By Akil E. Ross, Sr.Superintendent The Lexington-Richland School District Five Teacher Forum recently hosted a heartfelt celebration honoring our “Homegrown” future teachers for Lexington-Richland Five. This teacher-led initiative is designed to recruit and retain educators who were raised, educated, and trained right here in our community. More than 170 Lexington-RichlandContinue Reading
COLUMBIA – Tourism continues to play a vital role in Columbia’s economy, with visitors generating more than one-third of all spending in the city and providing a significant boost to locally owned businesses, according to Capital City/Lake Murray Country’s 2025 marketing impact report. The report highlights how the partnership betweenContinue Reading
IRMO – Lexington-Richland School District Five’s Adult Education program has received high praise from the South Carolina Department of Education following a recent compliance monitoring review, with state officials recognizing the program’s leadership, student achievement, and commitment to helping adult learners succeed. In its final report, the Compliance Monitoring teamContinue Reading
Three-year-old Griffin Rac-Hewitt proved that big fish stories can come true when he landed a whopping 9-pound, 9-ounce catfish on Lake Murray. Using a lure and plastic worm his dad purchased at Lake World, Griffin reeled in a fish that’s almost as big as he is. Judging by the smileContinue Reading
(Photos by Lexington County Blowfish) The Lexington County Blowfish found themselves with a day off Monday in Wilmington as its game with the Sharks was postponed due to rain. By Thomas Grant Jr. Before embarking on a season-long 3-game road trip against Coastal Plain League Eastern Division foes, the LexingtonContinue Reading
(Photos by Thomas Grant Jr.) Chapin/Newberry first baseman Luciano Cesaro By Thomas Grant Jr. As a player for 2015 American Legion Baseball World Series champion Chapin/Newberry 193/24, head coach Ryan Stoudemire has firsthand experience in post-season success. After leading Chapin/Newberry back into the playoffs with a 12-2 Wild Card winContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Ethan Offing was a state championship quarterback at Dutch Fork and pitched in a World Series with Irmo Little League. As he looks toward starting a college career at Clemson, he now has an option with Major League Baseball. On Sunday, Offing was selected as anContinue Reading
Capital City/Lake Murray Country hosted one of the Southeast’s longest-running Fourth of July traditions with the annual Lake Murray Independence Day Celebration, featuring a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Murray. Since 1989, Capital City/Lake Murray Country has produced the annual celebration, launching synchronized fireworks from two locations—Dreher Island and SpenceContinue Reading
SC7 Expedition enters S.C. Midlands enroute to the coast and Lowcountry Photo – SCDNR Director Tom Mullikin (center) with son Thomas Mullikin Jr., SCDNR Capt. Tommy Buckhannon and two SCDNR game wardens at Jones Gap, South Carolina, along the SC7 trail, July 9. By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Despite searing SouthContinue Reading
For the past 18 years, I have unlocked the doors to the same gym. I’ve watched members walk through those doors as nervous beginners and transform into confident, healthier versions of themselves. I’ve celebrated weight loss victories, strength gains, new friendships, weddings, retirements, and even a few grandbabies along theContinue Reading
By Dr. Akil E. Ross. Sr. On June 8, 2026, the Lexington Richland Five Board of Trustees approved the second and final reading of the 2026–2027 annual budget in the amount of $255,715,126.81. I am excited to summarize what this budget means for our students, staff, families, and taxpayers. TheContinue Reading
Photo – Winnsboro’s clock tower, the country’s longest-running clock By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net In my journeys across the South, Georgialina, in particular, I take note of clock towers, watchtowers, and steeples. How can I not. They command the eye. They set me to thinking. I’ve written many timesContinue Reading
Photo – Before their peers from across the state, sixteen members of the Columbia-Richland Fire Department were honored for their work during closing events at this year’s South Carolina Fire-Rescue conference. By Michael DeSumma CRFD 1st Shift crews on Engine 1, Rescue 1, Engine 6 and Ladder 7 were selectedContinue Reading
Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital has been named one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2026 “100 Great Community Hospitals,” earning national recognition for delivering exceptional clinical care and serving as a vital healthcare resource for the Midlands. Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital was the only other South Carolina hospital included onContinue Reading
If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky over Lake Murray and wondered what might be out there, a new study suggests South Carolina is among the more active states for reported alien encounters. According to research by Canada Sports Betting (CSB), South Carolina ranks 14th in the nationContinue Reading
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will close the Dutch Fork Road (U.S. 76) bridge over the CSX Railroad in Richland County beginning Monday, July 13, for bridge repairs. The work is part of SCDOT’s Statewide Closed and Load Restricted Bridge Repair Program and is designed to extend theContinue Reading