Augusta, GA
Augusta says repairing the 5th Street Marina could cost up to $5 million
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The city of Augusta says it could take $3-5 million to fix the 5th Street Marina.
While operators agree they need the repairs, they say a total overhaul could force docked boats to leave and the marina to close.
Operators want to have repairs made gradually and keep business running through it all, but the city says that would waste money.
“It was essentially band-aiding a matter. Once you replace something, it goes out again, you replace it, it goes out again,” said Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse.
While Francis Christian, manager of the 5th Street Marina, says he agrees with the work needed, it’s how they got to this point that has him frustrated.
“Ongoing repairs have been going on at that facility for quite some time,” said Douse.
Christian responded: “In over seven years, we haven’t had an inspection of the docks by the city. We walk the docks on a daily basis and make sure things, electrical cords aren’t in the water and things look normal. That’s on us. Now, once a month, we turn in a safety report that goes to Parks and Rec. What do they do with it? I don’t know.”
It’s now up to Central Services and voting commissioners on how they should fix the riverfront spot.
“While Mr. Christian thinks that the repairs are minor in nature, because they are safety related and involve water over electrical or electrical over water, in this particular case we want to make certain that this particular facility is safe for all parties involved,” said Douse.
Christian said: “If they do a major overhaul and disconnect all of the electricity, all of the boats will have to go. As long as they do it in phases, everything would be ok.”
Central Services is now going to figure out the scope of work, while the city of Augusta starts the procurement process to get things fixed.
The marina is leased out and owned by the city, and taxpayers will foot the bill to make those repairs through the city budget.
Other things in committee meetings:
- Flooding victims from June of 2023 spoke before the commission and now Risk Management is coming back out to do assessments after the threat of taking action against the city.
- HR director will come back next week on how to proceed forward on finding a new Parks and Rec Director.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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An Augusta biomanufacturer will start making ammunition in the global fight against malaria.
Manus last week broke ground at its local plant on Lovers Lane on a production facility to produce artemisinin. The chemical is a key starting component in drug treatments to treat the deadly mosquito-borne illness. Malaria killed more than 600,000 people worldwide in 2024, according to the World Health Organization
“This groundbreaking reflects a shift from dependence to capability,” said Ajikumar Parayil, Manus’ founder and CEO. “For decades, the U.S. has relied heavily on overseas supply chains for the building blocks of essential medicines. What we’re establishing in Augusta is a new model – one that restores control, strengthens resilience, and proves that advanced biomanufacturing can be deployed at scale, here at home.”
About 80% of key ingredients for essential U.S. medicines are made or sourced overseas, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
That has led companies such as Manus to pursue biomanufacturing production models capable of making medical compounds domestically, efficiently and on a large scale.
Earlier in 2026, Manus won federal funding to expand production to make shikimic acid, a key compound in the antiviral medication oseltamivir, better known by its brand name Tamiflu.
On April 30, Manus announced a partnership with the University of Georgia to start a structured biomanufacturing apprenticeship program in Augusta. With a UGA “academic blueprint,” according to Manus, apprentices would receive extensive training on live production equipment to produce more experienced professionals for bio-industrial manufacturers nationwide.
Manus reopened Augusta’s old NutraSweet plant in 2019. In 2021, it introduced NutraSweet Natural, a zero-calorie stevia sweetener made using a smaller environmental footprint.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Brent McMillian is being appointed as the new director of athletics at Augusta University, President Russell Keen announced Monday.
McMillian will begin the role on June 8, 2026.
According to AU, McMillian brings 13 years of athletics experience to the position. He previously served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Engagement and Revenue Generation at Lipscomb University at Nashville.
“His vision aligns seamlessly with our goals for Jaguar Athletics: to champion student-athlete wellbeing, strengthen our competitive success, deepen community engagement, and build a vibrant, spirited campus culture,” Keen said. “His experience, combined with his personal connection to Augusta University, positions him to hit the ground running in a meaningful way.”
McMillian is a graduate of Greenbrier High School and attended Augusta University before completing his degree at the University of Tennessee.
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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local restaurants hosted brunches for Mother’s Day, allowing neighbors to celebrate the day with the special women in their lives.
The Brunch House of Augusta on Greene Street hosted a brunch. The restaurant served berry pancakes and French toast, waffles, ham and cheese breakfast sliders and more breakfast foods.
One of the owners said the holidays are a great time for them to make connections with the community.
“We just had a group here come here that’s been coming here every year Mother’s Day for three years, every year basically since we’ve been open, they come in every year for Mother’s Day. We have people from out of town come and travel and visit us, so it’s definitely building that connection,” said Ashley Brown, co-owner of The Brunch House of Augusta.
Brown said they will be offering some specials for the upcoming Juneteenth holiday next month.
The Frog and the Hen also hosted a Mother’s Day brunch. The restaurant had about 350 people come in as of around 3 p.m.
They served foods like fried chicken, cheddar biscuits, French toast casserole and more.
The general manager said she enjoys seeing families come in for holidays like Mother’s Day.
“I feel like these are all my children here, so I feel like this day just in general, like I get to be the mother here, and so this is like I’m mother hen, so I get to take care of all this. I love supporting all the people as well and just being able to get the best food possible, the best chicken everywhere,” said Sheridan Roberts, general manager of Frog and the Hen.
Roberts said they often have to stop making reservations a few weeks ahead of the holiday due to the amount they receive.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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