AUGUSTA, G.A. (WJBF)- Despite some of the challenges the city of Augusta has faced, local business owners and community members and leaders came together to serve the community this Thanksgiving.

Cafe 209 celebrated Thanksgiving with “Feast in the Streets” for a second year, Thursday morning. 

“I think it’s an amazing thing for the community just to kind of revitalize everything that’s going on in the community, and to have everybody come together and just have smiles and love for the community– that’s big for me.” Jeremiah Davis said.

From 11 am until 2pm, folks had the chance to get a hot meal with all kinds of Thanksgiving favorites, and toiletries and sleeping bags. 

“It means a lot just to be able to help a lot of people and everything. Just to be out here helping the community and just to be nice on Thanksgiving,” volunteer Elayna Mcintyre said.

Local members and leaders of the community say their coming together speaks to the strength of Augusta, amid the recent challenges of Hurricane Helene.

“We know the devastation the hurricane brought to our city, but this is a good event because what it shows is– number one, that the community still has a need, and then number two is that the business owners in downtown, particularly Cassandra at Cafe 209, still has a heart to serve the community. And so, this is a great event because we’re able to tap into the better parts of our community, serving those who need our help the most….” commissioner Jordan Johnson said.

Staff and volunteers at Cafe 209 showed their gratitude for their chance to stand strong and provide a sense of security for all, this Thanksgiving. 

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A multi-car crash in Augusta led to two fatalities on Thursday, Nov. 28.

According to the Richmond County Coroner’s Office, the crash took place at Windsor Spring Road and Willis Foreman Road this afternoon.

One driver was pronounced dead on the scene at 4:08 p.m. The driver of another vehicle was transported to Wellstar MCG where she was pronounced dead at 6:04 p.m.

No further information has been provided at this time.

Identifications of the deceased will be released once the next of kin is notified.

This is a developing story.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After a complete rebuild of the Augusta United Youth Cheer program, two teams are headed to nationals in Florida.

The local cheer organization picked up a new coach and assistant staffing over the last year.

“It’s not just cheer for us, it’s actually building a foundation for the girls to get them started with cheer, develop them with cheer, to get them ready for middle school cheer and high school cheer,” said Reneka Howard, head coach.

They teach cheer to ages five to 13, the girls then compete in the AYC, the American Youth Cheer Division.

After both the 12-U Diamonds team and 8-U Littles team placed at the Southeast Regional, they received an automatic bid to nationals.

The Augusta team beat out cheer groups from Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Coach Howard is overwhelmed with how quickly the cheer program turned around.

“They came out here and gave it their all. And believe it or not, a lot of those girls out there, this is their first year in a cheer program at all. So for them to be able to place and make it to Nationals is really huge.”

Both teams will compete in Kissimmee, FL on Dec. 5, 6, & 7.

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