Augusta, GA

Sole finalist named for Augusta University presidency

Published

2 years ago

June 6, 2024

Sole finalist named for Augusta University presidency

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia voted Thursday to name an internal candidate, Dr. Russell T. Keen, as the sole finalist for president of Augusta University.

Keen currently serves as executive vice president for administration and chief of staff to the president at AU, where he’s served in an executive leadership role since July 2015.

He’s set to succeed Dr. Brooks Keel, who’s retiring from the post at the end of the month.

”As a native of the Augusta area, Dr. Keen understands the challenge of maintaining AU’s momentum in the climb from good to better to best as a research university and innovator in medical higher education,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said.

A first-generation college student and a Georgia Southern graduate, Keen has worked within the university system for over 22 years.

Before joining AU, Keen spent 13 years working at Georgia Southern, where he held several administrative positions, including vice president for external affairs and vice president of governmental relations and community engagement.

He also worked as the major gifts officer at the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia.

At Keel’s final State of the University address a few days ago, Keen noted how much progress the school has made in recent years.

“If you look at where we were in 2015 to where we are today,” he said. “It’s a remarkably different institution with remarkable support from the campus and the community.”

At a time when enrollment is tough for lots of universities, AU saw an increase.

In the five years before Keel arrived enrollment at AU it decreased 3% every year, Keen noted.

“And so, if you look at where we are this year, we’ve increased 27% in our enrollment over the last nine years, which is huge,” said Keen.

Twin foals were born at UGA's veterinary hospital on Monday, May 27, 2024, said horse owner...

”Russell is an obvious choice to lead AU,” said Regent Jim Hull, chairman of the presidential search committee.

Hull said Keen has “the unique combination of experience and drive to jumpstart the university’s growth and its continued contributions to health sciences education and translational research in Georgia.”

Hull noted that AU has a unique opportunity with Wellstar Health System to improve Georgians’ clinical health care outcomes. AU Health, which previously operated the dull-service AU Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Georgia, partnered with WellStar for operation of the hospitals and associated health care network.

“Russell is the right leader to work strategically with faculty, staff, students and Wellstar to transform lives and create more opportunity to save lives and collaborate with other research universities in Georgia,” Hull said.

Keen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an M.Ed. in higher education administration from Georgia Southern. He earned an Ed.D. in higher education management from UGA. He serves with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Rotary Club of Augusta and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

He and his wife, Karen, have two children and live in Augusta.

Keel has helmed AU since July 2015, during which time he oversaw significant growth in enrollment and funding, and was previously president at Georgia Southern University, where he and Keen first met.

”It is an immense privilege to be considered for this position, and I’m grateful to the board and Chancellor Perdue for their confidence in me,” Keen said. “My time on campus and in Augusta has prepared me for a seamless transition into this role, and I would be honored to continue the legacy of a president I consider a mentor.”

The Board will take action on the position at a future board meeting no sooner than five days from naming a finalist.

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Augusta, GA

17-year-old hit by two vehicles after I-520 crash, officials say

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

17-year-old hit by two vehicles after I-520 crash, officials say

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A 17-year-old driving a possibly stolen vehicle was critically injured Thursday after fleeing Richmond County deputies, crashing near I-520 and running into interstate traffic, authorities said.

Richmond County deputies went to the area of Barton Chapel Road and Old McDuffie Road at around 8:19 a.m. Thursday for a possible stolen vehicle described as an orange Dodge Challenger.

Deputies located the vehicle at the intersection of Barton Chapel Road and Old McDuffie Road, and as deputies attempted to turn around and make contact, the driver sped away going eastbound on Old McDuffie Road, officials said.

Deputies attempted to follow the vehicle but lost sight of it shortly thereafter.

A short time later, a deputy saw that the Challenger had crashed at the dead end of Old McDuffie Road after traveling through a private fence, authorities say.

The vehicle stopped on an embankment along the southeast shoulder of I-520 eastbound near mile marker 4, according to the sheriff’s office.

As deputies approached the vehicle, deputies said the driver ran across the eastbound lanes of I-520 into oncoming traffic, and was hit by a passing vehicle.

The impact from the first vehicle caused him to hit the windshield of a second vehicle traveling in the same direction, according to officials. He was then propelled over the center barrier wall into the westbound lanes of the interstate.

The driver was transported to Wellstar MCG by Central EMS for treatment and is listed in critical condition, the sheriff’s office said.

Georgia State Patrol has been notified and is leading the investigation into the incident. Any additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The crash shut down all lanes on the interstate for hours on Thursday morning, reopening around 11 a.m.

On Wednesday morning, Richmond County deputies responded to another “serious” crash on Barton Chapel Road, which turned out to be deadly.

According to data provided by the sheriff’s office, traffic collisions in Richmond County decreased by 3% in the past year, from 10,672 in 2024 to 10,402 in 2025.

The more significant decrease came with a 43% in traffic fatalities in the county. Fatalities dropped from 44 in 2024 to 25 in 2025.

More broadly, in Georgia, there were a total of 367,523 crashes in 2024, which is down from 374,006 in 2023, according to GDOT.

There was a total of 1,494 fatal crashes in Georgia in 2024, down from 1,666 in 2023.

GDOT says 76% of the time, fatal crashes are caused by unsafe driving behaviors, including distractions, impairment or driving too fast for conditions.

And in Nov. 2025, the sheriff’s office was one of 26 law enforcement agencies in Georgia to receive a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety awarded the sheriff’s office with $192,286.36.

The Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic, or H.E.A.T., program is designed to combat crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by impaired driving and speeding, while also increasing seatbelt use and educating the public about traffic safety.

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Augusta, GA

Abercrombie’s Career-High 33 Lifts Augusta Past Middle Georgia in PBC Tournament Quarterfinals – Augusta University

Published

14 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Abercrombie’s Career-High 33 Lifts Augusta Past Middle Georgia in PBC Tournament Quarterfinals – Augusta University

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta opened Peach Belt Conference Tournament play with a win Wednesday, outlasting Middle Georgia 74-70 in the PBC quarterfinals atChristenberry Fieldhouse.

The Jaguars (19-9, 13-7 Peach Belt) move on to the next round of four and will travel to top-seeded Columbus State on Saturday, March 7, in Columbus, Ga.

Augusta got rolling early behind Quinasia Abercrombie, who buried a three in the opening minute and continued to set the tone offensively. The Jaguars built momentum on both ends, and Nadiyah Byard provided an instant spark off the bench with a layup late in the first quarter to help Augusta take a 16-13 lead after one.

The second quarter belonged to the Jaguars’ defense. Middle Georgia managed just six points in the period, as Augusta tightened the paint and forced tough possessions. Amari Jackson hit a pair of free throws early in the quarter and later added a layup, while Abercrombie finished the half with a strong push in transition to keep Augusta in control. The Jaguars took a 31-19 lead into halftime after holding Middle Georgia to 1-for-13 shooting in the second quarter.

Middle Georgia responded coming out of the break, but Augusta answered every push. Abercrombie knocked down a fast-break three early in the third, and Jackson followed with a layup to keep the advantage comfortable. Sa’Niah Dorsey connected from deep during the quarter, and Augusta shot 61.5 percent in the third to carry a 54-40 lead into the final 10 minutes.

The final quarter turned into a battle. Middle Georgia found rhythm offensively and closed the gap with repeated second-chance opportunities, eventually cutting it to a one-possession game in the final minute. Augusta stayed poised at the line down the stretch, with Elyse Autrey knocking down key free throws in the closing seconds to preserve the win.

Abercrombie led Augusta with a career-high 33 points, going 13-of-20 from the field and 3-of-6 from three. Jackson added 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Dorsey finished with seven points, while Autrey dished out six assists and went 5-for-6 at the free throw line.

Middle Georgia (17-11, 10-10 Peach Belt) was paced by Mauryah Jones with 20 points and Kristen Foglia with 18. The Knights also received 13 points and 15 rebounds from Kennedi Hawkins.

Wednesday’s game also featured a special atmosphere at Christenberry Fieldhouse, with the Lucy C. Laney High School Marching Band, the Pride of Augusta, providing in-game entertainment.

Augusta advances to face top-seeded Columbus State on Saturday, March 7, in Columbus, Ga.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Boxing Club faces financial uncertainty after nonprofit funding cuts

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Boxing Club faces financial uncertainty after nonprofit funding cuts

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Boxing Club is facing financial uncertainty after Richmond County’s 2026 budget left no room to fund nonprofit organizations.

The county’s decision removes one of the club’s main financial supporters, leaving the historic organization without a key source of funding.

The Augusta Boxing Club is one of the nation’s longest-running amateur boxing clubs and has served at-risk youth in the Augusta area.