Augusta, GA
Ossoff seeks answers from CSX, which has seen derailments in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After a pair of recent train accidents, Sen. Jon Ossoff is pushing for answers from CSX, which also has been troubled by derailments in Augusta, as well.
“These significant operational failures could have seriously injured or killed my constituents, and CSX must do more to prevent a more serious incident from occurring in the future,” Ossoff wrote in a letter to the railroad.
Although he focused on recent derailments elsewhere in the state – the March 25 derailment of six CSX train cars in Fayette County and the May 9 derailment of 17 cars in Smyrna – Augusta has been troubled by CSX derailments, as well:
In his letter, Ossoff said:
“I write to express serious concern about two recent derailments of CSX train cars in Georgia, and to request specific solutions from CSX as soon as possible on plans to prevent such derailments in the future.”
Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s letter.
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UPDATE: June 17, 3:41 p.m. – According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the roadway has been reopened.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A portion of Gordon Highway has been closed Wednesday after a body was found in a nearby pond.
Richmond County Investigators say the 1200 block of eastbound Gordon Highway at Doug Barnard Parkway is closed, and that drivers should seek an alternate route.
The Augusta Fire Department, Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division have responded to the scene.
According to Coroner Mark Bowen, a positive ID will have to be made due to the condition of the body. An autopsy has been scheduled.
No further information has been released.
Video: Georgia primary runoff election 2026 polls open
Polls have opened for Georgia’s primary runoff election in the midterms for governor, senator, and other major leadership positions.
Augusta will have a new mayor.
Steven Kendrick, a local blueprint company owner whose civic involvement includes more than 13 years leading Richmond County’s tax office, defeated incumbent Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson on Tuesday in a nonpartisan runoff election.
With all 65 Richmond County precincts reporting, Kendrick received 14,651 or 54.27% of the vote to Johnson’s 12,347 or 45.73% of the vote.
In the nonpartisan runoff for the District 8 seat on the Augusta Commission, Evett Williams defeated Michael Cioffi, 2,174 votes (52.61%) to 1,958 (47.39%).
In the Republican runoff for the District 1 seat on Columbia County’s Board of Commissioners, Alex Griffin beat Bobby Timmerman, 2,778 votes to 1,875 (59.7% to 40.2%).
In the nonpartisan runoff for the District 2 seat on the Columbia County Board of Education, Tiffany Heitzman drew 2,768 votes (60.7%) over Deborah Williams’ 1,790 (39.2%).
In the Georgia governor’s Republican runoff, Richmond County voted for billionaire health-care executive Rick Jackson with 4,284 votes (53.67%) over Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones with 3,698 votes (46.33%). In Columbia County, Jones got 51.1% of the vote with 7,283 votes over Jackson’s 48.8% with 6,959 votes.
In the Republican runoff to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate, Richmond County chose U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, 4,379 votes or 55.91%, over former football coach Derek Dooley, 3,453 or 44.09%. In Columbia County, Collins’ 63.2% of the vote, 8,913, beat Dooley’s 36.7%, 5,171. Collins will face Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in the November general election.
It’s Primary Runoff Election Day in Georgia, which includes on the Republican ballot races for governor to replace lame-duck incumbent Brian Kemp, and GOP challengers to upend Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
There are also important local races still to be decided in this runoff held Tuesday, June 16, including for the mayor of Augusta, and seats on the commissions for Richmond and Columbia counties.
Below are race results showing how candidates for those races and other key races are performing. Check back often on Tuesday evening and Wednesday as vote totals are updated.
Voting started at 7 a.m. and concluded at 7 p.m. While some of these races will be decided on Tuesday, many winners of the runoff still must face challengers in the Nov. 3 General Election.
To check on your voting eligibility and polling locations, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voting Page” website at mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Congressional District 12
Governor
Columbia County District 1
Mayor of Augusta
Augusta-Richmond County Commission District 8
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