LATEST NEWS

Columbia County deputy Adam Fuller last month was fired following his arrest for allegedly driving with his family while intoxicated. Despite the arrest, Fuller's personnel file details an exemplary employee who was consistently praised by superiors on his judgment throughout his decade-long law enforcement career. Fuller, 42, is charged with...

MARTINEZ, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Did you know there are eight land trails scattered across Columbia County?. Most don’t. That’s why the visitor’s center has launched a new campaign called the Bombasin Land Trail. The idea came after the success of the Serene 18 Paddle Trail. Ever since...

Columbia County this week voted to temporarily halt granting new business applications to tattoo studios, but not before granting one more application that was rejected last month. The county’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to place a 120-day moratorium on tattoo-shop applications after concerns arose about placing the businesses...

EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - As summer quickly approaches, kids are out of school, playing outside, swimming, and playing basketball. If you have a basketball court in your neighborhood, it’s usually a hot spot this time of year. But in one neighborhood in Columbia County, the Homeowners Association does not think it’s a good idea to have one any longer.

EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - One tattoo shop is finally open on Thursday after regulations in Columbia County delayed things for months. This comes as the county is pausing other applications for the next 120 days. “Feeling of elation, honestly,” said Randy Teston, owner of the Body Shop Tattoo Parlor and...

A local fundraising road race that has become a cultural touchstone for fighting domestic violence is ending. The 2023 Jingle Jam 10K Road Race that will be held Dec. 2 will be the very last, according to Jingle Jam founder and race director Goldei Limbaugh. “It’s ending because everyone on...

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office recently arrested a man after he allegedly uttered racial slurs while walking through a Wendy's drive-thru. Deputies responded Saturday to the Wendy's on Washington Road in Martinez for someone walking through the drive-thru, refusing to leave and causing a disturbance, according to an incident report.

The Augusta area saw another EMS contract negotiation kick off this week, but it was resolved with very little time and stress. Columbia County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a renewed contract with Gold Cross EMS. Two of the biggest changes to come include Columbia County taking over EMS dispatch, which will save...

A woman is suing Columbia County after allegedly tripping on the stairs at the Evans Government Center in December 2021. The lawsuit, filed May 18 by Julie A. Lacey in Columbia County Superior Court, alleges the county's "negligent, careless and reckless conduct" directly caused her injuries. Lacey claims she was...

The public meeting was a way for parents and guardians to express their concerns and ask questions about school safety, resources, programs and more.

Instruction: If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Crews across the CSRA have responded to recent power outages due to the weather. According to Dominion Energy’s power outage map, over 277 customers were experiencing power outages around the Jackson area around 5:15 p.m. The estimated restoration time is 7 p.m. Columbia County. In...

EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - There is a big project in the works that could start the transformation of downtown Evans. It all starts with the plans for a Tempo by Hilton hotel that will sit right in the heart of the Evans Towne Center area. While it is far from...

Columbia County has reopened a formerly independent recreational sports club as the county’s newest public parks and recreation venue. The former Petersburg Racquet Club on The Pass in Martinez is now the Columbia County Racquet Center, the county announced in a statement Monday. County staff have been repairing and...

ATLANTA – Wellstar Health System officials came under fire Monday for committing to invest nearly $800 million late last year in a planned partnership with Augusta University Health System (AUHS) after closing two Atlanta-area hospitals. Wellstar and AUHS signed off on a 40-year partnership in December that included, among other things, capital for a new hospital, medical office building and ambulatory surgery center in suburban Columbia County. Just a month...

APPLING, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - For the fourth time in about a month, a rabid raccoon has been found in Columbia County. The Columbia County Health Department said Tuesday that a raccoon was observed during the day, appearing ill, near a residence in the Cottonwood subdivision off of Dozier Road. The...

EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Columbia County commissioners on Tuesday night tossed out the two options on the table and created a third for the future of ambulance service in the county. They decided to keep Gold Cross as their emergency medical service provider but bring the dispatch operations in house.