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Nov 18, 2024 | 
carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu | Katie Rojas |Geri Johnson
Did the legendary Bigfoot visit South Carolina last weekend? It wouldn’t be his first time in the Palmetto state. An anonymous witness, who identified himself as a law enforcement officer, reported seeing a mysterious creature in Newberry County on Nov. 2 to the national Bigfoot Researcher’s Organization. The recent report has sparked a wave of conversations and memes on social media. The sighting also had others wondering whether the creature exists.
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Nov 12, 2024 | 
carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu | Katie Rojas
A recent pneumovirus outbreak led the Columbia Animal Shelter to temporarily limit intakes of dogs as there is no vaccine for the virus. Pneumovirus is a canine respiratory illness that causes coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge and difficulty breathing, according to Columbia Animal Services. The city of Columbia released a statement on Oct. 14 saying the shelter was only taking in dogs that were sick, injured or faced animal cruelty. Staff and visitors were still allowed inside the facility.
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Nov 7, 2024 | 
carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu | Katie Rojas
Emma Shuster, a junior mass communications student, enjoys walking along Columbia’s Riverwalk after class to view the sunset. She walks to her car at about 5:30 p.m. The sun is beginning to set. Now, she feels limited as to what she can do. For many students, the fall-back time change affects their daily routines, mental health and sense of security. “I definitely get a bit seasonally depressed,” Shuster said.
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Oct 14, 2024 | 
carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu | Katie Rojas
As Irmo continues to grow, residents have mixed views about whether its small-town charm is at risk. At the heart of the debate in the town of 12,000 people is the Water Walk, a proposed 65-acre mixed-use community near Lake Murray that would have shops, restaurants, a hotel and up to 550 homes. And on Tuesday, Town Council could give the plan a final go-ahead.
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Oct 11, 2024 | 
carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu | Katie Rojas
Magnus Williams, owner of Got Milk Cereal Bar, has a mini-library inside his business. He said the mini-libraries provided by the city of Columbia are a great opportunity for kids to read more. He plans to reward kids with treats – cookies or slices of cake – if they come in and tell him what book they’re reading and what the book is about. “Reading is fundamental, and we all see in different aspects of our life that a lot of people don’t read like they should,” Williams said.
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Oct 4, 2024 | 
carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu | Katie Rojas
Sara Barber, executive director of the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, recalls the case that haunts her. “The story that sticks with me most is where I was trying to help (the victim), connect her with Sistercare, help her get supplies for her children,” Barber said. “Then she stopped returning my calls.”The next time Barber saw her name was in the newspaper. She had died as a result of domestic violence.
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Oct 2, 2024 | 
carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu | Katie Rojas
Seen any cool trees lately? Trees that stand out? Submit them to the city of Columbia’s Forestry and Beautification Department. A city committee selects the trees it thinks are “treasured” and honors their caretakers as well. The program showcases people who care about trees and spend years taking care of them, Neiger said.
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Sep 30, 2024 | 
carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu | Annie Poteat |Katie Rojas
Dorthea Dennis watched her grandson and son as they stood in the family’s driveway Monday morning and tried to start a car that was already halfway underwater. The water came up to their calves. The car was packed full of their belongings. After turning the ignition a few times, it finally flipped. Dennis cheered from the side of the road while her family slowly drove through the water on Riverside Lane. Dennis said her house started flooding around 3 p.m. Sunday. After that, it rose quickly.
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Sep 26, 2024 | 
carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu | Katie Rojas
Students walking out of class were greeted with Latin music, craft and informational booths and a food truck. Midlands Technical College’s Airport campus this week joined the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, showcasing artwork, piñatas, food and informational displays. Patrick Bennett, Tech’s executive director for access and opportunity, said it’s important to feel seen, valued and heard at any college.
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Aug 30, 2024 | 
carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu | Katie Rojas |Cait Dee |Cassie Cornwell
Some 27 years ago, 19-year-old Freddie Owens killed a woman in a gas station robbery. Next month, state officials decided recently, he’ll face the ultimate consequence for his actions: the death penalty. Owens’ execution, scheduled for Sept. 20, will be the first in South Carolina since 2011, ending a hold on executions because of a shortage of lethal injection drugs. High-profile former criminal justice officials weighed in on the issue recently with the Carolina News & Reporter.
