While Richland County will no longer enforce its emergency ordinance requiring face coverings in most school buildings and day cares after a ruling by the S.C. Supreme Court, County Council continues to strongly encourage children and school staff to wear masks. County Council implemented the emergency ordinance on August 16,Continue Reading
In response to rising cases of the coronavirus delta variant in the community, Richland County Council has adopted an emergency ordinance requiring face coverings to be worn in school buildings and daycare facilitiesto slow the spread of the disease. As outlined by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Continue Reading
Commemorative coin was designed by City of Columbia police officer By W. Thomas Smith Jr. A commemorative coin honoring the effectiveness and heroism of law enforcement officers from 16 different agencies during last year’s rioting in downtown Columbia was presented to more than 100 deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’sContinue Reading
Multi-agency collaboration aids in thwarting violent criminal activity in central S.C. By W. Thomas Smith Jr. For the past several years, the multi-agency Midlands Gang Task Force (MGTF) in central South Carolina has been aggressively and successfully disrupting and dismantling illegal gangs operating throughout the capital city of Columbia andContinue Reading
For Chanda Cooper, conservation education analyst with the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (RSWCD), a career path in the environmental field proved to be a natural fit. Cooper was recently recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for being among the first class of Ernest F. HollingsContinue Reading
A series of in-person events beginning this week will help inform Richland County residents about newly rewritten land development regulations before the new rules are finalized. The rules make up the County’s revised Land Development Code (LDC), a draft of which is available for public review at weplantogether.org. The upcomingContinue Reading
Bill Davis, director of Richland County Utilities, was recently selected to represent South Carolina within a worldwide organization of water industry professionals. Davis will serve as a junior delegate on the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) House of Delegates (HOD). Following his one-year term, Davis will step into the role ofContinue Reading
Richland County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) reached a milestone this week, approving more than $5 million in assistance requests. The County still has funding available through ERAP, which can aid renters who have been impacted by COVID-19 and need help paying rent and utility bills. Funds do not haveContinue Reading
Richland County Stormwater Management, in partnership with Columbia Water, is asking residents for help marking local storm drains – and beautifying their neighborhoods in the process. The project is part of the County’s “Drains Aren’t Dumps” campaign. The annual effort aims to highlight the harmful effects pet waste, lawn clippingsContinue Reading
A draft of Richland County’s revamped Land Development Code (LDC) is available for public review, and residents will soon have several opportunities to comment on the new policies before the code is finalized. What does the LDC do?The LDC is a set of regulations for land use, growth and developmentContinue Reading
Because of staff shortages for contracted trash haulers, Richland County residents might see delays in curbside pickup of garbage and yard waste. The County contracts with several businesses to provide trash collection, and those businesses service different areas. Because of the continued ripple effect of the COVID-19 health crisis, delaysContinue Reading