Augusta, GA
From pumping gas to pouring coffee: Augusta 7Brew to replace old full-service gas station
The site of Augusta’s last full-service filling station will sell fuel again – but the fuel will be coffee.
The Smith’s Chevron gas station and garage at the corner of Wheeler Road and Walton Way Extension closed in May. A 7Brew drive-thru coffee kiosk is now planned for the site, according to recently disclosed construction plans.
March 18 is the projected opening date, according to Google data that already lists a new 7Brew at 3600 Walton Way Ext. Franchises such as 7Brew often open physical locations faster than other food franchises because the buildings are prefabricated and assembled onsite.
Civil plans drawn up in mid-December by Augusta’s Southern Partners Inc. call for demolishing the 2,600-square-foot service station that sits on a lot measuring two-thirds of an acre. A 510-square-foot drive-thru kiosk will be erected on the spot.
It’s been a gas: Smith’s Chevron full-service filling station closing after 37 years
Franchise owners are Isaac Mincks and Troy Jordan, partners in Coffee Talk LLC. The men already have opened two Augusta 7Brews, at 105 Charlestowne Way and 4218 Peach Orchard Rd.
“We are opening stands from Augusta, Ga., to Columbia, S.C.,” according to a splash page soliciting applicants online for Augusta 7Brew jobs. “We will build six to seven stands per year for the next several years and we need your help to reach our goal of 40-plus stands!”
Former Smith’s Chevron proprietor Tommy Smith couldn’t be immediately reached Tuesday.
Smith was working in the 1980s as an area sales rep for an automobile distributor when he drove past the boarded-up Jackson Road Shell station at Wheeler and Walton Way Extension. Remembering his enjoyable days working at a full-service gas station in his native Athens, Smith opened his Chevron station on the corner in September 1986.
The 1970s energy crisis helped sharply reduce the number of full-service gas stations, giving way to self-serve pumps, but outliers like Smith’s Chevron stayed in business and are extant but uncommon today.
Augusta, GA
U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter calls for more ICE agents in Atlanta
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter wants more ICE agents in Atlanta.
Carter, a Republican who represents the 1st congressional district on the southeast Georgia coast, sent a letter to acting ICE Administrator Todd Lyons and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, asking them to “increase federal law enforcement resources” in Atlanta.
Carter claimed there’s an “urgent need for an enhanced ICE presence in Atlanta,” writing that the federal agents would “protect citizens against record levels of illegal immigrants” and “confront safety concerns.”
You can read the letter below:
“Residents are clamoring for additional federal support, which would greatly assist state and local partners in maintaining public safety and ensuring that immigration laws are properly upheld,” Carter wrote.
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He added, “Increasing enforcement presence would help deter unlawful entry, disrupt illegal networks, and uphold the rule of law. A stronger federal role would also help prevent the very real public safety risks that criminals pose and restore confidence in the system designed to keep us safe.”
Carter cited two recent metro Atlanta murder cases that allegedly involved undocumented immigrants, including the killing of a mother of five.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Undocumented immigrant accused in killing of Cobb County woman pleads not guilty
Carter, a self-described “MAGA warrior,” is one of several Republican candidates hoping to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in next year’s midterm elections.
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Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta–Livingstone Women’s Basketball Game Moved From Nov. 23 to Jan. 16 – Augusta University
AUGUSTA, GA – Augusta University women’s basketball has announced a schedule change for its upcoming home matchup against Livingstone College.
The game, originally set for Sunday, Nov. 23 at 5:00 p.m., has been rescheduled for Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. inside Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars will next travel to face nationally ranked No. 4 Coker on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Fans are encouraged to visit augustajags.com for the latest schedule updates and game information.
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
Authorities arrest mother of 2 young children who died
THOMSON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A 21-year-old mother is behind bars, charged with murder in the death of her 7-month-old son who died in September 2021.
Dakota Nicole Taylor was arrested Tuesday at an apartment complex in McDuffie County on charges of malice murder, felony murder and cruelty to children in the first degree in connection with the death of Micah Taylor.
According to a grand jury arrest warrant, Taylor “with malice and forethought” caused the death of Micah Taylor by obstructing his airways. The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office said they arrested Taylor with help from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
In January, Dakota’s other child, 8-month-old Caleb Taylor, also died. The GBI is currently investigating his death as well.
The case highlights potential failures by DFCS and DeKalb County in their handling of the situation.
Body camera footage from the night DeKalb County police officers arrived at a group home shows the scene after Micah was found unresponsive inside. According to police reports, Dakota was giving Micah a bath upstairs that night. When she finished, she brought him back downstairs into his swing.
Workers noticed Micah was slumped over, pale and unresponsive. The Department of Family and Children Services file states that Dakota’s responses to hearing her son died and processing the grief in the following days was unusual. Officers on scene made similar observations.
“I don’t know if this has anything to do with anything, but the mother, didn’t … She was very … Like alright, whatever. And I was like your baby is …” an officer said in body camera footage.
Another officer described Dakota’s demeanor as “nonchalant” when they were carrying the baby out.
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Officers questioned Dakota at the home after the incident. The case remained unclear for an extended period, with investigators not beginning serious questioning until two years after Micah’s death.
Dakota Taylor was under DFCS supervision during this time, raising questions about why the agency did not intervene after Micah’s death.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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