The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of 2013

Cyber Warriors Graduation

FORT GORDON, GA 12/6/2013 - The network is under attack! Cyber attacks are a daily reality and are growing in sophistication and complexity. How does the Army keep pace with this evolving threat and defend its network?

Fifteen Soldiers made history when they were awarded the newest Army military occupational specialty, 25D, cyber network defender, during a graduation ceremony Nov. 27, held in Alexander Hall at Fort Gordon, Ga.

For GA Republicans, Christmas is a Time for Giving

Throughout the Peach State, Republican organizations worked tirelessly this Holiday Season to provide a better Christmas for the less fortunate in their community.   The Union County Republican Party donated 14,000 pounds of food to the needy (175,000 pounds total in 2013), Gwinnett County Republicans gave monogrammed duffel bags stuffed with clothes and toys to children in the DFACS system, and county parties in Atkinson and DeKalb rang bells to raise money for the Salvation Army.

Public Art Mural Unveiling

AUGUSTA, GA (Al Dallas) - The City of Augusta and The Greater Augusta Arts Council, named Public Art Agency for the City of Augusta in 2012, are pleased to announce the unveiling and completion of the public art mural on the Rosa T. Beard Memorial Bridge at the 15^th Street Overpass at Wrighstboro Rd. Monday, December 23.  The community and media are invited to attend this celebration of the beautiful art produced by veteran mural artists Lucy and Jace McTier.  The McTiers began painting the mural in October of this year and were assisted by numerous area artists and volunteers.

Diversity Award for GRU

AUGUSTA, Ga (Danielle Harris)  –Georgia Regents University has been selected to receive the 2014 Award for Diversity and Inclusion by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association. The award will be presented at the NCAA Convention Association Luncheon on Jan. 16 in San Diego, Calif.

23 Road Fatalities Already in 2013

UPDATE by RCSO: On Monday December 30^th, 2013 at approximately 5:42 PM, The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Division responded to 4200 Block of Mike Padgett Hwy regarding an accident with injuries. Upon arrival, it was learned that a 66 year old male was operating a 2003 GMC Sonoma truck and had exited the private driveway of 4278 Mike Padgett Hwy attempting to turn left to travel south on Mike Padgett Hwy. 

Wanted by Richmond County Sheriff's Office

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office reports that Bobby Earl Haynes is now in police custody. Haynes was apprehended in Richmond County without incident. Haynes has been booked in the Richmond County Jail where he is being charged with the following:

Armed Robbery (1 felony Count)

Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime (1 felony Count)

Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (1 felony Count)

Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer (1 felony Count)

And Robbery by Force (1 felony Count) on a separate unrelated incident.

Sgt. Michael Shane McDaniel SR

When soldiers rape, where do you turn?

It took Miriam Isaura López Vargas several weeks to piece together what happened to her.

On Feb. 2, 2011, the 30-year-old mother of four had just dropped three of her children off at school when two masked men forced her into a van, blindfolded her and tied her hands. The men drove her to military barracks 50 miles away.

Budget Deals Chaotic in Augusta and Capitol Hill

The US Treasury Secretary still is in office in spite that the budget bill passed by the House of Representatives yesterday have more enemies than friends. In Augusta, Georgia, meanwhile, to make the chaotic week at the national level weak, the Richmond County Commission decided Monday to fire Fred Russell because 7 of them didn’t like the budget proposal for 2014 presented by the City Administrator, among other things.

Hernandez Election in Honduras

Elections marked by intense militarization, political violence, human rights abuses, fraud and harassment of election observers were held in Honduras on November 24th. Despite highly contested results and demands for a recount, extreme right, National Party candidate, Juan Orlando Hernandez has declared himself President. Hernandez, the "mano duro" candidate, created and deployed Military Police shock troops and campaigned on a pledge to "put a soldier on every corner."  

Milestone for Georgia Regents University

AUGUSTA, Ga (Danielle Harris) - The Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approved today a report from a SACSCOC peer review committee which found Georgia Regents University compliant with all areas of the accrediting body’s selected 39 Principles of Accreditation. 

Investigation of Veterans Deaths at VA

If you live in the area of the Charlie Norwood Veteran Administration (VA) hospital in Augusta, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the coverage of problems that led to the death of at least three veterans.  These deaths were reportedly caused by a delay in getting some veterans the care they need. We have a responsibility to provide quality health care to veterans after they serve our country, and clearly, that didn’t happen.

Policy Summit on Voting Rights Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Beryl Chong) – Marking an important milestone in fulfilling American Values First’s vision for its nationwide Voting Rights Project, a select group of legislators comprising the Project’s Task Force will convene a Policy Summit today in Washington, DC to develop a policy agenda to guide legislative efforts in all 50 states.

Christmas Tree Decoration at Sheriff's Office

AUGUSTA, GA (LT. Calvin J. Chew) - The Angel Hearts Support Group will be decorating a Christmas Tree at the Sheriff’s Office in honor of lost loved ones.  The decorating ceremony will take place at 5:30pm on Thursday, December 5, 2013 and the media is invited to attend.

Fast Food Workers Rally in Augusta

Fast food workers are going out on another national strike this Thursday, December 5 -- this time in many more cities than ever before. They're asking us to support them at lunch break rallies across the country -- including in Augusta. Click here for locations.

This is history being made right in front of our eyes.
Don't stand on the sidelines. Be able to say you were a part of it at the beginning by signing up to attend a lunchtime rally right now in Augusta.

Georgia Regents University, Health System Contributions in Augusta

AUGUSTA, GA (Christen Carter) – Georgia Regents University and Health System contributed more than $400,000 in support of local community organizations, events, and fundraisers in Fiscal Year 2014.

“We strive to invest in organizations and events that align with our enterprise mission,” said Cedric Johnson, Director of Community Affairs at GRU. “We want to find ways to enhance the culture and the quality of life for the citizens of Augusta through community partnership and collaboration.”