This past year has had a lot of highs, lows, and in-the-middles from a double-cicada brood emergence to Hurricane Helene and the closure of some local businesses . Whatever the case, The Augusta Chronicle was there these major events:
Here’s a look back at some of the year’s biggest local events told through the lens of our reporters:
January: Junior Achievement Discovery Center opens in Evans, offering practical education
On Jan. 11, Augusta-area education leaders cut the ribbon on the new Junior Achievement Discovery Center in Evans. This unique facility was built to provide local students with practical lessons for work and life from partners like Delta Airlines, Chick-fil-A, and Publix. It was built with investments from Richmond and Columbia counties’ boards of education.
Contest winner: North Augusta home with music-synched lights wins readers’ choice Christmas lights contest
February: Augusta’s No. 3 manufacturer sold
Graphic Packaging Holding Co. and Spokane-based Clearwater Paper Corp. announced the signing of a “definitive agreement” to sell Graphic’s bleached-paperboard manufacturing facility off Mike Padgett Highway. The complete transaction was valued at $700 million. Clearwater announced the acquisition’s completion on May 1.
March: Richmond County school board makes its decision on initial ‘rightsizing’ plan
On March 19, Richmond County Board of Education approved the initial phase of a major ‘rightsizing’ plan that, once complete, will include several closed schools, new schools, and restructured schools. This came after several intense meetings and much discussion …