Augusta, GA

Turn Back the Block fights blight firsthand in Augusta

Published

2 weeks ago

April 23, 2024

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.

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Augusta, GA

AU women’s golf team returns to regional tournament

Published

7 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Press Room

AU women’s golf team returns to regional tournament

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta University’s women’s golf program is one step closer to returning to the NCAA National Championship.

Last season, the Jags made their first appearance in the final tournament.

It was a learning experience they didn’t take for granted.

“It’s not rocket science, it’s not magic. It just takes really good solid golf and staying in the moment and focusing on what you need to execute in that second, not letting the stage get too big for you and overcoming that,” said Caroline Haase-Hegg, Southland Conference Coach of the Year.

Kennedy Carroll, Southland Conference Women’s golf player of the Year, said: “We were perceived as underdogs all year. We play a really tough schedule in the spring every spring against the best teams in the country. So knowing that we could get to the nationals and be a lot of other teams that we’ve kind of lost to all year. That was just the coolest experience ever. It was amazing.”

The Jags earned a number 10 seed in the Regional tournament in East Lansing after winning the Southland Conference Championship.

Claiming the field by 67-strokes, the Jags took home their third straight conference title.

“To be able to have a ring for the rest of your life to recognize that year and what you achieve. That’s special. And those are things that down the line, they’re gonna have to show their families and, and to keep in their homes forever. And so so there’s a lot of a lot of meaning to that, especially after the fact. But for us right now, it’s just one step in the process of where we want to go,” said Haase-Hegg.

It was the largest margin of victory in conference history. The Jags shot a team score of 859 and finished 7-over across 54 holes.

Carroll owes the team’s success to a competitive spring schedule.

“I’ve been here for three years. And I think it’s been the best spring we’ve had which has really been motivating for us. I think individually. We have a lot of motivated girls on this team this year that really want to not only for themselves but you know as a team, so upping the ante this year was not a problem at all,” she said.

Carroll beat the rest of the field by nine shots. She was the only one to go under par for the conference tournament.

The Regional tournament begins on Monday. The top five teams include the low individual advance to Carlsbad, California for the NCAA Championships.

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Augusta, GA

Suspect arrested in Augusta after deadly shooting of Athens toddler

Published

14 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Press Room

Suspect arrested in Augusta after deadly shooting of Athens toddler

AUGUSTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Athens-Clarke Police Department says a suspect has been arrested in Augusta in connection to the shooting death of a 3-year-old.

According to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, Desmontrez Mathis was arrested Thursday in Augusta during a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement operation.

Kyron Zarco was killed during a shooting at the Hallmark Mobile Home Park on Spring Valley Road in Athens, WANF reports.

Mathis is charged with two counts of murder, (malice and felony murder), four counts of aggravated assault, and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, according to officials.

Authorities say Mathis also faces a federal charge for unlawful flight.

Mathis was arrested in an operation with law enforcement personnel from ACCPD’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Middle Georgia FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the CSRA FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department.

Mathis is currently in the Clarke County Jail.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta community, leaders gather for National Day of Prayer

Published

20 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Press Room

Augusta community, leaders gather for National Day of Prayer

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Thursday was the National Day of Prayer, and local leaders came together for breakfast to honor the day.

Augusta Mayor Garnet Johnson and Fort Eisenhower Brigadier General Paul Howard were in attendance for the event at the First Baptist Church of Augusta.

This is for the community to pray for our community leaders.

District Attorney Jared Williams was the keynote speaker for the event.

“It’s really easy to get burnt out when you are carrying the weight of stories and cases. We pray to God he will continue to use us to make a positive impact not just in public safety but the community as a whole,” said Williams.

This is the 73rd annual Day of Prayer.

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