Augusta, GA

Pride organizers work to keep public safe during weekend activities

Published

6 days ago

June 21, 2024

Press Room

Pride organizers work to keep public safe during weekend activities

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – June is Pride Month, and Augusta’s celebrations are some of the largest in the Peach State.

Last year, a record 16,000 people came to Pride to celebrate.

We were live in downtown Augusta where Beats on Broad held its hours-long music party at the Augusta Common.

With so many people expected to turn out this weekend, public safety is top of mind.

It’s a time to recognize everyone in the CSRA.

“We’ve grown and grown every year. And we’re hoping that we have at least 15 to 16,000 people show up in the next two days,” said Augusta Pride Secretary James Mintz.

It’s a weekend Mintz says you can come as you are with no fear.

He says organizers took great lengths to try and make that a reality.

“We utilize Richmond County Sheriff’s Department to do our security. And we’re very happy with the announcement that there are more patrols in downtown Augusta to just try and give people more a sense of safety and crime is down in general nationwide. So, there’s no reason why you can’t come out to the Augusta common tonight and tomorrow and celebrate,” he said.

Public Safety Officer Doug Ruben was named officer of the year.

It’s an atmosphere vendors say they are willing to take the extra effort to maintain.

“We’ll keep an eye out for everybody’s boots. Like our young lady over here. She had to walk away. We’re gonna watch out for everybody to make sure there’s no crime going on. And if so, we know who to report it to,” said vendor Kirby Eckleberry.

Organizers say it’s a bright weekend of festivities to look forward to.

“A hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, drink plenty of fluids. Several booths will be offering free water and just come check out each booth that’s available here because we think that there’s some good resources here,” said Mintz.

The festivities don’t stop after Friday night, the parade and festival will be happening tomorrow on Saturday.

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Augusta, GA

Search will continue for new Augusta parks and recreation director

Published

1 hour ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

Search will continue for new Augusta parks and recreation director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The search continues for a new Augusta parks and recreation director.

The Augusta Commission discussed the vacancy during a work session Thursday.

The position was first opened in March and closed on April 6. Augusta Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse said more than 58 people applied, but only 16 met all the qualifications.

The job will be reposted July 1, and the position will close again July 31.

The commission is requesting an update around Labor Day on applications and finalists.

WORK SESSION MATERIALS:

City human resources staff members say they’ll have an update at the commission’s Aug. 13 meeting

Maurice McDowell resigned as head of the department in February, leaving with severance as he faced a penalty after a human resources inquiry found evidence of age discrimination.

In addition to filling the vacancy, commission members have been grappling with selecting a firm to audit the department.

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Augusta, GA

‘Absolutely surprised’: Downtown businesses thank recent celebrations

Published

8 hours ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

‘Absolutely surprised’: Downtown businesses thank recent celebrations

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Recent downtown celebrations are to thank for an unexpected business boom, according to Augusta business owners.

And it comes nearly three weeks after a gunman opened fire into a crowd on Broad Street.

Just a few weeks after downtown was shattered by the shooting, the garden city is rebounding with Juneteenth and Pride — all of which are having a positive impact on business.

And with temperatures shooting up, there’s been a concern business would wilt in the hot weather.

“Of course, the weather is not helping with it being so incredibly hot,” said Hope Trujillo, manager at Pineapple Ink.

But the events downtown these past two weekends have helped move things in the right direction.

“We were way busier than normal we had a lot of high numbers we had a lot of visitors from out of town stop in,” said Trujillo.

Pride and Juneteenth both created foot traffic in downtown Augusta.

“But that Saturday when it was complete Pride events downtown, the parade at the commons, we did 200 plus cover the whole day which is really phenomenal for a small place like ourselves,” said Trujillo.

Whether a business has been downtown for three weeks or two years, everyone saw the increase.

“We’ve been here three weeks. This Friday will be one month. I can say with the festival that happened I saw some new faces we were a little bit busier than usual,” said Anna Chavez, manager of El Paso.

Trujillo said: “We were absolutely surprised we were way busier than normal.”

Hitting just the right note at just the right time.

“Well, you do have that little slow time it’s the end of school families are going on vacation we have that little slump, so Pride and Juneteenth helped downtown get passed that little slump,” said Trujillo.

Businesses hope to see more people find their way downtown as summer goes on. They just hope the heat doesn’t keep people at home.

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Augusta, GA

Downtown businesses see increase in sales after busy month

Published

15 hours ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

Downtown businesses see increase in sales after busy month

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Downtown Augusta businesses are seeing an economic boost after a busy few weekends.

It comes nearly three weeks after a gunman opened fire into a crowd on Broad Street.

Just a few weeks after downtown was shattered by the shooting, the garden city is rebounding with Juneteenth and Pride — all of which are having a positive impact on business.

And with temperatures shooting up, there’s been a concern business would wilt in the hot weather.