Richard Channing Shealy

Former pastor faces child sex crime charges

A former church leader in the Lexington area has been charged by a federal grand jury with multiple counts of producing, distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material.  The …

Market showcases special education students’ work

Stacy Nicholson and her son, Cole, will be on hand for the Special Education Parents Advisory Council Holiday Market on Nov. 6-7, where Cole Nicholson will showcase his metalworking talents.
The Special Education Parents Advisory Council for Lexington County School District One is planning a holiday market that organizers say will bring joy and smiles to attendees. Unlike a …

Lexington council divided on street light ordinance

The Lexington Town Council could decide to stop reimbursing neighborhood associations for street light costs. The council will hold its next meeting on Monday, Nov. 2.

Street lights remain a topic of discussion after the town council met on Monday, Oct. 19. After town officials presented the council with four options for updating Lexington’s outdated …

Lexington denies business license for hemp company

The Lexington Town Council meets at the Lexington Municipal Complex, 111 Maiden Lane.

The Lexington Town Council held a special-called meeting and business license hearing with the town attorney on Monday, Oct. 19, to discuss the appeal of a business license application for …

More Local News

‘The Climb’ shows support for families’ postpartum struggles

Children enjoyed a time of creative movement and dancing to music during "The Climb," a postpartum disorders awareness event held Sunday, Oct. 4, at Studio Bloom in West Columbia.

Postpartum Support International’s Climb Team Columbia held a family event to raise awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders on Sunday, Oct. 4. The fourth annual “The Climb – …

Lexington man gets prison sentence for child sex abuse material

Prosecutors say a 61-year-old Lexington man will spend nearly seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material. Timothy Stedman Sloan, 61, of …

Allen named CFO for Lexington School District 1

Shelley Sharpe Allen

The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees approved the recommendation of Shelley Sharpe Allen as the district’s new chief financial officer at the board’s meeting on Tuesday, …

District 5 teachers receive Mid-Carolina Electric grants

The Center for Advanced Technical Studies received a $1,000 Bright Ideas grant to support Kylie Cathcart’s project, “Chicken in the Hen House.”

Several Lexington-Richland School District Five classrooms will soon benefit from grants provided by the Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative.  The cooperative’s annual Bright Ideas …

River Bluff High student named PalmettoPride youth ambassador

Divija Viswabrahmana

River Bluff High junior Divija Viswabrahmana was recently named a PalmettoPride Youth Ambassador. Viswabrahmana is among 16 students selected statewide from nearly 200 applicants. Viswabrahmana …

MTC Foundation honors scholarship recipients, donors

Jeff Griffin, chair of the MTC Foundation Board of Trustees, addresses students, donors and guests at a president

The Midlands Technical College Foundation recently honored scholarship recipients and the donors who support their education during a president’s reception at Senate’s End in Columbia. …

Red Cross: Blood and platelet donors needed now

The American Red Cross urges people to leave a lasting impact by giving blood or platelets now. Donors of all blood types, especially those with type O blood, are needed to keep the blood supply …

Chapin author releases book on Mississippi River expedition

John Wellens of Chapin has published a 255-page book, “Crossing Muddy Waters: Paddle. Endure. Heal,” chronicling his 2025 expedition along the Mississippi River.

What began as a journey down the Mississippi River has become something much more personal — and now, a newly published book by Chapin author John Wellens is inviting readers to paddle alongside …

Murdaugh judge warns attorneys against ‘theatrics’ as sparring over evidence continues

Alex Murdaugh leans over to speak with defense attorney Phil Barber during a pretrial hearing for Murdaugh at the Lexington County Judicial Center on Friday, Oct. 16.

A Lexington judge scolded prosecutors and defense attorneys in the Murdaugh murder case for their monthslong wrangling over evidence, saying the court will not be used for “publicity or …

Spring Hill High teacher earns social studies educator award

Caroline Milhorn

Lexington-Richland School District Five social studies teacher Caroline Milhorn of Spring Hill High School has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 South Carolina Council for the Social Studies …

Golf tourney raises $150K for college scholarships

The sixth annual MTC Golf Classic, held Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Cobblestone Golf Club in Blythewood, raised more than $150,000 for Midlands Technical College scholarships.

The Midlands Technical College Foundation raised more than $150,000 at the sixth annual MTC Golf Classic held Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Cobblestone Golf Club in Blythewood. Over the past six …

Irmo library boosters plan book sale

The Lexington County Library’s Irmo Branch Library is located at 6251 St. Andrews Road in Irmo.

Need some new winter reads? The Friends of the Irmo Branch Library’s Fall Book Sale will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Oct. 24 in the library’s community room at 6251 St. Andrews …

State News

SC inmate has a chance to leave death row, but lawyers say it’s the safest place for him

This shows the common area of the death row facility, where inmates eat and spend time, with their individual cells in the background. The facility is located on the prison agency’s main Broad River campus in Columbia. The photo was taken in 2019 following a renovation before death row inmates moved in.

COLUMBIA — An order from South Carolina’s high court created the possibility that Donnie Council could leave death row. But in the 18 years since that ruling, his lawyers haven’t tried to get …

Trump rallies support for Graham in pre-election visit to Upstate

President Donald Trump rallies in Pendleton to support Sen. Darline Graham’s campaign on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

PENDLETON — President Donald Trump rallied in the Upstate to boost GOP support for U.S. Sen. Darline Graham’s campaign, while discounting polls suggesting the seat her late brother held for …

Annie Andrews explains her platform to end gun violence

Dr. Annie Andrews, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, speaks to voters in Winnsboro on Thursday, Oct. 22.

WINNSBORO — The Democrat running for Senate in South Carolina responded Thursday, Oct. 22, to President Donald Trump painting her as an “anti-gun extremist.” Dr. Annie Andrews, a …

Community Columnists

LEXINGTON HAPPENINGS: Fun fall events continue in Lexington!

“Magic on Church Street,” a Lexington United Methodist Church Christmas festival, is planned from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 21-22 at the Icehouse Amphitheater, which is shown here during a concert.

Silhouettes of pointed black hats were seen strolling down Lexington’s Main Street at dusk on Thursday, Oct. 22. It was the annual Witches’ Walk, where sips and savings were offered in downtown …

LEXINGTON HAPPENINGS: Apple picking a highlight among local fall events

Have you been apple pickin’? It’s the “ripe” season now! Many travel to the Hendersonville, North Carolina area to fill their baskets with this annual fruit. But you might just find the …

GILBERT NEWS: Help bless others through Thanksgiving Blessing Baskets

Thanksgiving is a time for families, food and gratitude. Many this year will struggle to enjoy the holidays. The Derrick Team of Keller Willaims and the elementary school counselors in the area are …

GILBERT NEWS: Fall festivals, Halloween events planned in Gilbert, Summit

Halloween is the one night of the year where neighborhoods become playgrounds, a parking lot becomes a festival and every child’s imagination gets to lead the way. This week, I have information on …

PELION NEWS: Enjoy boiled peanuts to fund Pelion High scholarships

A volunteer stirs boiled peanuts during the South Carolina Pelion Peanut Party in 2023.

This cooler weather has been a welcome relief from the hot summer we had. Even the birds seem to like it, as they are very vocal each morning when I go outside. Remember: the annual South …

PELION NEWS: Annual SC Peanut Party returns next month

Mr. Peanut and the IGA supermarket mascot wave to attendees during the 2023 S.C. Peanut Party parade in Pelion.

The 45th annual South Carolina Pelion Peanut Party will be held Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7. Friday’s events begin at 4 p.m. with the arrival of the food trucks. Dessert contest …

Commentary

Sanford Stadium’s hallowed ground: A mascot memorial

The Uga Mausoleum includes crypts for each mascot, bronze plaques with epitaphs and a life-size bronze “generic” statue of Uga.

I’ve met a few legends: musicians, writers, athletes, actors and a coach or three. Among the tops is University of Georgia Bulldogs football mascot Uga V. All Ugas have a following, but Uga V …

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: Seeking a therapist? Consider these professional credentials

It feels like fall outside today! The air has a crispness to it that is so refreshing and delightful. My air conditioner is not cycling on and off all the time. The seasons, they are a-changing! …

HOLY COW! HISTORY: A 1947 cereal’s radioactive surprise

For a mere 15 cents (about $2.25 today) and a Kix box top, youngsters could send off for a Lone Ranger Atomic Bomb Ring in early 1947.

1947 began on a wildly exciting note for kids. That January, enthralling ads popped up in comic books, Sunday newspaper funny pages and on the radio. What they announced was breathtaking. …

HOLY COW! HISTORY: The president’s stuff is missing!

Several presidential possessions that should be in the National Archives’ custody are missing and unaccounted for.

Somewhere in America right now, someone may be walking around with LBJ’s class ring on his finger, Abe Lincoln’s telegrams in his pocket, Harry Truman’s swords in one hand and FDR’s portrait …

Cranberry slurry: A wonderful drink any time of the year

This cranberry slurry is a beautiful color that’s perfect for the holidays, but columnist Dawn Corley says readers will enjoy it any time of the year.

This drink is made with a few simple ingredients and is one of the best things you can serve any time of year. The basic recipe contains only two or three ingredients but can be tailored to suit …

Chocolate-topped peanut butter bars a deluxe indulgence

These wonderful bars can be made simply or enhanced with additions that really take them over the top. This recipe will fill a 9-by-9 metal baking pan.  The size of the serving is up to …

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More Recent Stories

Lexington County volleyball teams win region championships, begin path through playoffs

The high school volleyball regular season is over, and Lexington County’s teams are set to begin their postseason journeys this week.   

Gilbert earns shutout win over Airport to stay in region title race

Gilbert head coach Ozzie Exume’s vision is starting to come together. 
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