Augusta, GA
New round of applications opening for CSRA home heating aid
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Are you looking for help paying energy bills? The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that can help you pay to heat and cool your home.
Each household can apply for one heating and cooling assistance program per year.
Georgia received $139.4 million this year for the program. The funds are available to homeowners and renters who need help to heat their homes, but the amount is determined based on household size, income and the number of seniors in the home.
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To qualify, a family’s income must be less than or equal to 60% of the median income for a Georgia family. For a household of one, the income threshold is $29,713, and for a household of five, it’s $66,284.
You apply for the assistance through a community action agency.
In Georgia, the community action agencies are:
- Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority Inc.: 1261 Greene St. in Augusta, 706-722-0493, serving Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren and Wilkes counties.
- Overview Inc.: 120 S. Jefferson St. in Milledgeville, 478-453-4111, serving Hancock, Jasper, Johnson, Putnam, Washington and Wilkinson counties.
South Carolina also operates a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Community action agencies include:
- Aiken/Barnwell Counties Community Action Agency: 291 Beaufort St. Northeast, Aiken, 803-648-6836; Litchfield Apartment Complex, Litchfield Street, Building 1, Barnwell, 803-259-3145.
- Orangeburg-Calhoun-Allendale-Bamberg Community Action Agency: 1822 Joe S. Jeffords Highway, Orangeburg, 803-536-1027; 649 Railroad Ave., Allendale, 803-584-3845; 442 Bridge St., Bamberg, 803-793-4373.
- GLEAMN Human Resources Commission serving Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties: 21 Star Road, Edgefield, 803-637-6161; 109 W. Augusta St., McCormick, 864-852-2662; 407 W. Butler Ave., Saluda, 864-445-2035, ext. 29.
Georgia residents 65 and older or those who are medically homebound were able to apply via their local community action agency as soon as the application period opened on Dec. 1.
The agencies will take applications for all other eligible residents beginning Jan. 2, 2024.
All applicants should be prepared to provide:
- Most recent heating bill or statement of service from their heating provider.
- Social Security numbers for each household member.
- Proof of citizenship for each household member.
- Proof of income (ex: a paycheck stub or a public assistance verification letter) for the last 30 days for each adult household member.
- Verification of Social Security or unemployment benefits for household member(s), if applicable.
Funds are administered on a first-come, first-served basis until they run out.
For more information on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, click here.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Downtown visitors still on edge after weekend shooting
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WFXG) –
Saturday’s shooting in Downtown Augusta remains at the top of many minds who live in the area.
It’s been several days since the Downtown Augusta shooting and two people are currently in custody.
People in the area are still being cautious. Some of them are wondering what the city is planning to do next.
Sharon Jones works downtown, and she told FOX54 that she is constantly think about what could happen while at work.
“The first day back on Monday there was a lot of investigators walking around…” Jones explained.
She says that she’s worried that something like that can happen in broad daylight. “I don’t even come downtown anymore.”
As of right now, nothing has been presented publicly. City leaders are discussing options like a potential curfew for certain ages and a no-loitering policy.
Business owners like Brandi Jones of Tiffinie Bleu Bridal says there need to be a great police presence at night.
“Cars are definitely not a deterrence for people doing things they are not supposed to.” Said Jones.
Locals and business owners are looking towards the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for answers.
Some Commissioners applaud their efforts. ” He’s doing the best with what he has.” Said, Tony Lewis, District 6 Commissioner.
While others like District 10 Commissioner, Wayne Guilfoyle believe that more needs to be done.
“Hopefully Roundtree can get his house in order and focus on protecting the citizens.” Said, Guilfoyle
Copyright 2024 WFXG. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Countdown to retirement: Brooks Keel’s final days at AU
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After nine years of improvements, Augusta University President Dr. Brooks Keel is just days away from retirement.
He’s seen improvements like an increase in enrollment every year since 2015 and seeing thousands of students graduate.
The board of regents is set to vote Friday to decide if the sole finalist, Dr. Russell Keen, will take over the role.
Before saying goodbye to the university, Dr. Keel sat down for one final interview.
His last day is June 28.
He says the achievements over the last nine years are ones he didn’t do alone.
While it’s definitely a bittersweet moment, he says he’s truly in the “sweet spot.”
“I always wanted to retire on my own terms,” said Keel.
After spending 40 years in research and higher education administration, Keel says it’s time he “cut the cord.”
“People have asked me, are you gonna consult or whatever? Why would I want to quit the best job in the world just to do another job? So we’re giving it all up and hitting the (Florida) Keys and start starting fresh,” said Keel.
With his eyes set on the retirement state, he can’t help but reflect on the last nine years as the leader of the Jaguar pack.
“We broke the 10,000 students glass ceiling — 10,546. We had like a seven or eight percent increase in enrollment this past fall versus the fall before that, and a 27% increase in enrollment since 2015. One of the most exciting things is that greater than 50% of our freshman class comes from outside of the CSRA,” said Keel.
And he’s counting down the days until he passes the torch.
“So right now we have 18 days, seven hours, seven minutes and four seconds,” said Keel.
After June 28, the only place you’ll be able to catch him is the water.
“We want to be able to spend as much time as we can, either in the water or on top of the water. Tammy is an avid scuba diver,” said Keel.
He’s sailing into the next chapter, without a cell phone controlling his schedule.
“I have taken up saltwater fly fishing several years ago. So we have a house where we can get in the boat go either up to the Gulf or out to the Atlantic and, be able to fish, dive, and catch your own dinner, those sorts of things,” said Keel.
News 12 got to meet Dr. Russell Keen on Wednesday as we walked out of Keel’s office. While they do not want to jump to conclusions just yet, they are both very confident and excited about the future of AU.
If voted in, Keel says he can’t think of anyone more qualified for the job than Keen.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Brothers arrested in downtown Augusta shooting
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two suspects – apparently brothers – have been arrested in connection with the downtown Augusta shooting last weekend.
Amazing Lee Blessed Brigham, 19, was arrested Tuesday after being released from the hospital, where he’d been since shortly after the shooting early Saturday at 10th and Broad streets.
Also arrested Tuesday was Seven D. Whitfield, 23. Their sister told News 12 on Saturday that Whitfield had been taken to the hospital immediately after the shooting but released and was not considered a suspect at that time. Something apparently changed between Saturday and Tuesday.
Brigham was being held Wednesday in Richmond County jail on two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm or knife during a crime.
DOWNTOWN SHOOTING: TEAM COVERAGE
Whitfield was being held on one count of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm or knife during a crime.
On Wednesday, bond for each was listed as $7,900 on the weapons charge, with no bond listed in the aggravated assault counts.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation had already confirmed Monday that Brigham was a suspect.
The gunfire broke out around 1:15 a.m. Saturday, setting off chaos among frightened downtown visitors, spawning complaints from business owners concerned about safety and spurring the mayor to ask the state for law enforcement assistance.
Authorities have said there was a gunfight between at least one person and multiple others.
Three Richmond County deputies were working off-duty jobs at the restaurant Sole and heard the gunfire and rushed outside, where they found a man holding an assault pistol.
Two of the three deputies shot at the suspect, hitting him at least once.
The GBI says two other bystanders were also hit by gunfire. The suspect, along with the two bystanders, were taken to a local hospital and treated for their injuries.
The GBI said it is unknown what started the fight that led to the gunfight.
Multiple weapons were recovered at the crime scene, as well as other evidence of the crime, including seven vehicles that were hit by gunfire.
Several businesses sustained damage from several gunshots.
People told News 12 they heard what sounded like 100 gunshots. Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree – who’s facing a runoff election in less than a week – said he couldn’t comment on the number of rounds, but said it was a “massive amount.”
The GBI is conducting an independent investigation.
Once complete, the case file will be given to the Augusta District Attorney’s Office for review.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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