🌱 Patch AM: How new HBCU funding could boost Paine College’s future in Augusta

Hi there, Augusta! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How new HBCU funding could boost Paine College’s future in Augusta
• Why Augusta will host college football’s top punter in 2026

Also on today's calendar: Santa Claus at Top Dawg Tavern! and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Mostly sunny and cooler, with a high of 57 and low of 23 degrees.
• Monday: Colder with plenty of sun, temps: high: 43, low: 30.
• Tuesday: Partly to mostly sunny, with a high of 56 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• HBCU Brilliance Initiative to Provide Technical Assistance Funding to Eleven HBCUs (jbhe.com) — Paine College in Augusta has been selected for a new HBCU Brilliance Initiative, bringing a $40,000 grant and access to up to $1 million in financing for campus improvements and sustainability projects. The program also connects Paine leaders with peers nationwide for technical assistance, planning support, and long-term financial strengthening.
   

• Georgia's Brett Thorson named Ray Guy Award Winner (wjbf.com) — Augusta’s own Greater Augusta Sports Council has named Georgia Bulldogs punter Brett Thorson the Ray Guy Award winner and will host him here for an awards banquet in 2026. The Australian-born senior earned the honor after a standout season, including a strong performance in the SEC Championship, helping Georgia rank among the nation’s best in punting and punt return defense.
   

📸 Around Augusta

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Augusta

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 17

• Santa Claus at Top Dawg Tavern!
  Top Dawg Tavern - Augusta, GA , 2821 Washington Rd , Augusta
  6:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Charter Review Committee Meeting
  Augusta Calendar , 535 Telfair St Lee N. Beard Commission Chamber , Augusta
  10:00 am
• Charter Review Committee Work Session
  Augusta Calendar , 535 Telfair St Room 492 Augusta Municipal Building , Augusta
  1:30 pm
• PTO Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night
  McBean Elementary School Hephzibah, GA 30815
  5:00 pm
• Music Bingo at Top Dawg Tavern
  Top Dawg Tavern - Augusta, GA , 2821 Washington Rd , Augusta
  6:30 pm

Friday December 19

• Senior Fridays
  Augusta Calendar , 103 Diamond lakes Way , Hephzibah
  10:00 am
• Trivia Night at Top Dawg Tavern
  Top Dawg Tavern - Augusta, GA , 2821 Washington Rd , Augusta
  7:00 pm

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

📣 Augusta Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 14

• Vinyl Sunday — Savannah River Brewing Co.
  Savannah River Brewing Co. , 813 5th St , Augusta
  12:00 pm
• Holiday Market at the Marina
  5th Street Marina , 1 5th St , Augusta
  12:00 pm
• The Nightmare Before Christmas
  Miller Theater , 708 Broad St , Augusta
  2:00 pm
• 47th Annual Singing Christmas Tree
  3917 Washington Rd , Martinez
  2:30 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

• Health Club News: Your Ultimate Source for Health Club, Gym, Spa, and Fitness Franchise Industry Intelligence —Pulse CPR Read on Patch

• Update: Pet Reunited
  Taiga, a cat who went missing in Augusta, GA, has been safely reunited with their family after 8 hours, 58 minutes. Message from Owner: "Please call… (Nextdoor Sharon Road)
• Is anyone looking for a dog in the kissingbower rd area?
  If this is him please contact me.. He needs to be home with Mom and dad (Nextdoor Bayvale)

• Hut American Group, LLC posted a job opening for Team Member in Augusta. Apply here.
• Food Lion posted a job opening for PT Customer Service Leader in Augusta. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Augusta here.

🗞 Nearby News

Hephzibah

• SEE IT: Augusta students selected as REACH Scholars (augustachronicle.com)
• Several GA counties receiving federal funding for outstanding payments owed in wake of Hurricane Helene (wjbf.com)

Grovetown

• How the Jenkins flag football team matches up with Greenbrier in state finals (savannahnow.com)

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 didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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