Augusta, GA
Downtown expansion continues to raise frustrations for local business owners
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – For months now construction projects have been all over downtown Augusta, leaving eye sores for some neighbors and causing headaches for drivers.
They are growing pains that leaders hope will help transform Augusta into a tourist destination.
On upper Broad Street, cash registers are ringing and there isn’t a free parking spot around.
“There’s so much activity that’s been going on downtown. Over the last three years, I think we’ve had a net gain of 150 businesses, which is great,” said Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority Margaret Woodard.
But it’s a different story on lower Broad Street just a few blocks down.
“There’s always one part of Broad Street that doesn’t develop as quickly as other areas. That was lower Broad Street because you have to look and see what’s down there,” said Woodard.
The owner of Urban K9, Tonya Boswell, said it’s nothing but orange barrels, construction, and empty storefronts right now.
“It’s deterring. I’ve lost customers because they don’t want to be around the construction work down here,” said Boswell.
When Boswell opened Urban K9 less than a year ago, she didn’t think construction would be her year-round competition.
“I thought it was gonna be like, ‘Hey, we’re going to replace the trees, the little lights and we’re going to redo yours. Then we’ll start on another street.’ Not like we are going to disrupt all of 5th Street, start on 6th Street, 8th Street, you know, all the way down,” said Boswell.
While upper Broad Street has seen a lot of growth from the Hyatt House Hotel with a rooftop bar to Tiffany Bleu’s dress shop opening in a once empty storefront, the Downtown Development Authority said since the pedestrian street bridge went into place, they are steadily working to grow lower Broad Street.
Woodard said: “We’ve already seen a new restaurant under construction and we’re starting to see some buildings in the area go under construction. It’s called the halo effect.”
While they are hoping the 5th Street bridge will help expand the footprint, Boswell said the only thing she sees growing is frustration.
“They’re starting and not completing. That’s the part I think everybody’s frustrated about. Once they get done, it’s gonna be beautiful. It’s gonna be great. But you’re talking like five years before you’re done,” said Boswell.
The Downtown Development Authority does say to expect some announcements in the coming months about new businesses and restaurants signing on for the lower Broad Street area.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – AugustaCon was back, but in a new home this time.
Saturday’s event was held in Columbia County at the Performing Arts Center.
The event holds video game tournaments and hosts vendors that had anime and video game-style items.
We spoke to one of the vendors, who helped run the video game tournament there.
“We really love it. It’s a great environment. We love seeing new gamers, collectors, anyone that likes anime,” said Cedric Bacon.
If you missed out on Saturday’s AugustaCon, there are ones usually in the summer and winter as well.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was fatally shot in an armed robbery on Lumpkin Road, according to authorities, and a suspect has been arrested.
The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop at 2303 Lumpkin Road around 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.
He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.
After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.
The vehicle was registered in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.
Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.
Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.
The driver, 22-year-old Terrance Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.
According to Burke County deputies, another person was in the passenger’s seat and is believed to be connected to the robbery.
Burke County deputies say they also found a black Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun believed to have been stolen during the armed robbery.
Walker faces additional charges in Richmond and Burke counties, including driving under the influence, according to jail bookings.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Rubeha.
The year is off to a deadly start in Augusta; this is already the third homicide of 2025.
The slayings come amid a nearly three-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed around 200 lives.
Communities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River, but as the region’s largest city, Augusta has been hit hard.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
‘Daaku Maharaaj’ movie review: Bobby Kolli, Balakrishna’s film is more style than substance
Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts Workbook for Men Updated: Seven Questions to Ask Before—and After—You Marry
US slaps new sanctions on Venezuela officials as Maduro inaugurated
Trump Calls Officials Handling Los Angeles Wildfires ‘Incompetent’
Even Without Its Most Famous Son, Carter’s Hometown Remains a Destination
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Trump Calls Officials Handling Los Angeles Wildfires ‘Incompetent’
Trump says Jack Smith is a 'disgrace' after special counsel resigned from DOJ: 'He left town empty handed!'
Chad’s ruling party wins majority in controversial parliamentary election
Crews race to contain LA wildfires as menacing winds may ramp up: Live updates
Video: Community L.A. Fire Brigade Steps In to Help Evacuate Residents
-
Politics1 week agoNew Orleans attacker had 'remote detonator' for explosives in French Quarter, Biden says
-
Politics1 week agoCarter's judicial picks reshaped the federal bench across the country
-
Politics1 week agoWho Are the Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
-
Health7 days agoOzempic ‘microdosing’ is the new weight-loss trend: Should you try it?
-
World1 week agoSouth Korea extends Boeing 737-800 inspections as Jeju Air wreckage lifted
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25822586/STK169_ZUCKERBERG_MAGA_STKS491_CVIRGINIA_A.jpg "Meta is highlighting a splintering global approach to online speech")
Technology3 days agoMeta is highlighting a splintering global approach to online speech
-
World1 week agoWeather warnings as freezing temperatures hit United Kingdom
-
News1 week agoSeeking to heal the country, Jimmy Carter pardoned men who evaded the Vietnam War draft