Augusta, GA

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

Published

7 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

Empty Stocking Fund event draws crowd to Boys & Girls Club

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Press Room

Empty Stocking Fund event draws crowd to Boys & Girls Club

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The United Way of Augusta distributed toys to more than 1,700 children Thursday during its annual Empty Stocking Fund event at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Augusta.

Cars lined the parking lot and Chafee Avenue as families waited to receive toy bags for their children.

The United Way purchased hundreds of toys for both boys and girls ahead of the distribution.

Parents were able to sign up in advance to receive bags for their children.

United Way President and CEO Brittany Barnette said the organization has more buying power to purchase toys for pennies on the dollar, similar to Golden Harvest Food Bank when buying food.

Families who participated in the toy distribution also received information about applying for SNAP benefits and details about Golden Harvest Food Bank services.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta neighbors voice concerns over proposed roundabout

Published

15 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Press Room

Augusta neighbors voice concerns over proposed roundabout

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A proposal to build a new roundabout at the intersection of McDowell Street and Monte Sano Avenue is drawing concerns from neighbors who live and worship nearby.

The project would sit between St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church and Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church.

On Wednesday evening, a packed meeting room heard updates from city officials and consultants as residents voiced their worries about how the project could affect the neighborhood. Many said pedestrian safety is their top concern.

John Scherer, who is a chairman at St. Mary on the Hill, said the intersection is heavily used by families, church members, and surrounding businesses.

“The biggest concern we have is pedestrian safety. There are so many people who traverse this intersection every day, not just us, but businesses here. It’s a neighborhood,” said Scherer.

Augusta’s District 3 Commissioner Catherine Smith-Rice says she has seen few accidents at the intersection and does not believe changes are needed.

“I want to see us going back to GDOT, the Georgia Department of Transportation and nixing this one, if the project takes a year longer,” she said.

“You just heard the residents tonight, they’re fine with that. They don’t want the roundabout and they don’t want it. I don’t want it.”

Steve Cassell of Infrastructure Systems Management is working with the City of Augusta to explore a single-lane roundabout design for the intersection.

Director of Engineering Dr. Hameed Malik said construction could begin after the Masters Tournament in 2027 if the project moves forward.

“So right now we are planning to use all the money we have. Any money left will go back to the state. The money cannot be allocated to any other project,” Malik said.

The roundabout is expected to cost between $7 million and $7.5 million.

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