Augusta, GA
How to protect older homes as cold temps sweep in
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – With temperatures dipping dangerously low in the CSRA, you might be getting creative trying to keep warm.
This time of year, we see a lot of home fires. So many that it’s consistently earned Augusta a top spot in the country for the most home fires.
Back in 2021, Augusta ranked third out of 150 cities. In 2023, we improved a little but not enough to get out of the top 10 coming in ninth.
One reason is the age of our homes.
A map of the average age of homes in the metro shows the spots shaded red are areas where most homes are 80 years or older.
Most of the city of Augusta falls into that category, making home fires more likely and often more deadly.
For Christy Beckham, there are photos containing many lessons learned when it comes to her historic home on Greene Street.
“These houses are not efficient but there are things you can do to make them more efficient,” said Beckham.
She says when she bought the at-risk home four years ago, there were many unknowns.
“We ended up spending so much money that we really didn’t understand or didn’t plan for properly. Electrical plumbing, HVAC, the things you don’t see,” she said.
Beckham says they had to replace some original windows, add mini split cooling and heating units and do other renovations because it affects how heat is distributed.
“Some people go to kind of drastic measures to keep your house warm and sometimes it can lead to fires, or you know, damage,” said Beckham.
The American Red Cross says home heating is one of the leading causes of home fires and injury in the country.
Many of these homes were built in the 1960s with not in mind of all the appliances and devices we leave plugged in now.
Beckham says an older home takes time, money and energy to keep safe, but it’s worth it if it’s done right.
“They were so necessary, and they were huge upgrades. This house is now much safer and much more efficient, much warmer in the winter,” said Beckham.
Experts say space heaters should never be left plugged in overnight or plugged into an extension cord.
A fire should never be left burning unattended, and all furnaces, chimneys and stoves should be inspected yearly, especially in older homes that could have more wear and tear.
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Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was fatally shot in an armed robbery on Lumpkin Road, according to authorities, and a suspect has been arrested.
The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop at 2303 Lumpkin Road around 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.
He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.
After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.
The vehicle was registered in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.
Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.
Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.
The driver, 22-year-old Terrance Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.
According to Burke County deputies, another person was in the passenger’s seat and is believed to be connected to the robbery.
Burke County deputies say they also found a black Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun believed to have been stolen during the armed robbery.
Walker faces additional charges in Richmond and Burke counties, including driving under the influence, according to jail bookings.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Rubeha.
The year is off to a deadly start in Augusta; this is already the third homicide of 2025.
The slayings come amid a nearly three-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed around 200 lives.
Communities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River, but as the region’s largest city, Augusta has been hit hard.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The basketball doubleheader featuring both Augusta University and University of South Carolina Aiken has been moved to Sunday.
The two were originally slated to play on Saturday afternoon.
The women’s game will tipoff at 1:30 p.m., and the men’s will follow at 3:30 p.m in the USC Aiken Convocation Center.
Both the Pacers and Jags men’s team last played on Feb. 10 2024.
AU climbed to a 5-point lead in the final period, winning 98-93.
Prior to their last meeting, USC Aiken had a four-game win streak over the Jags.
Sunday will mark the 89th meeting between the two programs.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple cars crashed due to winter weather conditions on I-20 in the CSRA early Friday morning, according to authorities.
On I-20 in Augusta, the road conditions at the Washington Road exit were hazardous, according to our reporter on the interstate.
Our reporter saw another wreck on the Bobby Jones overpass from I-520 to I-20 at 10:35 a.m. We’ve reached out to learn more.
Across the river, on I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.
We have reached out to learn more.
Dispatch told us crews were on the scene of a multiple-car crash on I-20 eastbound at the Walton Way extension ramp at 9:25 a.m.
Officials say at least two vehicles were involved, but more were reported, and they are unsure how many exactly.
They did however say more vehicles became involved after sliding on the road from weather conditions.
Dispatch says they are unsure of any injuries or if any lanes were blocked.
MORE FROM NEWS 12
CSRA winter weather: Full coverage
- LIVE: Latest news on winter weather across the CSRA
- See the winter weather across the CSRA on our live camera network
- How Augusta and state agencies are preparing for icy winter blast
- CSRA schools move to virtual learning in preparation for winter storm
- List of warming shelters in Augusta to escape the cold
- What Red Cross says to do in a winter storm
- Electric crews ‘ready to help’ during winter storm
- Several local FEMA centers closing due to winter weather
- Protecting your pets during extremely cold weather
- What can renters do if pipes burst due to winter weather?
- Don’t get burned by cold-weather home repair scams
- Local fire crews warn of heating hazards in cold weather
- How to spot warning signs of frostbite, hypothermia
- Protecting your most precious plants from winter’s wrath
- Stay inside if you can during cold snap, experts say
- Winter weather myths debunked to keep you safe
- If your pipes freeze or break, follow this advice from experts
- How to get help with your heating bill in the CSRA
- What to know if you’ll be driving in subfreezing weather
- How to protect your heating system during freezing temperatures
- How to stay warm on a budget and beat the cold weather
- Trouble from burst pipes can linger well beyond a freeze
- Keep your pipes from bursting in freezing weather
- How to prepare your home for major freeze
They also told us about another accident in Columbia County in the same area.
We have reached out to learn more.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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