Lake Murray News

12/30/2025

Rachel Kim Hodge travels to South Korea

Popular Midlands-area School Resource Officer attends international police conference in Seoul By W. Thomas Smith Jr. I love Korean people: Korean-Americans or Korean nationals, it doesn’t matter. I love and respect them for their deep, rich history and culture (food and art included), and for the very nature of who they are. Korean people are a unique mix of humility, resiliency, toughness, and a universal kindness that is to me unmatched by any other group of people....

Popular Midlands-area School Resource Officer attends international police conference in Seoul By W. Thomas Smith Jr. I love Korean people: Korean-Americans or Korean nationals, it doesn’t ma…

12/30/2025

Prisma Health Urgent Care Opens New Ballentine Location

Prisma Health Urgent Care has opened a new center in Ballentine, expanding access to same-day care for residents in the Irmo and Dutch Fork communities. The facility, located at 1085 Dutch Fork Road, opened December 15 and provides walk-in treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. The Ballentine location operates daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Opening during peak cold and flu season, the center features advanced Spotfire one-swab testing, allowing providers to detect multiple respiratory illnesses—including flu, COVID-19, and RSV—with a single sample for faster diagnosis and treatment....

Prisma Health Urgent Care has opened a new center in Ballentine, expanding access to same-day care for residents in the Irmo and Dutch Fork communities. The facility, located at 1085 Dutch Fork Roa…

12/30/2025

County Administrator Brown Graduates from Criminal Justice Academy

Rivchland County Administrator Leonardo Brown has graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy as a member of Basic Detention Class 482. The academy’s Basic Detention program is a three-week course designed to provide officer candidates with the knowledge, skills and training required to serve as certified detention officers in South Carolina. Brown earned his Class II Law Enforcement Officer certification and was also named a Distinguished Graduate, an honor awarded to students who achieve a cumulative academic average of at least 96 percent. As part of his county leadership duties, Brown serves as the facility administrator for the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia.

Rivchland County Administrator Leonardo Brown has graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy as a member of Basic Detention Class 482. The academy’s Basic Detention program is…

12/30/2025

Why “Normal” Lab Results May Miss Underlying Health Issues

By Jennifer Tardy Many people visit their doctor feeling persistently fatigued, foggy, or unwell, only to be told their lab work falls within “normal” ranges. According to local functional nutrition practitioner Jennifer Tardy, those results may not always reflect optimal health. Tardy, founder of Eating for Healing Nutrition and Wellness, explains that standard laboratory reference ranges are based on population averages, not on what is considered ideal for long-term wellness....

By Jennifer Tardy Many people visit their doctor feeling persistently fatigued, foggy, or unwell, only to be told their lab work falls within “normal” ranges. According to local functio…

12/30/2025

Class to Help Restaurants Use Media Effectively – January 12

Local restaurant owners, food truck operators, caterers, and other food-based businesses can learn how to attract media attention at Lights, Camera, Flavor., a media masterclass set for January 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Cathy Novinger Leadership Center, 1107 Williams Street, Columbia. Hosted by Khali Gallman, CEO of Epitome., the class will feature media professionals, journalists, influencers, and PR experts offering practical guidance on earning news coverage, working with influencers, pitching stories, preparing for TV appearances, and building long-term visibility....

Local restaurant owners, food truck operators, caterers, and other food-based businesses can learn how to attract media attention at Lights, Camera, Flavor., a media masterclass set for January 12 …

12/25/2025

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12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from Community Newspapers!

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12/24/2025

Students Get Hands-On Legal Experience at DOJ’s National Advocacy Center

IRMO — Twenty-nine Irmo High School students stepped out of the classroom and into federal mock courtrooms December 11, gaining firsthand insight into the American justice system during a visit to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Advocacy Center (NAC) in Columbia. The students represented several academic programs, including AP Government, taught by Eric Coleman, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, and the This is Escolares magnet program....

IRMO — Twenty-nine Irmo High School students stepped out of the classroom and into federal mock courtrooms December 11, gaining firsthand insight into the American justice system during a vis…

12/24/2025

You don’t need a gym (said the gym owner)

By Radley West As a gym owner, I’m about to say something slightly scandalous: you don’t need a gym to get strong. Yes, I just heard my dumbbells gasp. Truth is, there’s one humble piece of equipment that can help you build serious strength, tone your muscles, and even improve your balance and it fits in your sock drawer: the resistance band....

By Radley West As a gym owner, I’m about to say something slightly scandalous: you don’t need a gym to get strong. Yes, I just heard my dumbbells gasp. Truth is, there’s one humble piece of equipme…

12/24/2025

EMS Delivers Holiday Cheer Through Stuff an Ambulance Toy Drive

Richland County EMS staff delivered multiple ambulance loads of toys and gifts on December 15 as part of the county’s annual Stuff an Ambulance holiday toy drive. The delivery took place at the Richland County Judicial Center in downtown Columbia. The donated items will benefit children involved in Richland County Family Court, including those served by Richland County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the county’s Guardian ad Litem program....

Richland County EMS staff delivered multiple ambulance loads of toys and gifts on December 15 as part of the county’s annual Stuff an Ambulance holiday toy drive. The delivery took place at t…

12/24/2025

SCDNR Colonel Chisolm Frampton receives Palmetto Excellence in Stewardship Award

The award recognizes those who protect South Carolina’s lands, waters, and wildlife with exceptional dedication By Cheyenne Twilley Colonel Chisolm Frampton, S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), was presented the Palmetto Excellence in Stewardship Award — the first such award in SCDNR’s history: The Department announcing the presentation, Dec. 11, 2025. SCDNR officials refer to the honor as a fitting tribute for a leader whose career embodies the very principles the award seeks to celebrate....

The award recognizes those who protect South Carolina’s lands, waters, and wildlife with exceptional dedication By Cheyenne Twilley Colonel Chisolm Frampton, S.C. Department of Natural Resour…

12/24/2025

Lexington High School to hold Roundball Classic

(Photo by Lexington High School Boys Basketball) The Lexington boys basketball team visit Cameron Indoor Stadium, the home of the Duke Blue Devils. By Thomas Grant Jr. During Robert Wells’ tenure as Brookland-Cayce boys basketball coach, the Roundball Classic was a holiday staple in the Lexington County community. He’s now brought the 3-day tournament with him to Lexington High School. Renamed the Lexington Roundball Classic, the seventh edition of the event will feature 16 teams from South Carolina and Georgia competing in two divisions....

(Photo by Lexington High School Boys Basketball) The Lexington boys basketball team visit Cameron Indoor Stadium, the home of the Duke Blue Devils. By Thomas Grant Jr. During Robert Wells’ tenure a…