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Area church hosts free backpack giveaway

Other back to school supplies will also be available

West Columbia, SC (WOLO) — A Midlands church wants to make sure kids are ready to go back to school whether its in person or virtual. Brookland United Methodist Church is hosting a book bag giveaway this Saturday from 2 p.m. in the afternoon until 6 p.m. in the evening. The first 500 children will receive a free book bag…

Richland County Coroner: COVID-19 not listed on death certificates without a test

DHEC says only a coroner or medical examiner can make the determination if a person died from the virus

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) –One person who has seen the true impact of COVID-19 firsthand is your county’s coroner. South Carolinas Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) says a coroner or medical examiner has the power to determine if someone’s cause of death is COVID-19. When working on death investigations prior to the pandemic, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts told…

SC man wins $250,000 on scratch-off lottery ticket

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO, AP) – A South Carolina man who took his time to scratch off the numbers on a lottery ticket ended up winning $250,000. The winner, who asked not to be identified, took a chance on a 50X ticket at El Cheapo on Farrow Rd. in Columbia. He told lottery officials it was “a good thing” he waited…

Lexington couple accused of trafficking drugs, unlawful conduct toward child

Authorities say the duo were found with marijuana, heroin, meth, and guns

Image: LCSD Lexington Co, SC (WOLO) — The Lexington County narcotics agents have arrested a man and woman accused of trafficking various types of drugs from a Gaston Mobile home. According to authorities, 22 year old Martiza Sanchez and 33 year old Derrick Johnson face multiple charges including trafficking meth, marijuana, heroin, having possession of 3 firearms during a violent…

Women leaders celebrate 100th anniversary of 19th Amendment at State House

Tuesday, Aug. 18 marks 100 years since the 19th Amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote.

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Tuesday, Aug. 18 marks 100 years since the 19th Amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote. In honor of that, women leaders from across South Carolina met at the State House to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage. “I share with you the pride in being a woman, being at the table, being able…

Columbia City Council declares Juneteenth a city holiday

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)– During Tuesday’s city council meeting council members approved an ordinance declaring Juneteenth a city-wide holiday starting on June 19th 2021. Juneteenth, is recognized as the end of slavery and is the oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, that slaves in Texas…