Augusta, GA

‘One of a kind’: Heroic pilot is mourned in Augusta, elsewhere

Published

2 years ago

May 2, 2024

‘One of a kind’: Heroic pilot is mourned in Augusta, elsewhere

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The community is mourning a pilot who died Thursday morning in an Augusta plane crash – a man many are calling a hero for saving lives on the ground.

Scott McKenzie, associate director of philanthropy at Augusta University, was the only person killed when the single-engine Beechcraft 36 crashed at Hillcrest Avenue and Belmont Drive just after 7:13 a.m. Thursday.

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First responders credit McKenzie’s piloting for avoiding further deaths and injuries.

The plane, bound for New Haven, Conn., crashed in a densely populated residential neighborhood just after taking off from Daniel Field, just a couple of blocks away.

McKenzie joined Augusta University in 2020 and worked in philanthropy and alumni engagement, where he was extensively involved in building relationships and working with donors who support athletics programs.

“His passion for the university and our athletics programs was unsurpassed. We are keeping Jason’s family, friends and colleagues in our thoughts and prayers,” AU said in a statement.

A former resident of Baton Rouge, he was on the golf team at Mississippi State University.

McKenzie worked in the broadcasting field for many years in Baton Rouge including at WAFB-TV and Guaranty Broadcasting.

But Augusta was his hometown, so he moved back here four years ago.

McKenzie was a close friend of Augusta Commission member Sean Frantom, who appeared shaken when he visited the crash site Thursday.

“He was one of kind. My friend for over 35 years,” Frantom posted on Facebook. “He loved the Lord and loved his family. He is one of the best family men I have ever seen.”

Frantom said he had the honor of being in his wedding in Baton Rouge with his bride Stephanie McKenzie.

“He loved her so much and was so excited to get married,” Frantom said, adding that McKenzie left this Earth too soon but doing what he loved.

“It will take a village to love and support your wife, son, and mom but we will be here for them,” Frantom wrote.

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Augusta, GA

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

10 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

22 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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