News

Fidel Castro Dead at 90

ABC NEWS– Fidel Castro, whose rise as a revolutionary made him the face of socialist rebellion for more than half a century, died Friday at age 90. His brother, Cuban president Raul Castro, made the announcement on Cuban state TV. “Today, November 25, at 10:29 p.m., the Commander in Chief of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro Ruz passed away,” Raul…

Government Wants Smartphone Makers to Lock Certain Apps

DETROIT (AP) _ The government wants smartphone makers to lock out most apps when the phone is being used by someone driving a car. The voluntary guidelines unveiled Wednesday are designed to reduce crashes caused by drivers distracted by phones. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also wants automakers to make infotainment systems easy to pair with smartphones. Drivers could…

Local Walmart Managers Ready for Big Sales

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– Local WalMart managers are enjoying a big holiday shopping season, and one manager tells ABC Columbia news they’re already looking ahead. At the Walmart in Irmo, off Dutch Fork Road, deals on TV’s and the Hottest Toys, like the Hatchimals, are bringing in shoppers.   Categories: Local News, News, State

Holiday Gift Giving and The Election Connection

NEW YORK (AP) _ This holiday season, elves and “joy” may be on the way out and “peace” and “hope” on the way in. A divisive election that left half the country deflated and the other half rejuvenated could reverberate through the holiday shopping season in the gifts people give or how they spend. Some retailers say they have seen…

SC Drought Latest

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The area of South Carolina experiencing unusually dry conditions is rapidly increasing, now including parts of the state that received over a foot of rain less than two months ago from Hurricane Matthew. The U.S. Drought Monitor map released this week shows three-quarters of South Carolina is unusually dry _ all but the northeast corner of…

Red Kettles Now Up at Area Stores

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– The familiar bells are ringing the Salvation Army Red Kettles are up at area stores in the Midlands. The Red Kettle is the Salvation Army’s largest fundraiser. Officials hope you’ll stop by and drop some change in the Kettle this holiday season.   Categories: Local News, News Tags: Salvation Army

Dylann Roof Found Competent to Stand Trial

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) —From our ABC affiliate- Dylann Roof’s federal hate crimes trial will move forward. The 22-year-old Eastover man was declared competent on Friday. Jury selection in the trial has been delayed for three weeks as Roof’s attorneys filed for him to undergo a competency evaluation. In an order signed Friday morning, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel said jury…

Angel Trees Up in Area Malls

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– You have a chance to be an Angel this Christmas for a child in need. ABC Columbia is proud to partner with the Salvation Army for the annual Angel Tree project. Just stop by the trees in Columbiana Center and Columbia Place Mall and pick a child’s name off the tree. You have until December fourth to…

Recognizing Family Caregivers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – November is National Family Caregivers Month. Good Morning Columbia’s Grace Joyal sits down with Taylor Wilson from the Alzheimer’s Association of S.C. to talk about the importance of recognizing caregivers. Categories: Local News, National News, News, State

Drive-By Shootings in Bennettsville

BENNETTSVILLE, S.C. (AP) – Authorities say three drive-by shootings in two days at a home in Bennettsville are likely retaliation for the killing of a teenager back in March. Bennettsville Police Lt. Larry Turner told media outlets that two of the shootings took place less than 30 minutes apart Tuesday night and six shootings have been reported since July at…