Augusta, GA
Bringing awareness to Augusta Richmond county’s number one killer
AUGUSTA, Ga. –
It’s the number one killer of 31 to 51-year old’s in Augusta-Richmond county.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health—fentanyl related deaths are on the rise.
For National Fentanyl Awareness Day, Serenity Behavioral Health Systems took time out to educate the public.
Fox 54 got the chance to hear firsthand just how dangerous and deadly this drug can be.
Timothy Stephens says he used to abuse almost every drug on the market.
“I already had my second failed marriage, I was pretty much homeless. In my head I was like hey you lost everybody, this doctor obviously cares about you so why mess that up, just go ahead and go to a recovery meeting,” said Stephens
Now Stephens, whose been drug free for over a decade, is the founder of the non-profit, Augusta Recovery Alliance.
The goal—to help people facing the challenges he once encountered.
Stephens says, “I had a beer saved for me that evening and I was like its October 18th 2012, I just threw it in the trash and said I’m going to try my very best and I haven’t had a drink or a drug since. The only way I know how to keep it is by pouring into others and showing them the way out.”
Fentanyl use is on the rise, being found in almost all counterfeit drugs.
“Right now, the findings are suggesting it could potentially be in every illegal drug that is found in the county right now. We can only speculate that maybe because it is cheaper to produce and people are mass producing counterfeit pills,” said opioid public health analyst, Beverly Brown.
Chuck Williamson with Serenity Behavioral Health says the most important thing right now is to educate.
“The street drugs the synthetic stuff, its killing people and we just need to make people aware,” said Williamson. “It’s a big-time issue, we’ve got to take it very seriously and address it. Education, education that’s the main thing.”
That’s why serenity hosted a Fentanyl Awareness Day teaching the community about the dangers surrounding this drug and how to help combat this issue.
One of the main things that can help is having Narcan on hand at all times and knowing how to use it.
You can find free Narcan at the Georgia Department of Public Health in Augusta while supplies are available.
Lifesaving information in the fight against an ever-growing problem.
“At Augusta Recovery Alliance our catch phrase is the best is yet to come, and with the buzz going on for recovery, the best is yet to come,” said Stephens.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Regional Airport hosts drone camp for students
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Dream Center sees surge in families needing food as summer begins
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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