Augusta, GA

Out-of-state volunteers continue Hurricane Helene cleanup in Augusta

Published

2 weeks ago

February 20, 2026

Out-of-state volunteers continue Hurricane Helene cleanup in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More than a year after Hurricane Helene devastated the area, volunteers from across the country continue cleanup efforts in Augusta, helping families rebuild their lives one home at a time.

Annie Thompson remembers her daughter’s house well. But on the early morning of September 27, everything changed.

“When the tree came, it came; that window came all the way through. It came right here, really close to where they were sitting,” Thompson said.

The home was supposed to be their safe place after losing a home to a tornado in Burke County and another to a fire. But Helene crushed those hopes. The house now sits unrecognizable, having been destroyed for more than a year while the family looked for an answer on how they could move back in.

That answer came from an unexpected place. Dale Sink and his group of volunteers with Christian Disaster Services are working on houses across Augusta, a year and a half later.

“It’s rewarding to help somebody who needs help,” said Sink, whose life’s work is helping people with nowhere else to turn.

The crew has experience with major disasters. “Hurricane Katrina. And then after that, we were in Joplin, Missouri, where a tornado went through there,” Sink said.

This crew has been a lifeline for Annie’s family, fixing their home plank by plank at no cost. But they’re not the only ones still rebuilding the community.

More than 100 volunteer workers gathered under one roof for a dinner in South Augusta. The Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee recognizes the work they’ve put in.

“We are eternally grateful for your sacrifice to be here, we thank you and I tell everybody… you are angels to us,” said Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.

Deke Copenhaver, executive director of the Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee, said the work continues to make a difference.

“To see the homeowners, once again, people that had trees on their house for over a year, that probably thought they were never going to get assistance, but we will continue to do this work as long as it takes,” Copenhaver said.

The celebration served as a show of thanks as people from across the country continued to pour in to restore lives and community.

The effort is managed through the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee. On Wednesday, they had 80 volunteers working 18 different sites, with relief and rebuilding still flowing through the community.

More information on the work being done and how to donate can be found at https://cfcsra.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4432

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Augusta, GA

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Published

59 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

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.

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Augusta, GA

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

Published

13 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

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.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

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.

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