Sam Robertson

Samantha Robertson

Audience Development Lead

Sam is based in Columbia, SC and previously worked in PR marketing for several local brands and startups in the Soda City before joining COLAtoday as a City Editor in 2021. When she’s not content creating, she loves staying active, brunching around town, rooting for the Gamecocks, and spending time by the rivers.

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Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Columbia
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
August 27, 2025
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David Stringer
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Play
Date night ideas for every type of Columbian
Got a hot new fling? Hoping to spice things up with your longtime partner? We’re here to help plan your next date night in Soda City.
August 20, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
Columbia-SC
Live
Local Gov. 101: Understanding Columbia’s City Council
Class is in session — become familiar with how Columbia’s City Council works, and explore your role as an active citizen.
August 13, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
Azalea Coffee Bar
Live
Your guide to Columbia’s coffee shops
If you don’t have coffee already in hand, consider this your sign to grab some with our coffee guide, featuring 25+ local coffee shops.
August 6, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
Heat dangers
Travel and Outdoors
Tips for staying cool while the Midlands is under heat advisories
They don’t call Columbia famously hot for nothin’, but while the heat stays in the triple digits and the Midlands is under heat advisories, here are tips and recommendations for other activities.
July 28, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
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Play
11 hiking trails to try in and around Columbia
Check out these 11 hiking trails catering to all skill levels in and around Columbia, SC, for outdoor adventures.
July 23, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
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Live
Farmers markets in Columbia
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 10 farmers markets around Columbia, SC.
July 16, 2025
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Vagney Hampshire
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Play
Your how-to guide for tubing down the river in Columbia
If you’re planning a tubing trip with friends or family, this guide is for you and highlights everything you need to know about tubing down the river in Columbia
June 19, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
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Play
5 places to fish around Columbia, including rivers, lakes, and shorelines
Rivers, lakes + streams, oh my. The Midlands has some pretty great freshwater fishing spots and is only about an hour from saltwater. Reference this guide before you fish around Columbia.
June 13, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
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Small Business
Your guide to summer reading in Columbia
Local recommendations, library challenges, and book clubs to keep your reading list hot this summer
June 10, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
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Small Business
What South Carolina’s new liquor liability law means for local businesses
SC small businesses are facing closures due to rising liquor liability insurance premiums. A new law hopes to address that.
May 29, 2025
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David Stringer
Initial renderings of the new development project proposed for the block bordered by Main, Hampton, Washington, and Assembly streets.
Development
Answered: our readers’ thoughts on Columbia’s changing skyline
Columbia’s skyline may soon see its tallest addition in nearly 40 years. Developer Core Spaces is planning new 26 and 22-story towers, reaching ~300 feet tall, for the block bordered by Main, Hampton, Washington, and Assembly streets. Here’s what our readers think about the new development.
May 27, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
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Play
10+ pools, water parks, and splash pools in Columbia
Do you need more ways to beat the heat? Check out our list of pools, water parks, and splash pools in Columbia.
May 23, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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Culture
What to do around Columbia when college students leave for the summer
Can you relate to the sentiment of feeling like “empty nesters” when students leave for the summer?” Here’s how to explore your city when there’s less traffic.
May 23, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
Boat with American flag at Lake Murray
Culture
How to observe Memorial Day around Columbia
Looking for ways to honor and observe Memorial Day with your family? This event round-up is for you. Whether you want to hike, work out, watch baseball, attend a musical performance, or more, find a way to get involved locally.
May 21, 2025
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Staff
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Government
How Public Works works in Richland County
Have you ever wondered what Public Works does in your county? We are providing you a quick rundown of the basic tasks this civic department completes and how to interact with it.
May 21, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
Pawmetto Lifeline
Volunteer
Your guide to local animal rescues + shelters across Columbia
Looking for a way to lend a paw or just want a furry friend? These shelters across Columbia could use your help fostering, adopting, or volunteering.
May 20, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
Each summer, hundreds of thousands of Purple Martins flock to Bomb Island on Lake Murray, forming the largest known roost of its kind on the planet.
Culture
How to see the Purple Martins in Columbia
These migratory songbirds, the Purple Martins, gather here nightly through the summer, filling the sky in a swirling display before making their way to South America.⁠
May 19, 2025
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Staff
Finlay Park
Arts
The City of Columbia is looking for artists to feature in Finlay Park
Artists looking to display their art for two years inside of the revitalized Finlay Park must submit their applications by the end of May. Keep reading to see how it will work, what you’ll win if chosen, and the artwork criteria.
May 15, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
Richland Mall rendering (may 2025)
Development
Richland Mall development to be anchored by Kroger Marketplace
The City of Forest Acres released updates on the Richland Mall development, including its first tenant, a prototype Kroger Marketplace, and construction timelines.
May 15, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
The image is a collage of three TikTok video screenshots featuring the same Keith Lee. The videos have millions of views, indicating viral popularity.
Food
Viral TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee is set to make a stop in Charleston on his trip to the Carolinas
Keith Lee’s viral food reviews bring massive crowds to locally owned businesses that deserve the spotlight — where should he go when he’s here in the Holy City?
May 13, 2025
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Callie Putnam
Initial renderings of the new development project proposed for the block bordered by Main, Hampton, Washington, and Assembly streets.
Development
Columbia’s skyline is set to feature two new apartment towers
The 26-story and 22-story towers will change Columbia’s skyline and house apartments for both residents and students — we want to know your thoughts on the project.
May 13, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
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Food
Viral TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee came to Columbia
Keith Lee’s viral food reviews bring massive crowds to locally owned businesses that deserve the spotlight — where else should he have gone in Columbia?
May 13, 2025
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Allie Remhof
Parking pay station in Columbia, SC
Live
How to park in Columbia
Parking can be frustrating, especially while living in a city, so we’ve put together a handy go-to guide on how to park in Columbia.
May 9, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
bolton services of WNC home improvement
Small Business
Local home improvement and service companies in Asheville
It’s Small Business Week, and we are highlighting home service companies that will help you with those projects that seem to fall off the to-do list when weekends roll around.
May 7, 2025
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Grace Powers
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Small Business
Four new local businesses to try in Columbia
As part of Small Business Week, we are shouting out a few new local businesses in Columbia that opened earlier this year. Long live local businesses. May these 2025-founded businesses still be here when it’s 2125 and even longer than that.
May 7, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
Bald Cypress Edenwood
Small Business
Local home improvement and service companies in Columbia
It’s Small Business Week, and we are highlighting ~10 home service companies that will help you get around to those looming home projects that seem to fall off the to-do list when weekends roll around. Hire local pros so those to-do lists don’t seem as daunting.
May 5, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
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Dawn Staley’s bronze statue was unveiled this week in Columbia
Coach Dawn Staley has been cloaked in gold medals, SEC titles, and many other accolades. Now, she is featured in bronze, championing her legacy not only as a basketball player + coach, but as a leader and advocate for equity.
May 1, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
The exterior of the Tapp's building in Columbia, SC as seen from the street.
Small Business
The historic Tapp’s building is being transformed
The Tapp’s building, a staple landmark in Columbia since the 1900s, will soon house retail shops and a 24/7 gym, set to open in July 2025.
April 29, 2025
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Samantha Robertson
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Culture
Pick up a new hobby (and put down your phone)
Ditch the doomscrolling for a more creative or relaxing hobby.
April 25, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
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