Augusta, GA

What’s the plan for Augusta’s opioid settlement money?

Published

1 year ago

January 4, 2024

What’s the plan for Augusta’s opioid settlement money?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Fentanyl is Augusta’s number one killer for 30- to 50-year-olds, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen says last year, 100 people died from opioid overdoses, with another 85 deaths pending confirmation.

In Mayor Garnett Johnson’s State of the City address on Tuesday, he talked about how the city plans to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars that are already in the bank in opioid settlement money.

In two settlements over years, more than $7 million is going directly to the city.

The mayor says the problem is payments are spread across 18 years and the hundreds of thousands we do have have to be planned out carefully.

The city has almost $700,000 from the settlements, with hundreds of thousands coming in the next 18 years.

Dr. Bedder works at Augusta’s VA and as director at AU’s Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. He says some of the most vulnerable victims of this epidemic are those in recovery.

“If you don’t treat the withdrawal, they’re going to go right back out into the street to get more drugs to treat their withdrawal,” he said.

Bedder says a solution needs to come soon, which is what Mayor Johnson is pushing for in treatment vending machines.

“Not only hotel lobbies but bars, nightclubs, anywhere where someone is perhaps experiencing a need for treatment as a result of any of these opioids,” said Mayor Johnson.

Dr. Bedder says the real solution however is long-term care.

“I think the Mayor’s idea is a good idea, but it’s only a band-aid. It’ll prevent some deaths which is great, but the core is treatment and the detox facilities. We have seen nothing from the state, we have tried to tap into some of that settlement money that’s coming in,” he said.

But with the amount coming by the year, Mayor Johnson says these machines are the best way to create an immediate dent.

“I don’t know if the settlement dollars will flow that far, based on the settlement dollars we’re getting. But if we can, and we can make it work, I’m certain and open to having that conversation,” said Mayor Johnson.

Mayor Johnson says the soonest they can get something on the agenda to move forward is sometime after March.

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Augusta, GA

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

Published

2 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

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.

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Augusta, GA

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

Published

10 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was fatally shot in an armed robbery on Lumpkin Road, according to authorities, and a suspect has been arrested.

The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop at 2303 Lumpkin Road around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.

He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.

The vehicle was registered in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.

Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.

Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.

The driver, 22-year-old Terrance Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.

One person was arrested in connection to armed robbery and homicide on Lumpkin Rd.(WRDW)

According to Burke County deputies, another person was in the passenger’s seat and is believed to be connected to the robbery.

Burke County deputies say they also found a black Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun believed to have been stolen during the armed robbery.

Walker faces additional charges in Richmond and Burke counties, including driving under the influence, according to jail bookings.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Rubeha.

The year is off to a deadly start in Augusta; this is already the third homicide of 2025.

The slayings come amid a nearly three-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed around 200 lives.

Communities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River, but as the region’s largest city, Augusta has been hit hard.

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Augusta, GA

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

Published

22 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The basketball doubleheader featuring both Augusta University and University of South Carolina Aiken has been moved to Sunday.

The two were originally slated to play on Saturday afternoon.

The women’s game will tipoff at 1:30 p.m., and the men’s will follow at 3:30 p.m in the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

Both the Pacers and Jags men’s team last played on Feb. 10 2024.

AU climbed to a 5-point lead in the final period, winning 98-93.

Prior to their last meeting, USC Aiken had a four-game win streak over the Jags.

Sunday will mark the 89th meeting between the two programs.

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