Augusta, GA
What do receipts say about Augusta mayor’s spending?
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Receipts obtained by News 12 could shed light on Augusta’s mayor reimbursements.
Questions about Mayor Garnett Johnson’s reimbursement request were first brought up by commission a couple of weeks ago.
Most city department heads have a city-owned credit card, but the mayor uses his personal credit card.
Every little bit adds up.
SEE THE MONTH-BY-MONTH REIMBURSEMENT DOCUMENTS:
Just to note: The mayor is not breaking any policy by asking for reimbursements to his personal credit card.
That’s because there is no policy to address specific requests.
From January to June, the mayor requested to be reimbursed more than $57,000.
We requested all receipts turned in by the mayor during this time. These expenses include conference trips, office supplies and more.
- More than $2,000 for the mayor’s Masters reception
- Nearly $4,000 at the Masters gift shop for guests
- Nearly $18,000 combined on Masters food and parking
- More than $2,400 for a white house state dinner
In a July 16 letter, the city’s finance director, Donna Williams, told the mayor she strongly urged the mayor to stop using his personal credit card for government-related purchases.
She said the same thing in a January 26 letter when the mayor requested more than $41,000 for charges made from Dec. 23, 2023 until Dec. 30, 2023.
SEE THE LETTERS:
Williams also says she spoke to members of his staff in October and encouraged the use of the procurement process.
In the same letter, she attached a link to the city’s policy when it comes to city credit cards.
The mayor asked Williams if it was required for the mayor to have a city-issued card. Williams said it’s not her decision and what is currently being requested is outside of existing policies.
The mayor says his office and the finance department are working through a solution they hope to settle at Tuesday’s committee meeting.
He says he expects to have more to report after that meeting.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Multiple teens arrested in deadly shooting on Warren Road
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Regional Airport hosts drone camp for students
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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