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
Mother’s Day concert brings gospel music to Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Several artists came together for a Mother’s Day concert Bethel Community Church Family Life Center.
Lucresha Thomas with Psalm 100 Entertainment said the event honors mothers.
“I think that is very important to honor the mothers because there’s some people that don’t have mothers due, the mothers passing away and mothers not being local,” Thomas said. “So this helps bring them together and they’re able to fellowship with other mothers and just be positive, bringing some gospel to the community where they can fellowship together, be blessed and maybe receive a blessing.”
Host Tommy Ingram said groups from across the area participated in the concert.
“We got a live, a lot of groups coming from all over the area to make sure that all the mothers in the area have a good time today,” Ingram said.
Host Adrian Monet said the free concert gives back to the community.
“Well, okay, yeah, a lot of mothers enjoy some good gospel singing. They love gospel concerts,” Monet said. “And this one is a give back, you know, to the community because it’s completely free. And so it’s a chance for people to bring their mothers to enjoy the music that they love so much.”
Erica and Jessica Harris, co-owners of Sophisticated Soul Food, said they wanted to celebrate mothers.
“Okay, we’re out here today for this pre-Mother’s Day event, and we’re just, we just want to give back to the community and celebrate all mothers,” the co-owners said. “And so we’re so excited to be out here. And we have great soul food for everybody that wants to come out.”
Kenneth Medlock, Tyrell Gibson and Gary Durham of The Country Boys, a gospel group from Thomson, said they were honored to participate.
“So we’re just so grateful to be here and honored to be able to stand up and let the world know how good God is through our songs and our praise,” the group said.
Anthony Gallant and Lamont McDowell, members of a gospel group from the Carolinas, said celebrating mothers is important.
“Oh yeah, I think it’s extremely important because mothers work hard throughout the year. They’re very diligent,” Gallant and McDowell said. “And I think at least if you could celebrate them one time, just make them feel special and that the queens that they are, I think it’s important and they’ll feel that love.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Historic Masters landmark purchased and renovated by local resident
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Augusta, GA
Georgia governor candidate Olu Brown campaigns in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Olu Brown visited Augusta on Friday evening, stopping near the Sand Hills Community Center as early voting continues.
Brown is one of six candidates in the Democratic primary.
Campaign priorities
Brown said his vision as governor would focus on three main areas.
“One, it’s affordability around health care and making sure we expand Medicaid and expand Peach Care and make sure we continue to make our rural health care systems healthy and vital,” Brown said. “Number two, we’ve got to address education in all of Georgia, making sure every kid in Georgia gets an excellent education, and we’re paying our teachers more. And number 3, we’re protecting the rights of all women. Folks in the Gold Dome shouldn’t be making decisions about their bodies or the choices that they make.”
Brown is running against Amanda Duffy, Derrick Jackson, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mike Thurmond.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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