Personal Injury Attorney in Aiken, SC

Students from the Biomedical Science program at the Aiken County Career & Technology Center spent Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in April conducting outreach in middle schools and holding their second BioBash event, teaching some of the laboratory skills they’ve learned in the program.

“We love doing this,” said Dr. Christie Palladino, a physician who runs the program and instructs the students. “We love doing STEM outreach for the community.”

Palladino and her team of student ambassadors visited approximately 1,000 sixth-graders at Jackson STEM Middle, New Ellenton STEM Middle, Paul Knox Middle, Aiken Intermediate, and North Augusta Middle. They conducted labs demonstrating types of blood cells, how to use a microscope, the layers of the human hair, and the organization of the human body.

At the BioBash event on April 23, the students created and staffed six stations around the Career Center, demonstrating fingerprinting, phlebotomy and neural signal pathways, and conducting an Outbreak Escape Room.

“That’s the whole point of outreach. The students learn as they create it. They’re teaching it, so they’re synthesizing it,” Palladino said.

The two-year program has career pathways, one for becoming a Certified Medical Lab Assistant and the other preparing students for the Biotechnician Assistant Credential Exam.

Tristen Johnson, a second-year student, was staffing a station where he taught visitors how to use pipettes to measure and dispense exact amounts of liquid. He said he plans to study marine biology in college.

“If I didn’t want to go to college I could get a job with the certification I’m working for,” Johnson said. “I think it’s great. I’ve learned a lot.”

At the phlebotomy station, Catina Hamilton and Sky Cousins walked visitors through the process of taking blood samples.

“We have dummy arms and we’re just doing venipunctures, drawing blood,” Hamilton said. “I really like the program. I would recommend it.”

She said she’s considering becoming a veterinarian. Cousins said she wants work in obstetrics.

At the Human-Human Interface station, second-year student Stefany Gonzalez demonstrated neural signal pathways by attaching electrodes to her arm and to volunteer Joseph Williams’ arm.

“When he makes a fist, the electrical signal flows to my arm and my muscle will contract,” she said.

In the Outbreak Escape Room, groups went from station to station simulating a scenario in which a deadly “zombie proteus” had been released from a secret lab.

Participants had to identify the protozoa, synthesize a cure and escape before the infection spread. However, one member of each group is already infected, known as “patient zero” and every 10 minutes the infection spreads to another participant. The team must identify patient zero to prevent future outbreaks, using microscopes to differentiate bacteria and protozoa and simulating tests by using pipettes to mix exact amounts of substances in test tubes and recording reactions.

Ash Manning and Kamani Barnes, two graduates of the program, were volunteering at the BioBash.

Manning works in North Augusta for Halicarbon which produces high-purity fluorochemicals for use in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, personal care and agricultural applications.

Before graduating she interned there, working three days a week in the lab testing the viscosity of oils and observing how substances interact and how long they can go without interacting. Now she works in quality assurance.

“Through most of high school I was not interested in much of anything, except science classes,” she said.

“I took a chance on this program and it really piqued my interests. It showed me there was a realistic side to what I was learning, as well as so many opportunities,” Manning said.

Barnes, who is studying pre-medical school biology at Augusta University, works as a research assistant in the school’s Georgia Cancer Center, helping in the study of head and neck cancers and how drug treatment affect different lines of cancer cells.

“When I first came to this program, I was so quiet,” Barnes said. “Doing outreach at schools kind of brought me out of my shell.”

Barnes wrote a recommendation that led to the district naming Palladino Teacher of the Year in March.

In July of 2026 the program will have a new home in the Aiken County Career & Technology Center now under construction on the campus of Aiken Technical College.

Palladino had shown them blueprints of the new lab when they were her students.

“It looked amazing,” Barnes said.

“I’m excited to see how it moves this program forward,” Manning said.

Spectrum Internet® With Speeds Up to 1 Gig Now Available to More Than 4,100 Homes and Small Businesses

Network Buildout is Part of Spectrum’s $7 Billion Rural Construction Initiative

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Spectrum, the #1 rural internet provider in the nation^*, today announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than more than 4,100 homes and small businesses in Aiken County, South Carolina.

Spectrum’s multi-year rural construction initiative is driven by more than $7 billion in private investment from Spectrum and will ultimately add an additional 100,000+ miles of fiber-optic network infrastructure and deliver symmetrical and multi-gigabit speed internet access to more than 1.7 million new locations across the country.

“Spectrum is bringing gigabit broadband to unserved communities in South Carolina and across America,” said Tim Williams, Vice President of Construction at Spectrum. “Our investment is making it possible to deliver the high-value broadband, mobile, TV and voice services now available in Aiken County. We are providing local residents and small businesses superior connectivity at highly competitive prices, backed by a team of skilled local technicians and 100% U.S.-based customer service.”

Broadband Speeds up to 1 Gbps, Plus Money-Saving Mobile Options and 85,000 On Demand Choices

Spectrum Internet delivers speeds up to 1 Gbps and Advanced WiFi for residential and small business customers, featuring starting speeds of 500 Mbps, with no modem fees, data caps or contracts. Spectrum Business Internet offers customers 1 Gbps download speeds, with 500 Mbps and 750 Mbps options. The company has also begun a network evolution that will provide gigabit upstream speeds and multiple gigabit download speeds across its entire 41-state service area.

Spectrum Internet exceeded advertised download and upload speeds for all tiers measured — even during peak weeknight usage between 7 and 11 p.m. — according to the FCC’s most recent “Measuring Broadband America Fixed Broadband Report.”

Along with multiple broadband options, Spectrum services now available also include Spectrum Mobile^™ and Spectrum TV^®. Spectrum Mobile is the nation’s fastest-growing mobile provider^** and combines with Spectrum Internet and Advanced Home WiFi to provide seamless connectivity inside and outside the home. Spectrum Mobile provides customers access to nationwide 5G at great value, with Unlimited lines starting at $30 a month, as well as By the Gig options.

Spectrum TV offers more than 270 HD channels and access to 85,000 On Demand movies and shows. Using the Spectrum TV App — the highest-rated pay TV streaming app in the U.S.^*** — viewers can stream content across a growing number of platforms, including iOS and Android mobile devices, Xbox One, Kindle Fire, Samsung Smart TVs, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Xumo TVs and PCs.

Local residents and business owners should visit spectrumruralexpansion.com to learn more about when their home or business may be able to receive Spectrum services.

^* Based on December 2022 FCC Broadband Data Collection locations.

^** Based on 1Q 2024 subscriber data among top 3 carriers.

^*** iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play) average ratings as of July 1, 2024. Apps must have at least 150k reviews through combination of iOS & Android store reviews as of July 1, 2024.

About Spectrum

Spectrum is a suite of advanced communications services offered by Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR), a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator with services available to more than 57 million homes and businesses in 41 states. Over an advanced communications network, supported by a 100% U.S.-based workforce, the Company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet®, TV, Mobile and Voice.

More information can be found at corporate.charter.com.

Media Contact

Patrick Paterno, Patrick.Paterno@charter.com

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Fairfield Street Bridge, once a treasured crossing connecting Aiken’s historic district to the downtown district, has stayed closed for nearly a decade.

Last year, SCDOT said it and the Union Street Bridge would not reopen after failing inspections.

Since then, it’s sat in the same state - disrepair.

Now, Aiken city leaders are working on a plan to restore the Fairfield Street Bridge after a meeting last week.

We sat down with the assistant city manager of Aiken about what’s next for the bridge.

Something neighbors in Aiken have been driving past since 2016, road closed. But the city says the barricades could finally be coming down.

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A bridge that definitely whispers stories of the past, “The work on the Fairfield Sreet Bridge has been a long time coming,” said Lex Kirkland, Aiken assistant city manager.

And promises of the future, “I want to see opportunities to go from our community back over the railroad tracks to downtown without having to go all the way around,” said Jerry Lang, who lives in Aiken.

For the Fairfield Street Bridge, time has stood still.

“The South Carolina Department of Transportation closed the Fairfield Street Bridge in February of 2016,” said Kirkland.

The bridge is more than 100 years old and it was starting to show it’s age.

“It’s just it’s too old and probably too weak for auto traffic any longer. That’s probably why they closed it down,” said Lang.

But the city says they’re laying the groundwork for connection.

Army looks to drastically cut its size, according to reports

The Army – a major employer in the CSRA, thanks to Fort Eisenhower – is looking at thinning its ranks by tens of thousands of troops, according to industry news reports.

“The city has been able, in the last year or so, to have that bridge transferred to us so that some action can be taken on it. We’re working towards potentially demolishing the bridge and hopefully rebuilding a bridge in its place,” said Kirkland.

Jerry Lang lives near the bridge. He says it’s time for a fix.

“It’s it is an eyesore. There’s no doubt about it,” said Lang.

And he hopes the plans go through.

“Whether it’s in my golf cart, my E-bike, or my car, it’s just easier to commute,” said Lang.

To him, it isn’t just a way over, but a way forward.

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April is National Donate Life Month and Piedmont Augusta is honoring it with a flag-raising ceremony.

“It sent a lot more traffic down Marion Street, where we live. So, that’s one of the things too. I’d like to see a little bit less traffic on our street by opening one of the bridges up. And I know it’s going to take a while, but they did York. Fairfield should be next,” said Lang.

The city says when they took over the bridge last year, with that came nearly $1 million from SCDOT.

And the city says they budgeted about $3 million out of plutonium funds.

With those funds, they hope to tear down the bridge and rebuild it.

Hoping to connect Aiken’s historic district to downtown all while making sure to preserve Aiken’s charm.

“York Street Bridge looks similar to the existing Fairfield Street Bridge and Union Street bridges, not identical but similar. So, I think if you looked at those three bridges, you wouldn’t necessarily know that York Street Bridge is almost brand new. So, we definitely want to have the historic look and the charm that goes along with that. And, if we were to move forward with how the plan currently stands, that’s exactly what it would look like,” said Kirkland.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) -The CSRA has a rich golf history, its roots grow deeper with time.

50 years ago, the first Southern Cross was played.

And while the wrinkles usually start to show, this tournament hasn’t had a need for an iron.

Maybe just the ones you can find in your golf bag.

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Fort Jackson announced that a basic combat training soldier from Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, was found dead.

“When people ask me about the Southern Cross, I always refer to it as kind of like the Masters of high school golf, said Tommy DeGennaro, South Aiken head golf coach.

The tournament invites the best high school golfers around the Palmetto State, expanding even into Georgia.

“When we go to tournaments with South Aiken and other places, everybody asks me, ‘Hey, what do we got to do to get into this tournament? Can you, do you have any sway to get us in?’ ‘I’m saying, Oh, we got to apply just like you do.’ It’s one of those everybody wants to get into and play. I think that’s what makes it last so long,” said DeGennaro.

Because those who usually win tend to be a household name.

“If you take a look at the individual trophy, the names, Kevin Kisner, Jonathan Byrd, Wesley Bryan, just the kids that have won this thing over the years and have won it multiple times, and the things they go on to do. This golf tournament is a testament to the strength of South Carolina junior golf. It always has been, and it feels like the field gets better and better every year,” said Chairman Ryan Orr.

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As a part of School Hero Lunch Day, students at a local childcare center are honoring their cook, who has worked there for 35 years.

The tournament is 36 holes over two days. South Aiken, Aiken, North Augusta and Mead Hall all have golfers in the mix.

The last time an area team won was South Aiken in 2013, it was their sixth time winning the event. The T-breds also took home the last local individual champion, Jake Carter, in 2015 and 2016.

The 50th edition of the Southern Cross could mark a first. Jackson Byrd, son of 3-time Cross Champion Jonathan Byrd, is in the field. If he wins, it could mark the first time that a father-son duo has won the tournament.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

It's estimated that 90,000 people will visit Augusta National Golf Club for the 89th edition of the Masters Tournament and its proximity to Aiken provides a unique opportunity for the city to show itself off to visitors.

All of the Whiskey Road mid-level hotels, The Willcox, the Carriage House Inn, the area's AirBnBs and other rented properties are full for the tournament, City of Aiken Tourism Manager Eric Gordon said.

Putting the city's best foot forward starts there, Gordon continued.

"We make sure that all our hotels… have everything that they might need to answer questions and to give stuff out to clients that are here for the Masters," Gordon said. "The hotels take all this very seriously because they know it's good business also."

Many of the city's restaurants post signs to encourage Masters patrons to stop in, Gordon continued. And there are several events scheduled for downtown, he added.

The events include the Aiken Art Walk (scheduled for April 8) and a concert series extending from April 7 to April 11.

"That's really going to open up our downtown to people that are in the area," Gordon said. "We want them to come here to have fun [to see that] Aiken's a fun place."

The city's visitor's center extends its hours and more trolley tours are available, Gordon added.

City staff also work to make sure the city looks good, too, Assistant City Manager Lex Kirkland said.

The effort starts with the entry ways likely to be used by visitors traveling to and from Augusta (Richland Avenue, Laurens Street) and Whiskey Road, Kirkland continued.

"Extra pressure washing downtown in The Alley and in Bee Lane and places like that are things that we do in advance of a Masters Week," Kirkland said. "We did a big clean up on Richland Avenue West on the first parkways kind of coming into the city in the last month."

The city staff also install fresh mulch, he added. These efforts are also part of the city's effort to transition to the growing season of spring, Kirkland continued.