Augusta, GA

Site of Augusta’s old jail remains unclear more than 5 years later

Published

8 months ago

March 18, 2025

Press Room

Site of Augusta’s old jail remains unclear more than 5 years later

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A justice center, a movie set, or an innovation hub.

At one point, Augusta’s old jail could’ve become any one of these.

Instead, the site is now empty and a study ordered by the city found that developing the area is a low priority.

Discussions about what the old jail site should become are nothing new.

For more than five years the city has gone back and forth.

When The Suicide Squad was filmed at the old jail, there were hopes it could become a site for movie studios.

Advocates also fought for years to transform the site into a justice center.

Instead of revitalizing the building, city leaders voted to demolish it, leaving it in the current state you see.

The city ordered a firm to study and decide how the land should be used, either for commercial or residential use.

The study came back with neither, instead recommending an innovation hub or a park be built in an area the study acknowledges as historically underserved.

“We have to see unified city leadership in order to make anything happen here,” said Sara Patenaude, with the Urban Land Institue technical assistance panel. “So that means getting the elected leaders and the staff on the same page, getting the city ready to support a streamlined development process, thinking through the incentives that the city might have to offer, how the city can make it more viable for a developer.”

For a short-term solution, the study recommends using the empty space as soccer fields, a farmers market or mini-golf –saying there are a host of fun activities that would work well on the site and require little if anything beyond a grassy field.

City leaders did not take any action on what they’d like to see come next for the empty site.

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Augusta, GA

Anime Fest returns to Augusta this weekend

Published

4 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Press Room

Anime Fest returns to Augusta this weekend

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Anime fest was back in town in Augusta this weekend.

The recurring event went to the Hilton DoubleTree on Saturday to celebrate the Japanese medium, with voice actors, cos-players, and even a lip sync contest.

We spoke to someone visiting about why they decided to come.

“So I love anime, I’ve loved Sailor Moon since I was five years old, so I’ve been trying to get to every con I can this year,” said Dominique Pina, visitor of the fest.

The con is looking to make a return, and there are other pop culture festivals the group hosts.

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Augusta, GA

Want to cut down your own Christmas tree? These 4 Augusta-area farms are opening soon

Published

22 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Press Room

Want to cut down your own Christmas tree? These 4 Augusta-area farms are opening soon

There are plenty of options for getting a live Christmas tree, but what about one that’s so fresh, it’s still in the ground?

Christmas tree farms will soon be reopening in the Augusta area for the holiday season. Not only do these make for great photo ops, but you can get your lumberjack on and cut the tree down yourself if you’d like. If not, that’s fine, the staff will cut it down for you. Here are four we found opening nearby and what to expect:

Gay’s Christmas Tree Farm

2335 Tobacco Rd, Augusta

Opening 9 a.m. Nov. 22, Gay’s Christmas Tree Farm is growing Murray Cypress and Carolina Sapphire as well as pre-harvested Douglas and Fraser Fir. The prices are the same as last year at about $11 per foot. The farm is open 2 p.m. until dark Monday-Thursday, 2-7 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. until dark Sundays. For more info, go to gayschristmastreefarm.com.

Still Creek Tree Farm

442 Pine Log Rd, Beech Island, SC

Opening noon Nov. 21, Still Creek Tree Farm has seven different varieties in the Pine and Cyprus families ranging in price from $5 to $10 per foot. They also have imported, fresh-cut Fraser Firs at or below market price. The farm also puts on hayrides and visits with Santa Claus, but you’ll have to stay tuned to their Facebook or Instagram. Still Creek will be open 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and by appointment.

Clarks Hill Christmas Tree Farm

39 Bennie Dorn Rd, Clarks Hill, SC

Opening Nov. 22, Clarks Hill Christmas Tree Farm has a range of trees from Leyland Cypress and Carolina Saphire to Red Cedar and Clemson Greenspire. Those 7-9 feet average about $10 per foot, with higher prices for the bigger trees. The farm will be open 2-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday. For more info, go to clarkshillchristmastreefarm.com.

Tom Sawyer’s Christmas Trees

402 Uncle Duck Rd, Monetta, SC

Opening 1 p.m. Nov. 23, Tom Sawyer’s Christmas Trees grow several different types of tree like Thuja Green Giant, Blue Ice, and White Pine as well as having Fraser Firs from North Carolina. Prices vary depending on the size and kind of tree you want, but they all generally start at 6 or 7 feet between $50-$80 for all but the Fraser Firs which start at $140. The farm will be marking the beginning of their season with a special blessing of the trees. For more info, go to tomsawyerschristmastrees.com.

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.

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Augusta, GA

FOUND: 73-year-old woman with dementia in Augusta

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2025

Press Room

FOUND: 73-year-old woman with dementia in Augusta

UPDATE: Ms. Hankerson has been located.

***

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s help in locating a missing woman.

73-year-old Marshie Hankerson was last seen on foot, leaving her home on the 3500 block of Jonathan Circle in Apple Valley in Augusta.

Ms. Hankerson was wearing a grey Reebok jogging suit and a long jacket.

Her direction of travel is unknown.

Authorities say Ms. Hankerson has Dementia and may be unaware of her surroundings.

If you have any information on Marshie Hankerson or her whereabouts, please contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1080 or 706-821-1020

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