VA loan in Columbia, SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The Columbia Metropolitan Airport has issued a statement after the Federal Aviation Administration gave a warning that 40 airports would see flight cuts due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The airport said that its flights were not directly affected at this time, but that many airports it offers direct flights to are affected, which could have impacts for fliers leaving the airport.

“CAE and its airport staff will remain fully operational as normal. We are monitoring the situation closely and will provide additional updates as we know more,” the airport said in a statement.

They also thanked its staff for their continued work.

“Due to the ongoing government shutdown, the FAA announced that beginning Friday, November 7, airlines will temporarily reduce flights at the 40 busiest airports. While CAE is not directly affected, many of our nonstop destinations are to these major hubs - which could impact travelers here in Columbia.

We advise those with upcoming travel plans to please check with their airline for the most up-to-date travel information regarding their flight status.

CAE and its airport staff will remain fully operational as normal. We are monitoring the situation closely and will provide additional updates as we know more.

We are extremely grateful for our TSA agents and ATC staff and their continued commitment to getting passengers where they need to be safely."

Airports that Columbia offers direct flights to that will be seeing flight cuts are:

The FAA said the flight cuts would begin to be implemented on Friday.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The City of Columbia has announced that it will implement a permanent clear bag policy for Finlay Park.

The city said the policy will be effective when the park reopens on Nov. 15. Officials also said the move is “to help keep all visitors safe and ensure a great experience for everyone.”

Later Thursday, Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann confirmed to WIS that the policy will also be in effect beyond the reopening and will apply to all visitors and events at the park.

“Right now it’s a park policy,” he said. “We’re going to work with the public. But in general, it’s really about trying to protect the park.”

Rickenmann also said concerns about public safety and other issues played a large role in the implementation of the policy.

“We need to make sure the park is safe. I mean, it’s the number one issue everyone has talked about,” Rickenmann said. “I’d rather take a chance and have some people upset and inconvenienced in the beginning...then take a chance of something happening to an individual.”

Rickenmann added that the policy would be enforced by park rangers and other security officers.

Per the policy, approved bags include wristlets, small clutches, clear totes, backpacks and fanny packs, a gallon plastic freezer bag and diaper bags.

Prohibited bags include purses, backpacks, luggage, trash bags, coolers and camera bags unless you are a credentialed member of the press.

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Classic rock icons Journey will come to Columbia next year as part of the long-running band’s farewell tour, promoters said Thursday in a news release.

The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees will bring their “Final Frontier Tour” to Colonial Life Arena on May 18, according to the release.

“This tour is our heartfelt thank you to the fans who’ve been with us every step of the way — through every song, every era, every high and low,” lead guitar player Neal Schon said in the release. Schon was a founding member of the band in 1973.

Tickets for the Columbia show will go on sale to the public on Nov. 14 at 10 a.m., but multiple presale events will begin Nov. 11 at ticketmaster.com.

Information about ticket prices was not available.

Tickets are only available online the first week that they go on sale. After that, any tickets that are still available can be purchased the next Tuesday or Friday that the Colonial Life Arena box office is open — as well as on the ticket giant’s website.

It’s the only scheduled stop in South Carolina for Journey, which also will perform twice in North Carolina (Charlotte on May 20 and Greensboro on May 21), for the band’s only other shows in the Carolinas.

“It’s been an incredible ride,” keyboard player Jonathan Cain said in the release. “We’ve shared our music with millions and this tour is about gratitude, connection and one last chance to feel that magic together.”

That ride most recently included a stop at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia in 2023, when the band headlined a tour with fellow classic rock stars Toto.

No opening or supporting acts are listed for the upcoming tour.

Journey was most prominent in the 1970s and 80s, but hit songs like “Don’t Stop Believin,” “Any Way You Want It,” “Faithfully,” “Lights,” and “Wheel In The Sky,” among others, have sustained the group’s popularity for decades and introduced it to new generations of fans.

Journey has 19 top-40 singles, 25 gold and platinum albums, and has sold more than 100 million albums globally, according to the release. Journey’s “Greatest Hits” album is certified 15 times-platinum, making the group one of the few bands to ever have been diamond-certified, and the song “Don’t Stop Believin’” has been streamed over one billion times.

The group that was formerly fronted by Steve Perry was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. Current lead singer, Arnel Pineda, is a native of the Philippines who was discovered on YouTube by Journey’s founder and lead guitarist Neal Schon, promoters said.

“I’m honored to be part of this legacy and I’m grateful for having been welcomed with such open arms,” Pineda said in the release. “Every night on stage has been a dream come true.”

Nimes Real Estate has entered a new market with the acquisition of Columbia Lofts, a 330-bed student housing community in Columbia, S.C. TSB Realty brokered the deal, while TSB Capital Advisors secured the financing on behalf of the buyer.

Global Student Accommodation previously owned the asset, according to Yardi Matrix information. The firm acquired it from University Communities in a portfolio sale in April 2024. Prior to selling, GSA obtained a $500 million refinancing loan for 23 assets, including this property.

Fully occupied at the time of sale, Columbia Lofts witnessed impressive year-over-year rent growth for the current academic year, TSB Capital Advisors told Multi-Housing News.

READ ALSO: Why Student Housing Scores High Marks

Located at 211 Main St. in the city’s downtown, the community is within walking distance of the University of South Carolina in Columbia campus. Columbia Metropolitan Airport is some 8 miles southwest.

Originally built as a warehouse in 1896, the property was converted to residential use in 1945 and then to student housing. Renovated in 2012, the four-story building has one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom floorplans ranging from 681 to 1,320 square feet.

Amenities at the 170-unit community include a swimming pool, barbecue and picnic area, as well as study rooms, a resident lounge and laundry facilities. The property also has 270 parking spaces.

TSB Realty Executive Managing Director Randall Calvert brokered the sale. TSB Capital Advisors Vice President Tyler Martin arranged the financing.

Student housing’s steady investment activity

A total of 76 student communities changed hands year-to-date as of September for a combined $3.7 billion, the latest Yardi Matrix student housing report shows. This figure was considerably lower than the $5 billion registered during the same period of 2024.

In 2024, University of South Carolina at Columbia ranked first for student housing investment volume. The institution saw roughly $134 million in assets trading for the average price per bed of $191,350.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) -Despite the ongoing government shutdown, Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) reports operations have remained smooth, with no significant delays or Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issues.

However, recent announcements of flight cancellations at major airports across the country have raised concerns for travelers flying to and from Columbia, with connections at those airports getting flights cancelled.

Gregg Hornsby, interim president at CAE, said while the airport has not been directly impacted, the ripple effects from cancellations at nearby hubs like Charlotte and Atlanta could affect passengers.

“We could still see the same number of flights, but there could be delays later on,” Hornsby said. “That’s the part that we just don’t know right now — whether it’s for this weekend or as we go into Thanksgiving week.”

Byron Day, who flew into Columbia from Louisville to visit his fiancée, said he had no trouble arriving but is concerned about his return flight.

“When that news came down, I was a little worried about traveling because I didn’t know if my flight would be canceled on the way back,” Day said. “I’m going back on Monday.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has canceled flights at 40 airports nationwide. The news has left Day thinking twice about flying for Thanksgiving.

“My family lives back home in Virginia, and we were thinking about flying together to visit them in central Virginia,” Day said. “But now we’re thinking about just driving.”

Others, like Janice Padgett and Nikita Pete, are relieved to have returned home before the cancellations began.

“It would make me think about driving, yes, definitely,” Padgett said. “We travel annually for our work conference, and thankfully, it seems like we made it back just in time before all the craziness. I’m done flying for the year, but it definitely would make me think twice about driving wherever I need to travel now,” said Pete.

Airport officials are advising travelers with connecting flights to check with their airlines, consider purchasing backup tickets and look for nonstop options when possible. Some airlines are offering free flight changes in response to the disruptions.

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