Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

Published

1 year ago

January 9, 2025

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There can be big time disaster emergencies in Augusta, but an emergency management director is not a full-time position for the city.

“I think lessons learned from Hurricane Helene, we desperately need it as we try to recover our city as we try to prepare from the next storm,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The consolidation bill gives the mayor the authority to name an EMA director.

But for the last 20 years, the mayors have called on the fire chief to pull double duty while getting supplement pay.

But at the Mayor Johnson’s request, commissioners have approved beginning the process to hire a full time EMA director.

“You want to make sure that when disasters come, we are 100 percent fully prepared,” said Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.

“A city our size deserves someone who is full time committed to that role that helps with our storm preparedness,” said Mayor Johnson.

But when commissioners approved this year’s budget in November, funding for a new EMA director was not a part of it.

“You talking about cutting budgets but yet you’re talking about increasing personnel. It comes with a cost,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.

“It will pay for itself as we go through this recovery for Hurricane Helene, as we try to see out grant opportunities and funding opportunities for reimbursement,” said the Mayor.

For sure the city has not seen its last emergency, now the city is seeking a permanent director to manage it.

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Event at Skateland Augusta draws 22 clubs from across the country

Published

10 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Press Room

Event at Skateland Augusta draws 22 clubs from across the country

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Skaters from the CSRA and beyond are competing in the inaugural Presidents Day Artistic Roller Skating Meet at Skateland Augusta.

The event started Sunday and runs through Tuesday. 22 skating clubs from across the country are competing in figures, spins, jumps, dance and show categories.

The competition is open to all ages, with competitors ranging in age from 5 to 67.

Ansley Marshall, a creative solo competitor, said she enjoys testing her abilities against other skaters.

“I like to push myself to be the best I can be and to test my talents against other people,” Marshall said. “It helps me push myself harder and you sort of feel the recognition of how far I’ve come and see my progress and stuff.”

Spectator tickets for Tuesday’s final day of competitions are $5 per person at Skateland Augusta.

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Augusta, GA

Man wanted in shooting that injured woman in Augusta

Published

22 hours ago

February 16, 2026

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Man wanted in shooting that injured woman in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man is wanted in connection to a shooting that injured a woman, according to officials.

Timothy Erving Barnes, 38, is wanted for aggravated assault after a shooting that happened on Feb. 4 on the 2500 block of Kensington Drive East.

Timothy Erving Barnes(Richmond County Sheriff’s Office)

According to the incident report, witnesses told deputies they were sitting in front of a home on Evangelina Drive inside of a car when an unknown man approached the vehicle.

Witnesses then told deputies the man pulled out a firearm and began to back away, according to the report.

The witnesses stated they pulled away from the home and then shortly returned. The man then began shooting at the witnesses’ car, according to the report.

Deputies say one of the witnesses state a bullet struck the vehicle and grazed her.

EMS responded to the scene and treated the witness on scene for her injuries.

Deputies say Barnes is known to frequent the areas of Georgetown, Meadowbrook, Belfair Lakes and 12th Street in Augusta.

Barnes is to be considered armed and dangerous, according to the sheriff’s office.

He is 5 foot 6 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

If anyone has any information, call the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.

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Augusta, GA

Multiple crashes occur across Richmond and Aiken Counties during rainy day

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

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Multiple crashes occur across Richmond and Aiken Counties during rainy day

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple traffic accidents across Richmond and Aiken Counties, including multiple on I-20, backed up traffic on a rainy Sunday.

In Georgia, two wrecks occurred westbound on I-20 around 2:30 p.m. One of them involved a Richmond County deputy who was working another accident between the Washington Road and Riverwatch Parkway exits when a car lost control and rear-ended the deputy’s car.

The deputy was in the driver’s seat of his stationary patrol car in the left lane when he was hit, authorities say.

One of them involved a Richmond County deputy who was working an accident between the Washington Road and Riverwatch Parkway exits when a car lost control and rear-ended the deputy’s car.(staff)

The deputy was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, officials say.

The left lane was blocked for around an hour.

Georgia State Patrol worked this incident. The scene cleared shortly after 3:30 p.m.

In South Carolina, one accident happened at mile marker 2 on I-20, going westbound.

A car flipped over as a result of the accident. This accident also backed up traffic, and the scene was cleared around 3:04 p.m., our crews said.