Augusta
Morning News
Thursday, April 16th, 2026
Good morning, Augusta. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 16th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Golden Harvest Food Bank is expanding its Summer Harvest program into South Carolina with a $40K Food Lion grant and no preregistration needed. Food Lion volunteers will present the check at 9 a.m. today at the Aiken Campus Volunteer Center. Food box distributions for children run from May to August. Augusta CEO
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Augusta fire crews battled a brush fire along Windsor Spring Road on Wednesday, dousing flames around 3:05 p.m. while traffic remained backed up. WRDW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ On April 14, the Augusta African American Historical Society unveiled a new marker for William Wilborn and rededicated one for Rev N.T. Young along Laney-Walker Boulevard. Dr James Carter III and Rev Melvin Ivey spoke at the ceremony to honor their legacy. Augusta Good News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Aiken Technical College will reintroduce its eight-week EMT Basic Certificate program starting Tuesday, May 12. Classes run Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and interested students must complete a free online application + enrollment process to prepare for entry-level emergency services. Augusta Good News
- ➤ The Generac Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to boost STEM learning at nine Richmond County elementary schools through hands-on robotics, new classes, and teacher training planned for next year plus helping over 4,000 students build problem-solving skills. Augusta CEO
- ➤ The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents voted Tuesday to raise tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year, with in-state students paying 1% more and out-of-state students 3% more while reducing fees for in-person learners at 14 schools. WRDW
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper warned Coastal Georgia residents to watch for yellow-legged hornet nests as queens emerge from overwinter and begin building small embryo nests that may threaten honeybees and other pollinators. Officials urge prompt reporting of sightings through the online form & follow safety guidelines. The Augusta Chronicle
- ➤ Southern Renewable Energy Association launched Powering Georgia today to bring clean, affordable energy to communities across the state. The initiative will share clear energy information and unite decisionmakers to build a resilient grid — benefiting families and local economies. Augusta CEO
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Mayor Garnett Johnson ordered flags lowered at half-staff on Monday in honor of former sheriff Richard Roundtree—the first Black sheriff, remembered since his childhood in Augusta—following his death on April 11. A funeral is scheduled for Friday at Good Shepherd Baptist Church with internment at Noah's Ark Baptist Church Cemetery. The Augusta Chronicle
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Serenity Behavioral Health Systems is opening its new 40-bed Behavioral Health Crisis Center at 3421 Mike Padgett Highway to serve those in crisis with stays averaging 3 to 5 days; the ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for May 13 at 10 a.m. Augusta CEO
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Patch reopened today after nearly a year-long renovation and now features a new nine-hole course called The Loop designed by Tiger Woods and enhanced practice areas including Trackman Range. Golfers must book tee times two weeks in advance. WRDW
- ➤ At the Lee Flames Invitational, Gabby Jourdain broke the Peach Belt 5K record while teammates cheered her on, and junior Gabriel Best’s steeplechase time qualified him for the NCAA Division II championships. The AU teams will run at the Georgia Tech Invitational April 17-18 before the Daytona PBC Championships May 1-2. The Bell Ringer
-
Heroes for Hope 5K Run/Walk
8:00 – 11:55 AM — Mill Village Trailhead - Augusta Canal — Registration fees apply — Unleash your inner hero at this vibrant 5K event supporting Child Enrichment.
-
Katy Nichole and Claire Leslie Concert
7-10 p.m. — Miller Theater — VIP doors at 5 p.m. — Experience a night of honest music with Katy Nichole and special guest Claire Leslie that showcases faith and authenticity.
-
Justin Hayward Live Concert
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Miller Theater — VIP packages available — Experience the iconic voice of Justin Hayward with classics from The Moody Blues.
-
Dink’d Pickleball Invitational 2026
April 23-26 — Dink'd Pickleball — Not specified — Compete in a spirited pickleball tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
-
Sacred Heart Garden Festival 2026
10 AM – 5 PM — Sacred Heart Cultural Center — Admission details not specified — Celebrate spring at Augusta's cherished garden festival featuring vibrant blooms and local traditions.
-
Augusta Symphony Performance
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Miller Theater — Enjoy an evening of symphonic music with Augusta's primary professional orchestra in its 68th season.
-
The Music of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit & The Rings of Power in Concert
5-9 p.m. — Imperial Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the orchestral magic of beloved fantasy soundtracks live in Augusta.
-
An Evening with Josh Gates
7-10 p.m. — Columbia County Performing Arts Center — Cost info not specified — Discover thrilling adventures with explorer and talk show host Josh Gates from Discovery Channel's Expedition Unknown.
-
First Tuesday Tech Talk Augusta
7-9 p.m. — Jessye Norman School — Free entry — Connect with local tech enthusiasts for discussions and hands-on workshops.
-
Dinosaur Adventure
3:30 AM – 1 PM — Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center — Check website for costs — Families can experience an exciting dinosaur-themed adventure at this local favorite.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Augusta Morning News
Welcome to the Augusta Morning News, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Augusta, Georgia community. If you like the Augusta Morning News, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Augusta.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Augusta and across Georgia. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Augusta Morning News
A free Augusta community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://augustamorning.com/sitemap