News

News, State

Small Business Disaster Recovery Loan Program Deadline Approaches

ABC Columbia Staff

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The deadline for small businesses applying for funding following October’s historic flooding is Friday. Columbia City’s Office of Business Opportunities reopened the Small Business Disaster Recovery Loan Program. It’s designed to assist small businesses still working to recover following October’s historic flooding due to physical damage, lost revenue or significantly reduced revenue, and customers being unable to…
Events, Events, News

5th Annual Commissioner’s Cub BBQ Cook-Off & Festival

ABC Columbia Staff

  COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) – The 5th Annual Commissioner’s Cup BBQ Cook-off and Festival, returns this Saturday, March 19 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the State Farmers Market in West Columbia. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Harvest Hope Food Bank. Sanctioned by the Southern BBQ Network, over 40 cook teams from across the Southeast will compete for…
Local News, News

Watch: Senate Continues Debate on Refugees Bill

ABC Columbia Staff

Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — On Thursday, the South Carolina senate continued debate on a bill that would affect refugees placed in South Carolina through the federal government’s resettlement program. The bill mandates all refugees placed in the Palmetto State register with the Department of Social Services. It also creates a civil liability if a refugee would commit an act…
Local News, News

Watch: Defense Attorney Discusses Arrests of USC Players

ABC Columbia Staff

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Two USC Basketball players were served arrest warrants Thursday morning for charges stemming from incidents involving BB gun damage to vehicles. Eric Cobb, 19 years old, has been charged with malicious injury to private property and assault and battery, while 21 year old Jamall Gregory is facing one count of malicious injury to real property and…
Lexington, Local News, News, Richland

Owner of Free Times found dead

Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen confirms the owner and publisher of The Free Times took his own life.
ABC Columbia Staff

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Sad news to pass along. Free Times owner and publisher Charles Nutt of Elgin passed away in an Augusta, Georgia hotel room Wednesday. Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen confirms Nutt took his own life. Eva Moore, managing editor of Free Times, released a statement on behalf of the paper: “We are deeply saddened by the loss…
Local News

Man Acquitted After Testifying Shooting Self Defense

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) _ A man who tried to have the murder charge against him thrown out under South Carolina's so-called ``stand your ground'' law has been acquitted during a trial
ABC Columbia Staff

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) _ A man who tried to have the murder charge against him thrown out under South Carolina’s so-called “stand your ground” law has been acquitted during a trial. The Post and Courier of Charleston reports that a Charleston County jury acquitted 31-year-old Dustin Backman on Wednesday. Backman had been charged with murder in the shooting death of…

State

SC Senate Ends Week Debating Refugee Registry Bill

ABC Columbia Staff

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina senators have ended their week debating a bill that would require refugees to enroll with the state. Senators on Thursday finished a second day talking about the bill that would require all refugees to register with the state. The bill would also hold sponsors of refugees liable for damages if the people they help…
State

Senators Discuss Earlier School Start Date in South Carolina

ABC Columbia Staff

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Some school systems in South Carolina want permission to start their school years earlier in August so they can end their first semester before Christmas. A Senate subcommittee approved a bill allowing schools to start August 15th instead of the third Monday in August under the current law. But there will be plenty more debate when…