Augusta, GA

We the People: Augusta trailblazer Carrie J. Mays made history as first woman on city council

Published

1 month ago

April 28, 2026

We the People: Augusta trailblazer Carrie J. Mays made history as first woman on city council

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Carrie J. Mays was a trailblazer for Black women across the South.

Born in 1928, Mays became the first woman ever elected to the Augusta City Council in 1970, just a couple years after the Civil Rights Movement. She was also the first Black woman elected to city council in the Southeast.

“She was a trailblazer,” said John Hayes, associate professor of history at Augusta University.

Breaking race and gender barriers

Mays broke both a race and gender barrier by getting elected. She defeated both a white businessman and a prominent Black minister in her race for city council.

Hayes said one of her biggest accomplishments was her role in creating a human relations commission.

The commission got legitimate funding and subpoena power. It opened new economic doors in terms of job opportunities and promotions for Augusta’s Black citizens, Hayes said.

Role in 1970 riot

Right before being elected to city council, Mays also played a role in the 1970 riot.

As a mortician, she sounded the alarm, disputing what authorities said happened to Charles Oatman.

“She’s in the crowd there and is demanding basically truth and justice holding white authorities to account,” Hayes said.

Lasting legacy

Mays went on to become secretary of the Georgia Democratic Party and a presidential elector.

Her legacy still lives on through the Carrie J. Mays Community Center, continuing to impact Augusta more than 30 years after her passing.

“She was a great person for Augusta, for Georgia, and for the United States,” Hayes said.

The Mays family can be found all over Augusta. Willie Mays the Third was the first Black mayor of the consolidated Augusta-Richmond County. Mays Mortuary has stood for about a century.

Mays Mortuary is one of just a few buildings left in what was the Black business district during the era of segregation.

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Augusta, GA

Documentary premiere sheds light on Augusta homelessness, poverty

Published

50 minutes ago

May 31, 2026

Press Room

Documentary premiere sheds light on Augusta homelessness, poverty

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A red carpet premiere was held for a documentary examining homelessness, poverty and economic hardship.

The premiere for the documentary “Season of Drought” took place at the First Presbyterian Church on Telfair Street on Saturday.

The film includes experiences from people facing economic hardship in America, including in Augusta.

Attendees included Nomi Stanton from GAP Ministries and Jackson Drumgoole of Bridge Builder Communities.

Lia Barnes, a boom operator on the production, said working on the film was a great experience.

“My major at Augusta University is digital and visual storytelling so this is perfect for my field of work,” Barnes said. “I was more of an assistant boom operator. I helped but everyone on the set taught me a lot about what it means to be on a set, not just what it means to be a sound operator on set but everything else that has to do with it.”

The event also included an awards presentation and networking reception.

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Augusta, GA

Volunteers come together to clean up Augusta neighborhood

Published

11 hours ago

May 30, 2026

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Volunteers come together to clean up Augusta neighborhood

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Volunteers came together Saturday to help clean up an Augusta neighborhood.

The cleanup took place on Wheeless Road and Dorn Road.

Jeremiah Atkinson started the event as a way to clean up trash dumped in the area and help the community.

He said they had at least 30 bags picked up as of Saturday morning.

“My message is if you see one piece of trash, pick it up and help Augusta clean it up because I feel like that would be more efficient, just pick up one piece of trash a day, just one to help out the community,” Atkinson said.

Organizers also provided snacks for volunteers.

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Augusta, GA

What is the cheapest place to buy a home in GA? This city ranks 8 in US

Published

21 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Press Room

What is the cheapest place to buy a home in GA? This city ranks 8 in US

Housing costs are often the biggest Georgians deal with every month, so it’s important to try and save money where possible.

Last week, WalletHub released its ranking of the most affordable cities to buy a home. It analyzed 300 cities based on 10 metrics, with the biggest weight going to housing affordability and cost per square foot.

Best city to buy a home in Georgia?

Augusta ranked the highest among Georgia cities, ranking 8th overall and 3rd best in the midsized cities list.

Augusta real estate prices

According to Zillow, as of March, the median list price for a house in Georgia is $205,000 with a median sale price of $187,283. About 57% of sales are under the list price.

The average rent, as of April, is $1,365 per month.

Augusta cost of living

The MIT Living Wage Calculator reports the hourly pay needed to support yourself and/or your family, assuming full-time employment. For Richmond County (Augusta), it’s $20.31 for one adult, $28.16 for a two-adult household with one working, and $14.08 for a two-adult household with both working.

Children obviously increase the wage needed. Depending on how many adults are working, the necessary pay figures may increase by up to $13 for just one child, with more needed for additional children.

Worst city to buy a home in Georgia?

The Georgia city with the lowest ranking on the list overall was Sandy Springs. However, with 300 cities, landing at No. 151 doesn’t make it nearly the worst in the nation. Sandy Springs was No. 56 on the small cities list.