This Just In

Council Puts Cromartie's s Seat on April 6 Ballot

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:14:25 -0400

Columbia City Council will let voters choose a District 2 councilperson on April 6 - pending an interpretation of election law by the state attorney general.

Councilman Cromartie Evaded Taxes, Will Resign

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:19:46 -0400

Columbia City Councilman E.W. Cromartie will plead guilty to federal tax evasion, resign from council and give up his law license.

Democrat Vic Rawl on GOP Opponent DeMint: "Absentee Senator"

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:44:16 -0400

Direct, rigid and to the point, former judge and state legislator Vic Rawl of Charleston announced today that he has begun a campaign to try and knock off Republican Jim DeMint who is up for a third term in the U.S. Senate this November.

Dwight Drake Drops Out: Obituary of an Ultimate Insider

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:16:44 -0400

Columbia attorney and lobbyist Dwight Drake, whose campaign was first reported by Free Times, announced today that he is ending his bid for the Democratic Party's nomination for governor. He cited a lack of resources as his reason for dropping out of the race.

So ends the gubernatorial bid of the ultimate insider, and begins the writing of an obituary for a campaign that never really was, of Dwight Drake: a lobbyist for the people.

Wilson Booted from City Election Ballot

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:02:50 -0400

Irwin Wilson is ineligible to run for mayor because fewer than 15 years have passed since he finished serving time for criminal sexual conduct.

State House Democrats Line Up Behind Sheheen

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:00:53 -0400

In a crowded State House lobby outside the legislative chamber Thursday morning, State Sen. Vincent Sheheen of Camden, who is running for governor, announced the names of 40 Democrats in the General Assembly who are endorsing his candidacy for their party's nomination.

Radio Ads Support Sen. Graham on Climate Change

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:57:34 -0400

A one-minute radio ad narrated by a Columbia pastor will blanket the airwaves across South Carolina this week thanking Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of Pickens for his leadership on climate change legislation.

Cromartie Cools Down on Salvation Army Dispute

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:14:10 -0400

At this morning's City Council meeting, a contrite Councilman E.W. Cromartie read a statement backing down from what he termed his "passion" last week over the Salvation Army's proposed move to Farrow Road.

City Muzzles Staff in Advance of Elections

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:05:43 -0400

No one who works for the City of Columbia is allowed to communicate with members of the press without first having that contact approved by the city's public relations department,

Bus Policy, Electoral Strategy on Display at Rally

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:06:33 -0400

Morrison's goal is clear, and it makes sense: He needs to charm Aaron and Grant's young, newly mobilized support base.

Rep. Jim Clyburn on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:16:10 -0400

"Let me ask you something, sir: You are from South Carolina, but you don't seem insane," said Daily Show host Jon Stewart to U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn.

More City Candidate Forums: Highlights from 701 and the Capital Senior Center

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:25:09 -0400

I attended two more city election forums last week: a free-form arts forum at the 701 Center for Contemporary Art on Feb. 17 and a senior issues forum at the Capital Senior Center on Feb. 18.

McLeod Leaves Governor's Race, Endorses Sheheen

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:34:49 -0400

With State Sen. Vincent Sheehen of Camden standing behind him at a news conference held today at the Democratic Party headquarters in Columbia, Lowcountry lawyer Mullins McLeod announced that he is dropping out of the governor's race and will be supporting Sheheen for the party's nomination in June.

Emotional, Divided City Council Approves TIFs

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:02:47 -0400

"I really was up most of the night thinking about what we are going to do," Gergel said. "This is a divisive vote. One that pits two parts of the city against the others."

Religious Conference Requests City Funds

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:10:32 -0400

Allen University has asked Columbia City Council for $10,000 for a religious conference that's less than two weeks away.

Mayoral Madness! Upcoming Mayoral Race Forums

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:31:53 -0400

City elections are coming up on April 6, and there are a ton of opportunities for you to see the candidates between now and then (including the March 22 Mayoral Showdown at 701 Whaley, sponso

Five Candidates Vie for Kirkman Finlay's Seat in City Elections

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:58:56 -0400

It's official: Five candidates will vie for the District 4 City Council seat in this year's April 6 election.

Feb. 2 Mayoral Forum: Benjamin's to Lose ... Did He?

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:26:06 -0400

This morning, mayoral candidate Joe Azar stopped by my office and asked what I thought of last night's mayoral forum held at the Eau Claire print building.

USC Taps Roche Executive to Head Innovista

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:50:34 -0400

USC has found a new leader for Innovista, its massive, incomplete public-private research campus, which has run into some snags over the past few years.

City Restricts Payday and Title Lenders

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:41:47 -0400

Columbia City Council passed an ordinance Jan. 27 banning new payday and title lenders from opening within half a mile of each other.

Bauer Compares Public Assistance to "Feeding Stray Animals"

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:45:23 -0400

It was just a few nights ago, when Gov. Mark Sanford delivered his last State of the State address, that South Carolina seemed to be turning the corner on an embarassing gaffe from a high p

Court Lets Private Entities Intervene in S.C.-N.C. Water Dispute

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:54:46 -0400

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Jan. 20 in favor of two North Carolina entities seeking to intervene in the case between South Carolina and North Carolina over water rights in the Catawba River Basin.

Mayor's Race: Benjamin, Finlay Lead in Fundraising

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:10:16 -0400

In the fourth quarter of 2009, Councilman Kirkman Finlay was the top fundraiser among candidates for mayor of Columbia, raising $127,00 during the last three months of the year. Finlay has raised $133,000 to date.

City Drags Feet on Strong-Mayor Proposal

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:54:13 -0400

Columbia City Council voted today to hold public hearings on converting Columbia to a strong mayor system.

S.C. Sen. Jackson Calls for Full-Time Mayor

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:59:21 -0400

S.C. Sen. Darrell Jackson is adding his voice to those calling for a full-time mayor of Columbia, The State reported on Jan. 9.

New Candidates for Mayor, City and County Council

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:12:17 -0400

Filing opened this week for City of Columbia seats -- and there are some new names on the rolls.

Racist Message Painted on City Hall

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:53:50 -0400

A spray-painted message reading "No n#!ger mayor die," was found on the outside of Columbia City Hall this morning.

Columbia Lobbyist Larry Marchant Pulled for DUI

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:25:09 -0400

High-profile Columbia lobbyist Larry Marchant was arrested Dec. 23 on DUI charges, according to Columbia police spokesman Brick Lewis.

State Population Up -- 7th House Seat Coming?

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:32:58 -0400

The U.S. Census Bureau released population estimates last week, and the news was good for South Carolina: the state added nearly 58,000 people in the past year.

Explosion Rocks Downtown Main Street

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 13:47:20 -0400

At approximately 11:15 a.m. Christmas Day, a large explosion underneath the 1401 Main Street building (located at the corner of Washington and Main) rocked nearby buildings, shaking

Smiling Faces? S.C. 8th-Happiest State, Study Says

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:46:49 -0400

Smiling faces, beautiful places indeed: Apparently it takes a lot more than an economic meltdown and a philandering governor to dampen the spirits of South Carolinians.

Liberty vs. Safety: Driver Texting and REAL ID

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:15:26 -0400

South Carolina is wading into a couple of divisive liberty vs. safety debates. One is the issue of whether motorists should be allowed to send texts while driving,

Jenny Sanford Filing for Divorce

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:36:42 -0400

Gov. Mark Sanford might have escaped impeachment, but it looks as if he won't escape the breakup of his marriage.

Impeachment Issue Dead?

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:52:24 -0400

The state House Judiciary Subcommittee has recommended against impeaching Gov. Mark Sanford.

Travis Barker Settles in Columbia Air Crash Case

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:40:12 -0400

Former Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker has settled with the owners of the private plane that crashed during takeoff in Columbia

City Council Votes to Re-Open Finlay Parking Lot

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:58:33 -0400

Following a 6-1 vote by City Council on Dec. 2, the city will reopen the Finlay Park parking lot during the evenings and build gates at entrances to the lot.

Steve Morrison Joins Mayoral Race

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:26:02 -0400

Local attorney Steve Morrison has officially announced his candidacy for mayor.

Local Homeless Numbers On the Rise

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:58:02 -0400

In January 2009, 853 people in Richland County were homeless, a 15 percent rise since two years earlier, according to a survey conducted by the Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless.

Ron Paul Attracts Hundreds at Carolina Coliseum

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:45:58 -0400

Hundreds of supporters from all over the Southeast turned out Monday night, Nov. 9, to hear Ron Paul give a lecture at the Carolina Coliseum. The conservative Texas congressman, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican Party's presidential nomination in 2008, spo

Feds Indict 21 for Cockfighting

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:08 -0400

The Gamecocks haven't been fighting as hard as we'd like, but it seems that actual cockfigthing is alive and well in South Carolina.

Rep. Joan Brady: S.C. Lands Boeing

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:02:10 -0400

Rep. Joan Brady told a group of political leaders and economic development officials tonight that Boeing has agreed to open a production facility in South Carolina.

Gays and the Church: Does Christianity Mandate Discrimination?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:30:49 -0400

The Charleston-based Diocese of South Carolina has voted to withdraw from much of its participation in the national Episcopal Church because of the national church's positi

Barrett Slams Obama's Nobel Prize

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:56:05 -0400

Perhaps sensing his Joe Wilson moment -- a chance to prove his conservative bona fides to potential supporters by making an outlandish statement -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Rep.

Digital Billboards: Inevitable Progress or Sign of the Apocalypse?

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:56:46 -0400

The war is on: aesthetics versus commerce. Lexington County and the City of Columbia have long since chosen the side of commerce in the battle over digital billboards, but Richland County has, thus far, held firm on the side of aesthetics.

Confederate Clothing: School Safety or Free Speech?

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:52:41 -0400

U.S. District Judge Terry Wooten ruled last week that school officials in Dillon County had acted reasonably in compelling a teenage student to not wear clothing with images of the Confederate flag, the Associated Press reported.

End of an Era: Coble Will Not Seek Re-Election

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:29:39 -0400

When Free Times columnist Kevin Fisher suggested back in July that Mayor Bob Coble might not seek re-election, there were undoubtedly some readers who thought he was nuts. After all, Coble had already de

Wilson Speaks, S.C. Stays in (Negative) Spotlight

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:08:09 -0400

"You lie!" came a shout from the chambers of Congress tonight as President Obama addressed a joint session on the subject of health care reform.

Blogger Says No Sanford Link on Bauer Story

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:37:16 -0400

When Washington, D.C. blogger Michael Rogers posted a story claiming to have confirmation from multiple sources that S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is a closeted homosexual, he didn't expect the mainstream media to pick it up.

Is Bauer Gay? Question Surfaces Again

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:44:35 -0400

High-profile gay activist Mike Rogers -- who is featured in the film Outrage and is the founding editor of blogactive.com -- is reporting that Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is gay.

"I have confirmed and spoken to four individuals who I have no doubt are telling me the truth," Rogers

DeMint Fans Flames in Health Debate

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:33:31 -0400

Speaking at a town hall meeting on health care in Greenville last week, Republican Sen. Jim DeMint told a crowd that "this is about more government control"

Kale Roscoe's Son Doing Business out of John Parks' Kentucky Home

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:42:20 -0400

Free Times has learned that a Kentucky home owned by Innovista director John Parks is listed in an online business directory as the official business address for Roscoe Holdings, LLC.

Bauer Calls on Sanford to Resign

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:45:23 -0400

Republican Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is calling on his GOP colleague and the man whose job Bauer would fill should it become open, Gov. Mark Sanford, to resign.

Sanford's Opportunistic Opponents

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:07:57 -0400

On and on it goes, an endless trickle of the alleged misdeeds of Gov. Mark Sanford.

Local Housing Market: It Could Be Worse

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:01:48 -0400

First, the "good" news: Things could be a lot worse.

Clyburn versus DeMint: Who Has Your Back on Health Care Reform?

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:48:43 -0400

In a June 22 blog entry, I asked whether South Carolina politicians would have a seat at the table in the health care reform debate.

Sanford Drama Continues: Jenny Moves Out

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:00:06 -0400

First Lady Jenny Sanford issued a statement today saying she is moving out of the Governor's Mansion -- but still hopes to reconcile with her husband.

Innovista: Parks, Pastides at Odds over Tax Conviction; Timeline Raises Questions

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:56:49 -0400

Following the Aug. 5 cover story "Who in the World is Kale Roscoe?", which details the troubling background of Innovista's most recent developer, Kale Roscoe -- including a 2002 conviction

City Won't Close Finlay Park Lot

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:42:37 -0400

Public access to Finlay Park in the heart of downtown Columbia, often described as a jewel of the Capital City, will not be reduced, at least not in the near term.

USC Severs Ties with Innovista Developer

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:09:40 -0400

Just one day after Free Times interviewed Innovista developer Kale Roscoe and director John Parks for a forthcoming Aug. 5 story, the University of South Carolina has cut its ties with Roscoe.

Does Jim DeMint Represent You?

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:26:02 -0400

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to go on a local radio show, The Weekend Countdown on 620 AM, and talk about how South Carolina's elected representatives are reflecting upon us in the national media. By and large, my answer to that question was "not very well," e

Of Knives and Men: Backstabbing in the SC GOP

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:49:01 -0400

In a recent New York Times piece, former South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Daws

Steve Benjamin and Payday Lending: Does It Matter?

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:15:21 -0400

The votes are in, and our readers said they support local attorney Steve Benjamin for mayor by an overwhelming margin: In an online survey, 58 percent supported Benjamin, 20 percent supported Bob Coble and 14 percent supported Joe Azar.

Calling All Readers: Who Do You Want for Mayor?

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:32:22 -0400

The mayor's race isn't until next spring, but it promises to be an exciting one -- yes, really. Five-term inc

Haley Makes Politico, Barrett Raises Mad Cash

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:19:45 -0400

As the Sanford controversy dies down -- the end result being that he's staying in office as a severely weakened political force -- more and more attention is turning to the race to replace him.

Beauty Queen Says Let Sanford Stay

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:55:42 -0400

OK, we can all rest easy about this whole Gov. Sanford mess, because the expert has spoken: Newly crowned Miss South Carolina Kelly Sloan says Sanford should be allowed to finish his second term.

It's All About Sanford: Media Deluge Continues

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:00:51 -0400

Just as the unrest in Iran was bumped from the news by Gov. Sanford's affair, so too could Sanford's trangressions soon disappear from media coverage. But considering that the governor's bizarre "disappearance" and subsequent revelation of an affair with an Argentinean wom

Knotts Asks SLED to Investigate Sanford Affair

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:52:50 -0400

S.C. Sen. Jake Knotts, an outspoken political foe of Gov. Mark Sanford, says he has asked the State Law Enforcement Division to investigate Sanford's actions related to the governor's extramarital affair with a woman in Argentina.

Affair, Deception Sink Sanford

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:32:42 -0400

Gov. Mark Sanford's political future, for all intents and purposes, is probably over. Indeed, Sanford, rumored to be a 2012 presidential hopeful, can forget about that. He has a much more pressing and important problem to worry about - keeping his marriage and family together.

Sanford Admits to Affair

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:22:44 -0400

Apologizes to children, family, friends.

Health Care Reform: Will S.C. Politicians Be At the Table?

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:12:26 -0400

Almost 700,000 South Carolina residents lack health care coverage, according to statehealthfacts.org. That's 16.2 percent of the population, slightly higher than the 15.3 percent nationally who lack coverage. And a new New York Times/CBS poll says 61 percent of Amer

Rusty DePass and Latent Racism

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:34:26 -0400

Here we go again ... another Our Dumb State moment.

Clean-Energy Jobs Surge in S.C.

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:23:22 -0400

South Carolina employed 11,255 people in clean-energy jobs as of 2007 and saw a 36.2 percent increase in the field between 1998 and 2007, according to a new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

After the Stimulus Fight: What Next?

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:36:51 -0400

Now that Gov. Mark Sanford has lost his months-long fight with the General Assembly over $700 million in contested stimulus funds, what will happen next?

Is Our Stimulus Nightmare Over?

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:50:52 -0400

WIS TV reports that the S.C. Supreme Court has ordered Gov. Mark Sanford to accept the $700 million in contested federal stimulus money. The General Assembly had allocated the money in its budget, but Sanford had refused to request it from the federal government.

Housing: How Is Your Neighborhood Doing?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:12:13 -0400

Is the housing meltdown finished or are we still bottoming out? A few recent reports paint a less than rosy -- but also less than catastrophic -- picture.

Sanford: Better to Burn Out than Fade Away?

Mon, 25 May 2009 17:38:42 -0400

So, South Carolina's stimulus nightmare continues, and none of us can say for sure how it will end.

Sanford Files Lawsuit, Stimulus Madness Continues

Thu, 21 May 2009 10:31:02 -0400

Jack Kuenzie of WIS-TV has an excellent update on the stimulus fiasco here. Basically, here is where things stand: Sanford vetoed most of the Legislature's $5.7 billion budget; both Republican-led chambers overrode Sanford's vetos; now Sanford is filing a law

Governor's Race: All GOP, All the Time

Mon, 18 May 2009 13:20:02 -0400

Local Republican activist Jeffrey Sewell (who publishes www.schotline.com) posted several Facebook status updates recently followin

Bump on the Hydrogen Highway?

Mon, 11 May 2009 14:03:40 -0400

Long before the news this weekend that the Obama administration has decided to slash research funding for hydrogen-powered cars, some South Carolinians -- Gov. Mark Sanford prominently a

Gergel Says Public Expects Council to Lead on Homelesness

Wed, 06 May 2009 17:07:21 -0400

Columbia residents have a "great expectation" that City Council will take the lead to address homelessness in the city, Councilwoman Belinda Gergel said in a May 6 City Council meeting.

Federal Audit Questions SRS Safety

Mon, 04 May 2009 14:30:24 -0400

A report released April 23 by the federal Department of Energy raises safety questions about the Savannah River Site, especially with regard to the procurement of parts that were in a number

Obama Nominates Clyburn's Daughter to FCC

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:16:45 -0400

President Obama will nominate Mignon Clyburn, daughter of U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, to head the Federal Communications Commission, the White House announced April 29.

Stimulus Standoff Continues; Treasurer Backs Legislators

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:17:45 -0400

The standoff between Gov. Mark Sanford and state legislators continued as state senators rejected an alternative budget plan backed by pro-Sanford legislators - and stuck with a plan

Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Running from Sanford

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:54:07 -0400

As if we didn't already know it just by listening to what citizens and legislators are saying, a recent story in The State reinforces the fact that Gov. Mark Sanford is almost completely isolated poli

SC Black Pride Announces June Events

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:32:36 -0400

The Fourth Annual SC Black Pride celebration will be held JUne 18-21 in Columbia. The theme of this year's event is "United 4 Change: Black, Bold & Proud."

City Blunders: Small Stuff Points to Larger Issues

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:18:06 -0400

I try not to beat up unnecessarily on the City of Columbia. I really do. After all, I've said before and I'll say again that I think Mayor Coble is a well-meaning politician who dedicates endless hours to the betterment of this city for an absurd pittance of a salary. I also believe that some (though not all) of the city's problems can be attributed to its form of govern

Public Invited to Weigh In on Five Points Parking

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:42:03 -0400

The City of Columbia's Five Points Parking Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 15 at 5 p.m. to present an update from parking study consultants Wilbur Smith and Associates on their efforts.

City Budget Outlook Still Red

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:03:19 -0400

The City of Columbia remains headed for a multimillion-dollar budget deficit this fiscal year despite extensive steps the city has taken to cut its expenses, including all but eliminating overtime for city employees.

Gov. Sanford, Shock Doctor

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:43:02 -0400

In Naomi Klein's 2007 groundbreaking book, The Shock Doctrine: The rise of disaster capitalism, the Canadian journalist machine-gunned the dominant ideological myth of our time: that the free-market revolution was brought about peacefully. With blistering accuracy and max

Stimulus Standoff Continues, Anti-Sanford Rally Planned

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:30:39 -0400

Gov. Mark Sanford looked relaxed and carefree when I saw him jogging through Riverfront Park yesterday, but the same can't be said for angry state residents or for state legislators now facin

Does Sanford Matter?

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:17:00 -0400

Turn on the national news or pick up a newspaper - even an international edition - and Gov. Mark Sanford is everywhere, the poster child of resistance to President Obama's nearly $800 billion stimulus package. Small-government conservatives are praising Sanford as if h

Archives and History Responds to Free Times Cemeteries Story

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:23:11 -0400

In the March 18 cover story "What Lies Beneath" (labeled "Columbia's Forgotten Cemeteries" in the online edition) staff writer Ron Aiken notes that the S.C. Department of Archives and History asked that questions about its role with regard to cemeteries in Columbia b

State Publisher Weighs In on Cuts

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:17:05 -0400

Reached after Free Times went to press with the story "McClatchy Further Cannibalizes The State," publisher Henry Haitz vigorously defended the paper's intention to serve as a public watchdog.

Free Times Wins Nine Press Association Awards

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:01:21 -0400

Free Times has won nine 2008 South Carolina Press Association awards. The number of awards is an all-time record for the paper. The awards were officially announced at the Press Association's winter meeting in Myrtle Beach held this weekend.

Report: S.C. Bound for Bigger Coal-Ash Danger

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:13:20 -0400

South Carolina is among the 15 states heading for the largest increases in the production of toxic coal-ash waste from new coal-fired power plants, according to a new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Welcome to S.C., Home of Ben Bernanke

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:00:29 -0400

OK, so state lawmakers have decided to name a stretch of I-95 after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, a native of Dillon, S.C.

Indie Grits Film Festival Announces Schedule

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:15:02 -0400

Popular local film festival returns for its third year.

City Ditches Business License Requirement for Landlords

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:48:31 -0400

Columbia City Council on March 4 ditched a proposal to require everyone who rents out property in the city to pay $11 yearly for a business license. The requirement would have applied even to people who rent out a room in their homes. The council's decision to nix the business license measure quells a residential uprising on one front but leaves another unresolved.

Coble's Last Stand?

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:08:57 -0400

As reported Feb. 4 in Free Times, local attorney and Democratic heavyweight Steve Benjamin is considering a run for mayor in April 2010.

Maverick State Senator Pushes Civil Unions

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:38:09 -0400

Coming from another state senator, a move toward legally recognized civil unions for same-sex couples in South Carolina would be welcome news " a sign that the 2006 constitutional amendment prohibiting the state from acknowledging same-sex partnerships might e