On February 14, 1989, Richland County residents voted themselves a belated Valentine’s present, endorsing a $27 million bond issue for a new main library and seven new branches. It was a watershed moment for then library executive director David Warren, who for ten years presided over a cramped, crowded main library on Sumter Street and a handful of branches that […]
Quirky Crimes in the Capital City
Forest Acres tForest Drive: Police were called to a grocery store at 3:30 p.m. Saturday after a couple got into a physical altercation in the wine department of the store. Witnesses said a woman and man were arguing in the store when the man walked away from the woman. The woman then grabbed a bottle of wine and chased the […]
Historic Columbia
Chances are you have attended a party there— some festive occasion full of spirit and energy. In the revelry, you may have even caught yourself wondering about this building’s past. If you did, you’re not alone. Columbia is full of historically significant sites whose roles in shaping the capital city and Richland County are well known by some, somewhat known […]
ASK ANN…
Can a tattoo be removed?My daughter got a tattoo in a very visible place about ten years ago. Now that she is older, she is going into a profession where tattoos are disfavored, and she wants to know what she can do about it. She is wondering whether she has time to remove it before she begins interviewing for a job. So the conversation […]
Columbia must comprehensively address homeless issue now
Columbia has a good downtown with much potential, but it will never be great without addressing the homeless issue in significant and meaningful ways. We are a compassionate community with 50 different organizations providing various levels of help to the homeless. The high concentration of homelessness is a reflection of our community’s generosity and good intentions. I have worked at […]
The Columbia Curmudgeons
Bring a pooper scooper! Dear Curmudgeons, Who are the grossly inconsiderate people in Shandon who allow their dogs to poop on the sidewalk and then don’t pick it up?!?! At least 98 percent of the dog walkers in Shandon do scoop the poop, but the other two percent make our sidewalks unpleasant for others. -Doody Calls Dear Doody- Nothing kills […]
Probate judge speaks about Richland County Mental Health Court
Richland County Probate Judge Amy McCulloch spoke August 27 at Shandon United Methodist Church’s Lunch and Learn about the Richland County Mental Health Court, a voluntary court diversion grant program funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and Richand County. The Probate Court of Richland County administers the Mental Health Court. Editor’s note: The following information is from the brochures […]
Sheltering is not enough
Over the last few weeks, our community has been engaged in a highly public debate about how the city deals with our homeless brothers and sisters. Although this conversation has been heated at times, I believe all sides have made very valid points about how this city has handled (or not handled) homeless services in our community to this point. […]
Living in “The Big Bang Theory”
I’m just saying...I live on the set of “The Big Bang Theory.” For the uninitiated, “The Big Bang Theory” is a sitcom that involves four very intelligent men who are all self-professed comic book geeks/nerds. They go to all of the “Comic-Cons” where they dress up as their favorite supernatural heroes and buy tons of things relating to comic books, comic book […]
