AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – As a heat wave settles over Augusta, the Psi Omega Foundation is working with Richmond County Marshal’s Office to deliver fans as a part of their annual fan drive.

Eugene White, president of the Psi Omega Foundation, said his personal connection to the community drives the effort.

“I’m the son of someone. I’m the grandson of someone,” White said. “And so when we think about our elders who may have struggled, that really drives home our desire to build a tenacious community.”

Fans available, no questions asked

White spent the day delivering fans across Augusta. Around 140 fans were available for donation.

Lt. Monica Meyers of the Richmond County Marshal’s Office said this year’s conditions have been more severe than previous summers.

“This year I noticed that the humidity has been higher, the heat index has been higher,” Meyers said. “And with that said, we know that research shows us that the elderly and seniors are less likely to run their AC during the summer months because they’re trying to save their budgets, because they are on fixed budgets and low income.”

Doctors say anyone can be at risk for heat-related illness when the heat index reaches the 90s or above.

How to get a fan

The Marshal’s Office said fans are available to anyone, no questions asked. Meyers said residents can call the Richmond County Marshal’s Office at 706-821-2368 or visit the substation at 3050 Deans Bridge Road in Augusta.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Emergency Management Agency will open a cooling center on Friday as temperatures continue to climb.

According to officials, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the city.

The city will open the May Park Community Center on Friday from 12-7 p.m.

Officials say residents may use Augusta Transit’s normal routes during operating hours to access the cooling center.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – John Ryan, the coordinator for the Office of Critical Event Preparedness & Response at Augusta University, was awarded the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Director’s Community Leadership Award on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

Ryan was recognized for his work with the #StrongAugusta initiative. It started six years ago as a way to train law enforcement agencies how to respond to active shooter situations.

“What we’re doing as for as fostering a community safety initiative which is really at the highest level of what “Strong Augusta” is, is a community safety effort and what it means is it’s not falling on deaf ears,” Ryan said.

The FBI said the award recognizes people who go above and beyond to support the community to encourage safety.

“It highlights people in the community that go above and beyond to support their community in a leadership role to try to enhance education, crime prevention, social justice,” said Brian A. Osden, an assistant special agent in charge at the FBI’s Atlanta division.

Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps