Business
Mast General Store Celebrates 15 Years in Downtown Columbia
May 25 marks a milestone for Mast General Store, as the beloved retailer celebrates its 15th anniversary in downtown Columbia. To commemorate the occasion, the store will offer free bags of its signature freshly popped popcorn to visitors throughout the day. When the Mast Store first opened its doors in
Education
Literacy SC Seats Executive Board for 2026 Term
Literacy SC, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to improving reading skills for learners of all ages, has announced its Executive Board leadership for the 2026 term as the organization launches a new three-year strategic plan aimed at expanding services across South Carolina. The 2026 appointments coincide with the rollout of Literacy
Sports
Georgia’s Jack Story Goes Wire-to-Wire to Win BFL All-American on Lake Murray
18-year-old skips graduation, claims $100,000 title and REDCREST berth in record-setting performance COLUMBIA, S.C. — Jack Story of Atlanta delivered a performance beyond his years, going wire-to-wire to win the 43rd annual Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American on Lake Murray and taking home the $100,000 top prize. The 18-year-old —
Public Safety
Cleaning up South Carolina’s coast
SCDNR Director Tom Mullikin is aggressively going after environmentally dangerousabandoned watercraft and their former owners By W Thomas Smith Jr. Earlier this month, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) under the “commanding leadership” of Dr. Tom Mullikin targeted yet another abandoned vessel – a 60-foot barge – in S.C.
Community News
Ryan Rawl Memorial Workout slated for morning of Independence Day on State House grounds
The July 4 event honors fallen Soldier and RCSD Deputy Ryan Rawl By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Registration is open for the 14th-annual RYAN RAWL MEMORIAL WORKOUT to be held Saturday, July 4, on the grounds of the S.C. State House in Columbia. Hosted and facilitated by Richland County Sheriff
Entertainment
Dido and Aeneas performances start May 14
Midlands Light Opera Society sails to ancient Carthage for Dido and Aeneas May 14-17. Performances will be held May 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m., and May 16 and 17 at 3 p.m. in the Pool Building of Bethel United Methodist Church at 4600 Daniel Drive in Columbia. Queen Dido,
Civic
New Facility to Train Clean Energy Workforce Opens in Midlands
Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony March 13 for its new Midlands Clean Tech Accelerator Lab in Columbia. The Clean Tech Accelerator is designed to provide job training and placement opportunities, preparing participants for careers in the growing clean energy sector. Qualifying trainees





























