07.03.2023

Today’s Forecast

98º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:17 a.m. | Sunset 8:39 p.m.

It’s a plan, Stan

Familiarize yourself with South Carolina’s new Strategic Statewide Resilience + Risk Reduction Plan

Columbia Canal breech | Photo by | Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago/South Carolina National Guard

SC leaders have introduced a new Strategic Statewide Resilience + Risk Reduction Plan, a comprehensive effort to protect the state and residents from extreme weather — like heatwaves and flooding.

The 744-page plan, compiled over two years, was developed out of the state’s first resilience plan created in 2019. Today’s plan includes:

A recommendations summary
History + data collection of past events
Guidance for delegation of funds
Land planning
Climate trends
Hazard assessments
and more

How this impacts Columbia

If you remember, several local areas participated in a national urban heat island mapping initiative called HeatWatch. The results gave the state detailed maps of heat islands + valuable data collection that help us understand heat vulnerability. Read the report.

Part of the plan includes a reference to the severe flooding event that occurred in 2015, specifically, the breach that caused significant damage to the canal and affected the water supply for ~400,000 people. The City of Columbia, Columbia Water, and FEMA have collaborated on repairs, and construction for the repairs began last year.

Let’s talk money

In the executive fiscal year 2023-2024 budget for the state of SC, the Office of Resilience suggests increasing the fund balance to $100 million, with a recurring appropriation of $20 million. On pages 22 + 23, it references several disasters (think: the 2015 Flood, 2016’s Hurricane Matthew, and 2018’s Hurricane Florence.)

The Executive Budget provides the necessary $20 million funding every year to make sure the agency has enough money for major disasters and to support its efforts to minimize the impact of such events, as outlined in the new Resilience Plan.

Additionally, the Executive Budget proposed an extra $200 million from ARPA funds for initiatives.

Familiarize yourself with the new plan and read more about its local + statewide impacts in the button below.

Read through the full plan

Events

Monday, July 3

Columbia Fireflies vs. Augusta GreenJackets | Monday, July 3 | 6:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Independence Day Celebration // Post-Game Fireworks*
Lexington County Blowfish Home Game | Monday, July 3-Wednesday, July 12 | 7 p.m. | Lexington County Baseball Stadium, 474 Ball Park Rd., Lexington | The Lexington County Blowfish are a summer collegiate baseball team in the Coastal Plain League.

Tuesday, July 4

Lexington County Peach Festival | Tuesday, July 4 | 8 a.m.-11 p.m. | Gilbert Community Park, 115 Rikard Circle, Gilbert | Free | Festivities will celebrate the community, Independence Day, and the queen of all fruits — the peach.
Toucan Tuesdays | Tuesday, July 4, Tuesday, Aug. 1 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Pkwy., Columbia | Price of admission | Guests visiting the zoo will receive buy-one-get-one admission to the park and buy-one-get-one icees with a donation of two non-perishable food items.
Fireworks with the Phil | Tuesday, July 4 | 6-9:45 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $8-$10 | Gates for the event will open at 6:00 p.m.; the concert will begin at 8:00 p.m., and the fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m.

Thursday, July 6

First Thursday on Main | Thursday, July 6 | 6 p.m. | Main Street, Columbia | Free | On the first Thursday of each month, businesses in downtown Columbia participate in First Thursday on Main by keeping their doors open late, offering a mix of specials, events, entertainment, and more.

Friday, July 7

Nashville Nights Concert Series | Friday, July 7 | 6 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | Nashville Nights feature talented singer/songwriters traveling from Nashville, TN for special live music performances on stage, and who are writing and touring with some of the biggest names in music.

New month, new events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

The City of Columbia introduced the Amnesty Program giving you an opportunity to reduce your parking citation fees. From July 1-31, citizens can waive late fees for parking citations up to three years old. Visit 820 Washington St., provide citation or vehicle details, and make full payment. Online payments are ineligible.

Holiday

Be aware that fireworks ordinances vary among different counties and municipalities. Familiarize yourself with the firework regulations for the Town of Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, Batesburg-Leesville, Chapin, and Columbia. (Lexington Chronicle)

Soda Citizen

Zachary Pfentner, a Lexington County Fire Service Engineer, received the 2023 Jeffrey Vaden Chavis Medal of Valor from the SC State Firefighters’ Association (SCSFFA). He is the first member of the Lexington County Fire Service (LCFS) to receive this honor and stands as one of their most esteemed recognitions. (Cola Daily)

Number

$1.3 million. That’s the amount of money RXO, a transportation solutions provider headquartered in Charlotte, has invested to expand its operations into the Vista. The 10,000 sqft space, located at 700 Gervais St., can accommodate 70+ employees and supports RXO’s goal of connecting carriers and customers efficiently in regional supply chains. (Columbia Business Report)

Eat

Having family over for the Fourth? Pro tip: This hearty, flavorful breakfast recipe comes together in a flash and feeds a crowd. Just add coffee (or mimosas).*

Biz

🏡 Reintroducing Chestnut Cottage

Reintroducing Columbia to the historic Chestnut Cottage

Welcome to the Chesnut Cottage in Columbia | Photo by City of Columbia

In 2021, we did a series called “Cola Cribs” where we explored the inside of several unique homes in the Midlands, including the Chestnut Cottage Bed & Breakfast. Located at 1718 Hampton St. — just a one-minute car ride from the Hampton Street Garage — the bed and breakfast hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening under new ownership last week with the City of Columbia.

Fun fact: the 1850s property is the only locally owned and operated bed and breakfast in town and is listed in the National Historic Registry.

The 19th-century property offers guests five rooms, soon to be six, each with a unique design and charm. Oh, and every room reservation includes a rotating, seasonal breakfast menu that is freshly made every morning.

Explore the historic property for yourself + book a staycation or private event at the button below.

Book a local staycation

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The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

Tomorrow is Independence Day and if you’re planning on going to the Lexington County Peach Festival in Gilbert, take a look at this map and pay special attention to the peach icons — it’s where you’ll find “peach treats.” Grub on homemade peach cobbler, peach ice cream, peach delights, peach tea, and peach slushies.

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