Augusta, GA

City leaders discuss potential uses for old jail site in Augusta

Published

2 years ago

May 2, 2024

City leaders discuss potential uses for old jail site in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta leaders are looking at the possibility of transforming the property where the old jail on Walton Way used to be.

A couple years ago, they decided to demolish it shortly after parts of it were featured in the movie ‘Suicide Squad.’

It’s still up in the air on what this land could be used for. City leaders gathered on Wednesday to discuss what would be best.

People who live in the community are hoping it’ll improve the area.

It’s the beginning of something new off Walton Way.

“There’s a lot of commercial land down here. People want to move down here but they ain’t got nothing to do. All the facilities have been torn down,” said James Williams, who lives nearby.

And some city leaders agree, hoping to come together on ideas for what would fit best.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson said: “We need more shops in this area. We need more restaurants for families to be able to go to. We need more places for kids to patronize. We need things for our youth to do in the city of Augusta. This is six acres of opportunity that we can tap into. So I’m confident that these conversations will lead us to that point.”

It’s an area where people who live in the community have wanted to see improvements over the last few years.

“A nice grocery store that’ll help the community real good. That’ll make the value of the homes come up to,” said Williams.

From grocery stores to retail and green space, people are just hoping their ideas will be heard.

Cal Wray, Augusta Economic Authority President, said: “You got a lot of city-owned property. You’ve got the highly trafficked Gordon highway. So obviously a catalyst project that improves the entire area around it. But something also the residents want. That’s a key piece. If we put something here the residents don’t want, that’s not a win.”

The project is still in its early stages, but community members say they’re excited to see something new.

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Augusta, GA

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

2 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

14 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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