🌱 RCSB Consolidates Elementary Schools + Shooting Suspect Arrested

Hello, friends. Michelle Paul here with your fresh copy of the Augusta Patch newsletter, full of all the things you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Warmer with clouds and sun. High: 84 Low: 60.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 86 Low: 64.

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Here are the top three stories in Augusta today:

1. The Richmond County School Board voted on Mar. 21 to decommission Terrace Manor and Willis Foreman Elementary schools and consolidate students at other schools. The students from these closed schools will be reassigned to other elementary schools in the area. The board also decided to adjust neighborhood planning units to relieve overcrowding at Gracewood Elementary School and increase enrollment at Tobacco Road Elementary School. (WFXG)
2. A suspect has been arrested and charged by the Richmond County Sheriff's Office following a drive-by shooting. The incident occurred on Mar. 15 in the 2000 block of Henry Circle in Augusta, where a parked car was damaged by gunshots. The victim, who was not injured, reported to authorities that a white Jeep Patriot was captured on her doorbell camera passing in front of her residence and was later found at the place of work of the suspect, who the victim knew. (WRDW)
3. Augusta Commission members have asked for demolition cost estimates for the mold-infested Augusta Boathouse, which has been deemed unsafe for use. Commissioners heard an estimate of almost $6 million to fix up the facility last week, but some expressed concern about spending money on mold removal if the building may be demolished. The Augusta Central Services Department suggested prioritizing finding a new spot for the rowing club, obtaining rebuilding estimates with special-purpose local-option sales tax (SPLOST) 7 money, and looking to SPLOST 9 for funds for a new boathouse. (WRDW)

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Today and tomorrow in Augusta:

Thursday, March 23

• Career Fair At Augusta Youth Development Campus (10:00 AM)
• Dennis O'Hagan At Savannah River Brewing Co (7:00 PM)

Friday, March 24

• Art At Lunch: Modern Day Monuments Officers At Morris Museum Of Art (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• New homes have been listed for sale in the Augusta area! Get all the property details at the link. (Augusta Patch)
• Congratulations to Dr. Betty Sue Pace, a physician-scientist and professor of pediatrics, who has been chosen as the recipient of the 2023 Woman in Science award by the American Medical Women's Association! Dr. Pace was recognized for her contributions to sickle cell research and treatment. (WJBF-TV)
• Achieving national recognition, Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School Senior Song Ting Tang has been selected as a National Merit Finalist, a distinction earned by less than one percent of PSAT test-takers in 2021. Congratulations, Ting! (Richmond County School System via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you soon with your next update!

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.