Caroline Hecker

Reporter

Caroline Hecker joined the WIS team as a reporter in January 2018.

Prior to working in Columbia, Caroline worked for three years as weekend anchor/MMJ at WXOW in La Crosse, Wisconsin. While there, she covered a wide variety of stories including historic flooding, opioid abuse at the Tomah VA and multiple presidential candidate visits.

Caroline is a graduate of the University of Missouri where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism (Go Tigers!).

Having spent the last several years suffering through brutal Wisconsin winters, she’s looking forward to some warmer weather in the Palmetto State!

Have a story idea or just want to say hi? Shoot Caroline an email at checker@wistv.com.

Facebook: Caroline Hecker WIS

Twitter: @Checker_WIS

Recent Articles by Caroline

Lexington man faces murder trial for 2014 Cookout stabbing following 2016 mistrial

The Lexington man charged with fatally stabbing a 17-year-old Dutch Fork High School student in 2014 is standing trial for a second time.

Caroline Hecker

Published August 20, 2019 at 7:44 PM

‘It was wild’: Newberry residents cleaning up after storm rips through town Saturday night

Nearly 48 hours after severe storms made their way through parts of Newberry County, residents continue to clean up the damage left behind.

Caroline Hecker

Published August 19, 2019 at 6:40 PM

Viral ‘Clear The Lists’ campaign helping Midlands teachers

A viral social media campaign to help teachers around the country buy school supplies for their classrooms has made its way to the Midlands.

Caroline Hecker

Published August 18, 2019 at 8:08 PM

SC pets deemed ‘unadoptable’ get second chance from SCDC inmates

Hundreds of dogs and cats destined for euthanasia across several Lowcountry shelters are getting a second chance at life and adoption, thanks to the Mutt Mates and Meow Mates program at Allendale Correctional Institution.

Caroline Hecker

Published August 16, 2019 at 6:33 PM

Former Ridge View HS teacher charged after fight with student will have charges dismissed, expunged

Karon Wilson Jr., 36, faced third-degree assault and battery and breach of peace charges following an altercation with a student in his classroom in May of 2019.

Caroline Hecker

Published August 15, 2019 at 2:42 PM

Major security upgrades coming to schools in Richland School District Two

As students and teachers in the Richland Two School District return next week to begin another school year, they will be welcomed back by major security upgrades.

Caroline Hecker

Published August 12, 2019 at 6:14 PM

Mother of St. Louis homicide victim says accused Sumter killer is responsible

The mother of a 22-year-old St. Louis woman said the man accused of killing a Sumter woman and her 5-year-old daughter is responsible for her daughter’s death, too.

Caroline Hecker

Published August 9, 2019 at 9:32 PM

S.C. student accused of threatening to shoot up school charged, but not for racially-charged viral videos

More than three weeks after police took the juvenile into custody, WIS learned more about what charges the student faces.

Laurel Mallory and Caroline Hecker

Published August 8, 2019 at 9:20 PM

Bond denied for S.C. man accused of woman’s murder, child’s disappearance

Daunte Johnson, 28, is charged with one count of murder in death of Sharee Bradley, 29, after investigators found her body in her apartment Monday night.

Caroline Hecker

Published August 7, 2019 at 6:45 PM

‘School Prayer Zone’ road signs popping up around Richland Co., SC ahead of new school year

As students and teachers around the state gear up for another school year, a Columbia non-profit is reminding people to say a prayer for those within the state’s public school system with new roadway signs.

Caroline Hecker

Published August 5, 2019 at 5:39 PM

WHO’S READY? Gamecocks football is just around the corner

The South Carolina Gamecocks are four weeks away from their football season opener and the team looks to bring consistency to the field as head coach Will Muschamp enters his fourth season.

Caroline Hecker

Published August 2, 2019 at 8:41 PM

Pastides bids an emotional farewell to UofSC

Pastides and Caslen shared a handshake and a hug, signifying the beginning of a new era at the university.

Caroline Hecker

Published August 1, 2019 at 6:12 PM

SC taxpayers paid $487,000 for the death penalty trial of Tim Jones. That number could go up.

Figures recently released by Lexington County reveal South Carolina taxpayers paid more than $487,000 for the six-week death penalty trial of Tim Jones Jr.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 31, 2019 at 11:34 PM

Sumter Police seek public’s help after string of armed robberies turns deadly

The Sumter Police Department is seeking help from the public after two men were shot and killed during an attempted armed robbery last Thursday.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 31, 2019 at 9:05 PM

‘It started as a joke’: Sumter man speaks about viral video of donkey singing along to ‘The Lion King’

A Sumter man who is achieving internet fame for a viral video of his donkey singing along to The Lion King’s “Circle of Life,” said the entire video started as a joke with his friends.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 31, 2019 at 6:01 PM

Federal agents to aid CPD, RCSD in cracking down on violent crime

A new federal initiative called Project Safe Neighborhoods is aiming to curb violent crime in the city of Columbia and Richland County, as the city boasts a violent crime rate double that of the national average.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 29, 2019 at 9:49 PM

Sumter Co. Sheriff says inmate escape planned for a month, started with arson inside cell

A Sumter County inmate awaiting trial for one of the county’s most brutal murders is back in custody following an escape Thursday evening, Sheriff Anthony Dennis said.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 26, 2019 at 7:28 PM

WIS EXCLUSIVE: ’He’s a murderer, times five’: Solicitor talks strategy, thinking behind death sentence for Tim Jones Jr.

Nearly six weeks after Tim Jones Jr. received a death sentence from a Lexington County jury for the murders of his five children, the man who led the prosecution is talking about the preparation that led up to the case, the prosecution’s strategy, and the most damning pieces of evidence.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 25, 2019 at 8:00 PM

Man sentenced to 15 years in prison for DUI crash that severely injured Lexington woman

A judge has sentenced 24-year-old Joseph Swearingen to 15 years in prison in connection with a 2018 crash that critically injured a Lexington woman.

Emery Glover and Caroline Hecker

Published July 25, 2019 at 12:38 PM

Caslen addresses UofSC community for the first time as president-elect

For the first time since being chosen as the school's president, Lt. General Robert Caslen will speak to the University of South Carolina community Monday at 11 a.m.

WIS News 10 Staff and Caroline Hecker

Published July 22, 2019 at 6:18 PM

Group of Chapin friends save mom having seizure, recognized for their actions

A Chapin woman is thankful for the quick thinking of her two sons and their friends after a game of hide-and-go-seek turned into a life or death situation in late June.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 21, 2019 at 9:42 AM

USC alumnus encourages donors to cut off donations if board approves Caslen, others demand respect

One University of South Carolina alumnus is threatening to stop donating to the school if its board of trustees vote Friday to approve presidential finalist Robert Caslen.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 17, 2019 at 9:09 PM

SACS accreditation board demands new report from UofSC amid controversial presidential search

The agency responsible for determining accreditation for colleges and universities across the south is reaching out to the University of South Carolina, amid concerns of political influence in the school’s search for its next president.

WIS News 10 Staff and Caroline Hecker

Published July 16, 2019 at 6:58 PM

Six months later: ‘The housing authority murdered them,’ says brother of Allen Benedict Court victim

Nearly six months after two men were found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in their Allen Benedict Court apartments, the Columbia Police Department said it is “very close” to completing its investigation into what happened.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 15, 2019 at 6:24 PM

Many USC Caslen supporters have been quiet this week. Some say this is why.

Supporters of embattled USC presidential finalist Robert Caslen are speaking out, one day after a judge blocked a controversial vote requested by Governor Henry McMaster asking the university’s board of trustees to vote on Caslen as the school’s next president.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 12, 2019 at 6:36 PM

RCSD: 30-year-old Georgia man pushes ‘girlfriend,’ 13, from car fleeing deputies

A 30-year-old Georgia man is facing several charges after Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputies said he crossed state lines to meet up with a 13-year-old girl he met on a dating website.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 10, 2019 at 7:45 PM

UofSC board member says at request of Gov. McMaster, vote on controversial presidential candidate coming Friday

The USC Board of Trustees will vote this week on a previously controversial presidential finalist at the request of Governor Henry McMaster, according to board member Charles Williams.

Caroline Hecker

Published July 9, 2019 at 6:57 PM

Someone spray painted male genitalia on potholes in a Columbia neighborhood. Will the potholes get fixed?

For the past several weeks, residents of the Murraywood subdivision in Columbia have stared at male genitalia spray-painted over potholes on a section of Willow Lake Lane.

Caroline Hecker

Published June 28, 2019 at 6:36 PM

Judge in Jones trial finds closure after loss of family dog, days after its rescue on Lake Murray

The judge who sat on the bench of one of South Carolina’s most horrific murder trials is finding closure, a week after his longtime dog was rescued, but later died.

Caroline Hecker

Published June 27, 2019 at 8:42 PM

Spring Valley grad victim of FL hit and run, family seeks prayers

A 21-year-old Columbia native and Spring Valley High School graduate is in critical condition after Florida Highway Patrol said an impaired driver struck her Saturday night as she was walking on campus.

Caroline Hecker

Published June 26, 2019 at 6:24 PM

Currently in
Columbia, SC

Caroline Hecker

Reporter

Recent Articles by Caroline

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