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Students, parents rattled after nursing student found dead on UGA campus; classes canceled

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Students, parents rattled after nursing student found dead on UGA campus; classes canceled


ATHENS, Ga. — UPDATE 2/23/2024: A woman found dead on the University of Georgia campus after she went for a jog has been identified as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley, according to the Athens-Clarke County coroner.

Police announced Friday night they had issued arrest warrants for 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, who is expected to be charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another. Here’s the latest on the investigation.

Police suspect foul play after a woman was found dead on the campus of the University of Georgia Thursday.

Just after noon on Thursday, UGA police received a call from someone asking officers to perform a welfare check on a friend who went for a run at the intramural fields in the morning and had not returned.

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Officers began searching the area and eventually found the woman dead behind Lake Herrick, which is a short distance away from the fields.

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County Police are investigating this death in addition to university police.

UGA confirmed to ABC News that the victim was an undergraduate student until the spring of 2023. Augusta University confirmed the victim is a student at their College of Nursing campus in Athens. Her name has not been released.

Classes at UGA and the Augusta University College of Nursing have been canceled for tomorrow.

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“We have been fully briefed on this terrible situation. Foul play is suspected, and we are already receiving support from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County Police Department to investigate this crime,” UGA officials said.

Officials said in a news conference Thursday night that they are considering the woman’s death a crime and that they are still searching for a suspect.

“This is a tragic day and I want to offer my most sincerest condolences to the grieving family, friends, and campus partners,” UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark said. “We are going to leave no rock unturned during this investigation.”

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Channel 2′s Michael Doudna was live in Athens on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m. UGA police said the investigation is still ongoing as police are still trying to identify who murdered this young woman —in broad daylight — in a popular spot.

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“There has not been a homicide in the last 20 years here on campus,” said Clark.

According to police, the nursing student went for a run in the morning. When she didn’t come home, a friend called police.

“The individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries,” said Clark.

The death rattled both students and parents.

“That hits a little too close to home,” said Veronica Bennett.

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Bennett’s daughter is a UGA junior. She’s part of a group of mothers pushing for security improvements she says the university has rejected, such as blue safety lights, that go beyond the UGA safety app.

“As a parent, I get tired of that being UGA’s go-to. Oh, we have the safety app. Well, the safety app is not much of a deterrent,” said Bennett.

As for the case, police combed the scene into the night—looking for clues to try and find the person responsible.

“My investigators will be working on this case day and night. They will be looking at every security camera we have,”

NewsChopper 2 was over the scene Thursday afternoon, where crime scene tape was strung up in the woods and officers were roaming the woods.

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This is the second on-campus death at UGA in the past 24 hours. A student was found dead at Brumby Hall on Wednesday night.

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The student’s identity and cause of death have not been released.

Anyone with information potentially related to this death is asked to contact the UGA Police Department immediately at 706-542-2200.

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Augusta, GA

More changes at top come to Augusta VA Medical Center

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More changes at top come to Augusta VA Medical Center


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There are more changes coming to the Augusta Veterans Affairs Medical Center amid an investigation at the center.

Lovetta Ford is now the new acting medical center director.

She replaces Oscar Rodriguez, “who is on administrative leave while VA conducts an investigation of the leadership climate in Augusta,” a department spokesman said.

This follows changes made a few months ago in March.

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Rodriguez previously replaced Dr. Robin Jackson, who was reassigned to Atlanta.

Covid-19 vaccine taken off recommended vaccine list for healthy children and pregnant people

The Department of Veterans Affairs says it plans to continue providing high-quality care and service to veterans.



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Augusta, GA

Augusta Junior Players performing ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’

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Augusta Junior Players performing ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s a musical that many of us can relate to, the journey of finding yourself and the struggles that come with mental health.

The Augusta Junior Players last performance of the season is “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.”

We sat down with the director and some of the cast members before they take the stage.

It’s rehearsal time at the Augusta Players new home.

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The Augusta Junior Players are gearing up for Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.

“So if you don’t know the story, the series, or the movie, there’s something for everyone. I think our parents will identify with it as well as our younger audience members,” said Roy Lewis, director.

Lewis says it’s a new twist on Greek mythology, with Percy Jackson on a mission.

“Percy, who struggles with dyslexia and ADHD, and he struggles to find his identity, and so the story is beautiful in that respect,” said Lewis.

The cast is full of different personalities.

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Ella Jane Anderson is the antagonist, Clarise.

“She’s just very big and angsty, and always looking for a fight,” said Anderson.

This is a role that Anderson says is outside her comfort zone, but she’s taking it head-on.

“I’ve never had to work with a weapon before. And now all of a sudden, I’m practicing with a sword. It’s crazy, I’ve never had to do combat before. All of a sudden, it’s like, fight with someone, fight with a spear. I’m like…okay,” said Anderson.

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There’s also some comic relief.

That’s where Braylen Fergerson comes in, playing the role of Grover.

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“Overall, he’s just a very fun character, and it’s actually one of my dream roles, so it’s been exciting playing him,” said Ferguson.

When the cast bows and the curtain closes, the Augusta Junior Players hope you leave feeling empowered.

“It’s okay to be different, it’s okay to struggle with some things because eventually you’re going to find out on your quest where you belong and who you belong to,” said Lewis.

Graduates at Academy of Richmond County and Davidson Fine Arts walk across stage on Wednesday.

The performance is June 13 at 7 p.m., and June 14 with showings at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

You can get your tickets by going to https://augustaplayers.org/buy-tickets/.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta University hosts baseball camp in renovated facilities

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Augusta University hosts baseball camp in renovated facilities


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – This week marked the first Jags baseball camp in their renovated facilities.

More than 60 kids showed up.

They taught fundamentals, had scrimmages, you know it.

A few friends were made, too.

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“It’s kind of fun, you can meet new friends and you can play with them, hang out, and it’s not just like you’re friends with them here. You can be friends with them for the rest of your life now,” said Chris Howell, head coach.



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