Augusta, GA
I-TEAM: A deeper look at public pool closures in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Wallet Hub released its list of healthiest and unhealthiest cities in America, and Augusta came in at the bottom as the fifth unhealthiest city in the nation.
The ranking factors include access to food, healthcare, green space and recreational facilities.
On Tuesday, commissioners will continue the discussion of procuring an audit of the Parks and Recreation Department. This comes after an internal investigation led to the director’s resignation earlier this year.
Our I-TEAM followed the money.
On Tuesday, we reported community pools in Augusta have limited hours and days.
And it feels like déjà vu all over again.
In 2022, the city opened three pools for four hours a day, citing a staffing shortage for the limited operational hours.
Fast forward to 2024, and now only two pools are open again with limited hours and again due to staffing shortage.
The I-TEAM followed the money to find out why a problem two years ago is the same problem today.
We sent in an open records request for parks and rec’s 2023 budget proposal — essentially a list of needs to keep the department running — and it’s a long list.
SEE THE DOCUMENTS:
A lifeguard pay increase to be competitive with agencies such as the Family Y and Kroc Center.
Additional funds were also to cover the increased cost of supplies, materials, chemicals, and to replace and maintain old equipment like pool ladders, ring buoys, and life jackets.
The I-TEAM did not find the requests in the adopted budget but did find commissioners approved $1,500 less than requested for Jones Pool and $1,000 less than requested for Fleming Pool.
Commissioners budgeted funds to maintain the pool at Dyess Park until it turned into a splash pad.
Our I-TEAM also found at the same time the city abolished eight positions in Parks and Rec including deputy director of support services, safety coordinator, skilled maintenance and an aquatics position.
“Just to clarify, Ms. Douse, is this the same thing we did with Mission Impossible at Augusta University last year?” asked Commissioner Jordan Johnson.
Mission Impossible is when commissioners enter a budget session blind.
Wayne Guilfoyle: “So, without us knowing what department directors want, we are going to look at addressing a budget and try to set a priority for the department directors without having any knowledge of what they need.”
Takiyah Douse: “No sir. As done in the past, the department directors speak very candidly to commissioners during the budget work session.”
But what’s done in the past has not ended the cycle of déjà vu in Augusta.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Volunteers came together Saturday to help clean up an Augusta neighborhood.
The cleanup took place on Wheeless Road and Dorn Road.
Jeremiah Atkinson started the event as a way to clean up trash dumped in the area and help the community.
He said they had at least 30 bags picked up as of Saturday morning.
“My message is if you see one piece of trash, pick it up and help Augusta clean it up because I feel like that would be more efficient, just pick up one piece of trash a day, just one to help out the community,” Atkinson said.
Organizers also provided snacks for volunteers.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
TikToker cleans father’s hoarded house – and goes viral
Madison Lovelle posts videos online while going through and cleaning her childhood home after her father died.
Housing costs are often the biggest Georgians deal with every month, so it’s important to try and save money where possible.
Last week, WalletHub released its ranking of the most affordable cities to buy a home. It analyzed 300 cities based on 10 metrics, with the biggest weight going to housing affordability and cost per square foot.
Best city to buy a home in Georgia?
Augusta ranked the highest among Georgia cities, ranking 8th overall and 3rd best in the midsized cities list.
Augusta real estate prices
According to Zillow, as of March, the median list price for a house in Georgia is $205,000 with a median sale price of $187,283. About 57% of sales are under the list price.
The average rent, as of April, is $1,365 per month.
Augusta cost of living
The MIT Living Wage Calculator reports the hourly pay needed to support yourself and/or your family, assuming full-time employment. For Richmond County (Augusta), it’s $20.31 for one adult, $28.16 for a two-adult household with one working, and $14.08 for a two-adult household with both working.
Children obviously increase the wage needed. Depending on how many adults are working, the necessary pay figures may increase by up to $13 for just one child, with more needed for additional children.
Worst city to buy a home in Georgia?
The Georgia city with the lowest ranking on the list overall was Sandy Springs. However, with 300 cities, landing at No. 151 doesn’t make it nearly the worst in the nation. Sandy Springs was No. 56 on the small cities list.
What are the best cities to buy a home in US?
- Flint, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Surprise, AZ
- Yuma, AZ
- Akron, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Memphis, TN
- Augusta, GA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Cleveland, OH
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Senate candidate Derek Dooley made several visits to the area on Friday.
Dooley had stops in both Lincolnton and Augusta on May 29 and was joined by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his “Georgia First” tour. He spoke about one of the issues he finds in politics.
“But the other piece of it is the corruption. People sit on these committees. They have access to information that none of us have. And then you look up 2 or 3 years down the road and their wealth is just skyrocketing,” Dooley said. “You’re outperforming every investor out there. And I think it’s shameful. I think it erodes trust. It’s something that I will never do.”
“Politicians were out there getting paid. They were coming back home. They’re raising money and campaigning while the government shut down,” Kemp said. “What Derek’s saying, if he’s up there, we’re not going to allow legislators to get paid. We’re going to take away their benefits. That way, you won’t ever have another shutdown again.”
Dooley is facing Congressman Mike Collins in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
The winner of the Republican nomination will face incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
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