Augusta, GA
Representatives approve language to keep current Augusta lock and dam
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A move to keep the current Savannah River Lock and Dam is being celebrated by Congressman Rick Allen.
The House of Representatives recently passed language halting the Army Corps plans to replace the dam with a rock weir across the river and it forces the pool to be maintained at a specific level.
The lock and dam have been at the center of a years-long controversy — and lawsuits — centered around the people’s needs versus the needs of fish reportedly impacted by the corps’ deepening of Savannah Harbor.
So, what does this new measure mean for you at home?
The Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam has seen better days, and once again, at the center of controversy.
The challenge? To maintain water levels but also protect fish in the Savannah River.
Allen says he has worked for years to find a permanent solution that works for everyone.
“One that works for job creators, municipalities, and our community alike,” said Allen.
The Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the lock and dam, wants a rock weir to control water flow with water flowing over the weir instead of through a spillway.
It’s something Allen finds a problem with.
“Maroon boats and docks on the ground, excess debris, mud flaps, the riverbanks caving in, and these businesses not able to draw the water they need,” he said.
A plan by Allen calls for river levels between Augusta’s 5th Street bridge and the lock and dam to stay between 114.5 and 115 feet. It’s passed the House and now goes to the Senate.
Tonya Bonitatibus, with the Savannah Riverkeepers, worries the plan doesn’t account for the impact on fish.
“It actually excludes sturgeon from the language, which is a huge problem,” said Bonitatibus.
Bonitatibus says she understands that maintaining the water level is critical.
But so are the fish.
“It’s this big, complicated mess of a huge amount of federal funds that need to be spent here on fish passage that now a bunch of people are fighting over what that solution looks like,” she said.
It’s been an expensive fight — one involving lawsuits.
“We can’t get people to sit down at a rational table and negotiate per the different agencies to come up with a solution that meets all the needs of the project,” said Bonitatibus.
She says the plan doesn’t account for who is going to maintain the lock and dam or how to pay for it.
“We’re just continuing this. I don’t care about the fish. Let me just take the money and then also leave this unfunded mandate,” said Bonitatibus.
It’s a fight as murky as the waters of the Savannah River.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Two Augusta-area Walmarts are among 13 Georgia locations that the retail giant plans to remodel and modernize in 2026.
In the past five years, the company said it has spent $961.5 million to upgrade its stores statewide.
Now, the company plans to change store layouts and services in its Augusta and Grovetown locations to make shopping faster and more convenient.
The locations are the Augusta Walmart Supercenter at 3338 Wrightsboro Road, near Augusta Mall, and the Grovetown Walmart Neighborhood Market at 5303-A Wrightsboro Road, where Wrightsboro and Harlem-Grovetown roads meet.
The Augusta location has been undergoing renovations since last fall.
The stores, when completely renovated, will include updated pharmacies offering vaccines, free delivery and clinical services such as basic health screenings and same-day testing for strep, the flu and COVID-19. Vision Centers also will be redesigned for improved privacy.
Also, computer apps will help customers better navigate stores, scan products’ prices and find exclusive app-only shopping deals.
Augusta, GA – Entered into rest Sunday, April 19, 2026. Mr. James Byron Duncan, 80, was the loving husband of Estelle Mulherin Duncan as well as devoted father, doting grandfather, and lifelong friend to many.
Byron was born and raised in Augusta, GA, the son of W.B. and Kathleen Duncan. After graduating from Butler High School in 1965, Byron’s kind heart called him into Social Work. He earned his Bachelor of Sociology from Augusta College in 1969. After 34 years of dedicated service to the State of Georgia, Byron retired in 2003 as Director of Jefferson County Family and Children Services. He devoted his life wholeheartedly to both service to others and dedication to his family, working in the tough field of social work while remaining a fiercely loving, spirited and unwaveringly passionate man.
His deepest commitments were to his wife, children, granddaughters, siblings, church, the Knights of Columbus and the Georgia Bulldogs.
Byron was deeply rooted in his faith and community. He was an active member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, where he had served as an usher, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and finance committee member. He was also a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, Patrick Walsh Council 677 and Assembly 174, the Irish American Heritage Society and the Rotary Club of Louisville, GA. A true Georgia Bulldog at heart, Byron never missed an opportunity to cheer for his Dawgs, whether they were playing football, basketball, baseball or any other sport. He loved the simple joys of life – days at the beach, Jimmy Buffett, beach music and shagging, and a house full of family and friends. For many years, Byron delighted young and old alike by donning the red suit and playing Santa Claus at various events as well as visiting the classrooms at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School as St. Nicholas.
Byron possessed the gift of gab! He never met a stranger and could often be observed enthusiastically carrying on a deep conversation with old friends or a stranger he just met on the street. No conversation with him was brief!
Family meant everything to him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Estelle Mulherin Duncan; his children Sean M. Duncan (Jennifer), Matthew M. Duncan and Megan E. Duncan; his bonus daughter, Allison Crow (Joe), and his treasured grandchildren Riley, Emma and Harper Duncan, who brought him endless joy. He is also survived by his brother Keith Duncan; sisters Sheryl Werrick and Marcia Golden; brothers-in-law Dr. Joe Mulherin, Robert Gibson and Tom King; sister-in-law Janet M. Gibson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Ross as celebrant. Interment will follow at Westover Memorial Park. A Rosary service will be held Thursday evening at 6:00 P.M., followed by visitation from 6:30 until 8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son.
Memorial contributions may be made to Aquinas High School, 1920 Highland Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 or St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 for the Our Faith Our Future Capital Campaign.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907, (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at thomaspoteet.com
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Georgia Gubernational candidate Geoff Duncan made another appearance in Augusta on Monday, speaking at the IBEW Local 1579 on Reynolds Street.
Duncan is one of the three candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. Duncan said when he served as lieutenant governor of the state, he fought to expand access to health care in rural communities. He said if he’s elected, he’ll focus on lowering costs in other areas.
Duncan stopped by NewsChannel 6 ahead of the campaign stop to speak about his plans.
“Look, 90% of Georgians know what they’re talking about when they want to pass commonsense gun legislation like universal background checks, red flag laws, and in-home safe storage laws. As governor, I want to lead the charge, and I want to give political cover to those Republicans that want to do the right thing, build those consensus around those bills,” Duncan said. “I hope to get some of them the cosign that legislation. Because it meets people where they’re at. It’s common sense. Look, I don’t want anybody to ever walk by a television screen and make another excuse for a mass shooting when it could have been stopped. With just common sense laws that are on the books.”
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
-
Iowa2 minutes agoWrongful death suit filed for prospective Univ. of Iowa student killed in car crash
-
Kentucky14 minutes agoSadiqa Reynolds removed from U of L board, as Kentucky Senate doesn’t confirm her
-
Louisiana20 minutes agoMom whose 3 children were killed in Louisiana mass shooting still has bullet lodged in face — and sometimes thinks kids are alive
-
Maine26 minutes agoThese are the Best Outdoor Dining Joints in Maine, According to Locals
-
Maryland32 minutes agoU.S. Air Force reverses course on retiring A-10 Thunderbolt planes, making way for potential Maryland return
-
Michigan38 minutes agoUS supreme court sides with Michigan in its fight to shut down ageing pipeline
-
Massachusetts44 minutes agoHeavy police presence due to ‘ongoing incident’ in Tewksbury
-
Minnesota50 minutes agoTikToker’s ban from St. Paul parks lifted after appeal, agent says