COLUMBIA — A 41-year-old woman is facing a laundry list of charges after Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott says she orchestrated an elaborate scam to defraud an 87-year-old woman of thousands of dollars. Dorothy Watkins was arrested on Monday, March 16 following an investigation into a series of events that began at a retail checkout […]
Lane closure planned for Syrup Mill Road near Blythewood Road
March 20, 2026 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Richland County Penny Tax officials now say traffic will be reduced to one lane on a portion of Syrup Mill Road where it connects to Blythewood Road from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. from Monday, March 23 to Friday, March 27. The beginning and end of the construction hours will coincide with Muller Road School […]
Erosion could lead to closing of Longtown Road East that runs over Lake Columbia dam
March 19, 2026 By
COLUMBIA – A letter sent to LongCreek Plantation residents earlier this month by Paul D. de Holczer, Assistant Chief Counsel for South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), warned residents that erosion appears along the shoulder of Longtown Road East that runs across the top of the Lake Columbia dam. “That erosion is creeping toward the […]
Ridgeway to elect mayor, council April 7
March 19, 2026 By
RIDGEWAY – The April 7, 2026, general election set for the Town of Ridgeway will include three candidates for two town council seats and an unopposed candidate for mayor. Town council seats currently held by Dan Martin and Doug Porter will be open. Porter will be looking to retain his seat on council for a […]
Village Church opens new 1,200-seat worship center
March 19, 2026 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Village Church held its first Sunday services in its new 1,200-seat worship center on Sunday. “This new facility will be a blessing to not only our existing members of Village Church, but to Blythewood and the surrounding communities as well,” said Senior Pastor Erik Estep. Members and visitors filled the sanctuary twice during […]
Exit 24 traffic pattern alterations to begin March 19
March 17, 2026 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Several traffic pattern changes are coming to Exit 24 in Blythewood, and construction work is expected to begin March 19, according to SCDOT officials.
High winds damage Doko Ampitheater
March 12, 2026 By
A video from the Town’s surveillance cameras in Doko Park shows the moment this morning (Thursday, March 12) when the tin roofing and black paper on the Palmetto Federal Citizens Amphitheater were lifted straight up off the roof and sent flying 200 to 300 feet across the lawn and street. Crosby Roofing was on site […]
Straiter asks for full review of Mayor Griffin’s treatment by government, media
March 12, 2026 By
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: On March 5, 2026, Edward Straiter sent the following email to Blythewood Town Manager Ed Driggers as a “Formal Request for Independent Review, Equity Assurance, and Governance Transparency” regarding his (Straiter’s) concern for how Mayor Sloan Griffin is treated by council and the media, “Given that Sloan Griffin III is the First Documented […]
Fairfield County reviews 27 vacant or unused properties for potential sale or demolition
March 12, 2026 By
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – County officials are beginning the process of deciding what to do with 27 properties identified as vacant or unused, with options ranging from further research to demolition or sale through a public bidding process. During a Monday night’s county council meeting, staff presented the findings of the county’s Surplus Properties Committee, which […]
BAR files injunction, writes new rules to halt demolition
March 12, 2026 By
BLYTHEWOOD — A request to demolish one of Blythewood’s oldest remaining commercial buildings drew strong opposition during a Feb. 19 meeting of the town’s BAR (Board of Architectural Review), where residents urged the board to preserve the historic building, known as Wilson’s Store, located at 300 Main Street. Because the building sits within the town’s […]
