In response to an electrical fire that destroyed a supply warehouse at Epworth Children’s Home, the Harmony at Columbia, a three-level care home in Northeast Columbia, has begun a drive for quart- and gallon-sized ziplock bags. The building that caught on fire June 2, contained clothes, blankets, quilts, and toiletries, among other items. The home’s maintenance shop was also damaged […]
Council could require masks in public
In an effort to stem the tide of the rising amount of positive COVID- 19 cases, the Columbia City Council will take up an emergency ordinance requiring face coverings or masks to be worn in public in the City of Columbia at its June 23 meeting. “The council has been discussing the lack of compliance with masks in the city […]
Teachers march for Black Lives
Nearly 1,000 teachers from across the state gathered Saturday, June 13 at the South Carolina Department of Education on Senate Street in Columbia to show their support for the “I Can’t Breathe” protest and “Black Lives Matter” movement. The crowd of teachers converged at the State Department of Education for the “Teachers March for Black Lives” planned by the “I […]
“Million Man March” brings people together in peaceful protest
Leo Jones planned a peaceful march and protest, the “Million Man March,” June 14 in Columbia in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the deaths of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky in March, and Rayshaud Brooks, in Atlanta, Gerogia on June 12. Protests have occurred in major cities across the nation and the world in the […]
Writing letters
Recently, I’ve been writing a lot of letters. As in snail mail. Like the kind I have to put a postage stamp on. And I attribute this new pastime to quarantine (something I attribute most things to these days). I mean, who doesn’t love getting mail? Here’s how it happened. I found myself with an abundance of time, and a […]
Quirky Crimes in the Capital City
Forest Acres Lakeshore Drive: A man called police at 3 a.m. Monday after he said he woke up to find someone stealing his tools. The 41-year-old man told officers he was awakened by a “hammering” noise in his yard. He said he got up and looked out the window and saw “shadowy figures” in his back yard by his tool […]
S.C. Youth Advocate Program seeking foster parents throughout the state
Currently there are nearly 4,800 children in foster care in South Carolina. Unfortunately, there are not enough foster homes in our state to care for the population of children, particularly those with some type of special need. The lack of foster families decreases a child’s ability to remain in their community, which is important in order for the child to […]
Grassroots movement on social media promotes safety during COVID- 19 outbreak
ASK US AT THE STARHow can we stay safe during COVID- 19 outbreak if people don’t follow guidelines? With COVID-19 cases breaking records in the state, people are turning to social media in a grassroots movement to boost compliance with recommendations on wearing facemasks, social distancing and other measures. Here in Columbia, Frank Adams is the administrator for the Facebook page, “Support S.C. Businesses […]
Lowering My Ears
It’s not a criticism; It’s an observationOn June 10, for only the second time this year, I got a haircut. I’m pretty sure that’s a record for me. When state authorities finally established guidelines, and began allowing the unshorn and unkempt, and those fearing discovery of their actual hair color, to visit salons, I contemplated my next appointment. Funny how when I took charge of haircuts, […]
