Court Date Set for Hale House Lawsuit Against the City of Augusta

Hale House logo. Photo Courtesy Hale House Foundation.

Date: May 18, 2021

Hale Foundation officials have decided to pursue its lawsuit against the City of Augusta’s denial of a special zoning request.

A hearing has been scheduled for June 15 in Richmond County Superior Court.

In April, Judge Randal Hall of the District Court for the Southern District of Georgia ruled the case is outside federal jurisdiction.

“Therefore, the cause is remanded to the Superior Court of Richmond County,” he wrote in his ruling.

MORE: Battle Over Rehab Facility Sent Back to Richmond County Superior Court

The lawsuit names the City of Augusta and Mayor Hardie Davis Jr. and Commissioners William Fennoy, Dennis Williams, Mary Davis, Sammie Sias, Bobby Williams, Ben Hasan, Sean Frantom, Brandon Garrett, Marion Williams and John Clarke as defendants.

Commissioners voted to reject the rezoning request for a property, which was formerly a convent, following complaints from people who live near the area. The tract off Richmond Hill Road is also near the Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School.

Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.

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The Author

Dana Lynn McIntyre is an award-winning reporter who began working in radio news in her hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She also worked as a television news photographer for a station in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Dana moved to Savannah, Ga. in 1984 to join the news team at WIXV-FM/I95 Radio. In early 1986, WBBQ Radio in Augusta invited her to interview for a position with the news department. Within three weeks, Dana was living in Olde Town and working at a legendary radio station. Dana left WBBQ in 1996 to join WJBF NewsChannel 6 as assignment manager. In 1998 she became a reporter/anchor covering law enforcement, crime and courts as well as witnessing two executions, one in Georgia, the other in South Carolina. She also spent time as an assignment manager-editor in Atlanta, metro New York City, and back in Augusta at WRDW Television. Dana joined The Augusta Press team in April 2021. Among Dana’s awards from the Georgia Associated Press Broadcasters Association are for Excellence in General Assignment Reporting, Spot News and Specialized Reporting. Dana also received an award for Public Service Reporting from the West Augusta Rotary Club for a story with actor LeVar Burton on his PBS Television show “Reading Rainbow."

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