Nathan Ballentine will run unopposed in November after defeating newcomer Paul Erickson for the District 71 seat. Ballentine has held the seat for 18 years. When Representative Chip Huggins announced he would not seek a new term for House District 85 after 23 years of service four candidates vying forContinue Reading
By Al Dozier Lexington County Council approved a penny sales tax that would fund millions in road improvements and bring some relief to the congested roads throughout Lexington County. But it will be up to voters to make the final decision during the November elections. At the June 7 meeting,Continue Reading
By Elizabeth Kilmartin Several weeks ago, Jay and I made the decision that we would run for office. “We,” you ask? Yes. But just the running part. About a week from the filing deadline, we decided that we better pray after several people asked Jay to run as a trueContinue Reading
Palmetto State Families Suffering from Inflation; Tourism Industry Hurt by High Gas Prices Rebecca Blackburn Hines, Conservative Republican candidate for South Carolina House District 85 from Irmo and Chapin called for a suspension of the state gas tax in light of skyrocketing inflation and bad economic decisions from the BidenContinue Reading
During Richland County Council’s May 17 meeting, Council Chair Overture Walker presented a resolution recognizing May 15-21 as National EMS Week and honoring Richland County Emergency Medical Services employees. The county’s EMS department includes more than 200 emergency medical technicians, paramedics, physicians and administrators and is one of the busiestContinue Reading
Richland County Council is accepting applications for openings on more than a dozen volunteer boards. Currently, 18 Richland County boards, commissions, committees and advisory councils have at least one vacancy. Council will accept applications until 5 pm June 3, with appointments tentatively beginning June 7. Those interested in learning moreContinue Reading
Lexington County Councilwoman Charli Wessinger has endorsed Republican Catherine Huddle in the race for the S.C. House District 85 seat. Wessinger, a Republican, said Huddle’s fiscal conservatism and financial background make her the best choice to serve Irmo-Chapin taxpayers. “I am excited to support Catherine Huddle to represent me andContinue Reading
May 16, 2022 As our regular session has ended, for those of you who have not heard, I am retiring from my service in the House and will not seek re-election. Of course, I will represent our great District 85, until the election in November decides my successor. Honor andContinue Reading
The Richland County Planning Commission met on May 9, to officially restart mapping efforts for the rewrite of the County’s 2021 Land Development Code (LDC), which regulates land use, growth and development. On May 3, County Council voted to approve the first reading of an ordinance that would give theContinue Reading
The public will soon have the chance to give feedback on Richland County’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. An in-person public hearing is scheduled for 6 pm May 19 in Council Chambers at the Richland County Administrative Building,Continue Reading
By the time you read this update, the SC House will have adjourned Sine Die, or the end of the 2021-2022 regular Legislative Session. There is work still left to complete and so we will come back to Columbia in the coming weeks and into the summer. The BudgetFirst andContinue Reading