Refrigerated Trailer for Rent in Columbia, SC

The eighth week of the high school football regular season is in the books.

It’s time to vote for The State’s high school football Player of the Week from Midlands-area high schools and ​games played Oct. 8-9. Voting ends at noon Friday.

The winner will be announced on Lou Bezjak’s Twitter page.

The nominees are listed below. Please note that these polls are not scientific and are meant to be just for fun.

Congrats to all the nominees. Cast your vote below the bios:

Player of Week Nominees

Jaiden Bryant, DE, Irmo: Senior and Miami commit had nine tackles (three for loss), three sacks and a forced fumble in a win over South Aiken.

Liam Edwards, WR, Heathwood Hall: Edwards caught five passes for 85 yards, two touchdowns and kicked a 25-yard FG in the win over Trinity Collegiate.

Aiden Fitzgerald, QB, Dreher: Senior was 15-of-25 passing for 286 yards, two touchdowns and also carried it eight times for 49 yards and TD in a win over Westwood.

Elijah Harper, ATH, CA Johnson: Junior caught two TD passes, had five tackles and picked off two passes in a win over Eau Claire.

Darryl Hill, WR, Saluda: Hill had two catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns in win over Pelion.

Caleb Johnson, LB, Newberry: The senior had 12 tackles (two for loss) and forced fumble in the win over Andrew Jackson.

Kamauri Jones, QB, Fairfield Central: Jones was 7-of-12 passing for 234 yards and three touchdowns in just a half in the win over Buford.

Shannon Lytes, RB, Lexington: Junior carried it 24 times for 210 yards and three touchdowns in a win over White Knoll.

Raymond McLaughlin, QB, Lower Richland: Junior was 19-of-27 passing for 318 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Airport.

Jackson Ross, LB, Hammond: Senior and South Carolina commit had 11 tackles, two sacks, picked off two passes and returned one for TD in the win over Ben Lippen.

BJ Suits, QB, Northside Christian: Senior carried it 17 times for 137 yards, 3 touchdowns and also threw a TD in a win over Cardinal Newman.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Media across the SEC voted South Carolina women’s basketball to win their sixth-straight SEC Regular-Season Champions, the league office announced today. Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards earned a spot on the Preseason All-SEC First Team and earned a vote for Preseason Player of the Year. Fifth-year forward Chloe Kitts and senior guard Tessa Johnson picked up spots on the Second Team.

Edwards enters her junior year as just the third player in program history to earn All-America honors in both her freshman and sophomore seasons. The two-time First-Team All-SEC selection is South Carolina’s top returning scorer (19.2 ppg) and rebounder (6.8 rpg). Her scoring average ranked 30th in the nation (4th in SEC) and her .571 field goal percentage was 20th (5th in SEC). She set seven single-season program records last season – 768 points, 22 20-point games, 37 10-point games, 1,222 minutes played, 40 games played, 40 games started, and 289 point scored in SEC regular-season games. A complete player, Edwards ranked among the SEC’s top 15 in rebounding, offensive rebounding (2.9 per game), steals (1.8 spg) and blocks (1.1 bpg).

Johnson drew Second-Team All-SEC honors last season and has twice been named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team (2024, 2026). En route to reaching the 1,000-point mark last season, she ranked fourth in 3-point percentage at .448 with her 90 made 3s ranking third in the program’s single-season history. Johnson posted career-best scoring, rebounding and assist averages with 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, and, against ranked teams, she was the team’s second-leading scorer at 12.8 points per game.

Kitts returns to the Gamecocks after sitting out last season following preseason ACL surgery. The forward capped her junior season with her best basketball in the postseason, earning MVP honors in the 2025 NCAA Regional and SEC Tournament. She drew honorable mention All-America honors in 2024-25 after leading South Carolina in rebounding (7.7 rpg) and ranking third in scoring with 10.2 point per game on 52.0 percent field goal shooting. Kitts’ rebounding average was ninth in the SEC and included 8.3 boards per SEC game which was fourth best in the league.

The Gamecocks have won the last five SEC regular-season championships, including four outright titles. Head coach Dawn Staley returns six letterwinners from last season, including returning starters Edwards and Johnson, with the group accounting for 52.2 percent of the scoring and 51.0 percent of the rebounding from that season. Forwards Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins return after missing last season due to injury to solidify an imposing frontcourt. Seven newcomers join South Carolina this season, including a pair of transfers to go with the five freshmen who make up the No. 2 signing class in the nation. Headlining the freshman class are a pair of top-10 signees in Oliviyah Edwards and Jerzy Robinson.

South Carolina will host an exhibition game against Benedict on Fri., Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. before heading to Paris for Oui-Play where they will face Maryland on Mon., Nov. 2, at noon ET on ESPN.

Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for more information on the program.

2026-27 SEC Media Preseason Poll

Order of Finish 1. South Carolina 2. Texas 3. LSU 4. Vanderbilt 5. Kentucky 6. Oklahoma 7. Ole Miss 8. Tennessee 9. Mississippi State 10. Alabama 11. Texas A&M 12. Florida 13. Georgia 14. Missouri 15. Auburn 16. Arkansas

Preseason Player of the Year Madison Booker, Texas

Preseason First Team All-SEC Madison Booker, Texas Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt Joyce Edwards, South Carolina Clara Strack, Kentucky Mikaylah Williams, LSU

Preseason Second Team All-SEC Aaliyah Chavez, Oklahoma Talaysia Cooper, Ole Miss MiLaysia Fulwiley, LSU Tessa Johnson, South Carolina Chloe Kitts, South Carolina

Crave Artisan Market’s new location on Columbia’s Main Street offers breakfast and lunch. Photo provided

A popular restaurant known for sandwiches and more has opened the doors on a new location in downtown Columbia.

Crave Artisan Market opened Monday, Oct. 12 at 1332 Main St. suites 100 and 101 in the historic Arcade Mall, as noted by various posts on social media from the restaurant in recent days. Crave co-owner Louis Williams told The State the Main Street location will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

This marks the third location for Crave Artisan Market in the Midlands, following the original spot at 2843 Millwood Avenue, and a location at 725 Meeting St. in West Columbia. The West Columbia location opened its doors in June 2024.

The new Main Street Crave is located in a space that formerly was home to a TakoSushi, which closed over the summer.

“We are very excited to see all of our new patrons and to be a part of the thriving community in the heart of Columbia,” Crave posted on social media about its Main Street opening. “Come and see us for breakfast and lunch and don’t forget to grab something to take home for dinner!”

Crave has been known for its sandwiches, and readers of The State named it their favorite sandwich shop in the Midlands in a 2023 poll. A popular sandwich at Crave has been Carlisle Korean Pulled Pork, which features house-braised pulled pork, napa cabbage slaw, sriracha lime mayo, cucumbers, sesame ginger and hoisin sauce, all on a grilled sub roll.

The restaurant is also popular for hot dogs, peanut butter pie, Cuban paninis and more. And it offers grab-and-go meals that customers can take home and serve, such as lasagna, chicken pot pie and more.

Earlier this year Crave added a new facet when it put breakfast on the menu, partnering with Rambo’s Fat Cat Biscuits co-owner and chef Todd Adams on the breakfast side.

The new Main Street Crave is in the heart of a Main Street corridor that has changed immensely in the last decade-plus, adding new restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and residences, with more on the way.

COLUMBIA – Screams from thrill-seekers braving the big rides. Colorful neon lighting up the midway. The intoxicating smell of fried food.

It’s all right around the corner at the South Carolina State Fair.

The annual fall hallmark returns on Oct. 15 to the State Fairgrounds (1200 Rosewood Dr.) and will be open daily through Oct. 25. Here's what you need to know to make the most of its 11-day run.

What’s new?

This year’s theme, “Rooted in Fun,” reflects the agriculture, food, exhibits and family traditions that have been part of the fair since 1869, the fair says. It also offers a timely connection to America’s 250th anniversary, highlighting the people and traditions that have helped shape South Carolina throughout its history.

Nancy Smith, general manager of the South Carolina State Fair, said in a press release that the most special part of the fair is the way it brings people together year after year.

“As communities across the country recognize America 250, we’re proud to celebrate South Carolina’s place in that story while continuing to create new memories for generations to come,” she said.

Fairgoers of all ages are invited to participate in the “Color Me“ promotion, which encourages people to download and color a picture related to the theme. Visitors can trade in their creation for a free cookie at Pro Kitchen Cookie Kitchen located in the No. 12 stall in the Goodman Building at the fair.

More than 90 food and beverage vendors will be at the fair, with 15 new offerings. Included among them are:

Fairgoers can also take advantage of the $5 menu, featuring fair favorites such as red candy apples, Cinnamon Stix and 250 Smoothies (“celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a colorful red, white and blue frozen smoothie topped with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles”).

North American Midway Entertainment returns with more than 60 rides and carnival games, from family-friendly favorites to high-flying attractions for thrill seekers. A new ride, Pegasus, is making its North American debut at the fair. The high-speed attraction features unpredictable movement, uncontrolled spins and gravity-powered flips through a free-looping ride experience.

A new entertainment destination, Pepsi Plaza, is being introduced next to the SkyGlider and in front of the Nuttle Cattle Arena. Every day of the fair, there will be live sea lion shows, which combine education and entertainment as the animals showcase their natural behavior and skills. The plaza will also host special events like Palmetto Championship Wrestling and concerts from artists of all genres.

The new South Carolina State Fair Souvenir Shop will join 100+ vendors in the South Carolina Grown Marketplace, located in the Rosewood Building. The shop will sell official State Fair apparel, keepsakes and other branded merchandise.

Tickets

Discounted tickets are available until Oct. 14 for $10 at participating Circle K locations and for $11 online. Once the fair starts, Circle K tickets will be $15, and online tickets will be $16. General admission tickets will also be sold at the gates for $20. On the fair’s opening day, tickets will be $5 at the gate all day.

Discount ride vouchers will also be available for $32 per person at participating Circle K locations or $33 online, before the fair. Once the fair starts, they will cost $40 at Circle K and $42 online.

Children 5 and under get in for free and senior tickets (55+) cost $15 ($5 on Senior Day, Oct. 21).

Parking

Parking will be $10 at gates 6, 7 and 10 at the fairgrounds. All parking proceeds support the SC State Fair Ride of Your Life Scholarship program.

Parking will cost $20 on Oct. 24 as the Gamecocks host Tennessee at Williams-Brice Stadium. Guests should expect heavier traffic and are encouraged to arrive early and carpool.

Policies

The fair has a mandatory clear bag policy and bags larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches are prohibited. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older after 5 p.m. on weekdays, and all day on Fridays and Saturdays.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The annual South Carolina State Fair opens this week, and there’s plenty to do and see over those ten days.

Here’s a breakdown of what to know before you go:

When and where is the fair?

The South Carolina State Fair runs from Oct. 15-25 at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia.

Can I still get tickets?

Yes, tickets and ride vouchers for the state fair are available online or by visiting a participating Circle K store.

When does the fair open each day?

Click/tap here for full hours listed for admission, rides and buildings.

Fair parking enters through one of three gates:

Parking is $10 per vehicle. Only debit/credit cards and Apple Pay are accepted. Proceeds from parking go toward South Carolina students through the fair’s Ride of Your Life scholarship program.

Is there a clear bag policy?

Yes, the fair has a mandatory clear bag policy:

What about youth admission?

The state fair also has the following youth admission policy:

What other rules should I know?

The fair bars any offensive clothing, costumes and cosplay and other items like selfie sticks, drones and weapons. Click/tap here for more information.

Yes, the fair hosts its Sensory Friendly Morning on Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. until noon. Lights will be lowered and sounds will be quieter to create a calmer experience.

Does parking change for the game?

Parking at the fair will be $20 per vehicle on Oct. 24. Fair officials say this is to help manage demand and ensure access to parking.

Reserved football parking passes are not valid during the fair.

Traffic patterns may also change.