Local News

W11 P Harvest Hope 805
Local News, News, State

Harvest Hope holds ‘Fill the Gap’ campaign to restock high demand items

Harvest Hope Food Bank announced a new food initiative this month called 'Fill the Gap.'
Maria Szatkowski,

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Harvest Hope Food Bank announced a new food initiative this month called ‘Fill the Gap.’ Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Harvest Hope has seen record numbers of people needing help the past few months. “People need food 24/7. So our mission was critical before COVID, and now just like any other crisis, it’s very critical,” said…

Restaurant Enforcement Web
Local News, News

Midlands restaurant owners say new executive order simply codifies what they’ve been practicing for months

The new executive order requires masks at restaurants and bars, and also prohibits standing and congregating around bars
Tim Scott,

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) –If you have gone out to eat over the last few days, you might have seen some changes at your favorite bars and restaurants Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC)’s new executive order requires customers and staff to wear a mask whenever they are inside an establishment, prohibits indoor capacity to 50%, and preventing gathering around a bar. The…

Dhec Sun
ABC Columbia News Update (Second Row), Local News

DHEC: 1,175 new confirmed Coronavirus cases and 45 new deaths in SC

Crysty Vaughan,

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Wednesday, reported 1,175 new confirmed cases of the Coronavirus, 45 additional deaths. DHEC says this brings the total number of confirmed cases to 94,837, and confirmed deaths to 1,819. Confirmed and probable cases: please click here. Confirmed and probable deaths: please click here. According to health officials, as of Tuesday,…

City Masks
Local News

City of Columbia Council votes to extend mask requirement another 60 days

Crysty Vaughan,

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– Make sure you have your mask.  The City of Columbia extended its’ mask ordinance for another sixty days. The City Council met virtually Tuesday afternoon and once again, the City’s response to COVID-19 was at the top of the agenda. During the meeting, the council unanimously approved extending the City’s Ordinance requiring masks in public. For more…

Saliva Based Testing
Local News, News

Saliva testing in South Carolina? Medical experts promote idea at Senate hearing

Saliva testing is already being used in Major League Baseball as well as several states
Tim Scott,

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — There could be a new type of COVID-19 test coming to South Carolina. Senators in the Reopen S.C. Tracing and Testing Subcommittee heard testimony from medical professionals Tuesday afternoon talking about the benefits of saliva-based testing. Saliva-based testing has been used in Major League Baseball, and is now being used in several states, including Oklahoma, Arizona, and…

Img 20200804 191713
Local News

Brothers arrested, accused of attempted murder, armed robbery

Authorities say the incident took place at an Orangeburg convenience store in broad daylight
ABC Columbia Staff,

Image: OCSO (left: Ira Fanning/Right: James Driggers) Orangeburg,SC  (WOLO) —- Two suspects have been arrested after Orangeburg authorities say the two were involved in an armed robbery last month where the clerk of the store was shot. Officials say 28 year old James Driggers and his half brother, 19 year old Ira Fanning have been charged with armed robbery and…

Isaiasvolume
Local News, News, State

Analyzing SC social media after Hurricane Isaias

Artificial intelligence-powered software at the University of South Carolina's Social Media Insights Lab analyzed how people have been responding to both.
Maria Szatkowski,

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Following Hurricane Isaias, South Carolinians are now dealing with both hurricane season and the COVID-19 pandemic. Artificial intelligence-powered software at the University of South Carolina’s Social Media Insights Lab analyzed how people have been responding to both. It’s not something many people are used to; hurricane season during a pandemic. “One thing that we did see,…