08.06.2024

Today’s Forecast

78º | 100% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:39 a.m. | Sunset 8:19 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

🌧️ Tropical Storm Debby is coming

Tropical Storm Debby: what you need to know and how to prepare

Tropical Storm Debby. | Photo via WLTX.

Gov. Henry McMaster issued a State of Emergency for South Carolina in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby. News 19 Weather Impact Alerts days have been issued through Thursday, but river and water levels may continue to rise even after the storm moves on. We’re breaking down what you need to know and how it could affect The Midlands throughout the week.

Flooding

Tropical storm rainfall + flooding poses the biggest threat to the Midlands. Along with heavy rainfall, wind gusts are expected and could reach upwards of 30 mph. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division posted yesterday that rainfall totals for South Carolina have increased, and the Midlands area could see eight to 15 inches.

Columbia is no stranger to flooding, and last June, SC rolled out a new Strategic Statewide Resilience + Risk Reduction Plan. 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.

Safety + power crews are preparing for potential power outages and will use sandbags to help with flooding.

Local sources to follow

For safety tips, up-to-date information, and road closures, follow the links to several local sources below.

Events

Tuesday, Aug. 6

National Night Out 2024 | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Irmo Community Park | Free | This annual community-building event promotes police-community partnerships + neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer.
Book Launch + Signing with Local Author Yasmin Angoe | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 6-8 p.m. | All Good Books | Free | After hosting a book launch + signing for “Not What She Seems,” set in SC, local author Yasmin Angoe will carry a conversation with a fellow local author, Synithia Williams.
Sip & Plant Workshop: Mixed Tropical Planter | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost | $45 | Get your hands dirty as you create your own beautiful tropical planter to take home while sipping on drinks.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park | $6-$18 | It’s Mental Health Awareness Night: Join the Fireflies as they step up to the plate and advocate for mental health wellness in the community.*

Wednesday, Aug. 7

Music Bingo | Wednesday, Aug. 7-Wednesday, Dec. 18 | Times vary | Village Idiot pizza | Free | Join Village Idiot at its Olympia location for music bingo + pizza every Wednesday.

Thursday, Aug. 8

Read to a Therapy Dog | Thursday, Aug. 8 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | Sign up and reserve your spot to practice your reading skills with a certified therapy dog and their human.

Friday, Aug. 9

Garage Sale for Charity | Friday, Aug. 9-Saturday, Aug. 10 | Times vary | Shandon United Methodist Church | Free | The gymnasium will be filled with a wide variety of items, all organized and priced at unbeatable bargains.

100+ more local events

Click here to have your event featured.

Fact or Fiction

💰 Debunking common lottery myths

A person holding up a lottery ticket and sign that says "I won!"

South Carolina is committed to busting myths about the lottery through their Better U program. | Photo courtesy of SC Lottery

Think you know the SC Lottery? Let’s clear up a few misconceptions:

The lottery makes and keeps all the money.
Actually, lottery dollars are used for prizes and retailer commissions, and proceeds support local educational programs.

Lottery employees and their families are the ones winning and getting rich.
Nope. To keep things fair, employees and their immediate families cannot play the SC Lottery.

Playing more will increase your chances of winning.
No. Your odds stay the same no matter how often you play.

2 more busted myths

News Notes

Number

360 — that’s the number of apartment units that are coming to Percival Road. The project, named The ONE at Columbia, has received construction funding + permit approval. Expect 126 one-bedroom and 234 two-bedroom apartments. (The Post and Courier)

Transit

Speaking of heavy rainfall — SCDOT crews are set to repair Killian Road in Richland County, following the weekend’s heavy rainstorm. Drivers will need to detour around the affected area and are encouraged to use US 21, North Pines Road, and Farrow Road.

Closed

Due to the threat of inclement weather, The cities of Cayce and West Columbia announced closures for all city parks, including the riverwalks. Congaree National Park will also be closed. Keep your eyes peeled for more city-wide + business closures.

Arts

Mark your calendars for Friday, Aug. 9. “Dandelion” — a new, original musical developed through synergy and several creatives from SC, New York, and Atlanta — is set to debut at Trustus Theatre. (Free Times)

Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics are happening now in Paris, France — keep up with Team USA and some of our favorite local athletes via WLTX. Today’s events include skateboarding, volleyball, and soccer starting at 6:30 a.m.

Sports

How will the Carolina Panthers deal with the rash of Training Camp injuries? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Home

Drafty windows = higher utility bills. Get beautiful Renewal by Andersen^® windows with a limited time buy one, get one 40% off deal — plus, take $200 off your order.*

Biz

A decade of immersive activities

The South Carolina State Museum is celebrating 10 years of immersive and interactive experiences.

Scenes from the Planetarium's construction + grand opening.

The grand opening of the Planetarium, Observatory, and 4D Theater was held on Aug. 16, 2014. | Photos provided by the South Carolina State Museum

The South Carolina State Museum is celebrating 10 years of immersive experiences following the renovation and opening of the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Planetarium, the Rev. Dr. Solomon Jackson, Jr. 4D Interactive Theater, and the state-of-the-art Observatory.

Since August 2014, community members have been able to enjoy immersive, educational experiences like the planetarium’s 55ft digital dome, ‘snow’ in the 4D theater, taking an up-close look at craters on the moon, laser shows, and more. Fun fact: nearly half a million planetarium tickets have been sold since opening.

The local museum is offering a two-for-one deal on any planetarium and 4D theater shows every Saturday in August. Buy any two planetarium or 4D theater tickets for $5, not including general admission.

Planetarium showings

4D Theater showings

The Buy

The Buy 8.06.24 (Affiliate)

Colorful felt tip pens, patterned file folders, and a rolling utility cart — because it’s back-to-school shopping season, aka the perfect time to stock up on office supplies and organization essentials.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

Admiral Radio announced an album release show happening on Friday, Sept. 13 to celebrate its new album “Good Things Take Time.” It will take place in the Indah Coffee parking lot + locals are encouraged to bring friends and their own beer.

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