Augusta, GA

Missouri DR volunteers help IMB missionary after tree falls on stateside home in Georgia

Published

1 year ago

October 14, 2024

Missouri DR volunteers help IMB missionary after tree falls on stateside home in Georgia

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Hurricane Helene was described by one official as a 400-mile-wide tornado, … which isn’t too far from reality. So, even though Asheville, N.C., has gotten much of the media’s attention, there’s been no less damage in neighboring states. That’s certainly the case in Augusta, Georgia — just 180 miles from Asheville — where volunteers with Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief (MODR) have been working since Sept. 26.

“I would describe it as one big debris field,” said Toby Tucker, who served as the white hat (team leader) during Missouri’s first deployment. “Consequently, our immediate focus was on feeding people who had been displaced or weren’t able to fix meals due to the power outages. The other priority has been removing trees from homes and driveways, and tarping roofs so they don’t leak and cause more damage.”

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Hurricane Helene toppled trees on homes here, including on the stateside home of one International Mission Board missionary currently serving in Africa. A Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief chainsaw crew was happy to support this Southern Baptist missionary by removing the fallen tree. (MODR photo)

Tucker said that the mass feeding team was initially preparing as many as 10,000 meals per day in cooperation with the Red Cross and has distributed 816 cases of water. However, the number of meals has been declining as power has returned to some areas. After preparing 85,000 meals, the mass feeding team closed down, Oct. 12, although other recovery efforts are in full force. Nearly 700 work orders, at press time, had come in for help with tree removal, clean-up and tarping.

While the work of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief often serves as a witness to those who don’t know Jesus, it can also be a blessing to those who do. A case in point, involved a missionary serving halfway around the world in Kenya, Africa.

“One of our personnel in Kenya sent me a message saying that individuals with the Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief team serving in Augusta, Ga., helped remove trees from the roof of his house in the U.S. after the hurricane,” said Kevin Moots, with the International Mission Board in Uganda, Africa, who is currently serving as a logistics coordinator.

Apparently, a neighbor had contacted him about the effects of the hurricane and told him about the trees on the house.

“I’m from Lebanon, Mo., myself, and I was thankful to God to hear that story and how God has used chainsaw crews from Missouri over the years,” Moots added. “I can’t tell you what peace that gave our staff member as he’s serving with his family in Nairobi, Kenya.”

Tucker added, “In addition to the Spirit kitchen and the chainsaw crews, we also have two shower units from Missouri on site, as well as one laundry unit. Best of all, there are over 100 DR volunteers here from throughout the U.S. That includes people from Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Montana, Minnesota, Kansas, Texas and Nebraska. And the Fleming Baptist Church, which has been the base for operations, has been very accommodating to the point of opening up more rooms and part of the sanctuary as more workers have arrived.

“As a result, things have been moving pretty quickly,” he added. “By early October, we had already served over 75,000 meals; completed around 70 work orders, and assessors have already visited with the homeowners on a large portion of the work orders we have received.”

According to Gaylon Moss, MODR director, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been busy in every state affected by Hurricane Helene. All told, nationally, over 3,200 volunteers had responded to the disaster by early October; more than 600,000 meals have been served, and more than 800 homeowners were assisted with flood or chainsaw clean-up or roof tarping. Equally important, more than 500 gospel conversations were made, and there were 56 professions of faith.

“There’s still a lot of work left to complete, Moss concluded. “So, continue to pray for all those affected by both hurricanes as we strive to bring Help, Hope and Healing to the hundreds of people who are hurting.”

To donate to Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief or to help support hurricane relief, go to modr.org/give and select Hurricane Helene from the drop-down menu on the website: text “Helene” to 573-433-8286, or mail your donation to: Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief, 400 E. High St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – A Missouri Baptist crew helps prepare meals for distribution to members of the community here. (MODR photo)

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Augusta, GA

Law enforcement converges on home in west Augusta

Published

4 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Law enforcement converges on home in west Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There was a large law enforcement presence Thursday morning at a home in west Augusta near Fort Gordon.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force were in the area attempting to find a suspect, according to deputies.

Witnesses said around 11:25 a.m. that officers had been surrounding a home at Harper-Franklin Avenue and Covington Court.

That’s in a neighborhood of mostly two-story brick-fronted homes built in the past three or four years just east of Jimmie Dyess Parkway and a couple of blocks north of Gordon Highway.

As noon approached, law enforcement had left.

But a Facebook post from earlier did show a large presence,including marked and unmarked cars, and officers all around the house. A witness said police dogs were on the scene, as well.

News 12 has reached out to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for information.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta mayoral candidate holds town hall as election season begins

Published

16 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Augusta mayoral candidate holds town hall as election season begins

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Steven Kendrick held a town hall on Wednesday at the Henry Brigham Community Center as he prepares to challenge Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.

Kendrick, who serves as chief deputy tax commissioner for Richmond County, previously ran against Johnson in 2022. The town hall was part of Kendrick’s campaign tour as he seeks to unseat the incumbent mayor.

“Some of the people felt as though we really needed to dig a little deeper and we dug a little deeper,” Kendrick said after the meeting. “But that’s how you gain understanding, where everybody’s not going to agree about everything. Some of them we didn’t agree on. I certainly enjoyed the interaction. I learned some things, and I hope they learned some things as well.”

Multiple Commission seats up for election

The mayoral race is not the only contest facing Richmond County voters. Several Augusta Commission seats are up for election across multiple districts.

District 8 will have a new commissioner because Commissioner Brandon Garrett is term-limited and cannot run again. Michael Cioffi and Evett Williams have filed to run for the District 8 seat.

Districts 2, 4, 6 and 10 are also up for election. Stacy Pulliam currently serves in District 2.

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Augusta, GA

2026 is off to a deadly start, but what’s ahead for Augusta?

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

2026 is off to a deadly start, but what’s ahead for Augusta?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County deputies are investigating their first homicide of 2026, which occurred early Monday morning on Hines Street just off Laney Walker Boulevard.

The victim was 21-year-old Thaddeus Kirkland. He was found bleeding on scene around 2 a.m. and died a short time later.

Suspect wanted for questioning

Deputies are seeking 24-year-old Bruce Wesby for questioning in connection to the incident. Wesby is known to frequent the Waynesboro area. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff’s office.

Crime data shows progress in 2025

The first homicide of 2026 happened five days into the new year, two days sooner than the first homicide of 2025.

According to the sheriff’s office data, violent crime decreased significantly in 2025 under Sheriff Eugene Brantley’s leadership. Homicides dropped 35% year-over-year from 2024 to 2025 to their lowest level since 2021.

Aggravated assaults also dropped 35% to their lowest mark since 2018. Armed robberies fell 36% year-over-year to their lowest mark since crime data for Richmond County was first recorded in 2011.

Law enforcement focused on high-risk areas, including downtown Augusta, to lower response times and keep people safe.

“What they really want is for their families that they’re raising in this area to have safe lives, just like the citizens of Augusta that vote them in,” said M. Steven Fishman, president of Sidney’s Department Store & Uniforms. “They want to be able to go to work, come home, and enjoy their lives with their children, knowing that they’re safe.”

As 2026 gets underway, the sheriff’s office is continuing upgrades for technology and equipment to continue its goal of reducing violent crime. The office sent a statement saying the progress is in large part due to the community and deputies working together.

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