Augusta, GA

Augusta volunteers help with recovery efforts in Florida

Published

2 years ago

October 4, 2022

Augusta volunteers help with recovery efforts in Florida

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Crews in Florida are working across the clock as individuals and companies are coping with life-altering conditions.

A type of hard-hit areas is Daytona.

Now native Crimson Cross leaders are down in Florida serving to with clean-up efforts. We talked to a volunteer who was relocated from Valdosta to Florida to learn how essential it’s to have additional assist throughout aid efforts.

Meals, water, and necessities are slowly coming in. Communication with others is troublesome due to little to no Wi-Fi.

Govt Director of the American Crimson Cross of East Central Georgia Susan Everitt was in a position to have steady Wi-Fi in a single space so she may inform us concerning the Daytona space injury when she first received there.

“There have been boats all twisted up throughout one another. It was fairly a literal mess,” she stated.

They’re situated at a mega-shelter with greater than 300 individuals.

“There’s a whole lot of infants. There are a whole lot of little youngsters. There are various aged those that have many, many, many wants. You may give it some thought. They actually left there with nothing, so that they want meals. They want water. They want garments. They want diapers, child method,” she stated.

With so many youngsters, there are mother and father who should work even tougher with the intention to get them to shelters.

“She fairly actually gave beginning six days in the past, proper at Hurricane Ian, and was discharged, and her house was flooded,” stated Everitt.

This wasn’t the one troublesome case.

“She is out deployed in south Florida. She helps others whereas her house right here is flooded,” she stated. “You don’t have your partner right here. You’ve three little infants who don’t have a automobile anymore as a result of they received flooded.”

Even by way of that, morale remains to be excessive as they combat to get again to regular.

“They’re in such good spirits. It’s superb. It’s so very grateful for what they do,” she stated.

Everitt says that should you’re attempting to assist out right here, the 3 ways you are able to do so is to volunteer, give blood and make a monetary contribution.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta leaders get a look at Brigham Community Center renovations

Published

4 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Press Room

Augusta leaders get a look at Brigham Community Center renovations

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re getting a look at renovations happening over at the Henry Brigham Community Center.

On Wednesday, Augusta Department of Parks and Recreation staff took city leaders on a tour for all of the progress.

Back in 2022, the center closed to start the multimillion dollar project.

You can expect a brand-new kitchen, dance hall, weight room, locker rooms and sauna and steam.

The new gym can hold up to 500 people.

An e-sports room is coming too.

The original projected price was $8.3 million, and it came in slightly over budget at $8.6 million to $8.7 million.

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Augusta, GA

2 buildings damaged in church fire along Essie McIntyre Boulevard

Published

11 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Press Room

2 buildings damaged in church fire along Essie McIntyre Boulevard

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Fire Department crews responded to a blaze Tuesday afternoon at a church at Essie McIntyre Boulevard and Meadow Street.

The fire at Fellowship Baptist Church didn’t injure anyone but damaged two buildings.

It broke out around 4 p.m. in a light-colored concrete-block storage building.

The back part of a building burned, with smoke pouring out a window, blackening the area around the opening.

“Upon arrival, those crews witness smoke and flames coming through the front door on the right side,” said Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden.

The heat from the flames melted and warped the gray vinyl siding of a nearby building that was being renovated to serve as a fellowship hall.

Pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church of Augusta, Morris Jones, said: “I’m thankful. I’m grateful that it was contained and it didn’t do more damage. I was at work and got that, that notification and saw that fire and said, ‘Wow.’ I initially called the fire department, and police department and just went into prayer because the last thing I wanted was for someone to get hurt.”

The goals of the church will remain the same moving past the flames.

“The future of this building is going to be a fellowship resource center. We’re going to use it for the children of this community and feed the community like we use it now. Hopefully, we make a difference. In this neighborhood,” said Jones.

This building at Essie McIntyre Boulevard and Meadow Street was damaged by a fire on April 23, 2024.(WRDW)

According to Richmond County dispatchers, the fire was first reported at 4:03 p.m. Tuesday.

Witnesses reported large flames in the area around 4:10 p.m.

About eight firetrucks responded.

Burden said the cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Jones wants his congregation and community to know they’ll rise from the ashes.

“God is still in control. We know things are gonna happen, but as long as we trust God, everything to work out,” said Jones. “Continue to trust God, pray and see what God does next because He’s gonna do some powerful things in this neighborhood. We just got to be ready to position so when he acts we can move on time.”

The main worship area was untouched by the flames, so church services there would go on as normal.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta experts share important warning signs of human trafficking

Published

19 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Press Room

Augusta experts share important warning signs of human trafficking

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia ranks sixth in the nation for sex trafficking, and local experts say Richmond County sees more child sex trafficking than anywhere else in the state.

For a problem that is growing not only in Georgia but nationwide, experts say there’s a huge misconception surrounding human trafficking.

“I think our generation got introduced to the topic of human trafficking through movies like Taken or Sound of Freedom. But the reality is that’s not what trafficking looks like in our community. It’s not what it looks like in most communities,” said District Attorney Jared Williams.

On Tuesday, experts who deal directly with sex crimes and trafficking in the Augusta community explained to students at Augusta University that trafficking looks like comfort and trust.

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Terry Gore said: “You always think of the man in the white panel van with puppies on the side. No. Traffickers are family or friends.”

Williams said: “It’s often familial, meaning that there’s a family member who’s involved in exploiting their loved one or it’s gang-related. We see a lot of that.”

And there is no safe age.

“The youngest victim that I have right now is 4 days old. My youngest person that’s been sending out nudes is 6. These people got a hold of her at 6 years old to send them out,” said Gore.

The way to reduce the numbers is to first know the signs.

GBI Agent Anita Ivy said: “In school, you’ll notice a lot of absences, change in behavior, and appearance, dressing provocatively and carrying two cell phones.”

The best way to combat it is by supporting resources in the community.

Williams said: “We have a lot of great organizations like Child Enrichment, who are doing a lot. We have the Sexual Assault Resource Center, they’re doing a lot to help. But we need more funding for those organizations and we need better access to care and treatment after the fact.”

Leaders say to talk to your kids about what is going on in their lives and check their cell phones and the apps they are on.

Be aware of the time they are on the devices.

Also in the news

On Wednesday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp will be joined by state and local leaders at a ceremony to sign bills fighting human trafficking. At 10 a.m. at the state Capitol in Atlanta, the governor will deliver remarks prior to signing Senate Bill 370, House Bill 993 and House Bill 1201.

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