AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta will host a conference called the Startup Champions Network Fall Summit this week.

More than one hundred startup community leaders from across the country and Canada will be in attendance.

But it’s more than a conference; it’s an opportunity to showcase the depth and diversity of Augusta’s innovation ecosystem.

Each year big and small cities are chosen to show how their businesses and small startups succeed.

Since 2012, theClubhou.se has helped launch and grow thousands of startup businesses in Augusta.

And that is why this year the summit is coming to Augusta to see its success.

“We’re spending two and a half days basically talking about what does it look like to build a startup ecosystem? And because we’ve been doing this in Augusta for over 12 years, we want to share with them some of the stories and some of the startups that have come out of our community,” said Grace Belangia, Co-Founder of Make Startups.

The Startup Champions Network Chairman of the Board, said he has learned a lot since being here in Augusta.

“I’ve been here less than 12 hours, but I learned a lot and understand what’s going on. I’ve seen all of the revitalization going on in downtown because of the storm. All this stuff is building up, went to walk down mainstreet, saw some of the local businesses and you just want to see how we can increase the energy and activity that’s going on here,” said Mark Lawrence.

This conference is from today until Friday, 8am to1pm at TheClubhouse.se.

Click here to purchase your tickets.

Augusta, GA – David Krivanek, 84, of Augusta, Georgia, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025. Born in Mishawaka, Indiana, he was the son of the late Anthony and Vera R. Krivanek.

A devoted husband and loving father, David is survived by his wife, Judy, his son, Matthew, and daughter-in-law, Jenna Krivanek. Family was the center of his world, and his life was defined by his extraordinary kindness, steadfast determination, and deep devotion to those he loved.

David’s lifelong passion for aviation reflected his curiosity and sense of wonder. He loved airplanes and flying, and his enthusiasm for all things aviation never waned. Professionally, he dedicated more than 30 years to Eisenhower Army Medical Center, where he was instrumental in developing the hospital’s nuclear medicine department — work that made a lasting contribution to the Augusta community.

A man of strong faith, David was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Augusta, where he found fellowship and purpose.

A service will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Storey Chapel at First Baptist Church of Augusta, with Dr. Will Dyer and Dr. Roger Murchison officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Heart Failure Society of America, online at https://hfsa.org/foundation.

Memorial contributions may also be made to the Benevolence Mission at First Baptist Church of Augusta, 3500 Walton Way Ext., Augusta, Georgia 30909.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Mayor Garnett L. Johnson on Monday announced the partial reopening of the Augusta Canal towpath.

The announcement came in a news conference at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion.

The reopening is from the headgates to the Interstate 20 bridge.

The route has been closed since Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27, 2024, left it covered in debris and full of hazards.

The Augusta Utilities Department, in coordination with the Augusta Canal Authority, has made enough repairs to safely reopen a section of the towpath while additional restoration and safety improvements continue along other areas.

“The Canal towpath for about a mile and a half is reopened. We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy it safely. There is still more work to be done, but certainly enjoy it safely with more work to be done,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to enjoy the reopened section while observing all posted safety measures:

• Towpath partially open: Access is limited to designated areas.
• Stay behind safety barriers: Do not cross or move restricted zones.
• Obey all signage: Posted notices are in place to ensure public safety and allow maintenance to continue efficiently.

Crews will continue to monitor the area to ensure safe conditions for public use.

Officials aim to get the rest of the route open by the end of the second quarter of 2026.

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