Augusta, GA

Augusta town hall on recovery from Hurricane Helene underway

Published

1 year ago

December 10, 2024

Press Room

Augusta town hall on recovery from Hurricane Helene underway

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -The Augusta town hall on recovery from Hurricane Helene is underway.

City leadership is gathering to provide an update on where we are, going on three months since the storm.

We were out in some of our harder-hit neighborhoods on Tuesday and there are many mixed emotions about how people feel about where the city stands after the hurricane.

People are bringing their questions with them and some even submitted them ahead of time.

All asking about debris pick up, wire and cable collection, recycling and construction debris.

And local leaders say they are ready to answer any questions people might have.

“This is going to last well into 2025, and I think we need to set realistic expectations with everybody on what’s going on,” said Sean Frantom, District 7 commissioner.

It has been more than 70 days since the hurricane and more than 70 days of people waiting for the city to get back to a new normal, but local leaders say it takes time.

“People have to understand that the resources are spread between Florida, Georgia and even Columbia County and that there’s only so many resources to go around,” said Frantom.

He thinks they’re making good progress and is hoping the meetings will help explain how.

“We just opened up a new site off Sand Bar Ferry Road for that,” said Frantom. “We’re getting about 11,000 cubic yards each day going there to try to lighten the load over at Eisenhower. As far as like, where we are as a community, I think we’re doing very well, but this is going to be a process that people just got to be patient with.”

Halifax North damage after Hurricane Helene.

All while also trying to clear confusion and relieve any stress.

“FEMA is the paying agency. These are contractors to the contractor that we’ve hired to come and do this,” said Frantom. “We have over 80 trucks right now moving through the community. They’re going to come back, but if things are not at the road, they’re not going to be picked up.”

While reminding everyone that those who are helping us are people too.

“We’ve picked up 1.8 million cubic yards. I think the only day they’ve taken off is Thanksgiving,” said Frantom. They’re going to take off some days around Christmas, and people are going to be like, ‘Where are they?’ ‘Why hasn’t this been picked up?’ people are having Christmas parties, and they think that the medians and everything is going to be clear, so people can park there. Unfortunately, just not going to happen. I mean, and I think when you have a little grace and appreciate these people, because they’ve been in our community for 80 days now, nonstop, and they’re doing an incredible job, but it’s just going to take time.”

Even though the FEMA deadline is approaching, they are trying to get it extended.

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Augusta, GA

LIV Golf’s presence will be felt at Augusta National

Published

8 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

Golf

11 players from the rival league qualify for Masters, including hot picks DeChambeau and Rahm.

Bryson DeChambeau reacts after a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the third round of the Masters golf tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

By Stan Awtrey

16 minutes ago

On the eve of the Masters, two of the pre-tournament favorites are from LIV Golf: 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm and three-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau.

“I think if you had to pick one guy, Scottie Scheffler would be the guy,” veteran CBS announcer Jim Nantz said Monday. “And probably right behind him would be Bryson. I know his desire to win there. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him in a green jacket one day.”

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Jon Rahm and caddie Adam Hays walk down the ninth fairway during the second round of the Masters golf tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

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Stan Awtrey has been covering sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1977. He currently writes about high school sports, Georgia State University athletics and golf.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta commission delays airport bonus vote, seeks input on pickleball courts

Published

21 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

Augusta commission delays airport bonus vote, seeks input on pickleball courts

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A one-time bonus for airport employees was brought up at commission Tuesday, but no decision was made.

Leaders moved to discuss the bonus at the next committee meeting on April 14.

The bonus would give airport employees up to $500 for the extra work they put in during Masters week.

Pickleball court options range from $7,500 to $540,000

Leaders also want to hear from the community about what it wants for permanent pickleball courts at Warren Road Gym.

They discussed the costs of converting the indoor gym’s tennis courts into pickleball courts or building outdoor courts.

If leaders choose the indoor option, that could cost about $7,500 for work and any repairs.

For outdoor courts, that could range from about $140,000 to about $540,000. That depends on whether the outdoor courts will be demolished and redone or just repaired.

No word on when community meetings will be held.

Augusta approves $95,000 for unbudgeted special election costs

Augusta city leaders approved nearly $95,000 in unplanned expenses to cover a special election and a runoff that were not built into this year’s budget.

The city is already working through tight finances and is now forced to dip into reserve funds as voters head to the polls.

The Board of Elections is already working with less. The office, like all city departments, faces a 5% cut this year. That means cutting back on mailers and services to stay within budget.

Commissioners approved about $95,000 to pay for the March special election and the April 7 runoff. More than $30,000 went to poll workers, with additional costs for early voting, equipment testing, security and day-of operations.

Because the election was not budgeted, that money comes from the county’s contingency fund.

“So basically what we were doing today is I mostly have been spending part of my budget to cover the special election and in anticipation of the runoff. So I needed to go back and get funds to put back into the primary account. So now we’ll continue on to pay the bills for the special election,” said Travis Doss, Richmond County Board of Elections executive director.

The funding helps the board reset after covering those unplanned costs as they quickly shift focus to what’s next. Doss said absentee ballots for the May election are already going out, with early preparations underway for the May 19 primary.

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Augusta, GA

The Masters: When it starts, how to watch, betting odds for golf's first major of 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

The Masters: When it starts, how to watch, betting odds for golf’s first major of 2026By DOUG FERGUSONAP Golf WriterThe Associated PressAUGUSTA, Ga.The Masters is almost here. The first major of the year starts April 9 at Augusta National. There’s not much change from last year except Rory McIlroy won’t

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