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Augusta, GA

Central EMS gives city of Augusta a 2023 recap

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Central EMS gives city of Augusta a 2023 recap


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been nine months since Central EMS took over emergency services in Augusta.

Since then, we have reported a few issues including slow service with high call volumes and issues tracking response times because of the cyber attack last May.

On the first commission meeting of 2024, the ambulance service gave commissioners their update.

Central EMS took over unexpectedly in April when Gold Cross pulled out early. It’s come with a few scrapes along the way, but Central EMS wants people to know they have more than enough resources.

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“I think when we came to town, we stated what we would do, I think we’ve done what we stated,” said President Gary Coker.

More than 20 ambulances are at the ready, almost 200 personnel are on staff, a new headquarters is operating on Wrightsboro Road and new health programs are coming soon for Augustans.

Without pay, they also provided standby ambulance service to more than 40 local high school football games this season.

Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight said: “For helping out during the football season, making sure there were ambulances there at games. Hats off to you on that, thank y’all.”

It’s growth but not without its bruises.

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Central EMS openly admitted to having a number of lawsuits against them since starting.

Ambulance response times are available only starting back this past September, saying it follows their contracted guidelines for when penalties would start, but also saying they took a hit when the cyber attack that happened last May.

911 Emergency Services Director Daniel Dunlap said: “We’re continuing to work with Central and the Fire Department on some of these response plans in order to use these resources effectively.”

Back in November, we found through an open records request a few internal investigations, including struggles with tracking and keeping down response times, and issues with a spinal cord procedure.

“I think you have a much better ambulance service here than you had last year at this time,” said Coker.

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They’re out of the fog for now, but still in their first year of service.

Central EMS noted that while ambulance and medical bills seem high, the actual paid cost shouldn’t exceed past $1,500 to compensate for a lack of insurance.

News 12 did ask Coker about our previous coverage, but he gave no comment.



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Augusta, GA

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with locating Nia Hudson.

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The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with locating Nia Hudson.


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Augusta, Ga (WJBF)– The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with locating Nia Hudson.

According to RCSO, Hudson was last seen on the 3500 Block of Peach Orchard Road at 5:00pm this evening wearing a red shirt and black shorts.

Hudson suffers from Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.

Anyone that comes in contact with Nia Hudson or has any information as to their whereabouts is asked to contact any on call investigator at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1085 or 706-821-1020.

Nia Hudson: 27 years old, 216 pounds, 5’06”

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Augusta, GA

Augusta man missing off Georgia coast as search continues

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Augusta man missing off Georgia coast as search continues


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Coast Guard and McIntosh County Fire Department continued searching Friday for an Augusta man who went missing off the Georgia coast, as a body was found Thursday.

Roman Waldera’s daughter spoke about the last conversation she had with her father before he disappeared while fishing.

“I actually spoke to my dad in the morning he went missing. We talked back and forth a little bit and then he told me, well, I’m on the boat. I’ve got to get going. We’re going to start fishing. And I was like, all right, we’ll be careful. I love you,” she said.

The Coast Guard called her after Waldera went missing.

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“After we got the call, my first goal was to get down there and start searching the island of Blackbeard,” she said.

Community joins search efforts

Shellman’s Fish Camp and other local boat owners joined the search in Sapelo Sound.

“I mean, everybody in the area who had a boat, they were on the sound, and it ended up, I was coordinating with the Coast Guard this whole time,” Waldera’s daughter said.

She said her father’s teachings motivated her to take action.

“So my dad raised me and my grandparents to get it done. Don’t wait around. Don’t sit around. Don’t wait for someone else to do the work. If someone’s going to make it happen, it’s going to be you. And I just, I thought, what would my dad want? He’d want me down there and he would want me looking,” she said.

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She described what she would do if reunited with her father.

“I think I just hugged him. I think he just hugged me because I think he knows that I was down there. I was all alone doing that, looking for him all day long. I slept in his room. I think he knows. I think he knows everything, and I don’t think there need to be any words. I think we just love each other,” she said.

The Coast Guard asks anyone with information about the disappearance to call 843-453-1261. Officials said crews not part of the official search can create unsafe conditions and hinder response efforts.



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Augusta, GA

Former WWE stars involved in ‘Wrestling for a Cause’ event in Augusta

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Former WWE stars involved in ‘Wrestling for a Cause’ event in Augusta


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The community wrestled for a cause at the Georgia-Carolina fairgrounds Saturday night.

Famous wrestlers from the WWE came to the CSRA for the show.

Silent Fights raised money for a local family that lost their home to a fire, as well as former WWE star Toni Rose, who is battling cancer.

Former WWE stars like Johnny Swinger and Heath Slater made appearances.

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We spoke with these headliners and CSRA Championship Wrestling about the event.

This is definitely the biggest card of the year. WWE star here, Heat Slater, myself, TNA, WWE, all the major organizations. And we got some good young up and coming talent here that’s going to go out there and tear it up and do the best that we can,” said Swinger.



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