By Radley West Every spring, it happens. The weather gets nice, and suddenly everyone becomes very productive. Yards get cleaned. Garages get organized. Walking trails fill up. Pickleball courts reappear. Weekend projects multiply. And then, about two weeks later, people show up saying, “I don’t know what I did, butContinue Reading

Photo: More beauty lives in an old country store than the newest McMansion. By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Title my photo Struggle. Caption it: Dreams die along the back roads. First two sentences: Can’t even sit in a chair and look forward to better days. Stuck in reverse. AContinue Reading

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is being honored through a new initiative led by the Society of Former Agents of SLED and its 501(c)(3) subsidiary, the Foundation of Former Employees of SLED (FFESLED). The foundation has announced efforts to establish a permanent K9 Memorial at SLED Headquarters. TheContinue 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

Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony March 13 for its new Midlands Clean Tech Accelerator Lab in Columbia. The Clean Tech Accelerator is designed to provide job training and placement opportunities, preparing participants for careers in the growing clean energy sector. Qualifying traineesContinue Reading

701 Center for Contemporary Art will host a special musical event March 22 from 5 to 6:15 p.m. to mark the closing of its exhibition, The Unscene South. The final day of the exhibition will feature a tribute performance by Loretta Holloway, whose music will reflect the historic and culturalContinue Reading

Looking for a way to kickstart your weekend with high-energy action? The Irmo Fire District’s High Intensity Team (HIT) is hosting a free community workout Saturday, March 21, and residents are invited to train alongside local firefighters. Whether you’re ready to push your limits or simply want to enjoy aContinue 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