SC man admits to burning Byron church. A Bible verse inspired him, officials say
A South Carolina man admitted to setting the Byron United Methodist Church on fire in 2024, according to federal prosecutors. Luke Westefeld , 34, of North Augusta, S.C., pleaded guilty Monday to one count of maliciously using fire , according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Georgia. He broke into the church at 103 W. Heritage St. on Aug. 20, 2024, and...
Azaleas not on their A game at the Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – They come for the golf, but at the Masters, they also want to sit and smell the azaleas. “One of the first things we noticed when we can through the gates are how beautiful everything is. The landscaping is amazing,” said Brian Eldridge of Leamington, Ontario. The azaleas at the Masters: what […]
Deputy fired in Georgia county after investigation reveals relationship with gang member inmate
AUGUSTA, Ga. (InvestigateTV) - A Richmond, GA, county sheriff’s deputy was fired and arrested in October 2025 after an investigation uncovered her relationship with an inmate had crossed the line. The Georgia deputy was arrested and charged with gang activity. Diana Santiago faces the following charges: violation of oath...
Smoke, low visibility after ‘extensive wildfire’ in Augusta
Augusta Fire Department crews responded to an “extensive wildfire” in the Deans Bridge Road and Etterlee Road area.
Deputies search for escaped inmate in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an inmate who escaped custody Tuesday night. Deputies are searching the area in the 1100 block of Laney Walker Boulevard for 33-year-old Justin Craft Jr., according to officials. Law enforcement stated that Craft was arrested by deputies...
The unexpected addition turning heads at The Masters Tournament: A candy bar”
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- There’s something new at the Masters this year. It’s a candy bar. Augusta National Golf Club has partnered with Bitzel’s, an artisan chocolate factory near Atlanta. Together they produced the masters candy bar which is a dark-milk chocolate blend with caramel, rice crisps, and hazelnut crunch. We got reactions from patrons on […]
RCSO asking for assistance in locating missing woman, last heard from four months ago
RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is asking or the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman. According to authorities, Lamerele Bailey, 63, 5’3″, 170 pounds, was reportedly last seen in December 2025 in the area of the 2100 block of Walton Way. According to the incident report, Bailey’s niece stated […]
Tiger Woods Will Not Be at The Masters for Annual Champions Dinner
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods will not attend this year’s Champions Dinner at Augusta National Golf Club, continuing his absence from competitive golf as he recovers from injury. Woods, a five-time winner of The Masters, remains sidelined following ongoing physical setbacks that have limited his schedule and prevented a return to full-time play, plus his...
The Chalk Mine opens to public play in Aiken
AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) — A golf option in Aiken is now open to the public, just in time for Masters Week. The Chalk Mine at USCA has been around for years — now anyone can play. “It’s really cool out here. Great course, great prices,” Hutton Goldvin said. The Chalk Mine is a nine-hole […]
Man arrested after refusing to leave Augusta National Golf Club property
According to a citation filed against Stroud, he "refused to leave Masters property even after being told to leave multiple times by GBI Agents."
