AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Richmond County sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating an Augusta mom and daughter.

17-year-old Rihanna and 1-year-old Ylani Williams, were last seen on May 21st around 2:00 pm.

Authorities say they were walking around 1814 Fayetteville Drive.

Rihanna last seen wearing a blue shirt, black tights, and red sandals. It is unknown what Ylani was wearing.

Anyone with information concerning these missing persons are asked to please contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Coastal Waste and Recycling has been collecting the city’s trash for nine months, and commissioners say service is picking up.

“I’ve been pleased with Coastal. Every time I’ve had a problem, my constituents had a problem, they’re contracted, they’re right there. I think any time you change over totally to a whole city, you’re going to have some hiccups,” said Commissioner Tina Slendak.

But when starting last year, mistakes were made and under the contact, that costs the company money, for things like missed pickups and delays delivering carts

Coastal racked up $144,000 in fines the first three months.

But on the recommendation of the city engineer, commissioners voted to waive all but $70,000 of the fines.

“Work with them and do what we can we should compromise with them I mean for me I used to have a lot of problems and a lot of calls but I’m not getting them,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice.

The vote was 6-5 for the waiver and some commissioners saying it was a bad call because Coastal should not be missing stops

“That’s the due diligence that you do when you bid for a contact and one of those is find out what it all entails and when you’re talking about picking up waste, you need to make sure you know where it’s all at,” said Commissioner Lonnie Wimberly.

Commissioner Jordan Johnson raised an ethics question, since Coastal made a $2,000 dollar campaign contributions to the mayor and other commission candidates.

“I didn’t get any money from them. I mean, they gave to several people, not just people who are currently up there,” said Commissioner Slendak.

As commissioners give $70,000 worth of grace to Coastal’s early mistakes.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More than half of voters in Richmond County approved another one-cent sales tax. SPLOST 9 will fund $375 million worth of capital projects over the next five years.

The largest portions of funding went to public safety, infrastructure and quality of life projects.

River residents await dock repairs

Jo Nash has lived on a houseboat at the marina on the Savannah River for four years.

“I love being out here on this water. It’s so relaxing. It’s so chilled. I mean, it makes me settle down and breathe, you know?” Nash said.

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Nash said the marina needs maintenance, including the dock she walks up and down every day.

Commissioners approved $2.8 million for a new boat dock at the marina in January as part of the SPLOST 9 project list.

“I would think that’s a great idea. I mean, I just hope it really happens,” Nash said.

Nash said she has been told projects would be completed before, but has not seen results.

“Just do what you say you’re gonna do,” Nash said.

Olive Road drainage concerns

Jerry Cooper is skeptical about the SPLOST 9 project list.

“And the water, when it’s raining, when it fills up, there’s no way to go,” Cooper said about drainage issues on Olive Road.

Commissioners approved $3.5 million to fix the drainage problem on Olive Road under SPLOST 9 engineering projects.

“I don’t believe a real fix is going to take place anytime soon because of a number of reasons,” Cooper said.

While SPLOST 9 will cover the cost of the projects, it does not cover the cost of the people needed to maintain the projects day to day. The city remains under a hiring freeze.