Augusta, GA

Back-to-school drives make the difference for Augusta families

Published

6 months ago

July 28, 2024

Press Room

Back-to-school drives make the difference for Augusta families

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s a little over a week from kids going back to school in Richmond and Columbia County.

With the new school year approaching, backpacks and school supplies are in high demand for many families.

RISE Augusta and Smile for Shay Foundation partnered up for the annual Back to School at The Hub & Books for Shay Event at The Hub for Community Innovation on Saturday.

It’s one of several community efforts to help gear up kids for school while also providing resources like literacy booths, after-school resources and free health screenings.

Parents like Melissa King said these efforts all make a difference for her kids and many others.

”When we were younger, we didn’t have back to school bashes all the time, there wasn’t enough in the community for those kinds of things for children to come to things like this and get the supplies they needed, or to even help them in general,” said King.

FILE - Georgia Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods speaks to reporters, Jan. 5, 2024, in...

King said she relies on community back to school events to make sure she has enough supplies to support her kids through the school year.

”Sometimes supplies can be over 150 bucks, just depending on the location that you go to, and the supplies requested by the teachers in the schools throughout the year,” said King.

Event organizers and volunteers said well over 1,000 people came out on Saturday to enjoy the resources brought. They said the event really showcases the real want and need for community support in Augusta.

“The rising cost of what parents and families have to purchase for school just continues to go up. Anything we can do to help them get them started. We are also committed to making sure we provide supplies throughout the year because we know they run out,” said Betsy VanDeusen, AU Literacy Center.

New to Back to School at The Hub is the addition of the Books for Shay Event.

It’s one of several efforts from the Smile for Shay organization. The non-profit organization was created by the family of Shaylin Foster. She was a student at Grovetown High School when she was killed in a car accident in 2018.

One of her main passions was reading books. In honor of Shaylin, the Foster family gives back through donated books every year. Donated books from Smile for Shay were given out throughout the event for families to pick up.

The event started at 10:00 a.m. and finished at 1:00 p.m.

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Augusta, GA

Jags stay atop the PBC with win over Georgia Southwestern

Published

4 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Jags stay atop the PBC with win over Georgia Southwestern

Augusta, GA – The Augusta men’s basketball team continued their strong start in Peach Belt Conference play, securing a 77-69 victory over Georgia Southwestern on Saturday evening at Christenberry Fieldhouse. With the win, Augusta improves to 11-5 overall and 5-1 in the PBC, while Georgia Southwestern drops to 6-10 and 0-6 in league play. Augusta (11-5, 5-1 Peach Belt) FG% 49.1 3PT% 27.3 FT% 81.5 Georgia Southwestern (6-10, 0-6 Peach Belt) FG% 38.3 3PT% 18.2 FT% 63.6 The Jaguars set the tone early, taking a 35-32 lead into halftime behind a balanced offensive effort. In the second half, Augusta maintained…

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Augusta, GA

George Crouser Obituary January 17, 2025 – Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors

Published

11 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

George Crouser Obituary January 17, 2025 – Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors

George A. Crouser, age 73, passed away peacefully Friday, January 17, 2025 in Augusta, GA with family by his side.

He is survived by his wife, Madeline; daughters: Sarah (Tony) Lonaker of Findlay, Ohio and Stacey (Kurt Williams) Wright of Augusta, Georgia; step-daughters: Lisa (Wes) Grate of Cincinnati, Ohio and Amanda (Eric) Sobul of Willoughby, Ohio; grandchildren: Ady, Shane, Maddie, Bella, Scout, and Wylie; and former spouse: Sharee.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and June (nee Dunn) Crouser, and brother, John Crouser.

George was born May 23, 1951 in Painesville, Ohio. He attended Harvey High School, Class of 1969, where he was a multi-sport letterman. He was a jack-of-all-trades but found his career working in nuclear plants in Ohio, New Hampshire, and found his way to Augusta.

George loved listening to music, amassing a massive record collection, and attending concerts. In his spare time, George could be found playing billiards in different leagues. He was an avid sports fan and loved watching the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Guardians but loved Ohio State the most.

All services are private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The American Heart Association of The National Kidney Foundation.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484.

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Augusta, GA

Father arrested after Harlem child shoots himself with unsecured gun

Published

19 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Father arrested after Harlem child shoots himself with unsecured gun

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A Harlem child was transfered to a local hospital after shooting himself in the shoulder, according to the Harlem Police Department.

Officials say the Harlem Police Department responded to the 200 block of North Fairview Drive just after 8 p.m. Thursday in reference to a gunshot wound.

Deputies say they offered aid to the juvenile until the Fire Department and EMS arrived.

According to authorities, the child found an unsecured gun in his father’s room and shot himself in the shoulder.

Deputies say the child was alert and conscious and is expected to make a full recovery.

Spencer Johnson has been arrested on a charge of cruelty to children in the second degree and has been transported to the Columbia County Detention Center, according to officials.

This case is still under investigation.

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