Augusta, GA
Augusta University uses grants to fight overdose across the city
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta University is partnering with Open Arms Outreach to place lifesaving materials throughout downtown Augusta using a $66,000 grant from State opioid settlement money.
Nicoll Gentry knows the importance of a second chance at life. The co-founder of Open Arms Outreach has been sober for three years after someone used Narcan to save her life during an overdose.
“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Narcan,” Gentry said.
She co-founded Open Arms Outreach to help people struggling with addiction. The organization provides resources without judgment for those battling drug addiction.
“My life today is something I could have never even prayed for. I wouldn’t have known to pray for it,” Gentry said. “We are allowing them the open door to know, hey, there’s a resource out there that I can reach out to that didn’t judge me, that helped me stay alive.”
Two state grants totaling $66,000 will allow Augusta University to place lifesaving materials in 40 downtown businesses, 10 vape shops and 25 buildings across all five of its campuses.
They have 20 on the Summerville campus already.
The goal is to have help at every street corner, with Narcan and test strips in bars and restaurants downtown, so no one is ever more than a few doors away from lifesaving help.
Dr. Aaron Johnson, director of the Institute of Public and Preventive Health at Augusta University, said the Augusta area had a real need for something that would save a life immediately.
“Public health by definition is community facing, and so we want to have a presence and a partnership with people throughout the community,” Johnson said.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office reported 76 drug deaths in 2025, with 37 related to opioids. The county is among the highest in the state for drug-related deaths.
“It normalizes the fact that it’s okay to help somebody overdosing. It’s okay to help save somebody’s life,” she said. “I get to be a mother today to my almost 21-year-old daughter. She can count on me to do things. I wasn’t the best of the community, but I give back every day to make up for that.”
Dr. Johnson said they had their first meeting to discuss next steps and reaching out to businesses to start placing the boxes downtown.
Open Arms Outreach will refill the boxes once they’re installed and continue training people across Augusta to help save lives when there’s an opportunity in front of them.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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