Daily editionFriday, October 23rd, 2026
Good morning, Aiken.
The 5AM Aiken Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 23rd of October.
Business
Merry Market and Cafe opened in early June at 529 Middleton Drive, offering breakfast, lunch, and Sunday brunch plus mimosas with its new beer and wine license.
The renovated former youth house fills a local gap with year-round Christmas decorations and locally produced art.
The Aiken StandardRead more
Culture
Dancing with the Aiken Stars returned after 13 years on Thursday at the USCA Convocation Center to benefit community nonprofits.
The contest featured 12 teams + 42 dancers, with each group supporting a different agency, and drew about 900 local attendees.
WRDW/WAGTRead more
Government
The National Nuclear Security Administration approved construction of the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility at the Savannah River Site in Aiken on Oct. 15, which will add 3,000+ peak jobs and support 2,000 ongoing roles; the $25B project is set to complete by the early 2030s.
WGACRead more
Aiken County Council unanimously approved a resolution to negotiate a FILOT for Project Ranger, which will make a 100 million investment in local properties.
The council also advanced measures to amend a property sale to The South Company and secure a grant for North Fork Commerce Park sewer services.
The Aiken StandardRead more
Real Estate
Crews have begun clearing a 38-acre tract on Rutland Drive across from Aiken High School to prepare it for a housing development planned by Aiken Rutland Place LLC, which acquired the property in May 2025 for $2.79 million.
Aiken StandardRead more
Sports
Fox Creek golfer Karsyn Herron and North Augusta’s Phebe Reese have committed to join Coker University’s women’s golf team next year, continuing their lifelong partnership on the course.
They plan to room together and lead the team after strong performances at recent championships.
The Aiken StandardRead more
Silver Bluff quarterback Garrett Greene stepped up in the Bulldogs' 53-7 win over American Leadership Academy on Oct. 16.
The sophomore threw four touchdowns for 259 yards — guiding his young team amid a challenging season.
Aiken StandardRead more
Aiken volleyball secured the region title with an undefeated record in Region 5-AAAA play after beating South Aiken earlier this season, and will face South Aiken again in a playoff rematch on Monday, Oct. 26 at Aiken High School.
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