Augusta, GA

Watchdog for Augusta spending ethics approved by charter committee

Published

3 months ago

December 5, 2025

Watchdog for Augusta spending ethics approved by charter committee

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – It’s the charter committee’s answer to the government’s P.R. problem.

“People say all the time we have to restore public trust. I argue that we haven’t ever had it. This is kind of the way we work towards that where we can trust our officials,” said Sheffie Robinson, of the Charter Review Committee.

To get that trust, the committee approved new ethics rules and the creation of a citizens panel to investigate ethics complaints of the government.

“Any time there are complaints and there are issues you want to make sure they are dealing on the highest ethical grounds that they can,” said Clint Bryant of the Charter Review Committee.

With issues swirling around city spending, the committee approved putting a financial watchdog in the charter, creating an independent auditor position to follow the taxpayer’s money.

“I think the internal auditor will not necessarily find fraud, but can increase productivity,” said Lee Powell, Charter Review Committee member.

“An attempt to get back to transparency and accountability. You won’t support a tax increase when you think that money is going to be frittered away,” said Charter Committee Chair Marcie Wilhelmi.

But an internal auditor would be a new mandated position, costing the taxpayers.

“The money they will save this government will much more than pay for their department,” said Powell.

The committee is making its move and if state lawmakers and voters agree, these steps to improve ethics and watch over tax dollars will be written into the new city charter.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Published

10 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.

Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.

The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.

Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.

Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 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

Protestors in downtown Augusta speak out after strikes on Iran

Published

23 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Protestors in downtown Augusta speak out after strikes on Iran

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local protestors made their voices heard after Israel and the U.S. announced strikes on Iran Saturday, ones that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports say.

Protesters lined 13th Street in Downtown Augusta and walked across the river to North Augusta to make sure as many people as possible heard them.

50501 CSRA already had a march planned for Saturday, but in light of the strikes on Iran, decided to expand its focus.

Local leaders spoke about their concerns for the strikes, and roughly 60 people showed up to share theirs as well.

One of the event organizers said to make your voice heard your voice heard.

“Just call your people, call your representatives, if you don’t like that Iran was bombed, I don’t either. But call people and let them know, email them. Let it be relentless. Congress did not approve this. They have a say in this,” Zee Cook said.

The strike is being called “Operation Epic Fury,” with Iran responding with multiple missile and drone strikes across the Middle East.

In a social media post, President Trump said the bombing of the country will continue “as long as necessary.”

People across the world began lining the streets as well in support and against the decision.

Leaders across the world reacted to the news, including those in Georgia and South Carolina.

There’s a protest planned in Charleston and other regional cities this week.

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