Augusta, GA

Munchies Lab gets approval to reopen in Columbia County

Published

1 year ago

December 4, 2023

Munchies Lab gets approval to reopen in Columbia County

EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Munchies Lab, a restaurant known for its mixture of cuisines – and risqué waffles – will be reopening in Columbia County, its owner says.

The restaurant was previously on Walton Way in Augusta, but the owner said a decline in traffic and lack of space in the location influenced a decision to close in September.

However, the business posted on Facebook over the weekend that it has received the green light to reopen in Columbia County.

The post doesn’t say where the restaurant will open, but says it’s only waiting for its storefront sign and menus.

The owner estimates opening in the second week of January “if everything goes as planned.”

The restaurant has been known to question the norms in various ways, including serving waffles that look like genitals and with a menu title suggesting the shape isn’t a coincidence.

Included in the Facebook post is a scan of the business license from the county, which includes various rules.

Columbia County’s licensing rules have been in the spotlight before.

The Stay Social restaurant in Evans Towne Center was forced out of business after losing its liquor license. The county said the business made less than 50% of its revenues from food sales, which is against county rules.

The business had hosted a handful of drag shows before running afoul of the county, and some questioned whether that was the true reason for the loss of the license.

“There are bars operating all over Columbia County, and they’ve never been audited, and everyone knows the big open secret: The drag show comes up, and all of a sudden, this bar loses, not suspended for a day, not fined, not ‘Let’s take your license for three days and see if you can jack up your sales three percent’, they just take it, and it smacks a First Amendment problem,” Stay Social’s attorney Cary Wiggins said.

For example, another business didn’t lose its license, even though its kitchen reportedly consisted of an air fryer and a microwave oven.

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Augusta, GA

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2025

Press Room

New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After swearing in 100 new deputies at the beginning of his tenure, Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley also addressed promotions and appointments for those in the sheriff’s office.

It happened on Friday before the winter weather got underway and impacted the region.

Brantley spoke with us after about why the new promotions, appointments and people in the sheriff’s office will benefit the community.

“For the most part, when you’re suffering from a shortage of staff like we have been and so many other agencies in the state of Georgia and around the country, I think it is a boost in the arm to onboard 100 people to help get things that we need slow down crime and stop what is plaguing our community,” said Brantley.

Brantley said it was the first step to making the community safer.

He says he has been working on improving the jail as well.

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Augusta, GA

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

Published

12 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – AugustaCon was back, but in a new home this time.

Saturday’s event was held in Columbia County at the Performing Arts Center.

The event holds video game tournaments and hosts vendors that had anime and video game-style items.

We spoke to one of the vendors, who helped run the video game tournament there.

“We really love it. It’s a great environment. We love seeing new gamers, collectors, anyone that likes anime,” said Cedric Bacon.

If you missed out on Saturday’s AugustaCon, there are ones usually in the summer and winter as well.

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Augusta, GA

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

Published

20 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was fatally shot in an armed robbery on Lumpkin Road, according to authorities, and a suspect has been arrested.

The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop at 2303 Lumpkin Road around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.

He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.

The vehicle was registered in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.

Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.

Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.

The driver, 22-year-old Terrance Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.