AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Augusta Mayor’s right-hand has stepped down.

Chief of Staff, Jasmine Sims, submitted a resignation letter to Mayor Garnett Johnson Tuesday.

It’s dated April 2nd, 2026 and states:

Dear Mayor Johnson,
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as Chief of Staff,
effective April 14, 2026. After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to move forward to pursue other professional opportunities. Serving this administration and the City of Augusta over the past three years has been both a privilege and an honor, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished together. I am committed to ensuring a smooth and orderly transition and will assist in any way possible prior to my departure. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Jasmine Chavous Sims

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Last June, Mrs. Sims filed a grievance against Mayor Johnson in a letter to the City of Augusta Human Resources Department Office of Employee Relations.

The letter stated that Mrs. Sims was denied access to work after she allegedly did not share a personal appointment in the work group chat. She said she did inform other member’s of the staff in addition to adding it to the office calendar. At the time of the filing, Sims says nothing had been communicated to her.

No word yet on who will replace Mrs. Sims as the Mayor’s Chief of Staff.

Mrs. Sims said her good-bye’s during the Commission meeting Tuesday. In part, she states,
“It’s been an honor to be with you, ‘Mister G.’ We’re like sister and brother, and we fight and we argue, but we found common ground where it mattered. And I couldn’t be more proud of the things that we’ve accomplished – and am praying that everything that happens from this point will be ordained in your favor.”

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Augusta is still preparing a plan on how to part ways with nine parks a local engineering firm scored as the most underused.

“Moving forward what we need to do with these parks. We’ve got people in this city that have mentioned and want to invest in purchasing these parks,” says Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice.  

Big Oak Park is not one of the nine being recommended for disposal, even though it scored lower than some on the list. However, Big Oak is getting a facelift.

“Adding pickleball courts, which everybody wants, and a new basketball area. I think it will be used a lot more,” said Commissioner Tina Slendak.

A commission committee voted to recommend nearly $1.7 million on the Big Oak renovations, despite the low attendance score and that’s concerning some commissioners.

“You have to consider the lipstick on the pig scenario. If you put money into that and you have no indication that it will draw, and that is exactly what you’ll be doing,” said Commissioner Lonnie Wimberly.

Supporters say voters approved the funding for Big Oak improvements in SPLOST 8  that passed back in 2021, and even with the renovations coming in well over budget, they want to see it go forward.

“When this park is re-done, it will be used more and it already was, before this survey was done this was already in the SPLOST package,” said Commissioner Rice.

“When this was developed, they weren’t talking about closing underused parks,” said Commissioner Slendak.

But the conversation around closing underused parks continues, even as some underused parks prepare for a major makeover. 

Sergio Garcia apologized Tuesday for his tantrum during the final round of the Masters when he tore up the turf after a bad drive on the second hole and then broke his driver against a bench.

Geoff Yang, chairman of the Masters competitions committee, issued a code-of-conduct warning to the Garcia on the fourth tee. The conduct policy was new to the Masters this year.

“I want to apologize for my actions Sunday at The Masters tournament,” Garcia said in a social media post. “I respect and value everything that The Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to golf. I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn’t reflect the respect and appreciation I have for The Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.”

Garcia, the 2017 champion, began with a bogey and then hit a weak fade on the par-5 second hole that was headed to the bunker. He recoiled his driver onto the tee, and then turned and slammed his club into the turf.

Without repairing the damage, Garcia then smacked his driver against a wooden bench holding a water cooler, and the head of the club was left dangling from the shaft.

Garcia declined to discuss what was said by the official, saying after his round, “I’m not going to tell you.” When asked about it again he replied, ”Next question.”

He also did not apologize for his behavior after his closing 75 to finish in 52nd place among the 54 players who made the cut.

“Just obviously not super proud of it, but sometimes it happens,” Garcia said.

Garcia has not finished in the top 10 in the 29 majors he has played since beating Justin Rose in a playoff at Augusta National in 2017. He has missed the cut six times in eight appearances at the Masters since winning.

Asked about his record, Garcia said, “Bad golf.” When a reporter asked him to be more specific, Garcia said, “Bad shots.”

Garcia was disqualified in 2019 at the Saudi International for damaging greens in frustration. His antics over the years include angrily kicking off his shoe when he slipped during a tee shot at the World Match Play in 2001, and the shoe nearly struck an official.

He also spit into a cup during a World Golf Championship at Doral after three-putting.

The PGA Tour has been developing the code-of-conduct policy the last few years, and the Masters was the first tournament to put it into effect. The PGA Championship also be using it next month at Aronimink Golf Club.

After the warning, a second violation during the tournament is a two-shot penalty, while a third violation would mean disqualification.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf