Augusta, GA
Former Augusta State Medical Prison guards acquitted in inmate death
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two former guards at Augusta State Medical Prison have been found not guilty in connection with the death of an inmate.
A two-count federal indictment unsealed in August 2025 charged Robert Roberson and Marcus Phillips violating the constitutional rights of an inmate by showing deliberate indifference to a substantial risk of harm to an inmate, resulting in his death.
The indictment alleges that on Oct. 28, 2020, Roberson and Phillips became aware of a smoldering fire in an inmate’s cell.
Rather than extinguish the fire, evacuate the inmate from his cell, remediate the smoke from the cell or call a fire emergency over the radio, they willfully disregarded the substantial risk of serious harm to the inmate by leaving him in his locked cell for several hours while he slowly died from smoke inhalation, according to the indictment.
Roberson was also acquitted of a charge of falsifying a logbook to cover up misconduct.
Inmate deaths aren’t unheard of at the prison. Among the deaths there:
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta-based E-Z-GO could be sold, Textron announces
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The parent company of E-Z-GO has announced it plans to split its products as Textron looks to become a “pure-play” aerospace and defense company.
Textron’s specialized vehicles production headquarters is in South Augusta.
On its LinkedIn page, it boasts a workforce of more than 1,000 employees.
Textron said in a statement that it “intends to explore multiple paths to effect the planned separation of its Industrial segment, including but not limited to a sale of the Industrial businesses.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Richmond County school board member Walter H. Eubanks dies
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Board of Education is deeply saddened to announce the passing of board member Walter H. Eubanks.
Eubanks, who represented District 3, died Tuesday after a brief illness.
“Mr. Eubanks’ family and friends are in our thoughts during this difficult time,” the board said in a statement.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
His term was set to expire this year.
Shawnda Stovall, president of the Richmond County Board of Education, said:
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Eubanks’ family, friends, constituents, and all who had the privilege of serving alongside him. For more than 20 years, he devoted his time, leadership, and voice to advocating for public education and helping create opportunities for generations of students, first as a teacher and later as a member of the Richmond County Board of Education. His commitment to our community and his passion for serving others will be remembered with gratitude and respect.
“During this time of loss, we keep Mr. Eubanks’ loved ones in our thoughts and prayers. May they find comfort in the many lives he touched through his service and the lasting impact he made on behalf of Richmond County’s students and families.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Former pho restaurant to become Evans medical cannabis dispensary
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A Vietnamese restaurant that closed in Columbia County more than three years ago will be the site of Georgia’s newest medical marijuana dispensary.
When Georgia’s Senate Bill 220 officially becomes law on July 1, it will expand requirements and qualifying conditions to participate in the state’s medical cannabis program. Co-sponsors of the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act” included state Sens. Lee Anderson, R-Grovetown, Harold Jones, D-Augusta, and Mark Newton, R-Augusta.
A company called Fine Fettle operates three cannabis stores in Georgia, eight in Connecticut, and two in Massachusetts.
The Fine Fettle dispensary, slated for 4300 Towne Center Dr. in Evans, will occupy the former Pho Bac restaurant. The Asian eatery opened in 2011 but closed in 2023 when it merged with another restaurant, Pho Augusta, at 4045 Jimmie Dyess Parkway.
At the store’s June 26 grand opening, patients and their families can learn about new product categories, qualifying conditions, and how to obtain a medical cannabis card, according to the company.
Fine Fettle received a provisional license from the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission in 2023 to start growing and selling cannabis products statewide. Evans was one of its proposed locations with an original opening for a low-THC oil dispensary planned for spring 2024, but the new state legislation upgraded the product level from the lower-potency oil to actual strains of cannabis.
Another cannabis company, Trulieve, opened its fifth Georgia store in Evans in September 2023 at 4218 Washington Road in Evans, near the shopping center anchored by Academy Sports.
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