Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What changes when Columbia County’s libraries go solo on January 1?

You won't want to miss Trivia Night on the Augusta Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Augusta? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What changes when Columbia County’s libraries go solo on January 1?
  • How a 50-year-old downtown Augusta hotel is being reborn
  • Which 44 local nonprofits will share Piedmont Augusta’s $2 million gift?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Augustafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Augustafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 52 and low of 35 degrees.
  • Friday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 62, low: 43.
  • Saturday: Intervals of clouds and sun, with a high of 65 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Columbia County to separate library system from the Greater Clarks Hill Library region (wfxg.com) — Columbia County’s libraries will break away from the Greater Clarks Hill Regional system on January 1, creating a single-county region that leaders say will better match local needs without changing everyday services. An Augusta-area resident welcomes the move as a sign of growth, while officials stress that state funding, guidelines, and the popular PINES book-sharing network will remain in place.
   

2. Here are the newest plans for transforming Augusta's downtown Ramada (augustachronicle.com) — A landmark downtown Augusta hotel is getting a major makeover, with the Ramada on Broad Street set to reopen in 2027 as The Conroy, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio property. Developers plan fewer but larger rooms, expanded meeting space, and a stronger community focus, aiming to turn the historic I.M. Pei–designed building into a vibrant gathering spot for locals as well as visitors.
   

3. Piedmont Augusta announces $2M in donations to 44 local nonprofits (wrdw.com) — Piedmont Augusta is directing $2 million in 2026 donations to 44 nonprofits serving Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie, and Aiken counties, reinforcing its commitment to community health and access to care. Leaders say the gifts extend the hospital’s impact beyond clinical services and deepen its ties across the Augusta area.
   

4. 12 On Your Side Investigates: Appeals court revives discrimination lawsuit against Richmond County Sheriff's Office (wrdw.com) — A federal appeals court has reopened a discrimination lawsuit against the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in Augusta, sending the case back to a lower court for a deeper look at the evidence. Former deputy Ahmed Ismael, an Iraqi-born Muslim veteran, alleges he was harassed with racist comments and then unfairly fired after complaining, while other officers who misused patrol cars were not terminated.
   

5. Salvation Army of Augusta encourages community to help ‘Forgotten Angels' this Christmas (wjbf.com) — Families across Augusta still have a chance to make Christmas brighter for local “Forgotten Angels” as the Salvation Army scrambles to cover unreturned Angel Tree gifts. Nearly 1,300 children around the CSRA, especially older kids, are counting on last-minute donations from tag locations in Augusta, Evans, Grovetown, North Augusta, and beyond.
   

📸 Around Augusta

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Augusta

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★ Featured events ★

    Friday December 12
  • Trivia Night
    Top Dawg Tavern - Augusta, GA, Augusta
    7:00 pm

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📣 Augusta Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Augusta-Martinez Businesses Prioritize Workplace Safety with On-Site CPR —Pulse CPR Read on Patch
  • Local Training Center Brings Life-Saving Skills to Martinez Community —Pulse CPR Read on Patch
  • Kitten needs a good home she’s a sweet loving kitten and has first shots.
    She’s also littler box ready. We found her as a stray and are just trying to give her a loving home (Nextdoor Maple Creek)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    FOUND on December 8, 2025 in Augusta, GA 30901 near Steiner Ave & Essie McIntyre Blvd Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Kingsgrant)
  • TPG Hotels & Resorts posted a job opening for Night Auditor in Augusta. Apply here.
  • Taco Bell posted a job opening for Team Member 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 could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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