Augusta, GA

Despite Augusta families fight for stronger laws, report shows decrease in overdose deaths

Published

2 years ago

June 7, 2024

Despite Augusta families fight for stronger laws, report shows decrease in overdose deaths

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT)- Despite Augusta families fighting for stronger overdose laws, a new report from the CDC found that overdose deaths are down in Georgia and across the country.

Though the new decrease in deaths, this week two people in Burke County were charged under the new fentanyl overdose law called “Austin’s Law”, and we talked to a family of another victim in a different case.

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Reports show Georgia deaths are down nearly 6%. This is the first change in an increasing trend since 2011.

Atlanta

Carrollton Police Chief Joel Richards says the number of overdose deaths is still too high in their community. He’s a part of the FentanylStopsHere campaign. You can see signs across the county.

“We have the resources for mental health, substance abuse homelessness, it’s just getting people to use it,” said Richards.

Grieving family members turned advocates work to saving others.

Zaneta Jones lost her husband Nicholas to an overdose when he was 22 years old. Jones meets with people in active addiction to try to lead them to sobriety.

“I kept thinking he was going to come home and I’m going to get him back and now I don’t get that and that’s what makes it so hard,” said Jones.

The average age for overdose deaths is getting younger. Overdoses are the leading cause of death of people 18 to 45.

Bruce Guthrie lost his son Cody to an overdose at 29 years old. He now speaks at school and public events to warn about the dangers of fentanyl.

“I remember standing outside of the hospital while they brought out the body bag. I made myself watch and I decided there, I was going to fight or die behind him. When I was at Carrollton High School, I opened it up to questions. The question that knocked me over, a high schooler asking me how he could help his friend who was in addictive addiction,” said Guthrie.

Guthrie and Jones now advocate for change in their community. They’re optimistic about the new study, but they are not done with their advocacy work.

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Augusta, GA

Event at Skateland Augusta draws 22 clubs from across the country

Published

8 hours ago

February 17, 2026

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Event at Skateland Augusta draws 22 clubs from across the country

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Skaters from the CSRA and beyond are competing in the inaugural Presidents Day Artistic Roller Skating Meet at Skateland Augusta.

The event started Sunday and runs through Tuesday. 22 skating clubs from across the country are competing in figures, spins, jumps, dance and show categories.

The competition is open to all ages, with competitors ranging in age from 5 to 67.

Ansley Marshall, a creative solo competitor, said she enjoys testing her abilities against other skaters.

“I like to push myself to be the best I can be and to test my talents against other people,” Marshall said. “It helps me push myself harder and you sort of feel the recognition of how far I’ve come and see my progress and stuff.”

Spectator tickets for Tuesday’s final day of competitions are $5 per person at Skateland Augusta.

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Augusta, GA

Man wanted in shooting that injured woman in Augusta

Published

20 hours ago

February 16, 2026

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Man wanted in shooting that injured woman in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man is wanted in connection to a shooting that injured a woman, according to officials.

Timothy Erving Barnes, 38, is wanted for aggravated assault after a shooting that happened on Feb. 4 on the 2500 block of Kensington Drive East.

Timothy Erving Barnes(Richmond County Sheriff’s Office)

According to the incident report, witnesses told deputies they were sitting in front of a home on Evangelina Drive inside of a car when an unknown man approached the vehicle.

Witnesses then told deputies the man pulled out a firearm and began to back away, according to the report.

The witnesses stated they pulled away from the home and then shortly returned. The man then began shooting at the witnesses’ car, according to the report.

Deputies say one of the witnesses state a bullet struck the vehicle and grazed her.

EMS responded to the scene and treated the witness on scene for her injuries.

Deputies say Barnes is known to frequent the areas of Georgetown, Meadowbrook, Belfair Lakes and 12th Street in Augusta.

Barnes is to be considered armed and dangerous, according to the sheriff’s office.

He is 5 foot 6 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

If anyone has any information, call the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.

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Augusta, GA

Multiple crashes occur across Richmond and Aiken Counties during rainy day

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

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Multiple crashes occur across Richmond and Aiken Counties during rainy day

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple traffic accidents across Richmond and Aiken Counties, including multiple on I-20, backed up traffic on a rainy Sunday.

In Georgia, two wrecks occurred westbound on I-20 around 2:30 p.m. One of them involved a Richmond County deputy who was working another accident between the Washington Road and Riverwatch Parkway exits when a car lost control and rear-ended the deputy’s car.

The deputy was in the driver’s seat of his stationary patrol car in the left lane when he was hit, authorities say.

One of them involved a Richmond County deputy who was working an accident between the Washington Road and Riverwatch Parkway exits when a car lost control and rear-ended the deputy’s car.(staff)

The deputy was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, officials say.

The left lane was blocked for around an hour.

Georgia State Patrol worked this incident. The scene cleared shortly after 3:30 p.m.

In South Carolina, one accident happened at mile marker 2 on I-20, going westbound.

A car flipped over as a result of the accident. This accident also backed up traffic, and the scene was cleared around 3:04 p.m., our crews said.