Five School District Five students were graduated from Project SEARCH May 19. Project SEARCH is a one-year program where School District Five partners with Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital and allows students with special needs to gain job skills and solve work based problems as they rotate through different departmentsContinue Reading
18-year-old skips graduation, claims $100,000 title and REDCREST berth in record-setting performance COLUMBIA, S.C. — Jack Story of Atlanta delivered a performance beyond his years, going wire-to-wire to win the 43rd annual Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American on Lake Murray and taking home the $100,000 top prize. The 18-year-old —Continue Reading
The July 4 event honors fallen Soldier and RCSD Deputy Ryan Rawl By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Registration is open for the 14th-annual RYAN RAWL MEMORIAL WORKOUT to be held Saturday, July 4, on the grounds of the S.C. State House in Columbia. Hosted and facilitated by Richland County SheriffContinue Reading
SCDNR Director Tom Mullikin is aggressively going after environmentally dangerousabandoned watercraft and their former owners By W Thomas Smith Jr. Earlier this month, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) under the “commanding leadership” of Dr. Tom Mullikin targeted yet another abandoned vessel – a 60-foot barge – in S.C.Continue Reading
Two-day event brings bluegrass and Americana stars to downtown Columbia A new music festival is taking flight in the heart of downtown Columbia as the inaugural Songbird Festival 26 arrives May 30–31 at Finlay Park. Presented in part by the City of Columbia, the two-day event will feature 18 artistsContinue Reading
Thirteen students in District Five have earned Firefighter I Certificates through the Fire & Rescue course at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies (The Center). The Fire & Rescue class is a year long course. In the first year, students earn the following certifications: FEMA; I-100; I-200; I-700; I-800; FirstContinue Reading
Opinion By Congressman Joe WilsonMay 22, 2026 America is once again engaged in a national debate over congressional redistricting. While redistricting has always been a constitutional responsibility carried out by the states, recent years have seen increasingly aggressive partisan efforts designed to reshape congressional maps for political advantage. These effortsContinue Reading
Using a familiar tennis motion can help prevent slicing and improve power By Robin All A simple visual can help prevent one of the most common problems among senior golfers—rolling the clubface open during the backswing, which often leads to slicing on long shots. One effective technique is to thinkContinue Reading
More than 100 powerboats expected; helicopter tours offer new way to view the event The Dam Boat Run returns to Lake Murray May 28–30, bringing more than 100 powerboats from across the country to the Midlands. This year introduces a new way for spectators to experience the event, with publicContinue Reading
The Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Chapin will hold a drop-in May 31 from 3 – 5 pm. The event honors the 35th anniversary of the ordination of the Pastor, Reverend Thomas A. Cassem. Peak Springhill Parish along with Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches Association(WELCA) will provide light refreshmentsContinue Reading
Free community event at Saluda Shoals Park aims to raise awareness and support for those experiencing chronic homelessness The City of Columbia Homeless Services, Rapid Shelter Columbia Foundation, and BAPS Charities will host the annual Spirit of Service: Walk-Run on May 31 at 10 a.m. to benefit Rapid Shelter Columbia.Continue Reading
The fourth annual Black Eats Week 803 celebration returns June 22 – 28, and registration is now open for Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, caterers, private chefs, bakeries, and creameries throughout the Midlands and surrounding areas. An official Best of Black Eats Week 803 Festival and Food Competition will be heldContinue Reading
Major League Fishing brings three-day national tournament to Columbia, showcasing region as premier bass fishing destination COLUMBIA, S.C. – Major League Fishing returns to the Midlands May 28–30 for the 43rd annual Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Championship Presented by T-H Marine at Lake Murray. The three-day tournament, hosted byContinue Reading
Columbia, S.C. – One of the Midlands’ most beloved summer traditions will return Saturday, July 4, 2026, as Lake Murray’s Independence Day Celebration lights up the sky with fireworks launched from Spence Island and Dreher Island. Hosted by Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board (CCLMC), the annual patriotic eventContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. For the 21st consecutive season—and 11th in Lexington County—summer will once again feature Coastal Plain League action from the Lexington County Blowfish. The new season kicks off Thursday on the road against the Florence Flamingos. On Friday, the Blowfish officially open their home schedule against theContinue Reading
Photo by Chapin baseball By Thomas Grant Jr. Dell Lever’s first season as Chapin baseball coach has seen the program continue its winning legacy from Scott McLeod. The Eagles (21-9) are close to matching their second-highest win total in the past decade. They also shared the Region 4-5A title withContinue Reading