Augusta, GA

Friends and family remember Augusta man beaten to death, two suspects now in custody

Published

6 months ago

July 19, 2024

Friends and family remember Augusta man beaten to death, two suspects now in custody

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest after a 28-year-old was beaten to death last month.

38-year-old Tamiko Bolton has been charged for murdering Elias Delk on June 15th.

The Coroner’s Office says Delk died from multiple blunt force trauma following the murder at the Dollar General on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

His former coworkers say they still can’t believe what happened.

“I didn’t believe it. I called his phone over and over and over again, because it was just horrible. I think a trauma like that is super abrasive–and for a good little while, you’re not in your own reality,” said his former boss Sarah Cro.

“To hear about how it was done, it was just a shock. Nobody deserves to be beaten to death–so it was rough,” his kitchen manager Mikeda Johnson said.

Investigators say Bolton and several other people beat Delk using their fists, feet, and a stick.

Delk suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung, and hematomas to his scalp and face, before dying from his injuries.

His mother, Jacinda Beverley, sharing the same shock.

“I was actually supposed to volunteer at a Father’s Day conference here in Dallas, and as I was preparing to get ready, I got a knock on the door. A cop, police officer, told me that Elias Delk was no longer with me–that shattered my whole world,” Beverley said.

Now they are remembering the man who meant the world to them.

He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and Beverley says he was the happiest child growing up.

“He was always happy-go-lucky, he played a lot of sports, he played musical instruments like the flute and violin–I tried to keep him very busy, because he had a lot of energy,” said Beverley. “He was a handful, but just a great personality.”

Prior to coming to Augusta, he gained experience working in different jobs–a server in the hospitality industry, a maintenance job pulling carpets, and even took a job in management.

But along the way, his mother says he ran into trouble–he then found himself at a transition center in Augusta, in an effort to turn his life around.

The opportunity came along for him to work at Fifth and Finch in Augusta in 2022.

“Prior to coming to Fifth and Finch, he was working in a restaurant, so he had that background,” Beverley said. “So, when he went through the transition center, that’s where they placed him–and that’s where Sarah gave him the opportunity to work for her: and she’s been wonderful.”

Cro says he started as a dishwasher, and kitchen manager Mikeda Johnson saw his potential early on.

“After dishwashing he went to cooking, and he eventually moved to the front of the house and became one of the faces of the restaurant,” Cro said. “He was great at all of it.”

Friends and family saying they knew him best for his work ethic, and radiating positivity.

“He was working multiple jobs to provide for his family, and he was on education route to be an HVAC technician, so he dialed back working at Finch. But the Masters of 2023–while practicing Ramadan strictly and fasting–he worked 70 hours that week,” said Cro.

“He would always be the type of person who was teachable,” Johnson said. “He always wanted to learn something new. We would have competitions about who could make the better desserts–so he was a great worker.”

“He had an infectious smile. If I ever said anything negative, he would just rebuke the statement. Like, Mom I can’t even think like that. He was determined to turn his life around,” said Beverley. “His life was just too short. He should still be here, living life, and enjoying life, and celebrating his life. My heart is crushed, and I’m still in somewhat disbelief that this happened.”

The Sheriff’s Office has informed NewsChannel 6 that a second suspect has now been arrested.

They and the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Creston Curry on Friday, July 19th.

They say Curry was also wanted for other outstanding warrants unrelated to the case.

Delk did not have life insurance, so a website has been created to support the family during this time.

If you would like to contribute in any way, you can find the website here.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

Published

3 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.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

Published

11 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.

Source link

Augusta, GA

WATCH LIVE: How Augusta is preparing for icy winter blast

Published

19 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.”

MORE FROM NEWS 12

CSRA winter weather: A survival guide

What can renters do if pipes burst due to winter weather?
Don’t get burned by cold-weather home repair scams
Local fire crews warn of heating hazards in cold weather
How to spot warning signs of frostbite, hypothermia
Protecting your most precious plants from winter’s wrath
Stay inside if you can during cold snap, experts say
Winter weather myths debunked to keep you safe
If your pipes freeze or break, follow this advice from experts
How to get help with your heating bill in the CSRA
What to know if you’ll be driving in subfreezing weather
How to protect your heating system during freezing temperatures
How to stay warm on a budget and beat the cold weather
Trouble from burst pipes can linger well beyond a freeze
Keep your pipes from bursting in freezing weather
How to prepare your home for major freeze

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.

Source link