The Richland County Utilities Department has announced new sewer and water usage service rates, which include an increase for residential services. The updated rates are set to help fund essential operational and maintenance costs, as well as capital improvements to the Wastewater Treatment System. The new rate for residential serviceContinue Reading
Richland County, SC — Richland County Council approved the budget for fiscal year 2024-25 during its regular meeting on June 18. The budget, effective from July 1, was passed following three readings and a public hearing. Council Chair Jesica Mackey of District 9 emphasized the significant effort invested in theContinue Reading
Quinton Epps, the Richland County Conservation Division manager, received recognition for his dedicated service of 10 years to the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (RSWCD) during the recent S.C. Conservation Partnership Conference in Myrtle Beach. Lynn Pilewski, immediate past president of the S.C. Conservation District Employees Association, presented theContinue Reading
National security analyst briefs law enforcement leaders By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Kyle Shideler, director and senior analyst for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Security Policy, delivered a series of counterriot briefings to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at the department’s Denny Terrace Training Facility.Continue Reading
Richland County Government has awarded $150,000 to the Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. (Mirci) through its Community Impact Grant. The award will strengthen MIRCI’s accredited behavioral healthcare services. Mirci serves those with serious and persistent mental illness, many of whom have experienced homelessness. It uses the evidence-based practice Assertive CommunityContinue Reading
Richland County Council has approved a revised version of the County’s Land Development Code (LDC) zoning map. The zoning map passed a third reading during the regularly scheduled Council meeting on October 3. Text amendments to the LDC passed a first reading. State law required Council to first adopt aContinue Reading
Family fan, great baseball action, and an exciting K-9 demonstration By W. Thomas Smith Jr. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) and the Columbia Fireflies will host RCSD K-9 TEAM NIGHT at Columbia’s Segra Park, Wednesday August 30, beginning at 7:05 p.m. The event is part of the regularlyContinue Reading
Toys will be presented to children by RCSD deputies By W. Thomas Smith Jr. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) was the recipient of more than 30 stuffed animals, a gift from RCSD friend and supporter Jennifer Necker of Columbia. The animals will be distributed to deputies who will keepContinue Reading
Richland County’s new Residential Rental Property Registration Program will change registration and business license requirements for residential rental properties in unincorporated areas of the county. With the changes, the county aims to increase the number of rental property registrations and provide greater health and safety protections for renters.On February 7,Continue Reading
On July 14, Richland County held a swearing-in ceremony for Treasurer Kendra Dove. After serving as deputy treasurer for the past 16 years, Dove is the first Black person to serve as treasurer for the County, having recently run for the position unopposed by either party. At the ceremony, formerContinue Reading
Commanding oak stands as a tangible testament to Sheriff Leon Lott’s 26 years in office so far By W. Thomas Smith Jr. In the Spring of 1997, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott planted three trees – two crepe myrtles and an oak – just outside the back door of hisContinue Reading
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department once again wins tri-agency competition By W. Thomas Smith Jr. For the eighth year in a row, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) edged past the Columbia Police Department (CPD), and the Columbia Fire Department (CFD) to win the annual BATTLE OF THE BADGESContinue Reading
New associate commissioners Mary Beth McSwain and Sarah Burnham have joined the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (RSWCD). McSwain and Burnham join the existing team of five commissioners and five associate commissioners who direct the RSWCD’s conservation efforts. McSwain participates in conservation activities with her husband, Tim, an RSWCDContinue Reading
The wreath-laying ceremony begins National Police Week for RCSD By W. Thomas Smith Jr. The families of fallen deputies gathered at the gates of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) headquarters’ memorial garden for a special service honoring the families’ deceased loved ones, Monday, May 15, the date officiallyContinue Reading
FBI director’s award recognizes “outstanding contributions to our nation’s communities” By W. Thomas Smith Jr. BUILDING BETTER COMMUNTIES (BBC), a Columbia-based nonprofit which helps support marginalized and struggling communities across the Midlands, received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award during ceremonies at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., Friday, MayContinue Reading