Real Estate Law in Columbia, SC

COLUMBIA — Sonia Norman has lived in the Columbia area for more than two decades, working as both a firefighter and a law enforcement officer before pursuing her dream of running a restaurant by opening IceCream Taco. But now, that dream is ending as Norman closes the restaurant to pursue another: living abroad.

Over the years, the shop has become popular in West Columbia, serving, appropriately, ice cream and tacos. Norman serves mostly beef tacos, made using a family recipe, in addition to a variety of Hershey’s ice cream that can be eaten in a cup, cone, sundae or shake.

In a Facebook post, Norman said the shop had become an extension of her commitment to public service “a place filled with love, color, laughter, and community.”

But Norman said the shop also took all of her energy “even when I was tired … even when my body was telling me it was time to rest.”

So, in an early morning social media announcement on her 55th birthday, Norman announced that her spirit is asking for something different.

“And for the first time in my life, I’m choosing me,” Norman said on Facebook. “I’m choosing FREEDOM. I’m choosing PEACE. I’m choosing to explore the world while I still have the strength and the chance to do it.”

Norman said she plans to close IceCream Taco and kick off a new chapter by living in Thailand for a year.

An official closing date has not been announced for the ice cream shop yet, but Norman said she plans to share more information soon.

In the meantime, Norman said she hopes to continue her journey with the community, “even from afar” as she gets the chance to experience a new culture and discover who she is “outside of work, stress, and survival.”

“Thank you for every smile, every laugh, every child’s happiness, every late-night conversation, and every moment you allowed me to be a small part of your lives,” Norman said online. “... I love you all more than you know. Thank you for giving me the space to finally chase my freedom.”

Those interested can visit IceCream Taco at 2708 Emanuel Church Road in West Columbia.

Norman could not immediately be reached for more information.

The grand prize in Powerball has swelled to more than $700 million. Although nobody has yet to win that jackpot, a person in Columbia recently bought a Powerball ticket that resulted in a $1 million payday, according to South Carolina Education Lottery officials.

Their Powerball game matched five of the six numbers in one of last week’s drawings, and the lucky player will be rewarded with a seven-figure prize, officials said in a news release.

Now the search is underway for the winner.

The $1,000,000 winning Powerball game was sold at the Best Stop gas station/convenience store at 5318 Bush River Road, according to the release. That’s in Columbia, near the intersection with St. Andrews Road.

The winning numbers in the Nov. 26 Powerball drawing were 7, 8, 15, 19, 28 and Powerball: 3.

The odds of matching all five white numbers are 1-in-11,688,054, officials said.

The winner has 180 days to claim the prize, according to lottery officials.

The winner will be allowed to retain some privacy, as South Carolina is one of 11 states — along with Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia — that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous.

“Sign the back of your ticket and put it in a safe location until you’re ready to come forward to claim the prize,” lottery officials said.

For complete information on claiming prizes, go to sceducationlottery.com.

When the ticket is claimed, the Best Stop is expected to receive a commission for selling the winning game.

In addition to the $1,000,000 winning game, a ticket that won a $50,000 prize was sold in Yemassee, South Carolina prior to the Nov. 26 drawing, officials said.

Because there was no grand prize winner Monday night, the jackpot for Wednesday’s Powerball drawing has grown to $775 million.

Anyone looking to buy a ticket must make a purchase by 9:59 p.m. Wednesday for the 10:59 p.m. drawing. Tickets are $2, and could cost more with additional options.

The odds of winning Powerball’s grand prize are 1-in-293 million.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Columbia is asking for the community’s support to expand its Adopt-A-Pallet program, which funds tiny-home shelters at Rapid Shelter Columbia. The site includes 50 pallet-style units, and so far, 26 have been adopted by groups and organizations across the Midlands.

Rapid Shelter Columbia has been operating for three years, but the Adopt-A-Pallet initiative launched just over a year ago. Coordinators and residents say the program makes a significant difference, especially during colder months when temperatures drop.

Residents like Warren Hopka say the small but heated units offer safety, warmth and dignity as they work toward permanent housing.

“It’s an absolute blessing,” Hopka said. “The pods have a small heater, and with a couple blankets you can be comfortable. And that’s everything.”

At the shelter, residents receive hot meals daily — support Hopka and others say helps them stay focused on rebuilding their lives. Each pallet home serves as a temporary solution for people who have been homeless for extended periods of time.

The units also come with access to case managers and direct support services that help residents move toward permanent housing. For Danielle White, the program has been life-changing after two years of homelessness.

“It has disciplined me with saving,” White said. “I’m back working. God blessed me with a car, and they are currently in the process of getting me back into a place.”

Johnasten Cooper, a homeless services coordinator with the city of Columbia, said Adopt-A-Pallet allows local churches, businesses and community groups to directly support people transitioning out of homelessness.

“The Pallet initiative allows community members, churches and organizations to give back,” Cooper said. “That funding supports direct client services — anything from bus passes to first month’s rent, a security deposit or application fees for apartments.”

Although the city receives annual grant funding for Rapid Shelter Columbia, many grants come with restrictions and cannot be used for individual financial needs. The Adopt-A-Pallet program helps bridge that gap by funding what the city calls “direct client services,” which also includes toiletries, bedding, and case-management support.

Peer Support Specialist Mark Kummer, who once lived at Rapid Shelter Columbia himself, said the program offers hope and a path forward.

“I moved in here and stayed here for about two months. This place helped me a lot,” Kummer said. “I never thought I’d be back here in this capacity, giving back to people.”

City officials say 24 pallet homes are still available for adoption. As winter approaches, Columbia will also open its overflow warming shelter — offering 250 additional beds — on any night when temperatures drop below 40 degrees.

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The final game of the season is here for the South Carolina Gamecocks as they will look to end the year on a high note against their heated rivals, the Clemson Tigers. The Palmetto Bowl is live from Columbia, South Carolina, inside Williams-Brice Stadium at noon eastern. Follow along for live scores, updates, and analysis for today's action.

Previewing the Palmetto Bowl

This year's game features two teams who are mostly disappointed with how things turned out this season. For one, both teams entered the season with College Football Playoff expectations as the Gamecocks were ranked 13th and Clemson inside the top five (4th). However the season played out a different way and now Clemson sits at 6-5 with one more game on the schedule following today's game, while the Gamecocks will end their season today as they come in with a 4-7 record.

Last season was a thrilling road victory for Shane Beamer's Gamecocks. Beamer is a perfect 2-0 on when his team is on the road in this matchup, but has yet to win a home game in the series (0-2). Will this be the year things turn around?

Odds:

As of forty minutes before kickoff, South Carolina remains the 2.5-point favorites at home against Clemson, according to FanDuel. The over/under for the matchup is set at 46.5 total points. Home field advantage is usually 3-points so this is essentially the oddsmakers' way of calling this a "pick-em" game.

How to Watch South Carolina vs Clemson:

Follow along for live scores, updates, and analysis of the Palmetto Bowl below.

First Quarter:- Clemson opens the game with the ball on offense.- Tigers get an explosive play to start, but ultimately stall out on offense near midfield. South Carolina gets the ball at their own 16-yard line.- South Carolina fails to get a first down on their opening drive. Mason Love punts and Clemson gets the ball near midfield. - The Gamecocks defense stands tall once again and forces a three and out. Both defenses playing well early. - South Carolina gets a huge play downfield to Jared Brown, but Clemson's Avieon Terrell forces a fumble giving the ball back to Clemson. - After moving the ball inside South Carolina's 30-yard line, Klubnik's pass is intercepted by Jalon Kilgore in the endzone. Gamecocks ball- A sack on LaNorris Sellers ends the Gamecocks drive. Forced to punt back to Clemson.- Clemson has the ball in Gamecocks' territory as the first quarter comes to an end. No score in this one.

Second Quarter:- Clemson running back Adam Randall finds the end zone for the first score of the day. Tigers lead 7-0.- South Carolina answers on a huge 53-yard pass from LaNorris Sellers to Nyck Harbor. Gamecocks tie the game at 7 a piece. - Clemson scores after Cade Klubnik fumbles the ball, picks it back up, and runs away from Gamecock defenders. Tigers lead 14-7.- A busted coverage by the Tigers on the back end leads to a 74-yard touchdown from Sellers to Vandrevius Jacobs. Gamecocks tie the game at 14. - Clemson regains the lead late in the first half with a field goal. 17-14. - Tigers force a quick three and out from South Carolina. Gets the ball back with 19 seconds left.- End of the half with Clemson leading 17-14

Third Quarter:- Gamecocks start with the ball to open the second half, but fail to get a first down.- Clemson caps off an 11 play drive with a field goal to take a 20-14 lead. - South Carolina moves the ball near midfield, but is forced to punt following a sack. - Clayton White's defense forces a three and out forcing the Tigers to punt. Vicari Swain gives South Carolina the ball near their own 40-yard line. - LaNorris Sellers' pass in the end zone is intercepted by Ricardo Jones. Clemson takes over at the 20-yard line. - end third.

Fourth Quarter: - Tigers forced to punt after 7-plays following the interception. - South Carolina gets close to field goal range, but chooses to keep the offense out there on fourth and short. Clemson's defense gets the stop and the ball back to their offense.- Clemson drives into South Carolina territory, but is forced to punt after the Gamecocks' defense stands tall. Can Sellers lead a game winning drive in back to back seasons?- A tipped pass on the first play of the drive leads to a pick-six going Clemson's way. Lead is stretched to 28-14 following a successful two-point conversion. - Nyck Harbor gets a first down but fumbles. Giving the ball back to Clemson. - Gamecocks' defense gets a stop and gets the ball back to their offense. - two minute warning

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Clemson football can end a trying 2025 season on a positive note in the annual rivalry game against South Carolina on Nov. 29 in Columbia.

The Tigers (6-5, 4-4 ACC) is bowl eligible after last week's win against Furman and can guarantee a record above .500 with a victory over the Gamecocks.

South Carolina (4-7, 1-7 SEC) is playing only for the pride of winning in this rivalry for the second straight year and for the first time in Williams-Brice Stadium since 2013.

Here's how to watch the Clemson football vs. South Carolina game today, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is Clemson football vs. South Carolina on today?

Clemson vs. South Carolina will broadcast nationally on the SEC Network in Week 14 of the 2025 college football season. Taylor Zarzour and Matt Stinchcomb will call the game from the booth at Williams-Brice Stadium, with Alyssa Lang reporting from the field. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Clemson football vs. South Carolina time today

The Clemson football vs. South Carolina game starts at 12 p.m. ET on Nov. 29 from Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

Clemson football vs. South Carolina predictions, picks, odds

Greenville News Clemson reporter Derrian Carter's prediction: Clemson 20, South Carolina 17

The last two games between these two programs have been low scoring, and this year's game will be the same. Both defenses will dominate throughout the game, but a game-winning drive by Klubnik will propel the Tigers to their fourth straight win.

South Carolina's strength of schedule prepare them well for high-stake matchups and even though Clemson is on a win-streak, the Gamecocks play a complete game to get win No. 5, feeding off the energy Mike Furrey brings to the offense.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Nov. 28

Clemson football schedule 2025

Record: 6-5, 4-4 ACC

South Carolina football schedule 2025

Record: 4-7, 1-7 SEC

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