FBI director’s award recognizes “outstanding contributions to our nation’s communities” By W. Thomas Smith Jr. BUILDING BETTER COMMUNTIES (BBC), a Columbia-based nonprofit which helps support marginalized and struggling communities across the Midlands, received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award during ceremonies at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., Friday, MayContinue Reading
By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott helped launch the Life Engagements Town Hall series at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community in West Columbia, Wednesday, May 3. “The Sheriff did a fantastic job of sharing safety tips with seniors,” said Eli Wishart, a retired U.S. Army SpecialContinue Reading
With the adoption of a new fireworks ordinance, Richland County Council is introducing major changes to the county’s fireworks laws. County council passed the ordinance March 7 with residents and businesses in mind, aiming to prevent negligence and mitigate loss or injury from the use of fireworks. With the updatedContinue Reading
The Columbia-Richland Fire Department’s (CRFD) 10th annual Firetruck Pull helped the effort to end childhood cancers. More than $26,000 was raised at the April 1 event, as 21 teams of competitors tried their luck pulling CRFD fire engines. All proceeds will go to support Curing Kids Cancer and its ongoingContinue Reading
Record-setting $2 billion investment has the potential to create 4,000 or more permanent jobs The Richland County Economic Development Office is pleased to announce that (“Scout”), makers of the next-generation of all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs, has decided to establish its manufacturing operations in Blythewood. The company’s planned $2 billionContinue Reading
County representatives recently attended a kickoff event for Lights at Riverbanks Zoo. The group included Councilmembers Cheryl English, Jesica Mackey, Chakisse Newton and Gretchen Barron, County Administrator Leonardo Brown, Assistant Administrators John Thompson and Aric Jensen, County Attorney Patrick Wright, Clerk to Council Anette Kirylo, and their families. This isContinue Reading
Annual food drive supports Harvest Hope Food Bank By W. Thomas Smith Jr. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) is once again seeking donations of non-perishable food items and other necessities this Holiday season for delivery to Columbia’s Harvest Hope Food Bank in order to help brighten the season forContinue Reading
Richland County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is once again encouraging residents to help Stuff an Ambulance for children in need. Beginning this Monday, November 21, residents can donate toys, clothing and other items as part of the holiday tradition benefiting Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). CASA is aContinue Reading
Thanks to a grant from the Richland County Conservation Commission (RCCC), volunteers with a local organization recently finished replacing four aging bridges along Harbison State Forest’s extensive trail system. The RCCC provides Natural Resource Grants of up to $20,000 for neighborhood groups, organizations and agencies to protect natural resources, improveContinue Reading
Deputies have served as Red Lobster waitstaff for three days, once a year, for nearly 20 years By W. Thomas Smith Jr. COPS AND LOBSTERS, a three-day annual fund-raising event is in full swing (as of this writing) at two Midlands-area Red Lobster restaurants: One at the 10136Two Notch RoadContinue Reading
The Richland County Recreation Commission (RCRC) announces their Power in Pink Event, a Breast Cancer Awareness Celebration, held Sept. 9, from 10 AM – 2 PM. The event is located at Garners Ferry Adult Activity Center, 8620 Garners Ferry Rd. This free event will have line dancing, music, raffles, lunch,Continue Reading
Richland County has a history of using drone technology for mapping and emergency planning, but now staff are taking the technology to new fields – literally. The county’s Geographic Information Systems division (GIS) and pilot Ben Jones are partnering with the county’s Conservation Division to fly small, unmanned aerial devicesContinue Reading
Camp Cole recently completed its Pollinator Plantation Project with support from a Conservation Education Mini-Grant from the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District. Camp Cole, an accessible, inclusive camp and retreat center for children, teens and adults facing illnesses, disabilities and life challenges, was named Richland County Government and CommunityContinue Reading
Environmentalists in Richland County, including a County employee, earned places in the spotlight at the annual conference for the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC), taking home more than half of the organization’s top honors. Chanda Cooper, the County’s conservation education analyst, was named Environmental Educator of the YearContinue Reading
During Richland County Council’s May 17 meeting, Council Chair Overture Walker presented a resolution recognizing May 15-21 as National EMS Week and honoring Richland County Emergency Medical Services employees. The county’s EMS department includes more than 200 emergency medical technicians, paramedics, physicians and administrators and is one of the busiestContinue Reading