Free Republic

The mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, Stephen Benjamin, declared a state of emergency in the state capital on Wednesday, triggered by Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Columbia reporting that it is reaching a “strained capacity” of children being diagnosed with COVID-19. The Columbia City Council in South Carolina subsequently ratified the state of emergency during an emergency meeting on Thursday, mandating masks for all faculty, staff, visitors, and children in public and private schools, and daycares that instruct children from ages 2 to 14. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office issued a press release later that day stating that it...

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The body of University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson, who was reported missing Friday, was found in a field by hunters and a suspect was arrested, Columbia Police said in a news conference Saturday night. Police said Samantha Josephson, 21, was reported missing by her friends Friday around 1:30 p.m. when she wasn't responding to calls and never returned home after going out Thursday night in 5 points. Video surveillance footage circulating on social media showed Josephson getting into a black Chevy Impala around 2 a.m. on Harden Street outside of the Bird Dog bar. Police...

A Five Points bar became the target of social media protests last month after the manager said he was fired because the owner believed the business had become “too dark.” Josh Sutton, the former manager of Moosehead Saloon on Devine Street, said he received a text message from the owner saying that “whatever is happening to the crowd shift, I want it to stop now. It’s gone too far. I will bring in a entire need (new) staff if needed.” In a followup coversation, the owner, Matt Shmanske, said the business was becoming “too dark,” Sutton told The State. Shmanske,...

(Newser) - A twist in the story of the South Carolina school resource officer fired after a classroom arrest turned violent - and went viral: About 100 Spring Valley High School students peacefully walked out of class Friday morning and gathered in the school's atrium to show support for former deputy Ben Fields and ask that he be given his job back. The school principal called the protest "an orderly student-led activity" and noted, "I addressed the students to let them know that we understood their need to make their voices heard. Then I reminded them that Spring Valley high...

President Barack Obama got four mayors to fully endorse his nationwide program to “build welcoming communities” for millions of “new Americans” and roll out the red carpet. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed — who recently made headlines for terminating his city’s fire chief over a Christian book that described homosexual behavior as sin — signed on late last month to join three other mayors of major American cities: Los Angeles’ Eric Garcetti, Chicago’s Rahm Emanuel and Nashville’s Karl Dean. Reed’s message to the millions of refugees and immigrants entering the country: Come to Atlanta. “Reed became the nation’s fourth mayor to...

The search continues for three men wanted for questioning in the murder of Kelly Hunnewell, a bakery employee and mother of four small children. Police have received tips, but leads have reached a dead end. They're certain someone saw these three men caught on surveillance video. All were wearing hoodies and jeans in 70 degree weather around 3:30 a.m. Monday near Beltline Boulevard and Tommy Circle. It's obvious Hunnewell was more than a baker for Carolina Cafe. "She was family, you know," said Lauren Schuleter, Carolina Cafe's owner. "When you see somebody every day, it's very hard for them to...

An angry mother stood before a judge Friday afternoon in a barebones courtroom at the Richland County jail, describing the fractured skull, busted nose and broken eye socket her son received during an early Monday morning beating in Five Points. Vicki Strange’s voice never quivered as she described racing to the hospital in the wee hours to get to her 18-year-old son, Carter Strange. She recalled standing in the emergency room and seeing a man on a gurney being wheeled down the hall, thinking, “That poor man.” As nurses wheeled the man closer, Vicki Strange thought his hair looked familiar....

A 23-year-old man was fatally shot early Sunday morning in the Main Street parking lot between Columbia City Hall and the Richland County courthouse. The dead man was discovered in a car by Columbia police after an officer stopped a vehicle about 3:15 a.m. The victim was Aaron Bouknight of Columbia, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said. An autopsy is slated for Monday. Watts said the man got into a dispute at Club Dreams nightclub, 1734 Main St., and was shot in the parking lot across the street after leaving the club. Late Sunday afternoon, a plainclothes city police investigator...

I (cf_river_rat) have the privilege of working in South Carolina this week and was honored to be the guest of FReeper flib and her cohort, lurker “CCAW”, at their weekly vigil countering some aged hippies’ pathetic attempt at demoralizing America’s brave warriors. These ladies have been countering the sad efforts of the America-hating left in Columbia for the better part of a year now, and their perseverance is exceptional. If only 25% of FReepers could be as doggedly determined as these two! 29 March 2006 It was a beautiful spring evening in central South Carolina as a few dedicated soldier...

Wed. was another in a long line of Wednesdays spent in front of the statehouse in Columbia, SC. I have been doggedly counter protesting some misguided peaceniks (A.K.A. appeasement-niks). As I am a new Freeper, this is my first after action. This past Wednesday I was the only counter protester. Usually I have another army wife who joins me. As I walked up the street toward the location where 9-10 members of this scrappy group were assembled, cars beeped and gave thumbs up and shouts of support while I walked with my “Support the troops, Support the Mission” and my...

<p>This FReep took place on Monday, October 6, 2003 at the Happy Bookseller store in Columbia, SC from about 2pm until 4pm or so.</p> <p>The bookstore, on Forest Drive, shares a building with a toy store. There is a small parking lot in front of the stores which was completely close off by the police. At one end of the parking lot there is a residential street. At the other end is another parking lot for stores further back from the street than the bookstore and the toy store.</p>

Columbia is hoping to reduce crime by reducing the number of guns in the city. The city will be offering $50 to $100 per firearm to those who turn in their weapons from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Capital City Stadium. “When you take guns off the streets you save lives,” City Councilman E.W. Cromartiesaid at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. “Make our streets, homes and neighborhoods safe.” The idea for “Gun Amnesty Day” came from the Unity 2004 summit in October, which focused on improving services and programs to decrease youth violence. Unity 2004 leaders gathered Tuesday...

The State.com S. Carolina's Home Page   Posted on Mon, Mar. 10, 2003 200 rally at State House to support U.S. troopsBy MEGAN SEXTONStaff Writer Kelly Floyd said she remembers how badly her brother was treated when he returned from fighting in the Vietnam War.She doesn't want the same to happen to her 19-year-old son serving in the Marine Corps -- or any members of the military deployed to the gulf."I certainly don't want there to be a war with so many members of my family (serving in the military), but we're here to say that we support them,"...