Augusta, GA

On Your Side: Where you can get help with tree, debris removal

Published

1 year ago

October 9, 2024

Press Room

On Your Side: Where you can get help with tree, debris removal

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Cleanup continues in the CSRA after the storm left behind a path of destruction.

Tree companies from as far as Atlanta are helping with cleanup efforts.

But what does it cost you to pay for these cleanup crews?

To name a few, Stallions Tree Professionals says it can cost you anywhere from a couple thousand to $10,000 depending on the type of tree, how many and the equipment needed for removal.

Craigs Tree Service and Graniteville Tree Services also hover around the $4,000 to $7,000 range.

Homeowners are scrambling to overcome these unexpected expenses.

Teresa Waters is one of the many impacted and she says it has left a lasting impression on her home.

“You can see it kind of crushed, I mean, really not, not terrible, but it crushed that,” says Waters. “And there are holes in the roof.”

Waters says she’s fortunate outside help is bringing resources to Augusta to aid in cleaning up the mess.

“The first three, four, five days it felt like the world didn’t know what was going on here, and you just couldn’t get anything,” says Waters. “And the power was out. But then it’s like all these people have descended on Augusta to help us.”

Tree removal companies say the need is growing and it will be a while until the look of the Garden City is back under control.

“We’ll probably be here one crew until December, maybe longer, says Morgan Jones, Vice President of Don’s Tree Service. “There’s a lot of trees down.“

John King, The Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, says with all the outside help coming in it’s as important as ever to protect yourself from scammers.

“Deal with somebody locally, somebody you know, somebody that you knowtheir reputation, that they’re going to finish the job and they’re going to do exactly what you hire them to do,” says King.

Waters says she knows it’s just the beginning of clean-up, but she’s confident Augusta will stay strong.

“The people support each other, and because of that, we’re going to come back better than ever,” says Waters.

The Georgia Department of Insurance and Safety Fire is also urging people not to let contractors directly negotiate with insurance companies.

They say many people take advantage and leave nothing left for you to claim on your policy.

You can reach out to the office if you feel fraudulent activity is being done.

Here is the link you can use to report fraudulent insurance activity by contractors: https://oci.georgia.gov/

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Boxing Club faces financial uncertainty after nonprofit funding cuts

Published

12 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Boxing Club faces financial uncertainty after nonprofit funding cuts

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Boxing Club is facing financial uncertainty after Richmond County’s 2026 budget left no room to fund nonprofit organizations.

The county’s decision removes one of the club’s main financial supporters, leaving the historic organization without a key source of funding.

The Augusta Boxing Club is one of the nation’s longest-running amateur boxing clubs and has served at-risk youth in the Augusta area.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta picks new planning and development director

Published

24 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Augusta picks new planning and development director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta-Richmond County has selected a new planning and development director nearly a year after the previous director resigned.

Commissioners voted to hire Adleasia J. Cameron, who goes by Lisa, after an executive session Tuesday.

Cameron was one of two finalists for the position, along with Ryan A. Bland.

The position has been vacant since May 30, when Carla Delaney resigned as planning and development director.

“Augusta has been home to me for many years, from my time as a middle and high school student to earning my graduate degree. It has truly been a privilege to work here and contribute to the community’s growth, sustainability, and development,” Delaney wrote in her letter of resignation.

Cameron is expected to start within the next 30 days.

Her salary will be $125,000, with a moving allowance of up to $10,000 reimbursed based on receipts.

Other commission action

Commissioners also received an update that a veterans cemetery will break ground at the end of the year.

A motion passed authorizing the Marshal’s Office to purchase two vehicles at a cost of more than $115,000.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta family flees Middle East as U.S. launches Operation Epic Fury

Published

2 days ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Augusta family flees Middle East as U.S. launches Operation Epic Fury

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta couple returned home from Israel and Egypt just as the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury Saturday.

This happened hours before the State Department issued an urgent warning urging Americans in 14 Middle Eastern countries to “depart now” due to “serious safety risks.”

Diego and Maile Sprague had been staying with a host family in Jerusalem, south of the West Bank. The host family provides self-defense training to women and children living in the West Bank.

“We moved to Jerusalem just south of the West Bank and stayed with a host family that provides self-defense training to women and children that live on the West Bank,” Maile Sprague said. “Sometimes those places aren’t the safest.”

Couple tours Egypt as operation launches

The Spragues left their host family Friday morning to tour Egypt. By Saturday morning, the U.S. and Israel had rolled out Operation Epic Fury.

The couple said their host family was forced to flee their home after two nearby Arab-developed areas were attacked.

“We got word he and his wife had to leave their home because where they live there are two Arab developed areas… and they were attacked, so he and his wife had to flee their home,” Diego Sprague said.

Maile Sprague said the host family is now sheltering with neighbors.

“They are staying in their bomb shelter because there has been constant red alerts, so they’re sharing their bomb shelter with their neighbors,” she said.

Tourism industry shuts down in Egypt

While in Egypt, the Spragues said they witnessed the country’s tourism industry — its largest — coming to a halt.

“Everything that has to do with the tourism industry was closing down. Tourists were trying to leave, and all the buses were being routed to the border for Israel to pick people up from,” Maile Sprague said.

The couple had planned to return to their host family in Israel but instead made the decision to return home to Augusta. They landed in Atlanta hours before the State Department issued its “depart now” warning Monday.

The Spragues said they are safe. Their host family remains in a bomb shelter.

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