In today's Digest:
🗳️ Steven Kendrick won the Augusta mayoral runoff with 54.3% of the vote
🏥 A burst pipe damaged three floors at the downtown VA hospital
💊 AmbioPharm is putting $118.96M and 202 jobs into Aiken County
🏀 North Augusta approved about $300K for park and community center upgrades
🩺 A student-run Augusta clinic has July 25 appointments for free care
🍖 Pit-Cooked Barbecue Off Bobby Jones
Off Bobby Jones Expressway at 2250 Sconyers Way, Sconyers Bar-B-Que has been an Augusta barbecue fixture since 1956. The old-fashioned pit operation is built around ribs, pork, chicken, tenderloin, turkey, hash and rice, and a secret family recipe.
Part of the lore is Larry Sconyers taking the barbecue to Washington in 1980 to cook on the White House lawn for President Jimmy Carter, members of Congress, and guests. Back home, the reclining pig sign still points locals toward plates, sauce, and tea.
Read more here.
🗳️ Kendrick Wins Augusta Mayoral Runoff
The Gist: Steven Kendrick defeated incumbent Mayor Garnett Johnson in Tuesday's Augusta mayoral runoff, winning 54.3% of the vote with 14,651 votes to Johnson's 45.7% with 12,347. In Augusta Commission District 8, Evett Williams defeated Michael Cioffi 52.6% to 47.4%.
Why It Matters: Augusta's next mayor will inherit major decisions on growth, city finances, public safety, neighborhood trust and how the consolidated government handles big projects.
What's Next: Kendrick said his immediate priorities include an operational audit, a listening tour and getting the city's financial house in order.
Read more here.
🏥 VA Pipe Burst Damages Three Floors
The Gist: A pipe burst Friday evening at the downtown VA Medical Center, causing extensive weekend damage to parts of three floors. VA Augusta said the affected areas were primarily outpatient clinics, and all staff and patients in those areas were safely relocated.
Why It Matters: The downtown VA is a core health-care site for local veterans, so damaged clinic space can quickly affect appointments, access and where patients have to go for care.
What's Next: VA Augusta said restoration work is continuing, and affected patients have been contacted to reschedule or coordinate care through a community health-care partner.
Read more here.
🏀 North Augusta Funds Park Upgrades
The Gist: North Augusta City Council authorized about $300,000 for infrastructure improvements at Maude Edenfield Park and the North Augusta Community Center. The work includes repaving the parking lot and adding LED lighting at one of the city's busiest parks.
Why It Matters: The park and community center are heavily used by families, basketball players and summer recreation crowds, so better lighting and pavement are basic quality-of-life and safety upgrades.
Read more here.
🦎 Reptile Show with Sean Poppy | Evans Library | Evans | Friday, June 19, 1:00 PM | More
Live reptiles make this library show a hands-on crowd-pleaser.
🥕 Evans Market Spring 2026 | The Market | Evans | Saturday, June 20, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM | More
Shop local producers, farmers, artisans, and vendors at the county market.
🎨 Juneteenth Discovery Day | Augusta Museum of History | Augusta | Saturday, June 20, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM | More
Free museum afternoon with music, crafts, performance, and history.
🪄 Magician Chad Crews | Evans Library | Evans | Tuesday, June 23, 6:00 PM | More
Storytelling and illusions in the Hardin Auditorium for wizards of all ages.
🎬 Prehistoric Picture Show: Disney's Dinosaur | Evans Library | Evans | Thursday, June 25, 10:30 AM | More
A PG dinosaur movie screening in the Children's Programming Room.
🎤 Rick Ross Port Of Miami Orchestra Tour | Bell Auditorium | Augusta | Friday, June 19, 8:00 PM | More
Rick Ross pairs hip-hop hits with orchestra and choir.
🎙️ Juneteenth Weekend Festivities | IKONZ Sportsbar | Augusta | Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21, starts 11:00 AM Friday | More
A weekend mix of creators, cookout, open mic, and brunch.
🍷 Wisdom of Food - June Farm to Table Dinner | Cork & Cap Wine Shoppe | Aiken | Saturday, June 20, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM | More
Six courses, wine pairings, cocktails, and art in downtown Aiken.
📝 Zine Workshop | Evans Library | Evans | Wednesday, June 24, 3:00 PM | More
Ages 16+ make an eight-page mini zine to trade.
🖼️ Modern Americana Exhibit | Augusta & Co. | Augusta | Thursday, June 25, 10:00 AM | More
CSRA artists frame Augusta history through the America 250 lens.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
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