Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Columbia’s new police drones can see above your neighborhood

And on the Columbia Patch calendar - Submissions Open for Oct. 10 & 11 Film Festival

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Friday August 28th Patch AM
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Morning Columbia! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Columbia's new police drones can see above your neighborhood
  • How a West Columbia inmate allegedly kept a drug ring running
  • How a Columbia-based network could revive South Carolina's historic Black schools

Also on today's calendar: Submissions Open for Oct. 10 & 11 Film Festival and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Humid with heavy t-storms, with a high of 81 and low of 73 degrees.
  • Saturday: An afternoon t-storm; humid, temps: high: 85, low: 71.
  • Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 87 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

1. Columbia police expand and modernize drone program to enhance officer and community safety (wltx.com subscription) — Columbia police are rolling out new high-tech drones to respond to crimes, monitor large gatherings, and boost officer and resident safety across the city. The department says flights are recorded, audited, and limited to situations where aerial support is needed, and residents can request reviews if they're concerned about how drones are used.
   

2. Incarcerated SC man ran drug network from prison, federal prosecutors say (thestate.com) — Federal prosecutors say a West Columbia man ran a major fentanyl and cocaine network from behind bars, with a Columbia supplier and others helping move drugs through the Midlands. Multiple defendants have now received lengthy federal sentences after an investigation led by the FBI's Columbia office and local sheriff's departments.
   

3. South Carolina Preservation Network aims to save historic black schools (wistv.com) — A new preservation network based in Columbia is working to save historic Black school buildings across the Midlands and the rest of South Carolina, starting with local community groups. Led by the Central Carolina Community Foundation and USC's Center for Civil Rights History and Research, the effort aims to share resources, boost funding, and revive long-underused schools that once anchored Black neighborhoods.
   

4. South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Aug. 27, 2026 (greenvilleonline.com) — If you hit it big in the South Carolina Education Lottery, you'll likely be heading to Columbia, where both the claims mailing address and headquarters handle most larger prizes. This update lists the Aug. 27 winning numbers and explains exactly how, where, and when Columbia-area offices process payouts based on the amount you win.
   

5. Gray Notches Three Hits, RiverDogs Drop Series Opener 4-2 (holycitysinner.com) — Columbia baseball fans saw the Fireflies edge the Charleston RiverDogs 4–2 at Segra Park, with a late home run and two-run shot sealing the win. The series continues in Columbia with another matchup scheduled for tomorrow night, while Charleston has already clinched a postseason berth and is selling playoff tickets for September games.
   

📸 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 ★

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Other local events

📣 Columbia Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Monday August 31
  • Volleyball Home Vs Longleaf
    E. L. Wright Middle Columbia, SC 29223
    4:30 pm
  • Away Volleyball Game - Dent vs Summit
    Dent Middle Columbia, SC 29206
    5:30 pm
    • Tuesday September 1
  • 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
    • Wednesday September 2
  • Volleybal Home Vs Blythewood
    E. L. Wright Middle Columbia, SC 29223
    4:30 pm
  • Away Volleyball Game - Dent vs Longleaf
    Dent Middle Columbia, SC 29206
    5:30 pm
    • Thursday September 10
  • Admiral Radio →
    Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St, Columbia
    5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hi everyone,
    I know this will add to the cat post fatigue but I need help again. My neighbors are in the process of moving and they had offhandedly made it known… (Nextdoor Belmont)
  • He's been adopted!
    Thank you. Looking for a home for this one. About 6 weeks old. One of his siblings didn't make it out there. Still trying to catch the others. (Nextdoor Harrington)
  • University of South Carolina posted a job opening for Assistant Professor in Probability Theory and Stochastic Analysis in Columbia. Apply here.
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Carpet Clean Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$47/Hr 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: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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