Augusta, GA

Leaders, businesses push for entertainment district in downtown Augusta

Published

2 years ago

April 19, 2024

Press Room

Leaders, businesses push for entertainment district in downtown Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – City leaders are planning to create an entertainment district in downtown Augusta.

The idea is to model it after cities like Savannah with similar open container rules.

Right now, current downtown Augusta ordinances don’t allow for open containers or bars to have outdoor seating. The rules impact several businesses.

Pedal Pub is fairly new to the area. With the current rules, they cannot use their pub on the pedals.

Charity Jones and Syderist Manuel are sisters and co-owners.

“Once this entertainment district is done and completed, we’ll definitely see a definite change in our business. Without being able to take alcohol on the bikes, a lot of people are like ‘Okay, well we can go other places to enjoy it,’” they said.

They are not the only place with this problem. It’s starting to catch the attention of those in charge.

Commissioner Sean Frantom said: “Between Augusta University, the cyber center, and all the residential going up, it’s time for us to kind of up our game in downtown Augusta. You’d be able to have a designated cup that each establishment would have where you can only have your drink in this cup as you go from establishment to establishment, as well as the fact that it would be able to carry this drink to the James Brown arena.”

Right now, it’s just a matter of getting everyone on board.

“We want the blessing of the sheriff’s office and kind of what they think and what they see in this. Obviously, it’ll only be a certain timeframe. It won’t be until 2 a.m., it’ll be maybe towards 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. Again, we want to be respectful of that,” said Frantom.

As for businesses, they are also in planning mode.

Manuel and Jones said: “How can we work? What is it that we want as bars to be able to see the entertainment district represent for us, you know, we would like to be at the forefront of that, making sure that it is something that would benefit us.”

Many stakeholders are involved in the planning from the Downtown Development Authority to the Convention Center.

One of the main things they’re considering is safety when it comes to allowing open containers.

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Augusta, GA

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

Published

4 hours 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

16 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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