Augusta, GA

Augusta Prep honors Deputy Sikes, the one who was always smiling

Published

11 months ago

May 4, 2025

Augusta Prep honors Deputy Sikes, the one who was always smiling

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – As friends, family and our community prepare for the funeral of fallen Columbia County Deputy Brandon Sikes, Augusta Prep students are finding more ways to honor the one who was always seen going the extra mile.

Deputy Sikes’s bond with Augusta Prep students ran deep. Sikes was a deputy at the school since 2023, and his absence has left a strong impact on the students and staff.

The headmaster tells us you never saw him without a smile, and his approachability made students feel safe.

Even though students spent Wednesday wearing blue in his honor, they wanted more, leading students outside Friday to the teardrop area.

With the American flag flying at half staff, upper school chorus and third-grade students stood behind Deputy Sikes’ memorial, singing a Latin song in his honor.

A simple gesture, Headmaster Eric Hedinger says, brings so much peace to a place that means a lot to both Deputy Sikes and the students.

“Being outside mattered,” said Hedinger. “He loved being outside. He would walk through campus and often be seen with his smile and so it was important again to be outside together and we sang a song in the celebration of life and that really lifted our spirits and then the officers actually, the sheriff’s department officers who are part of our rotation, some of them showed up. It was a moment of just coming together and giving comfort to one another.”

Hedinger says Deputy Sikes made Augusta Prep a better place.

“There’s also a part of reflecting on the legacy of Officer Sikes and what he brought to our community,” said Hedinger. “A kind heart under the shield of being a sheriff, the care of kids, and the approachability you know, I think our students understand that law enforcement are approachable and they’re not an intimidating shield, but they’re ones who care about you and he helped to exemplify that and be a part of our community and that’s the bright side that I think is a takeaway for our kids.”

And their goal is to continue finding ways to share his joy for years to come.

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Augusta, GA

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

8 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

20 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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