Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Meeting Street’s lane reduction change your daily drive?

Coming up: Book Donation Day on the Columbia Patch calendar

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Friday January 9th Patch AM
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Hello Columbia! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Meeting Street’s lane reduction change your daily drive?
  • Why are Richland County housing grants frozen as evictions rise?
  • Want a deeper dive into South Carolina history from Columbia?

Also on today's calendar: Book Donation Day and 5 more events.

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

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

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Intervals of clouds and sun, with a high of 76 and low of 61 degrees.
  • Saturday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 79, low: 52.
  • Sunday: Breezy and cooler, with a high of 58 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Meeting Street makeover could bring more parking and safety upgrades to West Columbia (wltx.com) — Drivers and business owners in West Columbia could soon see Meeting Street slimmed from four lanes to two, with wider sidewalks, more parking, and 117 new trees between State and Ninth streets. City planners say the redesign aims to slow traffic, cut crashes, and create a more walkable, downtown-style corridor connected to Columbia’s growing riverfront area, with construction hoped to start later this year.
   

2. 'They're not helping': Richland County residents face eviction amid grant program delays (wach.com) — Residents in Columbia and across Richland County are facing eviction and homelessness as delays in the Community Development Block Grants program stall promised housing assistance. New federal rules requiring legal status verification have frozen funds since at least October, leaving people in hotels or on the street while local nonprofits urge residents to press elected officials for faster action.
   

3. Modjeska Simkins School for Human Rights accepting applications for 2026 session (carolinapanorama.com) — A Columbia-based human rights school is now taking applications for its spring 2026 semester, with Monday evening classes held at GROW in Columbia, on Zoom, and at satellite sites statewide. The Modjeska Simkins School offers an intensive, nonpartisan South Carolina–focused history and civic engagement curriculum, plus free Sunday “Deep Dive” sessions in Columbia, aimed at residents who want deeper community connection and activism skills.
   

4. 72-year-old man charged with voyeurism after family member finds hidden cameras in South Carolina home (wyff4.com) — Richland County deputies arrested a 72-year-old man after a family member reported hidden cameras and explicit photos, leading to voyeurism charges. Investigators say they found two cameras and seized more evidence. The suspect is now booked at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia.
   

5. One person dead after accident on I-20 says Highway Patrol (wltx.com) — A deadly two-vehicle crash on I-20 in Columbia Thursday afternoon left the Jeep’s driver dead and a minivan passenger hospitalized. Troopers say the Jeep hit a Toyota minivan while changing lanes, overturning on the westbound side. Highway Patrol continues to investigate.
   

📸 Around Columbia

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Columbia

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📣 Columbia Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I’ve been reading the “too much negativity on here” posts and thought I’d drop in as the neighborhood rebel of happy to remind us that hope grows where our attention goes—kind of like my laundry pile, whatever I focus on just gets bigger.
    I’m trying to become the person I’d like to attract, someone who can see another side of the coin without flipping the whole table, and I’ll admit I… (Nextdoor South Meadowfield)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    FOUND on January 7, 2026 in Columbia, SC 29204 near Two notch Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder, view… (Nextdoor Southeast Broad River)
  • Crews investigating deadly RV fire in Orangeburg County/... (X: wis10)
  • #ColumbiaPDSC officers responded to the corner of Taylor & Assembly Streets at approximately 7:00. after a man was found deceased outside. Two... (X: ColumbiaPDSC)
  • Whataburger posted a job opening for Restaurant Porter - Unit 1455 in Columbia. Apply here.
  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for Professional House Cleaner in Columbia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Columbia here.

Ok Columbia! 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 really dig you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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