Augusta, GA
Augusta reaches stopgap deal for ambulance service
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MUJPWYOJN5EJNOSRP2LNBXADGI.jpeg "Augusta reaches stopgap deal for ambulance service")
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A day after metropolis leaders rejected a contract with the town’s ambulance service supplier, they went to a month-to-month short-term take care of the corporate to keep away from a niche in service.
The Augusta Fee unanimously accepted a month-by-month take care of Gold Cross Emergency Medical Providers. It will price $250,000 at first, then $150,000 every subsequent month.
The cash supply will proceed to be American Rescue Plan funds.
Not every thing is ironed out simply but. The beginning time is unsure however quickly. Plus metropolis leaders might want to test with attorneys to see if the deal is authorized to proceed with.
The month-to-month take care of Gold Cross will expire upon designation of a brand new supplier by the state and when that supplier is able to begin.
The choice got here throughout an emergency assembly of the fee that started at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The fee on Tuesday voted down a contract with Gold Cross after the corporate sought substantial subsidies – on the order of an preliminary $2 million, then $2 million extra per yr – from the town to proceed working right here. Gold Cross blamed rising prices and the variety of sufferers who don’t pay.
Gold Cross has already surrendered its emergency medical companies zone, and its duties will finish Jan. 31.
The state is not going to enable the town to go with out an EMS supplier, Mayor Garnett Johnson mentioned, so state-supported service suppliers can be designated for Augusta, probably from a number of elements of the state.
“We’d like to have the ability to present accountable ambulance service as individuals name 911. They should have faith that they’re going to be responded to in a well timed method. Proper now, we don’t have a plan,” Johnson mentioned after Tuesday’s determination.
Steven Vincent with Gold Cross says the zone can solely be open for 10 days after which it closes. That might not be sufficient time for prolonged negotiations with a possible new supplier.
And that’s the place the short-term deal could assist out.
Augusta doesn’t have the assets proper now to basically function by itself with out an EMS supplier.
However many marvel if the Augusta Hearth Division may sometime tackle the function of Richmond County’s main EMS supplier because it has previously.
The Augusta Skilled Firefighters Affiliation tells us whereas it’s not out of the query, there’s numerous work to be executed earlier than the group commits.
The group mentioned in a press release that leaders hoped an settlement might be reached with Gold Cross.
“Sadly, that was not the case and is trigger for concern,” the assertion mentioned. “We’ll proceed help the continuing efforts resolve this concern and help in anyway doable to make sure correct {and professional} EMS companies for the residents of Augusta.”
The group says it will help an emergency medical service run by the Augusta Hearth Division provided that it was a separate division throughout the division.
“The earlier administration’s try to combine the 2 essentially completely different companies clearly illustrated the problems of staffing, funding, and recruitment that every division faces,” the group mentioned. “We’re simply now overcoming the ramifications of that individual in poor health suggested determination.”
The group says it misplaced 300 staff the final time this occurred in a discipline already struggling to recruit and retain employees.
One of many largest issues of the group is an impact on fireplace response if a separate division of the division isn’t created particularly for emergency medical companies.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Inaugurations moved by weather: Trump joins the list
From blizzards to downpours, weather has shaped inaugurations. Donald Trump’s ceremony is the second time cold temperatures have moved the president-elect inside.
Ever since earlier this month, Georgians have been worried about another winter storm coming in. The forecasts are not looking favorable in this respect.
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch on Monday for most of the central and southern Georgia areas. It will go into effect Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.
How much snow will Georgia get?
Snowfall projections are varied depending on where you live. In the Atlanta and Athens area, there’s a 40% chance of snow Tuesday after 1 p.m. with less than half an inch accumulation.
In Macon, there’s a chance of flurries before 11 a.m. Tuesday then snow is likely after 4 p.m. The chance of precipitation is 60% with less than half an inch of snow accumulation.
Savannah is looking at snow and sleet Tuesday, becoming all snow after 1 a.m. The chance of precipitation is 90% with 1-2 inches of snow accumulation. There’s also a 30% chance of snow showers on Wednesday before 10 a.m.
Will Georgia get ice?
Current ice accumulation maps by NWS indicate the major concern is in the south with less than one-tenth inch in the Albany area, up to 0.25 inches in the Valdosta and Savannah areas.
Will it freeze in Georgia?
While areas like Augusta have not been issued a winter storm watch, whether snow or ice is expected, freezing or near-freezing conditions are practically everywhere. Here’s a look at some of the incoming temperatures:
- Athens: Tuesday high of 37 degrees, low of 17 degrees. Wednesday high of 38, low of 18.
- Atlanta: Tuesday high of 34 degrees, low of 16 degrees. Wednesday high of 36, low of 21.
- Augusta: Tuesday high of 40 degrees, low of 22 degrees. Wednesday high of 38, low of 20.
- Macon: Tuesday high of 40 degrees, low of 19 degrees. Wednesday high of 41, low of 19.
- Savannah: Tuesday high of 40 degrees, low of 27 degrees. Wednesday high of 37, low of 25.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Now that kids are back in school after the holiday break, many organizations are giving supplies away for free.
On Saturday, Purvis Huggins Realty partnered with Greater Young Zion Brotherhood to give students the opportunity to restock.
They say by the time January rolls around, students are likely out of supplies.
“I spoke with someone about it a year ago. It was one of the teachers I know, and she was telling me that by the time the school season starts, they have a lot of materials. But by the time they get to the middle of the year, they’re out,” said Purvis Huggins, owner of Purvis Huggins Realty.
In each bag, students got paper, pencils, notebooks and other items based on their grade.
Students were also able to get a haircut and snack while at the event.
Huggins says they plan to do a supply giveaway twice a year.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Tuesday, Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson will deliver the 2025 State of the City address.
It will be held at the Lee N. Beard Commission Chamber, located at 535 Telfair Street, at 12 p.m.
The address will be delivered prior to the Augusta Commission meeting.
Officials say it will highlight Augusta-Richmond County’s accomplishments from 2024 and will outline initiatives planned for 2025.
The address is free and will be open to the public. It will also be live streamed for those unable to attend in-person.
Officials say the Office of the Mayor is monitoring the possibility of inclement weather.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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