Richland County leaders, including Council Vice Chair Derrek Pugh and Assistant County Administrator John Thompson, helped celebrate graduates of the Columbia-Richland Fire Department’s Summer Youth Empowerment Academy recently. Pugh gave remarks at the graduation ceremony in Columbia. Public SafetyPublic SafetyThe Youth Empowerment Academy, a partnership between the fire department andContinue Reading
Sandra Haynes, Richland County’s longtime director of Animal Services, was honored with a retirement celebration and a resolution by county council recognizing her more than 36 years of service to county government. Beginning her career with the county as a clerk typist, Haynes rose through the ranks, demonstrating excellence andContinue Reading
Richland County Government is alerting the public to a text message scam involving individuals falsely claiming to represent the State of South Carolina and the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The County is aware of text messages sent to residents about a “final court-ordered mandatory collection notice.” The messages falselyContinue Reading
Kendra L. Dove, the current Richland County Treasurer, has announce her intention to seek re-election for another four-year term, emphasizing ongoing efforts to expand taxpayer services, modernize operations, and improve efficiency in tax payment processing. Dove, who served as Richland County Deputy Treasurer for 17 years, ran for Treasurer inContinue Reading
At its first regularly scheduled meeting of 2026, Richland County Council re-elected Councilwoman Jesica Mackey as chair and Councilman Derrek Pugh as vice chair. Mackey, who represents District 9, and Pugh, who represents District 2, are entering the second year of their second terms on County Council. Both were firstContinue Reading
Rivchland County Administrator Leonardo Brown has graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy as a member of Basic Detention Class 482. The academy’s Basic Detention program is a three-week course designed to provide officer candidates with the knowledge, skills and training required to serve as certified detention officers inContinue Reading
COLUMBIA – More than 400 entrepreneurs and business professionals attended the Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity’s (OSBO) annual Small Business Forum, “THRIVE 25,” held October 15 at The Meeting Place Church and Conference Center. The event served as both an educational conference and networking opportunity for established andContinue Reading
First Responders Charity Softball Tournament held at Columbia’s Segra ParkBy W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’sDepartment (RCSD) defeated both the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division(SLED) and the Columbia Police Department (CPD) in a double-elimination softballtournament which raised funds for localContinue Reading
COLUMBIA — Richland County is inviting residents and businesses to take part in shaping the county’s future as it moves into the third phase of updating its Comprehensive Plan for 2025, called Reimagine Richland. The plan will serve as a long-term guide for development policies and community investment. The countyContinue Reading
Richland County is celebrating the success of its next generation of leaders! Students who completed the Columbia-Richland Fire Department’s Youth Empowerment Academy were honored in a special ceremony featuring local leaders and community partners. Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown, County Council Chairwoman Jesica Mackey (District 9), and J.T. McLawhorn Jr.,Continue Reading
Richland County Council has officially adopted its budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. During a meeting held June 17, Council approved the $1,457,108,024 spending plan after a third and final reading. The new budget took effect on July 1. This year’s total budget reflects a $16.3 million increase from last year.Continue Reading