Richland County Council has officially adopted its budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. During a meeting held June 17, Council approved the $1,457,108,024 spending plan after a third and final reading. The new budget took effect on July 1. This year’s total budget reflects a $16.3 million increase from last year.Continue Reading
South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond is reminding the public to be cautious when donating to disaster relief efforts following severe flooding in Kerr County, Texas. “The families devastated by the flash floods in the Texas Hill Country need our help,” Hammond said. “Unfortunately, scammers are already trying toContinue Reading
Chapin utilities has recently named Kelly Greene the town’s new Utility Coordinator, and Jackie Thompson as Director of Finance. Originally from New Jersey, Greene now calls Chapin home. She moved to town five years ago in search of a more relaxed lifestyle. She is a graduate of Colorado Christian University,Continue 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
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
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
COLUMBIA — Maurice Pearl, Executive Director and CEO of The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET), has been elected Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Transportation Association of South Carolina (TASC). The election took place earlier this month, with Pearl chosen to serve a two-year termContinue Reading
The Town of Chapin posted on their Facebook account to customers on the Amicks Ferry Water System asking them to limit water usage during the peak hours of 4:30am until 9:30am each morning. Due to high-water use demands during the morning hours residents are being asked not to use sprinklerContinue Reading
Mullikin presents a “path forward” for South Carolina By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Dr. Tom Mullikin, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, addressed the S.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Environmental Affairs Committee at the Palmetto Club in downtown Columbia, June 6, wherein he discussed a path forward forContinue Reading
Five honored by state agency for 2024 By W. Thomas Smith Jr. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) recognized five of its best as EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR 2024. The awards being presented at SCDNR’s Wateree Range, Friday, June 6, 2025. “To say these DNR employees are sterling recipientsContinue Reading
Richland County Council has unanimously passed the first county-level hate intimidation ordinance in the state of South Carolina. Under this new ordinance, it will be unlawful for a person to cause fear, intimidation, harm or damage to a person or person’s property because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationalContinue Reading
Richland County, SC — The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is seeking public feedback on a proposed sidewalk project along the north side of Marina Road, stretching from U.S. Highway 76 to Beacon Point. The goal of the project is to improve pedestrian safety and enhance walkability in theContinue Reading
SCDNR Director hosted Strategic Planning conference mid-May, met with U.S. Congressional leaders early June By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Dr. Tom Mullikin, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and Maj. Gen. Jeff Jones, the deputy adjutant general of S.C., hosted a weekend working-retreat at Fort Jackson’s McCrady TrainingContinue Reading
Former Capitol Hill environmental analyst and founder of multi-national coastal cleanup initiative to direct the department’s media By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Coastal resilience, sustainability, and communications expert Cheyenne Twilley has been named the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) new director of Public Information, effective May 19, 2025. AccordingContinue Reading
By: Curtis Loftis South Carolina State Treasurer Scroll through a few TikTok stories on Parenthood or follow a Mom influencer on Instagram, and you’ll quickly learn that the challenges Millennial parents and Gen Z parents face are vastly different from those of their Gen X or Baby Boomer parents. In 2025,Continue Reading