Augusta, GA
Murder suspect dead after police pursuit on I-20 in Columbia County
GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A murder suspect is dead after a police pursuit on I-20 in Columbia County that shut down traffic for hours.
Traffic was blocked on I-20 eastbound near Jimmie Dyess Parkway by mile marker 194 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office tells us the incident involved a Gwinnett County murder suspect.
Deputies say they conducted a PIT maneuver on the suspect, who then committed suicide, according to the sheriff’s office.
The male suspect was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:21 p.m., and an autopsy has been scheduled, according to the Columbia County Coroner’s office.

The car ended up in a ditch, and officials worked through the evening to get the car out.
Georgia State Patrol also responded to the scene and is assisting with the investigation.
This isn’t the first time this year that Columbia County deputies have pursued a potentially dangerous suspect. Back in April, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brandon Sikes was killed in the line of duty during a shooting on I-20 near Belair Road.
An encounter with an RV driver claimed the life of Deputy Sikes and seriously injured Deputy Gavin White.
There are no other reported injuries in Friday’s incident.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Nancy H. Bowers Obituary Jun 24, 2026 – Platt’s Funeral Home
Nancy Heath Bowers was born on November 14th, 1943, the oldest daughter of Thomas and Doris Bentley Heath. Nancy Bowers grew up in Augusta, GA. and attended the Academy of Richmond County.
Nancy Bowers married the love of her life Dr. Ronald W. Bowers on April 29th, 1960. Together they shared a lifelong love story raising 4 children, traveling the world together, shopping for antiques, art and clothes for 62 years of marriage before his passing in 2022.
Nancy was active in the community serving as president of the Augusta Symphony Guild, and the first female President of Historic Augusta. Nancy cherished the history of the Augusta area and loved sharing it with others. Nancy was particularly proud of being the first female president of Historic Augusta, and her involvement in saving and restoring the Woodrow Wilson home.
Nancy was a long-time member of the Augusta Country Club, the Pinnacle Club, the Heritage Garden Club, All Seasons Garden Club, the Auxiliary to the Georgia Dental Association (Past President), Colonial Dames, a founding member of Summerville Neighborhood Association, and a member of St. Mary’s on the Hill Catholic Church.
After her children were raised Nancy and her sister Donna purchased a women’s clothing store, Summerville Rags. Ever the social butterfly it allowed Nancy to share her love of fashion and helping others.
Nancy had many interests but to know her was to know her family who always remained the focus and joy in her life.
In addition to their four children, Ronald William (Angie) Bowers, Jr., Elizabeth Bowers (Whitney) Reader, Barton Bentley Bowers, and Bennett Peyton Randolph (Amy) Bowers. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Thomas Heath (Lily) McNally, John Peyton McNally, Hillyer Brinson (Juri) Bowers, Sadie Callaway Bowers, Ava Elinor Bowers, Ramsey Peyton Bowers and 2 great-grandsons, Jay Riley McNally and Miles Thomas McNally. She was blessed with a sister, Donna Heath King, 3 sisters-in-laws and brothers Linda Bowers (Jerry) Hardin, Danni Bowers (Honorable Tom) Varlan, Kelly Bowers (Barry) Kaye; and 12 nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank all those who provided care and support to Nancy over the past few years. Special thanks go to Freda and Leon Lewis, the staff at Brookdale and NHC who treated her with love and affection.
Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 from St. Mary’s On the Hill Catholic Church at 11 o’clock in the morning. Mrs. Bowers will be laid to rest beside her husband, Dr. Ronald Bowers, Sr. at the Westover Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends on Monday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Platts Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Ave., Augusta, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association , The Parkinson’s Foundation, or to Historic Augusta.
The following gentlemen will serve as active pallbearers and they include; Mason Kaye, Oliver Kaye, Steffan Hardin, Bobby Bentley, Bert Bentley, and Heath McNally. Members of the Heritage Garden Club and the All Seasons Garden Clubs are asked to serve as an honorary escort at the church.
Arrangements are being provided by Platt’s Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904 (706) 733-3636. Please take a moment to share your condolences by signing the online guestbook at plattsfuneralhome.com.
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Augusta, GA
Organizations partner to bring water to Augusta’s unhoused community
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new outreach effort aims to bring water and cooling relief directly to people living outside in Augusta, where organizers say traditional cooling centers are not always accessible.
GAP Ministries is partnering with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Homeless Outreach Team and collaborators to deliver water to people in areas where officers say they already know many unhoused residents stay, including back roads and behind shopping centers.
Nomi Stanton, executive director of GAP Ministries, said the effort is intended to continue beyond the short term.
“So this isn’t just a, this is we’re going to do this for a couple of weeks. That is not, this I hope the wheels will be in motion for years and years,” Stanton said.
Effort follows recent death
Organizers said the effort was launched in response to the death of Brandon Clark.
Stanton said Clark died about two weeks ago, and while she said it is not known whether heat stroke was the cause, the death prompted the group to push for a community solution.
“With the passing of Brandon 2 weeks ago, while we don’t know it was heat stroke, it was a good kick to circle back around and say, man, we have to have a solution,” Stanton said.
Sheriff’s office says goal is connection
Maj. Robbie Silas, who oversees the sheriff’s office Homeless Outreach Team, said the outreach is meant to build relationships, not enforcement.
“We want to build a good relationship with them. We want them to know that we’re here for them,” Silas said. “We’re not here just to run their names to see if they have warrants and stuff like that. We want to put them back with their families first.”
Organizers said they hope the outreach helps people in Augusta’s unhoused community stay hydrated during the heat.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Finding Solutions: Augusta Training Shop celebrates inclusion, community at ‘Red, White, and Create’
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Employees with disabilities at the Augusta Training Shop are creating patriotic art as part of a holiday project that drew community members to the nonprofit.
The theme of the event was “Red, White, and Create,” which the script describes as a simple holiday art project focused on inclusion and community.
Eli Sikes, a student at Augusta Technical College, was among the Augusta Tech students who came to the shop to create, take part in the event and give back.
“It feels really good,” Sikes said. “I feel like it’s important to go out in your community and get to know some people you may not have met in your everyday life.”
Sikes said the training shop gives people a place to showcase their talents and skills for others in the community to appreciate.
The Augusta Training Shop is a nonprofit that, for decades, has provided a place where people with disabilities find meaningful work, creative expression and community, according to the script.
Employee Greg Solden said he makes “decoupage balls” and uses papier-mâché on them.
“I love having people here and trying to encourage them,” Solden said.
Liam Welch, a board member with the Augusta Training Shop, said he has watched the organization grow over the years, including moving locations.
“The training shop has grown every single year since I was a young boy coming here,” Welch said.
The Augusta Training Shop is located on Jenkins Street. The shop has a variety of July Fourth art available for purchase, and the script notes that buying crafts from the shop supports jobs for employees.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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