J. Kenneth “Kenny” Mullis Jr., chairman of the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District, has received the 2025 Hugh Hammond Bennett Southeast Regional Producer Award from the National Conservation Planning Partnership. The award recognizes Mullis’ leadership and commitment to the development and implementation of effective conservation practices. Mullis owns andContinue Reading
One Columbia for Arts and Culture has announced Larry Andrew Hembree as the 2026 recipient of the Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award, recognizing his leadership, creativity, and lasting contributions to the region’s arts community. The award ceremony will take place March 20 from 6:30–8 p.m. at the Koger Center forContinue Reading
Pictured are Irmo’s Lailah Singletary, head coach Coretta Ferguson and Abby Livingston By Thomas Grant, Jr. The past weekend provided a positive finish to the 2025-26 season for Irmo girls’ basketball and head coach Coretta Ferguson. It began last Friday as she proudly watched her two All-State players – guardContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. — Students from Irmo High School recently claimed top honors at the South Carolina LifeSmarts Consumer Challenge, earning a spot on the national stage. The competition, sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, was held at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies in late February. ItContinue Reading
Keith Vitali becomes the second Vitali brother to receive the Order of the Palmetto By Chris Carter Keith Vitali, world-champion martial artist, Hollywood martial-arts movie star, former #1-ranked U.S. karate champion, and one of BLACK BELT magazine’s top 10 fighters of all time, received the Order of the Palmetto duringContinue Reading
Media Personality Curtis Wilson honored with Order of the Palmetto By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Deputy Curtis Wilson, an anchor and law-enforcement analyst for On Patrol: LIVE and news anchor for ABC Columbia (WOLO-TV), recently received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest award,Continue Reading
Dutch Fork Elementary Academy of Environmental Sciences has officially been recognized as a 2025 Nationally Certified Magnet School by Magnet Schools of America (MSA). “I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by all Dutch Fork Elementary School teachers, staff, and students,” Dutch Fork Elementary School PrincipalContinue Reading
Two educators from Irmo Middle School have been recognized by the South Carolina Association for Middle Level Educators for their excellence in middle-level education. Dawson Tate, a geometry teacher, received the 2026 Innovation in Practice Award, while eighth-grade math teacher Gracie Bradley was named a Promising Educator to Watch. TheContinue Reading
Photo courtesy of ESNTL Headshots – President and CEO Kerry Driggers, Chamber Chairman Brian Crocker of Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union and Ambassador of the Year, Billy Chastain of Dominion Energy South Carolina. The Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce recognized outstanding business and community leaders at the 2026 Irmo ChamberContinue Reading
The Chapin High School and Dutch Fork High School jazz bands earned Superior Ratings at the South Carolina Band Directors Association Jazz Performance Assessment, held March 7 at Newberry College. Chapin High School’s Bryson Couto was recognized as Best Soloist for his performance on the baritone saxophone. Dutch Fork HighContinue Reading
By Michael DeSumma The Columbia-Richland Fire Department honored the work of its members at the department’s annual awards ceremony February 20. Thirty-eight awards were presented during the event at C.A. Johnson High School. A majority of honors went to firefighters who went above and beyond the call of duty toContinue Reading