Local powerlifter Lawrence Brimfield breaks NFL Combine record on bench press By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Seven weeks after One Life Fitness (1LF)–Sandhills hosted its first-ever 1,000-pound club powerlifting event in northeast Columbia, one of that gym’s sister facilities, 1LF-Forest Acres held its also-first Fall4All event with the same big-threeContinue Reading
Award is the namesake of Sheriff Leon Lott By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Martial arts practitioner and acclaimed instructor for U.S. and foreign special operations forces Ben “Yeti” Rhodes was awarded the S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame’s prestigious “LEON LOTT – FIRST THROUGH THE DOOR” AWARD,” during a privateContinue Reading
Sharing God’s Love will hold its 11th annual BBQ fundraiser Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Coldwell Banker’s Irmo/Lake Murray office, 7464 Woodrow St. in Irmo. Donations will be rewarded with a pulled pork BBQ plate with all the fixings. Guests can dine at the officeContinue Reading
Westminster Presbyterian Church will hold a garage sale October 3 from 8 am – noon. Shop for deals on household goods, toys, clothes, shoes, linens, sporting goods, jewelry, books, and other treasures. Free coffee will be available. All proceeds benefit Westminster Presbyterian Church missions and ministries. The church is atContinue Reading
Photo: Pinckney holding book cover courtesy of Sporting Classics Daily. By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net In Burning The Days, James Salter wrote of his fellow fighter pilots after Korea vanished from his gunsights. “Once in a while in a locker room or bar I would hear a remark thatContinue Reading
By Sarah Ostergaard In July, I wrote about an upcoming public comment period for the draft Social Studies standards to be used in South Carolina schools in the next standards cycle, starting in 2028. The draft standards are now open for public review and feedback through October 9. Education affectsContinue Reading
Rudolph BallentineAug. 16, 1941 – Sept. 7, 2026 Rudolph Ballentine, a psychiatrist and pioneering voice in integrative medicine, died Sept. 7 at age 85. A self-described “hayseed” from the South Carolina Piedmont, Ballentine spent his life exploring the connections among the body, mind and spirit while traveling the world, writingContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — Before the okra starts frying and the festivities get underway, multi-platinum country artist Collin Raye will help kick off Okra Strut weekend in Irmo. Raye will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College. The acoustic performance is being held inContinue Reading
The Columbia Philatelic Society will hold its winter stamp show Sept. 25 and 26 at the Tri-City Leisure Center, 485 Brooks Ave., in West Columbia. The show will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Fourteen professional stamp dealers willContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — Mayor Bill Danielson was named a Board Member Emeritus of the South Carolina Philharmonic on Sept. 15 in recognition of his 18 years of service on the organization’s board. Danielson served four years as board president, the longest presidential tenure in the organization’s history. During his 18Continue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — The District Five Foundation for Educational Excellence will host its annual fall fundraiser, “An Evening for Education — Groovin’ for Good,” Saturday, Oct. 17, beginning at 7 p.m. at The River Center at Saluda Shoals Park. The evening will feature 1970s and 1980s music, food, drinks andContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — The 51st annual Irmo Okra Strut will return to Moore Park Sept. 25-26, bringing two days of music, entertainment, food and family activities to the community. The event’s opening ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Prisma Health Amphitheater, located at 7473 ChurchContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — The Irmo Town Council opened its recent meeting with a special recognition of U.S. Marine Corps veteran and local entrepreneur Chris Arzu, who was invited to lead the community in the Pledge of Allegiance. In recognition of his military service and contributions to the local community, ArzuContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — A new American flag now flies at the Lake Murray Destination Landmark on the Irmo side of the Lake Murray Dam following a flag-raising ceremony Sept. 17 in recognition of Constitution Day. Staff from Capital City/Lake Murray Country (CCLMC) joined state Rep. Nathan Ballentine for the ceremony.Continue Reading
By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Thirteen years ago I wrote of highways with memorable names. I mentioned Whiskey Road and Easy Street in Aiken as one of the country’s more photographed road signs. In Albany, Georgia, Lonesome and Hardup Roads make an interesting intersection, and in McCormick CountyContinue Reading