Yturria becomes first Hispanic officer to hold second-highest rank in the department’s 200-plus-year history. By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Deputy Chief Maria Yturria became the highest-ranking Hispanic officer in the near-1,000-employee department when she was promoted from major to chief, earlier this month. AsContinue Reading
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher has released the autopsy results for Bessie Durham, 63, of Columbia who died on September 15 in a bathroom in the Belk Store in the Columbiana Mall. Durham’s body was found days later in that same bathroom on September 19 by a co-worker. A forensicContinue Reading
A Columbia man was shot to death while he and his brother, who was also shot, were riding on Edmund Highway late Saturday night. Harold Lord Peak III, 22, died of multiple gunshot wounds at the scene, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher. “Based on what the victim’s brotherContinue Reading
Irmo Officers were called to a residence in the Rose Oaks Neighborhood for a domestic dispute shortly after midnight on 09/21/2022. Officers learned that the Victim, a resident of the home was struck in the face multiple times with the butt of a handgun by another resident, who left theContinue Reading
Lexington County deputies have arrested a man accused of shooting his stepson Sunday afternoon. The shooting victim has been identified as 52-year-old Brian Garris, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher. Carl Sims, 71, will be charged with murder in the shooting death, according to Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.Continue Reading
Eight recipients from five agencies honored by church on Servant Leader Sunday By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Investigator Molly Nations and RCSD Corporal Keegan Gilbert both received SERVANT LEADERSHIP AWARDs from Columbia’s Eastminster Presbyterian Church following a special awards luncheon, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, theContinue Reading
Capt. Jesse Laintz, commander of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s major crimes unit, has graduated from the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. “Jesse’s completion of this prestigious national program will benefit the Sheriff’s Department and help us continue to provide our citizens with excellent law enforcement services,” Lexington CountyContinue Reading
Deputies have served as Red Lobster waitstaff for three days, once a year, for nearly 20 years By W. Thomas Smith Jr. COPS AND LOBSTERS, a three-day annual fund-raising event is in full swing (as of this writing) at two Midlands-area Red Lobster restaurants: One at the 10136Two Notch RoadContinue Reading
The Irmo Fire District was presented with stuffed toy donations by Sylvan Learning of Irmo. Sylvan Learning collected numerous toys and stuffed animals during a “Christmas in July” drive they hosted over the summer. The firemen give stuffed animals/toys to children as a means of comfort during traumatic situations. TheContinue Reading
The Irmo Police Department has made an arrest as a result of an investigation into a shooting incident that occurred on September 4th, 2022. Khartae Bethel (D.O.B. 03/25/2003) was arrested this morning and charged with Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime and CarryingContinue Reading
The Irmo Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance with an ongoing Murder Investigation. On January 18, 2022, at 11:50 p.m., Irmo Officers responded to an address on Maidstone Circle in the New Friarsgate Subdivision for a gunshot wound. Once on scene, they found 21-year-old Nasir “Nas” Lewis inside theContinue Reading