Augusta, GA

Bedbugs send staff scurrying into action at Augusta school

Published

1 year ago

August 14, 2024

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Bedbugs send staff scurrying into action at Augusta school

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta school is dealing with a bedbug situation.

Parents of Monte Sano Elementary students were told of it in a letter dated Wednesday.

“A kindergarten student was exposed to bedbugs outside our school,” the Richmond County School System told parents.

No other grade levels are believed to be in danger of exposure.

“Out of an abundance of caution,” all students were examined for bedbug activity and the following steps were taken:

All kindergarten classes were removed from their normal classrooms for the school day and instruction took place at another location in the school.
All classroom items were examined for bedbug activity.
To ensure that no bedbugs enter family homes, kindergarten student belongings will remain on campus overnight to be treated.
Parents and guardians of all kindergarten students received additional resources and information.

Regular classroom activity for all students will resume on Thursday.

“We understand that this event disrupted your children’s school day,” parents were told. “We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to ensure that our classrooms are safe environments for learning.”

All about bedbugs

Bedbugs are small, flat insects that bite people and animals at night while they sleep, feeding on their blood.
Bedbugs are reddish-brown, are wingless and range from 1mm to roughly the size of Lincoln’s head on a penny. They can live for months without a blood meal.
Bedbugs are not known to spread diseases to people, but they cause irritation, itching and loss of sleep.
You can find bedbugs anywhere, from North and South America, to Africa, Asia and Europe. Bedbugs are in five-star hotels and resorts. How clean a place is does not determine whether they are present.
Bedbug bites affect each person differently. You may have no signs or you may see small bites or suffer serious allergic reactions, although these are rare.
When bedbugs bite, they inject an anesthetic and anticoagulant that prevent a person from feeling the bite when it happens. Most people do not notice the bite marks until they appear from one to several days after the initial bite.
Bites look similar to mosquito or flea bites — a slightly swollen and red area that may itch and be irritating. The bite marks may be random or appear in a straight line.
Signs of an infestation include exoskeletons (shed after molting), bugs in the fold of mattresses and sheets, rusty-colored blood spots on mattresses or nearby furniture, and a sweet musty odor.

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Augusta, GA

Aerospace program milestone reached at Thompson Farm in Augusta

Published

8 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Aerospace program milestone reached at Thompson Farm in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students at Richmond County Technical Magnet School achieved a milestone by launching their 500th non-kit rocket.

Students launched rockets at Thompson Farm in Augusta. The launch is part of the school’s aerospace program that has been part of their STEM curriculum since 2014.

The Augusta Fire Department collaborated with the group for the launch.

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Augusta, GA

Savannah woman attacked with acid, recovering at Augusta burn center

Published

20 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Savannah woman attacked with acid, recovering at Augusta burn center

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A woman is recovering in Augusta after being attacked with acid earlier this week in Savannah.

Around 8:16 p.m. Wednesday, she was walking around Forsyth Park and a man hiding in the shadows near Whitaker Street suddenly came out and attacked her with an unknown chemical.

The liquid melted through her clothing and headphones.

The victim has been identified as Ashley Wasielewski, of Savannah, according to sources close to her family.

First responders located and treated the victim on scene before transferring her to a local hospital. Wasielewski has now been transferred to a regional burn center for advanced treatment. Sources close to the family said the burn center is in Augusta.

Sources close to the family said Wasielewski is stable after suffering second-degree burns.

Photos of the victim before and after an acid attack in Forsyth Park(N/A)

Savannah police say they don’t believe the attacker was known to the victim.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.

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Augusta, GA

Red Kettle Campaign short $100K of goal as it enters its final days

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Red Kettle Campaign short 0K of goal as it enters its final days

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army of Augusta’s Red Kettle Campaign is working to close a $100,000 gap before Christmas Eve.

With just 11 days left in the 2025 Red Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army of Augusta is urging the community to rally together.

The Red Kettle Campaign is the largest fundraiser of the year for The Salvation Army.

The campaign funds programs and services that support neighbors in need throughout the entire year.

Every penny donated through the Red Kettles stays in the Augusta area, ensuring local impact.

Proceeds from the campaign directly support the Center of Hope. In addition to providing a safe place to sleep, the Center of Hope operates a soup kitchen that serves approximately 200 meals every day.

In the past year, the Salvation Army has assisted more than 900 local residents through its rent and utility assistance program.

“The Red Kettle represents so much more than a simple donation—it represents hope for families right here in our community,” said Major Jonathan Raymer, Area Commander for The Salvation Army of Augusta.

“Every dollar dropped into the kettle helps provide shelter, meals, case management, and stability for our neighbors who need it most. With just days left in this campaign, we are asking the CSRA to show up in a big way.”

The Salvation Army of Augusta is encouraging community members to donate when they see a Red Kettle. For those who are cashless, donations can be made online at donateaugusta.org.

If you would like to volunteer for the Red Kettle Campaign, visit ringforhope.org.

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