Augusta, GA
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.
“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.
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.
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.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Golden Harvest Food Bank is partnering with local legal organizations for the 15th Annual Georgia Food Frenzy.
The fundraising competition is held in partnership with Feeding Georgia, the Office of the Georgia Attorney General, the State Bar of Georgia, and the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia.
The two-week competition runs from April 20th through May 1st, and every dollar raised stays local, supporting Golden Harvest’s work across the state of Georgia.
Groups can register at www.galegalfoodfrenzy.org/sign-up, and registration will remain open throughout the competition.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan campaigned in Augusta ahead of Election Day, making stops at two churches and meeting with local faith leaders.
The former lieutenant governor visited Good Hope Baptist Church on Cedar Street, where he spoke with the Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition’s “Music to the Polls” group.
Duncan told us that, if elected governor, he wants to expand Medicaid, pass what he called “common-sense gun legislation,” and create more economic opportunities statewide. He also pointed to affordability concerns impacting families and businesses.
“I want to take $1.7 billion of our state’s fund and wrap it around the axle of poverty,” Duncan said, adding that he wants to lower child care costs and improve temporary assistance programs.
Duncan also stopped at Miles Memorial Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.
According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.
Here’s what to know.
Where can you save the most in Georgia?
The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.
Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.
Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:
- One-bedroom rent: $1,000
- Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
- Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450
Why are roommate savings so high?
With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.
The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?
Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:
- Cleveland, OH
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Memphis, TN
- Boise, ID
- Augusta, GA
- New Haven, CT
- Chattanooga, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Shreveport, LA
Methodology
The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.
For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
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