Sanford makes amends, offers apologies in final state-of-the-state address
In his final State of the State address, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford did something for the first time. Sanford's conciliatory tone showed his desire to work with the predominantly Republican legislature on three issues he put at the top of the state's agenda, and at the end of the speech, it was this attitude of reconciliation that drew the most attention.
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In their 80s, WWII vets still don't regret a thing
WWII veterans Clifton Jones and James Carter are proud of their service during WWII, and both said they have never regretted their service.
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World War II Army, Navy medics approach life-changing war differently
Two World War II veterans, now living at Veterans' Victory House nursing home in Walterboro, share how their lives changed during and after the war.
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WWII vet claims respect, not sexism
World War II veterean Thelma Haigh broke stereotypes and helped pave the way for how women in service would be treated in the future.
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Small businessmen jump into big city politics
Retro camera equipment litters every tabletop in half of Aaron Johnson and Grant Robertson's photography store in Five Points, the F-Stop. In the other half, registration forms and campaign fliers clutter the three crowded desks of the volunteers managing Johnson and Robertson's campaigns for city government – Johnson for mayor and Robertson for city council.
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In tough times, used clothes are in
During this economic recession some stores are finding changes in business aren't for the worst. Reuse/resell stores and pawnshops are both seeing in increase in business.
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Changes give Bark to the Park new bite
Project Pet took over this year's Bark to the Park festival and added a one mile walk to benefit homeless pets.
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Rollerbladers hope to take air once again
A small group of Columbia rollerbladers remain loyal to their sport five years after the city's rollerblading community nearly vanished.
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Art shop flourishes after rough start
Pattie Clark, owner of a paint-your-own pottery shop in Columbia, has seen her fair share of hardships as a first-time small-business owner. But her love for her craft and passion for teaching others leads helps carry her through tough times.
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Civil War re-enactor enjoys hobby, history
Tommy Rollings, a Columbia native and member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, has been a Civil War re-enactor for eight years. Rollings sat down with the Carolina Reporter to answer questions about his hobby and the Battle for Columbia, coming up on May 1.
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Local tech startup presents solid plans for future growth
A group of international USC graduates have started a local software company that is branching off into a building ground for other tech startups.
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"Strange Tales" show not afraid to be weird
A local radio group hunts for the cooky, spooky and just plain strange things around the Southeast. Take a trip with them on the hunt for the Lizard Man.
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Meet 27-year-old Camden Mayor Jeffrey Graham
Jeffrey Graham, 27, was elected mayor of Camden last November. He is the youngest mayor in S.C. and runs the oldest inland city. Despite the recession, Graham believes there is hope for the small city of about 7,000 people and is working on implementing a plan to revitalize the city's downtown area.
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Insomnia Cookies offers sweet alternative for late-night snacks
Insomnia Cookies, a new company that specializes in warm, freshly baked cookies and brownies that can be purchased on site or ordered for delivery, recentely opened up shop in Columbia. The Carolina Reporter spoke with Insomnia chief opperations office Joe Essenfeld about where the company came from and where they're going.
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Dance parties provide cheap entertainment, draw more than traditional concerts.
Local DJ's have helped cut the high cost of entertainment by putting together several "dance parties" that have increasingly gained popularity.
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Cemetery groundskeeper enjoys daily work
Frank Toye, superintendent of groundskeeping at Elmwood Cemetery & Gardens in downtown Columbia, says he loves coming to work each day and doesn't believe in ghosts.
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Animal authorities tackle pet-related controversies
Pet professionals explain common pet myths By Kimi Timmers Edited by Cheryl Matheson April 22, 2009 Whether you've been a lifelong pet owner or you're just starting out, the decisions you make don't
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Pets Inc. hosts first-ever Easter event
Pets Inc. in West Columbia held its first Easter B'egg Hunt on the Saturday before Easter. Store manager and adoption counselor Monica McCartha said the event could become an annual one. It drew 500 visitors, raised $3,000, and found homes for 24 pets.
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Leesville auto auction boasts title of first in U.S.
Rawls Auto Auction has been a fixture in the Batesburg-Leesville community for 71 years. Come take a tour of the business and meet some of the people who make it run smoothly.
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Lack of nuns in Catholic classrooms seen as a change, challenge to community
Nuns have long been an enduring symbol of Catholic education, but Catholic schools in Columbia and in South Carolina as a whole have seen a decrease in their numbers, with only 26 nuns on staff out of 707 Catholic school teachers in the entire state.
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Student-organized Passover event creates community for Jewish students
Hillel began a tradition that has helped create a community and family feeling during Passover when Jewish students at USC may not be able to make it home for the holiday.
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Graphic: Megachurches gaining members, influence
The number of megachurches in the United States has doubled every year since 1960. As megachurches become more prevelant the churches gain even more members and influence in their communities.
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Tribe SK breaks out in Columbia, has eye on West Coast
Tribe SK is a local dance troupe that combines breakdancing with other improvisational movement to "soulshift." Follow this story to find out exactly what that means.
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10 minutes with the director of USC's Jewish studies program
Stan Dubinsky is helping the University of South Carolina start a Jewish Studies program. Dubinsky sat down with the Carolina Reporter and answered some questions about the upcoming program.
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Cayce wins fourth consecutive award for litter crackdown
The city of Cayce law enforcement is working hard to stop litter in their community, garnering their fourth-straight PalmettoPride enforcement grant, the first city to do so. Officers are now using high-tech equiptment to catch litters in the act, all to keep their city clean.
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Community unites behind college
Gov. Mark Sanford proposed cutting three USC campuses in his Jan. 9 executive budget. But Lancaster residents like Carolyn Thomas and officials refuse to go down without a fight. The area has united to save its community college and possibly their futures.
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Sitting down with USC's lobbyist
Steven Beckham, the federal lobbyist for USC, isn't really a lobbyist; that's just his job title. He spends his time in Washington, D.C., helping connect Carolina to the Capitol.
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Legislators listen to USC student opinions at State House
In troubled economic times, USC students are training to get their voices heard at the State House by taking issues like conservation and higher education funding straight to legislators. And the increase of student presence at the State House may be influencing voters.
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Building’s restoration excites Olympia community
The newly renovated building at 701 Whaley has added life to what was once a small mill village. The owners of the building hope to soon place a restaurant in the left over space.
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More than just bad words
South Park mocked Tourette's in an episode, portraying it as a disorder that causes people to curse uncontrollably. That is not usually the case. For most with Tourette's, like Dylan Sharp from Aiken, the syndrome is more subtle.
Learn to look for the warning signs of Tourette's, which affects 200,000 Americans. Also find out the disorders that often accompany Tourette's, a sometimes debilitating neurological disorder.
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Learn how to get your first home loan
With mortgage rates hovering around six percent and with a buyer's market, a local loan officer has advice on how to get that first home loan.
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Plates can cause problems for drivers
Metal plates are covering construction project holes all around Columbia, but mechanics say that the plates can damage cars if drivers hit them the wrong way.
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Find out which loan is right for you
Homeowners struggling to make adjustable-rate mortgage payments didn't expect recent economic troubles.
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Sanfordville rally a source for alternative media
With the advent of instant access media such as Twitter and social-networking, people are becoming increasingly involved in citizen journalism, letting others know what is happening around them.
| Wildlife care center celebrates two decades of service
Carolina Wildlife Care celebrates its 20-year anniversary of rehabilitating South Carolina's wildlife this year. Forty thousand animals have been cared for in those two decades.
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The Masters a source of pride and tradition
Rusty Guill, the official scorer of the Masters, talks about his family's Masters history and the pride of Augusta.
| Carolina Wildlife Care celebrates 20 years of rehabilitation
Carolina Wildlife Care in Columbia celebrates 20 years of rehabilitating South Carolina's native wildlife this year. The center was founded in 1989 in a founder's bonus room.
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Senior reflects on career as basketball manager
Adam Ribock of Augusta, Ga., has been a basketball manager the past three seasons and the head manager for the past two. He says a college student could not ask for a better job.
| Three USC Campuses could potentially close
See the potential impact on the Lancaster, Allendale and Union communities if their campuses are closed.
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Volunteers work to enrich animals at Riverbanks
With balloons, party hats and pinatas in mind, volunteers gather to plan a party. "We'll have to make something purple for Michael," says one volunteer....Michael, the 380-pound gorilla. Enrichment is an everyday event at Riverbanks Zoo designed to keep the animals entertained and bring out natural behaviors, but the enrichment volunteers plan public events to give the animals something special and inform the public.
| Lexington woman's struggles highlights mortage problems
Some experts say that the Columbia real estate market will not take the same hits as Myrtle Beach. But one Lexington woman struggles to make monthly mortgage payments and could lose her home.
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Tattoo artist describes an inked life
Mike Turner has been tattooing for 25 years. He served in the Army, sold cars and taught high school history, but he said he always came back to tattooing. Turner answers questions about his life and tattooing for the Carolina Reporter.
| Local alcohol retailers withstand diminishing economy
Despite recent national reports that say alcohol sales are down at bars and restaraunts, Columbia bars continue to weather the recession while some liquor stores struggle.
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Contrary to popular belief, alcohol sales not recession-proof
A recent report from an alcohol industry trade group says that even alcohol sales can suffer during a recession, but with people going out less to save money, liquor stores are still doing well.
| It’s cookie time for the Brownies
Despite a recession, Girl Scouts around the Midlands are out selling the famous Girl Scout cookies. Consumers should also expect fewer cookies in their boxes this year.
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Take a Girl Scout cookie quiz
Think you know Girl Scout cookies? See how well you do with this quick quiz.
| Carolina Stadium amenities explained
USC media relations assistant Andrew Kittick guides you through state-of-the-art Carolina Stadium and the new features it brings for players and Gamecock fans.
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Parking for USC's Carolina Stadium
Learn about the parking options for the new Carolina Stadium
| ‘Garnet Army' brings muscle to men's basketball games
The student section at USC men's basketball games has recently gained a new identity. Dubbed the "Garnet Army," the sea of garnet, black and white camouflage-clad students has brought more energy and greater attendance to home games and drawn more interest to the team.
Check out attendance trends graphic inside.
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Insomnia offers sweet treats for night owls
The newest business added to the Five Points area will help satisfy anyone's sweet tooth.
| Allegiant Air returns to Columbia
If you're looking for a cheap way to travel to Orlando, a low-cost carrier that has returned to Columbia might be right for you. Allegiant Air flies into Orlando's Sanford International Airport starting Feb. 25.
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New Orleans artist returns to Columbia after 8 years
New Orleans native, Anne Boudreau returns to Columbia after eight years to display her susupended artwork. She is the current guest artist for the 701 Center for Contemporary Art's artist-in-residence program.
| Allendale feels double-digit jobless rate
Allendale County's unemployment rate was 19.7 percent in December 2008, which is the highest of any county in South Carolina.
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S.C.'s worst unemployment
The state unemployment rate reached 9.5 percent in December. On average, the rate in each county rose 3.4 percentage points in 2008. Here are the areas that experienced the greatest change.
| Time wasting Web sites
Learn about some of the newest time wasting Web sites on the internet today.
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