Block Party brings neighborhoods together in fun

On Thursday, Richland County’s annual Neighborhood Block Party united residents, County staff and elected officials at the Garners Ferry Adult Activity Center in Hopkins. Organized by the County's Neighborhood Improvement Program, this event celebrates diverse neighborhoods all over the County and featured games, free food and music.

County set to unveil new Percival Road sidewalk

A celebratory ribbon cutting Wednesday, July 1 will mark the completion of a 5-foot-wide sidewalk along Percival Road, a Richland County Transportation Penny project. County officials will speak at the ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m. in front of 100 Partridge Drive, Columbia.

Involving $4 million in upgrades, the sidewalk lines one side of Percival Road and extends 1.4 miles from Forest Drive to Decker Boulevard. The new walkway will provide a safe, accessible walking route to local schools, businesses and community destinations.

NEWS AROUND THE COUNTY

Residents, local groups revel in freedom at Juneteenth Fest

The 10th annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest took place last Saturday at Finlay Park in downtown Columbia. The event featured more than 80 vendors, along with diverse cultural foods, soulful music, and community resources. Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) was one of many local community organizations attending the festival. CASA representatives shared the group's mission of advocating for the needs of vulnerable youth in the County’s Family Court system and to encourage residents to serve as CASA volunteers.

Serve your County: Boards, committees need volunteers

Richland County offers opportunities to stay active in local government through serving on one of several volunteer boards and committees. To apply for an open position online, visit the County's website. County Council will accept applications for the following vacancies until 5 p.m. Friday, July 17:

• Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee – five vacancies
• Building Codes Board of Appeals – six vacancies
• Business Service Center Appeals Board – three vacancies
• Hospitality Tax Advisory Committee – one vacancy

The Clerk of Council’s office will contact applicants to schedule a brief interview with the Rules and Appointments Committee. Interviews are scheduled to begin in September. For more information, email the Clerk to Council's Office or call 803-576-2060.

MUSC's new facility in Columbia unifies ER, urgent care

On June 18, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) held a ribbon-cutting for the grand opening of MUSC Health Emergency and Urgent Care on Garners Ferry Road in Columbia. MUSC says the site is the state's first combined emergency and urgent care center.  County and state leaders, including County Treasurer Kendra Dove and Councilwoman Chakisse Newton (District 11), attended the event, and guests were invited to tour the new facility.

County mailing out notices for changes to property values

This week, the Richland County Assessor’s Office began mailing notifications to owners of properties whose values have changed by at least $1,000. More than 13,600 property owners will receive the notices.

While the taxable value on these notices is the basis for the County’s real property tax bill, the taxes will not be calculated until October, when County Council sets the property tax rates, known as the millage rate.

Residents can visit the County Assessor’s Property Value and Tax Estimate Inquiry page to estimate their real property taxes based on the 2026 taxable value and the 2025 millage rate. For the most recent millage rates, visit the County Auditor online.

Ribbon cutting celebrates visual upgrades near airport

A ribbon-cutting June 17 served as a community update on the Regional Gateways Project along the Airport Boulevard corridor. The beautification project is a unified effort to create inviting gateways and provide a welcoming experience for residents and visitors to Columbia. The celebration focused on a 1-mile length of road at I-26 and S.C. 302 near the airport. Richland County leaders, including Administrator Leonardo Brown and Assistant County Administrator Aric Jensen, welcomed the development as one of eight local enhancement projects aimed at stimulating economic development in the Midlands.

USA Today highlights local conservationist, heritage tour

A Richland County Conservation Commissioner was featured in a recent USA Today story highlighting heritage travel for America's 250th anniversary. 

Khali Gallman, co-chair of the commission, gave information on genealogy and heritage travel for the article, which also mentions the ENRICH Tour launched by the commission in 2025. The tour includes more than 30 historical sites in the Midlands celebrating African American leaders and communities.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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.