Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why did gunfire erupt at a Vista Towers party Saturday night?

You won't want to miss Hot Cocoa, S'mores & Balloon Twisting at Kids' Night- Cayce on the Columbia Patch calendar

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Monday January 12th Patch AM
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Greetings Columbia! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why did gunfire erupt at a Vista Towers party Saturday night?
  • How a lane change on I-20 turned deadly in Columbia
  • What we know about the Midtown–Downtown Columbia rear-end crash

Also on today's calendar: Hot Cocoa, S'mores & Balloon Twisting at Kids' Night- Cayce and 5 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did one elevator say to the other? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Monday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 54 and low of 27 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Sunshine and a few clouds, temps: high: 62, low: 38.
  • Wednesday: A couple of morning showers, with a high of 61 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Multiple people detained after gunfire erupts at party in SC, police say (thestate.com) — Columbia police say gunfire broke out during a Saturday night party at the Vista Towers apartments in the downtown Vista area, but no one was hurt. Several people were detained and evidence collected, and investigators are still working to identify who fired the shots. Anyone who saw or heard anything is urged to contact CrimeStoppers or call 911 in an emergency.
   

2. Driver killed when SUV and minivan crash on I-20, South Carolina cops say (thestate.com) — A driver was killed when their Jeep SUV flipped after colliding with a Toyota minivan on I-20 near the 70-mile marker in Columbia, according to state troopers. The Jeep driver died at the scene, while a minivan passenger was hospitalized at Prisma Health Richland. This was Richland County’s first reported traffic fatality of 2026.
   

3. Columbia, SC – Passenger Injured in Rear-End Crash Near Downtown ER (localaccidentreports.com) — A 33-year-old woman was taken to Baptist Hospital after a rear-end crash in Columbia’s Midtown–Downtown area late Friday, reporting neck and chest pain but remaining in stable condition. EMS provided advanced life support during transport, and authorities are still investigating what caused the collision.
   

4. Columbia man arrested for indecent exposure (coladaily.com) — Columbia police have arrested a local man in connection with two alleged indecent exposure incidents on Willowby Street, one involving a juvenile. Investigators say he faces two new charges and are asking anyone with similar experiences to contact CPD’s headquarters.
   

5. South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 11, 2026 (greenvilleonline.com) — If you bought a South Carolina lottery ticket, here are Sunday’s Pick 3, Pick 4, Cash Pop, and Palmetto Cash 5 results, plus exactly how and where to claim your winnings. Smaller prizes can be redeemed at retailers, but big jackpots must be claimed in person at the lottery headquarters and claims center on Assembly Street in Columbia within 180 days.
   

📸 Around Columbia

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Columbia

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📣 Columbia Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Monday January 12
  • Basketball - Dent @ MRMS Girls @4:30pm Boys @ 6:00pm
    Muller Road Middle Blythewood, SC 29016
    4:30 pm
  • Dent vs. Muller Road (Away) Basketball Girls/Boys
    Dent Middle Columbia, SC 29206
    4:30 pm
  • Hot Cocoa, S'mores & Balloon Twisting at Kids' Night- Cayce
    East Bay Deli- Parkland , 917 State St , Cayce
    5:00 pm
    • Tuesday January 13
  • Worshipcise
    11031 Wilson Blvd , Blythewood
    1:00 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

  • MISSING.
    Please help find Ginger! Woodlands Village Dr area! Please contact me. (Nextdoor The Woodlands)
  • SOUTH CAROLINA NOW LEADS NATION IN ACTIVE MEASLES CASES
    The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) reported 99 new cases of measles since Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in the… (Nextdoor South Meadowfield)
  • Shortly before 9 PM, CPD officers responded to Vista Towers for reports of shots fired at a party. There are NO reported injuries at this time. Crime... (X: ColumbiaPDSC)
  • Thousands lined the streets of Columbia to welcome a group of monks whose journey has captured attention across the country. Their message, peace,... (X: wpdeabc15)
  • Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Columbia. Apply here.
  • The Scion Group posted a job opening for Porter, Full-Time 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 think I’m coming down with something!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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