Columbia, S.C. – Barbecue fans, mark your calendars! The Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board (CCLMC) has announced that world-renowned barbecue expert Steven Raichlen will serve as the official emcee for the 2026 Southeastern BBQ Showdown. Raichlen, a Barbecue Hall of Fame inductee and author of the bestselling Barbecue!Continue Reading
Irmo, S.C. – First responders from Irmo and Columbia Fire Departments worked together last night to rescue a driver trapped after a serious collision on Interstate 26 Westbound near the Broad River Road exit (mile marker 101). The crash occurred when an SUV collided with the rear of a fullyContinue Reading
House Ways and Means Chair recognized for commitment to state’s natural resources By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Greenville attorney and South Carolina Representative Bruce Wyche Bannister, chairman of the S.C. House Ways and Means Committee, was recognized as a “True Conservation Hero” by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR):Continue Reading
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board (CCLMC) has announced a major addition to the 2026 Southeastern BBQ Showdown lineup. Rodney Scott, James Beard Award-winning pitmaster and owner of Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, will serve as a celebrity judge for the highly anticipated event. “We’reContinue Reading
MPA Strategies, a statewide marketing & public relations agency with a team in both the Midlands and the Upstate, has been named as the 2025 Best Marketing Firm in South Carolina by the Guide to SC’s Best of South Carolina Awards for the second year in a row. Since itsContinue Reading
Groucho’s Deli in Irmo is teaming up with the community to support local first responders during its “Groucho’s Gives Back Night” on Thursday, July 10, from 4 to 9 p.m. The event will benefit the Irmo Fire Foundation, with 10% of all in-store orders going directly to support the menContinue Reading
Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) made the following statement upon the final Congressional passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill: Voters made their mandate clear in November for a Republican House and Senate to now deliver the One Big Beautiful Bill to Republican President Donald Trump for his signature, making itContinue Reading
By Sarah Ostergaard More school districts across South Carolina are changing to year-round modified school calendars. This summer, start dates range across the state from July 21 to August 18, with ending dates May 21 through June 4. The name “year-round modified school schedule” is sort of a misnomer –Continue Reading
By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net A blade-like katydid poses by a bison cuff of bronze. Nature blessed my boyhood summers with music. Cicadas’ rising-falling singsong gave days rhythm. Katydids chimed in evenings with a nightshift song backed by cricket twitter. The call of a whip-poor-will drifted through the night.Continue Reading
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) has announced plans to begin issuing newly redesigned driver’s licenses, beginner’s permits, and identification cards this fall. The updated credentials will feature stronger materials and enhanced security features aimed at protecting South Carolinians from identity theft and fraud. The new design willContinue Reading
A local group of artists and supporters have formed The Greater Irmo Artist Guild with the purpose of bringing Art and Public Art to Irmo and the surrounding area. Spearheaded by Kim Winn of the Artistic Aspirations Community Art Center in Irmo, the group is comprised of Kim, local artistsContinue Reading