Augusta, GA
Lucy C. Laney Museum teaching MLK’s ties to Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are once again being celebrated across the nation today.
The civil rights icon is the only non-president with a federal holiday named in his honor.
On Monday, we learned the Lucy Craft Laney Museum is working to teach that history.
King was assassinated in April of 1968 when he was just 39 years old. He would be turning 96 this month.
King’s home congregation was in Atlanta – and just a few hours away, Augusta is full of history and ties to MLK as well.
History – we’re surrounded by it.
“One of the great things about Augusta is that we have a long legacy of civil rights here,” said Corey Rogers, a historian at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History.
Names like reverend C.S. Hamilton and Lucy Craft Laney. Then there’s one name connected to Augusta in more ways than one.
“His entire family would often come here to Augusta for different Baptist conventions and different conferences that were being held here,” said Rogers.
Growing up, Dr. King and his family would stay at the Bohler House on Phillips Steet.
Far from his last stay here.
“Dr. King came here in 1962 with other civil rights leaders like Wyatt Walker, and they came here to talk about voter registration and voter education,” said Rogers.
Fast forward six years later.
“His return trip was geared around the second march on Washington, which was being framed as the poor people’s march,” said Rogers. “So he was crisscrossing Georgia, rallying people. Rallying the grassroots, getting them ready for this second march on Washington. Unfortunately, about a week and a half after leaving Augusta, he would be assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.”
Times have changed since – but one thing remains constant.
“Connecting people with their civil rights roots, telling them about the richness of Augusta and how the students at Paine College, the preachers in Augusta, the students from Augusta, came together and affected change in our city,” said Rogers.
Ensuring generations to come remember those who came before.
“It’s incumbent upon us to dig a little bit deeper,” said Corey Rogers, a historian at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. “Find out those connections between Dr. King and other civil rights leaders in those respective towns and share those stories because everybody, every town, every city has a very unique story to tell as it relates to civil rights and Dr. King.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The city of Augusta announced a temporary closure of New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Park.
Closure of the park at 2105 Lock and Dam Road will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair the lock and dam structure.
The park will be closed from March 4 to April 7.
All areas of the park will be closed.
However, the Baurle Boat Ramp will remain open and accessible to the public for fishing and boating activities.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta 911 center has been named 2025 Communications Center of the Year at the Georgia Emergency Communications Conference in Athens.
The award recognizes excellence in public safety communications, innovation, leadership and service.
The award recognizes a center that demonstrates strong performance in emergency response coordination, training, technology and community engagement.
The Augusta center was selected among agencies statewide for its consistent service, professional standards and coordination with public safety partners.
“This recognition reflects the work our team does every single day,” said Daniel R. Dunlap, 911 director. “Our communications officers are the first point of contact during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life. They provide reassurance, direction and critical coordination until help arrives. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and strength they show.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new gourmet popcorn shop has opened on Broad Street, bringing a Chicago-style twist to downtown Augusta.
Popn’ Off Gourmet Popcorn and Nuts, located at 716 Broad Street next to the Miller Theater, opened late last year. Owner Sheila Jones moved to Augusta from Chicago, where she said gourmet popcorn has a strong following.
“I’m from Chicago where gourmet popcorn is kind of a big deal,” Jones said.
Specialty flavors made in house
The shop offers specialty flavors including caramel, strawberry drizzle, peppermint, Oreo, green apple, and peanut butter — all made in house. Jones said the experience starts before customers even reach the counter.
“The smell is part of the experience. Green apple, strawberry, strawberry drizzle with chocolate. We have a new peanut butter flavor I just did,” Jones said.
A business built for family
Jones said her move to Augusta and her decision to open the business were driven by her son, who is on the autism spectrum. She said she believed he would be more comfortable in Augusta and wanted to build something that would benefit him long-term.
“I wanted him to have something when he gets older. He has a job already if he wants one. He already has a business,” Jones said.
Jones said starting the business has been harder than she expected. She handles most operations herself, with some help from family. She said the purpose behind the shop keeps her motivated.
“Coming into this every day is fulfilling because I built it. I’m building it and I just wanna see how high we’ll go,” Jones said.
Popn’ Off Gourmet Popcorn and Nuts is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The shop is also holding a pop-up Saturday at noon on Gordon Highway.
Here’s a link to their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584084467886#
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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