Augusta, GA
Augusta pet shelter presents its plan to cut kill rate
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After pledging to cut the kill rate at the pet shelter – which consistently has the highest kill numbers in Georgia – Augusta Animal Services presented a plan Wednesday to change that trajectory.
The presentation to Augusta Commission members showed that 60% of all animals euthanized in 2022 and 2023 were due to bites, court orders or aggressiveness.
The staff developed a five-part plan:
- Require more effort from owner surrenders – proof that it’s an emergency or that the owner has tried another option before surrendering.
- Incentive microchipping – having all owners pay $15 microchip fee instead of reclaiming fee if their animal is at the shelter.
- Heavy promotion of spaying and neutering to prevent pet overpopulation.
- Mobilizing the adoption van, which the department received in 2023, although it’s been in and out of the shop.
- Holding save-a-pet Mondays, when no strays or surrenders will be taken in as the staff focuses on getting animals out and staying open late.
With the adoption van, the staff aims to partner with businesses and go to outlying counties as part of an outreach.
News broke of Augusta’s high kill rate after Best Friends Animal Society offered to team up with the city to improve the shelter, but the city snubbed the group.
The city bristled at Best Friends’ plan because of one of the strings attached – that the group would have its own staff embedded in the shelter.
City leaders then gave the shelter staff 30 days to work out a plan with Best Friends, which hasn’t been done yet.
Augusta Commission member Wayne Guilfoyle said Wednesday of a partnership with Best Friends: “What will it hurt to try?”
Someone who opposes a deal with Best Friends has been sending out direct mails calling for leaders to reject it.
City officials told Best Friends and the shelter staff to work on their plans further.
Also Wednesday, city leaders were expected to discuss a controversial plan to remove some very old-growth trees along Telfair Street.
City officials said the trees would be discussed Monday.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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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