RCSD holds first-of-its-kind joint community outreach meeting
Deputies meet with six migrant communities in outreach effort By W. Thomas Smith, Jr. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s (RCSD) Community Action Team (CAT) met, Sat. Jan. 18, with representatives from six migrant communities living and working in the Midlands of South Carolina to discuss issues ranging from crime trends to cultural fears associated…
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City of Charleston breaks ground on Municipal Golf Course renovation
This afternoon, Mayor John Tecklenburg, Golf Course Architect Troy Miller, representatives of Friends of the Muni, members of City Council and the Municipal Golf Course Commission, and community leaders broke ground on the Charleston Municipal Golf Course Renovation, the first major upgrade to the course in nearly six decades. The renovation of the 18-hole…
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Town of Bluffton honored with achievement award for downtown streetscape
Courtesy of the Municipal Association of SC The Town of Bluffton received a Municipal Achievement Award for two streetscape projects. The town won in the 10,001 – 20,000 population category. Twenty-nine cities and towns submitted their projects and initiatives. Bluffton has grown rapidly in recent years. Counting 750 residents in 1998, it now has nearly…
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4th Annual MUSC Center on Aging Senior Expo
Top MUSC physicians and researchers will be on-site to offer complimentary health screenings, including fall risk assessments, hearing bone density, blood pressure, glucose, and other screenings. There will be live, interactive presentations throughout the day, including a yogic breathing workshop area. Over 120 exhibitors will be present to help seniors and their families navigate everything…
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City of Charleston to host AmeriCorps VISTA information session
The city of Charleston will host an Information Session for the 2020 AmeriCorps VISTA Site Selection Process to provide an overview of the AmeriCorps VISTA Program and review related regulations and site requirements. The Information Session will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the city of Charleston HR…
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Streetlight replacement project scheduled to begin January 15
The City is partnering with Duke Energy to replace approximately 105 streetlights on Main Street, between North Street and Broad Street, with LED lights and new, uniform fixtures to match the ones installed in the 200 block. The work will be done in four phases to minimize disruptions to businesses and each phase is expected…
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BCDCOG board takes on governance of TriCounty Link Transit System
The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments board of directors assumed governance of TriCounty Link, the region’s rural public transportation provider. BCDCOG Board of Directors executive director Ron Mitchum commented. “This move will allow us to make strategic adjustments over time as our region changes. The tri-county urban area is expanding, while the rural area is shrinking,…
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Gov. Henry McMaster unveils Fiscal Year 2020-21 Executive Budget
Governor Henry McMaster announced the FY 2020-21 Executive Budget – a budget that invests in the state’s greatest priorities and returns almost one quarter of every dollar from the $1.8 billion budget surplus – nearly $425 million – back to the taxpayers in the form of income tax cuts and a one-time rebate. The governor’s…
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Mayor Tecklenburg’s Inaugural Address 2020
The following Inaugural Address was prepared for delivery by Mayor John J. Tecklenburg on January 13, 2020 at 12 p.m. Judge Gergel, Judge Rico Flores, members of City Council, invited guests and fellow Charlestonians: It is an honor to be with you here today, and to take this oath of service to our citizens once…
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County Council Reelects Livingston, Myers as Chair, Vice Chair
At its first meeting of the year Tuesday, Richland County Council reelected Councilman Paul Livingston to serve as chair. Council also reelected Councilwoman Dalhi Myers as vice chair. Livingston and Myers were previously elected as chair and vice chair at the start of 2019. “Thank you for your vote of confidence. I will continue, as…
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Greenlink announces 2020 Citizens Transit Academy class
On January 7, Greenlink will welcome 24 new participants to the Citizens Transit Academy, a free, six-week program designed to offer Greenville County residents a unique opportunity to learn about public transportation and the opportunities and challenges facing Greenlink. According to James Keel, Greenlink’s director of public transportation, the program attracted a diverse pool of…
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Business license renewal now open
The start of the New Year means the countdown begins for Richland County businesses to renew their business licenses. All County business licenses expired on Dec. 31. The deadline to renew without incurring penalties is March 15. Every business needs a business license to operate legally, including home-based businesses. “Business licenses are an important tool…
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Keep OneSpartanburg Beautiful announces the first six recipients of Community Impact grants
Keep OneSpartanburg Beautiful announced the first six recipients of Community Impact grants, designed to fund beautification projects across Spartanburg County. Grant-receiving projects include attractive signage for visitors, neighborhood cleanup and revitalization efforts, and adding more accessible green space for residents and visitors. In all, $14,565 in grants were awarded countywide. “We were happy to have…
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Public Service Commissioners elect Interim Vice Chair
During the regular Commission Business Meeting on December 18th, Commissioners voted to elect Commissioner Florence P. Belser as Interim Vice Chair during Commissioner Justin Williams’ scheduled military leave. Commissioner Belser, who joined the Commission in February of 2019, has decades of experience with utilities in the state and the regulatory aspects of public utilities, and…
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Columbia Compass public meetings: Envision 2036
The City of Columbia will be hosting four public meetings to present the draft of Columbia Compass, the 10-year update to the City’s comprehensive plan. Brief presentations will be giving by the project team during each meeting at 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. These meetings will also provide an opportunity for members of the public…
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Procurement event aims to educate local businesses
Informing and connecting businesses in Richland County with procurement opportunities will be the focus of an event Thursday, Jan. 9. The 2020 OSBO Business Academy: Procurement Resource Summit will be 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. at Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia. Procurement is the process through which public organizations solicit and negotiate for goods and…
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County workshops to focus on grants for neighborhood improvement
Residents interested in improving their neighborhoods have a pair of opportunities to learn how Richland County can help. Staff from the County’s Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) will host two January workshops to help people apply for Neighborhood Matching Grants. The program offers up to $1,500 to neighborhood-based organizations to make their neighborhoods better places to live,…
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Chief Ken Miller resigns
The City and Chief Ken Miller have had ongoing discussions in the days following issuance of the First Circuit Solicitor’s December 17, 2019 memorandum to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. These discussions have focused on the importance of preserving public trust and confidence in the Greenville Police Department and the shared desire to enable…
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City of Columbia receives Certificate of Achieve for excellence in Financial Reporting
The Certificate of Achieve for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to City of Columbia by Government Finance Officers Association of the United State and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment…
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Graham helps secure $138 million for Charleston Harbor Deepening Project
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham made the following statements after the Senate voted in support of $138 million for the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project. “This is a giant step forward and great news for the Port of Charleston,” said Graham. “I’m incredibly appreciative of President Trump, as well as my House and Senate colleagues, for making this happen. …
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Governor McMaster appoints Richard Cohn, Sr. as Chair of SCETV
Governor Henry McMaster has announced that Richard Cohn, Chairman of Cohn Corporation, will serve as the Chair of South Carolina Educational Television Commission (SCETV). As Chair of SCETV Commission, Rick will oversee the commission in the planning of SCETV for the upcoming year. His term began on began on Dec. 11 and will expire on…
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Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. receives quilts for children
Local church quilters present hand-made quilts to Sheriff Lott and RCSD officers By W. Thomas Smith, Jr. COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Victims Services Unit received 13 handmade children’s quilts from the Julie Vanderpool Quilters at Northeast Presbyterian Church, at RCSD headquarters, Wed., Dec. 18. The quilts will be provided to…
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SCDOR creates a South Carolina W-4 for 2020
The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) has created a state W-4 for use beginning in 2020. W-4s – state and federal – are used to instruct employers how much tax to withhold from an employee’s paycheck. This new state form is necessary because the 2020 federal W-4 removed allowances. The SC W-4 includes allowances and matches…
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Economic partnership bearing fruit for Richland County, City of Columbia
New apartments, retail coming to BullStreet District, former Capital City Stadium site With a pair of new developments, Richland County and the City of Columbia are seeing the first results of a partnership to encourage quality economic growth. Redeveloping the former Capital City Stadium site will transfer 17.5 acres onto the tax rolls with the…
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State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announces Moody’s has affirmed the State’s Aaa credit rating
State Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced that Moody’s Investment Services has affirmed South Carolina’s Aaa credit rating. Further the outlook for the state’s rating was deemed stable, given the expectation that its conservative financial management will adjust accordingly in the event of an economic downturn. “South Carolina has a great story to tell, and I am…
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City of Columbia receives Certificate of Achieve for Excellence in Financial Reporting
The Certificate of Achieve for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to City of Columbia by Government Finance Officers Association of the United State and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment…
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Governor and First Lady to participate in annual Hanukkah Ceremony
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and First Lady Peggy will take part in the 15th annual Isadore E. Lourie Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at the State House on Monday December 23rd, at 5:45pm. This event is chaired by Rep. Beth Bernstein and former Senator Joel Lourie. Representatives of the entire Jewish communities will gather and participate…
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Greenville Chamber releases 2020 Public Policy Agenda
Teacher pay, state pension reform, and tax reform among key priorities The Greenville Chamber released its 2020 policy agendas Friday, focused on education and workforce development, lawsuit abuse reform, rural broadband expansion, and increased transit funding. The agenda, released in concert with the Upstate Chamber Coalition, outlines the priorities of the business community at the…
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Richland County administrator issues statement on transportation program
On Friday, Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown issued a prepared statement about the County’s Transportation Penny Program to ensure residents are aware the County is working with the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) to address concerns with the program. Brown gave the brief statement following the release of preliminary findings of an SCDOR audit. The…
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Town of Seabrook Island honored with achievement award for dolphin education program
Courtesy of the Municipal Association of SC The Town of Seabrook Island received a Municipal Achievement Award for its dolphin education program. The town won in the 1,001 – 5,000 population category. Twenty-nine cities and towns submitted their projects and initiatives. Seabrook Island has the distinction of being one of the few places where visitors…
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SC Works Trident to hold career readiness testing
Goal is to Empower, Connect Job Seekers to New Careers SC Works Trident is set to host a new series of career readiness assessment testing sessions at their main office on Hanahan Road in North Charleston to begin the new year. The WorkKeys and WIN assessments, measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace. Verification of career readiness is…
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Congressman Clyburn praises over $17 million in ReConnect investments for Huger and Orangeburg broadband
House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture investment of over $17 million to provide high-speed internet to nearly 8,000 homes in the Berkeley and Orangeburg counties. The two awards are part of the ReConnect program created and funded by Congress to provide grants and loans to rural communities to improve…
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Gov. Henry McMaster, CMS Administrator Verma announce launch of Healthy Connections Community Engagement Initiative
The public health initiative is composed of two waivers CMS approved Governor Henry McMaster was joined by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma, S.C. Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) Director Joshua D. Baker, and stakeholders from around South Carolina to announce that CMS has approved South Carolina’s application to…
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Statewide SC Codes initiative expanding
The S.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Innovation, in collaboration with Build Carolina, announced the expansion of SC Codes, a statewide program designed to provide free access to coding education for all residents. Announced in 2018 and officially launched earlier this year, SC Codes is a first-of-its-kind, state-funded resource, aiming to connect South Carolinians to…
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Gov. Henry McMaster announces Rep. Bobby Cox as South Carolina’s first Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs
Governor Henry McMaster announced that Representative Bobby Cox will be South Carolina’s first Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs – a position created by H.3438, which created the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Governor McMaster signed that bill into law in May of this year. The governor’s announcement comes after a months-long search process undertaken by…
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City’s Office of Business Opportunities and Midlands Technical College’s FastTrac growth venture course open enrollment
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities (OBO) in partnership with Midlands Technical College will host the FastTrac Growth Venture Course from January 14, 2020 – March 17, 2020. The City’s OBO department and Midlands Technical College has worked in collaboration to provide the FastTrac course to local business owners. The FastTrac course provides…
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County realigning greenway program to address costs, get projects moving
Richland County Transportation will reorganize its greenway program to address the viability and cost of remaining projects. At the recommendation of the program’s former managers, Transportation staff and the Richland County Conservation Commission, County Council voted Dec. 3 to reallocate funds within the greenway program to complete as many outstanding projects as possible. To stay…
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Gov. Henry McMaster, House Speaker Jay Lucas, state leaders propose $3,000 raise for all S.C. teachers
Boosts state into top 25 national ranking for teacher pay and above southeastern average In a continued effort to improve education outcomes in South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster was joined today by S.C. House Speaker Jay Lucas, S.C. Superintendent Molly Spearman, and other members of the General Assembly to propose a $3,000 pay raise for each…
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Richland County realigning greenway program to address costs, get projects moving
Richland County Transportation will reorganize its greenway program to address the viability and cost of remaining projects. At the recommendation of the program’s former managers, Transportation staff and the Richland County Conservation Commission, County Council voted Dec. 3 to reallocate funds within the greenway program to complete as many outstanding projects as possible. To stay…
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Ways to support a local charity this season
The West Columbia Beautification Foundation has two ways to give back this holiday season. When shopping on Amazon, type smile.amazon.com, select the West Columbia Beautification Foundation, and .5% of all your purchases will be donated to beautify West Columbia. The West Columbia Beautification Foundation is also selling a limited amount of commemorative bricks that will be…
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City selects Nancy Whitworth as Parade Grand Marshal
The sights and sounds of the holiday season will once again fill the streets of downtown when 75 parade units join the City of Greenville for the annual Greenville Poinsettia Christmas Parade tomorrow at 6 p.m. Longtime City of Greenville Economic Development Director Nancy Whitworth, who will retire in January after 40 years of service to the…
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Grants awarded to improve 21 South Carolina communities
S.C. Department of Commerce awards $7 million in Community Development Block Grant funds . Twenty-one communities across South Carolina are slated to benefit from public improvement projects supported by more than $7 million in funds from the latest round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The S.C. Department of Commerce is awarding CDBG funds…
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Governor’s Mansion Christmas Open House scheduled for December 9
First Family welcomes South Carolinians for holiday celebration Governor Henry McMaster, First Lady Peggy McMaster, and the First Family invite South Carolinians and their families to join them for a Christmas Open House on Monday, December 9, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Governor’s Mansion. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves will be present to…
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City offering full season of holiday happenings
The City of Greenville is offering a full lineup of holiday activities and events and transforming downtown into a festive destination for shopping and dining this season. Highlights include: Night of Lights Friday, December 6 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Main Street, from Court Street to Broad Street The event will feature the official Christmas…
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The City Manager’s Spotlight – December 2019
The City Manager’s Spotlight provides details about what is happening in the City of Columbia in an effort to keep citizens informed about City operations. The City Manager’s Spotlight on December 2019 reflects important initiatives that will highlight major projects in the City of Columbia as well as events and upcoming meetings. Here is a…
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Mayor Pro Tem Tameika Isaac Devine elected to the Board of Directors for the National League of Cites
At the 2019 National League of Cities City Summit, which was held last week in San Antonio, Texas, Mayor Pro Tem Tameika Isaac Devine was elected to serve a 2-year term on the Board of Directors for the organization. She was also re-elected to serve as a member of the Board for Women in Municipal Government (WIMG) and the…
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Riley Center announces six Mayors selected to Mayors’ Design Fellowship’s second class
The Riley Center for Livable Communities announces today the six Mayors who have been selected to participate in the second class of the Riley Mayors’ Design Fellowship. The 2020 Riley Mayors’ Design Fellows are: Mayor Alston DeVenny, of Lancaster Mayor Rick Osbon, of Aiken Mayor Bob Pettit, of North Augusta Mayor Christie Rainwater, of Hanahan…
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City of Charleston to give away free reusable bags and straws at upcoming workshops for residents
Residents are encouraged to join one of two free workshops designed to provide tools and resources that will help support a smooth community-wide transition to the City’s new single-use plastic regulations that take effect January 1, 2020. The following workshops are being hosted by the city of Charleston Sustainability division: Sunday, December 8, 1 to…
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Miracle House of Hope Ministries held in contempt of court
Organization violated prior court order barring it from soliciting in South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond announced today that the South Carolina Administrative Law Court has held Miracle House of Hope Ministries in contempt for violating an order barring the organization from soliciting in the state of South Carolina, and has issued a bench…
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Joint statement on County Square from County Council Chair Butch Kirven and Mayor Knox White
Following the success of last week’s charrette with Urban Design Associates, the City and County have agreed to defer council action on the application to rezone the County Square property in an effort to allow for additional planning. In the spirit of collaboration, both the City and County would like to process the feedback and…
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