City chops down some of Augusta’s most historic downtown trees

Published

2 years ago

June 30, 2023

City chops down some of Augusta’s most historic downtown trees

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Some of Augusta’s oldest historic trees are disappearing, and city officials say it’s in the name of improvement.

City crews have been cutting down 24 trees on 13th Street.

It’s been happening all this week to giant trees city crews had marked with orange spray-painted X’s.

They say removing the trees will improve roadway capacity and allow resurfacing and reconstruction of curb, gutter, sidewalk and storm sewer systems.

DEVELOPING STORY:

Hallie Turner is talking with city officials and people who are sad to be seeing the historic trees go. Watch for updates here on WRDW.com and all day on News 12.

This might not mean much to you other than construction, but it does mean the loss of 24 trees.

That’s bringing furious reaction from people who love and enjoy the beauty of Augusta, the shadowy walks on a hot day and protection from a quick sprinkle.

Dr. Hameed Malik, director of engineering for the city of Augusta, says this has to happen.

The trees are causing safety hazards, he says, with their roots growing outward instead of downward. This affects sewer lines, roadways, sidewalks and curbs.

Some of the trees look fine to the eye, but a few of them are actually dying.

And if they were to fall, that would be a problem, too.

“I know it’s tough seeing these old trees leave, but I have to make sure people are safe,” Malik said.

For the trees Malik is taking away, he says there’s a plan in place in the coming years to plant new ones.

But that takes time and money.

So while they won’t be replaced immediately, he says crews will start replanting them within the next couple of years.

For Millie Huff at Sacred Heart Cultural Center, the loss of the trees makes her stomach drop.

Most of the ones being cut down are around Sacred Heart.

And she says that takes away from the away from the beauty of the building – and the beauty of Augusta.

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North Augusta Baseball gets one last swing at Riverview Park

Published

3 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

North Augusta Baseball gets one last swing at Riverview Park

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re just under two months away from baseball season and this year will be a bittersweet one for North Augusta’s baseball and softball teams.

While many players would much rather play at a brand-new facility, Riverview Park has been home to the Yellowjackets for a long time now.

After this season, however, North Augusta will finally have a new place to call home.

But, they will have one more chance to close out a phenomenal season before transitioning to the new stadium next year.

You’ve seen the construction and you can see the vision.

In just a few more months, across the street from North Augusta High School will be two brand-new facilities.

The newest home of the Yellowjackets baseball and softball teams.

“It’s a chance to have something that is ours,” said Lynn. “Our own atmosphere at school. It’s going to be exciting.”

The over $8 million project was slated to be completed ahead of this year’s season, but after multiple delays like the impact of Hurricane Helene and just how big of a project it truly is, the facilities are still several months from being ready for play.

In the event construction concludes as originally planned, Head Coach Kevin Lynn says the team has no plans to move fields in the middle of their 2025 season.

“I don’t want to have summer ball starting there, I want our kids to start a regular season there,” said Lynn. I want them to open the season up and have a true home opener.”

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an...

The good news is, nothing about this year will feel different for the team.

The Yellowjackets have called Riverview Park home for over 40 years and they’ll get one more chance to send it out with a grand slam.”I grew up watching my brother play here and many people before him, so being able to play here one last time feels really good.”

“I’d like to go out on a high note and finish up strong here. Our goal is to win all of our games at home since we play here all the time and know the layout more than anybody else. It’d be nice to accomplish those goals in our last season.”

Lynn’s team will open up on the road against Strom Thurmond on Feb. 11.

The Yellowjackets are 40 and 40 under Lynn as head coach.

It’s hard to believe we’re almost to baseball season, before we know it we’ll be talking about the Masters.

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Augusta, GA

2 young males dead after boat overturns in Screven County

Published

11 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

2 young males dead after boat overturns in Screven County

SYLVANIA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two young males are dead after their boat overturned while fishing, according to the Screven County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a press release, around 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday, emergency services received a call about a boat overturning in a pond off Poor Robin Road.

Upon arrival, deputies spoke with a young adult male who was located at the scene. The male reported he had been in a boat with two other young males fishing when their boat overturned.

The young male was treated for his injuries and released, according to officials.

Additional agencies arrived on the scene including the Screven County Marine Rescue Squadron and several local scuba divers.

“After an extensive 5-hour search, in 46-degree water, the bodies of the remaining two young males were located in the pond,” said Sheriff Norman Royal.

The investigation into the circumstances that led up to these deaths is still ongoing, but no foul play is suspected at this time, according to officials.

Screven County EMS, Screven County Fire, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Effingham County Fire and Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, also assisted in the response.

Sheriff Royal sends his thoughts and prayers to the families of these two young men and thanks all agencies that assisted and made their recovery possible.

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Augusta, GA

WATCH: Gun comes out during fight at Butler High, video shows

Published

19 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

WATCH: Gun comes out during fight at Butler High, video shows

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A weapon was seized by school administrators after the apparent gun fell to the floor during a fight between students Tuesday at Butler High School.

Parents were told of the incident in a letter.

“Two students engaged in a fight in a classroom today during a class,” the letter stated. “During the altercation, students saw a weapon drop to the floor.”

The Richmond County School System didn’t address what kind of weapon it was, but a video on Facebook showed what appeared to be a gun.

Administrators and Richmond County School System police responded immediately and secured the school for about 45 minutes while police investigated, parents were told.

The student was taken into custody and the incident was addressed following the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.

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