AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Schools across the area are adjusting graduation plans ahead of possible storms Friday evening.

In Columbia County:

Grovetown High School’s graduation will be held indoors at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center, officials said.

The move is based on safety requirements that would require evacuation of Evans Towne Center Park if lightning develops and on the time needed to relocate essential equipment.

Doors at the Performing Arts Center will open at 5:15 p.m. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Students received a limited number of inclement weather tickets during graduation practice, and those tickets will be required for entry.

Tickets originally designated for Evans Towne Center Park will not be valid at the indoor venue.

A livestream will be available at https://bit.ly/ccsdlive.

In McDuffie County:

“Due to the high probability of dangerous weather Friday evening, May 22, Thomson High School’s Class of 2026 voted overwhelmingly to postpone graduation” to May 23 at 9 a.m., according to an announcement.

In Glascock County:

The graduation ceremony has been moved to the K-12 gym located at 1230 Panther Way, according to school officials.

Seniors were given 6 tickets for family members to receive preferred seating. Ticket holders may enter from 5:30 p.m. until 6:15 p.m.

Doors will open to the public at 6:15 p.m.

The ceremony will be live on Facebook, and overflow seating will be available in the cafeteria with a livestream.

“Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure a safe and memorable evening for our graduates and families,” the school said in a statement.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Richmond County sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating an Augusta mom and daughter.

17-year-old Rihanna and 1-year-old Ylani Williams, were last seen on May 21st around 2:00 pm.

Authorities say they were walking around 1814 Fayetteville Drive.

Rihanna last seen wearing a blue shirt, black tights, and red sandals. It is unknown what Ylani was wearing.

Anyone with information concerning these missing persons are asked to please contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Coastal Waste and Recycling has been collecting the city’s trash for nine months, and commissioners say service is picking up.

“I’ve been pleased with Coastal. Every time I’ve had a problem, my constituents had a problem, they’re contracted, they’re right there. I think any time you change over totally to a whole city, you’re going to have some hiccups,” said Commissioner Tina Slendak.

But when starting last year, mistakes were made and under the contact, that costs the company money, for things like missed pickups and delays delivering carts

Coastal racked up $144,000 in fines the first three months.

But on the recommendation of the city engineer, commissioners voted to waive all but $70,000 of the fines.

“Work with them and do what we can we should compromise with them I mean for me I used to have a lot of problems and a lot of calls but I’m not getting them,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice.

The vote was 6-5 for the waiver and some commissioners saying it was a bad call because Coastal should not be missing stops

“That’s the due diligence that you do when you bid for a contact and one of those is find out what it all entails and when you’re talking about picking up waste, you need to make sure you know where it’s all at,” said Commissioner Lonnie Wimberly.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson raised an ethics question, since Coastal made a $2,000 dollar campaign contributions to the mayor and other commission candidates.

“I didn’t get any money from them. I mean, they gave to several people, not just people who are currently up there,” said Commissioner Slendak.

As commissioners give $70,000 worth of grace to Coastal’s early mistakes.