Connect with us

Augusta, GA

‘We need help’: Ga. airport underfunding could hinder expansions

Published

on

‘We need help’: Ga. airport underfunding could hinder expansions


ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – Municipal airports across South Georgia could see improvements paused or canceled because of a lack of funding from federal and state officials.

Regional Airports need $83.5 million per year for improvement projects, but Albany, Valdosta, Savannah, Augusta, Macon, Brunswick, and Columbus only receive $16 million from the FAA and $2.8 million from the state.

Airports outside of Atlanta are receiving the shorter end of the stick when it comes to federal and state funding. Airport officials say that they hope that with more grant funding and the expansion of a few projects, it will increase more revenue right here in the Good Life City.

“If we don’t improve our infrastructure and our facilities, we will continue to lose our business aviation to other states. Some of the other states are receiving anywhere from 30 to 80 million dollars worth of funds, where we’re getting around 19 to support 7 airports outside of Atlanta and that’s a challenge,” officials say.

Advertisement
Colonial Pipeline leak Paulding County

In Albany, the airport has upcoming projects to bring bigger planes, more commercial flights, and Cargo airplanes to the city. But with the lack of funding, the completion of that project is at risk.

“We’re looking at a runway extension which will be a huge project over 100 million dollars and funding has not been identified for that project. So where would we get that money? Well, we need the Federal Administration and the State of Georgia to give us more support,” officials say.

While officials say the airport needs some improvements, passengers say they love the convenience of being able to travel right outside their backyard.



Source link

Advertisement

Augusta, GA

Inmate recovering after being stabbed multiple times at Augusta jail

Published

on

Inmate recovering after being stabbed multiple times at Augusta jail


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta inmate is now recovering after he was stabbed multiple times at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center last week, according to authorities.

Deputies say they responded to the jail on Jan. 22 and met with medial personnel at the jail.

Medical staff informed deputies that an inmate was stabbed multiple times in F Pod, according to the incident report.

Deputies say after the inmate was stabbed, his clothes, facility issued tablet and Store Call were stolen.

Advertisement

According to the report, the inmate told deputies he is a part of local gang, and the person who stabbed him is part of another gang.

Deputies say they found nine stab wounds and lacerations on the inmate, including on his left arm, left shoulder and his head.

While searching the F Pod, deputies found a uniform top with blood on it under another inmates mattress. They also found the injured inmate’s jail wristband under the mattress.

During the search, deputies say they also found a six inch sharpened metal object that appeared to have blood on it.

According to the report, five inmates were involved in the incident.

Advertisement

Officials say the inmate suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is now in stable condition.



Source link

Continue Reading

Augusta, GA

Augusta government provides update on HCD audit

Published

on

Augusta government provides update on HCD audit


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta officials say a preliminary response related to an audit of the Housing and Community Development Department was received Tuesday from Cherry Bekaert.

The audit report is not yet complete, according to the city.

After initial review, the city has requested additional information to “ensure clarity and accuracy before the process moves forward.”

“The Augusta government remains committed to transparency and will provide further updates once the requested information is received and the audit is finalized,” the city said in the news release.

Advertisement

In November, Augusta Commission members held a budget workshop session with much discussion about the Housing and Community Development Department.

That’s the department that left the city on the hook to pay back millions in federal grant money.

The city received more than $6 million in grant money during the COVID-19 pandemic, supposedly to help people who were in danger of eviction.

The city never spent the money for that purpose, so the government demanded it back.

The department didn’t have the money on hand, so the city had to repay it, and then some, from the general fund — $6.3 million of the original grant money and $2.1 million in penalties.

Advertisement

The scandal led to the exit of Housing and Community Director Hawthorne Welcher and sparked an audit of the department.

On Oct. 28, commissioners in closed executive session approved the payment of up to $32,237.32 from contingency funds for rental assistance previously approved by the Housing and Community Development Department.

This means leaders agreed to take the money from their emergency fund and use it to help people with their rent as part of a program the department had already put in place.

Mayor Garnett Johnson said at the time this was an effort to address letters that were sent out, falsely leading people to believe they were getting some emergency funds.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Augusta, GA

Get medical care at several health events in Augusta

Published

on

Get medical care at several health events in Augusta


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Several health events in Augusta on Tuesday are offering help to those who need medical care.

Department of Public Health mobile clinic

The Department of Public Health mobile clinic will be at Christenberry Fieldhouse on Tuesday.

Officials say the clinic makes it easier to receive care for those who don’t have transportation.

The clinic will be at the 3109 Wrightsboro Road from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Advertisement

You can receive sports, work and school physicals, diabetes management, WIC referrals, vaccines and more.

The mobile clinic offers private exam rooms, wheelchair-accessible lifts and modern medical equipment.

For more information on the mobile clinic and what stops it will take, visit www.ecphd.com/wego.

Annual Horizon Truckers Clinic

The fourth annual health fair for bus and shuttle driver employees with Horizon Motor Coach will be held on Tuesday at Julian Smith Casino, 2200 Broad Street.

This event will start at 11 a.m.

Advertisement

In partnership with the Augusta Lions Club, the Augusta University’s College of Nursing, Georgia Prevention Institute, College of Allied Health Sciences, the Dental College of Georgia and the Georgia Cancer Center make the event possible.

The health fair is designed to help prevent and identify health issues as well as providing mock DOT exams, dental examinations and nutrition advice.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending