Auctioning off a legend

He spent his life dancing his way into the hearts of millions across the world, and in one days time, Augusta's native son was stripped of his most precious possessions by those who professed to love him most. His fans.

A childhood portrait of James Brown went for $5,000, his Bible for $625 , and his medical bracelet worn to indicate he was a diabetic sold for $30,000. That's just three of more than 300 items, including Brown's Kennedy Center Honors award, sold to the highest bidder in an attempt to raise money to pay estate taxes and other bills.

"You just don't auction those things off. Those things are of value," said Daryl Brown. "Those things are to put up for other generations to come to look at and weigh themselves against, not just to give to somebody to put in their house, and say I got James Brown stuff."

I can't imagine how proud Mr. Brown must have felt to recieve the NAACP Image Award in 1975 and then the BET Lifetime Achievement Award more than 2 decades later. They both sold for $2,500 each.

I can't imagine how honored Mr. Brown must have been to sip out of Presidential Champagne Glasses and recieve a certificate from the Republican Presidential Honor Roll presented to Mr. James Brown as a charter member of the Republican Presidential Task Force, with facsimile signatures of Ronald Reagan and John McCain. They both sold for $375 each.

I can't imagine how special Mr. Brown must have felt to receive a hand painted wooden sign that read "The Golden Rule set at this home 3056 Walton Way Ext. Augusta, GA is a follows: Who ever has the gold makes the rules. Who has the Gold? "Daddy" Everyone is in agreement that "DADDY" sets the rules in this home. All the little Brown rats: Deidre, Daryl, Venisha, Deanna, and Yamma. "We" Love you Daddy." It sold for $4,000.

One of his daughters, Deanna, told me she feels like someone raped her father.

Can't you just imagine how good James Brown must be feeling tonight?

Chris Thomas
News 12

Happy New Year!

Just a quick note from the newsroom on New Years Day. We're here watching football, listening to the scanners and producing your morning, noon, 5,6 & 11 o'clock newscasts.

Working on a holiday is not so bad. We're like family here and we know those of you who allow us into your homes every day feel that way too. It's really an honor to be part of a team like the one we have here at News 12- and it's an honor to be doing this work--- for you.

We're looking forward to a big year in 2008. Soon, we'll be hiring a morning anchor to replace Meredith Anderson. Once we do that, Meredith will be joining me on the desk at 6 & 11. We're very excited about that. Later in the year, our 5pm anchor Melissa Tune will be rejoining the team after completing her active duty work in the U.S. Army Reserve. We're excited about that too.
So, here's to a New Year... with some big changes on the horizon.

Stay tuned.

Richard Rogers
News 12

Way To Go, Charlie!

I should have written this a month ago--- I'll blame the holidays for keeping me away from the keyboard. Recently, WRDW-TV recognized an employee for a record that is nothing short of amazing. Charles Moody has been working here for 50 years.


When Charlie first started working here Eisenhower was President. America was in a space race with the Soviets. Teenagers named Lennon and McCartney were just getting acquainted in Liverpool. It was 1957 and a young man in Augusta was just beginning his career in local television.

50 years in television and all of it at the same station. Just think of the changes Charles Moody has seen.... from black and white...to color... to high definition.
To mark the milestone, the station's general manager, John Ray gave Charlie a very old Polaroid camera- probably one of the ones Charles used to use at the station, and a new flat screen TV to take home with him. And when Charlie begins his 51st year with us in 2008, he'll be walking into the same old studio that now bears his name.

Charlie Moody and I have worked many Masters and Telethons and other special events together over the years. That's him in the photo, running the camera at Augusta National. He's the kind of pro you hope you get to work with at least once in every career. How lucky we are that he decided to spend his whole career... here with us.

Richard Rogers
News 12

Talk to 12: Donated Money; Escaped Inmate

In today's Talk to 12, people are speaking out about the family of those two children who were stabbed to death. Their mother is in jail for that. Family members now say they should get to keep part of the money the community donated in the children's names.

Most of the reaction sounds like this:

"What's wrong with them? The money wasn't taken up for them. What should have been done was for them to have gotten the children from her before she killed them. They knew she had problems. Now they want something from their death, no way."
-Mitch

And some people were left in the dark when an inmate escaped from the state prison in Trenton. Others say they were notified:

"My parents live beside the prison and they were notified about 2:30am about the prisoner escaping. The neighbors need to contact the warden if they want to be notified. My parents have always been notified by the warden, in person and on the phone."
-Lisa

And Lisa's right about that. All you have to do is call the warden's office at 803-896-3006 and tell them you want to be notified if there is an escape.

Questions? Comments? We're always listening.

Tom Campbell
News 12

A Time to Reflect

This is the time of year when many of us reflect on what has happened in 2007. Here are some thoughts that may spark conversation or comments.

Atlanta Falcons: Will this sad season ever end? Whatever happened to the saying "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Obviously for Bobby Petrino the going meant taking off for Arkansas. I also hope you have a chance to read the full text of the letter Michael Vick sent to the federal judge. I was impressed, and all of us can only hope that he's very sincere in what he says.

Drugs in Baseball: This is from a fan who's been following the game for over 55 years. It may take a generation for the game to recover from what the drug-induced players, greedy owners and clueless administration have done to it. I don't even know if there will be a true fix to the problem. Those fans who left after the players went on strike will be nothing compared those who are seriously thinking of dumping baseball from their minds now.

The Holiday Lights: Usually I turn right on Broad Street to head toward home. The other night I turned left, just to see the new Christmas lights in downtown Augusta. The trip was well worth it. Take your family downtown sometime soon. You'll enjoy it. Speaking of Broad Street, there's a small white house in Harrisburg that's been lighted up for years this time of year. It is again in 2007, and it's a pleasure to see it again this year.

Peace: Our newsroom has really gotten into the WRDW holiday door decorating contest this year. This is the greatest excitement I've seen in this competition for years.
I only have to turn around and see just one great example. It's an edit room door
decorated in holiday cards, red stars and the wonderful word "Peace" in white letters. It'll have a calming effect on anyone, especially in this business which can be pressure-packed at times.

Speaking of Peace: Rest in Peace to our former co-worker Wilbert Diggs, who died
at home December 12th. He was an old-time news photographer--a man who was a true
character and a man who knew his way around town.

Tom Campbell
News 12

Augusta Commission

December's runoff races set up an interesting 2008 for the Augusta Commission. Three newcomers will join seven veterans in deciding the direction of the city for the future. Corey Johnson in District Two, Alvin Mason in District Four and Joe Jackson in District Six will be sworn in next month. The election results mean the five-five racial balance on the Commission will stay the same. However, there is a feeling of optimism that some of the divisions of the recent past will soon go away. Let's hope so. The road hasn't been easy for Augusta-Richmond County since consolidation. The city has lost some opportunities and run some good people off. Now it's time for a new beginning. Lots of folks will be watching.
Tom Campbell, News 12

Ramping Up

This is the day Augusta drivers find out just how much they like the I-20 construction work through town.

You've seen the trees come down, the orange barrels go up, and now it's time to close a ramp. One of the I-20 entrance ramps from Washington Rd. toward Atlanta is closing. That means you'll have to backtrack along Stevens Creek and Claussen Roads to get onto I-20 from the River Watch Parkway ramp.



Good luck! It will probably take some getting used to for many drivers. After all, we're creatures of habit even on the road. Already we've received comments about scofflaws that will just turn west onto I-20 from Washington Rd. at the other ramp near the Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. I imagine we will see some of this because some people are always in a hurry. The merchants along the south side of Washington may also see an increase in people turning around in their parking lots until folks get used to the change.

However, like anything else, we'll get used to the changes, which will last for about 18 months, according to the DOT. However, those timetables are always subject to change too. Now you have to wonder about what will happen next. Every day to come to work I drive on Washington and use the I-20 eastbound ramp to head to North Augusta. Will that close in the future? I'm already taking Broad St. and Washington Rd. home because I don't want to fool with 20 or River Watch, which are now both construction zones. I'm already trying to avoid the Bobby Jones area completely.

Bottom line: There's construction someplace every day. We'll deal with it...we'll be angry or frustrated when we get caught in a delay, but it's a fact of life. Just think how nice it will be when it's all finished, and we have three lanes each direction on I-20 through Augusta and wider bridges.

Of course, by that time, there will be construction someplace else.

Tom Campbell, News 12