Augusta, GA
I-TEAM: Hurricane Helene damages historic cemeteries in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – City leaders have focused hurricane recovery efforts on the living but Helene disturbed the dead, causing damage to cemeteries throughout Augusta.
If you’re thinking about taking a stroll through any of the city’s historic cemeteries, let us stop you.
They have all been shut down since the hurricane hit more than a month ago with no date in sight to reopen.
They’re closed up, and people are locked out.
But revealed behind the rusted padlocks, barbed wire and crumbling brick walls are signs of history re-written by Hurricane Helene.
Each step farther into the cemetery is anything but a place of rest.
“This is the worst hit,” said Joyce Law, curator for Fitten Street Cemetary.
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From sunken remains of war heroes to movers and shakers, moved and shaken out of their final resting place.
“The historic Smiley family, they were entrepreneurs here in Sand Hills Historic District,” said Law.
Some sites might look like they are out of a ghost story.
“You can see a lot of the flags were snapped in half by the force of the wind,” said Law.
The stories here belong on the pages of history books.
“So, there are over 50 military veterans spanning from the Spanish-American War through Vietnam,” she said.
Law’s own military career prepared her to uncover the lost history buried at Summerville cemetery — Fitton Street cemetery.
“Back in 2018 when I was collecting information for World War One memorials, I just made a promise that when I had more time, I would devote my time to this cemetery because there is so much history here that is not documented for the general public,” said Law.
Augusta-Richmond County’s website states that not much is known of this cemetery except that supposedly 12 Black Summer Hill residents bought the land in 1906 for a Black cemetery. The location of the record book is unknown or if it even exists.
But through military records and oral histories from family members, Law was able to uncover more.
She’s been piecing together the incredible history of the Sand Hills community.
“Borkin Wright was the state attorney general at one time and where he lived his home is utilized now on the Summerville campus of Augusta University and there are a number of the estate workers that are buried here at the cemetery, so we are looking at the 1870s forward into the 1950s,” said Law.
The men and women of the historic Sand Hills community not only served their influential neighbors but built Augusta and the system for Black Augustans to prosper.
“To the left that is James Magnect. He is second generation general contractor, and he was one of the chief stone masons for the sluskey building which is now the headquarters for RW Allen,” said Law.
“The gentleman that we are going to, Afra Barrington, was one of the charter directors for the penny savings and loan,” she said.
“Thomas J. Walker is one of the founding members of the Tribunal Life Insurance Company. This is his older brother Rev. Samual Walker. He was the third pastor at Elim and Walker Baptist Institute.”
She’s been uncovering the stories buried under these unmarked graves for the past six years.
“So, we have a lot of tremendous stories of wealth and achievement as well as some heartbreak,” said Law.
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She felt her own heartbreak when she saw the destruction by Hurricane Helene.
“I thought about all of our work that had just been done that had been obliterated,” she said.
The Fitton Street Cemetery is privately owned, but Augusta-Richmond County maintains it.
The city itself owns five cemeteries, all of which have yet to reopen since the Hurricane hit more than a month ago.
“Then I thought about it because we had been working on it, other people will say yes. This is a valuable piece of Augusta history that we need to continue to maintain and celebrate,” said Law.
But the story of Summerville Cemetery Fitton Street has only just begun.
The mayor does not yet know how much it will cost to repair the city’s cemeteries, like at Magnolia, but he’s hopeful FEMA will help out.
Fitten Street is another story though. It’s privately owned.
The cost estimate for the repairs is at $50,000.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
WATCH LIVE: 1 killed in early morning shooting on Highland Avenue
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man was killed early Thursday in a shooting on Highland Avenue, the latest victim in an outbreak of violent crime with a toll that’s nearing 200 in a little over two years across the CSRA.
Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen identified the victim as Chavious Kimmerlin, 50.
At 7:13 am, deputies say they responded to the 500 block of Highland Avenue to investigate a report of gunshots.
Upon arrival, deputies say they found the victim, who had suffered at least one gunshot wound.
The victim was pronounced deceased on the scene by the coroner, according to deputies.
He lived at the home where he was found.
An autopsy will be conducted.
At the scene, yellow crime tape surrounded a white house.
There was a marked Richmond County Sheriff’s Office car and three unmarked cars in the turning lane in front of the house on Highland Avenue.
Investigators were still on the scene at 9:30 a.m. and there is no additional information available at this time, authorities said.
The shooting comes amid a two-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 180 lives across the CSRA.
Cities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River. But as the largest community in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.
Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Cannedy and Fletcher lead Fayetteville State over Augusta 79-62 – Fayetteville State University Athletics
AUGUSTA, GA — Fayetteville State secured a decisive victory over Augusta with a final score of 79-62 on November 20, 2024, at the George A. Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta, GA.
Ezekiel Cannedy led the charge for Fayetteville State, scoring 23 points, including five three-pointers, and grabbing four rebounds. Tairell Fletcher added 22 points, shooting 10-17 from the field, and contributed three steals. Caleb Simmons was a force on both ends, scoring 17 points, securing nine rebounds, and making two assists. Myles Pierre provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, including a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw line.
Despite a strong effort from Augusta’s Demitri Gardner, who scored 21 points and hit three three-pointers, Fayetteville State’s balanced attack and solid defense proved too much for Augusta to overcome. The win improved Fayetteville State’s record to 4-1, while Augusta fell to 0-4.
After falling behind 24-23, Fayetteville State went on an 8-0 run with 6:54 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Cannedy, to take a 31-24 lead and finish the first half with a 40-33 advantage. The Broncos capitalized on seven Augusta turnovers in the period, turning them into 11 points on the other end of the floor.
Following intermission, FSU kept widening that lead, expanding it to 73-60 before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Myles Pierre’s jumper, to grow the lead to 79-60 with 1:10 to go in the contest. The Jaguars narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Broncos still cruised the rest of the way for the 79-62 win. Fayetteville State capitalized on seven Augusta turnovers in the period, collecting 10 points off those turnovers.
Fayetteville State shot 49.2% from the field, making 29 of their 59 attempts, while Augusta shot 46.4%, making 26 of their 56 attempts. From beyond the arc, FSU hit 6 of 16 three-pointers (37.5%), whereas Augusta struggled, making only 3 of 17 (17.6%). At the free-throw line, Fayetteville State was efficient, converting 15 of 18 attempts (83.3%), while Augusta made 7 of 12 (58.3%). Fayetteville State outrebounded Augusta 33 to 28, with 8 offensive and 25 defensive rebounds compared to Augusta’s 7 offensive and 21 defensive rebounds. Fayetteville State had 8 assists, 8 turnovers, 11 steals, and 2 blocks, while Augusta recorded 9 assists, 14 turnovers, 7 steals, and 5 blocks. Fayetteville State’s efficient shooting and strong defensive play were key factors in their victory. They capitalized on Augusta’s turnovers, scoring 21 points off turnovers compared to Augusta’s 11.
FSU will host USC Aiken on Tuesday, November 26 at 7 pm in the Capel Arena.
Augusta, GA
Finding Solutions: Salvation Army programs help families during holidays
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army in both Augusta and Aiken kicked off the holiday season with the Angel Tree Program and Red Kettle Campaign on Wednesday.
Both organizations say the need is greater this year compared to last and are calling on the community for help in supporting so many people.
You can help provide Christmas to kids in need this year through the Angel Tree Program.
Major Jonathan Raymer with the Salvation Army of Augusta says there are 500 more kids on the list this year compared to last.
“We wanted to lean in and help as many as we could with the aftermath of Helene and so with the Angel Tree program you can reach out to us and get an Angel Tree tag which represents a child you can adopt and go and shop for,” said Raymer.
Angel Trees are up across the CSRA as well as red kettles, where you can donate in support of the Salvation Army’s mission.
“All of that money stays local in fact that money goes to support our Center of Hope which is our shelter and over the last two years we’ve gotten right at 300 people into permanent housing who have gone through our shelter,” said Raymer.
Rose Brown benefitted from this.
She spent time at the Center of Hope and was able to get permanent housing from the resources given.
“Everything I feel is a stepping stone. You use that to get ahead to move from where you are and a big part of that was for me the Salvation Army, the church, the spiritual guidance, and the love, and the service they show,” said Brown.
Across the river, the Salvation Army of Aiken is seeing an increase in need as well.
Captain Michael Good says there are 2,100 kids on the list — 800 more compared to last year.
“So many of our children live poverty day in and day out so at least for Christmas we want them to feel as if they are cared for and seen,” said Good.
Good says they are in need of more local businesses to host an Angel Tree at their location.
They currently have about 100 angels that have not left their office.
This is the first time for Cold Creek Nurseries in Aiken County to have an Angel Tree.
Linda McKebie, store manager of Cold Creek Nurseries, said: “Words can’t describe the need for children who are out there who need a little something for Christmas who don’t have anything for Christmas, so we just want to help with those kids.”
Good says it’s important to support the Angel Tree Program and Red Kettle Campaign.
“It goes to fund programs like our emergency shelter, homelessness prevention programs, food pantry, our boys and girls club and that’s why it’s such an important thing to understand those funds go to more than just Christmas efforts, but year-round to impact this community,” said Good.
COMING UP
For Thanksgiving: Salvation Army extends invitation
- The Salvation Army will be offering Thanksgiving dinner to go from 5:30-6 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Center of Hope, 1384 Greene St.
- Shelf-stable food boxes are also being offered to thos in need. Visit salvationarmyaugusta.org and complete a “contact us” form.
In tandem with the Angel Tree program, the Salvation Army is launching its 2024 Red Kettle Campaign. This campaign is a vital fundraising initiative that supports life-changing programs throughout the year, including food assistance, emergency shelter, and disaster response.
The Salvation Army says their goal this year is $235,000.
“The Red Kettle campaign is a critical source of funding that allows us to meet the needs of our community, especially during times of crisis,” said Major Jonathan Raymer of The Salvation Army of Augusta. “The funds raised help ensure local families have the support they need all year long.”
Jonathan says these campaigns are possible because of the community’s generosity.
“Always grateful to the community. Their amazing generosity. Their care. Grateful for all that they do. We can’t do things like the Angel Tree or the Red Kettle campaign without their help,” he said.
The 2024 Red Kettle campaign runs through December 24, 2024, with kettles placed at major retailers, including Bass Pro Shop, Belk, Food Lion, Hobby Lobby, Kroger, Sam’s Club, and Walmart locations across Augusta, Evans, Grovetown, Hephzibah, Martinez, and North Augusta. Community contributions will help sustain vital programs for individuals and families facing hardship year-round.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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