Local News

Mayor Benjamin
Local News, News

Mayor Benjamin: “Data, not dates” will drive city’s response to COVID-19

City has issued series of curfews, "stay-at-home" order since the start of March
Tim Scott,

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) –Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin says now is not the time to slow down the city’s approach towards fighting the coronavirus. He says city staff is looking at new ways to prevent the spread of the virus while enforcing social distancing guidelines. As of Wednesday, Richland County has the most confirmed cases of the coronavirus in South Carolina,…

Lexington Bank Fraud
Local News, News

Lexington Police looking for $20k bank fraud suspect

ABC Columbia Staff,

LEXINGTON, SC (WOLO) – Lexington Police hope you can help find the person who recently got away with nearly $20,000 from a bank in Lexington. Wednesday night LPD released a photo of the person in question saying he was involved in a fraudulent transaction of nearly $20,000 at the Ameris Bank in Lexington on March 25. While we realize that…

Img 8864
Health, Local News, Politics, Richland

Community DHEC says has high COVID-19 cases get layer of protection

Woman makes it her mission to donate masks to Columbia neighborhood get surgical masks during outbreak
ABC Columbia Staff,

Image: City of Columbia Columbia, SC (WOLO) — While the City of Columbia remains under a curfew in an attempt to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), health officials say some communities are still reporting rampant cases of COVID-19. One of those areas was given a donation to help give residents located in the 29203 area code an extra layer…

Gavin
Lexington, Local News, Richland

West Columbia PD search for missing teenager

The Police Department is asking for help locating missing 16 year old not seen for days
ABC Columbia Staff,

Image: West Columbia Police Department West Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)– The West Columbia Police Department hopes someone may have information the whereabouts of a teen they say has been missing for several days. According to authorities, 16 year old Gavin Merrill was last seen Tuesday April 21st after leaving his residence. Officials say he was wearing, a white tank top, a…

Dhec
Local News, News

DHEC: Five new deaths, 160 new cases of Coronavirus in SC

Crysty Vaughan,

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)–The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control on Wednesday, announced 160 new cases of the coronavirus and five additional deaths. DHEC says this brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 4,761 and those who have died to 140. ABC Columbia image Health officials say the three deaths occurred in…

Flexibility Statewide Schools
ABC Columbia News Update (Second Row), Local News

McMaster thanks parents and teachers: SC Schools to remain closed for the school year

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster thanked parents and teachers during a briefing Wednesday about keeping schools closed in SC
Crysty Vaughan,

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster thanked parents and teachers during a briefing Wednesday about keeping schools closed in South Carolina. McMaster, along with State Superintendent of Education, Molly Spearman, announced that the state’s public K-12 schools will remain closed for the rest of this school year. Both McMaster and Spearman acknowledged the difficulties surrounding the remote learning…
Local News

City of Columbia gives small businesses a big boost

Council members vote in favor of giving 2 hundred businesses some financial support
ABC Columbia Staff,

Columbia, SC (WOLO) —As many reopen their doors today, some businesses across the City of Columbia received a big boost. The City Council voted to give nearly $1 million dollars to more than 200 businesses as part of the city’s Economic Sustainability Plan. Later this week, ABC Columbia’s Tim Scott will have much more on this new initiative and how…

Yesterdays Closes
Local News

Yesterdays Restaurant & Tavern ‘hang it up’

The Five Points restaurant says they decided to shut their doors after more than 40 years
ABC Columbia Staff,

Columbia, SC (WOLO) — Tuesday was the first day some South Carolina stores and restaurants were able to open their doors back up after Governor Henry McMaster relaxed part of his Executive Order that left some businesses under lock and key. While some were eager to welcome customers back into their shops, not everyone is back in business. Yesterday’s Restaurant…

Shopping
Local News, News

Several small businesses welcome back customers for first time in weeks

Certain small businesses were able to open up again under an executive order from Gov. Henry McMaster
Tim Scott,

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — For the first time after the coronavirus pandemic forced some businesses to close, several people had a chance to visit some of their favorite local businesses. Tuesday marked the first day several small businesses could open their doors to customers under a new executive order from Governor Henry McMaster. The executive order allowed businesses like jewelry stores,…