Photo by Jim Covington From Shandon United Methodist Church In 1980, members of Shandon United Methodist Church began to invest and support a hands- on experience for youth to serve in Christian mission. On July 19, the congregation sent forth a team of 124 persons including youth and counselors for the 30th Annual Youth Mission Project. A caravan of buses, vans, trucks, and trailers loaded with sleeping bags, tools, and ladders traveled to Hollywood, S.C., south of Charleston. Over the next week, the group repaired homes, built relationships, and shared hope and Christian faith with every nail that was hammered and every smile shared. More...

Around 11:30 Monday morning, July 20, an unusually attractive deal was disclosed by USC President Harris Pastides and his accompanying deal makers in the federal Department of Justice. More...

U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R- South Carolina) made the following statement on Obama's healthcare plan: "The last time the President made grand promises and demanded passage of a bill before it could be reviewed, we ended up with the colossal stimulus failure and unemployment near 10 percent," said Senator DeMint. More...

Derek Cushman pitched a one- hit shut- out, and Luke Beasley went 3- for- 4 with four RBIs and a run to lead West Columbia Post 79 11- 0 over visiting Inman Post 45 in the second round of the American Legion state playoffs. The shut- out is the second straight for West Columbia and gives Post 79 a 1- 0 lead in the best of five series. More...

Alcorn Middle School student DeVante Thompson and Kelly Mill Middle School student Meghan Pearson are two of 16 students around the state whose illustrations will be featured in the SC Council on Economic Education's 2009- 2010 Economic Concepts Calendar. More...

Jordan began as Canaan, home of the Amorites. Moses wandered through Canaan and crossed the Jordan River to the Promised Land of Israel. One after the other, the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arab Muslims, Christian Crusaders, Mongols, and Turks invaded the land. More...

It's a hot early June afternoon. The corn is chest high and orange day lilies in the roadside ditches are stirring in what passes for a breeze. I'm driving through one of my favorite areas within the COWASEE Basin, a big piece of pastoral landscape in western Sumter/ Kershaw County. More...

Art Shack Gallery Cafe will host the Art of Food Supper Club with head chef Adams Hayne, Sunday, July 26, 6 pm, at 2701A Rosewood Drive, Columbia. The evening includes a corn theme seven course meal with local chefs, local fresh food, art, and live music by Greg Robinson. The Supper Club chefs are (l- r), Jamie Trippany, Ray Hendrix, Danny Cooper and Adams Hayne. More...

Call to Order Mayor Bobby E. Horton called a special council meeting of the West Columbia City Council was called to order on Monday, July 20, 2009 at 6pm. Members included Mayor Bobby E. Horton, Mayor Pro- Tem Tommy Parler, Eric L. Fowler, L. Dale Harley, Jack L. Harmon, Boyd Jones, Marsha Moore, and B.J. Unthank. Councilwoman Cathy Shannon was absent. More...

NOTICE OF UNCLAIMED VEHICLES/PUBLIC SALE The following vehicles are subject to towing, repair and/or storage liens; are declared to be abandoned pursuant to Section 56-5-5810, More...

One benefit of creating and maintaining a backyard wildlife habitat is the inhabitants that make themselves right at home. The beds surrounding my deck are filled with shade- loving hostas. Slugs were devouring hosta leaves until a troupe of toads took up residence. More...