Thirty influential leaders recognized as “movers and shakers” for 2024 By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott landed a lofty 3rd PLACE in the Post & Courier’s annual 30-person POWER LIST for Columbia, South Carolina, published Wednesday, Dec. 18. First place honors went to University of SouthContinue Reading
Seventeen new full-time firefighters have officially joined the Columbia-Richland Fire Department (CRFD) after completing weeks of tough training at the department’s fire academy. During a special graduation ceremony held in Columbia, Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins administered the oath of office to the recruits from CRFD Recruit Class 2024-02. AfterContinue Reading
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher has identified Brittany Rosalinda Valencia, 16, of Columbia, as the victim of a two-vehicle crash on St. Andrews Road on December 9. The accident occurred around 8:45 p.m. in the 4400 block of St. Andrews Road. Valencia was a passenger in an eastbound vehicle thatContinue Reading
James Robert Peterson, 37, of Prosperity, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Columbia on a firearm possession charge. According to the indictment, Peterson, a convicted felon, was found with a gun on June 11 during an incident where he allegedly shot and killed South Carolina Law EnforcementContinue Reading
On December 6, Richland County EMS, accompanied by Santa Claus, delivered vehicles filled with donated toys and gifts to Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). The toy delivery was part of EMS’s annual “Stuff an Ambulance” toy drive, which began collecting donations in November. The community generously contributed toys,Continue Reading
Pelion, S.C. – A 22-year-old man has been arrested and faces serious charges after a drug raid in Pelion last week. Juan Enrique Escobar Doroteo was taken into custody by Lexington County narcotics agents. He is accused of trafficking fentanyl and faces charges for having a gun during a violentContinue Reading
A major identity theft and fraud ring based in Columbia has led to the federal conviction of ten individuals involved in schemes spanning multiple states, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, Missouri, and New York. This criminal operation, active from July 2020 through August 2023, used stolenContinue Reading
Lexington, SC — A teacher at Irmo Middle School, Jermaine Cornelius Singletary, has been charged with assaulting two students on separate occasions. Singletary, 51, faces two counts of third-degree assault, according to arrest warrants issued by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Jay Koon confirmed that an investigation was launchedContinue Reading
Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff Department’s model factors into international organization’s work By W. Thomas Smith Jr. In an effort to increase its Eastern European footprint in terms of combating transnational crime, CRIME STOPPERS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS (CSGS), the international arm of the many Crime Stoppers organizations here in the U.S.,Continue Reading
SUMTER, SC – In front of a sellout crowd of 77,000 at the University of South Carolina vs. University of Mississippi football game, SAFE Federal Credit Union proudly announced its 2024 First Responders of the Year. The honorees represent the very best of South Carolina’s first responders, recognized for theirContinue Reading
Lexington, SC – A Lexington man is facing multiple charges after stealing a patrol vehicle and leading authorities on a high-speed chase across several counties Monday night. Kevin Romero, 22, has been charged with grand larceny, failure to stop for blue lights, and reckless driving, according to arrest warrants issuedContinue Reading