South-Carolina
‘Blessings from the man above:’ Oldest resident in South Carolina town turns 108
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) – It was a celebration of history, legacy, and one very special birthday in Ridgeway, South Carolina.
The town embraced its oldest resident, Geneva Bell, as she turned 108.
“Blessings from the man above,” Bell emphasized.
This was the gratitude Geneva Bell felt celebrating her 108th birthday with the Ridgeway community on Saturday.
“She is the oldest one here in Ridgeway,” said Rev. Eddie Woods, one of Geneva’s nephews. “We’re so grateful to have the community come out and celebrate this great milestone.”
Dozens of people came to the Issac Thomas Historical Museum to celebrate, declaring Bell’s birthday and life part of Ridgeway’s history.
That history is now etched in a resolution from the Mayor and Town Council, illustrating the impact Bell’s life has on the community.
“It’s just a blessing to have her in our life and for her to share his wisdom,” said, Loretta Martin, one of Geneva’s granddaughters, “She learned so many things and to pass that on to the next generation, we’re thankful for her love that she shares with us.”
Born on February 22, 1917, Geneva Bell spent her life in the Longtown area of Ridgeway. She grew up picking cotton, before getting a job with the Charm Corporation.
She retired in 1980 and remains a vocal member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
“Always attending church,” said Moses Bell, one of Geneva’s nephews, “She just loves God, and she’s a good person to be around. Always having a good sense of humor.”
Bell is a mother to twelve kids, has 52 grandkids, 95 great-grandkids, and 70 great-great-grandchildren.
She says one secret to living a full and happy life is to do the right thing.
The public will be able to learn more about Bell’s impact through the Issac Thomas Historical Museum. The museum, which highlights the history of Ridgeway’s community, commerce, and culture, was officially opened in October 2024.
Copyright 2025 WIS via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Planned Parenthood leaders in the Bay Area are closely monitoring a United States Supreme Court case that could have a major impact on women’s health care, including in some case whether the patient gets to choose their doctor.
The case involves South Carolina’s attempt to strip Planned Parenthood of Medicaid funding.
“The impacts will be felt in communities that already have a lack of access to primary health care in obstetrics and gynecological care,” said Mary Zeigler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis. “And there won’t be a recourse if the Supreme Court rules the way South Carolina wants them to.”
Competing activists gathered Wednesday in front of the White House sounding off on funding for Planned Parenthood. While the protests occurred while the high court heard oral arguments in the South Carolina case to determine whether Medicaid users can sue in order to pick their preferred health care provider, including Planned Parenthood.
In a statement, the president of the Planned Parenthood Northern California said “If the court sides with these efforts it could give other states the green light to discriminate against providers with patients suffering the most by the loss of health care services they need.”
The case dates back to an earlier South Carolina decision that stripped state funding from Planned Parenthood because it provides abortion services.
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case by June.
South-Carolina
Charges dropped against Chicago man accused of assaulting South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace
Prosecutors have dropped the charges against a Chicago man accused of assaulting South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace by allegedly shaking her hand in an “exaggerated, aggressive manner.”
James McIntyre, 33, of Chicago, was charged following an encounter at Rayburn House Office Building in December 2024 in which he shook her hand and asked her to support trans children in foster care. Mace, a Republican, said in a social media post that the encounter left her needing a brace for her wrist, and icing her arm.
McIntyre was charged with a misdemeanor and pleaded not guilty, but charges were dropped Tuesday.
“I am pleased but not surprised that these baseless charges have been dropped,” McIntyre said in a statement. “By falsely accusing me of a violent crime and having me jailed, Congresswoman Mace demonstrated her desire to criminalize anyone who advocates for the needs of our trans youth. Her actions are fundamentally connected to the broader effort by the Trump administration to criminalize protected speech and create an environment of fear among advocates.”
Mace introduced legislation in November to change U.S. House of Representative rules to prohibit transgender women from using women’s bathrooms and other facilities on Capitol Hill.
Please Note: The above video is from a previous report
The 2024-2025 season did not go as planned for the Gamecocks basketball team. While South Carolina is working to rebuild its roster they are set to lose talented freshman Cam Scott to the transfer portal.
The 6-foot-6 and 170 pound freshman wing out of Lexington, South Carolina joined the Gamecocks as the highest ranked recruit in the program’s 2024 class. Consensus four star and top 50 overall player, Scott was expected to help lead the team to new heights, now he’ll be looking for a new home.
Scott made 26 appearances on the court for South Carolina this past season. The young wing struggled offensively in his first y averaging 2.5 points per game, shooting 27 percent from the floor and 17 percent from three.
South Carolina was able to add one of the best overall players in the portal this week. Former North Dakota guard Treysen Eaglestaff announced his commitment to the Gamecocks on Satruday. Eaglestaff is an offensive minded playmaker and could have been brought in to mitigate the loss of other players leaving Columbia.
Scott will have three years of eligibility left. It is not apparent if there is a leader at this time.
Join the community:
You can follow us for future coverage by clicking “Follow” on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on X at @GamecocksDigest and on Facebook!
You Might Also Like:
The Logic Behind Chanel’s Boat Race Deal
Column: Making America a colonizer again
Immune amnesia: Why even mild measles infections can lead to serious disease later
J'Onre 'Big General' Reed brings energy and power to USC offensive line
A US tariff pathology is unleashed upon the world
-
News1 week agoTrump Is Trying to Gain More Power Over Elections. Is His Effort Legal?
-
News1 week agoWashington Bends to RFK Jr.’s ‘MAHA’ Agenda on Measles, Baby Formula and French Fries
-
News1 week agoCompanies Pull Back From Pride Events as Trump Targets D.E.I.
-
World1 week agoAt least six people killed in Israeli attacks on southern Syria
-
Technology1 week agoTrump officials planned a military strike over Signal – with a magazine editor on the line
-
Technology1 week agoThe FBI launched a task force to investigate Tesla attacks
-
World1 week agoNo, Norway and Sweden haven't banned digital transactions
-
Culture1 week agoAnalysing Jamal Musiala’s bizarre corner goal for Germany against Italy