Augusta, GA
On Valentine’s Day, couples tie the knot for free in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Love is in the air, and the ink is just beginning to dry for a series of newlyweds who tied the knot this Valentine’s Day.
Richmond County’s Civil and Magistrate Court staff wanted to help couples this holiday, especially after Hurricane Helene impacted so many hoping to save up for their big day.
So, they held special wedding ceremonies on Friday for free.
The most important promises of the day weren’t sworn in court but instead spoken between two hearts, free of charge.
Everlasting love comes with patience, intimacy and commitment.
“We’ve been together a long time. It’s about 20-something years,” said newlyweds Rebecca and Frederick Dickerson.
Daris and Amber Pinkson said: “I mean pretty much it’s like if you’re gonna do it, just do it, you know. So it all made sense, it all made sense.”
Garrett and Nicole Smith said: “We wanted to get enrolled in the military system as quickly as possible that would allow us to get stationed together in the future. And to do that, you need to be married.”

They come in as two and leave as one.
“We leave Augusta in the next month and a half. The goal is to live together again at some point. So, we got to figure it out, get enrolled in the system and figure out what we can do to make that happen,” said the Smiths.
But as the saying goes, when love is real, it finds a way.
“My sister-in-law sent me a text and told me, and she said, ‘Well it’s time for y’all, y’all need to get down there.’ So, I said we’re going,” said the Dickersons.
Carletta Sims Brown, Chief Judge of the Civil and Magistrate Court of Richmond County, said: “We have military families. Families that have been together for many, many years and are finally able to make this bond without going into the financial burden that weddings can carry, so it doesn’t get any better than that.”

They’re weathering all odds.
While many lives were put on hold after storms, with a servant’s heart, Judge Sims Brown is helping couples start their lives.
“Our staff was slammed and resets and the massive amount of new filings that are coming in. But when one couple said, ‘Are y’all doing the weddings this year?’ Yeah, we’re going to do it this year because the community has seen it, they’re starting to embrace it. And so, we want to. That’s one of the greatest services we can give,” she said.
No better day to bond with those in love than on the most romantic day of the year.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University
Augusta, Ga. – A year ago when Quinasia Abercrombie was a freshman, she let her work on the court do the talking as she became one of the top players in the Peach Belt Conference. Abercrombie didn’t have to be a vocal leader since the Jaguars had several upper classmen that handled that role. This year, her sophomore season, Abercrombie is still one of the best players around, but now has become the vocal leader of the team, something that didn’t come naturally.
“I’m just leading my team by voice now, not just leading by example,” Abercrombie said. “Since I don’t really talk, I think they (my teammates) were really surprised, but they’re listening.”
She leads the Augusta women in several offensive categories and has proven to be a major asset to the program.
From Greenville, S.C., Abercrombie was an all-state high school player. She gives part of that credit to her siblings, one older brother and three younger brothers. She had to scratch and claw on the basketball court with them and she’s the first to give them credit for helping make her the player she is today. Abercrombie went as fas as saying she enjoys playing against guys since they’ll push her hard to become better, and she likes the competition.
Now, she’s also being pushed by coach Celeste Stewart. So much so, it’s taking Abercrombie out of her comfort zone. But it’s all for the betterment of her.
“She’s put me in multiple, uncomfortable situations, like talking, being more verbal, and just putting me in positions I wouldn’t normally put myself in,” added Abercrombie.
With the Peach Belt Conference tournament up next for the Jaguars, Abercrombie thinks this team can find another gear and make a run. While she has elevated her game, she knows her teammates can do the same.
Even going forward as a player, Abercrombie knows there’s plenty of room for improvement. One of the most notable for her, her ball handling skills.
“I know I like to pick up my dribble a lot and give it to my point guards,” said Abercrombie. “But I know I can bring it down the court, I just need to work on my ball handling and just being confident handling the ball.”
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.
Augusta, GA
Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.
Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.
USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.
On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.
In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.
This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University
Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.
Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.
The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.
Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.
Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.
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