AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A future Disney star is ready to make the CSRA proud. Jiwon Lee is in the main cast of an upcoming Disney series and lives right here in Augusta.

It all started when she was 6 years old and her best friend introduced her to a local theatre program

“My dream job is singing, acting and dancing, I guess,” said Lee. “Triple threat.”

She’s doing all of that at the age of 11, landing her a role in a new Disney TV series, Vamparina.

“This was like, my first huge achievement because I couldn’t imagine that I was gonna be on Disney,” she said. “Then I was just like, super stoked.”

Lee is starring in the main cast as Sophie.

“Sophie is Vamparina’s human friend, and just so you know, V is a tween vampire girl,” said Lee. “She makes a big risk to move from her safe Transylvania home to a performing arts school.”

It took a lot of work for Lee to get to where she is, and it’s far from over.

“I got the audition from my acting agency, and it included me, like singing, acting and dancing, playing the guitar and piano,” she said. “Then it turned into a callback, then a chemistry read, then I had to turn in two more scene submissions, then I had to fly out to Los Angeles to do some more testing. Finally, I got the role. I booked it, and then I flew out to LA again to film the pilot.”

Lee is making new friends and remembering the ones who helped get her there.

“When I was filming the pilot, we were really close, and I think that while we’re filming the series, we’re going to get closer, and it’s going to be like a family,” said Lee. “I’m so excited, because I get to do my favorite thing in the whole entire world, and then I also get to do it with my favorite people.”

Lee says that as she steps into the role, she’s very thankful for her support system.

“I’m really grateful,” she said. “I’m kind of nervous for this whole thing to happen, but I’m really grateful for all the friendships that I’ve got to make, and everyone that’s going to support me along the way.”

In January, Lee will be flying to Los Angeles to start shooting the series that will air in 2025.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta man was arrested after the death of his 4-month-old son who he admitted hitting “a couple of times” in a phone conversation, according to deputies.

Deputies arrested Daveon Wood, 21, on Nov. 9 after the incident, according to Richmond County jail records.

The child died several days later on Wednesday, according to an incident report from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident happened in the 4300 block of Windsor Spring Road, according to a report from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Wood came home intoxicated, witnesses told deputies.

He sent family members outside, but they said they heard him trying to calm the child, who was crying.

Then he came outside and said the child wasn’t breathing, according to a report from deputies.

Several family members went to a fire station for aid, and the child ended up in a hospital.

Deputies later went to Wellstar MCG hospital just after 7:30 p.m. Wednesday for follow-up on the case.

An incident report states that the child had just been pronounced dead.

Wood was already in jail at that point, and deputies said they reviewed recorded jail phone calls placed by Wood.

“In a recorded conversation Daveon Wood is questioned on what he did to Aiden Wood. Daveon Wood stated ‘I just hit him a couple times. He was crying,’” according to the incident report.

Wood is being held without bond in Richmond County jail on charges of cruelty to children in the second degree and murder, according to jail records.

The boy was identified as Aiden Wood. An autopsy has been scheduled.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

Augusta, GA – The Augusta men’s basketball team dropped a 78-68 decision to No. 19 Florida Southern on Sunday afternoon at Christenberry Fieldhouse. 

Augusta (0-3, 0-0 Peach Belt)
FG% 42.4
3PT% 36.8
FT% 73.3

Florida Southern (5-1, 1-0 Sunshine State)
FG% 43.8
3PT% 26.7
FT% 90.0

Augusta opened the game with a strong offensive effort, securing a 33-28 lead at the half. The second half saw Florida Southern rally with 50 points, fueled by their efficiency at the free-throw line and key defensive stops.

Demitri Gardner led the Jaguars with a double-double, recording 17 points and 11 rebounds while also contributing 3 assists and 2 blocks. Max Amadasun was another standout, tallying 17 points and 7 rebounds on an efficient 8-12 shooting performance. Elias Palsson added 12 points, shooting 4-6 from beyond the arc and contributing 2 steals on the defensive end. John St. Germain III chipped in with 7 points, including a perfect 5-5 from the free-throw line, helping to keep the Jaguars competitive.

Despite winning the battle on the boards with 40 rebounds, Augusta struggled with turnovers and transition defense, areas that Florida Southern capitalized on for 17 points off turnovers and 15 fast-break points.

Next Up: Augusta will host Fayetteville State University on Wednesday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be avilable at augustajags.com