News Summary
Augusta is hosting its annual Children’s Week, celebrating the importance of early childhood development and family support. The week features engaging activities, including the Rainbow Track Baby Derby, which highlights community spirit. However, this celebration coincides with a government shutdown, affecting local services. Additionally, the community mourns the loss of a young boy while honoring his legacy through scholarships. Amid these events, safety concerns arise from a recent kidnapping incident involving children in Fishersville, showcasing the need for community vigilance.
Augusta is currently hosting its annual Children’s Week through the Augusta Partnership for Children, a significant celebration dedicated to recognizing the importance of children and supporting families. This week is packed with engaging activities designed to foster community spirit and promote early childhood development.
A highlight of the week was the Rainbow Track Baby Derby held on Thursday, where young children competed in a fun race while their parents cheered from the sidelines. This event showcased the enthusiasm of the local community and underlined the role of family support in children’s growth and development.
Educators involved in the festivities have pointed out that events like this play a crucial role in fostering early childhood development and strengthening family bonds. Kamisha Mew, a parent educator, noted the numerous benefits of taking children on outings and engaging them in activities outside the home. Such experiences are essential for their social and emotional growth.
Additionally, as part of the week’s slate of events, there is a Path of Choices event scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Hub. This gathering aims to provide teenagers with insights and opportunities for personal growth and decision-making.
While Children’s Week fosters community and positive family interactions, it coincides with troubling news regarding a government shutdown. The federal government officially shut down at midnight on Wednesday, resulting in the suspension of various services, including those for local veterans in Augusta. The impact of this shutdown is being assessed, as it could affect many aspects of community support services.
In Columbia, South Carolina, friends and family are preparing to honor the life of Jaysen Carr, a 12-year-old boy who tragically passed away this summer due to a rare brain-eating amoeba infection. A celebration of Jaysen’s life is set for October 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Altitude Trampoline Park. This event is open to the public and is designed to allow children to enjoy themselves and experience the joy of childhood in memory of Jaysen.
In conjunction with the celebration, the Carr family has established the Jaysen Carr Be a Good Person Foundation, which funds scholarships for student-athletes. Proceeds from tickets purchased for jumping at the trampoline park will contribute to this scholarship fund, ensuring that Jaysen’s legacy continues to support young athletes.
Furthermore, a baseball tournament is scheduled for October 18 to raise funds for research aimed at identifying the amoeba responsible for Jaysen’s tragic illness. This initiative looks to prevent future cases and save lives through awareness and research.
In a separate event highlighting child safety, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a kidnapping incident involving three children who were taken from a bus stop in Fishersville on December 5. An Amber Alert was quickly issued for 10-year-old Jai’Marcus Lewis, 8-year-old Ja’Miyah Lewis, and 6-year-old Ja’Liyah Lewis, sparking concern within the community.
Authorities reported that all three children were safely found following a brief police pursuit in Alabama. The suspect, Shanice Davison, was arrested on charges of Fugitive from Justice and has an existing warrant in Augusta County. Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated effectively to ensure the safe recovery of the abducted children.
As Augusta dives deeper into honoring its children during Children’s Week, the community remains aware of these pressing challenges ranging from government disruptions to issues of safety, working together to lay a foundation for a promising future.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Augusta Partnership for Children Celebrates Children’s Week
- Google Search: Children’s Week Augusta
- WJBF: 16-Month-Old Found Dead in South Augusta Home
- Wikipedia: Child Safety
- WJBF: RCSO Follow-Up on Father Leaving Children in McDonald’s
- Google News: Augusta Child Safety
- WFXR: Three Children Kidnapped from Bus Stop in Augusta County
- Google Scholar: Child Kidnapping Augusta
- WRDW: Birthday Gathering for SC Boy Who Died from Brain-Eating Amoeba
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Brain-Eating Amoeba
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
