Augusta, GA

I-TEAM UPDATE: City leader calls for answers on silent alarms at Augusta Fire Department

Published

2 years ago

May 18, 2024

I-TEAM UPDATE: City leader calls for answers on silent alarms at Augusta Fire Department

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Questions about the reliability of the Augusta Fire Department’s emergency response have caught the attention of Augusta Commission member Catherine Smith McKnight.

News 12′s I-TEAM uncovered 139 cases over the past two years when dispatch calls to Augusta’s fire stations failed to go through. That led to delays in response times.

Among those delays and dispatch errors was a deadly house fire – just across the street from a fire station. Two people were found just steps from the home’s front door.

THE INVESTIGATION SO FAR:

The I-TEAM took our findings to McKnight, who currently chairs Augusta Richmond County’s public safety committee.

McKnight said she was unaware of any problems and the issue was never brought up in the committee or in commission.

However, McKnight says she now wants answers and says this safety concern is a priority. She says she will bring it up at the next Augusta Commission public safety committee and commission meetings.

McKnight told News 12 she is shocked that our I-TEAM investigation is the first time this safety issue has been brought to her attention and questions why dispatch errors haven’t been brought up earlier.

McKnight went on to say no family should have to go through having to worry about this or suffer the loss of a family member.

News 12 has repeatedly requested an interview with Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden, who has denied or not responded to our invitation to sit down and answer questions about what his department has done to alert commissioners or to find the root of the dispatch errors.

McKnight’s official statement:

As the Public Safety Committee Chairman, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Teresa Ingram and Rex Williams who both lost their lives in a house fire. Just finding out about this tragedy that took place last year on October 14, 2023, has me asking questions as to why a fire station that sits 200 yards across the street from this house where the fire broke out and yet not one crew member saw it happen is baffling. As a sitting Commissioner, I want answers from our Dispatch Department Director and Fire Chief about the malfunction of the Purvis system and dispatching problems so that moving forward we can prevent something like this from happening again. Public Safety is top priority as a Commissioner of this county and the lives of our citizens. It is imperative that we have the best equipment and that it constantly be monitored and maintained to ensure safety for all.

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Augusta, GA

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

Published

54 minutes 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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