Augusta, GA

Crime-plagued nightclub slapped with probation in Augusta

Published

2 years 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.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Local service members get more chances to expand their education

Published

8 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Local service members get more chances to expand their education

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Fort Gordon service members will soon have more opportunities to further their education thanks to a partnership between Augusta University and the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon.

Augusta University President Russell T. Keen and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence Maj. Gen. Ryan M. Janovic will sign a new memorandum to continue their partnership at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Shaffer MacCartney Building at the Georgia Cyber Center at Augusta University.

Augusta University first began its partnership with the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence back in 2016.

The new memorandum will provide additional opportunities for service members to receive degree credit for military training through Augusta University and AU Online.

The programs being updated under the new agreement include: Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management and Technology, Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies, Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies with a Technical Intelligence Analysis Concentration and the PhD in Intelligence, Defense and Cybersecurity Policy.

“We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence to create new educational opportunities for the men and women who serve our nation,” Keen said.

Janovic emphasized the magnitude of the relationship and the critical skillsets it supports.

“This partnership with Augusta University is a force multiplier for our formations. By translating our rigorous military training into academic credit, we bridge the gap between military instruction and higher education,” Janovic said.

“Through this partnership, we are preparing experienced military leaders to build on the skills they have already developed and continue serving in ways that advance our national security, strengthen Georgia’s workforce and create lasting impact for generations to come. Their commitment to service extends far beyond the battlefield. It continues in the communities they protect, the organizations they lead and the lives they influence every day,” said Keen.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Augusta Volleyball Announces 2026 Schedule, Promotional Calendar – Augusta University

Published

18 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Volleyball Announces 2026 Schedule, Promotional Calendar – Augusta University

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University volleyball has announced its 2026 schedule, featuring 30 regular-season matches and 10 home contests inside Christenberry Fieldhouse.

The reigning 2025 Peach Belt Conference regular-season champions open the season Aug. 28-29 at the Emmanuel Tournament in Franklin Springs, Ga., before returning home Sept. 4-5 to co-host the Augusta/USC Aiken Tournament. Augusta then travels to Clinton, Miss., for the annual Peach Belt Conference/Gulf South Conference Crossover before opening Peach Belt Conference play Sept. 17 against Middle Georgia at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

Following an eight-match road swing through late September and October, the Jaguars return home for their final four regular-season contests, hosting Francis Marion, Flagler and rival USC Aiken. The 2026 Peach Belt Conference Tournament begins Nov. 12.

Tickets are available now. Don’t miss your chance to watch the reigning Peach Belt Conference regular-season champions in action at Christenberry Fieldhouse this fall.

BUY TICKETS

In conjunction with the schedule release, Augusta Athletics has also announced its promotional schedule for the 2026 home season.

2026 Promotional Schedule

Friday, Sept. 4 – vs. Lee (12:00 p.m.) & North Greenville (5:00 p.m.)

Parents Weekend

Join us as we welcome Jaguar families to campus for opening weekend.

Thursday, Sept. 17 – vs. Middle Georgia (6:00 p.m.)

Student Appreciation

Augusta University students are encouraged to pack Christenberry Fieldhouse for the conference home opener.

Saturday, Sept. 19 – vs. Georgia College (3:00 p.m.)

CSRA Club Volleyball Day

Local club volleyball teams are invited to attend and be recognized throughout the match.

Tuesday, Sept. 22 – vs. Lander (6:00 p.m.)

Coats & Scrubs Night

Medical students and healthcare professionals are invited to wear their scrubs and support the Jaguars.

Tuesday, Oct. 20 – vs. Francis Marion (6:00 p.m.)

Here to Win – Cancer Awareness Game

Augusta Athletics and the Georgia Cancer Center continue the “Here to Win” campaign to raise cancer awareness, promote early detection and support patients. Fans are encouraged to wear pink.

Friday, Oct. 23 – vs. Flagler (6:00 p.m.)

Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night

A special night recognizing Augusta University’s faculty and staff.

Saturday, Oct. 24 – vs. Flagler (1:00 p.m.)

Halloween Game

Fans are encouraged to wear costumes while cheering on the Jaguars.

Friday, Nov. 6 – vs. USC Aiken (6:00 p.m.)

Greek Night

Augusta University’s fraternities and sororities are invited to attend and show their Jaguar pride.

Saturday, Nov. 7 – vs. USC Aiken (3:00 p.m.)

Senior Night

Help us recognize the Jaguars’ senior class before the final regular-season home match.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Cushman & Wakefield Brokers $87M Sale of Apartment Community in Augusta

Published

1 day ago

July 6, 2026

Press Room

Cushman & Wakefield Brokers M Sale of Apartment Community in Augusta

AUGUSTA, GA. — Cushman & Wakefield has brokered the $87 million sale of Mason Augusta, a 462-unit apartment community located at 101 Pine Forest Road in Augusta. Taylor Bird, Robert Stickel, Alex Brown, Nelson Abels and Laura Aylor of Cushman & Wakefield’s Sunbelt Multifamily Advisory Group represented the seller, Waypoint Residential, in the transaction. The buyer was Southwood Realty Co.

Mason Augusta was developed in two phases in 2022 and 2024 and was 95 percent occupied at the time of sale. The property includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 685 to 1,321 square feet, as well as a fitness center with yoga and spin studio, resort-style pools with sundecks and tanning ledges, clubhouse with e-lounge and coffee bar, game room, business center and a dining and lounge terrace with outdoor fireplace.

Other amenities at Mason Augusta include an automated parcel system, dog park and indoor pet spa, garages and outdoor gathering spaces with grilling kitchens and fire pits.

Source link