Community Corner

Thank You, Columbia

After more than two years, my time as a Patch editor is coming to an end.

After more than two years as a local Patch editor, it is time to say goodbye. 

Patch, which is owned by AOL, launched its South Carolina sites beginning in June 2011. I was the founding editor for Irmo-Seven Oaks Patch, which launched a few months later in September. A lot has changed since then. We expanded our coverage area from the St. Andrews area to include downtown Columbia. We renamed Spring Valley Patch to Northeast Columbia Patch. We also changed the look of our Patch sites. 

We've covered the primaries here in South Carolina, your schools, businesses, crime and everything else in between. It has been the toughest but most rewarding job. 

As part of a re-organization at Patch, the local editor position in South Carolina will be eliminated effective 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. Hundreds of communities just like Columbia and all of the Patch communities in our state will lose their editors. 

Patch will continue to serve communities across the country. South Carolina sites are not shutting down on Tuesday. (Northeast Columbia and North Charleston sites were the only sites in the state to shut down last week.) You can still post events, write a blog or post on the boards. You will continue to receive your daily newsletter. I hope that you will continue to use the site to share information with your neighbors.

Thank you, Columbia. Thank you for spreading the word about Patch. Thank you for sharing your stories with us. Thank you for believing in Patch. 

It is an honor and privilege to have served as your Patch editor. 

Thank you,

Shireese Bell


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