By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net When it’s spring and the rocky shoals spider lilies bloom, spring’s my favorite season. When mornings of chilled air and radiant leaves arrive, fall’s my favorite season. When I think of autumn memories, first on my list are my days standing by the AugustaContinue Reading

By Radley West There’s a difference between letting go of something because you don’t care anymore and letting go because you know it’s time for something different. I’m learning that the second one can be much harder. For almost two decades, I’ve been a gym owner. I didn’t just ownContinue Reading

A sign dedication was made on Wednesday, September 30 in front of Irmo High School as members of the 1980 Irmo AAAA State Champs gathered for the honor. Picture are front row: Todd Weatherford, Les Jones, Billy Morgan, Brian Kelly, E Rutherford, Stephan Lybrand, Chris Hix, David Fancher. Second row:Continue Reading

Kindergarten and first-grade students at Ballentine Elementary School received three new books each during a September 23 visit from students at Chapin High School. The books were donated by Chick-fil-A of Ballentine and included handwritten notes of encouragement for each student.Continue Reading

Three-day event features plants, pumpkins, garden décor and local produce The South Carolina State Farmers Market will host its annual Fall Plant and Flower Festival October 9-11, offering visitors a variety of seasonal plants, flowers, pumpkins and garden-related items. One of the market’s largest annual events, the festival welcomed moreContinue Reading

Saluda Shoals Park event offers family-friendly Halloween fun Families are invited to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes for the Trick-or-Treat Trail Saturday, October 10, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Saluda Shoals Park East. The trail will follow the path around Leo’s Landing Inclusive Playground, which will remainContinue Reading

By Ken Gasque Rotary Club of Lake Murray-Irmo Nick Kessler, General Manager at Gamecock Sports Properties (Learfield), addressed Rotary Club of Lake Murray/Irmo regarding the shifting economic landscape of college athletics, specifically focusing on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the SEC ecosystem. The Business of College Sports Kessler detailedContinue Reading

Sessions help families prepare for Special Education Parent Advisory Council School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties hosted a two-part, in-person Parent Leadership Training September 19-20 to help families become more involved in supporting students receiving special education services. The training was led by Family Connection of South CarolinaContinue Reading

Pictured are Optimist Club President David Kafitz and Dr. Campbell, who received a copy of the Optimist Creed. By Rick Abercrombie Dr. Joel Campbell, representing USC’s Joseph F. Rice School of Law, spoke September 18 to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Dr. Campbell manages USC’s Family and Small BusinessContinue Reading

Performance of ‘Gypsy: A Musical Fable’ to benefit community projects The St. Andrews Woman’s Club (SAWC) will host a fundraiser Thursday, October 15, at Columbia’s Town Theatre featuring a performance of Gypsy: A Musical Fable. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the curtain rising at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25Continue Reading

By Sarah Ostergaard Next week, families and stakeholders in LR5 will have another opportunity to take a closer look at how our schools are performing. South Carolina’s annual School Report Cards are scheduled for public release on October 15. The reports are available online through the state’s School Report CardsContinue Reading

Maria Yturria becomes one of only three Richland County Sheriff’s Department leaders to graduate from the elite six-month course By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Deputy Chief Maria Yturria recently graduated from the FBI’s “uniquely” intensive six-month National Executive Institute – designed specifically for executive-level lawContinue Reading