Augusta, GA

Super Bowl alcohol sales are on tap for now in Augusta

Published

1 year ago

January 8, 2024

Super Bowl alcohol sales are on tap for now in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – For now, the Super Bowl will be on the sole Sunday this year for alcohol sales at Augusta bars.

After an uproar over a decision last year leading to bar closures on New Year’s Eve, Augusta Commission members have been unable to reach a decision for this year that they’re comfortable with. They polled bar owners but weren’t able to get a good read on their sentiments.

The matter was discussed Monday when Augusta Commission members met at the committee level.

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Georgia only allows bars to sell liquor on one Sunday a year, and local governments can decide what day that is. Super Bowl Sunday is usually the automatic decision for the Augusta Commission, and that’s what leaders decided last year.

But that meant bars couldn’t sell alcohol on New Year’s Eve, which was also a Sunday.

No one seemed to realize the extent of the problem until a few weeks before the end of 2023, when it was far too late to do anything about it.

For this year, there had been talk of possibly choosing Cinco de Mayo or St. Patrick’s Day as the designated Sunday.

So a survey went out to more than 60 bars on Wednesday, asking for their views.

The survey got only 15 responses, with St. Patrick’s Day as the top vote.

Only two said they wanted Cinco De Mayo for Sunday sales.

Unsatisfied with the number of responses, commissioners decided not to make any changes for now.

This means Super Bowl Sunday as the sole Sunday for bars to sell alcohol this year unless something else is done.

New Year’s Eve is a Tuesday this year.

Also at Monday’s committee meetings:

Emergency funds for the Charles B. Webster Detention Center got consent and the matter was moved to a meeting of the full Augusta Commission.
Discussion on the Augusta Boat House was pushed to the next committee meetings. Pipes broke in the building, leading to mold contamination, and city leaders have been discussing its future.
A discussion on slumlords dipped into previous conversations on blight and negligent landlords. City leaders agreed to develop an ordinance to address property neglect in 60 days.

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Augusta, GA

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

Published

2 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – AugustaCon was back, but in a new home this time.

Saturday’s event was held in Columbia County at the Performing Arts Center.

The event holds video game tournaments and hosts vendors that had anime and video game-style items.

We spoke to one of the vendors, who helped run the video game tournament there.

“We really love it. It’s a great environment. We love seeing new gamers, collectors, anyone that likes anime,” said Cedric Bacon.

If you missed out on Saturday’s AugustaCon, there are ones usually in the summer and winter as well.

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Augusta, GA

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

Published

10 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was fatally shot in an armed robbery on Lumpkin Road, according to authorities, and a suspect has been arrested.

The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop at 2303 Lumpkin Road around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.

He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.

The vehicle was registered in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.

Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.

Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.

The driver, 22-year-old Terrance Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.

One person was arrested in connection to armed robbery and homicide on Lumpkin Rd.(WRDW)

According to Burke County deputies, another person was in the passenger’s seat and is believed to be connected to the robbery.

Burke County deputies say they also found a black Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun believed to have been stolen during the armed robbery.

Walker faces additional charges in Richmond and Burke counties, including driving under the influence, according to jail bookings.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Rubeha.

The year is off to a deadly start in Augusta; this is already the third homicide of 2025.

The slayings come amid a nearly three-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed around 200 lives.

Communities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River, but as the region’s largest city, Augusta has been hit hard.

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Augusta, GA

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

Published

22 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The basketball doubleheader featuring both Augusta University and University of South Carolina Aiken has been moved to Sunday.

The two were originally slated to play on Saturday afternoon.

The women’s game will tipoff at 1:30 p.m., and the men’s will follow at 3:30 p.m in the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

Both the Pacers and Jags men’s team last played on Feb. 10 2024.

AU climbed to a 5-point lead in the final period, winning 98-93.

Prior to their last meeting, USC Aiken had a four-game win streak over the Jags.

Sunday will mark the 89th meeting between the two programs.

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