Augusta, GA
Some Augusta neighborhoods still ‘unrecognizable’ amid debris cleanup
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta and parts of the CSRA look very different than a week ago. Every other curb is packed full of tree limbs and crews are heading out to clear thousands of cubic yards worth of debris.
Some neighborhoods are now unrecognizable in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
“It was heartbreaking to see so much destruction around you and mostly with people you know,” said Augsuta resident Lilo Benzicron.
It all hits too close to home for Lilo and his wife Klara Banzicron.
“She would have been hurt, she would have been right where it fell off from the tower, and then it would have, you see the window fell right in her bed,” said Lilo.
Their daughter wasn’t home during the storm, sparring this family from losing something irreplaceable.
“The other things, it’s just replaceable items. we just go through this cycle of headaches, dealing with people, dealing with this, dealing with that,” said Lilo.
MORE FROM NEWS 12:
From the looks of it, you would think the storm just happened. That just goes to show how long it’s going to take to clean up around here.
“We are fortunate nothing happened to us physically, but then, you know, after what happened, then you start realizing all these necessities that you are accustomed to having,” said Lilo.
The one thing you can’t replace is life.
“We want to still have that peace here. We want to have this place rebuilt you know, in any way we can help and talk about things,” said Lilo.
PHOTO GALLERY | U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION CHIEF VISITS:
Columbia County says they have six derbis sites and are looking to add two more. They say they have about 44 trucks out moving debris.
Aiken County says now that the roads have been mostly cleared, the county is transitioning into the debris cleanup phase.
The collection sites are being finalized now and they aim to start collection on county-owned roads soon.
We have spoken to officials in Richmond, Columbia and Aiken counties, and they all say to leave the debris by the road but do not block the road.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
25-year-old woman killed in shooting on Cameron Drive
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person has died after a shooting on Cameron Drive in Augusta early Friday morning.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 25-year-old Khyla Rodriguez, of Augusta.
Richmond County deputies responded to the 3600 block of Cameron Drive around 1:11 a.m. for a suspicious situation.
While on scene, deputies spoke to the complainant who stated they got a call form an unknown person saying their friend was dead at the incident location.
Deputies then searched the area, where they found Rodriguez on the ground unresponsive with several gun shot wounds to the stomach area.
The coroner’s office says Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 2:27 a.m. An autopsy has been scheduled.
As of 4:15 a.m., at least one deputy and crime scene crews were still on scene.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Four indicted in Augusta on federal drug trafficking charges
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Four individuals from Augusta have been indicted by a federal Grand Jury on federal drug trafficking charges, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Southern District of Georgia announced Thursday.
The following individuals were indicted:
(Indictments contain charges, and defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.)
- Tyriquez McFadden, 39, and Nichael Lessey, 44, both of Augusta, charged in a five-count indictment with Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl; Possession with Intent to Distribute 28 Grams or More of Crack Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon


- Roman Kelly, 51, of Augusta, indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.
These charges carry statutory penalties up to life in prison, substantial financial penalties and a period of supervised release upon completion of any prison term.
Augusta, GA
South Georgia wildfires 90% contained, but hot spots still a concern
Drought-fueled wildfires burn across Georgia, Florida
Wildfires in Georgia and Florida have forced evacuations, road closures and burn bans as the drought-fueled fires burn thousands of acres.
Two large wildfires burning in south Georgia were now 90% contained, as of Wednesday, after consuming about 54,000 acres, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.
The Pineland Road Fire has burned 32,575 acres. The Highway 82 Fire has burned 22,420 acres.
However, fuel conditions remain extremely dry, officials said. Containment continues to improve on both fires, but crews remain actively engaged in patrol, suppression, and mop-up operations.
Seth Hawkins, urban and community forestry program coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission, worked on the Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County, which is still about 22,000 acres. Suppression costs are estimated to exceed $18.3 million.
“The rain put out the active flame on that fire,” Hawkins said. “However, there’s still that deep layer, that organic material, burning, and hot spots can still flare up as soon as humidity drops.”
Hawkins said 166 people are still working hot spots on the Highway 82 fire, setting up sprinkler systems where needed.
As of May 12, the State Forester burn ban has been lifted, but the Environmental Protection Division’s summer burn ban remains in place. Many counties may still have local ordinances. Georgia residents are encouraged to check with their county before burning.
The state remains in an extreme drought.
“It’s just unique down there because of all that organic fuel,” Hawkins said. “And when it dries out, it’s very susceptible to ignition. It’s going to be a long, hot, dry summer. We’re telling folks to keep their guard up and be safe with campfires and debris burning.”
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
-
News17 minutes agoExplosion at Lumber Mill in Searsmont, Maine, Draws Large Emergency Response
-
Politics23 minutes agoJustice Dept. Aims to Use Terrorism Laws to Target Mexican Officials
-
Business29 minutes agoSome Medicare Patients Can Now Get Free CBD
-
Science35 minutes agoArchaeologists Find Egyptian Mummy Buried With the ‘Iliad’
-
Culture53 minutes agoSpeculative Fiction Books Full of Real Horrors
-
Lifestyle59 minutes agoEating Healthy? No, They’re Eating Biblically.
-
Education1 hour ago‘No Essay’ College Scholarships May Have Unseen Strings Attached
-
Technology1 hour agoOpenAI keeps shuffling its executives in bid to win AI agent battle