By Representative Nathan Ballentine 2025 Week 8 – Delivering on My Promise to Promote Business-Friendly Policies This week, my colleagues and I took major steps to deliver on the promises we made to you—reducing burdensome regulations, providing relief to small businesses, cracking down on crime, and ensuring property owners haveContinue Reading
By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Mom never darkened the door of a juke joint, but that didn’t stop her from rendering a harsh judgment. “The only people who go to juke joints are drunks and floozies.” I have a hunch where her belief came from. Early in her marriage,Continue Reading
LEXINGTON, S.C. – The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department has received new underwater sonar devices to assist in search and rescue operations on Lake Murray, thanks to a $16,000 grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. During a March 11 ceremony at Bundrick Island, Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller KissamContinue Reading
IRMO – The Afterschool Alliance has selected Julius Scott, Coordinator of Community Services who supports multiple afterschool programs within School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties, to serve as a 2025 Afterschool Ambassador – one of only 15 leaders in the country chosen for the honor this year. AfterschoolContinue Reading
IRMO – Two Lexington-Richland School District Five student athletes were crowned state champions during the South Carolina High School League wrestling individual State Championships. Chapin’s Preston White won his 3rd state championship this year at 120 pounds to round off his perfect 46-0 junior season. Last year, he won hisContinue Reading
Columbia, SC – Food lovers, mark your calendars! The highly anticipated Taste of Lake Murray is making its grand return to the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia on March 27, 2025. Presented by Lexington Medical Center, this annual event promises an unforgettable evening filled with exceptional cuisine, live music, dancing, andContinue Reading
Columbia, SC – The South Carolina Parent Teacher Association (SCPTA) proudly hosted its Legislative Conference and Training Day on February 26, 2025, bringing together PTA leaders, members, and advocates from across the state to engage in meaningful discussions about public education policies and grassroots advocacy. As part of the day’sContinue Reading
From the Bass Pro Tour Lake Murray provided the setting for the continuation of a fishing rivalry to close out its latest Bass Pro Tour event. Drew Gill and Jacob Wheeler have combined for multiple titles on the circuit and were 1-2 in last year’s Fishing Clash Angler of theContinue Reading
By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Roads tell stories. I’ve come across the “Mule Kick That Killed Eight People” in Edgefield County. I’ve seen stores fall to arsonists along Highway 378. I’ve seen homes go dark and swallowed by vines, and I’ve seen wheelchair ramps go up as the yearsContinue Reading
For a limited time and while supplies last, Richland County Stormwater and Columbia Water are making 50-gallon Ivy rain barrels and 65-gallon backyard compost bins available at a discount. Rain barrels are $76, and compost bins are $67. Order your containers by March 12; pick them up March 22 atContinue Reading
Malcoms’s Barbershop – Where every cut has a story! Little Mountain, SC – The town of Little Mountain just got a little sharper! Malcom’s Barbershop, a new addition to Main Street, officially opened its doors on March 1, 2025, marking the occasion with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony. Gathering to commemorate theContinue Reading
By Radley West Let’s face it: we’re all a little too attached to our screens. Phones, tablets, laptops, TVs—if it glows, we’re glued to it. And while these magical devices bring us cat videos, endless TikTok dances, and online shopping at 3 am, they’re also robbing us of something critical:Continue Reading
By Thomas Grant, Jr. The Chapin boys soccer team placed runner-up at the Capitol City Cup this past weekend. Afterlosing 2-1 to Gray Collegiate, the Eagles defeated Wando (1-0) and A.C. Flora (2-0) to win theGroup B Gold Division. They faced Nation Ford in the final, losing 0-0 (4-1 onContinue Reading
Columbia, S.C. – Major League Fishing (MLF) is set to visit Lake Murray next week March 6-9, for the third regular-season event of the 2025 Bass Pro Tour – the PowerStop Brakes Stage 3 at Lake Murray Presented by Strike King. Top anglers in professional bass fishing will be competingContinue Reading
Chapin High School wrestling coach Mason Marshall has been named the 2025 Region 4 5A Wrestling Coach of the Year. “I am very proud of our team and how we performed as a unit this season,” Marshall said. “This is not an individual award, this is the result of months ofContinue Reading
IRMO – Lexington-Richland School District Five has named veteran educator Jinni Friend as Director of Special Services. “I am beyond thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our district in this role,” Friend said. “Supporting students and families, especially those with disabilities, is at the heart of myContinue Reading