Augusta, GA
Turn Back the Block fights blight firsthand in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The growing problems of blight and crime are two hand-in-hand issues neighbors say have been going on for years.
They say they want a permanent solution.
Last month, we tagged along with commissioners, other city leaders and some nonprofits on a tour of these neighborhoods hit the hardest by blight – from Harrisburg to Laney Walker.
We touched on issues from code enforcement process, demolition chain of responsibility, abandoned property owners, blight challenges and more.
It’s a growing problem that’s talked about year after year.
One of the nonprofits on the tour was Turn Back the Block. Its goal is to help families in this city get better, safer and affordable housing.
The group recently opened a duplex complex in Harrisburg and will soon break ground on more land to achieve its goal of revitalizing the Harrisburg and Laney Walker neighborhoods and guiding folks in the right direction.
Ashley Brown said she believes homeownership to be the solution to the blight and crime created by uninvested landlords and absentee property owners.
She says homeownership is a reliable way to build economic mobility and stability for the families of Harrisburg.
“I remember this neighborhood when it was vibrant, and full of families and children running in the streets and I see that coming back,” said Brown.
Brown says Turn Back the Block has renovated eight homes, newly constructed nine and they currently have 24 vacant lots.
Shanovia Howard is one of the homeowners Turn Back the Block has helped.
“I just kept pushing forward until I got to the place that I was safe and secure at,” said Howard. “Your kids deserve to have somewhere that they can call home. They don’t deserve to be pulled from one place to the next, renting this apartment, having to rent that apartment.”
Once a month Turn Back the Block hosts “Block Parties” where volunteers clean up the Harrisburg neighborhood.
Find out more by visiting their website.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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