Local crime, high school sports, county politics, events tonight, and business closings — the daily Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) report from HEREAiken.
Sports
The South Carolina Gamecocks host the Mississippi State Bulldogs in their Southeastern Conference opener Saturday, September 19, 2026, with kickoff set for 4:15 p.m. ET at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. The game airs on SEC Network. South Carolina enters the matchup at 2-0 following a 57-0 season-opening win over Kent State…
South Carolina men's basketball unveiled its non-conference schedule for the 2026-27 season this week, highlighted by an opening night matchup against Stetson and an exhibition game set for Rock Hill. The announcement gives fans across the state their first full look at how the winter schedule will unfold before conference…
South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley received a special tribute this week when a limited colorway of the A'ja Wilson signature Nike shoe was unveiled in her honor. The gesture ties together two of the program's most recognizable figures just as the Gamecocks begin preparations for a new season. The…
Education
The Winthrop University men's soccer team experienced its first loss of the season on Tuesday evening, September 1, falling 2-1 to Wofford College in a non-conference match held in Spartanburg. This result brings Winthrop's season record to 2-1-0, with their Big South Conference record remaining at 0-0-0. Wofford College now…
Education
The South Carolina Gamecocks football program was recently highlighted in a review of the Tennessee Volunteers' past performance, specifically referencing a game played on November 19, 2022, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. This mention provides a local connection for Aiken residents interested in regional college football.The reference to the Gamecocks…
Education
The University of South Carolina system has reached a record enrollment of over 60,300 students this year, with preliminary figures for fall 2026 showing increases across its campuses, including the University of South Carolina Aiken. This milestone reflects a growing interest in the university system, which serves students from across…
Events
Advance ticket sales have opened for the 2026 South Carolina State Fair, giving shoppers a chance to save significantly on admission and rides before the annual event returns to Columbia this fall. The fair is scheduled to run October 15 through October 25, with advance-priced tickets available only through October…
Events
SC public health officials will hold free car seat check events across the state Sept. 20-26 for Child Passenger Safety Week.
Events
Discounted admission and ride tickets for the 2026 South Carolina State Fair are on sale through Oct. 14 ahead of the fair's Oct. 15-25 run.
Business
South Carolina's insurance regulator has asked a Richland County court to grant an emergency takeover of a Charleston-based life insurance company, arguing that the firm's investment practices have put tens of thousands of policyholders at risk. The filing marks one of the more aggressive regulatory actions taken against a state-licensed…
Business
WingPlace was recognized this week for two decades of serving wings in Aiken. Opened in December 2006 by Dick and Laurel Dickerson, the neighborhood restaurant marked its 20-year milestone and plans continuing celebrations over the next four months, keeping monthly staples Wingo, Trivia and Burn the Bill Night in the…
Business
The U.S. economy saw significant job growth in August, adding 162,000 jobs, a figure that surpassed earlier expectations. This increase marks a notable rebound from July, which experienced a loss of 23,000 jobs. The latest data indicates a positive shift in the national employment landscape, with several sectors contributing to…
Crime
Investigators in Aiken County are handling a road-rage shooting that hospitalized a juvenile Sunday night after the encounter that began locally ended in gunfire across the state line in Augusta. According to Richmond County deputies, a road-rage encounter involving two vehicles started in Aiken County before the shooting occurred around 9:23…
Crime
A man was taken into custody by North Charleston police after barricading himself inside a home in the Dorchester Waylyn community on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The incident, which involved gunfire, concluded without further reported issues.Officers initially responded to Louise Drive and Rex Avenue around 6:30 p.m. following reports of…
Crime
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday declined a request from the Justice Department to dismiss the contempt of Congress conviction for former Trump chief White House strategist Steve Bannon. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019, stated that prosecutors would need to provide…
Politics
South Carolina lawmakers took their first formal step toward regulating artificial intelligence this week as a newly formed Senate committee convened at the State House in Columbia. The special committee is charged with studying how state government should approach the rapid expansion of AI tools across business, government, and daily…
Politics
Gov. Henry McMaster presented South Carolina's highest civilian honor to former Marlboro County state Rep. Patricia Moore Henegan.
Politics
Qualifying UTVs will become street-legal on many SC roads Nov. 18 under a new state law, but DMV says keep them on private property until then.
Health
South Carolina health officials confirmed three separate rabid animals across three counties this week, prompting exposure warnings for several residents and household pets. The confirmations came in quick succession after lab testing on samples submitted earlier in the month. In Anderson County, a skunk found near Daniel Drive and Williford Road…
Health
SC health officials reported three cases of Vibrio vulnificus this year, including one related death, as warmer coastal waters raise infection risk.
Health
State officials confirmed rabies in a skunk in Anderson, a stray cat in Horry and a bat in York, with six people and seven pets exposed.
Home and Garden
As September arrives, Aiken gardeners can take advantage of cooling temperatures to refresh their landscapes and prepare for the upcoming seasons. This month is ideal for a variety of gardening tasks, from planting cool-season vegetables to dividing perennials and planning for spring blooms.One key activity for Aiken residents in early…
Home and Garden
As summer concludes, Aiken residents are encouraged to begin preparing their landscapes for the cooler fall and winter months. Proper care during this transition period, which is particularly relevant as September begins, can significantly improve plant survival through winter, support local pollinators, and enhance the overall health and appearance of…
Home and Garden
A new collection from Ruggable and Anthropologie, featuring rugs, doormats, and pet beds, has recently been released, building on their initial collaboration from about a year ago. This second collection aims for a richer, more layered, and intentional aesthetic, according to Maria O'Brien, Ruggable's VP of Global Design.The new range…
Technology
As tech leaders gathered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this week for a G20 event, touting the benefits and future of artificial intelligence, hundreds of protestors assembled outside to voice their concerns about the technology's impact, particularly the proliferation of data centers. This contrast highlights a growing reputational challenge for…
Technology
NVIDIA has announced an agreement to acquire Hugging Face for approximately $12.93 billion. This acquisition, revealed on September 4, 2026, aims to scale Hugging Face's platform, enhance its infrastructure, and broaden access to artificial intelligence for developers and institutions globally.Hugging Face, founded by Clem, Julien, and Thomas, has become a…
Technology
A coalition of 100 technology and financial firms, including Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, issued an open letter this week calling for global organizations and countries to enhance their cyber defenses. The letter, signed by companies such as Capital One, MasterCard, Visa, Adobe, Oracle, and IBM, warns that cyberattacks leveraging artificial…
Hunting
South Carolina's early teal season runs September 19-27, 2026 with a daily bag of 6 blue-winged and green-winged teal combined, sunrise to sunset statewide.
Hunting
Aiken residents looking for a coastal getaway with exceptional fishing opportunities can find them along South Carolina's Grand Strand, an area known for its diverse inshore saltwater fishing. The region, which includes areas near Little River, South Carolina, and Calabash, North Carolina, attracts millions annually for its beaches, golf, and…
Hunting
The Northeastern University volleyball team began its season in South Carolina, suffering two defeats in tournament play on August 29 and 30. While the tournament itself did not take place in Aiken, the presence of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks in the competition highlights the state's role in collegiate…
Fishing
September marks the swing month for South Carolina anglers, when the water begins to cool from its late-summer peak, bait clouds concentrate in the creeks and lakes, and predator species from redfish on the coast to striped bass in the Piedmont start their fall feed. SCDNR's saltwater and freshwater fishing…
Fishing
South Carolina's recreational shrimp baiting season opened at noon Friday, Sept. 11, giving licensed shrimpers along the entire coast — from Beaufort County waters up to the Grand Strand — a 60-day window to work the tidal creeks and estuaries where fall white shrimp are staging before their run to…
Fishing
Aiken area anglers are preparing for prime redfish opportunities in the flooded spartina marshes, particularly during high tides around the full moon, which will occur on September 2, 2026. These shallow, twisty creek areas with soft, muddy bottoms and abundant spartina grass provide an ideal feeding ground for redfish.During these…
Golf
LIV Golf filed Chapter 11 in New Jersey Tuesday with $49.6M in DIP financing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and a plan to have players hold majority ownership when it emerges in early 2027.
Golf
Scottie Scheffler recently finished first at the TOUR Championship with a total score of 16 strokes under par, completing his final round four strokes under par. This performance highlights a strong showing on the professional golf circuit, a sport with deep roots and significant interest in areas like Aiken, known…
Golf
The PGA Tour announced Thursday that the RBC Heritage tournament, held annually at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, will join the Championship Series starting in 2028. This addition marks the ninth regular-season event confirmed for the new top-tier series, which is part of significant changes…
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