WAYNESBORO, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Five people were arrested in a large multi-county drug bust Thursday, according to Burke County deputies.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, executed four search warrants as part of an ongoing drug investigation.

In Burke County, search warrants were executed at 1489 Hephzibah-Keysville Road and 2670 Farmers Bridge Road. In Richmond County, warrants were executed at 2305 Poteet St. and 2023 Smith Drive.

During the operation, investigators recovered:

• 4.5 pounds of marijuana.
• 15 grams of fentanyl.
• 50 Oxycodone pills.
• Two guns, one of which was reported stolen.
• $35,078 in cash.

Authorities arrested:

• Randy Williams on charges of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm during commission of a crime.
• Leah Owens on charges of charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of synthetic narcotics and possession of a controlled substance.
• Gregore Gordon on charges of trafficking fentanyl and possession of marijuana with intent.
• Georgina Robinson on charges of trafficking fentanyl and possession of marijuana with intent.
• Marquez James on charges of trafficking fentanyl, possession of marijuana with intent, theft by receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Williams was booked into Richmond County jail and the others were booked into Burke County jail.

“This operation highlights our ongoing commitment to combatting illegal drug activity in our communities,” Sheriff Alfonzo Williams said. “We are grateful for the collaboration with our law enforcement partners in Richmond County and remain dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens.”

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Experts from the Carl Vinson School of Government tells Augusta a charter review should happen. 

But it could take a year and a half and cost up to $200,000.  

“It’s worth it because in the 28 years we’ve never had any formal review typically governments do it every seven to ten years, so this just makes sense and I think we’re at a crossroads right now in our government,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom. 

City leaders getting expert advice on changing the charter but we’re told any changes would only be recommendations and would have to be approved by state lawmakers. 

“I think it’s time we look at the charter and consider it, my concern is to make sure it’s open to the public,” said State Representative Karlton Howard.  

Experts telling commissioners to get the public involved the mayor and commissioners could make the appointments to an independent charter review committee.  

“We are the elected representatives, and we have to pick someone to represent us in the matter,” said Frantom.  

 But others oppose having city leaders pick a committee and feel the experts at school of government should recommend charter changes    

“Any type of appointments by a commissioner or the mayor would lead to this charter review being a political stunt basically,”  said Commissioner Jordan Johnson.  

“Everything in life is political in some manner and it’s going to be political in some form,” said Frantom.  

“We need to draft this charter in a way that does not speak to anyone’s personal political preferences including my own,” said Johnson.  

City leaders are in favor of reviewing the city charter, but already there’s disagreement on how to get it done.  

Do you want fries with that?

Chances are, you do. The average American eats an estimated 40 pounds of potatoes every year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Diners often judge restaurants based on the quality of their French fries. In no particular order, here are five locally owned Augusta-area restaurants that serve the best fries, based on reviews posted on the crowdsourced consumer review website Yelp.

Whiskey Bar (Kitchen), 1048 Broad St.

When Kenny and Bobby Morrison founded the popular watering hole in 2012, generously sized hamburgers soon became a menu standout. The fries that accompany them is attracting a following of their own. The Whiskey Waffle Fries include maple chili, rémoulade and crumbled blue cheese.

Others, such as reviewer Lindsay K., keep it simple: “I’m not frequently crazy about waffle fries because I like my French fries on the softer side and waffles don’t often lend to that. However, these were really good and I hardly used any of my ketchup and mostly ate them plain.”

Farmhaus Burger, 1204 Broad St.

Chef-owner Sean Wight opened the first of his two Farmhaus locations in 2013. The simply-seasoned, hand-cut fries, gluten-free on request, draw comments such as “crispy and delicious” and “amazing.”

They can be ordered with sea salt and cracked pepper; with feta dipping sauce; or with red-bean chili and your choice of cheddar or smoked gouda cheese.

Pro tip: Farmhaus serves a special sauce with its sweet potato tots that a lot of returning customers use for their fries.

Jackie M’s and Son, 3308 Milledgeville Rd.

A certain fast-food chain’s reputation for fries has become the yardstick by which customers judge all other fries. So when diners such as Wayne C. describe Jackie M’s version as “the best french fries, even better than McDonald’s,” the comparison is not invoked lightly.

The modest soul-food restaurant, across from Bayvale Elementary School, has a national reputation. In 2020, Yelp ranked the restaurant as one of the top 100 places to eat in America, notably its authentic Philly cheesesteaks.

“The fries are hand-cut and really good,” according to reviewer Jeremy T. “Fresh out of the fryer and seasoned with salt and pepper.”

Deep South Cheese and Grill, 4591 Augusta Hwy., Dearing

Quebec native Gino Doucet founded the small restaurant in 2018 and brought one of Canada’s favorite comfort foods with him – poutine, which covers fries in cheese curds and gravy.

Assorted meat toppings often accompany poutine. Ground steak, smoked sausage, chicken and bacon all make appearances on Deep South’s poutine dishes, including a vegetarian “Italian” poutine with marinara sauce.

Doucet has since sold Deep South to Brittany and Andrew Brown, but the fries and poutine are still on the menu.

Laziza Mediterranean Grill, 4272 Washington Rd., Ste. 8A, Evans

Mediterranean cuisine successfully got its foot in the door locally when Nader Khatib opened his first Laziza in 2011. Adding their crisp fries to the menu was an easy pivot.

The Greek Fries come loaded with favorite gyro ingredients such as beef and lamb. The Feta Fries are drizzled with creamy garlic chili sauce and topped with crumbled feta cheese.

“I know it sounds weird, but their French fries are amazing,” Janina M. said on Yelp. “A great combination is getting some of their hummus, and using it as a dip for their fries. Good stuff! I honestly would go back just for that.”

Reviewer John B. kept his opinion of Laziza’s fries to one word: “Indulgent.”

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Feed your French fry fix by visiting these Augusta-area restaurants