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Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Director of Homeless Services Kameisha Heppard, S.C. State 1890 Extension Administrator Dr. Edoe Agbodjan, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Associate Director Deon Legette, and City of Columbia Homeless Services staff.

More than 350 Cooperative Extension professionals from across South Carolina came together for a statewide service project to support Rapid Shelter Columbia during the second biennial South Carolina Joint Cooperative Extension Conference, held February 12-14 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street. The event, which brought together Cooperative Extension professionals from the state’s two land-grant universities—S.C. State University and Clemson University— featured a series of sessions, presentations, and networking opportunities but also served as a platform for local outreach with a donation of essential supplies to Rapid Shelter Columbia aimed at improving the lives of homeless individuals in the city.

The service project, which embodied the conference’s theme, Innovating Together: Strengthening Public Service Through Collaboration, aimed to directly address the challenges facing South Carolinians— particularly those who are unhoused—by pooling resources and knowledge from across the state. The donations, including toiletries, cleaning supplies, and home goods items, will assist Rapid Shelter Columbia in providing immediate relief and support to residents within the shelter community.

Rapid Shelter Columbia, a vital community resource, offers emergency shelter, case management, and support services aimed at helping individuals transition out of homelessness and into stable housing. Rapid Shelter is the first transitional housing project of its kind in the southeast in which the city provides 50 pallet sleeping cabins to persons who require transitional housing.

Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, City of Columbia Director of Homeless Services Kameisha Heppard, and staff at Rapid Shelter Columbia attended the donation announcement and were extremely appreciative of the items donated ranging from toiletries, linens, books, household items, water bottles, and much more.

On behalf of Rapid Shelter Columbia, Mayor Rickenmann expressed profound gratitude for the support. “The donations we will receive during this conference are incredibly important,” said Rickenmann. “They will provide our residents with the necessary items they need to stay safe and comfortable as they work towards securing stable housing. We’re thankful to everyone involved in this collaborative effort, and we are encouraged by the collective compassion shown by the state’s Cooperative Extension professionals.”

This collaborative service project exemplifies the core values of the Cooperative Extension system and highlights the positive impact of collective action to address the needs of vulnerable communities in South Carolina.

“We hope these donations will provide immediate relief to those who need it most,” said Dr. Tom Dobbins, associate dean for Outreach and Engagement of Clemson University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and professor and director of the university’s Cooperative Extension Service. “This service project is a tangible way we can make a positive impact on the lives of our collective neighbors and ensure that those experiencing homelessness in Columbia have the essentials they need while working to rebuild their lives.”

The conference itself underscores the importance of collaboration between institutions to address South Carolina’s most pressing issues. By uniting professionals from across the state, including representatives from both S.C. State and Clemson, the event aims to foster cross-disciplinary solutions to complex challenges.

“The joint efforts of these two prestigious universities demonstrate the tremendous power of collaboration,” said Dr. Edoe Agbodjan, associate Extension administrator for S.C. State 1890 Extension. “By working together, we can address the unique needs of South Carolina’s communities in innovative ways and create real, sustainable solutions for the future.”

About S.C. State University 1890 Research & Extension

S.C. State 1890 Extension is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for South Carolinians through education, innovation, and community partnerships. As part of S.C. State’s land-grant mission, the 1890 Program leverages research and integrates teaching and public service to support this goal. The program operates directly in 32 counties, focusing on five key areas: 4-H youth development, community and economic development, education innovation and support, family nutrition and health, and sustainable agriculture natural resources and environment.

About Clemson University Extension

Clemson Extension helps improve the quality of life of all South Carolinians by providing unbiased, research-based information through an array of public outreach programs in youth development; agribusiness; agriculture; food, nutrition and health; and natural resources.

With offices in all 46 counties of the state, Extension works to help support South Carolina’s $51.8 billion agriculture and forestry industries; strengthen families and communities; improve stewardship of natural resources and the environment; strengthen connections between people and their food; and expose South Carolina youth to opportunities in agriculture, science, technology, engineering, and math.

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A winter storm warning was issued for the Columbia area of South Carolina where snow and freezing cold temperatures are expected Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

A winter weather advisory was previously scheduled to go into effect for Richland and Lexington counties, but it was upgraded to the winter storm warning at about 12:20 p.m. The warning, which is set to start at 4 p.m., had already been issued for the southern portion of the Midlands, where more snowfall is in the forecast, according to the National Weather Service.

Both Lee and Sumter counties were also included in the upgrade from advisory to warning, as more snow is expected to accumulate than earlier forecasts, the National Weather Service said. The warning is scheduled to run through 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Additionally, a cold weather advisory is in place for all of the Midlands, according to the National Weather Service. Bitter cold could cause temperatures to drop to a low of 20 degrees Tuesday night in the Columbia area, the forecast shows.

Snow is likely to begin falling near Columbia between 3-7 p.m., National Weather Service meteorologists said in a Tuesday morning briefing. The snow is expected to be heaviest at night, from 8 p.m. through 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to the briefing.

The forecast doubled the amount of snow expected in the Columbia area, as up to 2 inches of the white stuff is now forecast to accumulate, according to the warning. Between 2-3 inches of snowfall is possible in the southern reaches of the Midlands, meteorologists said in the briefing. Localized amounts in other areas could be higher.

This is expected to be the second snowstorm of 2025 in the Midlands, an area where any freezing precipitation is considered rare. There was a Jan. 10 winter storm that included some snow, sleet and freezing rain.

Prior to the Jan. 10 storm, the last time there was snow on the ground in the Columbia area was January 2022 when up to 3 inches of snow was recorded during that winter storm, according to the National Weather Service.

Any precipitation in this weather event is predicted to be finished by 6 a.m. Wednesday, meteorologists said.

But that won’t be the end of the winter weather in South Carolina.

No matter how much snow falls, the amount could linger because temperatures will be so cold it’s possible that not all of the frozen precipitation will melt, meteorologists said.

Wednesday’s high is forecast to be 36 degrees, so some snow could melt, and should that happen the drop to an overnight low of 17 degrees — the coldest point of the week — could lead to a refreeze, with ice and black ice potentially forming, according to the briefing.

The potential combination of snow and ice over the next two days could make driving hazardous, especially on untreated roads, according to the National Weather Service.

“Slow down and use caution while traveling,” the National Weather Service said. “Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes.

“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

Midlands residents might need to cover pipes and outdoor water spigots, while letting indoor water faucets drip overnight to prevent bursting, the National Weather Service said. People will want to bring in pets as well as sensitive plants and other vegetation, according to the National Weather Service.

Kershaw, Newberry, Fairfield, Lee and Saluda counties are included in the previously issued winter weather advisory, which is scheduled to go into effect at 4 p.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.

Clarendon County and parts of Orangeburg County are included in the winter storm warning, according to the National Weather Service. The warning goes into effect at 4 p.m. Tuesday and is slated to run until 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The cold weather advisory will run through 10 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service said. It was issued because of low temperatures combined with wind chills that could make it feel as cold as 9 degrees in the Columbia area.

Very cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure, according to the National Weather Service.

“Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves,” the National Weather Service said. “Make frequent checks on older family, friends and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.”

The Columbia Fire Department also shared some critical precautions, saying to never use a stove to heat a home. Additionally, keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable materials, and in the case of a power outage one should stay warm by using extra blankets or a sleeping bag.

A slight thaw is in Thursday’s forecast, at least during the day when highs in the 40s are possible. Overnight temperatures could drop to 22 degrees, according to the forecast. It will continue to get warmer every day into the weekend, when a high of 55 is possible on Sunday, the forecast shows.

Conditions are expected to continue to warm the following week, according to the Weather Channel.

In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

This story was originally published January 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM.

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999.

A winter weather advisory has been issued in parts of the Midlands as snow could fall in South Carolina.

Both Kershaw and Lee counties are included in the winter weather advisory that will go into effect at 11 a.m. Wednesday as the northern and eastern portions of the Midlands are most likely to feel the greatest impact of the storm, according to the National Weather Service. The advisory is scheduled to run through 5 a.m. Thursday.

Although the Columbia area isn’t currently included in the advisory, and no other watches or warnings have been issued, the forecast shows that there’s a slight chance of snow showers occurring in South Carolina’s capital region.

The National Weather Service said that rain will precede any possible snow — or a wintry mix that could also include freezing rain and sleet.

Rain will move into the Midlands on Wednesday morning, National Weather Service meteorologists said in a briefing. Temperatures will drop near, or below, freezing over the course of the day, leading to the potential wintry mix in the afternoon into the evening, according to the briefing.

There’s still the potential for snow showers again Thursday morning, the National Weather Service said. The forecast shows that before 11 a.m. Thursday is when snow would be most likely to fall in Columbia.

Not much accumulation is expected, but even the possibility of a tenth-of-an-inch of ice on roads could lead to hazardous driving conditions, especially on bridges and overpasses, according to the briefing. Sidewalks could also become dangerously slippery, the National Weather Service said.

The hazardous conditions could affect both the Wednesday night and Thursday morning commutes.

“Slow down and use caution while traveling,” said the National Weather Service.

The ice could also form on trees and potentially bring down limbs, which creates the chance of downed power lines and outages, according to the advisory.

While the precipitation is forecast to end Thursday morning, the cold weather is expected to stick around longer. In fact, it’s forecast to get colder Thursday, when overnight temperatures could drop well below freezing and a low of 19 degrees is possible overnight in Columbia, the forecast shows.

The continued cold could lead to a refreeze, with black ice potentially forming.

Daytime temperatures are predicted to rise from the 40s on Thursday and Friday to the 50s over the weekend, as dry conditions are forecast to continue into next week.

But there will be a heat wave by early next week, when a high temperature of 71 degrees is possible on Tuesday, according to the forecast.

But warm clothes will be needed before making plans to wear shorts and T-shirts.

Should there be snow, it would be the third snowstorm of 2025 in the Midlands, an area where any freezing precipitation is considered rare.

There was a Jan. 10 winter storm that included some snow, sleet and freezing rain.

On Jan. 22, there was more significant snowfall in the Midlands. Nearly an inch of snow was recorded at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, while unofficial totals of 1-1.5 inches of snow were reported in Lexington County, and the highest snow accumulation in the Midlands was in the Bowman area of Orangeburg County where about 4 inches was recorded, the National Weather Service said.

Prior to those storms, the last time there was snow on the ground in the Columbia area was January 2022 when up to 3 inches of snow was recorded during that winter storm, according to the National Weather Service.

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This story was originally published February 19, 2025 at 9:59 AM.

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999.

COLUMBIA — A food hall featuring multiple restaurants and retail space is the latest eating spot to be announced for the BullStreet District redevelopment.

GATHER COLA will be a 32,000-square-foot, multi-level dining hall with space for nine restaurants and food vendors, pop-up retail spots aimed at area micro-retailers and two bars — including one on the building’s rooftop, according to a press release.

There will also be 8,500 square feet of office space, private event space and an outdoor area with seating and space for live entertainment.

“We could not be more excited about our partnership to bring the GATHER concept to Columbia,” Frank Cason, president of Cason Development Group, said in a press release. “There is nothing like GATHER in the market today. This project will bring a diversity of food offerings and a vibrant energy to the already active BullStreet project. This is a project for all of Columbia to enjoy!”

The dining hall is a joint project of Cason Development Group, Four Oaks Property Group and Hughes Development Corporation.

GATHER COLA will sit at the corner of Sabal and Freed streets in the BullStreet District, across from the neighborhood’s Starbucks and REI stores.

The hall will be built adjacent to The Lawn, a one-acre common space and Charleston pizza chain designed to anchor the neighborhood and repurpose the remains of the historic Williams Building in the massive redevelopment.

Site work has already begun at the future food hall’s location, and an opening date is scheduled for late 2025, according to the release.

The project is patterned after GATHER GVL, a similar food hall concept in downtown Greenville created and developed by Charlotte-based Four Oaks Property Group.

The retail space included in the Columbia hall will be an addition not present in the original Greenville iteration, Cross said.

“The GATHER concept has evolved,” Cross said in the release, “and we wanted to be more intentional about some retail space and some office space alongside the food and beverage.”

The food hall will be part of the Hughes-helmed, decades-long redevelopment of the 181-acre BullStreet District, formerly the South Carolina State Hospital which operated from 1857 to the early 2000s.

The former mental asylum campus is now home to Segra Park and various upscale apartments and businesses housed in new construction and several former hospital buildings.

The development will also be home to the University of South Carolina’s $300 million Health Sciences Campus. The first phase of the campus, USC’s new School of Medicine Columbia, is scheduled to be completed in August 2027.

A developer is in line for financial incentives to bring more housing north of Columbia.

Killian Woods Development is planning to build a $38.5 million “townhome-style rental unit community” on a currently vacant parcel near the intersection of Clemson and Farrow roads in Richland County, just south of Blythewood. Documents published Tuesday provide neither a specific number for how many units would be included nor more detailed descriptions of the townhomes.

In exchange for investing the money to build the project, Richland County is promising incentives in the form of public infrastructure credits, so long as the full $38.5 million is spent by 2030, according to a draft agreement between the county and Killian Woods Development. The specifics of the incentive agreement had not been finalized by the time of writing.

The project would be in Richland County’s District 7, represented by County Councilwoman Gretchen Barron. The incentives for the project require one more reading from the council, which approved the measure unanimously on second reading Tuesday night.

The intersection at Clemson and Farrow, located just off Interstate 77, is a busy one, with roughly 38,300 cars traveling down that stretch of Clemson and 13,900 traveling down that stretch of Farrow, according to state Department of Transportation data. A variety of businesses are located around the intersection, including multiple car dealers, supermarkets Kroger and Aldi, and a variety of fast food restaurants.

The project is coming online at a good time for townhome projects, according to national data and an analysis by The State newspaper.

A 52-unit townhome project is being planned in West Columbia, along with five other projects in the works in that city. Luxury townhomes are still in the works at Columbia’s BullStreet District, and Richland County approved 48 permits for townhome construction in 2024.

Local real estate experts say the projects are not overwhelming the housing market but they have picked up in popularity.

Civic leaders agree that more housing is needed in the Midlands, as Richland and Lexington counties are projected to add more than 50,000 new people by 2040. That will require homes with a smaller footprint that can be bunched closer together.

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This story was originally published February 12, 2025 at 9:57 AM.