By Rick Abercrombie On August 1, St. Andrews Optimists hosted Nick Charalambous, Donor Relations Officer for Oliver Gospel Mission. Charalambous recounted the history of the Mission and outlined its current services to the Midlands. Oliver Gospel Mission traces its origin back to 1888, when Rev. Robert Oliver purchased property onContinue Reading

IRMO, S.C. – The Irmo Okra Strut is turning 50 this year, and organizers are calling on the community to help make it a success. The festival, happening September 26–27, is looking for volunteers to assist with a variety of roles. Whether you have a few hours or can giveContinue Reading

By Thomas Grant Jr. There’s still plenty of ‘All Gas, No Brakes’ attitude at Irmo High School. This past year saw former Irmo All-State selections quarterback Aaron Brand and wide receiver Donovan Murph head to the college ranks. In fact, they will see each other Aug, 30 in Atlanta, Ga.Continue Reading

By Thomas Grant Jr. The more things change, the more they remain the same at Dutch Fork. Heading into Year 16 with the Silver Foxes, head coach Tom Knotts is seeking a second “four-peat” during his tenure. He returns a roster with 41 seniors, with some transfers at key positions.Continue Reading

IRMO – River Springs Elementary School physical education teacher Ben Landers was honored with the ARTIE Award at the annual National Physical Education Institute, held July 17–18, 2025, at UNC Asheville. The ARTIE Award—short for Awesome Rad Thinking in Education—is named after Artie Kamiya, a nationally recognized leader in theContinue Reading

IRMO – Dutch Fork Elementary School’s afterschool program director and computer teacher, Cissy Graham, has been named to the fourth class of the South Carolina Afterschool Leaders Empowered (SCALE) Fellowship. SCALE brings together 20 emerging leaders in afterschool and summer learning from across the state each year. Fellows gain toolsContinue Reading

Columbia, S.C. – The Central SC Alliance (CSCA) has announced the addition of Ada Stiglbauer as its new Marketing Coordinator. A Columbia native and recent graduate of the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, Stiglbauer brings a strong foundation in strategic marketing, digital media, and community engagementContinue Reading

Columbia, S.C. – If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a firefighter, now’s your chance to answer the call. The Columbia-Richland Fire Department (CRFD) has reopened its application period for new hires. Both entry-level applicants and experienced firefighters are encouraged to apply. Candidates with prior experience and the necessary certifications mayContinue Reading

Columbia, S.C. – Curious minds, rejoice! The Shepherd’s Center of St. Andrews is now offering free, interactive presentations to local groups through its newly launched Speakers Bureau — and everyone’s invited to learn something new. The Bureau connects seasoned presenters from the Center with local organizations for engaging talks rootedContinue Reading