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1 week ago | 
wltx.com | Victoria Samuels
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia City Council voted this week to repeal its ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors following pressure from Republican state lawmakers and the threat of losing millions in state funding. The vote ends weeks of gridlock between city officials and the state legislature, after lawmakers included a budget proviso... later signed by the governor...that blocks funding to any municipality with such a ban.
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1 week ago | 
wcnc.com | Victoria Samuels
IRMO, S.C. — New parking rules are coming to Irmo that will affect where residents can keep RVs, boats, and commercial vehicles. The town council has approved an ordinance updating off-street parking regulations in residential neighborhoods. Under the new rules, heavy-duty commercial vehicles including semi-trucks, box trucks, and oversized tow trucks may no longer be parked in front yards, on residential streets, or anywhere visible in front of homes.
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1 week ago | 
wltx.com | Victoria Samuels
IRMO, S.C. — New parking rules are coming to Irmo that will affect where residents can keep RVs, boats, and commercial vehicles. The town council has approved an ordinance updating off-street parking regulations in residential neighborhoods.
Under the new rules, heavy-duty commercial vehicles including semi-trucks, box trucks, and oversized tow trucks may no longer be parked in front yards, on residential streets, or anywhere visible in front of homes.
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1 week ago | 
wltx.com | Victoria Samuels
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — The City of West Columbia Council has given final approval to its financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year, adopting a $26.3 million general fund budget with no increase but rather a slight decrease in the city’s property tax millage rate. On Monday night, the council held a second and final reading of the ordinance, officially enacting the 2025–2026 budget, which sets spending priorities, fees, and tax policy for the city beginning July 1.
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2 weeks ago | 
wltx.com | Victoria Samuels
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Orangeburg County officials are working to close a $1.6 million shortfall in a proposed $60 million general fund budget, prompting concerns about potential service cuts ahead of the July 1 start of the new fiscal year. County Administrator Harold Young said the budgeting process has been especially difficult this year due to uncertainty surrounding both federal and state funding.
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2 weeks ago | 
wltx.com | Victoria Samuels
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — Richland County officials gathered Thursday night to update residents on the status and future of the county’s Transportation Penny Tax, a one-percent sales tax approved by voters in 2012. The county reports that the tax has funded more than 500 infrastructure projects over the past decade, including improvements to Clemson Road, North Main Street, and Greene Street.
“A decade ago, Richland County voters said ‘yes’ to a penny,” the county noted.
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2 weeks ago | 
wltx.com | Victoria Samuels
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A new phase of development in Columbia’s Cameron Ridge subdivision could bring nearly 300 additional homes to the area as the city continues to respond to the growing housing demand. The proposed expansion includes attached units similar to townhomes, each offering approximately 1,800 square feet of space and two dedicated parking spots.
The plan is under review by the city’s Planning Commission, which is scheduled to vote on the preliminary proposal this Thursday.
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2 weeks ago | 
wltx.com | Victoria Samuels
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A state-led recovery effort aimed at helping South Carolinians rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is underway with millions of dollars in funding still available.
On Tuesday night, the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) held a public meeting in Orangeburg to inform residents that support is still accessible and vital.
“Sometimes people think we're FEMA or we're some federal government agency. No, we're South Carolina state agency.
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2 weeks ago | 
wltx.com | Victoria Samuels
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — A deadly shooting over the weekend in Richland County has led to murder charges against four suspects, including a 15-year-old, in what authorities believe was a drug deal gone wrong.
The incident unfolded just after 7:00 p.m. Sunday, when Richland County deputies responded to reports of gunfire near Percival Road and Quail Run Lane. Moments later, a vehicle crashed into a wall nearby. Inside, deputies found a man dead from a gunshot wound.
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3 weeks ago | 
wltx.com | Victoria Samuels
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Several South Carolina nonprofits are being forced to slash vital services following the loss of millions in earmarked state funds with leaders warning the cuts will harm vulnerable communities across the state.
Ashley Olayinka is the CEO of The Hive Community Circle a Columbia based nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence. She said her organization was expecting $750,000 in state funding this year money that will no longer come through.
