The Air Force Association congratulates the twelve teams of the All Service Division who have made their way to the semifinals of CyberPatriot, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing cyber security challenge.

CyberPatriot, produced by AFA, is a one-of-a-kind cyber defense competition, providing high school students hands-on learning about cyber security in a fun environment. During the latest competition on December 4, teams raced against time and their opponents to quickly find and effectively correct vulnerabilities in three different simulated networks, which is two more than what was necessary to advance in the previous two rounds.

The top two teams from each service – Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Civil Air Patrol – and two “wild card” teams will be competing in the first in-person challenge of the competition, to be held February 17 – 18, in conjunction with AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition, in Orlando, Florida.

• Air Academy Composite Squadron (CAP), US Air Force Academy, Colorado
• Beach Cities Cadet Sq 107 (CAP), Gardena, California
• Buena High School (Army JROTC), Sierra Vista, Arizona
• Clearfield High School (Air Force JROTC), Clearfield, Utah
• Colorado Springs Cadet Sq (CAP), Colorado Springs, Colorado
• John R. Rogers High School (Air Force JROTC), Spokane, Washington
• Marine Military Academy (USMC JROTC), Harlingen, Texas
• Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (USMC JROTC), Fitchburg, Massachusetts
• Nixa High School (Army JROTC), Nixa, Missouri
• Orlando Cadet Squadron (CAP), Orlando, Florida
• Ramona High School NJROTC (Navy JROTC), Ramona, California
• South Aiken High School (Navy JROTC), Aiken, South Carolina

“Cyber security is a crucial issue for our nation, and this competition addresses the growing need for cyber defenders,” said Bernie Skoch, CyberPatriot Commissioner. “In response, these students are truly rising to the occasion. They are completing extraordinary tasks and learning a complicated subject, but also having a great time in an exciting environment.”

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South Carolina is experiencing budget problems, and those on welfare will be suffering as a result.

Monthly payments to welfare recipients will be cut by 20 percent as the state tries to find a way to deal with a $28.8 million budget deficit. The average parent with two kids will see their checks shrink from $270 to $216 starting in February.

This latest drastic reduction puts South Carolina at number four in terms of states with the lowest welfare payments, beaten out by Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi. The state pays up to $20 million for programs for the poor since 2008, and it’s finally stressing the budget to the maximum.

Also on the chopping block for the state is funding for its Meals on Wheels program, a teen pregnancy prevention program and programs devised to keep the elderly independent and living at home. In addition, 500 state workers have been laid off. It gets worse – according to the Aiken Standard, keeping on the welfare payroll will be harder:

- Applicants for the program will first have to go through the state Department of Employment and Workforce’s job centers and show they’ve sought 10 jobs.

- The state will begin matching applicants with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division data to make sure no one with a felony drug conviction receives benefits. Federal law has barred welfare payments to drug felons since 1996. South Carolina has relied on applicants to reveal drug felony convictions.

- People who don’t keep up a 30-hour work (or work-training) commitment will be required to repay benefits for that month.

Some officials say these moves will make it increasingly harder for those on welfare to keep it, as well as new applicants due to the fact that many are in compromising positions.

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A pit bull now quarantined at the Aiken SPCA is now having its fate determined after attacking a man on Monday, biting off one of his toes.

The unfortunate victim, 53 year old James Smith, was bitten in a variety of places, including his calf, both arms and his chest. During the attack, he was somehow able to lead the dog into a dog pen he owns and call for help. The owner of the dog is being questioned and will face charges – other than the obvious, the man could face charges contingent on the dog’s shot record and history of behavioral problems.

Smith is doing well, but doctors that treated him at the Medical College of Georgia are unsure whether or not the fourth toe on his right foot can be saved.

Police are waiting on advice from an SPCA veterinarian as to what they should do with the dog.

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A popular local bagel shop is closing its doors soon, but you still have time to get a taste of what made it so popular.

Bagels Baking, 218 East Gate Drive within the Publix shopping center, has been active for two and a half years. The owners, Mark and Sheila Stern, are closing the store after Christmas because of the toll it has taken on their health and the hard work involved in being up so early and getting everything set up.

Bagels Baking was known by residents as the place to go to get delicious bagels in the Aiken area, and will still be in business for the next few weeks, opening at 6:30 a.m. The business opened originally to get rid of the “days of overpriced bagels that taste like cardboard and have the texture of concrete.” Many who have stopped there would agree that they did just that.

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Salvation Army Bell Ringer

Aiken police and the Salvation Army are asking residents of Aiken to be aware of a shyster posing as a bell ringer collecting money for the needy but keeping it for himself.

A man was said to be standing outside of the Food Lion on Richland this week swinging a bell around collecting cash in a jar, but has no ties to the Salvation Army. He apparently stole the iconic red apron and bell and went to work for himself.

An employee of SA witnessed the man and asked him why he was collecting the money in a jar in lieu of the usual red kettle. He said someone stole it while he went to use the bathroom. A boldfaced lie, because SA collects the buckets at the end of every shift and none were reported missing. She then reported the man to police and to the organization.

Unfortunately, the man got away with some money and became another example of holiday thievery. If you plan to donate this holiday season, make sure the source is reputable and the cause is just. Anyone with information about the fake Salvation Army suspect is asked to call Public Safety at 642-7620.

Salvation Army Bell Ringer Grinch

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Police have been seeing an increased number of counterfeit bills around the Aiken area recently and advise you to be aware of the funny stuff.

While you most likely won’t be jailed for innocently possessing a fake $20 bill, it is often good to check anyway to ensure local businesses aren’t being shafted. Counterfeit bills are reported to the Secret Service, confiscated and never reimbursed.

A good way to make sure your money isn’t ridiculously fake is to check the watermark. Hold the note up to a light and look in the upper right hand corner. There should be an image that matches the photo in the center. If not, your bill has most likely been bleached by a counterfeiter and re-printed with a higher denomination. Additionally, use your eyes and make sure the serial numbers are evenly spaced and straight, the picture isn’t crooked, and the borders match a genuine bill.

More information on phony cash can be found at http://www.secretservice.gov/money_detect.shtml.

If you think you’ve been a victim of financial fraud, contact your local police department and/or the U.S. Secret Service Columbia Field Office at (803) 772-4015.

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A man from Aiken took the phrase “stick up” quite literally last week.

The man, 45 year old Ricky New, attempted to rob Kent’s Korner on Edgefield Highway with a stick, beating one of the clerks in the process. After the “stick up” in which he actually got away with some cash, he fled in his getaway vehicle -  a lawn mower.

Obviously, the man didn’t get too far as responding officers caught the man, who tried to hide his face with a towel. The police recognized him from other crimes he committed in the past and booked him on charges of first degree assault/battery and armed robbery. The clerk had bruises on her arm, but was otherwise fine.

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Over 100 singers, musicians and readers will convene Thursday to celebrate Aiken’s 175th anniversary as a city.

The concert, which is being held in the sanctuary of Aiken’s First Baptist Church, will star the USC symphony orchestra, the USC Aiken choir, singer Diane Haslam, organist Ken Courtney and narrator Owen Clary. Those named and many more will be portraying the history of the city through song and music.

Some of the songs to be played are Aiken favorites, such as “I’ll Be Seeing You” , “Oh! Susanna,” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again” and “America the Beautiful.”

The concert begins at 7:30 in the aforementioned sanctuary on 120 Chesterfield St. N . Tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $15 for students. Anyone seeking information should call Cathy Traver at 643-4774.

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Troopers statewide are reminding you to pull over when they speed to the scene of an emergency.

Simply put, if you see flashing lights in your rear-view mirror, you need to slow down and safely change lanes so they don’t plow into you. Additionally, drivers on two lane roads have to come to a halt, not just slow down.

As well as courtesy for emergency personnel en route to scenes, people should be aware of the workers already on scene. The state wants to avoid a repeat of a 2006 incident in which an Aiken County Sheriff Deputy was hit and killed by a driver while working on the scene of a fire off of US Highway 1.

It has been estimated through polls, specifically a nationwide poll by Mason Dixon Polling and Research, that 71 percent of Americans haven’t even heard of a “move over” law. That sentiment is reflected in the more than 150 US police officers who have been killed by motorists along highways.

So, avoid fines of up to $500 and safely move over when you see flashing lights.

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Radcliffe Elementary in Beech Island was locked down this afternoon because a student said she saw a man with a gun.

The girl was alone putting away books when she said she saw a man dressed in black with a gun. Because of the specifics she gave, the school reacted quickly and began a search. SWAT deputies were called to the school, only to find no gunman.

Parents were gathered outside the school that holds 800 students, waiting in anticipation for news.

After questioning the child to a further extent after the teams were called off, she said that she wasn’t sure what she saw was a gun. Faculty doesn’t believe anyone was on campus with a gun, but the girl probably won’t be punished.

An investigation is ongoing.

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