Augusta, GA
Why Augusta is at ground zero for house fire risks this week
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days in the country for home cooking fires – and Georgia is one of the top places where that happens.
That puts Augusta right at ground zero for cooking fires this week.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are more home cooking fires in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day than any other day during the year.
In 2023, State Farm, the country’s largest insurer, paid over $237.4 million for 3,390 grease/cooking fire claims.
In Georgia, State Farm paid $17.8 million for about 230 claims. That puts Georgia tied at the top with California, where claims also totaled $17.8 million.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Top 10: These states garnered the most money for cooking fires in 2023
- California – $17.8 million
- Georgia – $17.8 million
- Illinois – $17.7 million
- New York – $11.9 million
- Michigan – $11.3 million
- Texas – $10.6 million
- Ohio – $10.4 million
- Pennsylvania – $9.7 million
- Tennessee – $9.1 million
- Alabama – $9.1 million
Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44% of all home fires in the United States.
The American Red Cross offers these safety steps:
Never use a fryer near your house or other structure. Place the fryer on a flat, even surface.
- Never fry a turkey that’s not fully thawed.
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period, turn off the stove.
- Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
- Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
- Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.
- Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains — away from your stove top and oven or any other appliance that generates heat.
- Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
- Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen.
- Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.
- Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Three men have been sentenced to life in prison for last year’s murder of an Augusta smoke shop owner.
Antwan Herndon, Terrance Walker and Terry McClennon all entered guilty pleas in early December in the murder of Abdallah Rubeha, 29.
The murder happened during a robbery at the smoke shop, 2303 Lumpkin Road, around 9:30 p.m. Jan. 10, 2025.
PHOTO GALLERY: SUSPECTS IN SMOKE SHOP MURDER
According to the prosecution, the crime unfolded after the three suspects got into a car owned by Walker’s grandmother and drove from Burke County to Richmond County.
McClennon stayed in the car while Herndon and Walker went inside the smoke shop, authorities said.
The prosecution said Walker pointed the gun at Rubeha and asked him if he was “ready to die tonight.”
With the victim unwilling to open the cash register, Walker then shot him in the face “point blank,” according to the prosecution.
The prosecution said Rubeha fell to the floor near the cash register and Herndon then jumped over the counter to get to the register.
The suspects all began traveling back to Burke County, stopping at two gas stations to spend the stolen money, according to prosecutors.
Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit.
Walker was captured as he was running on foot, while Herndon and McClennon were taken into custody later.
According to court records:
- Walker pleaded guilty to malice murder, armed robbery and three firearm-possession offenses.
- McClennon pleaded guilty to felony murder, armed robbery and two firearm-possession offenses.
- Herndon pleaded guilty to felony murder.
The murder sent shockwaves through south Augusta at the time.
“Just a sweet soul was taken from everybody, and he didn’t deserve it,” said Mia Posey, Rubeha’s friend who owned a business nearby.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University indoor track and field competed at the Camel City Sprints and Camel City Distance meets on Feb. 6-7 at JDL Fast Track, highlighted by a first-place finish in the men’s 4×400-meter relay and multiple strong performances across sprints, jumps, and distance events.
At the Camel City Sprints on Feb. 6, Augusta posted two sub-50 performances in the 400 meters. Freshman Mykel Thompson led the Jaguars with a third-place finish in 49.32, while freshman Dylan Poole followed with a seventh-place effort in 49.80. Junior Roberto Barrera competed in the seeded 400 and finished 17th with a time of 50.12.
The Jaguars earned the top finish of the weekend in the 4×400-meter relay, as the team of Gabriel Carson, Devin Barolette, Charlie Roberts, and Dorian Chance captured first place with a time of 3:18.65.
In the field events, sophomore Jackson Evans recorded a mark of 6.40 meters (21-0) in the long jump.
At the Camel City Distance meet on Feb. 7, sophomore Gabriel Best led Augusta in the mile, finishing 24th with a time of 4:18.17. Sophomore Seth Eye added a 4:32.87 performance.
In the seeded 3,000 meters, senior Avery Jaynes placed fifth with a time of 8:17.95. Junior Oscar Curry finished 11th in 8:30.49, followed closely by junior Nasrudin Mohamed in 12th at 8:31.00.
In the 5,000 meters, senior Jordan Robertson posted a sixth-place finish, crossing the line in 14:43.76.
Augusta returns to action Feb. 13-14, splitting squads between the Tryon Mid Winter Invitational in Mill Spring, N.C., and the David Hemery Valentine Invite in Boston, Mass.
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
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A female was killed in a crash on Deans Bridge Road Saturday evening, officials say.
Deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the Richmond County Coroner’s Office went to Deans Bridge Road at Parwood Road for a traffic accident involving a pedestrian.
When they arrived, they discovered an unidentified black female lying in the grass median, according to authorities.
Early stages of the investigation indicate that the female was hit by a vehicle as it traveled south on Deans Bridge Road, the sheriff’s office says.
The investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released when available.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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