🌱 Columbia Patch: Everything Going On Today (Wed, Jan 25)

Hello, friends. I'm here with your fresh copy of the Columbia Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's happening in town. Today you'll find news about these stories and more...

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But first, today's weather:

Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 64 Low: 36.

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Here are the top stories in Columbia today:

1. What's developing in North Columbia? Community meeting coming up (WLTX.com)
2. Columbia police searching for 2 men considered dangerous in connection with violent crime (WIS News 10)
3. Irmo downtown development on pause, need for new Town Hall persists (Lexington County Chronicle)
4. South Carolina house bill slammed by Democrats claiming it would restrict discussion of Black history (WCNC.com)
5. How South Carolina high school basketball's shot clock experiment is going and what's next (Greenville News)
6. New art installation on display at CAE (Abccolumbia.com)
7. New bridge proposed to replace one on Lakeshore Drive (WLTX.com)
8. Columbia Police looking for 2 suspects considered "armed and dangerous" (WLTX.com)
9. WLTX News19 at 11 p.m. - Columbia (WLTX.com)
10. Lexington Two holds annual teacher fair- nearly 170 signed up (WACH.com)
11. Day 2 of jury selection in Alex Murdaugh case wraps up (Abccolumbia.com)
12. R2 school allows 9-year-old to walk home unsupervised (WIS News 10)
13. From illegal to restricted, tattoo shops see another change in rules (WLTX.com)
14. Countdown to 2023 Oscars (Abccolumbia.com)
15. Increase in number of infants surrendered safely under Daniel's Law in South Carolina (Abccolumbia.com)
16. Midlands average $3.09 gallon for gas (Abccolumbia.com)
17. 'Tear it down': Community leaders address crime-ridden motel after deadly shooting (WACH.com)
18. 96-year-old Battle of the Bulge Veteran receives free, more accessible shower (Abccolumbia.com)
19. Powerball reaches $526 million (Abccolumbia.com)
20. New limited-edition Oreos coming to store shelves (Abccolumbia.com)
21. Soda City Live: Misconceptions in training your dog (WIS News 10)
22. Looking for a side hustle? The Columbia Fireflies is hosting its annual job fair (ColaDaily.com)
23. Off-duty firefighter rescues man from burning Lexington County home (WACH.com)
24. Carolina Springs Middle School students arrested for texting threats to classmates (WIS News 10)
25. City of Columbia seeking t-shirt design contest entries (Abccolumbia.com)
26. Soda City Live: Rambo’s Fat Cat Biscuits Opens Second Location Within Richland Library Branch (WIS News 10)
27. Soda City Live: Nonprofit Leadership Conference That Aims to Help Locate Funding (WIS News 10)
28. Thousands of students, educators to march at school choice rally (Abccolumbia.com)
29. Lexington Two releases 2023-2024 school calendar (Abccolumbia.com)
30. Trump’s SC campaign event closes State House, most of its grounds to the public (The State)

Today in Columbia:

From my notebook:

• South Carolina Aquarium: "🚨 GIVEAWAY 🚨 Want to explore Earth’s “last frontier” from the perspective of the whales that call it home? Like this post and tag your plus one for a chance to win two tickets, plus one parking voucher and two drink vouchers, to Nat..." (South Carolina Aquarium via Instagram)
• South Carolina Emergency Management Division: "Keep an eye on the skies tomorrow and stay weather aware!" (South Carolina Emergency Management Division via Facebook)
• Riverbanks Zoo and Garden: "Riverbanks Zoo and Garden creates an extraordinary setting for your big day. From saying, "I do," in the presence of Riverbanks residents, to bringing your fairytale wedding to life in the Botanical Garden, we can guarantee your wedding ..." (Riverbanks Zoo and Garden via Facebook)
• US National Weather Service Columbia South Carolina: "⛈️Severe weather tomorrow (1/25): A possible QLCS (quasi-linear convective system) will move through the Southeast Wednesday. For a QLCS to produce severe weather, it needs: ⚪️Shear ⚪️Lift ⚪️Instability ⚪️Moisture One missing ingredient ..." (US National Weather Service Columbia South Carolina via Facebook)
• South Carolina Emergency Management Division: "Heads up...severe storms with damaging winds and isolated, brief tornadoes are possible today; however, uncertainty remains in the amount of instability available. The best chance for sufficient instability is in the eastern Midlands and..." (South Carolina Emergency Management Division via Facebook)
• Columbia Fire Department (SC): "Congratulations to Division Chief Will Broscious as he was recently presented with the ‘Firefighter of the Year’ award by the Knights of Columbus in Columbia! 🚒🚒" (Columbia Fire Department (SC) via Facebook)
• US National Weather Service Columbia South Carolina: "Heads up...severe storms with damaging winds and isolated, brief tornadoes are possible today; however, uncertainty remains in the amount of instability available. The best chance for sufficient instability is in the eastern Midlands and..." (US National Weather Service Columbia South Carolina via Facebook)
• South Carolina Stingrays: "Business trip to Estero this week 💼 📺 » @flosports 🎙 » @mixlr Presented By @iflychs" (South Carolina Stingrays via Instagram)
• Columbia Police Department, SC: "Tremendous thank you to SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program (SCLEAP) @scdps_tz @bps_cro for hosting a first responders lunch this afternoon. #ColumbiaPDSC Chief Holbrook & officers are smiling because of the generosity & delicious food." (Columbia Police Department, SC via Facebook)
• Historic Columbia: "Today is #ComplimentDay 🙌 , and we're complimenting the Hampton-Preston Mansion for looking oh-so-good at 205 years of age! ❤️ The site had many owners over the generations before undergoing an extensive rehabilitation and opening to th..." (Historic Columbia via Instagram)
• PETSinc: "This beauty is here hoping #LoveWillTakeHerHome! #PETSinc #AdoptOneSaveOne #LoveFindsAHomeHere 803-739-9333 for more info or to meet Maya. More of our adoptables: https://bit.ly/3AqZp2g" (PETSinc via Facebook)
• Free Times: "Each year at Free Times, we put together a (nearly) complete catalog that’s an overview of the Midlands’ activities, neighborhoods, arts and music offerings and more. If you’re looking for a guide to food and drink around the area, we’ve..." (Free Times via Instagram)
• Columbia Fireflies: "Become an integral part of what makes Fireflies games and special events at Segra Park so special by joining our Gameday Experience Team! Every night is different than the last and you will play a key part in making Segra Park fun for al..." (Columbia Fireflies via Facebook)
• Columbia College, SC: "Each year, U.S. News and World Report Best Online Programs rankings are released for future college students to use as they determine what is next for them on their academic journey. To determine the 2023 rankings, the report evaluated o..." (Columbia College, SC via Instagram)
• Her Campus at South Carolina: "Happy Tuesday! Check out some of our newest articles by clicking the link in our bio 🧘🏽‍♀️ #hercampus #hcsouthcarolina #hcxo" (Her Campus at South Carolina via Instagram)
• Columbia Fire Department (SC): "It's 'Test It Tuesday'!! 🚨🚨🚨 Be sure to create a fire escape plan for your home so you and your family are prepared in the event of an emergency!" (Columbia Fire Department (SC) via Facebook)
• Columbia Children's Theatre: "Drama is conflict and sometimes that conflict must be realized on stage. Led by Patrick Kelly; this class will teach students basic hand-to-hand fight choreography with an introduction to basic weaponry with “safe” prop weapons. Click th..." (Columbia Children's Theatre via Facebook)
• South Carolina Artists: "Great art opening for our Laura Rohlfing! We love our South Carolina Artists!" (South Carolina Artists via Instagram)
• PETSinc: "Travis (1yo M standard poodle mix, black pup) and the girls... Oakley (8mo F terrier mix, brown/white pup) and Cricket (1yo F boxer mix, brown pup) having a fun playtime! Stop by (or call 803-739-9333) to meet these sweet babies! #Pupper..." (PETSinc via Facebook)
• Columbia Fireflies: "Wouldn't it be cool if your kid could run onto the field with the players for the National Anthem? Well, with our Field of Dreams Group Experience, they can! And we're giving away a Field of Dreams outing for up to 20 people! 2022 Field ..." (Columbia Fireflies via Facebook)
• Office of South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis: "It's never too early or too late to save for a child's college education with Future Scholar. See how South Carolina's 529 college savings plan, makes it smart and easy." (Office of South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis via Facebook)
• Office of South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis: "Join Treasurer Loftis at #BBNationalOutlook, featuring strategic conversations with the top minds in the muni community about issues impacting us all, including a topic close to his passion – ESG. You don't want to miss it. https://trib...." (Office of South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis via Facebook)
• South Carolina State Museum: "See the stars with your sweetheart during "Amore Under the Stars," an exclusive after-hours event on Valentine's Day at the State Museum! Find more information and purchase tickets on the museum's website --> https://www.scmuseum.org/cal..." (South Carolina State Museum via Facebook)
• SC Treasurer Curtis Loftis: "Join Treasurer Loftis at #BBNationalOutlook, featuring strategic conversations with the top minds in the muni community about issues impacting us all, including a topic close to his passion – ESG. You don't want to miss it. https://trib...." (SC Treasurer Curtis Loftis via Instagram)
• PETSinc: "Special dog training deals EXTENDED for your fuzzbutt!! 5-class series, 1 class/wk Have the best behaved pupper on the block. 803-739-9333 for details. Purchase series by 2/28/23. #PETSinc DogTraining #PETSincMuttsWithManners" (PETSinc via Facebook)
• SC Treasurer Curtis Loftis: "It's never too early or too late to save for a child's college education with Future Scholar. See how South Carolina's 529 college savings plan, makes it smart and easy." (SC Treasurer Curtis Loftis via Instagram)
• NACA - National Association for Campus Activities: "NACA Recognizes today as the International Day of Education. Thank you to all of those who work so diligently in the education space! #NACA #HigherEd #HigherEdPros" (NACA - National Association for Campus Activities via Facebook)
• South Carolina Film Commission: "The Roy W. Dean Film Grant is accepting submissions for its Spring 2023 Grant. Since 1992, the Roy W. Dean Film Grants have awarded funding to independent filmmakers with unique films that make a contribution to society. From the Heart P..." (South Carolina Film Commission via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Wales Garden: "Hi neighbors, - I am looking to get a small overhanging roof built. Has anyone used a good, reliable and reasonable carpenter they can personally recommend? If so, please share contact info. Thank you!" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Hollywood - Rosehill: "Hey! - Do y’all know where to get free magazines? I’ve gotten into collages and I don’t want to buy a $7 magazine to just cut it" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Whitehurst: "Happy Tuesday everyone ! - Be Blessed 🙌 🙏 ✨ ❤" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Sage Pointe: "Looking for tiny home or land to place something on. - Columbia, Elgin, Lugoff even Camden. Price is an object!😂😂. Needs to be reasonable. Let me know." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Hill Creek: "Looking to convert our pool from chlorine to saltwater. - Any recommendations for a pool service who does this? Thanks!" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, The Summit: "Is there anyone in/near the Summit area that cooks Nigerian food? - I'm hungry!" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Woodlake: "Just Trees. - Fantastic Job! This is by far the best tree removal service we have ever hired. They showed up when they said they would , and with all the necessary professional equipment to do the job. One of the most notable aspects a..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Fairways: "Our dog Malibu got out lastnight and from what it seems like two men grabbed her at the entrance of our community sometime between 9-10:30pm off bush river road Columbia. - If anyone sees or hears anything please let us know we appreciat..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Richland: "Select Home Warranty is a scam and just takes your money. - I Jane had them for 3 years (bought the 3 year package) and I have only ever called them 2 times to fix something. Both times they acted like they were trying to call me. The fi..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Winslow: "Hello, what's the better Applebee's around here Two Notch or Killian? - I don't visit them much and things change quickly as far as service." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Cedar Glen: "Please read & do these steps if you want Newsmax to stay on air…. - AT&T is trying to stop Direct TV from carrying this station because they want to censor the news media that is telling you the truth." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Hamptons at Harbison: "ISO recommendations company used for removal of carpet & replacement with wood laminate. - Requesting quotes." (Nextdoor)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— Celeste "Pirate Queen" Wetzel

About me: The original Pirate Queen and QA engineer for Patch. Did you know that this week I have worked at least two fourteen hour days? This sprint has been nuts and the engineering team has been keeping me hopping non-stop. I'm exhausted and very close to needing a vacation.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Columbia Patch newsletter? Contact me at celeste.wetzel@patch.com