Augusta, GA

Augusta VA hosted expo to connect veterans with benefits

Published

11 months ago

May 15, 2025

Press Room

Augusta VA hosted expo to connect veterans with benefits

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Veterans in Augusta were getting connected with resources Wednesday at a VA expo.

Organizations are coming in as far as Washington, D.C., to help veterans.

Veterans receive help filing VA benefits claims, applying for jobs and getting other resources on suicide prevention and their homeless program.

“VA Augusta has a really strong homeless veteran program. It was ranked number one in the nation for the amount of folks they placed into permanent housing. We got a really robust program with several staff members located both in South Carolina and in Georgia. If any of the homeless veterans or folks are at risk, they can show up, there’s someone here who can help them through the process, hopefully get them permanent housing in a hurry,” said Will Martin, chief of public affairs, VA Augusta.

Martin says Augusta.va.gov can also help veterans with resources.

“We have a growing veteran population in the area, with Eisenhower so close, a lot of folks transition. They like the area and they stay in the area, so they need VA care. So, I think the real push for this is just to make sure we are keeping up with the growing VA population in the area, especially VA Augusta wants to make sure we are meeting that need,” said Martin.

Earlier this month, the VA Augusta health system announced some events and initiatives that are aimed at enhancing veterans’ mental health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.

For the first time, the VA Augusta healthcare system is accepting involuntary psychiatric admissions.

Leaders say this is a pivotal move to helping our veterans by removing the barriers to help people experiencing an immediate crisis.

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Augusta, GA

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

8 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

20 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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