Augusta, GA

Georgia homeowners rally at Capitol for more oversight of HOAs

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2026

Georgia homeowners rally at Capitol for more oversight of HOAs

ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia homeowners took to the Capitol for “HOA Day,” with many fearing they could lose their homes to their community associations.

Atlanta News First Investigates has documented hundreds of homeowners reaching out in the last year. Of those, almost half are in lawsuits with their HOA and 30% have liens on their homes. The average fine they’re facing is near $10,000, and they have no office to go to for help.

HOA Day at the Georgia Capitol began with homeowners gathering in Liberty Plaza. Dozens of homeowners pleaded with lawmakers to help.

“The frivolous fines are like your trash can from your backyard, your mailbox and your driveway should be pressure wash. And your fines are in excess of tens of thousands of dollars,” said Rose Lummus of Decatur.

“There’s no lawyers to fight for a homeowners because there’s more lawyers getting money from the homeowners association because of the financial gain,” said Rosalind Grigger of Smyrna.

Darrell Taylor of Villa Rica said his HOA wants to foreclose on his house. “We say we never got what we were promised, so why do I have to give you what you were promised?”

Even some HOA board members showed up to support reform.

“There’s some board members that are good… so we’re just trying to educate,” said Tamara Chase of Fairburn.

HOA Day was organized by Representatives Viola Davis, Kim Schofield and Sandra Scott and Senator Donzella James. The event continued with a call to action for all lawmakers to prioritize and protect Georgia homeowners.

There are several bills involving HOA oversight in both the Senate and House, but lawmakers are pushing two to the forefront: SB 406 and HB 1035. The bills would assign oversight to the Secretary of State and stop foreclosures for unpaid dues.

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Augusta, GA

Lane Bryant to close Augusta Mall store this weekend

Published

10 hours ago

April 18, 2026

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Lane Bryant to close Augusta Mall store this weekend

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Shoppers in Augusta will soon lose a longtime retail option, as Lane Bryant’s store inside Augusta Mall is set to close for good this weekend.

Employees at Lane Bryant inside Augusta Mall confirmed that the store will permanently close starting Sunday, April 19.

After the closure, the nearest Lane Bryant location for customers will be in Lexington.

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Augusta, GA

Willie James Tanksley Obituary April 16, 2026 – G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary

Published

22 hours ago

April 18, 2026

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Willie James Tanksley Obituary April 16, 2026 – G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary

With deepest and heartfelt sympathy, G. L. Brightharp & Sons announces the transition of Mr. Willie J. Tanksley who entered into rest April 18, 2026.

Mr. Tanksley, a native of Richmond County, was a 1985 graduate of the Academy of Richmond County. He was a member of Greater Young Zion Baptist Church where he served in the Brotherhood Ministry.

Survivors include his wife, Sabrina Tanksley; two daughters, Ashley Tanksley and Taylor Tanksley; siblings, Elise Tanksley of Augusta, GA, Wilhelmina Roland of Atlanta, GA, Terry Tanksley, Tommy Tanksley, Watler Tanksley and Elder Claude (Kimberly) Tanksley all of Augusta, GA; an aunt, Frances Tate; an uncle, James Tanksley; mother-in-law, Sandra Harrison of Beech Island, SC; father-in-law, Jimmy (Elnora) Bing; three sisters-in-law, Fonda Rainey, Nicole Harrison and Nina Bing; a brother-in-law, Eric Bing; a host of nieces , nephews, along with other loving relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Greater Young Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. William A. Blount officiating. Interment will follow at Walker Memorial Park. Viewing will be held from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.

The family will not be receiving visitors at the home. We ask that you continue to pray for them during this time.

Professional Services are under the compassionate care of G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary-North Augusta.

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Augusta, GA

Funeral held for former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree

Published

1 day ago

April 17, 2026

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Funeral held for former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree’s funeral was held on Friday morning.

The funeral began at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, the Rev. Karlton Howard officiating.

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Interment will follow at Noah’s Ark Baptist Church Cemetery in Waynesboro.

A viewing was held on Thursday at Good Shepherd Baptist Church from 2-6 p.m.

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Classmate remembers former Sheriff Richard Roundtree ahead of funeral
Funeral announced for former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree

News 12 first learned of Roundtree’s passing on April 11. He’d been in a metro Atlanta hospital with serious medical issues.

Several people spoke during the funeral service, but one deputy in particular spoke of Roundtree’s leadership.

“He was more than a sheriff. He was an innovator. He looked for better ways to serve. He led with integrity, courage and genuine commitment,” said the deputy.

Roundtree, 57, was the head law enforcement officer in Augusta for more than a decade − and when he took office in 2012, notably no sheriff had been like him.

He was the first African American elected to the title, something he spent a career working toward.

He was highly visible in the community, where he could frequently be seen in a vest, working a crime scene along with his deputies.

Former classmate Clarence Brown said he was proud of Roundtree for his work.

“I was proud of him for, for actually, you know, getting to that level. But at the same time I realized that that’s a heavy weight, especially being from the community, um, and, and to draw in the community,” Brown said. “And so I wanted him to know that there was somebody in his corner that didn’t need anything.”

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