Augusta, GA
Hockey is coming back to Augusta under new deal
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It looks like hockey will be returning to Augusta.
The Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority entered a new agreement Tuesday with the Oak View Group, which will take control over the yet-to-be-built downtown arena and Bell Auditorium, operating under a new contract.
It won’t be the first time for Augusta to have hockey. In the late 1990s, the Augusta Lynx Minor League Hockey team hit the ice in the James Brown Arena, which is being torn down to make way for a new one.
Under that contract, Oak View will be fully responsible for bringing a hockey team here and making sure it remains successful.
The company has gone as far as to donate $10 million toward that.
And that pays for the entire thing, so this won’t cost taxpayers a dime.
A feasibility study shows the venture will be very successful.
“Through this contract, we will maximize the potential of our new Arena, ensure profitability for the Authority, fund capital improvements and maintenance, and ultimately, set up this Board – and the Augusta Entertainment Complex – as a whole, for success long after we are all gone,” said Cedric Johnson, Chairman of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority. “We look forward to this continued partnership as we work in tandem to Build Augusta’s Future!”
The study shows that ice hockey will benefit the city with 45 more days of active business, which means more money for local restaurants and hotels.
They say it will bring jobs to the area, increase spending downtown by 60% and tax revenue by 40%.
Leaders say it was not a quick decision.
“The coliseum authority wanted us to make sure it was right for Augusta,” said Michael Harvey, vice president of Nations Group. “That there was no risk, that they weren’t buying something they didn’t have to pay for. With the contract negotiations market analysis it is good for Augusta.”
The contract extension is for 10 years with a 10-year option.
The new 10,500-seat arena is expected to open in 2027 and include suites, loge boxes, a private club lounge and a connection to Bell Auditorium.
Located in downtown Augusta, the Bell Auditorium is a 2,700-seat theater that reopened on May 31 after being offline for a year to undergo expansion and refurbishments.
“We’ve been a long-standing partner through our management of the Augusta Entertainment Complex and are honored that the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority has entrusted Oak View Group to manage operations of the new Augusta arena,” said Peter Luukko, co-chairman of the company.
Oak View Group has provided management services at Bell Auditorium and James Brown Arena since 2008.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person has died after a shooting on Cameron Drive in Augusta early Friday morning.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 25-year-old Khyla Rodriguez, of Augusta.
Richmond County deputies responded to the 3600 block of Cameron Drive around 1:11 a.m. for a suspicious situation.
While on scene, deputies spoke to the complainant who stated they got a call form an unknown person saying their friend was dead at the incident location.
Deputies then searched the area, where they found Rodriguez on the ground unresponsive with several gun shot wounds to the stomach area.
The coroner’s office says Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 2:27 a.m. An autopsy has been scheduled.
As of 4:15 a.m., at least one deputy and crime scene crews were still on scene.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Four individuals from Augusta have been indicted by a federal Grand Jury on federal drug trafficking charges, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Southern District of Georgia announced Thursday.
The following individuals were indicted:
(Indictments contain charges, and defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.)
- Tyriquez McFadden, 39, and Nichael Lessey, 44, both of Augusta, charged in a five-count indictment with Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl; Possession with Intent to Distribute 28 Grams or More of Crack Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- Roman Kelly, 51, of Augusta, indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.
These charges carry statutory penalties up to life in prison, substantial financial penalties and a period of supervised release upon completion of any prison term.
Drought-fueled wildfires burn across Georgia, Florida
Wildfires in Georgia and Florida have forced evacuations, road closures and burn bans as the drought-fueled fires burn thousands of acres.
Two large wildfires burning in south Georgia were now 90% contained, as of Wednesday, after consuming about 54,000 acres, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.
The Pineland Road Fire has burned 32,575 acres. The Highway 82 Fire has burned 22,420 acres.
However, fuel conditions remain extremely dry, officials said. Containment continues to improve on both fires, but crews remain actively engaged in patrol, suppression, and mop-up operations.
Seth Hawkins, urban and community forestry program coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission, worked on the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, which is still about 22,000 acres. Suppression costs are estimated to exceed $18.3 million.
“The rain put out the active flame on that fire,” Hawkins said. “However, there’s still that deep layer, that organic material, burning, and hot spots can still flare up as soon as humidity drops.”
Hawkins said 166 people are still working hot spots on the Highway 82 fire, setting up sprinkler systems where needed.
As of May 12, the State Forester burn ban has been lifted, but the Environmental Protection Division’s summer burn ban remains in place. Many counties may still have local ordinances. Georgia residents are encouraged to check with their county before burning.
The state remains in an extreme drought.
“It’s just unique down there because of all that organic fuel,” Hawkins said. “And when it dries out, it’s very susceptible to ignition. It’s going to be a long, hot, dry summer. We’re telling folks to keep their guard up and be safe with campfires and debris burning.”
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
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