Local News

House Democrats Call For Prison Reform After Lee Correctional Incident

Columbia, SC (WOLO)– Democratic Representatives in the House are speaking out after seven prisoners were found dead and 17 were injured at Lee Correctional Institute.  Dozens of representatives held a press conference demanding change for more funding, increasing employment, and treatment of prisoners in the state. The lawmakers said they were disgusted with the stories they heard coming out of Lee…

Orangeburg man arrested for sexually assaulting a small child, officials say

Orangeburg, S.C. (WOLO) – Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell announced a man has been taken into custody after allegedly sexually assaulting a small child. “This is absolutely despicable,” the sheriff said. “This child has not had a chance to outgrow cartoons and dolls nor learned to ride a bike, and yet in her short life has been assaulted in such…

Claflin President Announces Retirement

Orangeburg, S.C. (WOLO)–After more than 20 years of service, a Midlands university president is calling it a career. Tuesday afternoon Dr. Henry Tisdale announced his retirement as president at Claflin University. Since he began in 1994 Tisdale oversaw numerous facilities improvements as well as a doubling in enrollment. Tisdale’s last day on the job will be June of next year….

Police in Forest Acres Investigate Shooting

Forest Acres, S.C. (WOLO)– Police in Forest Acres are investigating a shooting that took place early Monday morning. Chief Gene Sealy says it happened at the intersection of Verner St. and Cherry Laurel Dr. Investigators say the incident began with an argument inside a car and ended with the shooting in Forest Acres. Sealy says the victim was shot in…

Opioid Bills pass through Senate subcommittee

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina lawmakers are closer to passing legislation to address the opioid crisis in the Palmetto State. Members of a Senate subcommittee voted in favor of two bills Tuesday to expand the use of tamper-proof prescription pads and who can distribute the opioid antidote Narcan. Legislators say using the special paper that reads “void” if copied…

Richland County Deputies Investigating Shooting That Sent 2 to Hospital

COLUMBIA,SC (WOLO)- Deputies are investigating a shooting that sent two people to the hospital Monday night. Deputies responded an aggravated assault call at a home on Cornell Adams Run at 7:40pm. Richland County Deputies say when they arrived they found two people with gunshot wounds to the upper body. Deputies say the victims were shot after an argument and believe the…

Lane Closure on 1-26 at Greystone

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– Get ready for lane closures at Greystone Boulevard off I-126.  The South Carolina Department of Transportation will close the lane on I-126 eastbound from Greystone Boulevard to Huger Street. It will be in place on April 17 from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Acccorindg to DOT officials, trees will be trimmed during the closure. Another lane closure will…

Background: What We Know about Lee Corrections, Site of Riot where 7 inmates died

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– Lee County Correctional, the site of a riot Monday that left 7 inmates dead, is no stranger to violence. In recent years there have been several incidents inside the maximum-security facility in Bishopville. In July of last year an inmate was killed during a fight. In 2015, two officers were stabbed during a fight. And in another incident…

Woman wanted in connection with identity fraud investigation

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) – The Columbia Police Department (CPD) financial investigators are working to identify and locate a female who’s wanted in connection with an identity fraud investigation. The suspect is accused of fraudulently using the victim’s identity to obtain multiple lines of credit in an excess of $10,000 at various stores. Those businesses include sporting goods and jewelry stores. The attached surveillance…