News

City of Columbia Launches ‘Blue Bike” bike share project

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)–On Moonday, Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, along with City officials, held the pre-launch for a new bike share program in Columbia. It’s called “Blue Bike”. Blue-Cross-Blue Shield has been announced as the lead sponsor of the initiative. For the first phase of the program, officials say 135 bikes will be available, with 15 stations throughout the city. The…

Live: Dominion Energy representative on proposed Merger with SCANA

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)–The company hoping to merge with SCANA hopes to win over utility customers with a meet and greet. Representatives from Dominion Energy are holding a meet and greet Monday ahead of a proposed merger. The proposed merger comes in the wake of SCANA’s decision to abandon a reactor construction project at the V-C Summer Nuclear facility. ABC Columbia’s…

Former Gov. Riley participates in prison reading program

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – A former South Carolina governor is participating in a program that officials hope helps keep inmate fathers in touch with their children. The Department of Corrections says former Gov. Dick Riley is spending time at Kirkland Correctional Institution on Tuesday as a special guest for a program called Father’s Voice. Officials say the program was created…

SCE&G: Tree Trimming in Columbia Neighborhoods

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– SCE&G will perform tree trimming along overhead utility lines in some Columbia neighborhoods. The tree trimming will take place over the next two weeks. According to officials, the following areas will see tree trimming: Arsenal Hill Neighborhood Community Improvement Cooperative Council Downtown Neighborhood Association Eva P. Trezevant Neighborhood Historic Waverly Neighborhood Association Martin Luther King Neighborhood Robert…

Bicyclist killed in hit-and-run identified

RICHLAND COUNTY, SC (WOLO)- Officials have identified the man killed while on his bicycle. The incident occurred at the intersection of Hardscrabble Road and Lake Carolina Drive, Columbia, SC. Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said Justin Turner,40, of Elgin,was the operator of the bicycle that was struck by another vehicle. Turner was transported from the scene by Richland County EMS…

Dominion Energy holds meet-and-greets around South Carolina

NEWBERRY, S.C. (AP) _ A Virginia-based power company looking to merge with an embattled South Carolina utility is kicking off a series of meetings offering an opportunity to learn more about their aims and goals. Dominion Energy officials are in Newberry on Monday for the first of seven meet-and-greets. Shareholders of SCANA have approved a deal to merge the company…

Police recover body from pond in Irmo subdivision

IRMO,SC (WOLO)-Irmo police say they recovered a body from a local pond this afternoon. Officers say with assistance from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, they recovered the body from a pond in in the Carmel Commons Subdivision. That subdivision is off Wandering Brook and Columbia Avenue in Irmo. lexington County coroner Margaret Fisher identified the person as Tao Gao, 42, of…

Former Clarendon County Sheriff passes away at 64

MANNING, SC (WOLO)– Former Clarendon County Sheriff Randy Garrett passed away Saturday. Randolph Lee “Randy” Garrett, Jr.,64, widower of Barbara Brock Garrett, died at McLeod Regional Medical Center. Stephens Funeral Home is handling Garrett’s services, and confirmed his passing. He was a former Chief of Police for the City of Manning and the former Sheriff of Clarendon County. He is…

Warrants: Guard arrested after shoving restrained prisoner

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Authorities say a South Carolina prison guard has been charged with assault after pushing over a restrained inmate. The Department of Corrections said Travis Laquinton Reese is charged with misconduct in office and third-degree assault and battery. Arrest warrants say Reese pushed an inmate in leg restraints and handcuffs to the ground Aug. 1 at Broad…