Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could your downtown Columbia traffic light disappear for a simple stop sign?

Make time for SCSCDP General Business Meeting Invitation and Notification on the Columbia Patch calendar

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Thursday August 20th Patch AM
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Cheers Columbia! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could your downtown Columbia traffic light disappear for a simple stop sign?
  • How Columbia will honor 9/11 heroes with a massive evening 5K
  • Did your ticket hit in yesterday's South Carolina lottery drawings?

Also on today's calendar: SCSCDP General Business Meeting Invitation and Notification and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high of 99 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, temps: high: 92, low: 74.
  • Saturday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, with a high of 91 and low of 71 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Stop signs could replace some downtown Columbia traffic lights under SCDOT review (wltx.com) — Traffic engineers are studying 36 lower-volume intersections in downtown Columbia to see if long-standing traffic lights should be replaced with stop signs or pedestrian-focused signals. The review aims to slow speeding on streets like Assembly, improve pedestrian safety near USC, and avoid costly upgrades to signals that may no longer be needed.
   

2. Tunnels to Towers 5K is coming to Columbia (wistv.com) — A major Tunnels to Towers 5K is set for Sept. 4 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, honoring first responders and military heroes. Organizers say it's one of the largest runs in the country outside New York City, drawing big crowds and strong patriotism across the Midlands as the 9/11 anniversary nears.
   

3. South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Aug. 19, 2026 (greenvilleonline.com) — If you bought a South Carolina lottery ticket, you can now check the Aug. 19 Powerball, Pick 3, Pick 4, Cash Pop, and Palmetto Cash 5 numbers and see if you've won. Bigger prizes are claimed through the Columbia-based Education Lottery Claims Center and headquarters, with detailed instructions for mail-in and in-person payouts.
   

4. SC Delegation Talks Debt, Iran and Political Futures (wistv.com) — South Carolina members of Congress gathered in Columbia for the Manufacturers Chamber's Washington Night, focusing on federal debt, Iran-related tensions and their own career plans. Rep. Joe Wilson pushed for a balanced budget amendment, Ralph Norman backed President Trump's Iran approach, Nancy Mace outlined post-Congress business ambitions, and Russell Fry reflected on his recent Senate bid.
   

📸 Around Columbia

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Columbia

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Brown Doberman went missing after around midnight in Fox Run.
    His name is "Creed." Please DM me if u find him. (Nextdoor The Summit)
  • Just to alert anyone living in a house more than 50 years old.
    Most of these homes have copper water pipes. Mine had pinholes in it as I found out when my water bill went from $29 to $60. I had it fixed by Roto… (Nextdoor Candlewood)
  • Columbia Sussex Corporation posted a job opening for Hotel Night Auditor in Columbia. Apply here.
  • Hotel Equities posted a job opening for Housekeeper- Delta Hotel Columbia Sc in Columbia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Columbia here.

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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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