Augusta, GA

Northern Lights could flare again across region with sunspot’s return

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2024

Northern Lights could flare again across region with sunspot’s return

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Mid-May brought a stunning display of the Northern Lights to much of the world with reports of the aurora visible in all of the lower 48 states in the U.S. – and across the CSRA.

The sunspot responsible for the impressive solar flares was at just the right location to send the energy toward the Earth, resulting in a G5 geomagnetic storm.

This storm was the biggest since 2003 and triggered a stunning and widespread view of the Northern Lights.

The sunspot turned away from the Earth for just over two weeks and is now reappearing on the eastern edge of the sun. The sun rotates on an average of 27 days so active sunspots are typically visible from Earth for around two weeks before facing away from Earth.

Right now, the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter is sitting on the opposite of the sun from Earth, giving solar scientists the ability to monitor the far side of the sun.

This gives us a special treat as the active sunspot was able to be tracked, even when hidden from Earth’s view. The sunspot has been less active recently but it’s too early to say if this trend will continue.

Now that the sunspot is back in view, over the next two weeks, any solar flares from this region may reach Earth.

However, it’s the coronal mass ejections or CMEs scientists are watching for to trigger the Northern Lights.

For one to have the best odds of reaching Earth, it would need to erupt around June 4-6, when the sunspot is the prime location. This 27 days, a full solar rotation since the mid-May solar flares. This is when we have the best odds of getting a geomagnetic storm and seeing the Northern Lights pushed further south again.

Keep in mind, the aurora event in May was a rare occurrence.

It was the first G5 geomagnetic storm in 21 years. So the likelihood of a repeat performance so close behind is not terribly high.

But even more common G3 to G4 storms could still allow for the Northern Lights to appear low on the horizon in parts of the Carolinas.

And we are in a solar maximum the rest of the year into 2025, so the possibility of more impressive aurora events remains for a while.

You can check out the latest Northern Lights forecast with our tracker right here: https://www.foxcarolina.com/page/northern-lights-tracker/

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Augusta, GA

Best of the Gridiron: Top CSRA high school football athletes honored

Published

7 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Best of the Gridiron: Top CSRA high school football athletes honored

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The latest edition of the Best of the Gridiron Awards show is in the books.

Presented by the Augusta Sports Council, here’s a full list of the high school football athletes recognized for their performances during the 2025 season.

GEORGIA — FIRST TEAM

Offense

QB: Mekhi Wade — Lincoln County
RB: Tamari Curry — Westside
RB: Kelby Glaze — Lincoln County
WR: Jayden Futrell — Harlem
WR: Jaris Sinkfield — Thomson
OL: Solomon Mathis — Hephzibah
OL: Carter Messick — Grovetown
OL: Bryan Sapp — Burke County
OL: Liam Thompson — Harlem

Special Teams / Flex

Athlete: Jack Rhodes — Aquinas
Kicker: Fortson Partridge — Lincoln County
Punter: Shelton Freeman — Westside

Defense

DL: De’Antre Charles — Westside
DL: TK Reeves — Burke County
DL: Marcus Taylor — Laney
DL: Jeremiah Wynn — Lincoln County
LB: Chase Burley — Westside
LB: Logan Heyward — Hephzibah
LB: Elijah Hutchinson — Aquinas
LB: Marty Thomas — ARC
DB: Kennedi Bailey — Thomson
DB: Brennen Bjorkman — Greenbrier
DB: Zay Brinson — Thomson
DB: Joshua Crawford — Westside

SOUTH CAROLINA — FIRST TEAM

Offense

QB: Xavier Geter — Midland Valley
RB: Michael Doe — North Augusta
RB: Preston Smith — Midland Valley
WR: Kyson McLeod — South Aiken
WR: Shaheed Williams — Strom Thurmond
OL: Carter Boatwright — Strom Thurmond
OL: Malcolm Gaston — North Augusta
OL: Damien McIntosh — Aiken
OL: Seth Short — North Augusta

Special Teams / Flex

Athlete: Kaleb Simpkins — Strom Thurmond
Kicker: Jacob DeGennaro — North Augusta
Punter: Knox Young — South Aiken

Defense

DL: Simeon Jones — North Augusta
DL: Davion McKinnis — North Augusta
DL: Brandon Poston — Aiken
DL: Keyaideen Williams — Silver Bluff
LB: Grayson Kitchings — Aiken
LB: Jalen McGraw — Bamberg-Ehrhardt
LB: Akiem Mills — Ridge Spring-Monetta
LB: Deonte Phillips — Strom Thurmond
DB: Donte Bell — North Augusta
DB: Jaiden Holloway — Ridge Spring-Monetta
DB: Mekhi Quiller — Fox Creek
DB: Dallas Williams — North Augusta

Along with the over 50 award winners, the event also recognized the nation’s top Division-1 and FCS college punters.

Georgia’s Brett Thorson took home the 2025 Ray Guy Award back in December.

The born and raised Australian punted 42 times during Georgia’s 2025 season, averaging 45-yards per punt.

“Obviously, Georgia is home for me. Obviously, I don’t have a hometown that I have any bias to, so since moving here, Georgia has been home for me. It’s an extreme honor to keep it, and to know Ray was from Georgia himself is a nice little bit of icing on top,” said Thorson.

The Citadel’s James Platte was awarded the FCS Punter of the Year Award.

An award that seemed way out of reach during his early playing days.

“It’s a dream come true. Growing up always seeing all the Ray Guy awards coming out of here, especially when I was getting into punting a lot heavier in high school. It was always an aspiration and if you told me six years ago I was going to be here, I probably would have called you a liar,” said Platte.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta looks to new solutions for old problem of illegal dumping

Published

19 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

Augusta looks to new solutions for old problem of illegal dumping

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There is a pile of problems around Augusta: illegal dumping, even in the middle of neighborhoods like Harrisburg. “People ride by. They throw trash in Harrisburg. They’re riding by. They’re throwing the trash,” said Mary Allen. Augusta is getting dumped on, and it has commissioners raising concerns. The Marshal’s Office is […]

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Augusta, GA

Mark Watson Sullivan Obituary March 21, 2026 – Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Mark Watson Sullivan Obituary March 21, 2026 – Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors

Evans, GA – Mr. Mark Watson Sullivan born September 28, 1960 went home to be with his loving Savior on Saturday, March 21, 2026. He was the loving husband of 47 years to Robin Miller Sullivan and the loving son of the late C.M. “Jimmie” Sullivan and Barbara Widener Sullivan. He was also the brother of the late Lynn Charles Sullivan.

A native of Augusta, Mark retired from Procter & Gamble and later founded Sul-Tac, LLC that allowed him to pursue his passion. He was a devoted husband, a caring father, and a proud grandfather, known affectionately as “Pop,” who found great joy spending time with his family. Mark was quiet by nature, but exhibited a surprisingly contagious sense of humor. He held the virtues of wisdom, patience, and gentle strength. He instilled in his family the values of faith, integrity, and compassion leaving a legacy that will continue through their lives.

A Godly man at heart, Mark’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He lived with humility, served others selflessly, and carried a quiet strength that inspired all who knew him. He was a faithful servant of God and his life reflected his deep trust in God and his desire to walk in righteousness. Mark was a lifetime member of Warren Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher.

In addition to his wife, Mark is survived by his children: Wes (Ashlee) Sullivan, Marshall (Caroline) Sullivan, and Callie Sullivan; his grandchildren: Tyse Kellen Sullivan, Mila Reese Sullivan, Hendrix Lee Sullivan; his sister: Gail Sullivan Hawkins and husband Gene; and his niece: Susan Hawkins Reeder and husband Chris.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 11:30 A.M. in the Worship Center at Warren Church with Dr. David McKinley officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. A private burial will follow in Westover Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Larry Lynn, Rusty Marshall, Clay Ghann, Tony Tanner, Terry Mullenix, and Keith Beckworth. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons at Warren Church.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mark’s memory to the Warren Life Foundation, 3203 Washington Road, Augusta, GA 30907, https://warren.church/life-foundation/.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com.

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