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) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.
Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.
USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.
On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.
In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.
This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.
Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.
The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.
Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.
Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local protestors made their voices heard after Israel and the U.S. announced strikes on Iran Saturday, ones that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports say.
Protesters lined 13th Street in Downtown Augusta and walked across the river to North Augusta to make sure as many people as possible heard them.
50501 CSRA already had a march planned for Saturday, but in light of the strikes on Iran, decided to expand its focus.
Local leaders spoke about their concerns for the strikes, and roughly 60 people showed up to share theirs as well.
One of the event organizers said to make your voice heard your voice heard.
“Just call your people, call your representatives, if you don’t like that Iran was bombed, I don’t either. But call people and let them know, email them. Let it be relentless. Congress did not approve this. They have a say in this,” Zee Cook said.
The strike is being called “Operation Epic Fury,” with Iran responding with multiple missile and drone strikes across the Middle East.
In a social media post, President Trump said the bombing of the country will continue “as long as necessary.”
People across the world began lining the streets as well in support and against the decision.
Leaders across the world reacted to the news, including those in Georgia and South Carolina.
There’s a protest planned in Charleston and other regional cities this week.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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