Augusta, GA
There’s going to be a new sheriff in town: Gino Brantley ousts Sheriff Roundtree
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Augusta is getting a new sheriff after Gino Brantley defeated Sheriff Richard Roundtree in a runoff election.
When Sheriff Richard Roundtree didn’t get 50 percent plus one vote in May’s Primary election Gino Brantley had one more shot at unseating the incumbent.
Tuesday he became the projected winner of the democratic primary and he says he has mixed emotions.
“Tired, been exhausted, but elated at the same time,” smiled Brantley.
Voter Genessa Travis thinks voters chose right and that it is time for a change.
“It is great. I think it’s great. I think after 12 years, it’s time for some new blood. The city has changed. And sometimes when you’ve been in a position for a long time, you’ve got to get probably get stuck in your ways and may not be open to new things,” she said. “So bring in somebody else new and I’ve seen Mr. Brantley at several functions and I like what he says he’s going to do with the city.”
Sheriff Roundtree posted to social media thanking people for their support and asking for prayers for himself and his deputies during transition.
Brantley tells NewsChannel 6 that Sheriff Roundtree called him Tuesday night after the results came out.
“He congratulated me and said he looked forward to speaking with me in the next week or two.”
Brantley said he talked to a lot of people while he was campaigning and that he hopes to address their concerns once he takes office. He added that transparency is the best way to do that.
“By being engaged in public forums, by having the deputies out in the neighborhoods, meeting with people, knowing the people. All that helps build trust and helps bridge the relationship between the community and law enforcement,” Brantley explained.
Travis said she was impressed by Brantley’s plans when he was campaigning and looks forward to seeing if he can make a difference.
“In order to make a change, you’ve got to be out there among the people talking to the citizens and seeing what we need. You know, you can make changes behind a desk, but if you don’t, you’re not talking to your constituents or your citizens, It doesn’t it doesn’t really do anything. So I enjoy that he comes out and he’s talks to you and he’s not talking at you.”
Brantley will take office in January if no one qualifies to run against him in November.
Brantley may have another candidate to beat in November. Richard Dixon qualified as an independent candidate and if he gets enough signatures on a petition, he will be on the ballot in the general election.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Small Business Saturday is in full swing, and shoppers are flocking to local stores to score big on hometown deals.
Small Business Saturday was founded in 2010. The U.S. Small Business Administration began sponsoring the event in 2011.
S.C. officials urge donors to ‘give smart’ this holiday season
It’s a day for people to shop at the local businesses in their community.
Some small businesses in downtown Augusta say this event helps drive sales.
“We do have a great community, people that we see every week or sometimes every other day, and get to be friends. And yeah, it’s really awesome. Like that’s definitely a big plus to being here and having a brick-and-mortar shop is face-to-face communication. You don’t get that with online,” said Evan Grantski, the owner of Grantski Records.
You still have time to stop by local businesses in the community, but remember, you can always find them year-round.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More than 700 people enjoyed a free Thanksgiving meal in the comfort of their own homes Thursday.
The Vineyard Church of Augusta delivered 730 hot meals to people in local public housing communities as part of their “Dinner of Love” program.
The initiative targets those who are sick and shut-in and the elderly.
Pastor Mary Margarey Leroy said the church works with the Augusta Housing Authority to identify people in need.
“Oh my goodness it’s why we breath it’s our whole reason of why we exist is to serve others you know we’re a faith-based organization we’re a church so you know Jesus is our model and he said ‘I came to serve and not to be served’ and that is that’s our life blood,” Leroy said.
The church also distributed 275 Thanksgiving meal kits last Saturday.
Vineyard Church of Augusta operates a food pantry that is open Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Black Friday is here, and customers are ready to shop some big sales.
We visited several big stores across the Augusta area, where large groups of people were lining up to shop sales.
Santa even made an appearance at Cabela’s in Augusta.
How to stay safe while shopping
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says it’s going to have deputies all over the county and around businesses.
But they are urging you to make sure you, your car and your items are all secure and away from potential dangers.
“Make sure if you’re going in, you’re buying packages, you’ve got bags. I would think about trying to get these packages and these items home as soon as possible. I wouldn’t leave them in the trunk of my vehicle. I definitely wouldn’t leave them in plain view inside my vehicle,” said Col. Bo Johnson with the sheriff’s office.
Johnson says for those who wear purses or other bags, make sure they’re in front of you at all times, not just on your shoulder.
Also remember to be aware of your surroundings when walking to and from a store and when on the roads.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Video: Russia Attacks Ukraine in a 10-Hour Deadly Assault
The 50 Best Clothing Stores in America
Data centers in Oregon might be helping to drive an increase in cancer and miscarriages
Ukraine peace talks productive as ex-government official says country rethinking ‘uncompromising’ stance
Trump makes 11th-hour plea for Matt Van Epps over Aftyn Behn, whom he claims ‘hates Christianity’
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Trump makes 11th-hour plea for Matt Van Epps over Aftyn Behn, whom he claims ‘hates Christianity’
US and Ukraine talks begin as Trump pushes to bring war to an end
Venezuela calls Trump’s call to close airspace a ‘colonialist threat’
Rep Troy Nehls, a Trump ally, will not seek re-election as twin brother announces campaign to replace him
EU weighs Plan B for Ukraine as Belgium raises bar on reparations loan
-
Science1 week agoWashington state resident dies of new H5N5 form of bird flu
-
Business5 days agoStruggling Six Flags names new CEO. What does that mean for Knott’s and Magic Mountain?
-
Politics3 days agoRep. Swalwell’s suit alleges abuse of power, adds to scrutiny of Trump official’s mortgage probes
-
Ohio4 days agoSnow set to surge across Northeast Ohio, threatening Thanksgiving travel
-
Southeast1 week agoAlabama teacher arrested, fired after alleged beating of son captured on camera
-
Technology4 days agoNew scam sends fake Microsoft 365 login pages
-
News4 days ago2 National Guard members wounded in ‘targeted’ attack in D.C., authorities say
-
World4 days agoTrump yanks G20 invitation from South Africa over false genocide claims