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) – Volunteers came together Saturday to help clean up an Augusta neighborhood.
The cleanup took place on Wheeless Road and Dorn Road.
Jeremiah Atkinson started the event as a way to clean up trash dumped in the area and help the community.
He said they had at least 30 bags picked up as of Saturday morning.
“My message is if you see one piece of trash, pick it up and help Augusta clean it up because I feel like that would be more efficient, just pick up one piece of trash a day, just one to help out the community,” Atkinson said.
Organizers also provided snacks for volunteers.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
TikToker cleans father’s hoarded house – and goes viral
Madison Lovelle posts videos online while going through and cleaning her childhood home after her father died.
Housing costs are often the biggest Georgians deal with every month, so it’s important to try and save money where possible.
Last week, WalletHub released its ranking of the most affordable cities to buy a home. It analyzed 300 cities based on 10 metrics, with the biggest weight going to housing affordability and cost per square foot.
Best city to buy a home in Georgia?
Augusta ranked the highest among Georgia cities, ranking 8th overall and 3rd best in the midsized cities list.
Augusta real estate prices
According to Zillow, as of March, the median list price for a house in Georgia is $205,000 with a median sale price of $187,283. About 57% of sales are under the list price.
The average rent, as of April, is $1,365 per month.
Augusta cost of living
The MIT Living Wage Calculator reports the hourly pay needed to support yourself and/or your family, assuming full-time employment. For Richmond County (Augusta), it’s $20.31 for one adult, $28.16 for a two-adult household with one working, and $14.08 for a two-adult household with both working.
Children obviously increase the wage needed. Depending on how many adults are working, the necessary pay figures may increase by up to $13 for just one child, with more needed for additional children.
Worst city to buy a home in Georgia?
The Georgia city with the lowest ranking on the list overall was Sandy Springs. However, with 300 cities, landing at No. 151 doesn’t make it nearly the worst in the nation. Sandy Springs was No. 56 on the small cities list.
What are the best cities to buy a home in US?
- Flint, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Surprise, AZ
- Yuma, AZ
- Akron, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Memphis, TN
- Augusta, GA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Cleveland, OH
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Senate candidate Derek Dooley made several visits to the area on Friday.
Dooley had stops in both Lincolnton and Augusta on May 29 and was joined by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his “Georgia First” tour. He spoke about one of the issues he finds in politics.
“But the other piece of it is the corruption. People sit on these committees. They have access to information that none of us have. And then you look up 2 or 3 years down the road and their wealth is just skyrocketing,” Dooley said. “You’re outperforming every investor out there. And I think it’s shameful. I think it erodes trust. It’s something that I will never do.”
“Politicians were out there getting paid. They were coming back home. They’re raising money and campaigning while the government shut down,” Kemp said. “What Derek’s saying, if he’s up there, we’re not going to allow legislators to get paid. We’re going to take away their benefits. That way, you won’t ever have another shutdown again.”
Dooley is facing Congressman Mike Collins in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
The winner of the Republican nomination will face incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
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