Augusta, GA
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.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Brent McMillian is being appointed as the new director of athletics at Augusta University, President Russell Keen announced Monday.
McMillian will begin the role on June 8, 2026.
According to AU, McMillian brings 13 years of athletics experience to the position. He previously served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Engagement and Revenue Generation at Lipscomb University at Nashville.
“His vision aligns seamlessly with our goals for Jaguar Athletics: to champion student-athlete wellbeing, strengthen our competitive success, deepen community engagement, and build a vibrant, spirited campus culture,” Keen said. “His experience, combined with his personal connection to Augusta University, positions him to hit the ground running in a meaningful way.”
McMillian is a graduate of Greenbrier High School and attended Augusta University before completing his degree at the University of Tennessee.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local restaurants hosted brunches for Mother’s Day, allowing neighbors to celebrate the day with the special women in their lives.
The Brunch House of Augusta on Greene Street hosted a brunch. The restaurant served berry pancakes and French toast, waffles, ham and cheese breakfast sliders and more breakfast foods.
One of the owners said the holidays are a great time for them to make connections with the community.
“We just had a group here come here that’s been coming here every year Mother’s Day for three years, every year basically since we’ve been open, they come in every year for Mother’s Day. We have people from out of town come and travel and visit us, so it’s definitely building that connection,” said Ashley Brown, co-owner of The Brunch House of Augusta.
Brown said they will be offering some specials for the upcoming Juneteenth holiday next month.
The Frog and the Hen also hosted a Mother’s Day brunch. The restaurant had about 350 people come in as of around 3 p.m.
They served foods like fried chicken, cheddar biscuits, French toast casserole and more.
The general manager said she enjoys seeing families come in for holidays like Mother’s Day.
“I feel like these are all my children here, so I feel like this day just in general, like I get to be the mother here, and so this is like I’m mother hen, so I get to take care of all this. I love supporting all the people as well and just being able to get the best food possible, the best chicken everywhere,” said Sheridan Roberts, general manager of Frog and the Hen.
Roberts said they often have to stop making reservations a few weeks ahead of the holiday due to the amount they receive.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Dr. Russell Ray Moores, 91, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026, at home, surrounded by family in Augusta Georgia. Born on February 25, 1935, in Webster Grove, Missouri, to Floyd Russell Moores and Dorotha Campbell Moores, he lived a life marked by dedication to his family, education, and community.
Dr. Moores’ academic journey began at Arkansas State University and continued at the Medical College of Arkansas, where he graduated in 1958 at the age of 23. His post-graduate training took him to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York; Barnes Hospital in St Louis; and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he spent two years. Following his time at NIH and 2 years of active-duty service in the US Navy in Oakland, Ca., Dr. Moores joined the faculty at the Medical College of Georgia as a Hematologist/Oncologist. Over the course of an extraordinary 50-year career, he rose to the rank of Professor Emeritus before retiring at the age of 80. In addition to his academic contributions, he served as medical director for St. Joseph Hospice during the 1990’s and traveled extensively across the United States and abroad as a distinguished lecturer.
Dr. Moores was deeply committed to his Catholic faith throughout his life and was a founder of St Ignatius Antioch Melkite Catholic Church in Augusta. His passion for service extended beyond medicine and faith into numerous cultural and civic endeavors. He was the General Manager of the Augusta Opera during the 1970’s and played a pivotal role as a founder of the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival. A dedicated historian and genealogist, he served as president of the Augusta Genealogical Society for many years and was actively involved in historic preservation efforts. Dr. Moores also contributed his expertise as a member of both the original Coliseum Authority and the Board of the Parapsychology Lab in Durham N.C.
An individual with diverse interests and talents, Dr. Moores loved running and completed numerous marathons and ultra-marathons over his lifetime. He was an accomplished harpsichord player who also enjoyed studying foreign languages and had a deep appreciation for fine wine.
Dr. Moores is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Helen Dorothy Byrnes Moores; their children: Russell Jr., along with his wife Missey; Darryl; Cheryl Priessman; Sean, along with his wife Danielle; Christian, along with his wife Mary Ann; Duane; and Doreen Worden, along with her husband Greg; as well as grandchildren Damian, Aaron, Colleen, Noah, Scott, Austin, Ian, Alysha, Trevor, Clayton, and Addy; and 5 great-grandchildren who brought him immense joy.
He was predeceased by his parents; his sister Marjorie Marilyn Anderson; but leaves behind countless cherished memories for those who knew him.
Special thanks are extended to Trinity Hospice and the Southern Touch Homecare for their outstanding care during Dr. Moores’ final months.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society in honor of his legacy.
May Dr. Russell Ray Moores’ memory bring comfort to all who were fortunate enough to know him. A man whose life was defined by love for others and an unwavering commitment to making a difference in every sphere he touched. He was “practically perfect in every way”.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 15, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Fr. Mark Ross officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 P.M., at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
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