South Mecklenburg High School hosts first-ever S.C. Military Veterans Hall of Fame Football Game By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Among the myriad memorial services held late last week commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks – and honoring first responders to include the military – perhaps none wereContinue Reading
The dedication and work of SCDNR’s Anna Huckabee Smith By Tom Mullikin Conservation is often measured in acres protected, species recovered, waterways restored or dollars invested. But behind each of those accomplishments are dedicated professionals bringing together science, public service, partnerships and a deep belief that the natural resources entrustedContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. The Chapin football team is on a roll. Last Friday’s 51-0 rout of Airport was its first shutout win since 2023 against Mid-Carolina by a 63-0 score. In winning the “Battle of the Eagles”, Chapin also posted its first 3-game winning streak since 2024. “Each weekContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — Students at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies (The Center) are gaining hands-on experience and industry-ready skills through the school’s HVAC program, a career-focused pathway designed to prepare students for opportunities in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry. The HVAC program launched in AugustContinue Reading
Multiple services were held across the Midlands on September 11 By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) along with fellow law-enforcement officers and first responders from various other agencies gathered to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, rememberingContinue Reading
Chapin Mayor Bill Mitchell found himself all alone at the latest Chapin Town Council meeting when the rest of council didn’t return from a five minute recess during the heated unscheduled meeting on Thursday, September 10. The meeting was called to discuss the hiring of a new town attorney andContinue Reading
Sermon delivered to the congregation of Main Street United Methodist Church in Columbia, S.C. By W. Thomas Smith Jr. EDITORIAL NOTE: TODAY marks the 25th anniversary the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. On the 10th anniversary – 2011 – writer and military analyst W. Thomas Smith Jr. was asked toContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — School District Five’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) department will host a Talent Summit for businesses and community organizations Tuesday, September 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will provide businesses and community organizations with an opportunity to learn how they can support and enhanceContinue Reading
CHAPIN, S.C. — Chapin American Legion Post 193 will hold a Patriot Day Ceremony Friday, September 11, at 8:30 a.m. at the post’s new home. Members, families, friends and community members are invited to attend the ceremony, which will mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.Continue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — The Irmo Middle School Honors Chorus has been selected to perform as a featured ensemble at the South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA) Professional Development Conference in Columbia on February 5, 2027. Irmo Middle School was one of numerous schools to submit performance recordings for consideration asContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — Lexington-Richland School District Five celebrated a wall-raiser ceremony September 4 at Nursery Road Elementary School-Arts Magnet, marking the beginning of a renovation project designed to create dedicated classroom spaces. The project will enclose existing classroom walls to create individual, contained classrooms designed to support a more focusedContinue Reading
Representative Nathan Ballentine recently spent some time with Cub Scout Pack 870 in Chapin. He is currently campaigning to continue serving the Irmo-Chapin community in the South Carolina State House. “For years, I’ve had the honor of serving you and your family in Columbia where experience matters,” Ballentine said. “I’veContinue Reading
By Sarah Ostergaard I have been skeptical of educational acceleration for a very long time. In fourth grade, I remember my teacher telling us that her job was to prepare us for fifth grade. At my elementary school back then, fourth graders had 15 minutes of morning recess, 30 minutesContinue Reading
Crossing over Clear Creek. Photo by Katie Shugg By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net 8-22-2026 — a day for numbers, a day to visit the Old West. From Denver’s mile-high air we took I-70 45 miles west to an elevation of 8,772 feet to board an 1884 steam train. WeContinue Reading
LEXINGTON-RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT FIVE — The Tri-District Arts Consortium (TriDAC) summer program is celebrating 40 years of providing advanced arts education opportunities to students from three Midlands school districts. To commemorate the milestone, TriDAC commissioned sculptor Bob Doster to create a sculpture celebrating the program’s four decades of arts education.Continue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — School District Five has announced the dates and times for its 2027 high school graduation ceremonies, which will be held May 28 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. The schedule is: Chapin High School: May 28 at 8 a.m. Dutch Fork High School: May 28 at 11:30Continue Reading