Defense Contractor Attorney Near Columbia, SC

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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MCCORMICK, S.C. —

After 73 days of walking for peace, a group of Buddhist monks and their dog Aloka have crossed the Savannah River into South Carolina.

The group started their 2,300-mile journey in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 26, and is traveling through 10 states en route to Washington, D.C.

As of Tuesday evening, the monks are traveling along Highway 378 and stopped overnight in McCmorick.

The monks were met by hundreds of supporters along the road, holding signs, flowers, and praying for the group.

"All we ever hear are the bad things, right? So whenever you get a taste of good news, you just want to be a part of it. You want to soak it all in," says Michelle Urps, who watched with her mother and daughter.

"Everybody was like silent as soon as they walked by, and bowing their heads and praying, just like it was just peaceful. It was mind, mind-blowing experience. You had to be here to see it," says Caroline Forest, who traveled to McCormick to watch with her sister.

The monks also hosted a meet and greet Tuesday night outside of the McCormick County Emergency Management offices, where they'll spend the night.

The original route through South Carolina had the group walking through part of Abbeville, Laurens, and possibly Union counties. On Jan. 2, the route changed to take a path through Columbia before heading north to North Carolina.

If you would like to follow their path, click on this map or check out the map below:

To track them live, click here or check out the map below:

The group has amassed a huge audience on social media, with more than 700,000 followers on Facebook. Aloka, who is named after a Sanskrit word meaning enlightenment, has its own hashtag, #AlokathePeaceDog, and Facebook page, with more than 400,000 followers.

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that evolved from the teachings of Gautama Buddha, a prince turned teacher who is believed to have lived in northern India and attained enlightenment between the 6th and 4th centuries B.C. The religion spread to other parts of Asia after his death and came to the West in the 20th century. The Buddha taught that the path to end suffering and become liberated from the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation includes the practice of non-violence, mental discipline through meditation, and showing compassion for all beings.

While Buddhism has branched into a number of sects over the centuries, its rich tradition of peace activism continues. Its social teaching was pioneered by figures like the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh, who have applied core principles of compassion and non-violence to political, environmental and social justice as well as peace-building efforts around the world.

COLUMBIA — A group of about 20 Buddhist monks — and their loyal rescue dog, Aloka — are set to visit Columbia this week as they continue their more than 2,000-mile journey across the Southeastern United States to promote peace and harmony.

The monks began their journey in Fort Worth, Tx., on Oct. 26 with plans to end in Washington, D.C., around early February. Despite injuries and exhaustion, the monks have persevered, meeting thousands along the way, where they give out prayer bracelets and speak with those who come to see them.

On the morning of Jan. 6, the monks’ social media account posted that they started the day in Tignall, Ga., with plans to walk through Lincolnton and cross into South Carolina during the day. The monks next planned stop is in McCormick, S.C., which is about 77 miles from Columbia.

While the monks’ arrival in Columbia is estimated between Jan. 10 and 20, Google Maps predicts a journey of that length would take a walker about 28 hours, which could result in the group making it to Columbia by the end of the week when stops and breaks are included.

The exact dates for the monks’ stop should be updated in the next few days as the group finalizes plans for where to stop for lunch and where to sleep, both of which are updated on their daily live map.

The monk’s route, as of Jan. 6, goes from Chennault, Ga., to U.S. 378, where the monks will cross into South Carolina and through McCormick, Edgefield and Saluda counties before they trek through rural Lexington County and roughly follow U.S. 378 into Columbia.

The monks walk from sun up to sunset, only stopping to eat and sleep, often camping in tents at night. Their lunch stop includes visiting hours from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. while their night stop invites guests from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. At both times, the monks welcome people to stop by and support the effort.

Droves of people have come out to meet the monks in past cities, with one Georgia mayor arranging for the group to receive medical care. In many places, the monks lead meditations and chants, and pass out blessing cords, Buddhist symbols of protection, good luck and spirituality.

Material donations are currently on hold due to limited space, according to the monks’ website, but visitors are welcome to donate online.

Once the monks hit Columbia, they’ll turn north and begin the walk to Charlotte with a planned stop in Rock Hill, according to the overview map.

To follow along on their live route, go to walkforpeace.short.gy/live-map. For the overall route, head to walkforpeace.short.gy/overview-map. To follow along with the standout star of the group, Aloka, head to facebook.com/alokathepeacedog.

Wednesday

What: Bring your 2- and 3-year-olds and their siblings to the Columbia Museum of Art for this week's Gladys' Gang, exploring movement and the "Keith Haring: Radiant Vision" exhibition.

When: 10-11 a.m., Jan. 7

Where: Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia

Price: Free, registration required

Thursday

What: Columbia Art Center's After School Art is designed to teach students, ages 5 to 10, to create art with multiple mediums. From color theory to drawing, this class is the perfect learning opportunity for Thursday afternoons.

When: 4-6 p.m., Thursdays, Jan. 8-Feb. 12

Where: Columbia Art Center, 1227 Taylor St., Suite C, Columbia

Price: $115

Friday

What: Bringing Christian music icons like Chris Tomlin and Katy Nichole to the stage, Winter Jam is back and touring across the country. With the first 2026 stop at Colonial Life Arena, this is a can't-miss opportunity for Soda City.

When: General admission entry at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m., Jan. 9

Where: Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia

Price: $15 donation requested

What: This week, International Ballet Stars is bringing the tale of Princess Aurora to life at the Koger Center with "The Sleeping Beauty." From hand-painted sets to exclusive costumes, don't skip this stunning performance.

When: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 9

Where: Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia

Price: Starting at $45 before fees

What: The Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission Children's Theatre is bringing Roald Dahl's story of “Matilda” to life with this high-energy musical! Bring the whole family to see the performance, at Harbison Theatre for three days only.

When: 7 p.m., Jan. 9; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Jan. 10; 3 p.m., Jan. 11

Where: Harbison Theatre, 7300 College St., Irmo

Price: $10 before fees

Saturday

What: JaVonne Jones is performing live at Chayz Lounge, bringing her electric violin expertise and music from the '80s and '90s to a Columbia audience.

When: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m., Jan. 10

Where: Chayz Lounge, 607 Meeting St., West Columbia

Price: $54.16 reserved seating

What: Three South Carolina Philharmonic concerts are taking the stage, all featuring Andy & Friends Chamber Series director Andy Armstrong. Purchase tickets for the first event this week, titled "Northern Lights."

When: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 10

Where: Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia

Price: Starting at $15 before fees

What: Central Carolina Comic Con is back, bringing photo ops, panels and guests like Tom Kenny and Holly Marie Combs to the Midlands. Purchase a one- or two-day pass to this jam-packed weekend.

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Jan. 10; 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Jan. 11

Where: South Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia

Price: $30 one-day pass before fees, $50 weekend pass before fees

What: This week is your last chance to take in the splendor of this season's Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo. Secure your ticket to stroll past the 60 nature-inspired wildlife lantern displays in the zoo and gardens this Sunday.

When: 5-9 p.m., Jan. 11

Where: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia

Price: $20.99 general admission

What: Bands Fleshwater, Jarhead Fertilizer and Tarantula perform this week at New Brookland Tavern.

When: 6 p.m., Jan. 12

Where: New Brookland Tavern, 632 Harden St., Columbia

Price: $30.68

What: All Good Books' Black Author Book Club brings together readers for a monthly discussion. Hosted by Jared Lee Johnson, January's meeting will dive into "Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore" by Char Adams.

When: 6-7 p.m., Jan. 13

Where: All Good Books, 734 Harden St., Columbia

Price: Free admission

What: Since the 1990s, "STOMP" has been bringing dance, theater and percussion to audiences in the U.K. and beyond. Coming to the Koger Center this month, experience the show in person, thanks to Broadway in Columbia.

When: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 13

Where: Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia

Price: Starting at $35 before fees

A group of Buddhist monks will begin 2026 by walking on foot across South Carolina, part of a larger trek that will take them halfway across the country to the nation’s capital.

As the new year began, two dozen monks and their rescue dog Aloka had passed through Atlanta on the Walk for Peace, according to a live online map of the journey, and were walking east toward Athens and the Savannah River.

The walk is expected to enter South Carolina in McCormick County near Plum Branch in the coming days. According to the latest update to the monks’ itinerary on Friday, the caravan is expected to walk through Edgefield and Saluda counties before crossing through Batesburg-Leesville and Lexington on their way to Columbia, before the march turns north and leaves the Palmetto State by passing through Rock Hill.

The monks are on a 2,300-mile march from their home Huong Dao Temple in Forth Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., passing through eight states and hitting seven capital cities, including Columbia, although the tentative route is unclear what specific sites the monks might go through along the way. The march started on Oct. 26 and is expected to take 120 days to reach the nation’s capital.

One of the monks told CBS News the walk is meant to promote “peace, loving kindness and compassion to all people.”

The walk has continued even after an incident that occurred before the group had even left Texas. A vehicle escorting the group was struck from behind by a truck while driving near Houston, injuring two of the monks. The more seriously injured of the two had to leave the march, but he reunited with the group in Georgia on the last day of 2025.

As the monks have traveled across the South, the Walk for Peace has garnered attention through its social media accounts, and large crowds have met the travelers when they reach pre-determined rest sites.

Polling shows there are more than 1 million Buddhists in the United States, the majority of them Asian American but including a sizable number of Western converts. Today, there are thousands of organized Buddhist temples across the country.