New program aims to lower kill rates at Augusta Animal Services

Published

1 year ago

August 12, 2024

New program aims to lower kill rates at Augusta Animal Services

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Animal Shelter is hoping to bring down its euthanasia rate.

Last year, state numbers said Augusta Animal Services euthanized almost 1,500 dogs, ranking the worst in the state.

Now, every Monday, the shelter is offering a new program — all pitbull adoptions are free and all adopters also get a free pet bed.

The shelter is also open for an extra two hours.

As of June, Augusta Animal Services has the highest kill rate of any shelter in the state.

On July 17, Director James Hill presented a five-part plan aimed at decreasing those numbers.

‘Save a Pet Monday’ is a part of that plan.

“To have a focus on getting animals out, getting dogs out, getting cats out, and not having to focus have so many resources allocated to taking animals in,” said Hill.

Last week was the first Save a Pet Monday. Hill says the storm put a damper on things.

“We’re hoping to ramp things up. You know, as the weeks go by,” he said.

Other steps include the pet owner’s responsibility when it comes to surrendering animals.

“They have to provide us with at least two forms of documentation showing they have tried other avenues of rescue,” said Hill.

They also encourage microchipping.

If your animal is lost and picked up by the shelter, you can now pay ten dollars to get the animal microchipped rather than the more expensive impound fee.

The shelter also plans to partner with Parks and Rec to put out banners out for missing pets.

But Hill says what they need most is help from community vets.

“They’re the critical components that are going to be pivotal in, you know, getting these numbers down, which is going to result in less euthanasia,” he said.

Hill says the community vets are so important because they provide low-cost animal services.

The last step of the shelter’s plan is to mobilize their adoption van.

It’s back in the shop and he doesn’t have an exact date for when it will be ready.

To learn more about how you can adopt, visit the Augusta Animal Services’ website or their Facebook page.

They’re open on Mondays from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. They are closed on Sundays.

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Augusta Players and Imperial Theatre announce merger plans

Published

8 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Players and Imperial Theatre announce merger plans

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) The Augusta Players and the Imperial Theatre have announced their intent to merge, with the goal of strengthening the arts across the CSRA.

The merger aims to improve efficiency and sustainability for both performing arts organizations. Both boards plan to conduct a national search for a shared CEO.

The alliance requires approval and is not yet finalized.

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Five AU Volleyball Players Honored on PBC All-Academic Team – Augusta University

Published

20 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Press Room

Five AU Volleyball Players Honored on PBC All-Academic Team – Augusta University

AUGUSTA, GA — The Peach Belt Conference has revealed the 2025 Volleyball All-Academic Team, previously known as the Team of Academic Distinction. The teams are part of the PBC’s larger initiative to celebrate the academic achievements of PBC student-athletes. Five Augusta volleyball players were named to the list: Libby Nickels, Layne Witherspoon, Sydney Harrington, Mia Saavedra, and Lauren Posa.

In order to be eligible for the PBC All-Academic Team, student-athletes must meet the following requirements:

1) Participate in at least half of his/her team’s events and be either a starter or significant contributor

2) Achieved a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and

3) Student-Athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically

Transfer students are immediately eligible once they meet the above requirements. The Peach Belt Conference sports communications professionals oversee the program.

PBC VOLLEYBALL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
NAME	INSTITUTION	YEAR	HOMETOWN	GPA	MAJOR (MINOR)
Libby Nickels	Augusta	Sophomore	New Smyrna Beach, Fl.	4.00	Criminal Justice
Layne Witherspoon	Augusta	Junior	Wildwood, Mo.	4.00	Kinesiology
Sydney Harrington	Augusta	Junior	Albany, Or.	3.75	Business Administration
Mia Saavedra	Augusta	Senior	Tampa, Fl.	3.80	Business Administration
Lauren Posa	Augusta	Senior	Johns Creek, Ga.	3.75	Kinesiology
Cassidy Bloom	Flagler	Senior	Naples, Fla.	3.74	Business
Gracie Fleming	Flagler	Junior	Denver, Colo.	3.5	Marketing
Clare Sheedy	Flagler	Senior	Plymouth, Ind.	3.97	Political Science
Lexi Baum	GCSU	Sophomore	St. Petersburg, Fla.	3.85	Undeclared- Nursing Track (Global Health Studies)
Liv Diaz	GCSU	Junior	Snellville, Ga.	3.66	Undeclared- Nursing Track
Riese Johnson	GCSU	Senior	Cumming, Ga.	3.61	Biology
Sadie Parkerson	GCSU	Sophomore	Kennesaw, Ga.	3.77	Exercise Science
Hayley Shepherd	GCSU	Graduate	Kathleen, Ga.	4.00	Special Education (G)/ Psychology (UG)
Lexi Polychribes	GCSU	Senior	Adrian, Ga.	3.51	Undeclared- Nursing Track
Nya Warren	GCSU	Sophomore	Gray, Ga.	3.86	Undeclared- Elementary Education Track (Global Health Studies)
Sam Alwardt	Lander	Sophomore	Summerville, S.C.	3.89	Biology
Karson Browning	Lander	Sophomore	Boiling Springs, S.C.	3.50	Physical Education
Emmi Cheek	Lander	Sophomore	West Jefferson, N.C.	3.68	Biology
Ameila May	Lander	Sophomore	Vale, N.C.	3.73	Exercise Science
Katie Miller	Lander	Senior	Sugar City, Id.	3.55	Nursing
Alyssa Tegelar	Lander	Senior	Blairstown, Iowa.	4.0	Visual Art
Ryleigh Willard	Lander	Sophomore	Roebuck, S.C.	3.73	Exercise Science
Aubrie Beard	Middle Georgia	Sophomore	McDonough, Ga.	3.61	Nursing
Paige Collier	Middle Georgia	Senior	Winston, Ga.	3.72	Aviation Science & Management
Ellie Johnson	Middle Georgia	Senior	Canton, Ga.	3.89	Early Education/ Special Education
Noemi Combi	Salem	Junior	Castello Di Brianza, Italy	4.00
Alli Bishop	USCA	Junior	Chesterfield, Mo.	3.649	Nursing
Chloe Duzenack	USCA	Sophomore	Loveland, Co.	3.659	Exercise and Sport Science- Health & Fitness Management
Sidney Hogan	USCA	Senior	Saint Louis, Mo.	4.00	Exercise and Sport Science- Allied Health
Ana Cate Loftus	USCA	Sophomore	Powell, Oh.	3.554	Mechanical Engineering
Avery Pearson	USCA	Sophomore	Wellington, Co.	3.786	Nursing
Lexi Rogers	USCA	Redshirt Sophomore	Moore, S.C.	3.892	Psychology
Anna Sommer	USCA	Senior	St. Louis, Mo.	3.776	Exercise and Sport Science- Basic Sciences

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Augusta, GA

1 arrested, 2 wanted in Martinez shooting

Published

1 day ago

January 28, 2026

Press Room

1 arrested, 2 wanted in Martinez shooting

MARTINEZ, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The alleged shooter connected to a shooting that occurred on Wednesday afternoon, which resulted in one person being hospitalized and led to lockdowns at three schools, has been arrested.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says that 18-year-old Davonte Taylor, of Evans, was taken into custody on Wednesday around 10:00 p.m. at an apartment complex off Skinner Mill Road.

According to authorities, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office was working in coordination with information provided by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and spotted Taylor in the parking lot of the apartment complex.

“We are glad we were able to assist Sheriff Clay Whittle and our partners with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, who continually assist us as well. We truly appreciate and value this strong working relationship as we work together to keep the entire CSRA safe,” said Sheriff Eugene Brantley.

Officials say Taylor is a student at Lakeside High.

Davonte Taylor(Contributed)

The victim in the shooting is in critical condition, officials say.

The shooting occurred near the Blueridge Commons Apartments on the 500 block of Commons Drive, according to authorities, which is directly behind Blue Ridge.

News 12 spoke to neighbors, including Nicholas Koenig, who rushed home to check on his pets after hearing about the shooting outside his apartment.

“My neighbor, who lives right over here, had texted me pictures of out by the road of all the cop cars in front of our apartment. And I was like, I need to go check on my pets because I have two pets,” Koenig said.

He says this isn’t something that he’d expect in his neighborhood, right next to the three schools.

“It’s nerve-wracking because you kind of get in that perspective wherever you are in life, that it’s a safe spot, nothing’s going to happen around you. And then it’s all of a sudden things happen that you can’t control,” he said.

The sheriff’s office is also searching for two other black male suspects in that area, with at least one wearing a grey hoodie.

According to a letter from the superintendent, all of Wednesday’s after-school activities were cancelled.

The sheriff’s office initially responded to reports of a possible shooting near the 4000 block of Riverwatch Parkway on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after 3 p.m.

The scene was starting to clear around 5:45 p.m.

“We want to reassure you that school will be in regular session tomorrow, and as always, student safety will remain paramount in every decision we make. We appreciate your partnership and trust as we work together to keep our school community safe,” Principal Juliet King said in a letter to families Wednesday evening.

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