AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Utilities Department has disclosed the reason behind a sewage overflow that took place last month in Richmond County.

According to a report released by the department, grease was identified as the cause of the minor sewage spill, which impacted water in Butler Creek on June 30th. The affected areas included Rosier Road and Elliot Boulevard.

The Augusta Utilities Department stated that crews managed to address and resolve the issue in less than an hour.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Cleanup efforts will happen in Augusta on Saturday through Operation Cleanup.

This is a collaboration between the mayor’s office, state court, the solicitor general, the sheriff’s office and the marshal’s office.

“We will go to a location in Augusta where trash is basically alongside the roadway, and we will go clean up. It’s a great program because not only does it help keep the city clean, it also gives the probationers an opportunity to reduce their sentence, another alternative as opposed to being incarcerated,” said CPL. Anthony Bennerman, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials say this gives better opportunities for those who are ordered to perform community service through the court.

“They are also appreciative to have the second chance to not only give back to the community but do something positive while reducing their probation sentence,” said Bennerman.

Bennerman says they do this initiative every Saturday morning.

This will start at 8 a.m. Saturday on Lumpkin Road.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils (JAMP) is performing a show at the Augusta Museum of History on Friday to honor James Brown and other artists in past years.

Currently, it’s still rehearsal time for the show, and Noah Turman is one of the members of the show.

“I learned how to play different songs on different instruments,” said Turman.

Turman’s favorite is the drums.

And for Turman, it’s about more than just the music, saying it helps him read music better.

James Brown’s daughter says the performance will help keep her father’s legacy alive.

“My dad always talked about how important it was for young kids to be able to learn music because not everybody is going to be so great to be able to take the ball, run up and down the field, or get a break in sports. Some students are intellectually able to move forward in music,” said Deanna Brown Thomas.

The group recently won second place during an amateur tournament in New York, in the same place where Brown performed in the 1960s, the Apollo.

“One day they’ll look back and will understand and appreciate it deeply. I really and fully believe that. We also had one of my dad’s funerals there at the Apollo,” said Thomas.

Music Director Daniell Sapp said they teach kids beginning at age five through 18, helping mold musicians.

“They come in here, start learning music from the very beginning. They don’t have any knowledge, any type of skills,” said Sapp.

“I believe he’s helping through he heavens. I really believe that this is his breath. This is where he gets to breathe from heaven down on these beautiful kids,” said Thomas.

The performance is at 6 p.m. Friday at the Augusta Museum of History.

$1,000 will go to five local students as scholarships for higher education, something Thomas said her father always wanted to do.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.