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Booker T. Washington High School, class of 1969, celebrated its 50th anniversary with a luncheon at Villa Tronco. Joe Roache hosted the lunch, and the class celebrated with him since he also graduated in 1969 but from Cardinal Newman. Pictured (l–r) are David Wadsworth, Willa Martin Bailey, Charlie Edmonds, Joe Roache, Bernice Murray, Lonetta Brawley, and Harriet Williams.

Local chef Francois Fisera recently embarked on a birthday trip to Cuba. He and his family were packing their car at 5 a.m., excited to begin this adventure. As they drove down I-95, they eagerly anticipated the cruise ahead of them. At the terminal the Fiseras were greeted by their concierge. They began to relax as they made their way […]

The Palmetto Chapter of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, Southeastern Chapter hosted “Mystery in the Midlands” at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Saturday, June 22. The conference featured panel discussions and lectures presented by published authors of mystery novels and short stories. Topics discussed included choosing a setting and point of view, the road to publication, and the […]

Petty Officer 3rd Class James Miske, 75, born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1944, died May 26, 2019 in Columbia. Though he was not homeless when he died, he had no family able to make his final arrangements. Miske served in the United States Navy Active Duty from 1965-1967 assigned to Aviation Administration Maintenance before transferring into the Naval Reserves. Miske […]

Ronald Parker is living proof that long odds are simply that…odds. They don’t define you. A little effort, mixed with a bit of good fortune, can change the tide of one’s life. That is certainly what happened to Parker. When he was 10-years-old, Parker’s biological mother gave him up to the foster care system, along with his three siblings. The […]

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jeffery Jones took command of the South Carolina National Guard April 2 as the new Deputy Adjutant General. After a busy two months on the job, Jones says, “It has been such an honor to serve the people of South Carolina and get the opportunity to work with quality airmen, soldiers, and state employees.”

Columbia City Council continues to take steps to give its code enforcement division and the neighborhoods more control. In its latest move, council approved the first reading of an ordinance addressing abandoned or boarded up buildings at the June 4 council meeting. The ordinance partners with the landlord ordinance, passed in 2016, to allow neighborhoods to address concerns in their […]

The S.C. Military Museum celebrated the 75th anniversary of D-Day Saturday June 8 with an all day event honoring WWII veterans and allowing the war heroes time to autograph posters, flags, hats, and other memorabilia. Over 30 WWII vets attended the ceremony, telling war stories and reuniting with buddies.

Bennettsville High School class of 1949 held its 70th class reunion Saturday, June 8 at Forest Lake Club. Pictured, front row (l-r)— Dorothy Weatherly Keeney, Betsy Norwood McLeod, and Caroline McIntyre Meredith; back row—James P. Covington Jr., Nola Jane Powers Covington, Janella Collins Warthen, Sarah Easterling Kummer, Patricia Matherson Morrison, and John A. Sell.

Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook celebrated his five-year anniversary as Police Chief on April 9. At the June 4 Columbia City Council meeting city council recognized Holbrook’s service. “It’s amazing that five years passed as quickly as it did,” Holbrook said. “We’ve been so busy; you do lose track of time.” It has been a busy five years because there […]