AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Summer is starting for our local students.

Augusta Recreation and Parks held their 30th annual End of School Block Party.

It was held at the Augusta Common as a safe space for the community’s youth to have fun at the end of the school year.

We talked to several students about the event.

“I played basketball. I went in there. I went in there and then, yeah, I wanted everything,” said Zi’ion Jones, seventh grader.

The event had music, games and giveaways.

Some of the giveaways included bikes and computers.

If you missed out, don’t worry, Augusta is having more family-friendly events all summer.

Additional summer activities:

• Candlelight Music Series: Every Sunday evening through August at Augusta Commons, featuring jazz, R&B, soul and funk performances. Admission is $10; kids 13 & under are free.
• Food Truck Fridays: Held the first Friday of each month at Augusta Commons, with food vendors, live music, and a kids’ zone.
• Movies on the Green: Free outdoor movie nights at Augusta Commons. Upcoming screenings include Mufasa on May 30, Mulan on June 20, Inside Out 2 on July 18 and Lilo & Stitch on August 8.
• Fleming Pool opening: Beginning Sunday, May 25, Fleming Pool will be open Sunday through Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. throughout the summer.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Meals were served up for Georgia veterans who battled on the front lines for our country.

Harlem’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post paid a visit to the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home on Friday in honor of National Day of Service.

The special catering comes just days away from Memorial Day.

For those who served, this day is a reminder of what the holiday is about.

“Some of them said ‘forget it’…’no…it’s in my head…,’” said Roy Brown, Vietnam army veteran.

To some, it’s a day off from work and a backyard meal, to those who have risked their lives, it’s a reminder of times they will never forget.

“That’s not really appropriate, it’s not ‘happy Memorial Day,’ it’s a day of solemn service. It’s a reflection on our dead veterans,” said Erik Averill, army veteran.

That’s what it’s like for Brown. “I even lost a couple of friends over there, a brother-in-law and one other friend,’ said Brown.

A time for kicking back and relaxing is not what Brown sees the day as.

“Serious… it wasn’t a happy one, let’s put it that way,” said Brown.

Others remember family.

“My grandfather was in World War II. He was also in Korea, unfortunately, he didn’t get to see me serve, so sorry I get to be a big softy,” said Averill.

While it may be a day off for most, remember and give thanks to those who didn’t come back, and think of veterans like this one, who is still trying to protect us to this day.

“Be safe and not to drink when they are on the roads, and try to tell them to think about their families and stuff that they have, and try to stay safe,” said Lofton Reeves, Vietnam army vet.

To all the veterans out there and those who are no longer with us – thank you for your service.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It could be at least three more months before the Augusta Canal trail fully reopens after Hurricane Helene left it debris-strewn on Sept. 27.

Not having the trail fully reopened is a bummer for some – especially heading into a holiday weekend and the summer.

Crews are not cleaning this Memorial Day weekend, so it’s fine to kayak and canoe in the water.

But there are some areas to stay away from, like the pumping station.

Leaning trees and cracks in the embankment are hazardous, too.

Augusta Utilities Director Wes Byne says the cleanup process is lengthy and costly — totaling $10 million, including $2 million out of the city’s budget.

Also this holiday weekend, the downtown Riverwalk is still closed due to debris cleanup.

Pendleton King Park is also still closed.

Outside Augusta but stlll popular with local residents is the newly reopened West Dam recreational area at Clarks Hill Lake.

The day-use area has been closed for months for Helene cleanup but reopened Friday.

The park is missing some amenities and structures, such as tables and grills, that were damaged by the storm, but is now safe for visitors.

The reopening makes 40 of 51 Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas at the lake that have at least partially reopened since Helene.

There is still debris remaining in most parks and potential hazards remain, so visitors must use caution and avoid closed areas.

To check the status of Army Corps facilities at teh lake, visit https://www.sas.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-and-Offices/Operations-Division/J-Strom-Thurmond-Dam-and-Lake.

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