Local News

Accelerate Ed
Local News, News

Educators bring up ideas at “AccelerateEd” meeting to safely bring students back to school

Some recommend shortening student-teacher ratios and capacity on school buses
Tim Scott,

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) –Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman gathered her education task force together Wednesday morning to hear suggestions about ways to safely reopen schools across the state. For the last eight weeks, most teachers across South Carolina have interacted with their students not near a chalkboard or desks, but rather on a screen. Some educators would like to move…

South Carolina Association Of The Deaf Scad
Local News, News, State

New law will help S.C. drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing if they’re pulled over

Earlier this year, Governor McMaster signed a new bill into law that will help deaf and hard of hearing people in case they're pulled over by law enforcement officers.
Maria Szatkowski,

West Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Earlier this year, Governor McMaster signed a new bill into law that will help deaf and hard of hearing people in case they’re pulled over by law enforcement officers. The DMV Bill H 3357 was signed into law in March. “The DMV bill has already been passed, and it will be effective next year. So…

ABC Columbia News Update (Second Row), Local News

DHEC: Nine additional deaths, 97 new cases of Coronavirus in SC

Crysty Vaughan,

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)–The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, on Wednesday, announced 97 new cases of the coronavirus and 9 additional deaths. DHEC says this brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 6,936 and those who have died to 305. Health officials say all of the deaths occurred in elderly individuals…

Dhec
ABC Columbia News Update (Second Row), Digital Exclusives and Features, Local News, State

DHEC plans to test residents and staff at every nursing home in SC for COVID-19

DHEC says testing will also take place in under resourced minority and rural areas, urban areas and more
Crysty Vaughan,

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– State health officials say they have a plan to extend testing for the coronavirus in the state.   Wednesday, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced it will test residents and staff members at every nursing home in the state for COVID-19. Health official say the extensive testing plan is part of DHEC’s ongoing…

Local News, State

SC Superintendent of Education leading AccelerateED meeting

Crysty Vaughan,

COLUMBIA,  SC (WOLO)– Today State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman is leading the second full meeting of AccelerateED. Information regarding AccelerateED, its members, and an agenda for the meeting can be found by following this link. At today’s “accelerateEd” meeting, which began at 9am, Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman charged her committee to find the best practices and tips to…

Healthcare+heroes+billboard+truck+mockup
Local News, News

Healthcare Heroes truck to honor SC healthcare workers

Crysty Vaughan,

Image provided by SCHSA press release COLUMBIA,  SC (WOLO)– Healthcare workers will be given a show of appreciation with a visit from the ‘Healthcare Heroes truck ‘.  The South Carolina Hospital Association announces it will deploy a “Healthcare Heroes Truck” to visit hospitals across the state to honor healthcare workers. According to officials,  the Healthcare Heroes Truck will travel across…

Digital Exclusives and Features, Local News

Midlands Gives sets new record high on ‘Giving Tuesday’

Tuesday's annual fundraiser surpasses $3 million dollars in donations
ABC Columbia Staff,

Columbia, SC (WOLO) — South Carolina has done it again! Midlands Gives ends their annual fundraiser topping last year’s tally of more than $2.2 million dollars in donations. This year, philanthropists throughout the Midlands helped the charity event raise $3,116,904.00 a new record high. Tuesday was the fifth annual ‘Midlands Gives’ event where more than 22 thousand donations came in…

Accelerate Sc Tues
Local News, News

Gov. McMaster: Decision on close-contact businesses could be coming soon

Gov. McMaster says he's waiting on guidance to advise these businesses to properly operate during a pandemic
Tim Scott,

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “accelerateSC”, a task force created by Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) met Tuesday afternoon to discuss safe solutions to help reopen the state’s economy. One topic discussed was the possibility of reopening close-contact businesses like beauty salons, barber shops, and fitness centers. Over the last few weeks, Gov. McMaster has heard from several people about widening the…
Local News

City of Columbia begins Five Points beautification project

Construction is underway in the heart of the entertainment district
ABC Columbia Staff,

Columbia, SC (WOLO) — A location in the heart of Five Points is getting ready to undergo some major changes. The City of Columbia has broken ground on a revitalization project to complete a beautification project of the Exxon parking lot located near Saluda Avenue  and Harden Street. City officials say Monday may 4th, they started work on the lot…