Augusta approves new funds for cutting medians
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The median off Meadowbrook Drive is not cut by the city, but by Venessa Saford's husband. So she's keen on keeping them cut in the city.
'Yes, especially on the south side of Augusta. It looks really bad. They need to go ahead and fix it. I don't appreciate living over here and seeing it crazy,' she said.
The city is targeting medians like Windsor Spring, Greene Street and Fleming. In all, more than three dozen medians approved to be cut every two weeks at a cost of $350-thousand dollars.
'Now that we're kind of recovering from Hurricane Helene, it's time to get back to the normal business, making sure the appearance of our city is taken care of,' said Mayor Garnett Johnson.
The city first started this program of cutting the medians for two years and using federal Rescue Act funds, but those dollars are all spent, and the program wasn't budgeted this year, so the city is now using its own tax dollars, including $250-thousand dollars out of contingency.
'So, the money is coming out of contingency, what I mentioned. I'm not happy with that, I believe there is certainly the opportunity to create more efficiencies with the grass cutting,' said the mayor.
The city could end the grass cutting in the medians, and keep the money in contingency, the mayor says that's not an option but says streamlining all city mowing under one roof is.
'We have to have a call for the reestablishment of some form of public works department, so all the grass cutting is centralized under one area. You will see that push come soon,' Johnson said.
The city's push now though is cut these highly visible medians, even though the money was not included in the 2025 budget.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Homeowners forced to 'gamble' amid worsening insurance crisis across US: 'Struggling to keep up'
Homeowners insurance is going up around the United States, particularly in places that have been hit by natural disasters, according to Insurance NewsNet. No one loves paying for insurance, but covering those costs is usually better than risking a catastrophe without it. That has been true for years. Now, though, homeowners are having to decide if they should lower their coverage because it's getting so expensive. In areas across the country, homeowners insurance costs are soaring in the wake of hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. One senior citizen in North Carolina is considering lowering her coverage. "Admittedly, it is a gamble, but a gamble that a senior on a fixed income must consider," Diana Hill said. "Many of us seniors, if not hurting … are struggling to keep up with the cost of protecting our homes." In recent years, insurers have paid high prices to replace homes and property damaged by natural disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that the cost of damages from Hurricane Helene alone will be over $1.4 billion. Insurers have to recoup that money somehow, and they are trying to do it by raising premiums. Some homeowners dispute these high costs. They say they aren't getting the amount of money they should have been given based on their policies. Others are getting dropped without any warning. The companies say their costs are going up, but no one can be sure where all the money is going. Rising homeowners insurance costs are bad for everyone affected, especially seniors. However, they also indicate a larger problem. According to the World Wildlife Fund, natural disasters are on the rise around the globe, due in large part to the amount of dirty energy sources that are burned and the planet-overheating pollution they create. In fact, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change observed, per the WWF, these disasters are already worse than what climate scientists had predicted. That's putting more homes at risk, and without a financial safety net, some may find it difficult to recover if their property is damaged or destroyed. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Insurance regulatory groups around the country are meeting to figure out what can be done about rising homeowners insurance costs. Meanwhile, voters are turning to pro-climate action candidates in an effort to get changes codified into law to protect the planet. In addition, insurance companies are trying to figure out what to do about the way the climate is changing. As Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, said, "[A board member for] the largest insurance company on the planet said that he just does not see a way for the insurance business model to survive without meaningfully addressing climate change." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
IES Holdings, Inc. (IESC): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on IES Holdings, Inc. (IESC) on FluentInQuality's Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on IESC. IES Holdings, Inc. (IESC)'s share was trading at $264.15 as of 2nd June. IESC's trailing P/E was 21.73 according to Yahoo Finance. An executive overlooking a modern technology facility, emphasizing the cutting-edge solutions the company provides. IES Holdings (IESC) is a quietly powerful force behind America's modern infrastructure, delivering essential services that make everything from data centers to solar farms function reliably. Rather than constructing headline-grabbing skyscrapers, IES focuses on building the critical systems that power, connect, and automate them. Operating through four distinct segments—Communications, Residential, Commercial & Industrial, and Infrastructure Solutions—the company maintains a diversified, recession-resilient revenue stream across vital sectors. Each segment targets a different market, yet collectively they form a cohesive, cash-generating engine that benefits from rising demand for connectivity, automation, and resilient infrastructure. IES differentiates itself from typical cyclical contractors by emphasizing recurring, high-margin technical services and decentralized operations. This focus allows each business unit to act with agility while benefiting from shared capital discipline and low corporate overhead. Backed by a significant ownership stake from Chairman Jeff Gendell, IES operates with a founder's mindset—conservative leverage, selective acquisitions, and an unwavering emphasis on cash flow over optics. While its margins may not dazzle, they're steady, and the company has built a track record of disciplined execution and consistent growth. With structural tailwinds from cloud expansion, Sunbelt housing growth, industrial automation, and the energy transition, IES stands to benefit from broad-based, secular demand. It achieves mid-to-high single-digit organic growth, generates healthy free cash flow, and reinvests wisely through tuck-in acquisitions. Largely under the radar, IES is not about hype but about execution and endurance—delivering the kind of durable, compound growth that's rare in today's market. For long-term investors, it represents a resilient and underappreciated opportunity. For a comprehensive understanding of the industry check out our summary on Miller Industries (MLR), covered on 30th May 2025 currently trading at $44.84 with a P/E of 9.56. IES Holdings, Inc. (IESC) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 29 hedge fund portfolios held IESC at the end of the first quarter which was 28 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of IESC as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
32 minutes ago
- Business Wire
Encore Enterprises Doubles-Down on Dallas: Acquires Class B Commercial Medical Office Building, Reopens Corporate HQ as Owner-Occupied Tenant
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Encore Enterprises, Inc. (Encore) today announced the acquisition of a two-story, Class B medical office building at $114 PSF with 61,356 rentable square feet, located at 16980 N. Dallas Parkway. Situated on 3.144 acres fronting the N. Dallas Tollway north of Westgrove, adjacent to the Quorum/Bent Tree submarket, Encore financed the $7 million property through a bank loan from the Dallas Commercial & Industrial team at Cadence Bank in the inaugural business transaction between the entities. The acquisition grows the Encore Commercial, LLC portfolio to 27 properties under management and marks the sole commercial office asset in the mix. 'Dallas pride runs deep in the heart of Encore Enterprises, where for 26 years we've called this thriving metroplex home,' said Bharat Sangani, M.D., chairman and CEO, Encore Enterprises. 'With the acquisition 16980 N. Dallas Parkway, we cement our future in one of the strongest performing economies in the nation while also helping reinvigorate Dallas' tough office market.' Built in 1985 and renovated between 2015-2017, 16980 N. Dallas Parkway is 58.2% occupied by five strong credit tenants, four of which have been in the building over 10 years, with no lease expirations until 2026. Encore Enterprises will self-manage the property and relocate its corporate headquarters there. The building features high-quality construction with a brick and glass façade and 50 below-grade garage spaces alongside 22 covered surface parking spaces. With easy access to the President George Bush Turnpike, 16980 N. Dallas Parkway is 15 miles from downtown Dallas, 13 miles from Love Field Airport and 20 miles from DFW International Airport. There are over 70 restaurants and 22 lodging options within three miles, and over 80 retail establishments and nine nature trails within six miles. Just over 1 acre of partially paved vacant land along the N. Dallas Parkway frontage road remains green space for future development. 'Despite sector volatility and a challenging lending environment, securing financing for an owner-occupied office building remains achievable for elite buyers like Encore Enterprises who not only have a remarkable performance track record and deep experience managing commercial properties, but also robust financial strength,' said Sam Manohar, Cadence Bank SVP, senior relationship manager in Dallas. 'After a comprehensive audit of all financials and portfolio assets, it was clear there was a strategic opportunity to finance 16980 N. Dallas Parkway and commence a new partnership with a financially resilient and established company like Encore.' About Encore Enterprises, Inc. Founded in 1999, Encore Enterprises, Inc. (Encore) is a Dallas-based vertically integrated, diversified investment firm. Since inception, Encore has completed over 150 commercial real estate transactions valued at $3.7 billion, with $1.8 billion current AUM across 32 states. Focusing on opportunistic and value-add strategies in non-gateway markets throughout the U.S., Encore develops, acquires and manages mixed-use retail centers, multifamily apartment developments, limited and full-service hotels, commercial office buildings and Veterans' administration medical office centers. Encore also acquires operating companies in the medical, dental and restaurant industries as part of its sustainable investment model. Encore boasts one of the best 26-year track records in the industry, underscoring the firm's focus on operational stability, prioritization of capital preservation and strength across market cycles. Encore investment offerings are available through Ignite Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary and the exclusive investor relations platform for Encore Enterprises. To learn more, visit About Cadence Bank Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) is a $50 billion regional financial services company committed to helping people, companies and communities prosper. With more than 350 locations spanning the South and Texas, Cadence offers comprehensive services and products including commercial and business banking, treasury management, specialized lending, asset-based lending, commercial real estate, equipment financing, correspondent banking, SBA lending, foreign exchange, wealth management, investment and trust services, financial planning and retirement plan management, consumer banking, consumer loans, mortgages, home equity lines and loans, and credit cards to meet the needs of individuals, businesses and corporations. Accolades include being recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Forbes and U.S. News & World Report and a '2025 America's Best Banks' by Forbes. Cadence maintains corporate offices in Houston and Tupelo, Miss., and has dutifully served customers for nearly 150 years. Learn more at Cadence Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
