Augusta, GA

Augusta University uses grants to fight overdose across the city

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2026

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.

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Augusta, GA

What is the cheapest city in Georgia to live with a roomate?

Published

9 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

What is the cheapest city in Georgia to live with a roomate?

As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.

According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.

Here’s what to know.

Where can you save the most in Georgia?

The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.

Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.

Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:

One-bedroom rent: $1,000
Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450

Why are roommate savings so high?

With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.

The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.

How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?

Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:

Cleveland, OH
Baton Rouge, LA
Jersey City, NJ
Memphis, TN
Boise, ID
Augusta, GA
New Haven, CT
Chattanooga, TN
Virginia Beach, VA
Shreveport, LA

Methodology

The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.

For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.

Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day

Published

22 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Augusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.

The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.

Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.

Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.

“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.

Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.

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Augusta, GA

Lane Bryant to close Augusta Mall store this weekend

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

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.

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