This past year seems to have passed in a whirlwind of news about hurricane recovery; data centers; government — ranging from charter review and budget shortfalls in Augusta/Richmond County to a controversial data center in Columbia County; library systems; and new leadership in local schools and law enforcement.
As 2025 comes to an end, The Augusta Press looked back to consider the top 10 most important, most compelling stories stories of the year, along with several honorable mentions.
1. Columbia County Deputy Brandon Sikes killed in the line of duty
On April 26, Columbia County Deputy Brandon Sikes was killed in the line of duty. He was killed during a traffic stop on I-20 that saw Columbia County Deputy Gavin White injured and ended with the suspect, James Blake Montgomery, 38, dying.
He was laid to rest on May 5 during a service that brought law enforcement officers to Augusta from across the country attended as they paid their respects to Sikes.
2. Columbia County data center
One of the hot topics in Columbia County this year was the rezoning of property on Morris Callaway Road for a proposed data center at the White County Technology Park. The Columbia County Planning Commission approved the initial rezoning to S-1 at a May 1 meeting, and the Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved the rezoning request on May 20.
While there wasn’t much public comment against the rezoning at that time, many community members later came out expressing concerns with the rezoning. That concern led to the creation of the group Citizens for Open Governance. Following many public comments at commission meetings and two town halls, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a new zoning ordinance for data centers (D-C data centers).
While the original proposed data center in Appling would not fall under the D-C zoning, the developer, Trammel Crow, indicted it would request to be rezoned under the new rezoning.
After the commission created the D-C data center ordinance, several zoning applications for additional data centers have been submitted, including one near Pumpkin Center and one near Byrd Farm. Public hearings for the rezoning request are scheduled for Jan. 15 at the Columbia County Planning Commission meeting.
3. Augusta creates Charter Review Committee
For Augusta, one of the major stories this year involved the Charter Review committee. The committee, whose members were selected by commissioners and the mayor, is charged with reviewing and revising Augusta’s charter. The nearly 30-year-old document laid out the framework for a consolidated Augusta-Richmond County government in 1996 but has seen little change since then.
The committee held its first meeting in April 2025 and has met every other week since then. After months of meeting and hearing from community members and former mayors, the committee ultimately voted on recommending a city manager structure.
The committee voted for the next charter review committee to be established no later than January 2033 or within seven years of the effective date of the charter or any amendments.
4. Columbia County new library system
The library was also a hot topic for Columbia County this year. In May, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted to submit an application to the state to leave the Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library System and become a single county system within the state library system effective Jan. 1, 2026.
In July, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to officially create the Columbia County Regional Library System and dissolve the Library Advisory Board.
The new Columbia County Library System board held its first meeting on Nov. 4 during which members adopted the constitution and bylaws. In November the board approved Keisha Evans as the director for the new system.
5. Augusta budget
Augusta faced a $21 million budget deficit for 2026 and had to make difficult decisions on how to balance the budget. Contributions to the deficit included the loss of $7.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, severe inflation, a 41% rise in employee healthcare costs since 2018 and the addition of 125 law enforcement officers last year, coupled with the commission’s years of adopting rollback millage rates.
Commissioners spent months debating what to do, including possibly raising taxes, cuts across the board and rightsizing some departments. Facing a Dec. 31 deadline, the commission ultimately approved a budget 6-5 on Dec. 16. The approval did not include a property tax increase, relying instead on one-time funding transfers and deep cuts to city departments and non-government organizations.
6. Richmond County has a new sheriff in town
The year started with Eugene “Gino” Brantley taking over the role of Richmond County Sheriff after defeating Richard Roundtree in 2024. When Brantley took office, he brought about 100 officers with him to the RCSO. During his time in office, Brantley has held multiple events to connect with community members and even stopped some shoplifters while out he was shopping.
7. Malinda Cobb selected as Richmond County superintendent
Malinda Cobb was named the new superintendent of the Richmond County School System in August after serving as the interim superintendent. The announcement came during the Richmond County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Cobb, formerly the district’s associate superintendent, was installed as its interim superintendent in December after the resignation of Kenneth Bradshaw. She has been with the district since 2001 and held multiple positions, including teacher, principal, area assistant superintendent and associate superintendent.
8. Fort Gordon rededicated back to Fort Gordon
Fort Gordon is once again Fort Gordon. The announcement came in Augusta that Fort Eisenhower would be changed back to Fort Gordon, but this time in honor of Master Sgt. Gary I. Gordon, a medal of honor recipient who was recognized for his bravery during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia
The rededication ceremony was held on Sept. 26. At the rededication, Gordon’s son, Ian, and widow, Carmen Drake Owens, were joined by a host of military officials and dignitaries.
9. Crime throughout the year
Crime happens all year, and here are a few of the top crime stories from 2025.
Best Buy Shooting: A woman who was recently granted immunity for shooting her abusive husband in self-defense has now been fatally shot – by that same man – in what authorities say was a tragic, domestic-related double homicide in September. Melissa Cui Domingo, 37, and her mother, Elizabeth Cui Domingo, 74, were both shot and killed in the parking lot of Best Buy off Walton Way Extension in Augusta, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooter was identified as Hajir Talebzadeh, Melissa’s ex-husband, the man she shot in 2021 and accused of years of domestic abuse. He was booked into jail on murder charges and denied bond at a hearing in November.
Susan Rhodes disappearance: One of the more baffling tales this year was the disappearance of Susan Rhodes, who after a car crash in June in North Augusta, went missing for two months. She showed back up in August at a residence in Edgefield. According to police, Rhodes told investigators she had been swept away by a fast-moving creek, lost her pants and shoes, was fed bread and water by strangers, and was eventually dropped off by an unknown man in a black truck.
But police say her story didn’t add up ,and she was later arrested and charged with hit and run involving an attended vehicle, reckless driving and open container. She later plead guilty to reckless driving and open container of alcohol. She was sentenced to either pay a fine or each charge or face some time in jail.
Separately, she was charged with hit and run in Edgefield County and pleaded guilty Dec. 17, receiving a one-year prison sentence, which was suspended in favor of 18 months of probation, mental health counseling if necessary and 50 hours of community service.
House of Prayer arrest: In September, a raid and arrests were conducted on a $1.5 million home in West Lake following a federal indictment that linked leaders of the House of Prayer Christian Churches of America to multimillion-dollar fraud schemes that exploited service member.
The 41-page indictment, unsealed Wednesday, names FNU LNU, identity unknown, as church founder and pastor Rony Denis. Denis is believed to have used the stolen identity since 1983.
Later that month, Denis was denied bond and will remain in jail pending the outcome of his federal trial for bilking veterans out of millions in VA benefits, real estate fraud and filing false tax returns.
10. Sports throughout the year
This year was a big year for sports in the CSRA, from The Masters Tournament, along with several announcements during the week, to high school teams winning their respective state championships.
The Patch announcement: Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club (AGNC), made an announcement during a press conference during Masters Week that Tiger Woods is partnering with AGNC to design a nine-hole golf course at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course, also known as The Patch.
The Patch Project, LLC is a partnership between The First Tee of Augusta, Augusta Technical College and the Masters Tournament Charities, Inc. The goal of the project is to strengthen public golf in the Augusta area and create opportunities for citizens to play and work in the sport.
The master plan for The Patch includes a redesigned 18-hole layout created by course architects, Tom Fazio and Beau Welling, a new 9-hole short course designed by TGR Design called The Loop at the Patch and practice areas for golfers of all skill levels. Ridley said the name, The Loop, pays tribute to caddies who have used the course as a spot to gather over the decades.
TGR announcement: It was also announced during the 2025 Masters Week that the Augusta National Golf Club and the TGR Foundation, which is Tiger Wood’s nonprofit, will build a TGR Learning Lab in Augusta. This lab will provide young people with access to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education.
The TGR Learning Lab in Augusta will be located at the former site of Lamar Elementary School. It will offer programming to all Richmond County School System students and other students in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) school districts.
Rory wins the Masters: The luck of the Irish was on Rory McIlroy’s side as he won the 2025 Masters Tournament and achieved his first green jacket.
In the 2025 Masters Tournament, McIlroy scored a 72 in round one, a 66 in round 2, a 66 in round 3 and a 73 in round 4. He claimed the title after defeating Justin Rose in a playoff.
With this win in his 17th appearance at the Masters, McIlroy completed his career grand slam, which is when a professional golfer wins all four major championships, The Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship. He now joins Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in this elite club.
Strom Thurmond wins state: This year was a big one for the Strom Thurmond High School when its football team secured the 2025 Class AA State Championship on with a 26-7 victory over the Hampton County Hurricanes. The win capped a remarkable 13-2 season and brought the state football title back to Johnston for the first time in 20 years.
Greenbrier girls flag wins state: The Greenbrier High School girls flag football team achieved a three-peat when the team secured its third consecutive state championship with a 20–13 victory over Jenkins High School, finishing off a dramatic title game that included momentum swings and a strong second-half response from the Wolfpack.
Lincoln County makes it to state: The Lincoln County High School football team made it to the state championship and came within three yards of a state championship, but Bowdon held on in the final seconds to secure a 35–31 victory in a thriller that featured big plays, controversial moments, and a frantic finish.
Honorable mentions
There were a lot of stories in 2025 that didn’t make the top 10, but that are still worth mentioning.
John Clarke dies: This year started off with a sad loss of former Augusta Commissioner and The Augusta Press columnist John Clarke. He passed away peacefully on Jan. 29 surrounded by loved ones, according to his family after suffering a cardiac event and becing hospitalized on Jan. 27. He ultimatelydied due to respiratory failure.
Bobby Christine appointment: Columbia County District Attorney Bobby Christine was called into active service in the U.S. Army National Guard in February. Christine, 55, began serving in the National Guard straight out of high school at age 17 and has attained the rank of Major General. In June, Christine was nominated for Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army (TJAG) and later his confirmed to the position.
Resignations and new appointments: This year also saw some resignations for both the Augusta Commission and the Columbia County Board of Commissioners. Alvin Mason resigned from the Augusta Commission in June, citing health issues. His resignation came after he took some time off from the commission the previous year also due to health issues. This led to a special election that retired Army sergeant major Lonnie Wimberly won.
In Columbia County, District 2 Commissioner Trey Allen resigned earlier this year to take a position with the Trump Administration. He accepted an offer to become a senior adviser to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. A special election was held to fill his position and resulted in Jim Steed winning the seat.
Housing and Community Development missing money, FBI visit: In May, the FBI visited the Augusta Municipal Building as part of an investigation. While there was no confirmation on what they were investigating, sources who wish to remain unnamed said that questions were asked in regards to Department of Housing and Community Development Director Hawthorne Welcher, who is on administrative leave after it was discovered that somewhere around $6.5 million in American Rescue funds vanished from his department’s custody.
