Augusta, GA
New Golden Blocks sculpture unveiled as salute to heritage
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A ribbon-cutting was held Thursday for the “Pillars of the Golden Blocks” sculpture at the Twiggs Circle roundabout.
The sculpture was created by Ashley Gray as a symbol of unity, resilience and cultural richness.
Inspired by Leslie J. Pollard Sr.’s book “Segregated Doctoring,” the sculpture is meant to embody the spirit of collaboration and community upliftment.
The vision for the artwork was fostered by the Lucy Craft Laney Museum and the Committee for the Golden Blocks.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson talked about how the symbol of unity and resilience can help foster that in Augusta.
“This means a lot for the area we take, an area that is so rich in history where we get to highlight people that have contributed so much to our history and legacy,” said Johnson. “Encourage everyone from Augusta to come out and see it.”
In addition, representatives from the Augusta Housing Authority worked closely with residents from Allen Homes, Powell Pointe and MM Scott to ensure a consensus in the selection of this piece.
Funding was provided by the Georgia Rehabilitation Institute.
The Golden Blocks were a part of downtown Augusta that was the core of the Black business community.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The South Augusta YMCA will not renew its lease at the Tobacco Road location, the Y confirmed.
The shopping center is being sold, and the current lease ends in October.
The Y has not announced a final day at the current location. Officials said they plan to announce that date and next steps for South Augusta later this month.
The YMCA said it still plans to serve South Augusta after the lease expires.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man who was previously wanted for questioning in an Augusta deadly shooting has now been charged with murder in the case, according to authorities.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says Kemfton Quewanaki Kenon, 27, was arrested on Friday in connection to the shooting death of Khyla Rodriguez, of Augusta.
Kenon is booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and charged with murder and possession of a firearm during a crime, according to jail bookings.
Rodriguez, 25, was found dead after deputies received a call about a shooting on May 15 at 1:11 a.m. on Cameron Drive.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office said Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 2:27 a.m.
Kenon was previously wanted for questioning in the case and was located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. He was interviewed and arrested on an unrelated warrant.
Deputies were also interviewed two other subjects in the case. They were not arrested in the case.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – People who live in South Augusta are raising concerns about the future of the Family Y on Tobacco Road.
Officials say the facility has been operating at a loss for years, and have had a low number of memberships. The location also has a new owner. The cost of the lease is too high and the facility is also in need of renovations, which are said to be costly.
“The reality is we couldn’t afford the current lease that we were in,” said Catie McCauley, president and CEO of Family Y of Greater Augusta. “Over the last 10 years we’ve been subsidizing this lot. So we got to look at a model that we can sustain for the next several generations not just the next couple years.”
The location is set to close in October, but officials say they are working with community members and contractors for a new building that they can move into and are committed to staying in South Augusta.
Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps
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