Augusta, GA
Augusta schools tentatively staying open despite incoming Tropical Storm Debby
Stray catfish makes appearance in residential area in Florida
A catfish “walking” was spotted in a driveway in Florida amid flooding from Tropical Storm Debby.
Several public school systems around Georgia have closed due to Tropical Storm Debby. But, Augusta’s doesn’t seem to be among them.
Richmond County School System said via news release that, after monitoring weather conditions and communicating with local and regional emergency officials, they decided to operate schools normally Tuesday. Further updates and any changes necessary will be announced at the earliest possibility.
Aiken County Public Schools made a similar announcement, saying they continue to closely monitor the storm and will announce updates as they become available.
Columbia County School District has not announced any changes to its schedules.
Georgia power outage map: See where the power is out as Hurricane Debby nears
Burke County Public School Systemannounced Monday that all schools and departments will be closed on Tuesday. No employees, including 12-month personnel, are required to report to work. Students are being provided with Learn from Home materials and the nutrition department will send home a meal for Tuesday with each student.
Tropical Storm Debby is currently flooding many parts of Florida. There is a storm surge warning in effect for the Georgia and South Carolina coast from St. Mary’s River to South Santee River, according to the National Hurricane Center. Across portions of southeast Georgia, the coastal plain of South Carolina, and southeast North Carolina, 10 to 20 inches of rainfall, with local amounts to 30 inches, are expected through Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service is forecasting showers and thunderstorms every day through Saturday across the Augusta area. The center of Debby will move across southeastern Georgia Monday night and Tuesday, moving offshore of the South Carolina coast by late Tuesday and Wednesday.
Stay tuned for further updates from Augusta-area public schools.
Augusta, GA
Lane Bryant to close Augusta Mall store this weekend
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Shoppers in Augusta will soon lose a longtime retail option, as Lane Bryant’s store inside Augusta Mall is set to close for good this weekend.
Employees at Lane Bryant inside Augusta Mall confirmed that the store will permanently close starting Sunday, April 19.
After the closure, the nearest Lane Bryant location for customers will be in Lexington.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Willie James Tanksley Obituary April 16, 2026 – G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary
With deepest and heartfelt sympathy, G. L. Brightharp & Sons announces the transition of Mr. Willie J. Tanksley who entered into rest April 18, 2026.
Mr. Tanksley, a native of Richmond County, was a 1985 graduate of the Academy of Richmond County. He was a member of Greater Young Zion Baptist Church where he served in the Brotherhood Ministry.
Survivors include his wife, Sabrina Tanksley; two daughters, Ashley Tanksley and Taylor Tanksley; siblings, Elise Tanksley of Augusta, GA, Wilhelmina Roland of Atlanta, GA, Terry Tanksley, Tommy Tanksley, Watler Tanksley and Elder Claude (Kimberly) Tanksley all of Augusta, GA; an aunt, Frances Tate; an uncle, James Tanksley; mother-in-law, Sandra Harrison of Beech Island, SC; father-in-law, Jimmy (Elnora) Bing; three sisters-in-law, Fonda Rainey, Nicole Harrison and Nina Bing; a brother-in-law, Eric Bing; a host of nieces , nephews, along with other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Greater Young Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. William A. Blount officiating. Interment will follow at Walker Memorial Park. Viewing will be held from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.
The family will not be receiving visitors at the home. We ask that you continue to pray for them during this time.
Professional Services are under the compassionate care of G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary-North Augusta.
Augusta, GA
Funeral held for former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree’s funeral was held on Friday morning.
The funeral began at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, the Rev. Karlton Howard officiating.
WATCH THE FUNERAL
Interment will follow at Noah’s Ark Baptist Church Cemetery in Waynesboro.
A viewing was held on Thursday at Good Shepherd Baptist Church from 2-6 p.m.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Classmate remembers former Sheriff Richard Roundtree ahead of funeral
- Funeral announced for former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree
News 12 first learned of Roundtree’s passing on April 11. He’d been in a metro Atlanta hospital with serious medical issues.
Several people spoke during the funeral service, but one deputy in particular spoke of Roundtree’s leadership.
“He was more than a sheriff. He was an innovator. He looked for better ways to serve. He led with integrity, courage and genuine commitment,” said the deputy.
Roundtree, 57, was the head law enforcement officer in Augusta for more than a decade − and when he took office in 2012, notably no sheriff had been like him.
He was the first African American elected to the title, something he spent a career working toward.
He was highly visible in the community, where he could frequently be seen in a vest, working a crime scene along with his deputies.
Former classmate Clarence Brown said he was proud of Roundtree for his work.
“I was proud of him for, for actually, you know, getting to that level. But at the same time I realized that that’s a heavy weight, especially being from the community, um, and, and to draw in the community,” Brown said. “And so I wanted him to know that there was somebody in his corner that didn’t need anything.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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