Hello Columbia! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Submissions Open for Oct. 10 & 11 Film Festival and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the wall say to the other wall. 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Columbia Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Columbia Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Columbia.
1. These are the 10 best high schools in & near Columbia for 2026, US News & World Report says (thestate.com) — Families in the Columbia area can now see how their local high schools stack up, with Spring Hill, Chapin, River Bluff, Dreher, and others ranked among the region's top 10 by U.S. News & World Report. The list highlights graduation rates, enrollment, and performance in college readiness and state assessments, giving parents and students a snapshot of school options around Columbia.
2. Another Columbia-area location of this national chicken finger chain has closed (thestate.com) — A Slim Chickens restaurant on Killian Road in northeast Columbia has abruptly closed, marking the second Midlands location to shut down this summer. The Forest Acres site closed in July, but the Garners Ferry Road restaurant in Columbia remains open, still serving up chicken fingers, wings, and more for local fans.
3. The Columbia Chamber has named its new CEO. Here's what we know (thestate.com) — Columbia's main business advocacy group has tapped longtime local leader Jean Cecil Hudak as the new president and CEO of the Columbia Chamber, starting in September. She succeeds Carl Blackstone after his 12-year tenure and brings experience in public relations, tech, and state government. Chamber leaders say her deep relationships and commitment to Columbia position her to guide the city's business community into its next phase.
4. Queens Chaplain marks Move-In Day with daughter at Elon (queens.edu) — A Queens University chaplain is experiencing college move-in from a new angle as he helps his daughter settle at Elon, and her story has a Columbia connection. Lydia Bird spent part of her childhood in Columbia, where weekends at the South Carolina State Museum sparked her passion for history and museums. That early Columbia influence now shapes her plans to study museum work and public history at Elon.
5. Hickory Tavern Closes Doors (corneliustoday.com) — Hickory Tavern's owner is closing several locations, including one in Columbia as it shrinks the chain to focus on stronger-performing restaurants. The move follows an ownership change in 2025 and reflects a broader effort to streamline operations and redirect investment to more profitable spots across the Carolinas.
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Columbia PatchAM possible:
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
Ok Columbia! 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: Meet me at the corner. (Thank you Earlene M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Columbia Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.