Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How AU’s new cyber center puts students on Georgia’s digital frontlines

Also, don't miss College Football is BACK at Top Dawg Tavern! on the Augusta Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Augusta? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How AU's new cyber center puts students on Georgia's digital frontlines
  • Inside Augusta's tiny home village changing life after foster care
  • Could a Google data center really cut your Columbia County tax bill?

Also on today's calendar: College Football is BACK at Top Dawg Tavern! and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 81 and low of 73 degrees.
  • Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 89, low: 73. 🌶 Hot!
  • Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 93 and low of 75 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Augusta University celebrates opening of new Cyber Resiliency Center (theaugustapress.com) — Augusta University has opened its new Cyber Resiliency Center at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center downtown, giving AU students hands-on roles in protecting hospitals, schools, and manufacturers across Georgia. The center grew from the Georgia AIM initiative and will be staffed mostly by AU students, reflecting fast-growing local cybersecurity programs. Leaders say it will strengthen both Augusta's tech profile and statewide cyber defenses.
   

2. Lowe's grants $100,000 to assist the Bridge Builder Communities project (wfxg.com) — A new tiny home community in Augusta is giving young adults aging out of foster care safe, fully furnished housing plus life-skills training, job support, education help, and counseling. Bridge Builder Communities, led by founder Jackson Drumgoole, just received a $100,000 grant from Lowe's to expand its impact. Organizers say the goal is long-term stability and independence, not just a place to sleep.
   

3. Columbia County pitches Google project as path to property tax relief (augustachronicle.com) — Columbia County officials say they're close to a deal with Google for a massive data center in the Augusta area that could generate billions in revenue and help lower property taxes. The 8-million-square-foot facility at White Oak Technology Park faces pushback from nearby rural residents worried about heavy water and power use, while county leaders insist utilities for homeowners won't be compromised.
   

4. Georgia utilities strengthen power grid ahead of peak hurricane season (wjbf.com) — Georgia Power says lessons from Hurricane Helene's severe damage in Augusta are driving major upgrades to the state's electric grid before peak hurricane season. The utility is reinforcing transmission lines, adding smart-grid technology, and expanding underground lines and battery storage, while urging Augusta-area residents to prepare emergency kits and plan for possible outages during future storms.
   

5. Getting ready for Dolly Day 9-25 (wjbf.com) — In Augusta, local Dolly Parton fans and Dead Media Collectibles are reminiscing about the late icon and floating the idea of a playful "Dolly Day" on September 25—riffing on her hit "9 to 5." The shop already marks Star Wars Day and Pi Day, and staff say interest in Dolly memorabilia has grown since her passing. The segment captures how locals are keeping her music and spirit alive.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Thanks to everyone who was ready to help me get back and forth to work, but I stepped up and got me a car for my birthday.
    But y'all was ready and I appreciate y'all. My nextdoor neighbors are the best (Nextdoor Industrial)
  • Hello everyone,
    Can someone recommend a handyman or woman that does drywall/sheetrock repair please. (Nextdoor Hephzibah)
  • PruittHealth Corporation, Inc. posted a job opening for Housekeeper HCC in Augusta. Apply here.
  • PSG Global Solutions posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Augusta. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Augusta here.

Ok Augusta! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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