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LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - A teacher at Columbia’s South Carolina Whitmore School was arrested Thursday.

Records show 34-year-old Erin Wheeler was booked into the Lexington County Detention Center on a count of unlawful neglect of a child.

According to an incident report obtained from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Wheeler is accused of punching a child in the forehead on Nov. 27, 2025.

She then reportedly followed the child into a bathroom and continued punching them in the forehead and upper body. The victim, meanwhile, tried to block the punches with their arms and sustained bruises as a result.

The incident report also said that the incident took place outside of the school.

Wheeler is a special education teacher at Whitmore and was named the school’s teacher of the year in 2025, according to their website.

The school sent the following statement to WIS when asked about her arrest:

“South Carolina Whitmore School’s administration was informed today of the arrest of one of its faculty members by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. To the best of our knowledge, the incident leading to the arrest did not involve the employee’s employment with South Carolina Whitmore School or any South Carolina Whitmore School student. The employee has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.”

This is a developing story. Stay with WIS for the latest.

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The recent cold spell that has brought bitter cold to the Midlands area of South Carolina is expected to continue into the weekend, and snowfall is possible in the Columbia area, according to the National Weather Service.

There is potential for snow on Sunday, National Weather Service meteorologists said Thursday in a briefing.

When the white stuff might begin falling Sunday remains uncertain, but there’s currently a 40-50% chance of snow in the Columbia area, according to the briefing. Current projections show snow is possible from 1 a.m. through 1 p.m.

Snow could be widespread across South Carolina, but the greatest effects could be along the I-20 corridor, meteorologists said in the briefing.

It’s also uncertain how much snow might fall, the National Weather Service said. And although the chances are currently low, there’s a 10-20% possibility that more than an inch of snow could accumulate in the Midlands, according to the briefing.

The National Weather Service said there’s currently only a 1% chance that there will be more than 3 inches of snow recorded in Columbia, but it’s not a non-zero amount.

“Uncertainty is high, so stay tuned,” the National Weather Service said.

It’s also possible that the precipitation won’t be snow at all, and could be rain, according to the briefing. The current forecast predicts a range between 21 and 41 degrees Sunday in Columbia.

But confidence is high that either snow or rain will be recorded Sunday, the National Weather Service said.

Freezing rain is not expected, according to the briefing.

Snow would only be expected Sunday. While overnight temperatures Monday and Tuesday will also be well below freezing, the forecast calls for mostly sunny and clear conditions, event if thermometers drop into the low 20s.

Overnight Thursday and into Friday is expected to be the coldest stretch into the start of next week. The combination of low temperatures and wind chills could cause it to feel like thermometers are in the teens, the National Weather Service said.

No advisories, watches or warnings have been issued so far.

Hypothermia or frostbite are possible with prolonged exposure to the cold weather effects, the National Weather Service said. Anyone without adequate shelter or clothing is at highest risk of injuries that are potentially fatal.

Additionally, a hard freeze poses a threat to vegetation.

The freezing conditions also present a threat to unprotected outdoor plumbing, according to meteorologists. To prevent water pipes that are not properly insulated from freezing then bursting, wrap or drain them, or allow them to drip slowly, the National Weather Service said.

Any pets also should be brought indoors, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.

Columbia, SC — Residents across central South Carolina are urged to use extreme caution today as elevated fire danger conditions develop across the region, driven by gusty winds, dry fuels, and very low humidity.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Columbia, the heightened fire risk will last through approximately 7 p.m. Sunday, following a mostly dry cold front overnight and a continued lack of recent rainfall. Officials warn that any fires that ignite could spread rapidly under today’s conditions.

Forecasters say northwest winds of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts reaching 30 to 35 mph, are expected this afternoon. At the same time, relative humidity levels are forecast to drop below 25%, creating an environment favorable for dangerous wildfire behavior.

The combination of dry vegetation, strong winds, and low humidity significantly increases the likelihood that small sparks — including debris burning, outdoor grilling, or equipment use — could quickly escalate into uncontrolled fires.

The elevated fire danger applies broadly across the Midlands region, including Richland County, Lexington County, and surrounding areas, with potential impacts extending toward nearby parts of central South Carolina.

The NWS strongly advises residents to avoid outdoor burning and to use extra caution with any activities that could generate sparks or open flames. Even brief or accidental ignition sources may lead to fast-moving fires that are difficult for crews to contain.

Fire officials continue to monitor conditions and urge the public to stay alert until weather conditions improve later this evening.

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Thousands gathered in Columbia as Buddhist monks continued their Walk for Peace, symbolizing a collective yearning for unity in a divided world.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Supporters gathered along the route in downtown Columbia Saturday morning as Buddhist monks made their way toward the South Carolina State House as part of a long-distance Walk for Peace.

People began lining the streets shortly after 10:30 a.m., many traveling from across the Southeast to take part in the event. Joanne, who traveled from near Savannah, Georgia, said she left early in the morning to make sure she could be there.

“We left at 5 a.m. this morning because I knew the monks were going to be here,” she said. “When my friend asked if I wanted to come see them, I jumped at the opportunity.”

By midafternoon, the monks crossed the Gervais Street Bridge, completing a 1.3-mile walk to the State House. Thousands of people lined the route, waving, cheering and offering words of encouragement as the monks passed.

Another supporter, who traveled from Athens, Georgia, said she only learned about the walk a few days earlier but felt compelled to attend once she realized the monks would be coming through Columbia.

“I started following it three days ago and thought, ‘Oh my God, they’re coming to Columbia,’” she said. “They didn’t come through Athens, so I knew I had to be here.”

After leaving the State House, the monks continued on to the Lutheran Theological Seminary, where more than a thousand people gathered to hear them speak. The Rev. Melanie Dodson said the turnout reflects a deep desire for peace and unity in a divided world.

“It shows the hunger people have for peace in a world that feels so violent and full of hatred,” Dodson said. “To see people come together as a community here on our campus has been a huge gift.”

Organizers said the walk is designed to spread messages of peace, compassion and healing along the entire route. Dr. Neerja Bajracsya, who handles public relations for the Walk for Peace, said the journey spans thousands of miles over several months.

“Wherever we go, the goal is to spread the message of peace, unity, compassion and healing,” Bajracsya said.

The monks are expected to continue their walk on Sunday with a stop in Blythewood.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A woman was arrested after allegedly causing a scene at a Columbia-area Publix over the weekend.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department said 35-year-old Cardesha Gilmore was arrested Sunday and is charged with indecent exposure, shoplifting, public disorderly conduct, pedestrian in the highway and assault while resisting arrest.

According to an incident report from RCSD, Gilmore was caught trying to steal four packs of steaks by employees at the Publix store on Hardscrabble Road. Afterwards, she reportedly became irate and proceeded to urinate on the floor of the store.

When deputies arrived, Gilmore allegedly ran away and went into traffic on Hardscrabble Road. She eventually complied with orders to stop and was taken into custody.

Documents state that Gilmore tried to run again after being taken to a patrol car, but immediately lost balance and was restrained. The sheriff’s department said Gilmore also tried kicking a deputy in the face, but was unsuccessful.

She reportedly did not have any identification on her, and all deputies reportedly found was an empty bottle of oxycodone prescribed to a different person that did not match Gilmore, according to DMV records.

RCSD noted that Gilmore was initially identified as a “Jane Doe” in an incident report, but publicly identified her as the suspect on Tuesday.

As of Tuesday afternoon, records show Gilmore was booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on a nearly $21,800 bond.

This is a developing story. Stay with WIS for the latest.

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