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Daily editionFriday, August 14th, 2026

Good morning, Aiken.

The 5AM Aiken Team

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Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 14th of August.

Business

  1. Indigo Bleu, a downtown store selling handcrafted items and gifts, is set to close soon at 120 Laurens St. N.W. as owner Leslie Clark retires, and a 20% off sale is underway while she seeks a new space for local art workshops.

    Aiken StandardRead more

Education

  1. A local crossing guard shared back-to-school safety tips with drivers and students yesterday, urging everyone to check for oncoming traffic at busy crossings — advice aimed at keeping the community safe during the school season.

    WRDW/WAGTRead more

  2. Meta Platforms Inc. is awarding over $600K in grants to 13 local organizations including the Aiken County Public School District to enhance STEM education and tech innovation ahead of its planned $800 million data center project in Sage Mill Industrial Park, Graniteville, set to open in 2027.

    The Aiken StandardRead more

  3. Students in the University of South Carolina Aiken's LIFE Program moved into their dorms Thursday with record enrollment numbers, showing growing interest in the campus program.

    WRDW/WAGTRead more

Government

  1. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration extended the Savannah River Site management contract to Sept. 30, 2027 to review bids for a new $61.5 billion contract and set a four-month handoff around mid-2027 (options may extend the deal beyond 20 years).

    WGACRead more

Real Estate

  1. An investigation found that Brook Landing Apartments and Pace Corners in Aiken have been operating without licenses and evicting tenants, as the properties are owned by separate out-of-state real estate groups.

    WRDW/WAGTRead more

Sports

  1. Silver Bluff football is embracing change under new head coach Lemuel Lackey by blending tradition with a young, energetic team.

    The Bulldogs will open their season at South Aiken on Aug.21 + face Fox Creek in week two.

    Aiken StandardRead more

  2. Aiken High School head football coach Steve Hibbitts said the team is stronger and older this season after a 2-8 finish last year, expecting big plays from experienced players.

    The squad will play Lakeside at home on Aug. 21 and join Greenwood’s jamboree on Aug. 14.

    Aiken StandardRead more

  3. Fox Creek football, led by new coach David Sammons, is set to begin a tough first season in Class AAAA.

    The season starts on Aug. 21 at Orangeburg-Wilkinson and on Aug. 28 at home against Silver Bluff (a local rivalry) as a young roster readies to compete.

    Aiken StandardRead more

  4. Midland Valley football returns key veterans from a 7-4 season as it prepares for a challenging 2026 schedule starting with a game at Lexington on Aug. 21 and a matchup in Aiken on Oct. 2.

    Coach Brent Dorn stresses improved communication+teamwork to boost consistency on the field.

    Aiken StandardRead more

  5. North Augusta football will see new seniors lead the team this season when quarterback Colin Tillman and running back Jayden Hatcher start a gauntlet schedule on Aug. 21 at Strom Thurmond (a fast, physical defense is also stepping up to fill gaps from graduating players).

    Aiken StandardRead more