Daily editionWednesday, October 14th, 2026
Good morning, Aiken.
The 5AM Aiken Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 14th of October.
Community
After winning Design Review Board approval on Sept. 1, Friendship Baptist Church intends to move its historic parsonage building 600 feet to build a new 12,000‑sqft facility for administrative work + community outreach, but an appeal filed on Sept. 28 challenges the move for risking the building’s historic integrity.
The Aiken StandardRead more
Western Carolina State Fair will take place from Oct. 16 to Oct. 25 on May Royal Drive with thrill rides, demolition derby, rodeo, petting zoo and daily free attractions.
Local performances and arts exhibits will add to the fun, with food-only hours on Oct. 22 and 23.
The Aiken StandardRead more
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral at 6:33 a.m. Oct. 13, and the rocket was visible in the morning sky over Aiken with images taken at USC Aiken campus (near the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center).
Aiken StandardRead more
The North Augusta Optimist Club is seeking new members and will sell Christmas trees starting Nov. 20 at the CommuniGraphics lot + club events fund local scholarships and help families facing childhood cancer.
WGACRead more
Government
Aiken Regional Airport completed an $8M main runway resurfacing on Friday, Oct. 9, with a ribbon cutting at noon near the northern end of Runway 7-25 + the upgrade improves flight reliability and safety.
The city is revising its layout plan and drawing up plans to resurface the secondary runway.
WGACRead more
Sports
Local boy is one of 80 junior golfers invited to compete at Augusta National for the 13th annual Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, a chance for emerging talent to shine on a national stage.
WRDW/WAGTRead more