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VA Augusta lifted 170 out of homelessness last year, officials say

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VA Augusta lifted 170 out of homelessness last year, officials say


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Veterans Affairs Augusta Health Care System permanently housed 170 local veterans experiencing homelessness last year, officials said Wednesday.,

That’s nearly three times the Department of Veterans Affairs’ annual goal for the region.

None of those local veterans returned to homelessness in 2023, officials said.

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  • Aiken survey shows large jump in homeless numbers 
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VA Augusta also engaged with 92 unsheltered veterans to connect them with the housing and resources they need and ensure 100% of veterans housed have remained in housing.

VA Augusta’s homeless veteran placements, along with placements provided by other VA health care systems across America, resulted in 46,552 veteran placements nationwide.

“The hard work and dedication of our homeless veterans program has paid off,” said VA Augusta Executive Director Dr. Robin E. Jackson. “The progress we’re seeing with veteran homeless rates in eastern Georgia and western South Carolina shows that we’re moving toward ending homelessness for local veterans.”

If you are a veteran who’s homeless or at risk for homelessness, call 877-4AID-VET for help. You can also visit Room 3D-104 at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center’s Uptown campus at 1 Freedom Way from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Frida.



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Augusta, GA

Turner Homers in Series Finale Against Lander – Augusta University

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Turner Homers in Series Finale Against Lander – Augusta University


Augusta, Ga. – Nolan Turner had two hits, a homer, and scored twice to lead Augusta, but it was Lander picking up the win 19-4 over Augusta in the series finale on Sunday at Jaguar field. Augusta is now 12-10 overall and 8-4 in the Peach Belt Conference. The Bearcats are 14-8 overall and 8-4 in conference play.

AU got on the board in the opening inning as Turner scored on a wild pitch. But Lander would respond four runs in the second on a grand slam home run.

In the bottom of the second, the Jaguars would plate a pair of runs. Davis Newman singled home Harris Bachelder and Nathan Martin would come up with a sacrifice fly that scored Roland Chance

The Bearcats would blow it open by scoring 10 runs in the third inning.

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Turner would deliver a solo homer in the third for the last Augusta run.

Augusta collected eight hits on the day with Turner being the only player with more than one.

The Jaguars will next be on the field when they travel to Cochran, Ga. to take on Middle Georgia in a three game series. The opener is Friday at 6 p.m. 

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.

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Augusta, GA

Women’s Healthy and Beauty Expo in Augusta celebrates Women’s History Month

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Women’s Healthy and Beauty Expo in Augusta celebrates Women’s History Month


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Cher’s Sisters Only Club hosted a CSRA women’s health and beauty expo in Augusta to celebrate women’s history month.

The event took place at the Julian Smith Casino on Broad Street, where there was a fashion show, vendors, community engagement and some wellness resources.

“We had CrossFit, we had Fit to Run, we have some other vendors that has like branding wellness type products and things like that, but as a whole, we had 42 vendors that have enjoyed, and the people that come out have seemed to enjoy it too,” Vonteice Davis and Cher Best of Cher’s Sisters Only Club.

The Augusta Parks and Recreation partnered with the club for Sunday’s event.

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Augusta teen summit focuses on deterring crime and gang ties

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Augusta teen summit focuses on deterring crime and gang ties


AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- Saturday afternoon local leaders in Richmond County held a Community Teen Summit and Youth Forum at May Park Community Center to combat the rise in teen violence.

“We wanted to bring in some of the young adults in our community to a safe place where they can utilize their voice. They can be heard,” said Cheryl Bryant, one of the event coordinators.

The forum was centered on reaching teens who may be at risk of joining gangs or other criminal behaviors.

“We see so much happening with our youth. We’ve seen it in the news. I see it in our courtrooms, whether I’m representing the youth or if I’ve seen a youth before me, and if there’s any information I can share that can protect them from coming into the court system, whether it’s for a criminal charge or for some other reason, I like to do that,” said Katrell Nash, a Juvenile Attorney and Judge.

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The event featured community leaders like Sheriff Eugene Brantley and included panel speakers and other vendors designed to support local youth.

“We’re here to let the youth know that there are resources in the community for them. There’s job opportunities. There is mentoring. We’ve got gang mentors,” explained Stephanie Allen, the Public Education Specialist for the Augusta Fire Department.

A recurring theme of the event was “It Takes a Village.” Community members said it is important to show up for youth who may be struggling and help them make better life choices.

“We just want them to know that they’re not alone and that whatever their struggles are, whatever they’re going through– cyber bullying, peer bullying, feel like they don’t have the support at home, that they can reach out to community members and that we’re here to help them. All they have to do is ask,” Allen said.

“That they feel as if we care and we want to help and that they know that there are things in place for them to get help,” added Sheriff Eugene Brantley.

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The summit was well attended with between 100 and 200 people. Leaders said it made them hopeful that more of Richmond County’s youth will turn from violence and crime and walk a better path.

“I love to see that children are engaged, that they want to know more about their rights. They want to know more about what the law says, as well as what they should do in these situations. It makes me very optimistic about their futures and the future of our community at large,” Nash explained.

“I think it’s going to like open them up to other opportunities. And I hope that they go back to school on Monday and tell their peers what they learned here today,” said Allen.

“Hopefully the kids and the youth who are here will engage with the sponsors and the mentors that are here, and hopefully they’ll learn and make better choices and make better decisions. And learn to respond instead of react to things,” said Sheriff Brantley.

Organizers are hoping the teen summit will become an annual event.

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Photojournalist: Avery Van Dusen.

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