Augusta, GA
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. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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