Richmond County, GA | featured news

 
A Johns Street resident contacted police after a stranger wandered into his home late Wednesday.
When deputies arrived at the home about 10:30 p.m. they found the homeowner and the suspect outside the home shaking hands, talking as if they had known one another for year, according to the report.

Public schools in Aiken and Richmond counties will be closed Friday to avoid the possible travel threats of heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Officials from both school systems said the decision was made out of concern for the safety of bus drivers, teachers, staff and students traveling throughout the counties.
Columbia County schools were scheduled to be released early for a professional learning day.

The Kings & Queens of Hip Hop concert scheduled for Friday at the Bell Auditorium has been rescheduled due a state of emergency issued for Richmond County.
Tropical Storm Hermine, expected to move through the area could cause dangerous travel conditions for patrons and artists.
The show has been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9. All tickets purchased for the Sept. 2 show will be honored on the Sept. 9 date.
read more

A former guard at the Augusta State Medical Prison who spent a career in the Army and then in corrections admitted Thursday he physically retaliated against a handcuffed inmate after being punched in the eye.
John Williams, 38, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of deprivation of rights, a crime with a potential punishment of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
read more

SYLVANIA, Ga. — The funeral will be held Saturday for a 25-year-old Statesboro man who died in a Sunday boating accident on the Savannah River.
The body of Donovan Newsome, 25, was found at Blue Springs on Tuesday morning. .
Newsome is believed to have died while trying to untangle his rope after wake-boarding. The carbon monoxide from the boat motor rendered him unconscious in the water, which led to his drowning, authorities suspect.

Don’t trust everyone who calls you, police warn.
Another phone scam is circulating the area with callers impersonating government officials, the Internal Revenue Service, police officers and others trying to con you into handing over money.
read more

 
ATHENS, Ga. — The Jacob Eason era as Georgia starting quarterback will have to wait.
Fifth-year senior Greyson Lambert will start for the Bulldogs in the season-opener Saturday against North Carolina in the Georgia Dome in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, a team spokesman said Thursday.
Eason, the five-star early enrollee, is considered the most talented player with the highest ceiling, but he is only eight months removed from high school in Washington state.

 
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Astronauts took their second spacewalk in two weeks Thursday, taking care of some long overdue radiator work outside the International Space Station.
 
Commander Jeffrey Williams used a power drill-type tool to fold up a 44-foot-long thermal radiator that’s no longer in use. Spacewoman Kate Rubins floated nearby, making sure Williams was clear of the panel as it slowly retracted, accordion style.
 

 
 
 
 
Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state emergency this morning in 56 Georgia counties, including Richmond, Burke, Jefferson and Screven.
In a statement, Deal said he was acting on a recommendation from the state’s Emergency Operations Command in anticipation of Tropical Storm Hermine’s imminent Florida landfall,
The state of emergency goes into effect at noon today and extends through midnight Saturday.

The Fox Creek at Silver Bluff football game has been rescheduled for today at 7:30 p.m. because of impending weather.
The Predators and Bulldogs moved up one day in anticipation of tropical storm conditions that are expected to reach the area Friday.
Midland Valley’s home opener against Lugoff-Elgin was already changed to today at 6.
Laurens Academy at Wardlaw Academy will also be played today at 6.
Pelion at Barnwell will play at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.