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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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.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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.
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.
WATCH THE FUNERAL
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.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- 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.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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