Augusta woman on a mission to hand out ‘go bags’ the homeless

Published

1 year ago

December 23, 2023

Augusta woman on a mission to hand out ‘go bags’ the homeless

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -Day or night, the cold temps have been unforgiving for everyone.

We do have shelters, but not everyone can make it to one, not to mention the requirements and restrictions in place.

One woman started her own nonprofit and now she’s using her own money to make sure people living on the streets have the chance to stay warm this winter.

After getting out of prison, Marsha Sanders made it her mission to help those in need.

It’s why she created After the Storm Inc.

“Helping the homeless, giving whatever I had to them so that they can have. They were always more in need than I was, and my heart just hurt for them,” she said.

With the help of her friend and volunteer, CJ, who’s faced homelessness himself, she’s handing out go bags. Which CJ knows from experience are critical during cold weather.

“I didn’t have a place that I could go to get out of the weather, and in the go bag, it was very important to me to provide the emergency blanket because it was going to be so cold,” he said.

The go bags have an emergency blanket, gloves, masks, and cough drops.

Marsha also gives out coats, too.

“That go-bag is so important because whenever I was homeless, and I was getting sick chronically, I developed bronchitis from simple cold and flu,” said Mayfield.

She hopes with the help of the community, she can continue to give them out.

“We need the funds to be able to provide for them so that they can get the basic things that they need out there, and the things that they need are basic things that we have,” said Sanders.

It’s just one more resource for those in need.

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New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

Published

1 hour ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After swearing in 100 new deputies at the beginning of his tenure, Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley also addressed promotions and appointments for those in the sheriff’s office.

It happened on Friday before the winter weather got underway and impacted the region.

Brantley spoke with us after about why the new promotions, appointments and people in the sheriff’s office will benefit the community.

“For the most part, when you’re suffering from a shortage of staff like we have been and so many other agencies in the state of Georgia and around the country, I think it is a boost in the arm to onboard 100 people to help get things that we need slow down crime and stop what is plaguing our community,” said Brantley.

Brantley said it was the first step to making the community safer.

He says he has been working on improving the jail as well.

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Augusta, GA

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

Published

9 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – AugustaCon was back, but in a new home this time.

Saturday’s event was held in Columbia County at the Performing Arts Center.

The event holds video game tournaments and hosts vendors that had anime and video game-style items.

We spoke to one of the vendors, who helped run the video game tournament there.

“We really love it. It’s a great environment. We love seeing new gamers, collectors, anyone that likes anime,” said Cedric Bacon.

If you missed out on Saturday’s AugustaCon, there are ones usually in the summer and winter as well.

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Augusta, GA

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

Published

17 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was fatally shot in an armed robbery on Lumpkin Road, according to authorities, and a suspect has been arrested.

The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop at 2303 Lumpkin Road around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.

He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.

The vehicle was registered in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.

Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.

Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.

The driver, 22-year-old Terrance Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.