Augusta, GA

Dry New Year’s Eve brings boos from Augusta bar owners

Published

1 year ago

December 6, 2023

Dry New Year’s Eve brings boos from Augusta bar owners

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta bar owners are frustrated over the money they’ll be losing on one of their biggest nights of the year.

They won’t be able to sell alcohol on New Year’s Eve because it’s a Sunday.

The state of Georgia only allows sales on one Sunday per year, and local leaders can vote if there are multiple Sundays in consideration.

Augusta leaders chose Super Bowl Sunday, and now they’re stuck with that decision.

About 20 bar owners showed up at Tuesday’s meeting of the Augusta Commission to protest the decision.

Clifton Thomas, the owner of Cliffisms Sports & Spirits, said it would be a great loss.

“At least between $5,000 and $10,000, because that is a major night,” he said.

Bar owners showed up at the Dec. 5, 2023, Augusta Commission meeting to protest the decision to allow Sunday alcohol sales on Super Bowl Sunday instead of New Year’s Eve.(WRDW/WAGT)

Adrian Estrada, owner of The Loft Augusta, said: “We are destinations for people without families, for people who are from Fort Eisenhower, and other places that come out to celebrate.”

It’s also taking affect to businesses nearby the bars.

“People love to go out, grab something to eat, then head out to the bars. Now? They’re going to go to Columbia, they’re going to go to Atlanta, they’re going to go somewhere else. But they’re not going to go downtown,” said Emanuel Hatzis, owner of Manny’s Off Broad.

They’ve been going strong for 17 months in downtown Augusta.

While they’re not affected on New Years Eve since they have a license to serve food and alcohol, the night ends early on December 31 with bars not able to stay open.

“We were really hoping that we could bank on that. I mean, that’s a lot of money for them, but that’s also a lot of money for everyone else downtown. Yeah, just loss of revenue, a couple thousand. Easily,” said Hatzis.

But one business has a workaround.

Jim Christian, manager for Savannah River Brewing Company, said: “First of all, it’s a drag. There’s no doubt about it, it’s an antiquated law. Under the law we’re a manufacturing space with a retail presence, and because of that. We’ve always been allowed to be open on Sundays. And we will for New Years Eve.”

In 2017, despite the law, Augusta actually managed to have bars open on both New Year’s and Super Bowl Sunday.

Augusta Planning and Development says this happened simply by a lack of enforcement.

The city’s legal office says there’s no workaround for the previous vote.

“We’re the bad guys,” Commissioner Sean Frantom exclaimed in frustration over not being able to reverse the call.

Estrada said: “This year if we can not open, it’s on your hands. Because somebody neglected to have a calendar, and look and take in consideration, and have bar owners present.”

Commissioners have already made a motion to address this issue as soon as the new year starts, but the city’s legal staff says the solution needs either state intervention or a county-wide election for people to weigh in.

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Augusta, GA

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

Published

4 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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Augusta, GA

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

Published

12 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

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.

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Augusta, GA

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

Published

20 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

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.