AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A criminal investigation is underway at TechNet Augusta, according to officials at the event.

In a video posted Wednesday on social media, officials said there is an odor in the Oglethorpe Ballroom at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.

Lieutenant General Susan Lawrence, president and chief executive officer of AFCEA International, says officials and local authorities are working to fix the situation.

Lawrence states the affected areas have undergone tests for hazardous materials, but authorities say it is safe to proceed with the conference. “

We will continue to cooperate with the local authorities on this ongoing criminal investigation,” said Lawrence.

Authorities say this is an alleged “willful act.”

AFCEA International says since this is an ongoing investigation, they’re not commenting at this time.

The three-day conference brings together cyber industry experts – largely with high-security clearances – for communication, networking, education and problem-solving. It’s put on by the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association in cooperation with the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and industry experts.

Even though it’s a pretty specialized event, it’s a huge boost to the economy.

Last year alone, it brought nearly 6,000 attendees to the city, with more than 3,700 traveling from outside Georgia and South Carolina.

As of Wednesday evening, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says they have not received any information on this investigation.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been a little more than two weeks since Hurricane Debby swept through Florida and then hit Georgia and the Carolinas as a tropical storm.

While we got nearly a foot of rain in some of our southern counties, places along the coast like Savannah got hit the hardest.

Augusta became a hub for relief organizations to ship out supplies in the aftermath of Debby.

Now, Augusta volunteers are heading south as well to help with recovery efforts.

It’s been more than a few weeks, but people are still feeling the impact like it was yesterday.

“I know that we have a couple of Augusta people that are in the Savannah area right now, and what they are doing is that recovery type of stage. So, they’re doing disaster assessment, so literally driving down all the streets, looking at the houses, seeing what houses have been damaged or destroyed, so that we can help them recover,” said Susan Everitt, executive director of American Red Cross of East Central Georgia.

Since Tropical Storm Debby, more than 500 volunteers have passed through Augusta to help along the coast, passing out meals, clean-up kits and more.

Frank Spears lives in Augusta and arrived in Savannah Tuesday night.

“200 hundred households have been affected in the Richmond Hill area. I’m gonna walk you around a bit here. Red Cross volunteers are here now doing intake and as we are doing the intake we are meeting with the people that have the greatest need and serving them with financial assistance,” said Spears.

He is also helping assess the damage.

The Red Cross says at least 420 homes have been damaged or destroyed overall, but that number could increase.

“They’ve given us lists of people that have destroyed houses or major damaged houses, and they’re the ones that were immediately helping. But we’re discovering, is it, there’s a lot more flooding here than we knew, and we’re trying to assist and help them in every single way. So, what we’ve seen is just amazing damage from the floods,” said Spears.

Augusta was ready for any sort of impact but stepped up where the impact was greater.

“There’s still water in some of the streets, but you can’t imagine what’s been left in those houses. It’s not good. It’s not good. Most of them did not have flood insurance, so homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover it,” said Spears.

Spears says he’s helping in any way he can and encouraging others to also.

Everitt said: “At this point, we would love for people to volunteer to be prepared for the next disaster that comes because we know it’s going to be a very intense disaster season this year.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says 2024 could be one of the busiest hurricane seasons on record.

If you want to volunteer to help with disaster relief through the Red Cross, visit

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Augusta, Ga — The defending Peach Belt Conference champion Augusta volleyball team will take to the floor for the first time this season on Friday, Augusta 30 as the Jaguars host their annual Blue and Grey intrasquad scrimmage.

Admission for the match is free to the public and will be held at Christenberry Fieldhouse at 6:00 pm. While no concession service will be available, fans are permitted to bring outside food to the scrimmage.
 
2024 Augusta Volleyball Schedule
 
The Jaguars All-Conference performers in setter Janvier Buggs and right side Sophia Kruczko. Led by reigning PBC and AVCA Region Coach of the Year Sharon Quarles, the Jaguars look to defend their PBC Regular Season and PBC Tournament Titles. Augusta finished 29-5 overall with an 11-1 conference mark.

The open the regular season, Augusta will head to Lakeland, FL to take part in the 2024 Florida Southern Classic.
 
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