Free Times

Photos by Paul Collins, Chris Brunson and CJ Driggers. Spam prevention. Enter the code from the image below Your comment will be displayed after it has been reviewed by our editors. Full Story »

Am I a hero? I don’t know. Maybe. Full Story »

As two young mothers watched their children play soccer one recent Sunday afternoon at a Northeast Richland park, they imagined how a regional sports complex would enrich the area. Full Story »

I want to know what kind of state I live in where Miley Cyrus, a frickin’ pop superstar skank, can come to Columbia and take my football game and move it from evening to noon. Now I have to go drink at 9 in the morning. Thanks, Miley. Full Story »

Need to get something off your chest? Call us with your rant or rave at 765-0707 ext. 126 or email RANTandRAVE@free-times.com . Submissions will be edited for length and spelling but not grammar. Please limit emailed submissions to 150 words. Full Story »

To say University of South Carolina assistant professor of Geography Jean Ellis is attracted to water is putting it mildly. Full Story »

John Rainey, the chairman of the state Board of Economic Advisors, said last week that South Carolinians should be prepared for a long road to economic recovery. Full Story »

Despite the return of $280,000 to HUD’s Sumter-Columbia Empowerment Zone coffers approximately a month ago following disallowed costs associated with a loan to Veronica Isaac, mother of Columbia City Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine, the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities — which administers the Columbia portion of the SCEZ — has been inaccurately telling residents there is no ... Full Story »

With 10 declared candidates jostling for a shot at the governor’s mansion in 2010, the angling for attention is sure to produce some seriously eye-popping proposals. Full Story »

As Free Times went to press, Columbia City Council was scheduled to vote at its Dec. 2 meeting on an ordinance restricting payday and title lenders from opening new locations within 3,000 feet of each other. Full Story »

A new study showing South Carolina’s tax system weighs more heavily on the poor and middle class than the rich is unlikely to spark any restructuring of the state’s tax system, according to local advocates for change. Full Story »

Plus: That's My Dog! The Bad Seed: Usually 11-year-old boys worry about pimples and the cute girl in math class. But one 11-year-old boy in Richland County has much more to worry about. Full Story »

The tax system is the vehicle that governments use to redistribute wealth. Just because the redistribution of wealth does not make everyone equal in their ownership of wealth doesn’t mean it is not alive and going strong. Full Story »