🌱 New K-9 Locates Narcotics After Car Crash + Augusta Fire Fundraiser

Good morning, friends! It’s me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let’s get this day started off right, with a quick dive into the most important things going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Partly sunny and breezy. High: 80 Low: 61.
• Friday: Mainly cloudy and breezy. High: 75 Low: 55.

Here are the top three stories in Augusta today:

1. Dr. Syed Adeel H. Zaidi, an assistant research scientist at Augusta University, has received a prestigious grant from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation for his research on blindness in premature infants. The grant will support his investigations into retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a condition that causes vision impairment and blindness in premature or low birth-weight infants. Zaidi aims to develop a novel therapy to limit the damage to retinal neurons and blood vessels in ROP patients, focusing on the abnormal development caused by the oxygen-rich environment in which premature infants are placed for lung support. (Jagwire – Augusta)
2. North Augusta Public Safety Officers were called to the scene of a vehicle collision on May 21, where one vehicle overturned. The driver of the responsible vehicle fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. Thanks to K-9 Blaze, a new dual-purpose narcotics and tracking dog, the suspect was located and apprehended within minutes, and a significant amount of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were discovered during the arrest. (WJBF-TV)
3. The Augusta Fire Department and the Burn Foundation of America are teaming up for a fundraising event to support essential patient services. Starting today, May 25, until May 27, various locations, including Augusta Mall and Wal-Mart on Wrightsboro Road, will have collection points for donations. The funds raised will directly benefit the Burn Foundation of America in Augusta and contributions will greatly impact the support they provide to patients in need. (Augusta, Georgia Fire/EMA)

Interested in reaching our local readers with targeted messaging that drives traffic to your business? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that’s you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Today and tomorrow in Augusta:

• Mental Health Awareness Month Social Event At Came From Nothing Event Space (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• After nearly 40 years of serving the community, Smith Chevron, a full-service gas station in Augusta, is closing its doors. Owner Tommy Smith, who considers his employees and customers as family, made the difficult decision to retire and plans to take it easy for a while and enjoy the next phase of his life. (WRDW)
• Dr. Jermaine Whirl, president of Augusta Technical College, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community College (AACC) for a three-year term starting in July. The AACC is a leading advocacy organization for community colleges nationwide and represents a large number of institutions and students. Congratulations, Dr. Whirl! (WJBF-TV)
• Mark Rapp will be the featured performer at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta’s Final Friday Jazz Concert on May 26 at 7:30 p.m., marking the end of their spring concert series. (Subscription: The Augusta Press)

Now you’re in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I’ll see you soon!

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.