(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.)
The Augusta Press operates on the motto of “all the news that’s fit to print,” and we feel that is what any newspaper should do to fully serve a community and avoid becoming a niche publication.
Opinion
However, when that phrase was coined, newspaper staff had no idea what stories were actually being read and which ones were destined for the bird cage. These days, the computer automatically tracks how many people read a certain story, and sometimes we are surprised at what grabs the reader’s attention.
Not long after The Augusta Press began publication, I ran across a warning from the South Carolina Department of National Resources to look out for an invasive lizard species called the Tegu. An attached map showed the lizard’s range moving right into the CSRA.
After talking to the experts at the Savannah River Ecology Lab, I got in touch with Savannah Riverkeeper Tonya Bonitatibus and quoted her as saying, “if you see one, shoot it on the spot if you can.”
I thought it was hysterical that my favorite local tree-hugger was advocating killing an animal.
We published the story because it was news fit to print and were then astounded to see it go viral.
There have been other stories that I thought would “break the internet,” but ended up garnering a resounding “meh” from the public.
So, here are the top five stories that originated my desk in 2022.
5. Another former mayoral assistant says she witnessed misconduct
One of the first things that a cub reporter learns is that it is as important to establish a relationship of trust with the people lowest on the totem pole as well as the newsmakers themselves. Not only can they give the reporter access to information quickly when requested, but that trust factor means they will be the first to snitch when they witness misconduct.
Everyone already knew about Mayor Hardie Davis Jr.’s spending habits, but this story really offered insight into the inner workings of the mayor’s office and ended up kicking off investigations and lawsuits.
While the mayor is on the cusp of leaving office, this is one story that is not going away anytime soon.
4. Owners of the Bon Air and Richmond Summit draw commission scrutiny
This story is one that highlights exactly what happens when governments plan for the short term and ignore what might be the long term consequences.
The Bon Air, being a long-faded luxury hotel was allowed to become a Section 8 property with no thought put into the fact that such historic buildings need constant upkeep and renovation, just ask the management of The Partridge Inn.
Section 8 housing providers are not in the business of tending to 100 year old buildings, and sure enough, the Bon Air was allowed to become a derelict property that attracts criminals.
While Richmond Summit is not a historic property, it was allowed to become Section 8 when Downtown Augusta was still in economic decline. The same maintenance issues that occur at the Bon Air happen at Richmond Summit, causing those with the means to move out to do so and have attracted the criminal element that makes people wary of going downtown after dark.
Unfortunately, once a deal is signed with HUD, it is impossible to reverse.
3. Former Augusta University vice president settles with university
While Augusta University is a cherished institution that benefits the community in too many ways to list, it is not above making serious mistakes.
The university has long had a habit of attempting to “circle the wagons” to avoid bad publicity.
Most recently, the university refused to disclose or acknowledge that a reported rape had occurred on its property. Instead of facing the issue, the university allowed the rumor mill to spin out of control to the point that people (especially young women) reported they did not feel safe.
The university handled the matter of Laura Brower much the same way. The former vice president and chief nursing officer was “perp walked” out of the building after being terminated, and employees that witnessed the incident were told to keep their mouths shut.
Naturally, the rumor mill took over, and people were spreading misinformation that Brower’s supposed negligence had caused a death. Ultimately, the university was forced to open its checkbook over the matter.
2. Owner of Dunagan’s Sewing and Vacuum in Aiken speaks out
Sometimes a news story can have unintended consequences. This is exactly what happened when I reported that a warrant for theft was obtained by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for Ernest Ray Johnson, manager of Dunagan’s Sewing and Vacuum in Augusta.
The store had been closed for months with customer’s equipment locked inside.
I immediately received a call from Karl Dunagan, owner of the original Dunagan’s Sewing and Vacuum in Aiken. Dunagan said his phones had been ringing all morning from concerned customers.
Dunagan asked that we clarify that his business was in no way related to the shop in Augusta.
Knowing that most people would not reread the original story and see the clarification, we decided to devote an entire story to clarify the matter, and I am happy to report that Dunagan’s in Aiken is continuing into its 46th year of serving their customers.
1. Augusta mayor’s divorce suit alleges adultery with staff member/consultant
The fact that this story rides the top of the list comes as no surprise. Hardie Davis Jr. will likely go down in history as one of Augusta’s greatest disappointments, if not its greatest.
This man who calls himself a minister was caught pilfering funds from a charity account, spending city money on personal expenses, taking almost monthly trips and enjoying VIP treatment on the taxpayers dime.
When Davis’ personal indiscretions with his marriage spilled over into the public awareness, he jetted off to Qatar without a care in the world that photographs were circulating of him and his alleged paramour wearing hotel bath robes and enjoying cocktails together.
Statewide political talk has Davis angling to run for governor of Georgia in 2024, leading people to speculate that he must be blissfully unaware that such a move would secure the Republican Party’s grip on the governorship when Brian Kemp’s term ends.
Scott Hudson is the senior reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
