Charlotte, NC (April 14, 2025) — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is proud to announce that the 2025 CIAA Softball Championship will be held in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and hosted by Claflin University. The championship tournament is set to take place May 1 – May 3, 2025, at the Orangeburg Recreation Center.

The City of Orangeburg has been selected to host the CIAA Softball Championship through 2027, solidifying its role as a key partner in the continued growth and visibility of CIAA softball.

“We’re thrilled to bring the excitement of the CIAA Softball Championship to Orangeburg and Claflin University,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “This multi-year partnership is a testament to the city’s commitment to supporting student-athletes and providing a first-class championship experience.”

About the CIAA

Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 13 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University.

Dairy-O in Orangeburg won’t be torn down for the new courthouse after officials find alternate land, following months of public concern.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — A community favorite in Orangeburg is safe from demolition after months of public outcry and uncertainty surrounding its future.

Dairy-O, a small-town staple for generations, will not be torn down to make room for a new county courthouse. The announcement comes after residents expressed concern that the iconic restaurant might be lost in the development process.

For months, the fate of Dairy-O remained uncertain as county officials weighed plans for a new Orangeburg County Courthouse. However, leaders now say the restaurant will remain.

Tommy Robinson, the owner of Dairy-O, said he is grateful for the support the restaurant has received.

“I think the community really, really stood by us and I think it made a good impression on the county,” Robinson said. “I think the county also realized the importance of the area, and we're hopefully we're saved on this, and we can keep moving on. You know, after 75 years, I think we deserve to be here. And I really, really thank our loyal customers have been a great contribution to us so I'm really thankful.”

To avoid using eminent domain, the Orangeburg County Council approved the purchase of two nearby parcels of land for under $300,000. The purchase includes a yellow building with a parking lot and a strip of parking behind Dairy-O. Officials say this will allow construction of the new courthouse to move forward without impacting the restaurant.

Orangeburg County Probate Judge Pandora Jones stressed the need for additional courthouse space.

“We have two new judges that don't have meeting spaces, so it's difficult to get all of the cases adjudicated in a timely manner, so it's important that we have spaces to have our cases adjudicated,” Jones said. "Another reason is because the courthouse is really old. Space is an issue, for security reasons we need a new courthouse. Again, we want to keep our judges safe. We want to be able to move cases to the docket expeditiously.”

Robinson said the paperwork to sell a portion of the back parking lot to the county is expected to be signed by next week.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - Lawmakers are set to consider a proposal that would bring the state’s first casino to Orangeburg County and, as leaders in Columbia debate the idea, it is getting a mixed reception among community members.

Orangeburg County Councilmember Johnny Ravenell says they’re excited about the hotel and casino proposal in Santee. The project could generate thousands of jobs and millions in revenue.

“Santee is set up as a kind of retirement community,” Ravenell said. “We are having a lot of housing developments, and those people are going to need jobs. These houses need to be paid for, so we need good jobs to pay for these houses.”

In order to get a casino approved, House Bill 4176 would create a South Carolina Gaming Commission that would deal out licenses and regulate gambling in the state. However, the bill only allows casinos to be built in very specific areas along Interstate 95 that meet certain economic guidelines, those that are underdeveloped and considered low income.

Dubbed the “I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act,” the bill is designed to bring economic development to these areas to help pay for underfunded schools.

Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young says the development would be a game changer for the area.

“Orangeburg County is open to new development,” Young said. “The establishment of the Santee development project would enhance our local economic growth and provide recreational growth to our citizens and increase the number of visitors that come into our community.

Meanwhile, Ravenell says they’ll need to be prepared if the casino does materialize.

“If the casino does come, I know we are going to need more EMS, more fire protection, water, sewer. Things of that sort, because the building that they’re planning is a two- or three-story high-rise of hotels. We are just going to need more of those amenities,” Ravenell said.

While the promise of jobs, economic development and tax revenue is enticing, Ravenell says the people he has spoken to are also wary of the potential downsides of having a casino in their backyards.

“You have two groups of people. You have the local people that are really enthused about it,” Ravenell said. “Then you have the faith-based people who are a little leery of what a casino or gaming could bring to the area. I am prayerful that no crimes will come with it.”

The bill also has its detractors in the statehouse. Republican Representative Jordan Pace from Berkeley County says the proposal is philosophically and legally questionable.

“It’s geographically limited, which is questionable constitutionally whether the legislature can even do this,” Pace said. “It is not anybody can start a casino. It’s not a free market thing. It’s very much a crony-ist idea.”

He is also not convinced that the economic benefits outweigh the potential harm.

“According to a Baylor University study on casinos where they popped up in Mississippi, New Jersey, places like this. Same idea. Poor impoverished areas where they put a casino in to raise the economy. It turns out, every dollar they bring in as revenue, the state had to pay four dollars on law enforcement, welfare, interdictions and prisons,” Pace said, citing the Baylor study. “So, it is actually a net loss according to that study for the state.”

One such study links the cost of gambling to as much as $9,393 of taxpayer and social burden per pathological gambler.

Governor Henry McMaster is against introducing gambling to South Carolina. He says there are other ways to increase tax revenues.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Orangeburg is one step closer to welcoming a new food truck and vendor market that community members say could become a major local draw.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Orangeburg is one step closer to getting a new food truck and vendor market that locals hope will bring more people to the area.

County leaders recently approved a rezoning request for a piece of land on Campus Drive, just outside Orangeburg’s city limits. The spot sits across from South Carolina State’s football stadium and between two student housing complexes.

That site is set to become the Orangeburg University Market, a seven-days-a-week hub for food trucks and local vendors. Property owner Rachelle Jamerson-Holmes is leading the effort.

“It's important because Orangeburg is key,” Jamerson-Holmes said. “We are, we sit in the, we're properly positioned around 3 highways that come into Orangeburg. We're in the middle of traffic and visitors coming through.”

She said that makes the location ideal for something that benefits students, residents, and visitors alike.

“So why not for the students, the community, and those that want to see the splendor of Orangeburg, bring this,” she said. “This is something that I've been working on now for a while.”

The owner said vendors will start setting up later this month, and folks in the community are already helping decide who’s coming first.

“It's springtime. Everyone wants to get out and have a good time,” Jamerson-Holmes said. “So we'll kick off this month with the food trucks and vendors that choose to be a part of the kickoff celebration.”

She said organizers are also asking students in the community for suggestions.

“We're gonna take a look, and we're asking students in the community what do you wanna see?” she said. “So we're asking them on Facebook page and Instagram page who do you wanna see out here? What are your favorite food trucks and vendors because we wanna invite them to be here not just one day, not just on Friday and Saturdays, but every day around their schedules.”

Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young said the market could give the local economy a boost and help Orangeburg stand out as a place people want to visit.

Young said he believes the project will result in "more foot traffic and more destination places in Orangeburg County." He explained that Orangeburg is often unfairly compared to Charleston and Columbia because of its location.

“But when you look at a county our size and the other counties that surround us like Bamberg and Calhoun that are smaller than us,” he said, “those people look at Orangeburg as a Columbia or Charleston and say, 'Hey man, let's go over there and get this and get that.’”

Young said the development would likely attract more visitors and increase opportunities for commerce and spending in the local community.

Jesiah Baldwin, a student at South Carolina State who lives right next door, said he’s excited for more food choices close to campus.

“People have different food preferences, so I feel like different options maybe for vegans may be a good idea,” Baldwin said. “You know, most people don't like this in the caf, so another idea might give another option, might give them a chance to actually receive a good meal.”

Jesiah Baldwin, a student at South Carolina State who lives right next door, said he’s excited for more food choices close to campus.

“People have different food preferences, so I feel like different options maybe for vegans may be a good idea,” Baldwin said. “You know, most people don't like this in the caf, so another idea might give another option, might give them a chance to actually receive a good meal.”

The Orangeburg University Market is expected to officially open later this month. Vendors interested in signing up can email info@OrangeburgUniversityMarket.com.

National restaurant chains are flocking to Orangeburg County, showing economic growth and adding job opportunities.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Orangeburg County is cooking up something new—literally!

A wave of popular national restaurant chains is making its way to the area, serving up more than just fresh flavors.

From Chipotle and Longhorn Steakhouse to Dunkin’, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and another Waffle House, big-name restaurants are setting up shop across the county.

“We would have to basically take a like hour trip to just get Chipotle, so it's very nice because I live like 10 minutes from here,” said residents Karmen Hyman and Malayshia Bradley.

RELATED: New restaurants bring jobs to Orangeburg County

County officials say this uptick in commercial development is more than a sign of economic growth—it’s a reflection of recent infrastructure investments beginning to pay off.

“It definitely shows that the investment that county council is making into infrastructure is paying off and the understanding that the citizens of Orangeburg County, um, are there to support these businesses,” said County Administrator Harold Young. “These are name brand businesses that wouldn't come if the market wasn't there for them to be successful. So we say that is a good, good trend for Orangeburg County, and we hope to see more. I know there's a lot of things that are happening. And as you see growth, you see development.”

Beyond convenience, officials and community leaders emphasize the job opportunities these establishments are expected to bring, especially for students from South Carolina State University, Claflin University and Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

“So, one of the things that we're seeing is that a lot of young people are looking for opportunities to get work experience and these restaurants are a great place for that to happen,” said Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce President James McQuilla. “But then on the other end of the spectrum, you have some folks who have retired and they're just looking for some part-time work and again these franchise restaurants offer that.”

RELATED: New housing development set to bring 400 homes to Orangeburg County

Residents also expressed excitement about finally getting more variety when dining out.

“We're really excited. We feel like Orangeburg really needed a variety of foods and so we think it's great for the community, um, and for our family, Personally, our boys like to eat different options, and so we think this is great,” said resident Rachel Burroughs.

“Yes, and we're about to go to college, so it's coming a little late, but it's good. You know, we come back home, we got all these new restaurants to try,” said Hyman and Bradley.

“Because, see all of the restaurants we have now are leaving, so we need something new to support our community. We need these,” said resident Hercules Busby.

County Administrator Harold Young also confirmed that the town of Santee is expected to welcome new restaurants in the near future.