Local News

Local News, Orangeburg

Man accused of punching random women arrested

Orangeburg deputies say three women claim they were assaulted
ABC Columbia Staff,

Orangeburg,SC (WOLO) —- The Orangeburg Sheriff Leroy Ravenell announced that investigators have arrested a man accused of hitting women he didn’t even know. 37 year old Christopher Lucas is behind bars tonight (Friday) charged with three counts of assault and battery. According to Orangeburg deputies, the first incident took place June 12 as a woman was washing clothes at a…

Anthony Hopkins, Jr.
Local News

CPD searches for ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect accused of ATM robbery

Columbia police say once the suspect is arrested he will face several charges including robbery, kidnapping
ABC Columbia Staff,

Image: CPD Anthony Hopkins, Jr. Columbia, SC (WOLO) — The Columbia Police Department says they are looking for a suspect wanted in connection to an ATM robbery and are hoping you can help. Authorities say, 32 year old Anthony Hopkins, Jr. along with an accomplice are accused of holding two employees at gunpoint while stealing money from an automated teller…

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Local News

City of Columbia Mayor issues proclamation, declares June 19 as ‘Juneteenth’

City of Columbia issues a proclomation honoring Juneteenth, June 19 2020
ABC Columbia Staff,

Image: The subject marker to commemorate Juneteenth in Galveston, Texas, which is the last location in the country to end slavery two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was executed in 1863. Courtesy: Galveston Historical Society Columbia, SC (WOLO) —In an official proclamation, Mayor Steve Benjamin and Columbia City Council have designated today, Friday June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth, in recognition…

Ivory Mathews
Local News, Richland

CHA names Ivory Mathews as official Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer

Mathews has been working as the Interim Director for CHA for nearly a year
ABC Columbia Staff,

Image: Columbia Housing Authority Columbia, SC (WOLO) — Ivory Mathews has been named the official the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Columbia Housing Authority (CHA) after serving as the Interim Director since May 2019. Mathews was brought in after the previous Executive Director, Gilbert walker retired June 30, 2019. That was one month after the Columbia Fire…

Accelerate Ed June 19
Local News, News

Educators finalize recommendations to reopen South Carolina schools this fall

Social distancing in buses, hallways, and classroom is one of the major focuses
Tim Scott,

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) –Schools in South Carolina are inching closer to reopening their doors this fall. The “accelerate ED” task force formally approved the guidance and recommendations needed to safely welcome students back to school. For many students across South Carolina, March 16 was their last day physically in school. As the potential first day of school is coming closer…

W5 Epworth Fundraiser
Local News, News

Fundraiser collects supplies for Epworth Children’s Home after fire damages shed

Over the past two days, community members have come out to support Epworth Children's Home after a fire damaged a storage shed earlier this month.
Maria Szatkowski,

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Over the past two days, community members have come out to support Epworth Children’s Home after a fire damaged a storage shed earlier this month. Washington Street United Methodist Church held a supply drive to restock some of the supplies lost in the fire. Safety precautions were in place, as volunteers took the donations directly from…

Dhec
Local News, News, State

DHEC: More than one thousand new cases of COVID-19 in SC

Rob Dew,

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)– Cases of COVID-19 continue to expand exponentially in South Carolina. Friday afternoon DHEC announced 1,081 new cases of coronavirus as well as 18 additional deaths. State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell adds that South Carolinians under the age of 30 are testing positive at a growing rate. Dr. Bell says people ages 21 to 30 account for more…
Local News, News, Richland, State

UofSC BOT votes unanimously to ask legislature for building name change

Rob Dew,

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)– The University of South Carolina board of trustees wants to rename one of the buildings on its campus. During a teleconference Friday afternoon, according to a university spokesperson, the board voted unanimously to to request that the legislature allow us to rename Sims Residence Hall. J. Marion Sims is a controversial figure because of the fact that…
Local News, News, Politics, Richland

Richland Co. Elections Board names new director

Rob Dew, Tim Scott,

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– For the first time in more than a year, Richland County has hired someone to oversee the county’s elections full-time. During a special meeting Friday afternoon, the Board hired Alexandria Stephens to become the board’s new director. Stephens had served the last few years as the Elections Coordinator in Jefferson County, Alabama, the largest county in…

W6 P Juneteenth State House
Local News, News, Richland, State

Juneteenth celebration held at SC State House

On Friday, people gathered at the State House in recognition of Juneteenth.
Rob Dew, Maria Szatkowski,

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)— On Friday, people gathered at the State House in recognition of Juneteenth. The event was organized by the Xi Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. “As we celebrate that freedom, we want to rally the call across our state and across our nation, that not only should this be a federal holiday but it should be…