Good morning, Augusta.

Working families with insurance are increasingly relying on GAP Ministries' local food pantry for help on Thursdays as rising demand has led to food shortages.

The ministry serves 240 to 300 households weekly (with up to 46 new households in one week) and now seeks community donations to maintain supply.

Tree service owner Eben Gray advises residents to prepare for severe weather instead of attempting tree removal themselves.

He recommends staying on the home’s safe side and using basements or friends’ houses for shelter while trained crews handle urgent hazards once the storm passes.

Local and state officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday (Oct.

8) for a new forensic restoration hospital in Augusta that will house up to 40 people declared not competent to stand trial, aiming to ease jail pressure. Dr. Madhu Gundlapalli said the facility addresses a growing need.

Augusta EMA is monitoring Hurricane Isaias as heavy rainfall, flash flooding, damaging winds, and isolated tornado risks develop today due to the storm.

Transit services and boat ramps are closed while officials work with partners to keep residents safe — follow alerts and secure outdoor items.

Piedmont physicians advise families to wash their hands, cover coughs, and use hand sanitizer while eating healthy and getting vaccinated to keep colds, flu, and COVID-19 at bay this fall and winter.

They also encourage virtual visits for non-emergency care to help reduce germ spread.

Georgia’s week-long primitive weapons deer hunting season starts Saturday on nearly 1 million acres, giving hunters a first chance to harvest deer using muzzleloaders, archery, and modern firearms for youth + help expand the Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program.

A new Realtor.com report finds that starter-home listings in Augusta dropped by 6.5 percentage points since 2019, leaving entry-level buyers with fewer options despite easing prices in recent years.

The national trend shows Midwest markets boosting inventory while many Sunbelt cities, including Augusta, see tighter geographic spreads for affordable housing.

Former Terrace Manor Elementary in Augusta is set to have a new future as local officials plan redevelopment — details on its final use and timeline are expected soon.

Jefferson County and Aquinas are set to face off in Week 8's game of the week, with local fans anticipating a close matchup — details of team strategies and key players were highlighted after Oct.

9.

In Week 8 high school football, Thursday games saw Hephzibah beat Washington County 42-35 in overtime and Augusta Christian narrowly defeat Augusta Prep 35-28, improving their records.

Tonight, Cross Creek hosts Westside and Butler travels to Thomson while score updates follow (check the latest results all evening).