Augusta, GA

‘Doesn’t seem like reality’: Family mourns loss of their mother

Published

1 year ago

October 12, 2023

‘Doesn’t seem like reality’: Family mourns loss of their mother

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There has been 47 deaths due to house fires in Georgia this year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Augusta is high risk when it comes to house fires. Two years ago, Augusta ranked third as the highest city in the nation when it comes to house fires. Last year it ranked ninth.

Virginia Upton lost all of her belongings to a house fire in July on Beman Street. Yesterday, she tragically lost her life while recovering from that fire.

“Especially in her later days, she cared about putting a smile on everybody else’s face,” said Damion Upton, Virginia’s son.

She lost everything she owned.

“High school diplomas, any trophies. She was real big on keeping those types of things. So any kind of documents, anything from our childhood, her childhood, all of those photos and clothes, everything that we had in there, everything was completely gone,” he said.

The electrical fire started in the kitchen. Firefighters found Virginia, who lived in the home, near the front door.

“Everybody’s still trying to figure out exactly, you know, what the next steps are going to be. It really, really doesn’t seem like a reality,” said Damion.

Now, they are trying to make arrangements, but they’re finding it nearly impossible without the right documents.

“So when we went in there and we looked at it, it was just smoke everywhere. So if it wasn’t completely destroyed by the fire, it was completely destroyed by the smoke, so we wasn’t really able to save or salvage anything out of the home,” he said.

You never think it will happen to your family, until it does.

“Take the time to have those those plans in place. Know and discuss those things, you know, with your families. Kind of like we was in school, you had those fire evacuation plans, you need those for the home to have emergency equipment available that you can get to pretty fast if those things happen,” said Damion.

It’s advice he’s hoping keeps other families from the same heartbreak.

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Augusta, GA

One dead after being hit by car in Aiken County

Published

47 seconds ago

January 13, 2025

Press Room

One dead after being hit by car in Aiken County

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -One person is dead after being struck by a vehicle on US 1 in Aiken County.

The South Carolina High Patrol and Aiken County Coroner’s Office said a pedestrian was walking south on US 1 near Bogeyville Road around 7:18 Sunday night when a 2021 Chevrolet Camero hit them.

The driver of the Camaro was not injured.

The woman was taken to Aiken Regional Medical Centers, according to Coroner Darryl Ables, where she died from her injuries at 8:35 Sunday night.

The victim’s name will be released at a later time.

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Augusta, GA

Tree giveaway helps Augusta get back to normal after Helene

Published

12 hours ago

January 12, 2025

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been more than 100 days since Hurricane Helene came through our area.

Now, those in the CSRA are still cleaning up the aftermath.

On Saturday, Rooting for Augusta helped the area get back to normal.

“Every once in a while, we have a horrific event that unites us all, and we certainly had it with the storm. Everybody can agree that it’s a good thing to plant trees back in the right spots,” said Dennis Trotter with Rooting for Augusta.

Rooting for Augusta gave away 700 trees as part of the event.

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Augusta, GA

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

Published

23 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After swearing in 100 new deputies at the beginning of his tenure, Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley also addressed promotions and appointments for those in the sheriff’s office.

It happened on Friday before the winter weather got underway and impacted the region.

Brantley spoke with us after about why the new promotions, appointments and people in the sheriff’s office will benefit the community.

“For the most part, when you’re suffering from a shortage of staff like we have been and so many other agencies in the state of Georgia and around the country, I think it is a boost in the arm to onboard 100 people to help get things that we need slow down crime and stop what is plaguing our community,” said Brantley.

Brantley said it was the first step to making the community safer.

He says he has been working on improving the jail as well.

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