Augusta, GA
Clayton State's Jones, GCSU's Warren Named PBC Selections for NCAA Woman of the Year
AUGUSTA, GA — Clayton State’s Ariyonna Jones and Georgia College & State University’s Jada Warren have been named the conference-level selections for the NCAA Woman of the Year. The two will be among the 46 Division II student-athletes advancing in the selection process after being chosen from all PBC institution nominees for the award. The selections were made by the Peach Belt Senior Woman Administrator committee.
A member of the Clayton State track & field team, Jones graduated with a degree in psychology & human services, carrying a 3.59 cumulative GPA. Named to the CSC Academic All-District team, she was also named to the PBC Team of Academic Distinction and the PBC Presidential Honor Roll. A member of the Clayton State student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC), she also volunteered with the Community Teen Coalition.
On the track, Jones earned both indoor and outdoor USTFCCCA All-Southeast Region mention. The native of Dublin, Ga. broke eight school records between the indoor & outdoor seasons including shattering the 200m dash and the 400m dash records in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. At the PBC Outdoor Championships, she earned the conference crown in both the 400m dash (55.75) and in the 200m dash (24.26) and in the 4×400 meter relay (3:53.00) and took second in the 4×100 meter relay. Also at the Championships, Jones clocked NCAA DII provisional times in the 200m and the 400m dash. She also was a three-time all-conference finisher in the Indoor PBC Championships earlier in February. She was key as the Laker women’s track & field team placed second, as a team, in the Outdoor Championships, which is the best finish in program history.
Warren graduated from GCSU with a degree in exercise science with a 3.64 cumulative GPA. From Norcross, Ga., she graduated cum laude and received the GCSU Student Leader of the Year Bobcat Award. A member of the PBC Team of Academic Distinction and Presidential Honor Roll, she was a CSC Academic All-District selection, a member of the GCSU honors college, and named to the Gamma Beta Phi Honors Society. She also served in the GCSU student government, the Black Student Alliance and in the LIFE Mentorship Program.
On the court, Warren averaged 8.8 rebounds and 3.7 points this season for the Bobcats. Warren, who pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds against Columbus State University, grabbed 256 rebounds and shot 44.0 percent (40-of-91) from the field. She also collected 22 blocked shots, 21 assists and 13 steals. Warren was 50th in NCAA Division II and led the PBC in rebounds. She was also first in the Peach Belt in rebounds per game (8.8). Warren finished seventh in the league in blocked shots.
The NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee will announce 30 finalists – 10 from each division – later this fall, then narrow that to the top three nominees in each division. The NCAA Woman of the Year award will be presented at the NCAA Convention in Nashville in January.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person has died after a shooting on Cameron Drive in Augusta early Friday morning.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 25-year-old Khyla Rodriguez, of Augusta.
Richmond County deputies responded to the 3600 block of Cameron Drive around 1:11 a.m. for a suspicious situation.
While on scene, deputies spoke to the complainant who stated they got a call form an unknown person saying their friend was dead at the incident location.
Deputies then searched the area, where they found Rodriguez on the ground unresponsive with several gun shot wounds to the stomach area.
The coroner’s office says Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 2:27 a.m. An autopsy has been scheduled.
As of 4:15 a.m., at least one deputy and crime scene crews were still on scene.
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Four individuals from Augusta have been indicted by a federal Grand Jury on federal drug trafficking charges, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Southern District of Georgia announced Thursday.
The following individuals were indicted:
(Indictments contain charges, and defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.)
- Tyriquez McFadden, 39, and Nichael Lessey, 44, both of Augusta, charged in a five-count indictment with Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl; Possession with Intent to Distribute 28 Grams or More of Crack Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- Roman Kelly, 51, of Augusta, indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.
These charges carry statutory penalties up to life in prison, substantial financial penalties and a period of supervised release upon completion of any prison term.
Drought-fueled wildfires burn across Georgia, Florida
Wildfires in Georgia and Florida have forced evacuations, road closures and burn bans as the drought-fueled fires burn thousands of acres.
Two large wildfires burning in south Georgia were now 90% contained, as of Wednesday, after consuming about 54,000 acres, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.
The Pineland Road Fire has burned 32,575 acres. The Highway 82 Fire has burned 22,420 acres.
However, fuel conditions remain extremely dry, officials said. Containment continues to improve on both fires, but crews remain actively engaged in patrol, suppression, and mop-up operations.
Seth Hawkins, urban and community forestry program coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission, worked on the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, which is still about 22,000 acres. Suppression costs are estimated to exceed $18.3 million.
“The rain put out the active flame on that fire,” Hawkins said. “However, there’s still that deep layer, that organic material, burning, and hot spots can still flare up as soon as humidity drops.”
Hawkins said 166 people are still working hot spots on the Highway 82 fire, setting up sprinkler systems where needed.
As of May 12, the State Forester burn ban has been lifted, but the Environmental Protection Division’s summer burn ban remains in place. Many counties may still have local ordinances. Georgia residents are encouraged to check with their county before burning.
The state remains in an extreme drought.
“It’s just unique down there because of all that organic fuel,” Hawkins said. “And when it dries out, it’s very susceptible to ignition. It’s going to be a long, hot, dry summer. We’re telling folks to keep their guard up and be safe with campfires and debris burning.”
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
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