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Augusta, GA

“It doesn’t end today” Augusta community learns ways to bridge the gap between racism and bigotry

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“It doesn’t end today” Augusta community learns ways to bridge the gap between racism and bigotry


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A various viewers of individuals residing within the CSRA gathered collectively on the Richmond County Municipal Constructing to discover ways to higher unite the group.

Sponsored by the Augusta Jewish Museum, “Hope in Occasions of Hate” offered sources for the Augusta group.

At present’s mission: to increase their data on the influence hate, bigotry, racism and extra have in the neighborhood and what they will do to cease it.

“It doesn’t finish right now. I promise you that,” Adas Yeshurun Synagogue Rabbi, David Sirull stated.

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“Hopes in Occasions of Hate” hosted a various viewers panel, from the NAACP, ADL and different organizations, all serving to to strengthen the Augusta group.

“What we wish to do is construct the bridges that join communities,” Southeast Area Anti-Defamation League Board member, Robert Wittenstein stated.

Panelists say the way in which to do this is reaching out to the group.

“Attend packages just like the one we had right now, which is an ideal instance of a solution to join with how the group is coping with hatred,” Sirull stated.

The ADL says as of 2020 hate crimes have elevated by 191% since 2018. The panel says the way in which to bridge connections is group involvement.

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“It’s essential that schooling takes place, whether or not it’s by way of the college system, by way of totally different spiritual establishments, by way of totally different multicultural teams,” Jewish Group Middle and Federation of Augusta Government Director, Nicky Spivak stated.

One Augusta resident says these practices will support him down the highway.

“Simply gaining extra data from one another on the best way to get rid of and management hate crimes and attitudes on bias folks in direction of my tradition, simply the colour of my pores and skin, and anyone else that feels focused,” Augusta resident Brot stated.

Rabbi David Sirull stated this can be a month-to-month collection and the programming on subjects like this can proceed for the Augusta group.

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Augusta, GA

A sneak peek at zipline, climbing adventure coming to Augusta

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A sneak peek at zipline, climbing adventure coming to Augusta


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Commission members on Tuesday got an update on the Outdoor Urban Adventure Center that’s coming to the city.

In 2023, commissioners approved a zipline course as part of the center to be added to the Freedom Bridge at Fifth Street.

Destination Augusta is handling the adventure center, which is being made possible with SPLOST 8 funds.

Destination Augusta said the project will “transform the riverfront with a dramatic eight-story illuminated climbing tower and zipline platform, allowing visitors to soar above the Savannah River.”

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Destination Augusta hopes to make it a signature outdoor experience in the region.

Under the proposed agreement, a company known as The Forge would manage operations and programming.

PHOTO GALLERY: OUTDOOR URBAN ADVENTURE CENTER

It would include:

  • An eight-story climbing and zipline tower visible in the city skyline.
  • A two-story climbing challenge course built above the Freedom Bridge’s existing structure.
  • A scenic observation deck accommodating up to 100 people, free to the public during park hours.
  • A geodome for orientation, training and private event rentals.
  • Food and beverage offerings onsite.
  • A fleet of rentable donut boats launching from the Riverwalk Marina.
  • A calendar of special events, races and regularly programmed outdoor activities

Looking ahead, the Army Corps of Engineers and city departments will review the plans. Then construction is estimated to take six months.

Jennifer Bowen with Destination Augusta says officials are having conversations about what parking would look like, including about 25 spots in the marina area as well as public parking on Broad Street and in the depot area.

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The application and permit process has started, and Bowen asked commissioners to waive any building and permit fees.

She expects the center to be open in spring 2026.

Since commissioners were meeting at the committee level only, they forwarded the matter to next week’s full commission meeting for a vote.



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Augusta, GA

A flood of fentanyl: How Augusta is responding

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A flood of fentanyl: How Augusta is responding


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One of the most dangerous drugs continues to poison our area, stealing lives and destroying families.

In the month of June alone, investigators say they took nearly 60 pounds of drugs off the streets, including eight pounds of fentanyl.

In 2021, deputies recovered five pounds of fentanyl in the county–a number that’s grown by the year, with seven pounds in 2022 and 16 in 2023.

We are still waiting on recent data for 2024 and 2025, but the numbers we have support what law enforcement tells us – it’s not the first time they’ve seized fentanyl, and it will not be the last.

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“It’s flooded,” said Investigator Erik Williams, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit. “Every street drug known has fentanyl in it now.”

During a drug bust last month, deputies say they seized enough fentanyl to potentially kill nearly 330,000 people — which is enough to endanger the entire population of Richmond County.

“Frightening as this is, you can get your cell phone and you can say how to buy fentanyl, and Chinese companies will come up. You can have it delivered to your house,” said Williams.

Williams says it’s a challenging substance to control.

“We start concentrating on the pills, then they come out with the powder. So now we gotta combat that. Now they have a liquid, so it’s constantly changing.”

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Fentanyl generic

He says even the smallest information can help execute busts like the ones we have seen in recent weeks.

For those struggling with fentanyl addiction, there are also options. Georgia Overdose Prevention is in Harrisburg every Tuesday.

Dolly Neese tells us she once needed those options.

“I was a homeless IV drug user, and I was out here in this very neighborhood, actually,” said Dolly Neese, harm reduction advocate for Georgia Overdose Prevention.

Now, you can find her in that same neighborhood, handing out Narcan, fentanyl test strips and narcan training.

Neese offers knowledge that not everyone has, so she’s here, reaching those on the path she once walked.

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“We want to be that bridge for people who want to make changes or maybe want to make changes in the future, so that they do have those resources when they’re ready,” said Neese.



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Augusta, GA

People gather at monument in downtown Augusta honoring independence

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People gather at monument in downtown Augusta honoring independence


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 15th annual Signer’s Monument celebration was held on Greene Street on Friday.

A 50-foot-tall monument stands there to honor the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Band members at the event talked about the importance of remembering the nation’s history.

“Sometimes we just have a barbecue or we have some kinds of family activities and things like that which are great, and we should do that. But, I think it’s important, and we fortunately got to come and do this ceremony today to remember what really the commemoration is all about,” said Tony Kirkland, who plays trumpet.

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The monument itself is on the historic registry, and people can visit it anytime.

“[This is] in a lot of ways, certainly in the patriotic sense, is the most important holiday that we can have,” said Kirkland.



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