Wingard’s Market has announced they received the most votes across the country and have been named the winner for the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for #1 Best Plant Nursery; earning national recognition as one of the top garden centers in the United States. The honor follows a processContinue Reading
J. Kenneth “Kenny” Mullis Jr., chairman of the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District, has received the 2025 Hugh Hammond Bennett Southeast Regional Producer Award from the National Conservation Planning Partnership. The award recognizes Mullis’ leadership and commitment to the development and implementation of effective conservation practices. Mullis owns andContinue Reading
One Columbia for Arts and Culture has announced Larry Andrew Hembree as the 2026 recipient of the Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award, recognizing his leadership, creativity, and lasting contributions to the region’s arts community. The award ceremony will take place March 20 from 6:30–8 p.m. at the Koger Center forContinue Reading
Keith Vitali becomes the second Vitali brother to receive the Order of the Palmetto By Chris Carter Keith Vitali, world-champion martial artist, Hollywood martial-arts movie star, former #1-ranked U.S. karate champion, and one of BLACK BELT magazine’s top 10 fighters of all time, received the Order of the Palmetto duringContinue Reading
Media Personality Curtis Wilson honored with Order of the Palmetto By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Deputy Curtis Wilson, an anchor and law-enforcement analyst for On Patrol: LIVE and news anchor for ABC Columbia (WOLO-TV), recently received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest award,Continue Reading
Dutch Fork Elementary Academy of Environmental Sciences has officially been recognized as a 2025 Nationally Certified Magnet School by Magnet Schools of America (MSA). “I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by all Dutch Fork Elementary School teachers, staff, and students,” Dutch Fork Elementary School PrincipalContinue Reading
Two educators from Irmo Middle School have been recognized by the South Carolina Association for Middle Level Educators for their excellence in middle-level education. Dawson Tate, a geometry teacher, received the 2026 Innovation in Practice Award, while eighth-grade math teacher Gracie Bradley was named a Promising Educator to Watch. TheContinue Reading
The Chapin High School and Dutch Fork High School jazz bands earned Superior Ratings at the South Carolina Band Directors Association Jazz Performance Assessment, held March 7 at Newberry College. Chapin High School’s Bryson Couto was recognized as Best Soloist for his performance on the baritone saxophone. Dutch Fork HighContinue Reading
By Michael DeSumma The Columbia-Richland Fire Department honored the work of its members at the department’s annual awards ceremony February 20. Thirty-eight awards were presented during the event at C.A. Johnson High School. A majority of honors went to firefighters who went above and beyond the call of duty toContinue Reading
Alicia McFarland, chief medical officer of the South Carolina Pediatric Alliance, has been selected for the SCBIZ News Faces of South Carolina recognition, honoring her leadership, dedication to children’s health and commitment to strengthening pediatric care across the state. A board-certified pediatrician, McFarland is known for her work grounded inContinue Reading
Award is the namesake of 2021 National Sheriff of the Year Leon Lott By W. Thomas Smith Jr. The S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame (SCBBHOF) presented Tarrant County (Texas) Sheriff Bill E. Waybourn with the prestigious LEON LOTT – FIRST THROUGH THE DOOR AWARD during an awards dinner heldContinue Reading
COLUMBIA — American Floral has been named a 2026 winner of The Knot Best of Weddings and the 2026 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award. According to the company, the recognition marks the business’s 16th consecutive Best of Weddings award and its 15th Couples’ Choice Award, earning Hall of Fame status withContinue Reading
For the Fifth Time in Six Years Columbia, South Carolina – February 18, 2026 – John G. Manjounes, Principal of GOAT Development Group, has again been recognized as one of the Top 15 Coaches in Columbia, SC by Influence Digest Media, marking his fifth selection in the past six years.Continue 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
S.C. Military Veterans Hall of Fame recognized in a concurrent resolution by the S.C.House and Senate By Chris Carter The South Carolina Military Veterans Hall of Fame was formally recognized and honored in a concurrent resolution adopted by the S.C. General Assembly, Tuesday, February 3, 2026. A portion of theContinue Reading
Resolution recognizes the success of the South Carolina Seven Expedition By W. Thomas Smith Jr. A South Carolina Senate Resolution commending Dr. Tom Mullikin, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), the men and women of SCDNR, and the leaders of the statewide South Carolina Seven (SC7) ExpeditionContinue Reading