 11 events played. Won the NEC Championship. Lead by Francisco Perez (#768 ranked player, 1 win at the Colin Montgomery HCU Invitational, 73.2 scoring average). Their most famous golf alumni is Gregory Howell Jr.
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Augusta, GA
Matthew Wayne Pollock Obituary May 14, 2026 – Platt’s Funeral Home
Matthew Wayne Pollock was called home on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Born on May 31, 1983, in Augusta, Georgia, Matt was known for his kind heart, gentle spirit, and deep love for both his family and animals. He dedicated many years of service to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center and Doctors Hospital of Augusta, where he built lasting friendships and touched the lives of many through his compassion and hard work. Matt also spent time working in veterinary medicine at Blanchard Woods Animal Hospital, combining his love for animals with his caring nature.
Matt found joy in the outdoors and especially loved hunting and golfing with his Uncle Scott, creating memories he treasured deeply. He loved Georgia football. He had an enormous heart, was always willing to help others, and shared an especially close bond with his mother, whom he loved more than anything.
He is survived by his mother, Karen Pollock; his father, Roger Pollock Sr. (Debbie); his aunt, Diane Wisnieski; his uncles, Kenny Pollock (Petra) and Scott Pollock; his stepson, John Turner (Shounette); his brothers, Douglas Pollock (Katherine) and Roger Pollock Jr. (Samantha); his stepsisters, Laura Wayland and Michelle Mashak; his nephews, Cameron Mashak, Kaiden Mashak, and Bennett Pollock; his niece, Charlotte Pollock; and many loving cousins.
Matt was preceded in death by his beloved uncle, Scott Wisnieski; his grandmother, Uta “Nana” Wisnieski; and his grandfather, Bob “Papa” Wisnieski.
Though his family’s hearts are broken, they find comfort in knowing Matt is reunited with his Nana, Papa, and Uncle Scott, where he has finally found peace, happiness, and rest.
He will be deeply missed and forever loved by all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 20, at 2:00 p.m. at Platts Funeral Home, 337 N. Belair Road, Evans, GA 30809. You are welcome to come as Matt remembered you. The family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m., one hour prior to the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Matt’s memory to the Burn Foundation of America in Augusta, GA (Burn Foundation of America | Augusta, GA).
Arrangements were provided by Platt’s Funeral Home 337 North Belair Road, Evans, GA 30809 (706) 860-6166. Please take a moment to share your condolences, memories, and photos at online guestbook at plattsfuneralhome.com.
Augusta, GA
VA of Augusta holds hiring fair for health care positions
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The VA of Augusta held a hiring fair Saturday to recruit health care workers as part of efforts to improve veteran care.
Leaders said staffing has improved over the last two years, with the vacancy rate now down to 12%.
The hiring fair comes as medical students are graduating and the VA of Augusta works to rebuild trust and its workforce.
“So we want to afford them an opportunity to join our team, you know, as they enhance or start their new, embark on their new careers,” said James Doelling, interim executive director at VA Augusta Healthcare System. “But we’re also looking for seasoned people, somebody that’s looking for a change. And to me, be part of the most noble mission there is, caring for our nation’s heroes. Those people that have served us, it’s time for them to be served and get the best care anywhere.”
The Augusta VA has a four-star rating from Medicare.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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