Mullikin honored aboard the oldest still-serving warship in the United States Navy By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Dr. Tom Mullikin, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) received a rare honor during a break in meetings in Boston, Massachusetts, last week. While touring Boston’s historic Charlestown Navy Yard,Continue Reading
Nolan Thompson, 9, continues to make an impressive mark on the youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu circuit. Competing over the weekend at a North American Grappling Association (NAGA) tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina, Nolan captured two gold medals in the Gi Division, winning first place in both the 8–9 and 10–11 ageContinue Reading
The Clutch Coffee Bar location on Lake Murray Boulevard has been sold as part of a recent acquisition by Dutch Bros., a national coffee chain. As a result of the sale, all Clutch Coffee Bar locations closed on Friday and are expected to reopen following a rebranding process. A briefContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — Residents and visitors are invited to welcome the arrival of spring at the 9th Annual Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival, scheduled for March 21, 2026, at Irmo Town Park. The annual festival celebrates art, culture, and community while honoring the beauty, fragility, and preciousness of life—symbolized by theContinue Reading
The Boardr, one of the nation’s premier skateboarding contest series, is returning to Irmo this spring, bringing high-energy competition and community spirit to the local skate scene. The two-day event is scheduled for March 27–28 at Friarsgate Skate Park, located at 1113 Friarsgate Blvd. Skateboarders of all ages and skillContinue Reading
What is OBBBA? The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, making tax provisions that were scheduled to expire at the conclusion of 2025 permanent under the law. The OBBBA directly impacts your tax situation, your retirement, funding and paying for education, andContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. A full slate of high school basketball featuring several ranked Midlands teams is scheduled for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, with multiple tournaments and showcase events set to tip off across the region. Two Columbia high schools will host single-day boys and girlsContinue Reading
Buddhist monks participating in the national Walk for Peace pilgrimage recently visited the Columbia area as part of their journey from Texas to Washington, D.C. The monks are traveling on foot to promote peace, compassion, and nonviolence through walking meditation and community engagement. During their time in the Midlands, theyContinue 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
Pictured is Dutch Fork center Jake Bogan with the slam dunk against Chapin. Photos by Thomas Grant Jr. By Thomas Grant Jr. The top of Region 4-5A in girls basketball looks similar to football. Both Dutch Fork teams and Irmo girls are undefeated in region play through the first twoContinue Reading
IRMO — Fans of soul and rock music can celebrate the legendary sounds of Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner this Saturday, Jan. 17, at Harbison Theatre, when acclaimed vocalist Alfreda Gerald takes the stage for a special tribute performance. Gerald brings decades of international performance experience, having shared the stageContinue Reading