Augusta, GA

Kids to stay home Tuesday in Augusta, elsewhere

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2024

Kids to stay home Tuesday in Augusta, elsewhere

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – With a FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY declared for Tuesday due to predictions of high winds and potentially heavy rain, some school districts are already making plans by canceling classes and activities.

Most school districts across the CSRA have either canceled classes for Tuesday or switched to online learning. Columbia County is one notable exception.

Here’s a look at the situation:

Richmond County

The Richmond County School System will hold a Power Up Asynchronous Learning Day on Tuesday, and students will not report to school as a result of the severe weather.

In order for students to be marked present for Tuesday, they must log in between the evening of Monday through midnight of Tuesday and complete their assignments.

“Parents and students are reminded to check Canvas for Asynchronous Learning Day assignments,” the Richmond County School System said.

Extracurricular events including games will not be held on Tuesday evening.

Lincoln County

Dr. Samuel Light, superintendent of Lincoln County School District, has announced schools will be closed on Tuesday as of 5 a.m.

Light says the plan is to return tomorrow, but updates will be issued if plans are changed.

Aiken County

Tuesday will be an e-learning day for all Aiken County Public School students and a remote workday for employees. All after-school activities, including practices and games will be canceled.

Allendale County

Allendale County schools will have an e-learning day Tuesday. All school buildings and district offices will be closed. Students are expected to complete online assignments.

Bamberg County

The Bamberg County School District will hold an e-learning day on Tuesday, and after-school activities are canceled.

Barnwell County

The Barnwell County School District will hold an e-learning day on Tuesday.

Briarwood Academy

Briarwood Academy in Warrenton will be closed Tuesday and all after-school activities are canceled.

Burke County

Burke County Public Schools will be closed Tuesday due to the forecast. Neither students nor employees should report to school.

Edgefield County

Tuesday will be an e-learning day for the Edgefield County School District.

Emanuel County

Emanuel County schools will be closed Tuesday for all students, faculty, and staff. All after-school activities scheduled for Tuesday are canceled.

Fox Creek

Fox Creek High School, a charter school outside North Augusta, has moved to an e-learning day for Tuesday.

Glascock County

Glascock County Schools will be closed on Tuesday for students and staff.

Hancock County

Hancock County schools will be closed Tuesday, according to the district.

Jefferson County

Jefferson County schools will be closed Tuesday, according to Stacy Raley Arnold, Jefferson County assistant superintendent.

Jenkins County

The Jenkins County School System will be closed on Tuesday due to the severe weather forecast. The plan is to resume the normal schedule on Wednesday.

Horse Creek Academy

The charter school in Aiken County will be closed Tuesday for an e-learning day. The decision has been made after careful consideration of the safety of students and staff.

McCormick County

Due to the predicted high winds and severe weather forecast by the National Weather Service, Tuesday will be an e-learning day. Students can access instruction via their Google Classroom to work from home. All athletic and extracurricular events and practices are also canceled for tomorrow.

McDuffie County

Due to the forecast of strong wind gusts and dangerous road conditions, the McDuffie County School System will be closed Tuesday.

Screven County

Due to the threat of high winds and severe weather, Screven County schools will be closed tomorrow Tuesday. School will resume Wednesday.

Taliaferro County

Due to the severe weather predicted, Taliaferro County schools will be closed Tuesday.

Warren County

Due to the potential severe rainfall and peak wind gusts impacting students and community’s safety, Warren County schools will be closed Tuesday.

Washington County

Schools will shift to virtual learning Tuesday. Students and staff will not report to the schools. All athletic events, extracurricular and after-school activities will be canceled.

Wilkes County

Schools will shift to a virtual learning day. Students will need to log into Google Classroom or the school website for assignments. School will resume Wednesday.

Also …

Augusta Technical College locations will be closed Tuesday. Normal business hours will resume Wednesday. Students should check in with their instructors via Blackboard.
The Aiken Technical College campus will be closed Tuesday. On-campus and online classes are canceled, and offices will be closed.
Head Start centers in Burke County, Jefferson County, Jenkins County, Richmond County and Sylvania will be closed Tuesday for staff and students.
A Child’s World Daycare & Learning Center in Waynesboro will be closed Tuesday.
All campuses will be closed Tuesday for Oconee Fall Line Technical College, which has a location in Washington County.
All non-emergency departments of both the Aiken County and the city of Aiken governments will be closed Tuesday.
City of North Augusta offices will be closed Tuesday. Sanitation pickup is still scheduled but may be suspended, depending on the weather conditions.
Libraries in Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell and Edgefield counties will be closed Tuesday.
Aiken First Baptist Church Preschool will be closed Tuesday.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Trump to sign emergency order to pay TSA agents as Augusta airport preps for golf week

Published

6 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Trump to sign emergency order to pay TSA agents as Augusta airport preps for golf week

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – President Donald Trump said he will sign an emergency declaration to pay TSA agents, as nearly 500 have quit since the shutdown began.

More than 40 percent of Atlanta’s TSA agents did not show up on Wednesday, leading to long lines at Atlanta’s airport and across the country. It is unclear when President Trump will sign the emergency order. TSA workers will miss their second paycheck Friday.

In a statement on Truth Social, President Trump said, “I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation.”

The president thanked TSA agents. The Department of Homeland Security as a whole will not be funded at this time. The Coast Guard and FEMA are among the agencies still impacted.

If senators do not reach a deal to fund the department on Friday, they are set for a two-week recess.

Augusta airport prepares for tournament week

TSA workers are a concern as tournament week approaches in Augusta. Security and safety are also concerns after a plane collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport.

Augusta Regional Airport and its fire department are working to keep visitors safe as they fly in for tournament week.

William Kovalchuk, a sergeant with the Augusta Airport Fire Department, operates an airport-specific fire truck.

“There’s a ton of traffic and a ton of congestion. This whole ramp area where I showed you guys a little bit ago, it’ll be completely filled with aircraft,” Kovalchuk said.

Tournament week sees the regional airport become a global hub, with flights in from 13 extra cities and more than 200 private planes parked on the tarmac.

Lauren Smith, deputy director of Augusta Regional Airport, said the airport works closely with the FAA during tournament week.

“During that time, we actually work very closely with the FAA to bring in additional controllers,” Smith said.

Extra controllers keep the airspace and runway safe. Enhanced safety measures are in place inside the terminal as well.

“Overall, everyone brings in more staff. The tenants, the rental car agencies, the airlines, the airport itself,” Smith said.

The fire department stages a second station across the airport to cover every flight.

“The manning will be stepped up quite a bit,” Kovalchuk said. “We don’t want to see anything happen, but we’re prepared for it.”

The airport said the average wait time is still less than an hour to get through security during tournament week.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Jefferson County library director named Georgia Library Director of the Year

Published

18 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Jefferson County library director named Georgia Library Director of the Year

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Georgia Library Director of the Year was honored at a ceremony in Jefferson County.

Christina Shepherd received the award and a county proclamation. Jefferson County officials also honored the library board during the ceremony.

“I’m very thankful. I think it’s great for Jefferson County to have this award brought here and bringing light to us,” Shepherd said. “I don’t think I do anything extraordinary that any librarian wouldn’t do, but I just keep doing it. I appreciate it. I’m thankful.”

Source link

Augusta, GA

CSRA Habitat for Humanity gets $1.85M to build affordable housing in Augusta

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

CSRA Habitat for Humanity gets .85M to build affordable housing in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has been awarded $1.85 million to build new affordable homes in Augusta’s historic Turpin Hill neighborhood.

The federal funding was secured with the support of Georgia’s U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

The funding will expand housing opportunities for working families and revitalize one of Augusta’s oldest communities.

“Turpin Hill is one of Augusta’s oldest and most storied neighborhoods, a community built by generations of hardworking families whose roots run deep in this city,” said Bernadette Kelliher, President and CEO of Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity.

“These new homes will reflect the strength of the neighborhood’s past while creating a foundation for families to build their futures. This is about restoration, dignity, and ensuring that the next generation can write their own chapter in this historic community.”

This federal investment strengthens ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities across Augusta.

“Georgia families urgently need more affordable housing. That’s why Senator Reverend Warnock and I brought Republicans and Democrats together to strengthen the Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build new housing units for families across Augusta and the CSRA,” said Ossoff.

Senator Raphael Warnock added, “This investment demonstrates what is possible when Congress works together to support communities and families in need. We are in a housing crisis. America is not building enough housing and costs are continuing to soar.”

Since its founding in 1986, Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has partnered with families, volunteers and community supporters to build and preserve homes throughout the Central Savannah River Area.

Source link