Augusta, GA
Finding Solutions: Augusta Woman’s Club leads “Katherine’s 100 Trees” project at Diamond Lakes
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Volunteers planted nearly 60 trees at Diamond Lakes Park Friday to bring shade to families and runners who use the trail during hot summer afternoons.
The tree planting was part of a project called “Katherine’s 100 Trees” led by the Augusta Women’s Club. Students from Westminster, Augusta Parks and Recreation, Augusta Fire and the Savannah Riverkeeper participated in the morning planting.
“Feels good knowing that people will get to enjoy this and our hard work will pay off,” Banks Carter, an eighth-grader at Westminster participating in service day, said.
Project honors 95-year-old board member’s dream
Mary Jacobson with the Augusta Women’s Club said the project started when a 95-year-old board member shared her final wish.
“One of our board members that was about 95 and at a board meeting she was sitting beside me and said Mary you want to know what I want to do before I die, she said I want to plant 100 trees,” Jacobson said.
The organization has planted more than a couple thousand trees across Georgia since the project began.
“This has been this lady’s dream and I love seeing it through. It warms my heart,” Jacobson said.
Adding to previous plantings
The Augusta Women’s Club planted 45 trees at Diamond Lakes a few years ago and added 56 more today. Some of the new trees are expected to grow 50 feet tall in an area where shade is needed.
“We live down the road and have these walking tracks that in the summertime are absolutely brutal, so we are trying to put in shade trees along the walking track,” Jacobson said.
Tonya Bonitatibus, executive director for Savannah Riverkeeper, said the organization’s participation represents a long-term commitment to the Augusta and Savannah areas.
“This is just a long term commitment specifically within the Augusta and Savannah areas to try and be engaged outside the river in attempt to get others to come into the river space with us,” Bonitatibus said.
Carter encouraged others to get involved in their community.
“Just make sure you always give back to your community. Make sure you see the beauty in your community because someone worked to do that and always give back when you have the chance,” he said.
The Augusta Women’s Club gave away 2,000 trees to residents for Earth Day. The organization has 1,000 trees coming next month and plans another community giveaway.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Three men have been sentenced to life in prison for last year’s murder of an Augusta smoke shop owner.
Antwan Herndon, Terrance Walker and Terry McClennon all entered guilty pleas in early December in the murder of Abdallah Rubeha, 29.
The murder happened during a robbery at the smoke shop, 2303 Lumpkin Road, around 9:30 p.m. Jan. 10, 2025.
PHOTO GALLERY: SUSPECTS IN SMOKE SHOP MURDER
According to the prosecution, the crime unfolded after the three suspects got into a car owned by Walker’s grandmother and drove from Burke County to Richmond County.
McClennon stayed in the car while Herndon and Walker went inside the smoke shop, authorities said.
The prosecution said Walker pointed the gun at Rubeha and asked him if he was “ready to die tonight.”
With the victim unwilling to open the cash register, Walker then shot him in the face “point blank,” according to the prosecution.
The prosecution said Rubeha fell to the floor near the cash register and Herndon then jumped over the counter to get to the register.
The suspects all began traveling back to Burke County, stopping at two gas stations to spend the stolen money, according to prosecutors.
Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit.
Walker was captured as he was running on foot, while Herndon and McClennon were taken into custody later.
According to court records:
- Walker pleaded guilty to malice murder, armed robbery and three firearm-possession offenses.
- McClennon pleaded guilty to felony murder, armed robbery and two firearm-possession offenses.
- Herndon pleaded guilty to felony murder.
The murder sent shockwaves through south Augusta at the time.
“Just a sweet soul was taken from everybody, and he didn’t deserve it,” said Mia Posey, Rubeha’s friend who owned a business nearby.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University indoor track and field competed at the Camel City Sprints and Camel City Distance meets on Feb. 6-7 at JDL Fast Track, highlighted by a first-place finish in the men’s 4×400-meter relay and multiple strong performances across sprints, jumps, and distance events.
At the Camel City Sprints on Feb. 6, Augusta posted two sub-50 performances in the 400 meters. Freshman Mykel Thompson led the Jaguars with a third-place finish in 49.32, while freshman Dylan Poole followed with a seventh-place effort in 49.80. Junior Roberto Barrera competed in the seeded 400 and finished 17th with a time of 50.12.
The Jaguars earned the top finish of the weekend in the 4×400-meter relay, as the team of Gabriel Carson, Devin Barolette, Charlie Roberts, and Dorian Chance captured first place with a time of 3:18.65.
In the field events, sophomore Jackson Evans recorded a mark of 6.40 meters (21-0) in the long jump.
At the Camel City Distance meet on Feb. 7, sophomore Gabriel Best led Augusta in the mile, finishing 24th with a time of 4:18.17. Sophomore Seth Eye added a 4:32.87 performance.
In the seeded 3,000 meters, senior Avery Jaynes placed fifth with a time of 8:17.95. Junior Oscar Curry finished 11th in 8:30.49, followed closely by junior Nasrudin Mohamed in 12th at 8:31.00.
In the 5,000 meters, senior Jordan Robertson posted a sixth-place finish, crossing the line in 14:43.76.
Augusta returns to action Feb. 13-14, splitting squads between the Tryon Mid Winter Invitational in Mill Spring, N.C., and the David Hemery Valentine Invite in Boston, Mass.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A female was killed in a crash on Deans Bridge Road Saturday evening, officials say.
Deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the Richmond County Coroner’s Office went to Deans Bridge Road at Parwood Road for a traffic accident involving a pedestrian.
When they arrived, they discovered an unidentified black female lying in the grass median, according to authorities.
Early stages of the investigation indicate that the female was hit by a vehicle as it traveled south on Deans Bridge Road, the sheriff’s office says.
The investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released when available.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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