Augusta, GA
Rare rescue: 6-foot sturgeon released to Savannah River
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There was a rare rescue in south Augusta after a 6-foot sturgeon got stuck in Spirit Creek.
Sturgeons are an ancient group of fish that date back to the age of the dinosaurs and they can live to be 150 years old.
On Friday, the Department of Natural Resources set the sturgeon free.
“I had to drop everything I was doing. I called some contacts from UGA with their sturgeon lab for them to come up and assist us,” said Aaron Gray, a fisheries biologist for DNR.
The Atlantic Sturgeon finished laying her eggs in the Savannah River, but while she was leaving, she got stuck in Spirit Creek.
“The fish came in when we had some heavy rain in the area, and once the way was receded the sturgeon was stuck over the bridge,” said Gray.
Once Gray got the tip about the sturgeon being stuck, he jumped into gear. Saving her was a seven-man job.
“It took for nets to corral and finally capture the sturgeon. Once we had it in hand, the University of Georgia group got measurement and data from the fish,” said Gray.
It was a delicate process to get her out of the creek and took about an hour. It took another 30 minutes to get her back to the Savannah River.
“Had to temper the water in the tank for about half an hour to make the river condition,” he said.
Matching the river conditions kept the sturgeon from going into shock and to be safe in her home again.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Regional Airport hosts drone camp for students
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Dream Center sees surge in families needing food as summer begins
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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