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AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Aiken County school officials outlined a possible master facilities plan Tuesday that could shift students at multiple schools.

The Aiken County Public School District is considering building a middle school addition on the campus of the new Silver Bluff High School, according to district officials.

That new middle school space would serve students who currently attend Jackson Middle School and New Ellenton Middle School.

The plan also calls for renovating and repurposing New Ellenton Middle School as an elementary school.

That campus would then serve students who now attend Greendale Elementary School.

School officials say the facilities at Jackson Middle and Greendale Elementary are old, and because the middle schools are smaller, they can’t offer the same opportunities as a bigger school.

Jackson Middle School needs repairs that would cost the county more than $10 million, according to district officials.

The district wanted to hear from the community about the plan to consolidate New Ellenton Middle and Jackson Middle School, and the community seemed open to the changes.

School board members were given an early look at the proposal during their Aug. 25 meeting, and district leaders held a public meeting Tuesday at Jackson Middle School for residents to learn more and share feedback.

“So I really commend the district on coming back with this idea for Area 5 that, you know, understanding the 10 year cycle, we was in a little bit of a pickle with Jackson and Greendale about the condition and how we were going to address it and not just waste money to gain a few more years,” said Jim Broome, District 2 Aiken school board member.

Broome also said younger generations tend to be more open to changes like this one.

“Young people now don’t, they don’t follow the lines, like so to speak, that people from my generation do that, this is my territory and I won’t stay here no matter what. Young people want what’s best,” Broome said.

The plan would be funded through the one-cent sales tax voters approved in 2024, according to district officials.

District officials encouraged parents, staff, and community members in Area Five to attend the meeting and offer input on the future of their neighborhood schools.

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Twelve teams are dancing to raise money for Aiken County nonprofits as Dancing with the Aiken Stars returns after 13 years away.

The teams represent 12 agencies that help residents struggling with mental health, homelessness, healthcare and senior services, among other needs.

Betty Ryberg is the organizer of Dancing with the Aiken Stars.

“They’re going to make sure that these agencies are well spoken for,” Ryberg said. “But also it gives the opportunity of the 500 people that will come that night to find out about all the different programs that are available.”

Each team of dancers represents one of the 12 participating agencies. Every is a donation to the agency of the voter’s choice.

“I want people to realize that there are agencies in Aiken to help them, their neighbors, their co-workers, maybe a friend who they didn’t even know was struggling,” Ryberg said.

Community members kicked off the fundraiser this week at Rhumba Rum & Cigar Lounge.

A portion of every dinner there supported a nonprofit of the diner’s choosing.

Ryberg said the event is a chance for the community to drive change.

“We just think that it’ll be so important for people in the audience to think, I can make a difference. I can be the difference,” Ryberg said.

This year’s Dancing with the Aiken Stars is October 22 at the USCA Convocation Center. Doors open at 6.

Trophy categories are most votes, judges’ choice and people’s choice.

The participating agencies are Mental Health America, Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County, Cumbee Center, Aiken Tri-Development Center, The Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County, Aiken Senior Life Services, Children’s Place Inc, The Salvation Army of Aiken, Acts of Aiken, Friends of the Animal Shelter, Aiken Center Substance Use Services and Helping Hands Inc.

On August 17, 2026, the City of Aiken held its inaugural Mayor’s Citizens of Excellence Awards ceremony, recognizing local students and three individuals who have left a lasting impact on the City of Aiken. Mayor Teddy Milner opened the ceremony by sharing updates on major capital projects such as the Shaws Creek Water Treatment Plant and Tribute Parkway, as well as the status of downtown redevelopment projects, underscoring the city’s commitment to excellence and progress.

Three outstanding individuals were honored with the Mayor’s Citizens of Excellence award for their contributions.

Caroline Gwinn, recently retired Executive Director of the Aiken Center for the Arts, was celebrated for her dynamic leadership and her legacy of making arts accessible to all ages and backgrounds. Initiatives developed under Caroline’s leadership, from youth orchestras to therapeutic art programs for seniors, have brought statewide recognition to Aiken’s arts community.

Reverend Dr. Douglas A. Slaughter received the award for his compassionate leadership and advocacy. Through Second Baptist Church and its Community Development Corporation, he pioneered affordable housing, youth mentorship, and community revitalization, setting a national model for others to follow.

The late Harvey Ramseur was honored posthumously for his tireless work as Executive Director of the Second Baptist Community Development Corporation (CDC). His expertise and creativity brought lasting improvements to Aiken’s neighborhoods, empowering families through home ownership. Mr. Ramseur was a true hidden hero, working tirelessly to improve those around him. His wife Jennifer was present to accept the award on his behalf.

Mayor Milner also recognized local students; these students were nominated by their teachers for their strong character, the kindness and respect they show for their peers and teachers, their service to our community, and positive attitudes. The students recognized were Endra “EJ” Henry (North Aiken Elementary), Giancarlo Bautista (Chukker Creek Elementary), Lucy Le (Kennedy Middle), Kamiah Fairey (Schofield Middle), Anthony James (South Aiken High), Nyla Russell (Aiken High), Cashmere Goodwin (USC-Aiken), and Alexis Ewing (USC Aiken). We were also fortunate to have USC-Aiken student, Ashleigh Tudder, sing the National Anthem.

The Mayor’s Citizens of Excellence Awards exemplified the Aiken spirit of character, excellence and leadership. The honorees exemplify our community values—leaving a legacy for generations to come.

AIKEN — As Aiken Regional Airport, a favored destination for the private jets of corporations, equestrians and celebrity golfers, finalizes $7.7 million in improvements to its primary runway, Aiken City Council is leveraging matching funds to update the airport’s layout plan and prepare for resurfacing the secondary runway.

The ribbon will be cut Oct. 9 on the 5,500-foot primary runway, formerly asphalt and now concrete. The Federal Aviation Administration paid for 95% of the cost, with the state and city splitting the remaining 5%.

Updating the Airport Layout Plan will be paid for with a $316,352 FAA grant, plus $8,325 each from the city and the S.C. Aeronautics Commission.

Designing improvements to the secondary runway will be paid for with $257,929 from the S.C. Aeronautics Commission, and $28,659 from the city.

City Council authorized moving forward with the planning grants Sept. 28.

“Such a deal! Can't turn that down,” said council member Kay Brohl.

“We are happy to see the improvements taking place at our airport,” said council member Lessie Price. “I hope I speak on behalf of the entire council in terms of how delighted we are with the excitement about the positive changes that are occurring there.”

“It's huge for us,” Airport Manager Christopher McCauley, who also is an assistant city engineer, said Sept. 30. “It's a great opportunity to maintain the infrastructure that we currently have at the airport.”

He said the FAA typically does not support maintenance of secondary runways.

“We've been very fortunate to have this opportunity through State Aeronautics,” he said. “They're pretty dedicated to this project. They actually pursued us once the program became available.”

Construction grants will be secured in a bout a year, he said, anticipating that most of the funding for the improvements will come from the S.C. Aeronautics Commission.

The 3,800-foot-long secondary runway kept the airport functioning during the months-long process of removing the asphalt primary runway, regrading a 1,000-foot-long section and rebuilding it in all concrete.

“During the construction, we saw just how valuable having that secondary runway is for us, and we want to continue to have that versatility in terms of our operations, having two useable and well-maintained runways,” he said. “It's an opportunity that we're excited for.”

He expects the secondary runway to be resurfaced in concrete, but the project will cost less due to the smaller dimensions and no need for correcting any elevation.

“This will be far less involved, far less cost, but it's just a great opportunity for us to maintain the infrastructure that's there,” he said.

McCauley said stakeholders from commercial and general aviation airports “put a lot of work together to see a consistent increase in the funding the state has to provide projects like this.”

“We're just thankful to be considered, and we're really looking forward to capitalizing on the opportunity to continue to serve our flying public here in Aiken,” he said.

Air traffic at Aiken Regional Airport increases tenfold during the Masters Tournament, requiring that the airport bring in a temporary control tower to deal with the additional traffic before and during the tournament.

AIKEN — The Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County expressed its gratitude for the support it has received during the Hearts of Gold Luncheon on Sept. 24 at Newberry Hall.

“The purpose of this event is to thank the people who make our work possible — our donors, our volunteers, our staff and our partners,” said Community Medical Clinic Executive Director Orion Jeter.

Attendees each received a gift box that contained a Hearts of Gold pin, a candle and a thank you card.

The Community Medical Clinic is a nonprofit and United Way of Aiken County Partner agency that provides free medical services and guidance for impoverished county residents who don’t have health insurance, have a diagnosed qualifying chronic health condition and are between the ages of 19 and 64.

“In addition to treating those people and helping those individuals, we also help the community at large… by relieving hospitals and doctors from sustaining those financial losses,” said Clarke W. McCants IV, who is the president of the Community Medical Clinic’s board of directors.

“Our impact is not just in this community and helping those individuals, but also helping society as a whole,” he added. “I feel very strongly that this is a vital, vital presence in the community.”

In 2025, the Community Medical Clinic served 531 patients. There were 2,583 medical appointments, 11,743 prescriptions filled and 22,806 patient encounters.

The Community Medical Clinic’s biggest fundraiser of the year — “Lights. Camera. Impact. A Teal-Carpet Event” — will be held Nov. 12 at Newberry Hall, Jeter said.

For more information, call 803-226-0630 or visit cmcaiken.org.

The Community Medical Clinic is at 0244 Greenville St. N.W.