🌱 Patch AM: How much did Augusta’s job market improve this fall?

Hey hey Augusta! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How much did Augusta’s job market improve this fall?
• Augusta’s Toys for Tots rushes to fill 900 children’s wish lists
• What Hurricane Helene’s damage means for your next Augusta Canal walk

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 64 and low of 40 degrees.
• Monday: Partly sunny and cooler, temps: high: 56, low: 43.
• Tuesday: Increasing amounts of sun, with a high of 66 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Metro Augusta Unemployment Rate Falls in September (augustaceo.com) — Unemployment in the Augusta metro area dipped to 4.3% in September, with more residents working and hundreds of new jobs added. State labor officials say Augusta’s labor force and employment both grew over the month and year, signaling a strengthening local job market as 2025 winds down.
   

2. Toys for Tots extends deadline after receiving 900+ requests (wrdw.com) — Families in Augusta still needing help from Toys for Tots get a little more time, as the donation deadline has been extended to Monday to meet over 900 toy requests. Organizers say donations for kids ages 6 to 18 are especially needed, and volunteers are working around the clock at sites like the Kroc Center to make sure local children wake up to gifts on Christmas morning.
   

3. Augusta Canal Towpath reopens more than a year after Hurricane Helene damage (wjbf.com) — A key stretch of the Augusta Canal Towpath is finally back open more than a year after Hurricane Helene damage, giving local walkers, runners, and cyclists access again. City utilities and the Augusta Canal Authority used utility work and targeted repairs to reopen the trail, though some sections remain closed and total canal-system fixes could reach $32 million. Visitors are urged to enjoy the path but watch for ongoing construction areas.
   

4. So how much will that Christmas dinner cost this year? We checked. (augustachronicle.com) — If you’re planning Christmas dinner in the Augusta area, a price check by The Augusta Chronicle found the same traditional menu costs about $38.70 at Walmart, $43.35 at Kroger, and $49.52 at Publix. Reporters used online tools and a visit to Publix’s Evans Riverwood store to compare turkey, sides, and dessert so you can budget realistically.
   

5. Augusta man missing off Georgia coast as search continues (wrdw.com) — An Augusta man is missing after a fishing trip off Georgia’s coast, and the Coast Guard is still searching while asking anyone with information to call 843-453-1261. His daughter rushed to Blackbeard Island and Sapelo Sound to coordinate with rescuers and local boaters, driven by the determination and self-reliance her father taught her.
   

📸 Around Augusta

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Augusta

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 20

• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  Sacred Heart Cultural Center , 1301 Greene St , Augusta
  8:45 pm

Friday December 26

• Trivia Night at Top Dawg Tavern
  Top Dawg Tavern - Augusta, GA , 2821 Washington Rd , Augusta
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Ring in the New Year at Top Dawg Tavern!
  Top Dawg Tavern - Augusta, GA , 2821 Washington Rd , Augusta
  5:00 pm

📣 Augusta 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

Monday December 22

• Eisenhower Lakes Golf Club Youth on Course
  Eisenhower Lakes Golf Club , 537 Range Rd. , Fort Eisenhower
  12:00 pm
• Snacks and Stories
  Friedman Branch Library , 1447 Jackson Rd , Augusta
  2:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Quilting Circle
  Diamond Lakes Library , 101 Diamond Lakes Way , Hephzibah
  1:00 pm

Friday December 26

• The Littlest Angel and the Greatest Gift
  Flowing Wells Theatre , 286 Flowing Wells Road , Martinez
  2:00 pm

Friday February 6

• Grovetown Tattoo Expo February 6-8, 2026
  Columbia County Exhibition Center , 212 Partnership Dr , Grovetown
  11:00 am

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

• ‼️‼️They have been picked up thank you all!
  ‼️ Hey neighbors. Someone on this app asked for Christmas presents for his 6 year of so we g grabbed a few things and put them together but they… (Nextdoor Spring Lakes)
• A new mural is going up at the Master’s Table.
  https://augustagoodnews.com/artists-to-paint-mural-at-soup-kitchen/ #augustagoodnews (Nextdoor Montclair)

• State of Georiga posted a job opening for Recreation Worker - Augusta YDC - Augusta Ga. (NSF) in Augusta. Apply here.
• Kelly Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Light Assembly Worker – Warehouse Pack in Augusta. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Augusta here.

Ok Augusta! 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: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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