House Ways and Means Chair recognized for commitment to state’s natural resources By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Greenville attorney and South Carolina Representative Bruce Wyche Bannister, chairman of the S.C. House Ways and Means Committee, was recognized as a “True Conservation Hero” by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR):Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board (CCLMC) has announced a major addition to the 2026 Southeastern BBQ Showdown lineup. Rodney Scott, James Beard Award-winning pitmaster and owner of Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, will serve as a celebrity judge for the highly anticipated event. “We’reContinue Reading
Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) made the following statement upon the final Congressional passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill: Voters made their mandate clear in November for a Republican House and Senate to now deliver the One Big Beautiful Bill to Republican President Donald Trump for his signature, making itContinue Reading
By Sarah Ostergaard More school districts across South Carolina are changing to year-round modified school calendars. This summer, start dates range across the state from July 21 to August 18, with ending dates May 21 through June 4. The name “year-round modified school schedule” is sort of a misnomer –Continue Reading
By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net A blade-like katydid poses by a bison cuff of bronze. Nature blessed my boyhood summers with music. Cicadas’ rising-falling singsong gave days rhythm. Katydids chimed in evenings with a nightshift song backed by cricket twitter. The call of a whip-poor-will drifted through the night.Continue Reading
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) has announced plans to begin issuing newly redesigned driver’s licenses, beginner’s permits, and identification cards this fall. The updated credentials will feature stronger materials and enhanced security features aimed at protecting South Carolinians from identity theft and fraud. The new design willContinue Reading
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) is warning residents about scam text messages impersonating the agency. The SCDMV does not collect toll fees, traffic tickets, or other payments via text message. These scam texts often include a link that mimics the official SCDMV website. The only legitimate websiteContinue Reading
By Leisha Wessinger-Huffstetler It is beautiful when the past and present intersect to create current history. I sat with two beautiful, elegant, spunky ladies last week, Margaret Gates Robinson and Millie Courtney. The two best friends met in 2014 in an elevator at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church. Mrs. Margaret wasContinue Reading
By Eileen Renders Can Stress Cause Cancer? According to City of Hope, and their medical and editorial guidelines, and I quote, “Studies suggest that chemical changes within the body due to stress increase the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes and the growth and spread of cancer.” ForContinue Reading
By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler The Higher Ground Char House has new owners, Andrew and Kim Babcock. Let us as a community support our restaurants and welcome the new owners. The Chapin Town Hall meeting is July 15, at 6 pm 157 NW Columbia Avenue. What else is new in Chapin? McAllister’sContinue Reading
By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler Who owned the land in the town of Chapin in the 1750’s? Great question. It was not Martin Chapin. John Bigham, in a Chapin Times article, interviewed Mrs. Llewellyn Pearce, granddaughter of Martin Chapin. She said that Martin Chapin first moved to Columbia from New York inContinue Reading
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) invites nature lovers and food enthusiasts to a unique dining experience on Wednesday, July 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Hollow in Columbia. The evening will feature a five-course, wine-paired conservation dinner inspired by imperiled bird species. Each dishContinue Reading
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland County property owners may soon receive mail from the County Assessor’s Office if their property’s assessed value has changed by $1,000 or more. As required by law, the Assessor evaluates all taxable properties at their current market value, and changes in property values may result fromContinue Reading
By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net There was a time carriers arrived like clockwork, were friendly, and lost mail was never a problem. Today’s USPS is unionized, bloated, arrogant, and inefficient. It even steals your checks. U.S. law, specifically the Private Express Statutes, grants the USPS a legal monopoly overContinue Reading
LAKE MURRAY, S.C. — Grab your paddleboard, kayak, canoe—or even your favorite float—and help make a difference in the lives of those in need. Paddle for PAALS, the annual water-based fundraiser for Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS), is back this summer with a mission to change lives, one paddleContinue Reading
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Due to scheduling changes, the popular Fireworks with the Phil concert has been rescheduled for Thursday, July 3 at Segra Park. All original event details remain in place, including ticket validity. Event Schedule: Gates open: 6:30 p.m. Concert begins: Around 8:00 p.m., featuring a full performance byContinue Reading