Augusta, GA
Man draws decades behind bars for Augusta attack on estranged wife
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A judge accepted a guilty plea in the 2022 case of a man accused of holding his estranged wife at gunpoint and threatening to set her on fire before deputies showed up.
The suspect, Frank Ward, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years behind bars.
The incident happened Feb. 12, 2022, in the 2400 block of Lisbon Road, where deputies went after getting a 911 call with no one on the line.
Upon arrival, a deputies heard a woman scream out, “Please don’t kill me,” and a gunshot.
Deputies said they kicked in the side door and found victim Matilyn Ward on the floor with her estranged husband Frank Ward wielding a revolver.
Frank Ward complied with deputies’ commands and they took him into custody.
He was supposed to go to trial this week after a series of delays.
He was charged with home invasion, burglary, aggravated assault, three counts of family violence, terroristic threats, hindering a 911 call and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He entered a guilty plea Thursday in a proceeding where the courtroom was so full, some people had to leave and chairs had to be brought in to accommodate those still in the room.
Ward and the victim were married at the time of the incident but estranged.
Prosecutors said he broke into her house and covered her with a gasoline-soaked towel.
She was pistol-whipped, choked, beaten, and he shot into her bed’s headboard, according to prosecutors.
He reportedly told her to “show him who she was talking to,” but she somehow managed to call 911 instead.
He hung up the phone, but she ran into the kitchen. Deputies showed up, and Ward shot toward her, with the bullet barely missing her head.
On deputies’ body camera footage played in court Thursday, you can hear the gunshot after they knock on the door.
Deputies then pulled their weapons and told him to drop his.
Weeks prior, she’d filed a police report because she said she was leaving him, but he got violent, according to prosecutors.
She said he put a tracker in her car and was a controlling person both physically and financially.
She said she told everyone she could about how dangerous he was, and no one could stop it, including their families.
She said he even had someone come attack her but called him back because he “wanted to do it himself.”
At Thursday’s hearing, prosecutors asked for a life sentence because he was a threat to the victim “and to this entire community.”
The public defender said she hadn’t been representing him long, but said he was a gentleman who wanted to take responsibility for his actions. She said he has a trucking company and put his oldest daughter through private school and sent her to Auburn.
A letter was read from his late mother before she went into hospice in 2023.
She said he suffered three concussions playing football. and witnessed domestic violence in his home growing up. She divorced his dad because of it.
She wrote that she wondered whether it was right to put him in a cell and that he’s been described as a violent criminal but had some redeeming qualities.
In court, Ward apologized to the victim and their families, calling her a remarkable mom.
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He said people deserve to know why the crimes happened, then blamed his “untreated depression,” which he said led to violent outbursts.
He asked the court to consider his mental health problems.
He said marital and relational stress created an environment in which his mental illness thrived.
He said he recalled his victim going through depression but she had the tools to deal with it. He said he didn’t.
The judge accepted his guilty plea.
“You’ve been rather dangerous,” the judge told him. “I’m not going to release you. That’s not even a consideration.”
The judge called the body cam video “disturbing,” said it’s hard to believe Ward’s behavior will change “just because he tells me so” and added, “As long as I’m on the bench, I’d like to know where he is.”
The judge said he couldn’t consider the mental health issue because no doctor is saying it, just Ward.
The judge sentenced Ward to 20 years of confinement with five years of probation. Ward is to have no contact with the victim and can’t get within 500 yards of her.
Copyright 2022 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Brent McMillian is being appointed as the new director of athletics at Augusta University, President Russell Keen announced Monday.
McMillian will begin the role on June 8, 2026.
According to AU, McMillian brings 13 years of athletics experience to the position. He previously served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Engagement and Revenue Generation at Lipscomb University at Nashville.
“His vision aligns seamlessly with our goals for Jaguar Athletics: to champion student-athlete wellbeing, strengthen our competitive success, deepen community engagement, and build a vibrant, spirited campus culture,” Keen said. “His experience, combined with his personal connection to Augusta University, positions him to hit the ground running in a meaningful way.”
McMillian is a graduate of Greenbrier High School and attended Augusta University before completing his degree at the University of Tennessee.
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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local restaurants hosted brunches for Mother’s Day, allowing neighbors to celebrate the day with the special women in their lives.
The Brunch House of Augusta on Greene Street hosted a brunch. The restaurant served berry pancakes and French toast, waffles, ham and cheese breakfast sliders and more breakfast foods.
One of the owners said the holidays are a great time for them to make connections with the community.
“We just had a group here come here that’s been coming here every year Mother’s Day for three years, every year basically since we’ve been open, they come in every year for Mother’s Day. We have people from out of town come and travel and visit us, so it’s definitely building that connection,” said Ashley Brown, co-owner of The Brunch House of Augusta.
Brown said they will be offering some specials for the upcoming Juneteenth holiday next month.
The Frog and the Hen also hosted a Mother’s Day brunch. The restaurant had about 350 people come in as of around 3 p.m.
They served foods like fried chicken, cheddar biscuits, French toast casserole and more.
The general manager said she enjoys seeing families come in for holidays like Mother’s Day.
“I feel like these are all my children here, so I feel like this day just in general, like I get to be the mother here, and so this is like I’m mother hen, so I get to take care of all this. I love supporting all the people as well and just being able to get the best food possible, the best chicken everywhere,” said Sheridan Roberts, general manager of Frog and the Hen.
Roberts said they often have to stop making reservations a few weeks ahead of the holiday due to the amount they receive.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Dr. Russell Ray Moores, 91, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026, at home, surrounded by family in Augusta Georgia. Born on February 25, 1935, in Webster Grove, Missouri, to Floyd Russell Moores and Dorotha Campbell Moores, he lived a life marked by dedication to his family, education, and community.
Dr. Moores’ academic journey began at Arkansas State University and continued at the Medical College of Arkansas, where he graduated in 1958 at the age of 23. His post-graduate training took him to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York; Barnes Hospital in St Louis; and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he spent two years. Following his time at NIH and 2 years of active-duty service in the US Navy in Oakland, Ca., Dr. Moores joined the faculty at the Medical College of Georgia as a Hematologist/Oncologist. Over the course of an extraordinary 50-year career, he rose to the rank of Professor Emeritus before retiring at the age of 80. In addition to his academic contributions, he served as medical director for St. Joseph Hospice during the 1990’s and traveled extensively across the United States and abroad as a distinguished lecturer.
Dr. Moores was deeply committed to his Catholic faith throughout his life and was a founder of St Ignatius Antioch Melkite Catholic Church in Augusta. His passion for service extended beyond medicine and faith into numerous cultural and civic endeavors. He was the General Manager of the Augusta Opera during the 1970’s and played a pivotal role as a founder of the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival. A dedicated historian and genealogist, he served as president of the Augusta Genealogical Society for many years and was actively involved in historic preservation efforts. Dr. Moores also contributed his expertise as a member of both the original Coliseum Authority and the Board of the Parapsychology Lab in Durham N.C.
An individual with diverse interests and talents, Dr. Moores loved running and completed numerous marathons and ultra-marathons over his lifetime. He was an accomplished harpsichord player who also enjoyed studying foreign languages and had a deep appreciation for fine wine.
Dr. Moores is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Helen Dorothy Byrnes Moores; their children: Russell Jr., along with his wife Missey; Darryl; Cheryl Priessman; Sean, along with his wife Danielle; Christian, along with his wife Mary Ann; Duane; and Doreen Worden, along with her husband Greg; as well as grandchildren Damian, Aaron, Colleen, Noah, Scott, Austin, Ian, Alysha, Trevor, Clayton, and Addy; and 5 great-grandchildren who brought him immense joy.
He was predeceased by his parents; his sister Marjorie Marilyn Anderson; but leaves behind countless cherished memories for those who knew him.
Special thanks are extended to Trinity Hospice and the Southern Touch Homecare for their outstanding care during Dr. Moores’ final months.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society in honor of his legacy.
May Dr. Russell Ray Moores’ memory bring comfort to all who were fortunate enough to know him. A man whose life was defined by love for others and an unwavering commitment to making a difference in every sphere he touched. He was “practically perfect in every way”.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 15, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Fr. Mark Ross officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 P.M., at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
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