Two young gorillas born at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden are preparing for a major move this spring. Moyo and ZaKota, both born in 2018, will relocate to the Dallas Zoo in March following a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Breeding and TransferContinue Reading
Mast General Store’s annual Be a Sweetheart event, which raises funds for local food banks, is scheduled for Feb. 14–15. For the past 23 years, Mast General Store has matched each pound of bulk candy purchased during Sweetheart weekend with a $1 donation to its local food security partner. HarvestContinue Reading
By Dr. Akil E. Ross, Sr.Superintendent February is a month filled with observances that enrich our school calendar, including Black History Month, Youth Leadership Month, National Children’s Dental Health Month, National Girls and Women’s Sports Day, and Random Acts of Kindness Week. Among these, the first week of February standsContinue Reading
By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Cell phones are a big deal but to some of us the transistor was an even bigger deal. I was disobeying my parents staying up late (school night) in my bedroom listening to clear channel WLS in Chicago over a transistor radio. I wasContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Under first-year head coach Terrence Jones, the Chapin girls’ basketball team is enjoying its best season in 12 years. Last Friday, the Lady Eagles rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat River Bluff 43–39. Alaya Douglas led Chapin with 12 points, while Sami Stephenson added 11Continue Reading
IRMO — Lexington-Richland School District Five will begin accepting applications for 4-year-old kindergarten (4K) and registering students for 5-year-old kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year on Feb. 9. Children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2026, to apply for 4K. Parents must apply in person atContinue Reading
COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Philharmonic has appointed Carol Addy and Hassan Anderson to its Board of Directors, adding two community leaders with strong ties to music, education and civic engagement. Addy is chief revenue officer for Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, a longtime supporter of the South Carolina PhilharmonicContinue Reading
The Crooked Creek Art League’s Feb. 16 meeting will feature clay sculpture artist Diane Gilbert, who will present “Cheminement.” Gilbert’s sculptural work is inspired by the natural world, where mosquitoes can be just as fascinating as monkeys and snakes. Her clay creatures—both large and small—emerge from a lifelong curiosity aboutContinue Reading
Samaritan’s Purse is celebrating the collection of more than 12.2 million Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts worldwide in 2025. The milestone reflects the generosity of millions of volunteers who packed shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and personal care items. In the United States, 10.9 million shoebox gifts were collected thisContinue Reading
Columbia took a major step toward shaping the future of its riverfront at the Dec. 16 City Council meeting, approving a professional services contract with Field Operations LLC to lead planning and design of a comprehensive master plan for the Riverfront District and a schematic design for a new RiverfrontContinue Reading
IRMO — Eighteen additional Lexington-Richland School District Five teachers earned National Board Certification this year, while 12 educators successfully renewed their certifications. With the additions, School District Five now has 250 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs), ranking the district among the top in South Carolina for educators holding the prestigiousContinue Reading
Photo by Edward WalkerChapin High School had five student-athletes sign letters of intent on Feb. 4. From left: Brooklyn DeWitt (Erskine, tennis), Caleb Davis (Newberry, football), Drew Greer (USC Lancaster, baseball), Griff Harper (Anderson University, baseball) and Larsen Hege (Lander, women’s lacrosse).Continue Reading
IRMO — The Center for Advanced Technical Studies is offering dog grooming services and packages this spring through its Veterinary Science program in Lexington-Richland School District Five. Under the guidance of Veterinary Science Instructor Jessica Hidalgo, students receive hands-on training in professional pet grooming, including safe animal handling, bathing, styling,Continue Reading
By Jennifer Tardy Recipe of the Week: One-Pot White Bean Stew When the weather turns chilly and time is short, this one-pot white bean stew is a reliable go-to. It’s comforting, nourishing, and easy to prepare—perfect for a simple weeknight dinner and just as satisfying reheated for lunch the nextContinue Reading
Literacy SC, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to improving reading skills for learners of all ages, has announced its Executive Board leadership for the 2026 term as the organization launches a new three-year strategic plan aimed at expanding services across South Carolina. The 2026 appointments coincide with the rollout of LiteracyContinue Reading
Stamp collectors and history enthusiasts alike are invited to attend the Columbia Philatelic Society’s fall/winter stamp show, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14, in West Columbia. The show will be held at the Tri-City Leisure Center, located at 485 Brooks Avenue, the same venue used for theContinue Reading