Augusta, GA
Augusta Transit gets $12 million to buy 6 more electric buses
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta is getting some federal money to boost its fleet of electric buses.
Augusta Transit announced Tuesday that the Federal Transit Administration awarded the agency a $12 million grant to purchase six clean-energy battery electric buses, charging equipment and infrastructure, and a bus simulator to train employees.
This comes two years after the city won a $6 million grant to buy five electric buses that are set for delivery in 2025.
The next six buses from this latest grant will arrive in 2027.
They’ll join six new diesel buses purchased through an even earlier grant and delivered a year ago.
Just days ago, the agency got a $1.7 million grant to design a new “state of the art” transfer facility.
The $12 million grant, together with a local match of $2 million, will let Augusta Transit replace and upgrade aging buses and strengthen workforce development with the training simulator, the agency said.

This grant is the largest single federal award in Augusta Transit’s 50-year history and was a joint effort between project partners GILLIG, EO Charging Inc., FAAC Inc., and the Center for Transportation and Environment, as well as Augusta’s Office of the Administrator.
GILLIG is the supplier of the five earlier electric buses as well as the diesel ones.
“We appreciate all the support shown for Augusta Transit as we continue to improve transit service for the future,” Augusta Transit Director Sharon Dottery said.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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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