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  • March 10, 2011

    Hospitality Zone Task Force Recommendation

    The following recommendation includes the Task Force recommendations preceded by the referenced message to Columbia City Council...

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  • March 9, 2011

    Bar Closing Ordinances' Impact on Police Costs

    The following are responses from seven jurisdictions to the question about the impact on other cities’ police department budgets as a result of ordinances that require bars to close or to stop serving alcohol in the early morning hours. Of the responses received, with one exception in which there was no change in costs, the jurisdictions report that the ordinances have helped to reduce costs either through requiring less staff after the bars close or through a reduction in calls for service ...

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  • March 7, 2011

    Columbia neighborhood named one of America's best-kept secrets

    Melrose Heights in Columbia has been called one of the best neighborhoods in the country. The historic area has made quite an impression on the publishers of This Old House magazine.

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  • March 4, 2011

    Rantin: Getting everyone on the same page

    Upward of 150 people gathered at the main library Thursday evening for a pep rally of sorts announcing the planned launch of the city's One Book, One Columbia program. Coordinated between the city and the library, the area-wide reading initiative mirrors the Seattle-born effort and seeks to get residents to read the book "Having Our Say" between April 1 and May 15 and share their experiences with friends and neighbors.

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  • March 1, 2011

    City of Columbia Receives Positive Bond Rating

    Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the City of Columbia's underlying general obligation credit rating of Aa1 and, more significantly, removed the negative outlook it assigned to the City's credit in December of 2009.

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  • February 21, 2011

    Police: 'It's how we want to be thought of'

    Chief sets out priority values, sends top officers to customer service training school to change department's image

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  • October 17, 2010

    Hootie: A work of art

    Hootie will have a street, Santee Avenue, renamed in their honor on Thursday. And, on the same afternoon, a sculpture commemorating the band's legacy will be unveiled at the corner of Harden Street and Santee.

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  • October 6, 2010

    New chief vows support to cops on the street

    City manager said he couldn't have found a better candidate with a longer search

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  • August 23, 2010

    Lott: I pledge to work with city, residents

    Recently, an editorial in "The State" talked about how important the public hearings are in Columbia City Council's decision concerning the Police Department.

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  • August 10, 2010

    Public meetings to discuss possible police merger

    Columbia City Council members have scheduled four public meetings throughout the city's four council districts to discuss the possibility of Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott managing the Columbia Police Department. The meetings are scheduled for

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  • July 29, 2010

    25 tips to make your home and neighborhood safer

    Read tips collected from local law enforcement agencies and websites that will help you stay safe in your home, your car and neighborhood.

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  • July 6, 2010

    Columbia, SC's First Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival Debuts on August 8, 2010

    On Sunday evening, August 8, 2010, from 6pm to 9pm, the first annual Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival will debut in the capital city.

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  • July 5, 2010

    Let's Talk with Basil Garzia: Lose the Baggage

    Keep the Midlands Beautiful and the city of Columbia Climate Protection Action Campaign recently launched the Lose the Baggage initiative. The effort is designed to reduce the amount of plastic bags used by Midlands residents. As part of the campaign, residents are being encouraged to reduce the number of plastic bags they consume by taking the Lose the Baggage pledge. The hope is to lower the number of plastic bags used each year by at least 7 million, which would require that roughly one ...

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  • May 17, 2010

    Law enforcement merger worth exploring

    While this is an opportune time for the city of Columbia to explore merging its Police Department with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, it must carefully weigh the merits of the proposal and not act on impulse.

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  • February 1, 2010

    Upcoming debates, forums in the Columbia mayor's race

    The public is invited to attend these upcoming forums for mayoral candidates.

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  • December 18, 2009

    Back in black: Columbia has surplus

    The city of Columbia is $4 million under budget so far through Dec. 14, an $11 million swing from last year's budget that likely saved the city's bond rating from a downgrade.

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  • December 17, 2009

    Emily Douglas Park: A big dream in neighbors' small park

    In 2006, when Columbia City Council was wrangling with a smoking ban, a homeless shelter and the departure of the state's only Fortune 500 company, no one was concerned about a proposed amphitheater at tiny Emily Douglas Park.

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  • November 1, 2009

    Cultivating Our Community

    It's a cool fall day, and Belinda Gergel is surrounded by fragrant flowers in her backyard. She reaches down to gently lift a rosebush stem; at its tip sits a dainty pink and yellow bloom. It's called a Mrs. Dudley Cross.

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  • October 10, 2009

    Columbia police almost at full force

    Department reaches goal despite belt tightening in recession.

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  • September 4, 2009

    Cameras, emergency call boxes make Five Points safer

    Columbia's Five Points is taking the phrase "a good place to be" and making it better. New measures being taken in the neighborhood mean better safety for merchants and their customers.

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  • August 27, 2009

    City boosts spraying for mosquitoes

    A possible human case of West Nile virus in Columbia has prompted city officials to ramp up mosquito eradication efforts this week.

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  • February 26, 2009

    Palmetto Trust Announces Winners of State Preservation Awards

    The Palmetto Trust in partnership with the S.C. Department of Archives and History, and the Office of the Governor announced this week winners of the 15th Annual 2009 Historic Preservation Awards. Honorees represent some of the most significant preservation, rehabilitation, interpretation and restoration of architectural and cultural heritage that have taken place over the past year around the state.

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  • January 5, 2009

    Shandon Neighborhood Flooding

    Since assuming office in July I have been contacted by several residents in the Shandon neighborhood about serious flooding issues as the result of heavy and intense rain storms.

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  • January 3, 2009

    Rosewood Skate Park

    Skate park plans gain momentum - Columbia wins Tony Hawk grant.

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  • December 5, 2008

    Upcoming Holiday Events in Columbia

    In Columbia, December 5, 6, and 7 will be filled with some fun holiday events that will not only help us enjoy the holidays, but also enjoy our wonderful city.

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  • October 31, 2008

    Columbia launches crime-prevention plan

    Initiative gives city departments more proactive role in protecting city

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  • October 20, 2008

    Second Report of the Code Enforcement Task Force to City Council

    Executive Summary - Items ready for action by City Council...

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  • September 23, 2008

    Property crimes rise in Midlands

    Reports of burglaries and larcenies are up across the area this year compared to the same period in 2007. They said thefts generally increase in times of rising unemployment or inflation.

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  • August 20, 2008

    City Council Appoints Five Points Parking Committee

    At its August 6th meeting, Columbia City Council approved the appointment of a special citizens committee to address parking needs in the Five Points area to ensure that this important shopping village has the necessary parking to serve existing and future development.

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  • August 8, 2008

    A Historical Buzz Around Five Points Village

    From its inception in the 1920s, Columbia's Five Points district has proved a popular destination for locals and visitors in search of services, food, drink, and socializing. The historic village of Five Points, formed by the intersection of Devine, Harden, Santee, and Saluda streets, is prized for its eclectic blend of restaurants, watering holes, specialty retail stores, and businesses.

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  • August 5, 2008

    National Night Out

    Join your neighbors for on Tuesday, August 5th for National Night Out a special neighborhood crime prevention program. Now in its 25th year, the program will be highlighted in communities across the country and here in neighborhoods around our city.

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  • July 28, 2008

    The Seventh Annual Columbia Choice Awards

    The seventh annual Columbia Choice Awards, which honors individuals, neighborhoods, schools and organizations whose landscaping has enhanced the quality of life in Columbia, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Big Apple on Hampton Street.

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  • July 28, 2008

    Columbia Green Neighborhood Beautification Grant

    The Columbia Green Neighborhood Beautification Grant program puts money directly into the hands of Columbia neighborhoods for beautification projects. Organized neighborhood associations and garden clubs can apply for a competitive grant to fund greening projects in public spaces.

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  • July 1, 2008

    Gergel sworn in to City Council

    Belinda Gergel was sworn in Monday as the newest member of Columbia City Council. Gergel replaces Anne Sinclair, who served as the District 3 representative for 20 years.

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  • June 30, 2008

    Swearing-In Ceremony Planned for City Council Members

    The Swearing-In Ceremony for returning and new City Council members will be held on June 30, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall (1737 Main Street). Elections were held in April 2008 and the term of service begins July 1, 2008.

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  • April 2, 2008

    Neighborhoods power Gergel to big win

    Belinda Gergel was elected to Columbia City Council on Tuesday, offering a resounding victory to neighborhood leaders concerned about developers' influence in downtown growth.

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  • April 1, 2008

    Final Columbia City Council election results

    Here are the final results from the Columbia City Council election, held April 1. A city-wide referendum was also on the ballot to allow alcohol sales in Columbia on Sundays.

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  • March 22, 2008

    The State Paper Endorses Belinda Gergel

    Gergel better choice for Columbia City Council District 3

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  • March 13, 2008

    Brad Warthen's Blog features Belinda Gergel

    When Belinda Gergel was an 18-year-old freshman at Columbia College, she first saw a house that she decided she must live in one day. Now, retired from chairing the history and political science departments at that college, she does.

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