Augusta, GA
Voting on election day? What to know in Richmond, Columbia, Aiken counties
Election day is nearly here — and if you have not already cast a ballot, here is what you can vote on Nov. 7.
Georgia residents can find their polling location and sample ballot at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day.
Richmond County
The only county-wide election in Richmond County will be on whether or not to approve a 0.5% sales tax to raise $433,196,500 for major renovations to the Augusta Entertainment Complex, including the James Brown Arena. The vote would cover a $250 million bond, including interest over time through 2043. The vote was authorized by House Bill 230 earlier this year, leaving the final decision up to voters.
This election follows on a vote in 2021 where residents rejected a property tax proposal to fund the arena project. If this vote fails, it could be another five years before the work happens, according to prior reporting in the Chronicle.
You can find a list of all polling places at www.augustaga.gov/1117/Polling-Place-Information.
- Blythe City Council: Non-partisan election for two candidates. Four candidates have qualified: Daniel Martin, Mike Rineer, Anna M. Reeves and Noel Cartagena.
- City of Hephzibah: The election will be for two city commissioner seats currently held by David Usry and Clay Fulcher. The current candidates are Clay Fulcher and Jordan C. Rhoades.
Columbia County
Polling locations can be found at www.columbiacountyga.gov/578/Press-Releases-Notices.
- City of Grovetown: The election will be for the mayor of Grovetown and two city council seats. Three people have qualified for the mayoral race: incumbent Gary Jones, Deborah Fisher and Ceretta Smith. Three people have qualified also for the council, including incumbent Eric Blair, Richard Bowman and Marsha Keating.
The city of Harlem was scheduled to hold a city council election for two seats, but given that the only candidates to qualify were incumbents Al Reeves and Gregg Stokes, the election was cancelled.
Aiken County
- City of Aiken: The election will include the mayor of Aiken and City Council District 1 and 3. There is only one candidate for mayor, Republican Teddy Milner. In District 1, Democrat Gail Bush Diggs is running against Republican Demarcus Sullivan. District 3 has only one candidate, Republican Kay Biermann Brohl.
Augusta, GA
Tree giveaway helps Augusta get back to normal after Helene
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been more than 100 days since Hurricane Helene came through our area.
Now, those in the CSRA are still cleaning up the aftermath.
On Saturday, Rooting for Augusta helped the area get back to normal.
“Every once in a while, we have a horrific event that unites us all, and we certainly had it with the storm. Everybody can agree that it’s a good thing to plant trees back in the right spots,” said Dennis Trotter with Rooting for Augusta.
Rooting for Augusta gave away 700 trees as part of the event.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
New Richmond County sheriff promotes deputies, other employees
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After swearing in 100 new deputies at the beginning of his tenure, Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley also addressed promotions and appointments for those in the sheriff’s office.
It happened on Friday before the winter weather got underway and impacted the region.
Brantley spoke with us after about why the new promotions, appointments and people in the sheriff’s office will benefit the community.
“For the most part, when you’re suffering from a shortage of staff like we have been and so many other agencies in the state of Georgia and around the country, I think it is a boost in the arm to onboard 100 people to help get things that we need slow down crime and stop what is plaguing our community,” said Brantley.
Brantley said it was the first step to making the community safer.
He says he has been working on improving the jail as well.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – AugustaCon was back, but in a new home this time.
Saturday’s event was held in Columbia County at the Performing Arts Center.
The event holds video game tournaments and hosts vendors that had anime and video game-style items.
We spoke to one of the vendors, who helped run the video game tournament there.
“We really love it. It’s a great environment. We love seeing new gamers, collectors, anyone that likes anime,” said Cedric Bacon.
If you missed out on Saturday’s AugustaCon, there are ones usually in the summer and winter as well.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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