Augusta Commissioners are bothered by the legal bills. Commissioners are being asked to beef up the budget for the city law department. The department needs $600,000 more to cover the costs of hiring outside attorneys to handle the city case load.

The Columbia County Health Department Announces the 2009 “Back-to-School Immunization Walk-in-Clinics!” We have all the information, including shcedules, locations, and requirements.

The state Board of Education has approved flexibility for Georgia’s school districts, paving the way for systems to furlough teachers and other employees. The board voted Tuesday morning to allow districts to fall short of the number of days the state requires educators to work each year. Gov. Sonny Perdue called last week for the state’s 128,000 public school teachers to take three unpaid furlough days by the end of the calendar year.

According to our news partner, AikenStandard.com, a longtime Aiken County school administrator is being mourned. Warren Whitson, 65, dies at his home Monday morning.

Richmond County School Board member Joe Scott died in his sleep, Friday night. His colleagues say his death was unexpected and shocking. Superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden released a statement regarding Scott’s death.

WJBF has confirmed that longtime local educator and school board member Joe Scott died in his sleep Friday night.  Scott represented district five on the board.  It is believed that Mr. Scott died of natural causes.  He was 72.

They are the priority projects for the next phase of the special purpose local option sales tax, or S.P.L.O.S.T. Voters approved continuing the tax in june, but the city will not start collecting the money until fall of 2010. To avoid waiting, city leaders are recommending going out on bonds for some of the top priority projects.

According to Louis Svehla, the Public information Director for the Richmond County School System (RCSS), based on additional information now available, the state projected educational budget cuts will affect RCSS by approximately $7.5 million.

Just two days ago, Governor Sonny Perdue ordered 3-day furloughs for all state employees, including teachers. The governor also told most state agencies to slash another 5 percent from their budgets.

Governor Sonny Perdue is asking state workers, including teachers, to take furloughs. The furloughs would help cut $900 million out of the state budget. Local educators say this is taking a toll on education. Count on WJBF News Channel 6’s Fraendy Clervaud for more.

The city wants to revitalize its troubled neighborhoods, that’s why city leaders are looking for stimulus money to provide a big shot in the arm. The city is looking to request $50 million for neighborhoods to rehab and rebuild, and one of those areas targeted is Harrisburg. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

Clemson University trustees have approved an average increase of 5.7 percent in student room and board fees starting this fall.

The principal of Glenn Hills Middle School speaks out after his school made Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, for the first time. Count on WJBF News Channel 6’s Fraendy Clervaud for the story.

Richmond County School Superintendent Doctor Dana Bedden is facing to make deep cuts to his budget because school Board members voted against a tax increase. This year’s budget is now more than $1 milllon out of whack, and that’s not counting possible state cuts. But, board members say, in these tough times, it’s tough to ask taxpayers for more. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

It would be one way to help Augusta with its battle of the budget by trimming the payroll. It’s a proposal to offer incentives to older workers to retire early, but is there enough in the plan for every worker? WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola looks for answers.

A new math curriculum in Columbia County has some parents divided over the new course. The division stems from the fact that some of the students failed and had to go to summer school. Count on WJBF News Channel 6’s Fraendy Clervaud for the story.

To tax, or not to tax…that’s the question for Augusta. Augusta Commissioners will meet next week to officially set the 2009 tax rate.

In a WJBF News Channel 6 School Report…a look at CRCT test results. Those are the tests that could determine who passes and who fails.

2009 is half over, so how is Augusta’s budget holding up? Commissioners did not approve a tax increase for this year, and that meant holding the line on spending. The City Administrator says Augusta has caught a break, thanks to fuel prices holding the line.

Augusta city leaders are looking to build on the success of the Downtown Master Plan, they’ve brought in the same designer who worked on that developmental blueprint to do one for the rest of the Garden City. Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

I Last week Augusta voters approved 184 million dollars in sales tax projects, including six million to get Sheriff’s Office officials out of the Law Enforcement Center, but even though the city will not even begin collecting those dollars for another 15 months city leaders are making plans to jump start that project. Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

The new board is getting down to business.  The new Coliseum Authority met for the first time since state lawmakers revamped the board earlier this year.
The board went from 12 members to 7 and there’s a whole new cast. There are several challenges ahead as the board takes center stage. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola was there..

A new is budget approved for the Richmond County School System. Officials say it took a long time, but it’s finally here. Count on WJBF News Channel 6’s Fraendy Clervaud. He has the story.

Hundreds of local GED students got to walk across the stage, Wednesday. Augusta Technical Institute held its GED commencement exercises at the James Brown Arena, Wednesday afternoon.

Augusta’s next splost is a done deal, but at what cost? Voters overwhelmingly approved extending the one-cent sales tax, with more than 70 percent of the vote, but turnout was terrible…less than 10,000 voters took part. It cost more than $83,000 to hold this referendum, so on a per-vote basis, this was an expensive election.

Commissioner Betty Beard stepped up to the podium to make a pitch for bonds for inner city development but she took a swing at the TEE Center and it’s supporters. Beard is asking questions about who might be profiting from the project. Other Augusta Commissioners say that might be going too far. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

An Augusta Commissioner is fighting back. Betty Beard took to the podium at Tuesday’s Commission meeting to talk about issuing bonds for inner city development, but then took on her recent housing controversy. We have the full video of her speech.

Augusta voters head to the polls to decide on extending the one-cent sales tax. Turnout has been slow, but many of those coming out are voting in support of the $184 million package, at least at Julian Smith Casino. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

The head of the state’s Senate education committee wants to create a law that would levy criminal charges against educators who change answers on standardized tests.

They’ve been paying it for 15 months, but some Augusta hotel owners are fed up with the dollar a night room fee. Commissioners approved the fee to generate the money for operating a TEE Center, and to jump start neighborhood revitalization, but hotel owners say they’re not getting their money’s worth. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.