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After four years of agony and unanswered questions, Krystal Anderson’s family finally got closure as Tony Berry, who kidnapped and murdered her, pleaded guilty and received a 21-year sentence—agreeing to lead police to her remains buried in Barnwell County. Found in May, Krystal’s body was confirmed through DNA; she was 30 and a mother of four, last seen after an argument with Berry. Charged less...

Kershaw County just unveiled a major upgrade at Kershaw County West Park—250 new paved parking spots, a brand-new entrance and exit on Whitehead Road, all designed to handle the park’s skyrocketing visitor numbers. The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together county leaders, recreation officials, and local health reps, signaling strong community investment. Now officially open, the park’s expansio...

Apache helicopter pilots suspended after the Salute from the Shore flyover are back in the air—suspensions lifted immediately. The South Carolina Army National Guard had placed eight pilots on administrative leave to review the flight profile, calling it routine—not punitive. The Department of War confirmed via Sean Parnell that the pilots are cleared, with no further details released. Listen in c...

NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, two-time Cup Series champion and all-time wins leader, is being honored with a free public celebration of life at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 9th—right after the Truck Series race. The event will pay tribute to the 41-year-old racer who died from sepsis just days before the Coca-Cola 600, leaving behind his wife and two young children. His final race win came just...

Big police presence on I-85 near Greenville, SC? It’s not a random crackdown — it’s Operation Southern Slow Down, a multi-state speed enforcement blitz involving SLED and federal agencies across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Running July 13–19, this coordinated effort aims to deter speeding and boost road safety before accidents even happen. Drivers in the region, buckl...

Ants just got a high-tech makeover—scientists now scan them in 30 seconds using a robotic micro-CT system powered by a particle accelerator, slashing scan time from 10 hours. This breakthrough reveals hidden wonders, like leafcutter ants crafting their own mineral armor, and unlocks a flood of new insights into insect diversity. The open-access Antscan project lets anyone explore these discoveries...

A petition is rallying for “Javeayah’s Law,” a new federal bill targeting the loophole that lets people falsely report a child missing to hide crimes — a practice that wastes millions in taxpayer-funded searches and rarely recoups costs. Inspired by the tragic case of Javeayah, whose parents were later charged with homicide after initially claiming she vanished while playing, the law would create...

Major traffic jam hit I-20 eastbound near Lexington Friday morning, stretching nearly seven miles—caught live by SC DOT cameras. Crews worked to clear the mess, with lanes reopening by noon. No injuries reported yet, but travelers are warned to monitor conditions on major highways. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@t...

Dead horse dumped on SC roadside sparks arrest of two men—charges include animal cruelty and littering—thanks to community tips that helped law enforcement crack the case. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@the...

Traffic Stop Turns Into Major Arrest | Columbia News

Get ready to shine, groove, and give back—South Carolina’s got local fun and purpose packed into one weekend! The State Museum’s Friday night laser shows return with Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin tunes plus food trucks. Riverbanks Zoo and Harvest Hope team up for “Toucan Tuesdays”—bring two food items, get BOGO tickets and Icees. Fairfield County’s Sheriff’s Office drops a golden pencil hunt with da...

Loneliness is an epidemic in South Carolina, with 15% feeling isolated most of the time—higher than the national average. Therapists say remote work since the pandemic has deepened the issue. But here’s the good news: connection is possible. Whether you’re into sports, books, or dancing, local spots like Everplay, Columbia’s book clubs, and Bill’s Pickin’ Parlor offer fun, affordable ways to meet...

Publix is recalling certain frozen GreenWise organic blueberries over a dangerous E. coli strain — if you’ve got the 10-oz bags with lot code 60401 and best by date Feb 9, 2028, toss them or get a full refund. Twelve people got sick between May 11 and June 5 with symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting — and this strain can lead to life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome, especially in kids, senior...

Landowners in South Carolina are fighting back against Kinder Morgan’s Elba Express pipeline project, blocking surveyors from their property and filing a class-action lawsuit to halt forced access — arguing it’s the first step toward eminent domain and threatens their land, livelihoods, and environment. With up to 94 property owners involved, the legal battle also includes a technical snag over th...

Two landowners are challenging South Carolina’s Public Service Commission over its approval of a massive 2,200-megawatt natural gas plant, arguing the commission ignored critical environmental impacts by relying on a shallow report commissioned by developers. The landowners demand a deeper analysis of how the plant will affect land, water, and wildlife, while the commission insists the project pos...

A Georgia man sentenced to five years in federal prison for arson at a Methodist church admits he lit the building ablaze after being triggered by unlit candles and a Bible verse about divine judgment — then escalated his rage by stealing cash and setting the office on fire, even attempting to use gasoline from a church van in a botched plan that backfired spectacularly. Listen in comfort: Get a d...

Pine Island State Park on Lake Murray is turning out to be a hit—without the chaos folks feared. Despite only one road in and out, traffic has stayed manageable, with just one parking lot capacity hit and even then, cars flowed in quickly. Over 3,000 visitors since April are enjoying swimming, playgrounds, picnics, and a newly converted road trail for strollers and wheelchairs. The Fourth of July...

Ruby Tuesday’s West Columbia spot is officially closed for good—no more burgers or pasta on Augusta Road. But don’t panic: two other locations in the Midlands are still open and serving up that classic menu. Head to Garners Ferry Road in Columbia or Sunset Blvd in Lexington to satisfy your cravings. While the closure stings for loyal locals, it’s just another ripple in the ever-changing restaurant...

El Niño’s officially here—scientists confirmed it June 11—and it’s bringing a wild weather card for the Midlands. While July through September look warmer than average, rain is a toss-up: equal odds of more or less. Good news? Fewer hurricanes are predicted, thanks to El Niño’s usual dampening effect on Atlantic storms. But watch out—there’s a better-than-even chance this could turn into a “Super”...

South Carolina’s overdose crisis is showing real progress — drug deaths dropped 30% in 2024, marking the second straight year of decline. Nationally, the biggest ever drop in overdose deaths was recorded, though numbers remain higher than a decade ago. Experts credit expanded naloxone access, improved treatment, and revived prevention efforts. While officials celebrate the milestone, they stress t...

Takosushi’s Main Street Columbia location has shut down—marking the second closure in the area since October. With only one spot left in the Midlands at Lexington, the fusion eatery’s South Carolina presence has shrunk from three to one. Known for its quirky “Far East Southwest” menu mixing sushi, tacos, and burritos, the chain now faces a major shift as fans scramble for the last remaining outpos...

A 54-year-old inmate, David Green Junior, died in custody at the Aiken County Detention Center after a medical emergency. He was transported to hospitals in Aiken and Augusta, where he was pronounced dead Thursday morning. Authorities are now conducting a coroner’s autopsy and an investigation by SLED to determine the cause and circumstances of his death. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Sol...

A shocking insider scandal rocked Spartanburg County’s sheriff’s office when former Sheriff Chuck Wright was sentenced to 41 months for stealing from the department and enabling a fake job scheme. His cousin, Lawson Watson, got 16 months for pocketing $57K annually while barely showing up — even getting a county truck and phone. Meanwhile, chaplain Amos Durham, Wright’s associate, received five ye...

South Carolina’s older drivers—nearly a quarter of all behind the wheel—are surprisingly left out of special safety measures, unlike 37 other states. Despite being statistically safer on the road, seniors here face rising fatal crash rates due to vision, cognitive, and motor challenges. While the state updated renewal rules for all drivers in 2018 and allows medical restrictions, there’s no formal...

After 42 years serving Columbia’s favorite sushi and Japanese dishes, Camon Japanese Restaurant is closing its downtown Assembly Street location—but not for good. The building is being sold for a new hotel, prompting the owners to seek a fresh spot to continue their legacy. They announced July 18 as their final day, expressing deep gratitude for loyal customers and a hopeful outlook for reopening...