Celebrating Service and School Spirit
The Forest Acres Police Department (FAPD) is celebrating the retirement of K9 Indy after four years of dedicated service to the department and the local community. During her time in Forest Acres, she grew
to be much more than a member of the department—she became a familiar and beloved face at community events throughout the city and a wonderful ambassador for FAPD’s commitment to community policing.
Before joining FAPD, Indy served with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and she is retiring after working beyond the typical length of service for a police K9. Forest Acres City Council recently recognized Indy and her handler, Sgt. Louis Gantt, with a special resolution to honor their service and partnership.
The best news is that Indy will not be going far. Council also approved Gantt’s adoption of Indy, allowing the longtime partners to be together from now on. After years of serving the Forest Acres community, Indy has certainly earned some time to relax, enjoy plenty of treats, and spend her days with her favorite person.
Thank you, Indy, for four years of faithful service to Forest Acres! We wish you a long,
happy, and well-deserved retirement.
Back to School Brings the Return of Friday Night Lights
The back-to-school season in Forest Acres brings classrooms buzzing with excitement, buses and car lines back to neighborhood streets, and families settling into new routines. It also marks the return of Friday night lights for the A.C. Flora Falcons.
The Falcons enter the 2026 season with plenty of momentum after one of the most successful athletic years in school history. During the 2025-26 school year, A.C. Flora claimed the Class AAAA Carlisle Cup, recognizing the Falcons as South Carolina’s top overall Class AAAA athletic program. Leading the way were state championships in boys tennis and girls baseball, competitive cheerleading, soccer, and tennis. Flora’s softball and boys lacrosse teams also earned state runner-up finishes. The Carlisle Cup
reflects excellence across every athletic program and showcases the dedication of A.C. Flora’s student athletes, coaches, and supporters.
Whether you are a current student, proud alumnus, parent, or lifelong resident, Friday nights at Memorial Stadium this fall are a returning tradition with high hopes for another award-winning year of
Falcon athletics.
The excitement extends beyond the football field and across the Flora campus each fall. From its award-winning tennis teams and one of the state’s premier cross-country programs to competitive volleyball, golf, swimming, diving, and cheerleading, these teams continue A.C. Flora’s proud tradition of excellence both in competition and in the classroom.
Of course, back-to-school season is about much more than athletics. Forest Acres is home to some of the Midlands’ highest performing schools, including Satchel Ford Elementary, Brockman Elementary, Forest Lake Elementary, Crayton Middle, and Dent Middle. We are proud that our students continue to
excel in academics, fine arts, leadership, and community service.
As students return to school, the Forest Acres Police Department also encourages drivers to help keep everyone safe. Remember to slow down in school zones, watch for children at bus stops and crosswalks, and give yourself a few extra minutes during morning and afternoon commutes. A little patience goes a long way in helping ensure every student arrives safely when going to and from school.
