AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Georgia State Senator Harold Jones II (D) and State Representative Blake Tillery (R) spoke to members of the Rotary Club of Augusta on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.

It was an effort for both sides to come together and speak to the community.

Both Jones and Tillery spoke about key issues impacting Georgians.

“I do think two things that will come up will be vaping issue and also the THC hemp issue will be coming up too,” said Jones. “It’s a loophole in there that basically allows you to sell THC infused hemp. So I know that’s going to be an issue that we’re going to be looking at because it has economic development issues and of course it also has public safety issues, too.

“The two big issues right now are people are feeling the crunch in their pocketbook on childcare, groceries and gas,” Tillery said. “If we could take Georgia’s income tax to zero, we can give them a five percent raise overnight. Their second biggest issue is safety.”

The 2026 legislative session begins in January.

Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps

Augusta, GA – Entered into rest on Sunday, October 19, 2025, Mr. Rufus Eugene Hilliard, 92, loving husband of the late Betty Jo Hilliard.

Rufus was a lifelong native of Augusta, GA. He served in the United States Army and worked in the Local 150 Pipefitters Union for 70 years who had a hard work ethic and was always committed. He was an avid baseball fan who also played baseball in the Army and was an avid UGA Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves fan. Rufus would always be willing to help anyone who had plumbing issues and he enjoyed working in his yard.

Family members include his daughters: Kimberly Spottswood and Lisa Moffitt (Jimmy); stepsons: David R. Livingston (Robin), Stephen F. Livingston (Adell), and Jay B. Livingston (Brenda); 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; and his loving companion: Sadie. In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by his parents, Julian Hilliard and Pearl Newman; brothers: Sylvester Hillard and Bill Hillard.

The funeral service will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Rev. Rick Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://donorservices.alz.org/.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. 

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — A Day of Prayer is coming to Augusta on Saturday, October 25. Faith Walk Ministries is hosting the event at Garrett Elementary’s soccer field on Eisenhower Drive at noon.

Travon Wright says the event is meant to unite the community. “It’s time for believers to actually be more vocal in what we can do for our country, our community, and our local government,” he said. “We are gonna be praying for our nation, our government, our school systems, just to get a sense of urgency about what we can do for our community to help unite our community.”

Everyone is welcome to participate. “Everyone. Every walk, every church, every leader, non-leader, believer, non-believer,” Wright said.

The event will include prayer, worship, and food trucks. Wright added, “It is just gonna be an awesome time, man. I have worship out there. I’m just expecting for the Lord to move out there.”

Tickets are free, but people can attend without one. Wright says about 250 tickets have already been claimed. More information is available at faithwalk-ministries.org.

Wright also announced a concert on November 2 with Tye Tribbett. Tickets are available at Etix.com or through the Miller Theater website with promo code Praise 2025 for a 25% discount.

“This is the first Day of Prayer,” Wright said. “I’m just coming with great expectations.”