Augusta, GA

Crime-plagued nightclub slapped with probation in Augusta

Published

10 months ago

March 6, 2024

Crime-plagued nightclub slapped with probation in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta leaders on Tuesday put a crime-plagued business on notice that it could lose its liquor license.

Club Rain is now on six months of probation.

The club will also need three special officers posted there anytime it’s open.

Questions were raised over whether the club is a magnet for crime after a 22-year-old man was shot dead in January at the business at 1855 Gordon Highway.

There’s precedent for Tuesday’s action, “It seems as though this is becoming an epidemic across Augusta,” said Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.

In May, another bar, Level 9 Sports Bar & Grill at 3054 Damascus Road, received the same punishment after a series of shootings, one of which was fatal.

The sheriff’s office initially wanted Club Rain’s license suspended, but confusion on how a recent deadly shooting went down reduced the punishment to probation.

“At first, they said it was all in the front. Now they’re saying they found bullets in the back. I’m confused here, I really am,” said Owner Voncellies Allen.

The action against Club Rain comes as city leaders are looking at whether certain businesses have become magnets for crime.

Also in the negative spotlight is Smart Grocery, 3221 Wrightsboro Road, the site of several shootings in recent years – two of them fatal.

The owner blames the problem on a cluster of high-crime apartment complexes nearby.

The owner and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office say they’ve been working together to tame the violence, but the Augusta Commission wants to send a message and hold the business owner accountable.

Property Owner Sae Pak said, “We do have the special duty. We will continue that throughout the years. Another thing I did do is I reached out to all of the tenants, and we talked about closing up at an earlier time, and they all agreed.”

But commissioners still looked at probation for them to be fair to Club Rain.

“This was brought to us by the sheriff’s office, and in my mind, we’re not backing the sheriff’s department if we don’t support some form of probation,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom. “If there’s no action by this body, then they don’t have to do anything, so they can do what they want.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, city leaders decided against probation for Smart Grocery or Stop and Shop, another targeted convenience store.

Flooding follow-up

Also Tuesday, the commission decided to go back to the legal staff concerning flooding victims from a storm in June 2023.

After a thorough presentation on flood areas around Rocky Creek, as well as the commission admitting the city faces legal action regarding the flooding, it appeared certain items needed to be addressed.

These items include a rail track and areas that need to be cleaned out even during low-flooding storms.

Funds would come from stormwater fees and the engineering department.

The city may also try to get the Georgia Department of Transportation involved to help develop a solution, as well as for funding – even though an audit found the city takes in millions more than it spends in stormwater fees paid by utility customers.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting

The commission decided the Central Services Department will develop the scope of work needed to replace both the electrical and the floating dock systems at the Fifth Street Marina. Some community members raised concerns a few weeks ago about claims that the power and water service were being shut off at the marina, where some boat owners live on their vessels.
Commission members agreed to take a field trip to so-called slumlord areas of the city along with employees of several city departments.
Leaders approved $140,000 to create a deputy marshal commission and a corporal position and buy safety gear in support of the Richmond County Marshal’s Office’s expanded litter program.

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Augusta, GA

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

Published

11 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The basketball doubleheader featuring both Augusta University and University of South Carolina Aiken has been moved to Sunday.

The two were originally slated to play on Saturday afternoon.

The women’s game will tipoff at 1:30 p.m., and the men’s will follow at 3:30 p.m in the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

Both the Pacers and Jags men’s team last played on Feb. 10 2024.

AU climbed to a 5-point lead in the final period, winning 98-93.

Prior to their last meeting, USC Aiken had a four-game win streak over the Jags.

Sunday will mark the 89th meeting between the two programs.

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Augusta, GA

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

Published

23 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple cars crashed due to winter weather conditions on I-20 in the CSRA early Friday morning, according to authorities.

On I-20 in Augusta, the road conditions at the Washington Road exit were hazardous, according to our reporter on the interstate.

Our reporter saw another wreck on the Bobby Jones overpass from I-520 to I-20 at 10:35 a.m. We’ve reached out to learn more.

Across the river, on I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

On I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

We have reached out to learn more.

Dispatch told us crews were on the scene of a multiple-car crash on I-20 eastbound at the Walton Way extension ramp at 9:25 a.m.

Officials say at least two vehicles were involved, but more were reported, and they are unsure how many exactly.

They did however say more vehicles became involved after sliding on the road from weather conditions.

Dispatch says they are unsure of any injuries or if any lanes were blocked.

Augusta, GA

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The new Wayfair outlet is now open at the Augusta Exchange.

You will be able to find furniture and home décor at the location that used to be a Buy Buy Baby store.

It’s the latest store to open in the Augusta area.

One customer we spoke with says he thinks the store will be here for a while as it brings something different to the area.

“People are here spending money and they are here to make their house look better. I never thought I would be a dude in his 40s in an outlet, me in an outlet. But I did it today and I think it’s good,” said Carlton Ferguson.

It’s welcome news for fans of the Augusta Exchange, which has seen a bevy of closures in the past couple of years, including Subway, Genghis Grill, O’Charley’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby and Christmas Tree Shops.

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