Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Have you seen this missing Columbia veteran near Enoree Avenue?
Spotted on the Columbia calendar: Main Street Mimosa Festival™ – Columbia's Ultimate Day Party Experience

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:
- Have you seen this missing Columbia veteran near Enoree Avenue?
- Which Columbia-area elementary schools are quietly topping South Carolina test scores?
- When and where to see Thursday night's lunar eclipse here
Also on today's calendar: Afterlight, an Evening of Original Movement and Storytelling and 3 more events.
Today's riddle: How fast is milk when you pour it? 🤔 (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.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 93 and low of 69 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Tuesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 92, low: 69.
- Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 92 and low of 72 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Columbia PD asking for help in locating missing veteran (abccolumbia.com) — Columbia police are asking residents to help locate military veteran Keith Lynch, last seen Saturday night leaving his home in the 1800 block of Enoree Avenue with a black duffle bag. Because a weapon is also missing and family are worried about his well-being, officers urge people not to approach him but to immediately call CPD Investigations at 803-545-8341 or dial 911.
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2. These Columbia-area elementary schools are among SC's top performers. Who's on the list? (thestate.com) — Several Columbia-area elementary schools, including the Center for Knowledge in northeast Columbia and Brockman Elementary in nearby Forest Acres, rank among South Carolina's top performers on SC READY tests. The analysis highlights standout English and math scores across Richland and Lexington districts, showing where local students are excelling and how magnet and neighborhood schools compare on proficiency benchmarks.
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3. FIRST ALERT: Rare 'bite out of the moon' happening this week (wistv.com) — Columbia skywatchers can catch a rare partial lunar eclipse this Thursday night, with the best view around midnight as Earth's shadow takes a dramatic "bite" out of the moon. The eclipse runs from about 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., though clouds could interfere, so locals may want to keep an eye on the forecast.
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4. South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Aug. 23, 2026 (greenvilleonline.com) — South Carolina lottery players can now check the Aug. 23 Pick 3, Pick 4, Cash Pop, and Palmetto Cash 5 results, then decide how and where to claim any prizes. For larger winnings, you'll need to mail claims to the Columbia P.O. box or visit the Education Lottery headquarters and claims center on Assembly Street in downtown Columbia.
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📸 Around Columbia
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Columbia
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Main Street Mimosa Festival™ – Columbia's Ultimate Day Party Experience →
Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St, Columbia
3:00 pm
Sunday September 6
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Title I & Open House August 25
H.B. Rhame Elementary Columbia, SC 29201
4:30 pm - Afterlight, an Evening of Original Movement and Storytelling →
Lexington School District Two, 3205 Platt Springs Rd, West Columbia
7:00 pm - Submissions Open for Oct. 10 & 11 Film Festival →
South Carolina Black Film Festival - The Four Tops at Township Auditorium →
Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St, Columbia
7:00 pm - Brown Horse @ The Senate →
The Senate, 1022 Senate St, Columbia
7:00 pm
Tuesday August 25
Friday August 28
Monday August 31
Friday September 11
📣 Columbia Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Open House Night
Dent Middle Columbia, SC 29206
6:00 pm - Blythewood JV Football @ Richland Northeast →
Richland Northeast High School, 7500 Brookfield Rd, Columbia
6:00 pm - ELC Music Class →
6408 Bridgewood Rd, Columbia
6:00 pm - Big D and the Kids Table →
New Brookland Tavern, 632 Harden St, Columbia
7:00 pm - Admiral Radio →
Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St, Columbia
5:00 pm - Liberty Networking Social - Upstate, SC →
Blue Fin Restaurant And Bar, 461-4 Town Center Pl, Columbia
5:30 pm
Thursday August 27
Tuesday September 1
Thursday September 10
Tuesday September 15
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:
- John W. Molony Law Firm, LLC — (843) 762-5732
- Palmetto Roofing Specialties — (888) 597-6720
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I don't know if yall remember my little girl Snowy who was spooked by the fireworks and I couldn't find her for three days.
Wanted to give update and thank everyone for their kind words and help finding her she is doing great! And these are her beautiful puppies! They are… (Nextdoor Winslow) - Crying crying today.
I have realized so much . I have to slow down and be patient with myself too. Enjoy the little moments even more. I am overwhelmed with the love and… (Nextdoor Colonial Heights)
- University of South Carolina posted a job opening for Instructor Graphic Design and Illustration in Columbia. Apply here.
- Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Back of House Team Member - Full-Time 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: It's "Pasturized" before you know it! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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