roofer in Columbia, SC

The Gators contest at No. 4 South Carolina marks their seventh matchup against a top 25 team in the 2024-25 season. UF will look to defeat the Gamecocks and post their first win over a top five team since 2006.

Photo By: Lorenzo Vasquez

Florida will play the No. 4 Gamecocks Thursday evening inside Colonial Life Arena. The conference matchup will be aired on SECN and is set for a 7 p.m. ET tip.

GAINESVILLE, Fla.— Florida will compete in its eleventh road matchup of the season on Thursday night at No. 4 South Carolina. The Gamecocks will host UF inside Colonial Life Arena and the game is slated for a 7 p.m. start time.

Thursday's game will mark UF and South Carolina's first meeting since Jan. 4, 2024. Both Florida and South Carolina will enter the midweek matchup coming off tough losses. UF fell to No. 23 Alabama 84-66, and the Gamecocks dropped 66-62 to then ranked No. 4 Texas.

No. 4 South Carolina (22-2, 10-1 SEC)

A FLORIDA WIN WOULD:

TALE OF THE TAPE:

THE SERIES: The all-time series between Florida and South Carolina stands in favor of the Gamecocks at 22-20.

GATORS x GAMECOCKS HISTORY: Florida has met South Carolina a recorded 42 times with their initial contest dating back to 1992. Since then, the Gators and the Gamecocks have matched up every year with 20 games being tipped in Gainesville, 20 being played in Columbia, and two taking place at neutral sites.

Thursday's contest will be Florida's first time back in the Colonial Life Arena since Feb. 16, 2023, which marked Florida's 15th consecutive loss to the Gamecocks. The Gators' last win over South Carolina dates back to January of 2011, as UF upset the Gamecocks 65-63 at Colonia Life Arena.

PROJECTED FLORIDA STARTERS:

FLORIDA'S LAST TIME OUT: UF's last time on the hardwood was Thurs, Feb. 6 dropping 84-66 at home to No. 23 Alabama. The Gators were led in scoring by Liv McGill with a 22-point outing. With 22 points, McGill recorded her 22^nd game at Florida in double figures for scoring; ten of them being 20+ point outings.

Ra Shaya Kyle followed for the Gators in the scoring column on Thursday night, tallying 15 points and Laila Reynolds was not far behind with 14. Defensively, UF was led by Jeriah Warren, snagging 10 of UF's 44 rebounds.

GATOR QUICK HITS:

PROJECTED SOUTH CAROLINA STARTERS:

SOUTH CAROLINA QUICK HITS:

FOLLOW THE GATORS: SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators

A guard at a prison in Columbia has gone from one side of the bars to the other after he was charged with multiple crimes Wednesday, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Following an incident involving an inmate at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, 41-year-old Columbia resident Ken Igboka was charged with second-degree assault and battery as well as misconduct in office, Richland County court records show.

On Feb. 4, deputies were notified by jail staff about an incident that happened on New Year’s Day, the sheriff’s department said in a news release.

Igboka was involved in a physical altercation with an inmate on Jan. 1, according to the release. The inmate suffered minor injuries and Igboka failed to report the incident, the sheriff’s department said. Further information on the inmate’s condition was not available.

There was neither any word about what led to the incident nor where in the jail it occurred.

The sheriff’s department said Igboka was booked at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. He remains behind bars, jail records show.

Bond on the assault charge was set at $5,000, but as of 2:30 p.m. had not been posted, according to Richland County court records. Information about bond on the misconduct in office charge was not available.

Igboka is scheduled to appear in court again on April 25, judicial records show.

The jail is managed by the Richland County government, not the sheriff’s department.

In a statement Wednesday, a county spokesperson said the jail promptly notified the sheriff’s department after learning of the allegations, and that Igboka was placed on leave without pay and recommended for termination following his arrest.

The Richland County jail has drawn criticism for years because of deaths, violence, poor conditions and understaffing. On Jan. 15, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the findings of its investigation into the jail, saying a “culture of violence” became “pervasive, systematic and commonplace,” at the detention center.

Richland County administrators maintain that they are continuing to make progress on improving conditions at the jail.

“The safety and well-being of our staff and detainees continue to be the county’s top priority,” a county spokesperson said in the statement.

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This story was originally published February 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM.

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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February 07, 2025 5:00 AM

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

Whether you're planning a romantic escape or a fun-filled weekend with friends, Columbia offers the perfect setting to celebrate Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday, so the Capital City is offering an entire weekend of events for couples and friends looking to celebrate.

From romantic dinners to lively Galentine’s gatherings, Columbia has no shortage of ways to spread the love.

Dayna Cantelmi, communications manager at Experience Columbia, highlighted several events happening across the city, making it clear that both residents and visitors have plenty of options.

Galentine’s Day, celebrated on February 13, provides an opportunity for women to honor their friendships, and Columbia businesses are embracing the trend.

Steel Hands Brewing will host a yoga session, while Metropolis Salon will offer a curly hair tutorial alongside drinks.

Azalea Coffee Bar on Devine Street will screen the hit movie Barbie for free, and the Robinson Room will celebrate in its newly relocated space with a festive evening event.

For couples looking to enjoy a romantic night out, Columbia has numerous options.

Popular dining spots are quickly booking up for Friday night, but Cantelmi suggested considering alternatives such as a Thursday or Saturday dinner, or even a brunch date.

Lula Drake is hosting a two-night champagne dinner with multiple courses, while Date Night Columbia will feature a celebrity chef preparing a five-course meal, complete with a personalized note at each table and a bouquet to take home.

For those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere, Savage Craft Ale Works will host a chocolate and beer pairing throughout the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Dragon Room’s Tiki Week will extend through Saturday, providing guests the chance to enjoy a tropical escape in the heart of Columbia.

Cantelmi emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses, noting that Columbia has plenty to offer for those willing to explore. “We like to say if you can’t find something to do, you’re actively working to not find something to do,” Cantelmi said. “There’s always something happening, whether it’s a festival, a concert, or a new restaurant opening.” Keeping spending local helps businesses thrive, contributing to new developments and events that continue to make Columbia a vibrant place to live and visit.

Experience Columbia provides a comprehensive calendar of events and a blog dedicated to date night ideas. You can explore restaurants by location, budget, and cuisine type on the website.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Foodies, get excited ― Columbia is getting its very own open-air food hall.

Modeled after GATHER GVL, an outdoor food hall in Greenville, GATHER COLA, is coming to the Bull Street District.

“This project will bring a diversity of food offerings and a vibrant energy to the already active Bull Street project,” said Frank Cason, president of Cason Development Group. “This is a project for all of Columbia to enjoy!”

The food hall will be more than 32,000 square feet and have multiple levels, according to a news release from developers Cason Development Group.

Construction on the food hall has already begun and its expected to open by the end of this year, the developers said.

Nine restaurants spaces are available, a news release said.

After trying a new type of food, people can shop around at some of the pop-up retail spaces inside the food hall.

GATHER COLA will also have two bar areas ― one with a rooftop view.

The new food market will compliment a large green space, called The Lawn, that is being developed between Bull, Freed and Pickens streets, which is near the historic Babcock Center.

The Lawn is expected to open in 2025.

That area of Columbia is expected to undergo many new developments in the next couple years and is attracting several interesting restaurants.

This Thursday, Tupelo Honey, a southern restaurant from Asheville, North Carolina, featuring breakfast and lunch fare, is hosting a grand opening at their new location on Pickens Street.

Coastal Crust, a South Carolina pizzeria, is also coming to Columbia’s Bull Street District.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar and Rising Roll Gourmet Cafe are two of the other restaurants coming to the Bull Street District.

Food vendors, retailers, and businesses interested can contact Holly Buxton with Cason Development Group at 803- 550-3145. Office space is also available, the developers said.

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