|
 
On Tuesday, local nonprofit Limitless Community Development held its second annual "Seeds of Success" Summit at Richland Library Main in downtown Columbia. The day-long affair was designed to give minority women in the small-business and nonprofit sectors the skills to advance in their roles as leaders.
County Council Chairwoman Jesica Mackey (District 9), who also serves as vice president of strategic communications firm NP Strategy, provided remarks at the forum. WLTX news anchor Whitney Sullivan moderated the event, while Kenya Dunn, founder of The POWER Tribe Community, was scheduled as the keynote speaker.
|
|
|
 Council honors W.G. Sanders' basketball champions
During its meeting Tuesday, County Council saluted the boys' basketball team at W.G. Sanders Middle School in Columbia with a proclamation recognizing the team's 2025-2026 Richland One Middle School District Championship.
The Tigers completed an undefeated regular season on their way to the title, claiming victories over W.A. Perry, Alcorn and Crayton middle schools before ultimately defeating Southeast Middle School in the championship Feb. 11. Richland County congratulates members of the W.G. Sanders boys’ basketball team on an excellent season.
Administrator speaks to inspire Basic Detention graduates
County Administrator Leonardo Brown served as guest speaker for the SC Criminal Justice Academy’s commencement Friday in Columbia, recognizing the graduation of members of Basic Detention Class 485. The three-week-long Basic Detention training equips candidates to take on the role of a certified Class II Law Enforcement Officer.
An alumnus of the Basic Detention program himself, Administrator Brown was able to share in the feelings of success and accomplishment of the graduates of Class 485.
|
Town hall focuses on rezoning, development in District 7
On Wednesday, Councilwoman Gretchen D. Cooper hosted a town hall at the Richland County Adult Activity Center to discuss future development in District 7. The meeting covered a series of proposed rezonings in the area and their potential impact. Residents shared concerns on the potential rezonings with Councilwoman Cooper and County staff.
|
 Experts at OSBO workshop speak on long-term wealth
On Tuesday, Richland County's Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO) hosted its most recent small-business workshop, "Capital Infusion or Cashflow Confusion?" at the Voter Registration and Elections Office in Columbia.
Attendees heard from a panel of experts on long-term profitability, wealth and business growth, including strategies to guide business development, methods to manage payment cycles, and ways to make a small business bankable.
USC's Brain Health Center gets head start on cognitive care
On Wednesday, the University of South Carolina officially opened its new Brain Health Center on USC's Health Sciences campus in Columbia. University President Michael Amiridis and Gov. Henry McMaster were among those to speak on the facility's significance as a leap forward in access to innovative cognitive care for people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).
|
The 65,000-square-foot Brain Health Center features the state’s only 7-Tesla MRI scanner for patients, a neurology clinic for personalized treatment, and opportunities for physical, occupational and infusion therapy. Equipped with clinical and research spaces, the center aims to provide support for the more than 6,000 Richland County residents and 125,000 people statewide who live with ADRD.
|
Conservation district's chairman lauded for leadership
J. Kenneth “Kenny” Mullis Jr., chairman of the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District, recently received the 2025 Hugh Hammond Bennett Southeast Regional Producer Award from the National Conservation Planning Partnership. This award recognizes Mullis’ outstanding leadership and commitment to the development and implementation of effective conservation practices.
Mullis owns and operates Blythewood’s Twenty Creek Farm, for which Mullis maintains a conservation plan and has implemented significant improvements to protect the farm's soil health and water quality. He has also enrolled portions of the farm in a conservation easement, ensuring long-term protection of natural resources there.
“It is an honor to be recognized by my peers at the national level,” Mullis said of the honor.
|
County personnel earn compliments for service excellence
Richland County staff were recently recognized for providing excellent customer service:
- A resident commended Elise Kelly of the County Assessor's Office for being helpful, pleasant and professional during a recent interaction.
-
Roxanna Hall and Wendy Brailsford, both of the County Auditor's Office, were complimented by a fellow County staff member for their excellent attention to customer service.
To recognize an employee for a job well done, call the Ombudsman: 803-929-6000.
|
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
Richland County Council Meeting
6 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, County Administration Building (2nd-floor Council Chambers), 2020 Hampton St., Columbia
Meetings are streamed live on the County's YouTube and Facebook pages.
More information
District 7 Annual Community Walk
9 a.m. Saturday, March 21, Crane Creek Park, 7405 Fairfield Road, Columbia
Join County Councilwoman Gretchen D. Cooper (District 7) and other leaders for this event, which emphasizes the benefits of physical fitness. Registration online is encouraged but not required.
More information
Safe, Smart and Secure: Living Well at Home and Planning Ahead
6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, County Administration Building (2nd-floor Council Chambers), 2020 Hampton St., Columbia
Richland County's Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) is organizing this training session to offer practical ways to make your home safer, easier to manage, and more comfortable for long-term living. To register, email NIP.
More information
Early Voting for Town of Eastover General Election
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, March 30-Friday, April 10, Voter Registration and Elections Office, 300 Columbia Mall Blvd., Suite 210, Columbia
The general election for the Town of Eastover will be April 14. For any filling-related questions, contact the Town of Eastover: 803-353-2281.
More information
|
|
RICHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
Richland County Council conducts regular session meetings the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. All meetings are open to the public.
Councilmembers and contact info
-
District 1
Councilman Jason Branham / 803-542-0002
-
District 2
Councilman Derrek Pugh (Vice Chair) / 803-977-4339
-
District 3
Councilwoman Tyra Little / 803-422-0203
-
District 4
Councilman Paul Livingston / 803-765-1192
-
District 5
Councilperson Allison Terracio / 803-622-6029
-
District 6
Councilman Don Weaver / 803-995-3703
-
District 7
Councilwoman Gretchen D. Cooper / 803-977-4337
-
District 8
Councilwoman Tish Dozier Alleyne / 803-457-2597
-
District 9
Councilwoman Jesica Mackey (Chairwoman) / 803-977-4338
-
District 10
Councilwoman Cheryl English / 803-949-0770
-
District 11
Councilwoman Chakisse Newton / 803-973-9652
For Council-related matters, you may also email the Clerk of Council or call 803-576-2060.
|
|
|
|
|
