Monday, May 11, 2020 was an auspicious day on the timeline of the history of the Covid-19 pandemic here in South Carolina, or was it? On that day, Governor Henry McMaster lifted the dine-in ban on restaurants, but with “strong restrictions.” Honestly, this reporter was a little excited about the prospect of going out to eat but with some trepidation. […]
2020-05-22
Dollars and Sense
City Governments begin budget seasonThe COVID-19 crisis has been hard on budgets across America whether on a personal or government level. City officials in Columbia, Forest Acres, and West Columbia, staffs will begin to get a sense of how tough the crisis has been as they approach the start of budget season. The new fiscal year begins July 1, 2020. Cities must have an […]
Five Points businesses reopen after COVID-19 shutdown
When business started to slow down mid- March as the public became aware of the dangers of the COVID-19 virus, Steve Cook, owner of Saluda’s Restaurant and president of the Five Points Association, began to work with his staff and management to make his business safe for customers and employees. Cook said when Governor McMaster issued the order to close […]
Virtual Volunteering at Historic Columbia
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost all aspects of daily life. Many of us are looking for new ways to stay connected and maintain a sense of community. That community is especially important for the volunteers at Historic Columbia. Volunteers are a huge part of our organization, constantly on site to give tours, help with visiting school groups, tending the […]
Quirky Crimes in the Capital City
Forest Acres ffiTrenholm Road: A real estate agent went to police headquarters at noon Tuesday to alert the officers about a scam going on in the area. He said due to the virus, his company was allowing prospective buyers to tour properties on their own without an agent. The potential buyer must register online and then they receive an access […]
MAKO Medical offers antibody tests to help ease safety concerns as businesses reopen
After six weeks of processing thousands of PCR COVID-19 tests, MAKO Medical Laboratories is expanding the company’s offerings to include two different COVID-19 antibody tests. The Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG and the Diasorin Liaison SARSCoV 2 S1/S2 IgG tests are FDA approved and validated. “We want everyone to be fully confident in our test methodology so they know MAKO Medical is […]
United Way of the Midlands grants MIRCI $10.000 in COVID-19 response funds
Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc. was awarded $10,000 from the United Way of the Midlands’ COVID-19 Response Funds. As a healthcare provider that treats our community’s most vulnerable population, those with severe and persistent mental illness(es) and who are or at risk of homelessness, continuing to provide services such as supportive housing and behavioral health treatment during uncertain times is […]
Enjoy the proven benefits of the outdoors with social distancing guidelines
ASK US AT THE STARWhat are the benefits of getting outdoors now that we may visit the city’s greenspaces with social distancing guidelines? There are proven benefits to getting outside, especially during these days of social isolation, a basic truism promoted back in the 19th century by naturalist John Muir, called the father of our National Parks. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, […]
Posh Grits
It’s not a criticism; It’s an observationAs conditions worsen, Americans are going crazy. I saw something last weekend that elevates this stupidity and craziness to another level. No, not drawing guns over potato salad in Publix. We call that Tuesday in the South. And I don’t mean shooting at each other at a street party in Fort Worth. In Texas they call that Friday Night. It’s […]
