Augusta, GA

‘Education can change your life’: New AU chief shares vision

Published

6 months ago

July 2, 2024

‘Education can change your life’: New AU chief shares vision

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Monday marked the start of a new era at Augusta University: It was Dr. Russell Keen’s first day as president.

Longtime President Dr. Brooks Keel retired last week, and Keen, an internal candidate to be his successor, has taken over.

Keen is no stranger to the area. He is a graduate of Lakeside High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Georgia Southern University and a Doctor of Higher Education from the University of Georgia.

Keen has more than 20 years in higher education.

Prior to becoming AU’s president, Keen served as executive vice president of administration and chief of staff to the president.

Out of all the job candidates that applied for the role, regents say Keen’s knowledge of Augusta University and the community really made him stand out.

We sat down with Keen to talk about his plans for the university.

“We have some of the most productive research faculty in the country for our size. The only limiting factor we have is space and infrastructure,” said Keen.

He says creating more space is a top priority.

“We need new infrastructure, new space for researchers to really go through and tackle disease and break some of the chains of cardiovascular disease, cancer, brain health,” said Keen.

The goal is to make AU the top university for research in the country.

“We want to grow our enrollment at Augusta University. We want to continue to provide programs that are competitive, and that will meet the workforce challenges that we have in the state and beyond,” he said. “Our goals are to enhance and increase our research. We want to be one of the top 60, then top 50, 40 30, 20, 10 five and one. That’s our goal.”

Above all, Keen wants everyone on campus to feel a sense of place — starting now.

In his first few hours on the job, Keen spoke with first-generation college students.

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He says he wants them to see that having an education can make positive contributions to the community.

“If you’re a first-generation college student, and you’re trying to figure it out, you might hear voices in your own head or from other people saying you can’t do it and it doesn’t matter. But I’m living proof that an education can change your life. And that education can contribute to the community and the state of humanity,” said Keen.

Keen says he wants to really emphasize community engagement while president.

He says he wants the community to connect with the university that bears the same name.

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Augusta, GA

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

Published

5 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The new Wayfair outlet is now open at the Augusta Exchange.

You will be able to find furniture and home décor at the location that used to be a Buy Buy Baby store.

It’s the latest store to open in the Augusta area.

One customer we spoke with says he thinks the store will be here for a while as it brings something different to the area.

“People are here spending money and they are here to make their house look better. I never thought I would be a dude in his 40s in an outlet, me in an outlet. But I did it today and I think it’s good,” said Carlton Ferguson.

It’s welcome news for fans of the Augusta Exchange, which has seen a bevy of closures in the past couple of years, including Subway, Genghis Grill, O’Charley’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby and Christmas Tree Shops.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There can be big time disaster emergencies in Augusta, but an emergency management director is not a full-time position for the city.

“I think lessons learned from Hurricane Helene, we desperately need it as we try to recover our city as we try to prepare from the next storm,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The consolidation bill gives the mayor the authority to name an EMA director.

But for the last 20 years, the mayors have called on the fire chief to pull double duty while getting supplement pay.

But at the Mayor Johnson’s request, commissioners have approved beginning the process to hire a full time EMA director.

“You want to make sure that when disasters come, we are 100 percent fully prepared,” said Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.

“A city our size deserves someone who is full time committed to that role that helps with our storm preparedness,” said Mayor Johnson.

But when commissioners approved this year’s budget in November, funding for a new EMA director was not a part of it.

“You talking about cutting budgets but yet you’re talking about increasing personnel. It comes with a cost,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.

“It will pay for itself as we go through this recovery for Hurricane Helene, as we try to see out grant opportunities and funding opportunities for reimbursement,” said the Mayor.

For sure the city has not seen its last emergency, now the city is seeking a permanent director to manage it.

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Augusta, GA

WATCH LIVE: How Augusta is preparing for icy winter blast

Published

21 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

WATCH LIVE: How Augusta is preparing for icy winter blast

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Preparations are underway in Augusta for winter weather that’s expected to begin Friday morning.

Augusta Fire/EMA says they are working closely with county departments and preparing for the weather forecast to impact North and Central Georgia from 7 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday.

“The system is expected to bring a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow, beginning Friday morning and continuing through the evening, with hazardous travel and power outages likely,” the city said in a statement.

On Thursday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a statewide State of Emergency, effective immediately through Tuesday, Jan. 14.

“The Georgia Department of Transportation, along with the Department of Public Safety, began treating roads early this morning to prepare for the approaching winter storm, and I’m asking all Georgians to help them do their jobs by limiting travel as much as possible in the coming days,” said Kemp. “Hazardous conditions, including ice and snow, can develop quickly and make travel very dangerous. Plan ahead and stay tuned to updates from state and local officials to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe while our first responders continue to work tirelessly throughout this weather event.”

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Ice accumulation is anticipated north of I-20, creating dangerous road conditions and the potential for widespread power disruptions. Freezing temperatures also increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite for those exposed to the cold, according to Augusta officials.

The Georgia Department of Transportation began active brine operations overnight which continued Thursday morning across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. They say the application of brine will continue throughout Thursday in areas expected to be the most impacted by snow accumulation, sleet and freezing rain.

Crews are working 12-hour shifts and are prioritizing treating interstates, state routes, bridges and overpasses both north and south of and along I-20, according to the department.

Snowplow and removal crews and additional equipment will arrive Thursday and will respond in support of metro Atlanta crews when snow begins to fall, and active removal begins

City officials say the Emergency Operations Center is at Level 3 monitoring, ensuring all city departments are ready to respond.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting shelter checks, and the Marshal’s Office is on standby to assist as needed, according to officials. Augusta Utilities is protecting critical systems, issuing notices to help residents safeguard pipes, and preparing generators as well.

Augusta Engineering is pre-treating roads and preparing snow removal equipment, while Parks and Recreation is securing outdoor facilities and readying shelters for potential use.

City officials encourage you to avoid unnecessary travel and drive cautiously if travel is essential.

They also ask that you prepare homes by insulating pipes, securing outdoor items and assembling emergency kits. Check on vulnerable neighbors, and use generators safely to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning as well.

Shelters are available for those in need, including the Salvation Army Center of Hope, Garden City Rescue Mission and Augusta Rescue Mission.

At this time, officials say no ID checks will be required for shelter access.

With the forecast of potential ice accumulation across the region, there is a possibility for fallen trees and downed power lines. If you come across either, the Georgia Department of Transportation asks that you do not cross them and report them to your local authorities or 911.

They say it’s best to turn around and take an alternative route and to not try to clear tree limbs or other debris from roads as live power lines might be tangled in debris and pose a deadly hazard.

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