Move-in day as a college freshman is exciting, a little nerve-wracking, and scary for both parents and students. But to say freshman move-in day fall 2020 was different is a bit of an understatement. Freshman Jonathon Tankersly from Virginia was helping his parents unpack their car at Columbia Hall Monday, August 17, and explained, “I had to get tested and […]
Major James Capers Jr.—An American Hero, Part One
He had no birth certificate. When he needed security clearance to join the Marines, the FBI made up a birth date for him—August 25, 1937. Those 83 years have been nothing short of remarkable for James Capers Jr., the son of a sharecropper from Bishopville, S.C., who advanced from private to the rank of major in the U.S. Marines, breaking […]
Quirky Crimes in the Capital City
Forest Acres Trenholm Road: A woman went to police headquarters at 7 a.m. Saturday to report a possible threat on her life. The 40-year-old woman told the officers who were taking the report someone had apparently been plotting to “kill” her the previous night. She said she woke up abruptly when she heard “voices coming through the air conditioner unit.” […]
A Guide to Women’s Suffrage
Late August 2020 is a time of recognition and celebration for women’s rights in America. In a span of eight days 100 years ago, the 19th Amendment—stating the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex—was ratified and then made law. On August 26, Historic Columbia, in collaboration with the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network […]
S.C. blazes a trail that benefits nonprofits
Legislation with roots in South Carolina is now providing a wide-sweeping, positive financial impact for nonprofits nationwide as the new law changes a CARES Act provision that inadvertently challenged these cash strapped entities. When COVID-19 spread globally, businesses were left bracing for impact as any financial solidity they had quickly diminished when their doors closed. Some of the hardest hit […]
Promising development in COVID- 19 vaccine research
ASK US AT THE STARWhat’s the latest on a vaccine for COVID- 19? The COVID-19 vaccine is on track to become the fastest-developed vaccine in history, but traditional critical steps in vital research aren’t being skipped, says an immunization expert at Johns Hopkins University. “There are some very encouraging developments,” says Ruth Karron, head of immunization research at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School […]
Whoopie Pies and Medical Procedures
It’s not a criticism; It’s an observationWhen I was six years old, I had my tonsils removed. Not a big deal— back in those days, everyone got their tonsils removed at some point. The reason this was notable for me was because it was the first time I was ever in a hospital, or subjected to some sort of health care issue. I have vague memories […]
A Place for Everything
I’m just saying...When I was living out in California, I was friends with a couple who were a little older than me. Whenever I would go to their home, I noticed they had eye glasses all over the house. Since neither one of them wore glasses, I found that curious so I asked my friend about it. “Oh those are our reading […]
Weighing options: COVID vs. Heat Stroke
50–SomethingMy first extended outdoor experience with a cloth mask did not go well. It was actually a “cool” day by Columbia standards, but even so, 30 minutes in the elements and I was sweating like a glass of iced tea in the hot sun. My hair was dripping, the pit stains were growing, and my mask was hanging on about […]
City Council approves Juneteenth as city holiday
Columbia City Council held a virtual meeting Tuesday, August 18. Council unanimously approved a resolution declaring Juneteenth a city holiday. Juneteenth is the day celebrated to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated on June 19. Council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a lease agreement between the City of Columbia and […]
