Augusta, GA

Georgia city named 1 of the worst for seasonal allergy sufferers

Published

10 months ago

March 20, 2025

Press Room

Georgia city named 1 of the worst for seasonal allergy sufferers

article

A sick woman sits in bed and cleans her nose. (Photo Illustration by Ute Grabowsky/Photothek via Getty Images)

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Allergy sufferers already know that pollen is everywhere during Georgia’s springtime.

But a new study shows just how prevalent the problem is in the Peach State – with one city named one of the worst for people allergic to pollen in the nation.

What we know:

The study was done by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to identify the most challenging cities for living with seasonal allergies.

According to the group, more than 100 million people in the U.S. live with allergies or asthma. This makes it even worse that the group says the pollen season starts earlier and lasts longer compared to 30 years ago.

To compile their results, the foundation looked at tree, grass, and pollen scores, over-the-counter allergy medicine use, and the availability of board-certified allergists and immunologists.

After looking at the data, the foundation named Augusta, Georgia the 12th most challenging city for allergy sufferers in the United States. The city scored high on pollen and medicine use.

The only other Georgia city to crack the top 100 was Atlanta, which placed 40th.

Dig deeper:

Taking the top spot for 2025 was Wichita, Kansas, followed by New Orleans and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Memphis, Tennessee rounded out the top five.

The foundation says New Orleans showed the most serious jump from last year, leaping up 32 spots to take second place due to the much higher weed pollen season. The group attributed the spike to Hurricane Francine and record warmth in November.

What you can do:

If you’re one to reach for the tissues, the foundation has a few suggestions to make allergy season a little less painful.

The group suggests using masks on high pollen days and changing clothes after outdoor activities.

You can also wipe off your pets when they come inside and shower before bed to keep pollen out of your blankets.

Cleaning bedding, floors, and fabric furniture once a week, and blinds, curtains, and washable rugs once a month can also help.

You can see the complete list of cities and more suggestions here.

The Source: Information for this story came from a report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

GeorgiaHealthNews

Source link

Related Topics:Featured Ga health news us

Click to comment

Augusta, GA

Law enforcement converges on home in west Augusta

Published

3 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Law enforcement converges on home in west Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There was a large law enforcement presence Thursday morning at a home in west Augusta near Fort Gordon.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force were in the area attempting to find a suspect, according to deputies.

Witnesses said around 11:25 a.m. that officers had been surrounding a home at Harper-Franklin Avenue and Covington Court.

That’s in a neighborhood of mostly two-story brick-fronted homes built in the past three or four years just east of Jimmie Dyess Parkway and a couple of blocks north of Gordon Highway.

As noon approached, law enforcement had left.

But a Facebook post from earlier did show a large presence,including marked and unmarked cars, and officers all around the house. A witness said police dogs were on the scene, as well.

News 12 has reached out to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for information.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Augusta mayoral candidate holds town hall as election season begins

Published

15 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Augusta mayoral candidate holds town hall as election season begins

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Steven Kendrick held a town hall on Wednesday at the Henry Brigham Community Center as he prepares to challenge Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.

Kendrick, who serves as chief deputy tax commissioner for Richmond County, previously ran against Johnson in 2022. The town hall was part of Kendrick’s campaign tour as he seeks to unseat the incumbent mayor.

“Some of the people felt as though we really needed to dig a little deeper and we dug a little deeper,” Kendrick said after the meeting. “But that’s how you gain understanding, where everybody’s not going to agree about everything. Some of them we didn’t agree on. I certainly enjoyed the interaction. I learned some things, and I hope they learned some things as well.”

Multiple Commission seats up for election

The mayoral race is not the only contest facing Richmond County voters. Several Augusta Commission seats are up for election across multiple districts.

District 8 will have a new commissioner because Commissioner Brandon Garrett is term-limited and cannot run again. Michael Cioffi and Evett Williams have filed to run for the District 8 seat.

Districts 2, 4, 6 and 10 are also up for election. Stacy Pulliam currently serves in District 2.

Source link

Augusta, GA

2026 is off to a deadly start, but what’s ahead for Augusta?

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

2026 is off to a deadly start, but what’s ahead for Augusta?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County deputies are investigating their first homicide of 2026, which occurred early Monday morning on Hines Street just off Laney Walker Boulevard.

The victim was 21-year-old Thaddeus Kirkland. He was found bleeding on scene around 2 a.m. and died a short time later.

Suspect wanted for questioning

Deputies are seeking 24-year-old Bruce Wesby for questioning in connection to the incident. Wesby is known to frequent the Waynesboro area. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff’s office.

Crime data shows progress in 2025

The first homicide of 2026 happened five days into the new year, two days sooner than the first homicide of 2025.

According to the sheriff’s office data, violent crime decreased significantly in 2025 under Sheriff Eugene Brantley’s leadership. Homicides dropped 35% year-over-year from 2024 to 2025 to their lowest level since 2021.

Aggravated assaults also dropped 35% to their lowest mark since 2018. Armed robberies fell 36% year-over-year to their lowest mark since crime data for Richmond County was first recorded in 2011.

Law enforcement focused on high-risk areas, including downtown Augusta, to lower response times and keep people safe.

“What they really want is for their families that they’re raising in this area to have safe lives, just like the citizens of Augusta that vote them in,” said M. Steven Fishman, president of Sidney’s Department Store & Uniforms. “They want to be able to go to work, come home, and enjoy their lives with their children, knowing that they’re safe.”

As 2026 gets underway, the sheriff’s office is continuing upgrades for technology and equipment to continue its goal of reducing violent crime. The office sent a statement saying the progress is in large part due to the community and deputies working together.

Source link