My lost geisha By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net It was the photograph in my father’s war album. Her white kimono. Hair black as onyx. Pale, serene face. Perfect bone structure. Gloss, a sheen upon her hair. On one side, a nameless GI. On the other, my father, not muchContinue Reading
Photograph becomes “Photo of the Week” in top national publication By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Sheriff Leon Lott (on the far right wearing a pink shirt with sheriff’s stars on his collar) was photographed with a group of Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) senior leaders, investigators, and administrative personnel inContinue Reading
The federal government shutdown that began at midnight on October 1 is already being felt by small business owners across the Midlands. While essential services continue, several key programs through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) — a vital resource for local entrepreneurs — have been paused until funding isContinue Reading
The St. Andrews Woman’s Club was honored at the October 21 Irmo Town Council meeting with an official proclamation recognizing its efforts to end domestic and sexual violence. Mayor Bill Danielson presented the proclamation at Irmo Town Hall, designating September 27, 2025, as an International Day of Service to EndContinue Reading
By Thomas Grant Jr. Ten Midlands high school football teams are featured in this week’s S.C. Prep Football Media Poll as the regular season enters its final week. Both Swansea and North Central reentered their respective classifications after key wins. Swansea climbed back into the Class 3A rankings at No.Continue Reading
The Columbia Philatelic Society (CPS) recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, marking nearly a century of fostering interest in stamp collecting and postal history across the Midlands. Founded in 1935, CPS is one of the oldest continuously operating stamp clubs in South Carolina. The organization currently has more than 50 activeContinue Reading
Rotary Club of Lake Murray-Irmo gathered at Loveland Coffee on October 24, 2025 for World Polio Day. Beach Loveland and his staff welcomed us and we were able to discuss END POLIO NOW with many customers. We were joined by past Rotary 7770 District Governor Mary Gasque and the DistrictContinue Reading
COLUMBIA – More than 400 entrepreneurs and business professionals attended the Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity’s (OSBO) annual Small Business Forum, “THRIVE 25,” held October 15 at The Meeting Place Church and Conference Center. The event served as both an educational conference and networking opportunity for established andContinue Reading
COLUMBIA – The Cooperative Ministry is seeking volunteers for the 2026 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax preparation services to individuals and families with low-to-moderate incomes. Since 2010, The Cooperative Ministry’s VITA program has prepared more than 70,000 tax returns, returning over $88 million in refundsContinue Reading
IRMO – New Hope Lutheran Church will host a Community Fall Festival on Saturday, November 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the church, located at 1725 Old Tamah Road. The family-friendly event will feature free food, games and prizes, arts and crafts vendors, a bouncy house, hayrides, aContinue Reading
ProLift Garage Doors of Lake Murray has announced its continued support of Centerville Elementary School as a Platinum Sponsor for the 2025–2026 school year. This partnership provides resources that help ensure every student and family can participate in school activities, regardless of financial barriers. Through this sponsorship, ProLift Garage DoorsContinue Reading