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Daily editionThursday, October 29th, 2026

Good morning, Aiken.

The 5AM Aiken Team

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Here’s your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 29th of October.

Community

  1. The Aiken Fall Steeplechase will be held Saturday, Oct. 31 with gates opening at 9 a.m. at the racecourse near Richland Avenue East, Old Wagener Road and Rudy Mason Parkway, featuring six races with first post at 1 p.m., costume contests, trick-or-treating, Chloe Lauren singing, and patron tickets $47.25, parking $42.

    Aiken StandardRead more

  2. Retired Army warrant officer Joshua Beeler plans to open Mission Thrift by Veterans Day to fund a veterans hub in a vacant storefront, with donated goods backing programs including a Palmetto Pathfinder base, resume and computer help, interview coaching, and trade referrals; donations will be accepted once state registration is complete.

    WRDW/WAGTRead more

Business

  1. A former Burger King at 2636 Columbia Highway North near I‑20 Exit 22 will become a Taco Bell after renovations, and franchisee Pacific Bells has posted jobs for the new location on indeed.com and pacificbells.com.

    Aiken StandardRead more

Economy

  1. Amick Farms announced a $54.78 million hatchery investment that will create 40 jobs and can hatch more than 1.5 million eggs in Trenton, Edgefield County; operations are expected to begin in April 2027.

    Aiken StandardRead more

Environment

  1. Deer mating season is underway and peaks mid-October through mid-November, increasing collision risk across the CSRA, especially during 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; South Carolina has recorded about 4,100 deer-vehicle collisions so far this year and officials advise braking firmly, staying in your lane, and not approaching injured animals.

    WRDW/WAGTRead more

Government

  1. Aiken City Council unanimously approved a resolution Oct. 26 asking the S.C. Supreme Court to create a city homeless court that would begin in 2027 and handle nonviolent misdemeanors and infractions.

    Deputy public defender Nick McCarley will present the plan to the S.C. Access to Justice Commission on Dec. 3, and the city has allocated $30,000 toward an estimated $50,000 to $60,000 annual cost.

    The Aiken StandardRead more

Sports

  1. Aiken County high school football players earned game balls for Week 10 after standout performances against area rivals, including North Augusta's Jayden Hatcher with 120 rushing yards and two TDs, South Aiken's Brayln Bodie with nine tackles and two interceptions, and Silver Bluff's Dorian Jones with 160 rushing yards and a TD.

    Aiken StandardRead more

  2. South Aiken volleyball beat Aiken 3-2 in a five-set Class AAAA second-round match on Oct. 26 at Aiken, advancing to the quarterfinals as the No. 6 seed to face North Myrtle Beach on the road.

    Aiken StandardRead more

Accidents

  1. Emergency crews responded to a fire at the Savannah River National Laboratory near Aiken that prompted a Site Area Emergency declared about 5 p.m. on Oct. 28; by 9:45 p.m. protective actions were lifted, barricades reopened, Highway 125 stayed open, and employees should report to work as scheduled today.

    The Aiken StandardRead more

  2. An emergency was declared Wednesday evening at Savannah River Site after a fire and an unfiltered ground level radiological release at Savannah River National Laboratory, but officials said protective actions were lifted, barricades reopened, no contamination was found beyond the site, and one employee had minor injuries.

    WRDW/WAGTRead more

  3. A fire and unfiltered ground-level radiological release at the Savannah River Site near Aiken Wednesday evening led officials to declare a Site Area Emergency (5:07–9:45 p.m.), close site entrances and slow traffic near the Atomic Road gate; one employee had minor injuries and surveys found no detectable contamination.

    WRDW/WAGTRead more