Augusta, GA

Mentor uses personal experience as guidance for youths in Augusta

Published

2 years ago

June 6, 2024

Mentor uses personal experience as guidance for youths in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re heading into the summer months and while kids are out of school, they are in need of things to keep them on the right path and away from trouble.

We’ve spoken to organizations like Living in Purpose and The Manhood Tour, which are two examples of people trying to reach kids at a young age.

Aaron Kinzer is a facilitator with The Manhood Tour. His one-of-a-kind experience motivated him to do something to turn his life around so that others may learn from it.

He spent 13 years in federal prison. He was charged with several counts of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, crack cocaine and money laundering.

He says he was first introduced to drugs during his youth. By the time he was 21, he was a full-time drug dealer.

Kinzer says he lacked guidance, direction and stability, and carries with him a lot of the same problems many youth in our community face today.

While Kinzer was in prison, he wrote two books. A poem book titled, “Outside the Margin of Error,” and a children’s book titled, “All You Can Be.”

“It’s a collection of poems from a prisoner,” Kinzer read from “Outside the Margin of Error.” “That prisoner was me.”

At age 28, Kinzer says he was indicted by the federal government and later on, convicted and sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for drug trafficking.

“I served 13 years and two months of that federal sentence. And during that time is when I was able to discover a passion and a purpose and work on changing myself,” he said.

He says he was able to find his way to Augusta due to his family relocating here.

“My brother relocated and he was a great support network while I was inside and we had promised that he was going to be one when I got out,” said Kinzer. “When he and his wife made a move to Augusta when he got out of the military, I made my move in my mind. I was coming here and changed my release address to Augusta, Georgia, and the rest is history.”

Kinzer says he was released to a halfway house here. Two months later, he went to house arrest with a GPS monitor. And on Aug. 2, 2023, he had an ankle monitor cut off and became a free man.

“What I’ve done and what I’ve experienced and what I’ve seen in my life and my walk, anyway I can use that as a tool to help people fix their lives and not go the route that I went. That is my mission. That is my purpose. And that is what I’m doing. And that’s what I’m living and striving to do every day that I wake,” said Kinzer.

As victims of crime seem to get younger and younger, Kinzer wants to reach the youth before they head down the path he once walked.

“They’re scared in their own neighborhoods. They’re scared in their own communities. I’ve seen those areas, I’ve been in those areas prior to me coming to prison, that’s what led me to prison is being in those areas and living that life,” he said.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Protestors in downtown Augusta speak out after strikes on Iran

Published

12 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Protestors in downtown Augusta speak out after strikes on Iran

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local protestors made their voices heard after Israel and the U.S. announced strikes on Iran Saturday, ones that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports say.

Protesters lined 13th Street in Downtown Augusta and walked across the river to North Augusta to make sure as many people as possible heard them.

50501 CSRA already had a march planned for Saturday, but in light of the strikes on Iran, decided to expand its focus.

Local leaders spoke about their concerns for the strikes, and roughly 60 people showed up to share theirs as well.

One of the event organizers said to make your voice heard your voice heard.

“Just call your people, call your representatives, if you don’t like that Iran was bombed, I don’t either. But call people and let them know, email them. Let it be relentless. Congress did not approve this. They have a say in this,” Zee Cook said.

The strike is being called “Operation Epic Fury,” with Iran responding with multiple missile and drone strikes across the Middle East.

In a social media post, President Trump said the bombing of the country will continue “as long as necessary.”

People across the world began lining the streets as well in support and against the decision.

Leaders across the world reacted to the news, including those in Georgia and South Carolina.

There’s a protest planned in Charleston and other regional cities this week.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Lock and Dam Park closing to public for a month in Augusta

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Lock and Dam Park closing to public for a month in Augusta

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.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Augusta 911 call center earns statewide honor

Published

2 days ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Augusta 911 call center earns statewide honor

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.”

Source link