Augusta, GA

Georgia Capitol Dispatch: Veterans cemetery sought for Augusta, MLK’s son remembered

Published

2 years ago

January 24, 2024

Georgia Capitol Dispatch: Veterans cemetery sought for Augusta, MLK’s son remembered

No bills were heard on the floor of the Georgia House or Senate on the seventh day 2024 state legislative session. However, state lawmakers had a slew of issues to discuss.

Here’s a look at what legislators were up to under the gold dome:

Augusta lobbies for new veterans cemetery

The Augusta delegation in both the state House and the Senate welcomed a group of 40 veterans to the Capitol to call attention to a project now four years in the making: the construction of a new veterans’ cemetery in Augusta, which is home to Fort Eisenhower. Among the group of visitors was former Augusta Mayor Bob Young and current Commissioner Alvin Mason.

“We are trying to find a way to honor our veterans by allowing them to be interred in their home community,” said state Sen. Max Burns (R- Sylvania).

Proponents of the project say they have been unable to secure more federal funding for the cemetery and are turning to the state legislature to help fill the gap.

“We have over 66,000 military families in the greater Augusta area,” Rep. Gloria Frazier (D-Hephzibah) said, noting that the two closest veterans’ cemeteries are the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville and Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Both are more than 80 miles from Augusta.

“I am a military spouse, so I understand how important it is to make sure that we have our husbands and loved ones laid to rest close to us, so that we can actually visit them.” Frazier said. “A lot of the spouses would like to visit their loved ones a lot more.”

More: Will Augusta get a veterans cemetery? Here’s what you need to know

Celebrating 50 years of diplomacy with Japan

Tuesday marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Japan, and lawmakers celebrated by designating Jan. 23 as Japan Day at the Capitol. Mio Maeda, the consul general of Japan in Atlanta, returned to the state capitol to mark the occasion, and celebrate the business relationship that lawmakers say has brought numerous businesses and employment opportunities to Georgia.

Minority House whip Rep. Sam Park also made a speech to recognize Korean American day and the contributions of generations of Korean-American immigrants.

“This year marks the 121st anniversary of the first Korean immigrants who came to this country in pursuit of the American dream,” Park said. “With more than 100,000 Korean Americans who call Georgia home, they’ve not only made critical contributions to our economy and society, they’ve helped strengthen the critical, bilateral relationship between the state of Georgia and the Republic of Korea.”

Remembering Dexter Scott King’s legacy

Georgia legislators in the House held a moment of silence to commemorate Dexter Scott King, a civil rights advocate and son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Today we stand with the gentle giant, who they said emulated his father in looks and in conversation and in voice, but more so a great giant who was very quiet,” said Rep. Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah).

“He took his rest from being that gentle giant,” Gilliard said. “From fighting for the rights of intellectual property of the King legacy, from fighting for the rights as a gentle giant, and following the wishes of his mother to make sure we have a Martin Luther King center for Nonviolence and Social Change.”

Dexter Scott King passed away on Jan. 22 after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 62 years old.

Source link

Click to comment

Augusta, GA

Trump to sign emergency order to pay TSA agents as Augusta airport preps for golf week

Published

3 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Trump to sign emergency order to pay TSA agents as Augusta airport preps for golf week

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – President Donald Trump said he will sign an emergency declaration to pay TSA agents, as nearly 500 have quit since the shutdown began.

More than 40 percent of Atlanta’s TSA agents did not show up on Wednesday, leading to long lines at Atlanta’s airport and across the country. It is unclear when President Trump will sign the emergency order. TSA workers will miss their second paycheck Friday.

In a statement on Truth Social, President Trump said, “I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation.”

The president thanked TSA agents. The Department of Homeland Security as a whole will not be funded at this time. The Coast Guard and FEMA are among the agencies still impacted.

If senators do not reach a deal to fund the department on Friday, they are set for a two-week recess.

Augusta airport prepares for tournament week

TSA workers are a concern as tournament week approaches in Augusta. Security and safety are also concerns after a plane collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport.

Augusta Regional Airport and its fire department are working to keep visitors safe as they fly in for tournament week.

William Kovalchuk, a sergeant with the Augusta Airport Fire Department, operates an airport-specific fire truck.

“There’s a ton of traffic and a ton of congestion. This whole ramp area where I showed you guys a little bit ago, it’ll be completely filled with aircraft,” Kovalchuk said.

Tournament week sees the regional airport become a global hub, with flights in from 13 extra cities and more than 200 private planes parked on the tarmac.

Lauren Smith, deputy director of Augusta Regional Airport, said the airport works closely with the FAA during tournament week.

“During that time, we actually work very closely with the FAA to bring in additional controllers,” Smith said.

Extra controllers keep the airspace and runway safe. Enhanced safety measures are in place inside the terminal as well.

“Overall, everyone brings in more staff. The tenants, the rental car agencies, the airlines, the airport itself,” Smith said.

The fire department stages a second station across the airport to cover every flight.

“The manning will be stepped up quite a bit,” Kovalchuk said. “We don’t want to see anything happen, but we’re prepared for it.”

The airport said the average wait time is still less than an hour to get through security during tournament week.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Jefferson County library director named Georgia Library Director of the Year

Published

15 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Jefferson County library director named Georgia Library Director of the Year

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Georgia Library Director of the Year was honored at a ceremony in Jefferson County.

Christina Shepherd received the award and a county proclamation. Jefferson County officials also honored the library board during the ceremony.

“I’m very thankful. I think it’s great for Jefferson County to have this award brought here and bringing light to us,” Shepherd said. “I don’t think I do anything extraordinary that any librarian wouldn’t do, but I just keep doing it. I appreciate it. I’m thankful.”

Source link

Augusta, GA

CSRA Habitat for Humanity gets $1.85M to build affordable housing in Augusta

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

CSRA Habitat for Humanity gets .85M to build affordable housing in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has been awarded $1.85 million to build new affordable homes in Augusta’s historic Turpin Hill neighborhood.

The federal funding was secured with the support of Georgia’s U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

The funding will expand housing opportunities for working families and revitalize one of Augusta’s oldest communities.

“Turpin Hill is one of Augusta’s oldest and most storied neighborhoods, a community built by generations of hardworking families whose roots run deep in this city,” said Bernadette Kelliher, President and CEO of Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity.

“These new homes will reflect the strength of the neighborhood’s past while creating a foundation for families to build their futures. This is about restoration, dignity, and ensuring that the next generation can write their own chapter in this historic community.”

This federal investment strengthens ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities across Augusta.

“Georgia families urgently need more affordable housing. That’s why Senator Reverend Warnock and I brought Republicans and Democrats together to strengthen the Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build new housing units for families across Augusta and the CSRA,” said Ossoff.

Senator Raphael Warnock added, “This investment demonstrates what is possible when Congress works together to support communities and families in need. We are in a housing crisis. America is not building enough housing and costs are continuing to soar.”

Since its founding in 1986, Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has partnered with families, volunteers and community supporters to build and preserve homes throughout the Central Savannah River Area.

Source link