It makes for a good photo but it doesn’t take selfies. By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net In rural Georgia the party line was our lot back in the early 1950s. When the phone rang, we counted. Our phone rang two times. Three for another and so forth. Today’s youngerContinue Reading
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Taste of Lake Murray, presented by Lexington Health, will be held Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia. Known as the region’s favorite “party with a purpose,” the event features an evening of food, entertainment, and community celebration benefiting Lake Murray’sContinue Reading
Did you feel it? A minor earthquake was recorded early Tuesday morning near Elgin, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The 2.2-magnitude earthquake struck at approximately 6:30 a.m., marking the first recorded earthquake in South Carolina for 2026. The tremor was felt by residents across several areas, though its impactContinue Reading
CAYCE, S.C. (January 15, 2026) — Dominion Energy will conduct its annual test of the Lake Murray Dam inundation siren system on Tuesday, January 20, at 1 p.m. The test will last approximately three minutes. The annual January test includes 10 rotating sirens located along the Saluda River in RichlandContinue Reading
The South Carolina Green Industry Association (SC Green) will host its annual Conference and Trade Show at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on January 29 and 30, bringing together over 120 exhibitors and 16 industry speakers to cover a broad range of landscape and horticulture topics. Attendees can choose fromContinue Reading
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is kicking off 2026 with the arrival of two young African lions, the return of Free Fridays for local residents, and a full lineup of events and experiences designed to connect guests with wildlife throughout the year. “From meeting lion brothers Pesho and Sidai to exploringContinue Reading
Singer Marian Anderson performs at DAR Constitution Hall in 1943. Undergraduate and graduate students studying music may apply for a one-time $5,000 scholarship honoring her legacy through January 31. Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing music studies are invited to apply for the DAR Marian Anderson Legacy Scholarship through January 31.Continue Reading
LEXINGTON, S.C. (January 15, 2026) — The Lexington Police Department is seeking information on the whereabouts of Christian Dominick Long, 33, of Lexington, in connection with a series of thefts from motor vehicles. According to investigators, the incidents occurred during the early morning hours of December 24, 2025, in aContinue Reading
IRMO — Dutch Fork High School senior Hunter Taylor has been named among the top 300 scholars nationwide in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors. Taylor, a student in the Dutch Fork High School STEM HonorsContinue Reading
By Robin All The driving range got its name because many golfers spend most of their practice time hitting drivers. A solid drive certainly makes the next shot easier than playing from the woods or out of bounds. However, golfers should spend more time practicing shots played from the groundContinue Reading
Mullikin honored aboard the oldest still-serving warship in the United States Navy By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Dr. Tom Mullikin, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) received a rare honor during a break in meetings in Boston, Massachusetts, last week. While touring Boston’s historic Charlestown Navy Yard,Continue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — Residents and visitors are invited to welcome the arrival of spring at the 9th Annual Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival, scheduled for March 21, 2026, at Irmo Town Park. The annual festival celebrates art, culture, and community while honoring the beauty, fragility, and preciousness of life—symbolized by theContinue Reading
Photo by Coach Terence Jones – The Chapin girls’ basketball team celebrate in the locker room with the WACH High School Hoops trophy. By Thomas Grant Jr. For the first time in Region 4-5A play, the Chapin girls basketball team was at full strength. Senior forward Reagan Haggard was back in actionContinue Reading
The Boardr, one of the nation’s premier skateboarding contest series, is returning to Irmo this spring, bringing high-energy competition and community spirit to the local skate scene. The two-day event is scheduled for March 27–28 at Friarsgate Skate Park, located at 1113 Friarsgate Blvd. Skateboarders of all ages and skillContinue Reading
What is OBBBA? The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, making tax provisions that were scheduled to expire at the conclusion of 2025 permanent under the law. The OBBBA directly impacts your tax situation, your retirement, funding and paying for education, andContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. A full slate of high school basketball featuring several ranked Midlands teams is scheduled for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, with multiple tournaments and showcase events set to tip off across the region. Two Columbia high schools will host single-day boys and girlsContinue Reading