AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After pledging to cut the kill rate at the pet shelter – which consistently has the highest kill numbers in Georgia – Augusta Animal Services presented a plan Wednesday to change that trajectory.

The presentation to Augusta Commission members showed that 60% of all animals euthanized in 2022 and 2023 were due to bites, court orders or aggressiveness.

The staff developed a five-part plan:

• Require more effort from owner surrenders – proof that it’s an emergency or that the owner has tried another option before surrendering.
• Incentive microchipping – having all owners pay $15 microchip fee instead of reclaiming fee if their animal is at the shelter.
• Heavy promotion of spaying and neutering to prevent pet overpopulation.
• Mobilizing the adoption van, which the department received in 2023, although it’s been in and out of the shop.
• Holding save-a-pet Mondays, when no strays or surrenders will be taken in as the staff focuses on getting animals out and staying open late.

With the adoption van, the staff aims to partner with businesses and go to outlying counties as part of an outreach.

News broke of Augusta’s high kill rate after Best Friends Animal Society offered to team up with the city to improve the shelter, but the city snubbed the group.

The city bristled at Best Friends’ plan because of one of the strings attached – that the group would have its own staff embedded in the shelter.

City leaders then gave the shelter staff 30 days to work out a plan with Best Friends, which hasn’t been done yet.

Augusta Commission member Wayne Guilfoyle said Wednesday of a partnership with Best Friends: “What will it hurt to try?”

Someone who opposes a deal with Best Friends has been sending out direct mails calling for leaders to reject it.

City officials told Best Friends and the shelter staff to work on their plans further.

Also Wednesday, city leaders were expected to discuss a controversial plan to remove some very old-growth trees along Telfair Street.

City officials said the trees would be discussed Monday.

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BELVEDERE, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – Aiken County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded en masse Wednesday afternoon to the area of Hal’s Hair in Belvedere after one person was shot dead.

Deputies said they responded to a shooting at 356 Edgefield Road, adjacent to Hal’s Hair.

Deputies said oie male was killed.

The North Augusta Department of Public Safety said its officers were called to assist with the incident.

It happened around 3:30 p.m.

At Hal’s Hair, a witness said there were “like 100 officers out here” and that three ambulance units had been there. Crime scene tape was soon put up.

At least 17 patrol cars were at the scene around 4:15 p.m.

Late, about 10 cars showed up carrying what appeared to be family members and friends trying to find out what was going on.

Traffic monitoring systems showed a slowdown in the area at Belvedere-Clearwater Road and Edgefield Road.

Around the same time, authorities were investigating a vehicle fire on Dixie Clay Road, but it was unclear whether the incidents were related.

The shooting comes amid an outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 170 lives across the CSRA in a little over two years. The violence has affected communities large and small on both sides of the Savannah River, and authorities have mostly blamed gangs.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – When it comes to the planned removal of dozens of trees on Telfair Street, the mayor is getting an earful. 

“Certainly hearing a lot of concern from our citizens you know Telfair Street is one of our most historic streets in all of our city. I also have concerns about some of the mature trees designated to be cut down,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.   

Dozens of trees are branded with an X slated for removal, the mayor so concerned he is added to Wednesday’s meeting allowing project opponents like the Riverkeeper the chance to air their concerns. 

“You’re talking about a historic community we have very strong ordinances to protect that, there are trees that should be protected now all of them are now being axed,” said Savannah Riverkeeper Tonya Bonitatibus.  

One on the chopping block is a Crepe Myrtle designated as a state champion due to its size and age, but even as a state champion it could be cut.  

“It’s not protected by law, the legislature could protect it if someone had taken the effort to get it protected,” said Roy Simkins, Chair of the Augusta Tree Commission.  

City Engineers say the project’s landscape architect is looking into whether some old trees can be saved, something supporters say needs to happen.  

“A shame that you would cut down a champion designated tree.” 

“Not only a shame it’s embarrassing to see a pink X on a champion Crepe Myrtle hopefully we got that resolved,” said Mayor Johnson.  

“The commission should be aware of that and should know and go into  changing this before it’s too late because I like to know who’s going to want to live Olde Town when it’s a barren landscape. trees don’t just grow over night,” said Bonitatibus.  

As the opposition grows to removing so many old trees downtown.