Augusta, GA
Augusta’s MLKJr. Parade kicks off Black History Month
Augusta, Ga (WJBF) – The city of Augusta and the Augusta-Richmond County Branch of the NAACP continued an annual tradition. Augusta’s annual Martin Luther King Junior Parade was held Saturday on Laney-Walker Blvd. A large crowd of people gathered to watch the parade and celebrate the beginning of Black History Month.
Sibea Lewis, a Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. told WJBF, “It’s great to see so many people out here celebrating history, celebrating the past that we can go forward with and knowing about where we come from helps us know where we need to go.”
City organizations, social groups, and local high school bands were just some of the spirited guests in this year’s parade. “It’s wonderful,” said Cashus Williams, a life-long Augusta resident told WJBF, “What makes it so good is I’m glad, I’m 67 years old to live to see this. I remember when I was a little girl, and now look.”
There’s extra significance to the parade coming down Laney-Walker Blvd, which is one of most prominent pillars of the Augusta Black Community. “Very Historical from Lucy Laney School, AR Johnson, I mean it’s very historical period.” said Thompkins. Lewis said, “A lot of the history of this city, the strength of this city comes from this block the people come from this block. So the perfection of combining these two things together is A1.”
Apostle Auturus Dizzley of Connection to Christ Ministries told WJBF, “This parade brings the unification. We want to make sure that we’re reaching across aisles and reaching across denominational lines to serve the community because that’s what we’re here to serve.”
Augusta, GA
South Augusta YMCA will not renew Tobacco Road lease
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The South Augusta YMCA will not renew its lease at the Tobacco Road location, the Y confirmed.
The shopping center is being sold, and the current lease ends in October.
The Y has not announced a final day at the current location. Officials said they plan to announce that date and next steps for South Augusta later this month.
The YMCA said it still plans to serve South Augusta after the lease expires.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Man charged with murder in shooting death of Augusta woman
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man who was previously wanted for questioning in an Augusta deadly shooting has now been charged with murder in the case, according to authorities.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says Kemfton Quewanaki Kenon, 27, was arrested on Friday in connection to the shooting death of Khyla Rodriguez, of Augusta.
Kenon is booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and charged with murder and possession of a firearm during a crime, according to jail bookings.
Rodriguez, 25, was found dead after deputies received a call about a shooting on May 15 at 1:11 a.m. on Cameron Drive.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office said Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 2:27 a.m.
Kenon was previously wanted for questioning in the case and was located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. He was interviewed and arrested on an unrelated warrant.
Deputies were also interviewed two other subjects in the case. They were not arrested in the case.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
South Augusta community raises concern over Family Y on Tobacco Road
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – People who live in South Augusta are raising concerns about the future of the Family Y on Tobacco Road.
Officials say the facility has been operating at a loss for years, and have had a low number of memberships. The location also has a new owner. The cost of the lease is too high and the facility is also in need of renovations, which are said to be costly.
“The reality is we couldn’t afford the current lease that we were in,” said Catie McCauley, president and CEO of Family Y of Greater Augusta. “Over the last 10 years we’ve been subsidizing this lot. So we got to look at a model that we can sustain for the next several generations not just the next couple years.”
The location is set to close in October, but officials say they are working with community members and contractors for a new building that they can move into and are committed to staying in South Augusta.
Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps
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