Augusta, GA

I-TEAM: ATF raids business of man linked to Burke County sheriff

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2024

I-TEAM: ATF raids business of man linked to Burke County sheriff

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The business that’s used as the Burke County Sheriff’s Office auto shop was raided by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Last year, the I-TEAM conducted an investigation of Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams’ connection to the owner of the business, Daniel Cates.

Cates Firestone had already been at the center of a federal investigation.

Cates and Grady Brandon Mobley pleaded guilty in a decades-long illegal gambling operation — where hundreds of thousands of dollars in winnings were illegally funneled through businesses, including $250,000 funneled through Cates Firestone.

Cates was sentenced to three years of probation. Mobley was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay more than $200,000 in restitution.

Now, Cates finds himself headed back to court after this most recent search of his business.

Court records show Mobley violated his probation on May 2 for using and possessing alcohol – along with getting arrested.

The I-TEAM obtained federal court documents and found Williams was a character witness for Mobley, lobbying for a lesser sentence and calling him a “model citizen.”

Campaign records show both the Mobley and Cates families were big contributors to Williams’ campaign for sheriff.

U.S. Probation Services and ATF conducted a search of Cates’ Burke County residence and at Cates Firestone, 508 W. Sixth St. in Waynesboro on May 29.

Authorities haven’t released information about what they were looking for in the recent ATF raid. The I-TEAM has requested search warrants from federal court, but they are not public record yet.

But a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Cates is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on Wednesday for a probation revocation hearing.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Fire to showcase progress on new Fire Station #3 construction

Published

1 hour ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Fire to showcase progress on new Fire Station #3 construction

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Fire is showcasing progress on its new Fire Station #3 construction site Monday with a public tour of the facility.

The tour is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon at the construction site at 2075 Powell Road.

The approximately 12,500-square-foot facility will feature three apparatus bays, modern living quarters, administrative space and support areas designed to enhance firefighter readiness and emergency response.

“The progress we’ve made on this fire station reflects our commitment to public safety and community resilience,” said Fire Chief Antonio Burden. “We’re proud of what this station represents for our community: enhanced protection, improved readiness and continued investment in the future.”

Johnson Laschober Associates designed the station. Spratlin Construction is building it in coordination with the Augusta government and the Augusta Fire Department leadership.

Representatives from Spratlin Construction will also be on-site to provide project updates.

The only entrance to the site is on Powell Road. Parking is not permitted on the construction site. Visitors should park along Powell Road and follow all posted safety guidance.

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Augusta, GA

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

13 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

1 day ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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