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) – A man who was previously wanted for questioning in an Augusta deadly shooting has now been charged with murder in the case, according to authorities.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says Kemfton Quewanaki Kenon, 27, was arrested on Friday in connection to the shooting death of Khyla Rodriguez, of Augusta.
Kenon is booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and charged with murder and possession of a firearm during a crime, according to jail bookings.
Rodriguez, 25, was found dead after deputies received a call about a shooting on May 15 at 1:11 a.m. on Cameron Drive.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office said Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 2:27 a.m.
Kenon was previously wanted for questioning in the case and was located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. He was interviewed and arrested on an unrelated warrant.
Deputies were also interviewed two other subjects in the case. They were not arrested in the case.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – People who live in South Augusta are raising concerns about the future of the Family Y on Tobacco Road.
Officials say the facility has been operating at a loss for years, and have had a low number of memberships. The location also has a new owner. The cost of the lease is too high and the facility is also in need of renovations, which are said to be costly.
“The reality is we couldn’t afford the current lease that we were in,” said Catie McCauley, president and CEO of Family Y of Greater Augusta. “Over the last 10 years we’ve been subsidizing this lot. So we got to look at a model that we can sustain for the next several generations not just the next couple years.”
The location is set to close in October, but officials say they are working with community members and contractors for a new building that they can move into and are committed to staying in South Augusta.
Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – SafeHomes Augusta is facing a funding shortfall after Georgia lawmakers vetoed millions in domestic violence funding.
The nonprofit is the only 24-hour domestic violence shelter in the area, serving 10 counties from Augusta to Burke County to Taliaferro.
It costs approximately $1 million to operate a 24-hour shelter that meets Georgia standards, but SafeHomes only receives $647,000 in funding.
Lawmakers vetoed $9.4 million in domestic violence funding and $3 million for sexual assault centers.
Executive Director Aimee Hall said staff is bracing for what comes next.
“I think we’ll still be able to provide services. It’s just going to be on a lower scale. And that’s my concern because there’s so many people who need our services. Last year we provided services to over 1,700 men, women, and children,” Hall said.
Hall said the concern is not just about budgets but about the people who depend on the shelter around the clock.
“We’re not a nonprofit that can close. Domestic violence don’t happen between 8:00 and 5:00,” she said.
Becky Halioua, a survivor who first made contact with SafeHomes in 2015, said the resource likely saved her life.
She said she has continued to share her story in hopes it can help others.
“Nobody starts a relationship saying, well, I can’t wait for this person to put their hands on me,” Halioua said. “Domestic violence really has no face. And I think it’s important for people to know that it affects everybody.”
She said the reality of leaving an abusive situation is something many people do not consider.
“Just imagine if you had to just uproot your entire life suddenly in, you know, maybe the middle of the night and leave with just the clothes on your back,” Halioua said.
Hall said the most important thing the community can do right now is show up. SafeHomes is actively seeking volunteers, and Hall said time is just as valuable as financial donations.
Anyone interested in volunteering or donating can contact SafeHomes Augusta directly at 706-736-2499.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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