Augusta, GA
Local tennis legend honored after huge impact on community
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Donald Shapiro’s legacy on two wheels paved the way for hundreds to learn the game of tennis.
Shapiro passed away on Tuesday, and those who knew him say he was an all-around amazing guy.
On Facebook, numerous people are commenting and posting about the impact he had on their lives.
“We lost such an important part of, you know, who we are, as friends, as a family as the tennis community, even in the Augusta area,” said Cole Wooten, close friend to Shapiro.
In 2010, Donald won the Men’s U.S. Open Wheelchair championship, just one of the long list of tournament championships he won over the years.
He also taught at a local tennis clinic where he was able to share his passion with those in wheelchairs and out.
“He was so willing to teach, and to bring people in to teach them and knows that, like, he could use what his circumstance was to help others who had the same circumstances. I mean, I think that speaks a lot to who he is,” said Wooten.
Donald would also visit hospitals and motivate patients, where he met one of his lifelong best friends, Marc Nadel.
“Donald was kinda like a legend in his own time because he was kind of a pioneer. Because with people in sports at the time, you know, when if you were in a wheelchair, typically, we think you’d be more of a participant, you know, more of a spectator, but Donald was a participant,” said Nadel.
He was like a brother to Nadel, a parental figure to Cole, but most of all, a friend to everyone he met.
Wooten said: “The impact he had on not only my life but those around, you know, just the Augusta area and the tennis community that’s gonna last forever.”
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After swearing in 100 new deputies at the beginning of his tenure, Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley also addressed promotions and appointments for those in the sheriff’s office.
It happened on Friday before the winter weather got underway and impacted the region.
Brantley spoke with us after about why the new promotions, appointments and people in the sheriff’s office will benefit the community.
“For the most part, when you’re suffering from a shortage of staff like we have been and so many other agencies in the state of Georgia and around the country, I think it is a boost in the arm to onboard 100 people to help get things that we need slow down crime and stop what is plaguing our community,” said Brantley.
Brantley said it was the first step to making the community safer.
He says he has been working on improving the jail as well.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – AugustaCon was back, but in a new home this time.
Saturday’s event was held in Columbia County at the Performing Arts Center.
The event holds video game tournaments and hosts vendors that had anime and video game-style items.
We spoke to one of the vendors, who helped run the video game tournament there.
“We really love it. It’s a great environment. We love seeing new gamers, collectors, anyone that likes anime,” said Cedric Bacon.
If you missed out on Saturday’s AugustaCon, there are ones usually in the summer and winter as well.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was fatally shot in an armed robbery on Lumpkin Road, according to authorities, and a suspect has been arrested.
The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop at 2303 Lumpkin Road around 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.
He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.
After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.
The vehicle was registered in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.
Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.
Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.
The driver, 22-year-old Terrance Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.
According to Burke County deputies, another person was in the passenger’s seat and is believed to be connected to the robbery.
Burke County deputies say they also found a black Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun believed to have been stolen during the armed robbery.
Walker faces additional charges in Richmond and Burke counties, including driving under the influence, according to jail bookings.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Rubeha.
The year is off to a deadly start in Augusta; this is already the third homicide of 2025.
The slayings come amid a nearly three-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed around 200 lives.
Communities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River, but as the region’s largest city, Augusta has been hit hard.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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