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

Owner of the Black Pearl sues Richland County for $1.8 million

A deadly shooting in 2017 at a nightclub called the Black Pearl turned life upside down for everyone involved. That shooting led to the closure of the business, but the owner said he was shut down unjustly.

Miranda Parnell and Caroline Hecker

Published March 6, 2020 at 12:34 AM

Man caught on Ring doorbell camera peeing on Columbia man’s front porch

A North Columbia man is asking for help identifying a man caught using his front porch as a bathroom earlier this week.

Caroline Hecker

Published February 29, 2020 at 1:13 PM

Former SCDC lieutenant sentenced to seven years for 2016 inmate stabbing

A former South Carolina Department of Corrections officer will spend the next seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law last Friday.

Caroline Hecker

Published February 27, 2020 at 6:48 PM

Columbia Housing Authority fined $11,000 for more than 800 violations discovered at Allen Benedict Court

The Columbia Housing Authority is facing $11,000 in fines after pleading guilty to 24 code related citations in city court on Wednesday.

Caroline Hecker

Published February 19, 2020 at 7:02 PM

Community works to shield Faye Swetlik memorial from rain, case update expected Tuesday

It’s been nearly a week since Faye Swetlik, 6, was reported missing after being last seen playing in her front yard Monday afternoon.

Caroline Hecker

Published February 16, 2020 at 6:54 PM

Law enforcement says it ‘can’t comment’ on whether family of missing 6-year-old face polygraph tests

The Cayce Department of Public Safety said it will now hold daily press briefings to update the public about the status of the investigation and search into a missing child.

Caroline Hecker

Published February 12, 2020 at 7:49 PM

W. Columbia officials say frequent repairs to flooded riverwalk are worth it

The West Columbia river walk is closed for the fourth day in a row, as water from the Congaree River swallows much of the walking trail south of the Gervais Street bridge.

Caroline Hecker

Published February 10, 2020 at 8:08 PM

After months of inaction, North Columbia business owners pleased with new penny tax sidewalk

Days after WIS brought you a story about an unpaved sidewalk causing North Columbia business owners both headaches and profit, the sidewalk is being repaved as part of the Richland County Penny Tax program.

Caroline Hecker

Published February 4, 2020 at 7:17 PM

Stadium demolition begins at North Central HS following EF2 tornado

The demolition of the North Central High School football stadium began on Monday, as the school district’s superintendent vows to hold graduation on the field for the class of 2020.

Caroline Hecker

Published February 3, 2020 at 6:12 PM

Appeal: Dylann Roof hid mental illness from court during capital trial

Attorneys for white supremacist Dylann Roof argue he was mentally ill when he represented himself at his capital trial for the 2015 murders of nine black parishioners at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 29, 2020 at 6:27 PM

More than $700,000 used by state agencies in full-scale search for missing Sumter 5-year-old

State agencies involved in the months-long search for missing 5-year-old Nevaeh Adams spent more than $700,000 in an effort to bring the little girl home.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 29, 2020 at 12:45 PM

Amid public hearings, state utility watchdog takes closer look at proposed Blue Granite rate increase

New public filings from the state’s utility watchdog allege Blue Granite Water Company wants to use ratepayer money to pay for non-business related expenses.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 28, 2020 at 6:41 PM

Witnesses describe shooting at Hartsville bar that killed 2, injured 4

It was shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday when shots rang out inside Macs Lounge in Hartsville, sending bar patrons running for their lives.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 26, 2020 at 4:23 PM

North Columbia business says unfinished penny tax project hurting bottom line

A North Columbia business said an unfinished Richland County Penny Tax project is deterring customers from frequenting their business.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 24, 2020 at 8:25 PM

Court date pushed back for hundreds of CHA maintenance violations at Allen Benedict Court

A municipal court date for the Columbia Housing Authority to respond to 22 maintenance citations issued at the Allen Benedict Court property is being pushed back.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 21, 2020 at 8:54 PM

North Central HS students react to harrowing surveillance video that captured tornado

Stunning surveillance video released late last week shows the moment an EF2 tornado ripped through North Central High School in Kershaw County.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 20, 2020 at 5:54 PM

One week after an EF2 tornado destroyed their school, North Central students already adjusting

A week after an EF2 tornado left millions of dollars in damage and a trail of destruction, students of North Central High School are adjusting to their new classrooms.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 19, 2020 at 6:30 PM

Columbia Housing Authority says it’s making progress one year after Allen Benedict Court tragedy

The Columbia Housing Authority has several new leaders at the helm one year after two men died from carbon monoxide poisoning inside their Allen Benedict Court apartments.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 17, 2020 at 6:11 PM

Former councilman asks AG office to review Allen Benedict Court investigation findings

After months of investigating who was to blame for the deaths of two men due to carbon monoxide poisoning, officials said no criminal charges would be filed.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 16, 2020 at 5:32 PM

Damage estimates ‘well into the millions’ as tornado clean up continues at North Central High School

Multiple agencies continue clean-up efforts in and around North Central High School, more than three days after an EF2 tornado ripped through the school’s campus.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 14, 2020 at 6:14 PM

Students saddened by loss, unanswered questions after tornado rips through North Central High School

Seniors are left with many unanswered questions as they wait to find out where graduation will take place.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 13, 2020 at 7:29 PM

Chapin woman severely injured in deadly Lake Murray boat crash pushes forward

Nearly four months ago, a Chapin man was killed and his wife was severely injured when the pontoon the family was riding on was struck by another boater.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 8, 2020 at 8:05 PM

Records show man accused of killing Florence Airport officer has history of violence against law enforcement

The Florida man accused of killing a Florence Regional Airport officer on Sunday was released from prison in 2017 after serving 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 7, 2020 at 5:55 PM

One year after the Faces Lounge shooting, ordinance successful in helping deputies shut down ‘nuisance’ clubs

In the early morning hours of New Year’s Day 2019, five people were injured after Richland County deputies say someone started shooting inside Faces Lounge on Decker Boulevard.

Caroline Hecker

Published January 1, 2020 at 8:21 PM

Lexington woman critically injured in DUI crash urges use of sober drivers on NYE

A Lexington woman who was critically injured by an impaired driver in 2018 is urging New Year’s Eve partygoers to take advantage of sober rides home.

Caroline Hecker

Published December 31, 2019 at 7:08 PM

2019 Year in Review: Trials of Tim Jones Jr., Kierin Dennis and Jason Lee

The Midlands saw three high-profile murder trials over a span of eight months in 2019.

Caroline Hecker

Published December 27, 2019 at 8:36 PM

Prosecutor’s ‘improper’ comments lead to S.C. man’s murder conviction being overturned

The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled to overturn the 2006 murder conviction of a Chesterfield County man.

Caroline Hecker

Published December 26, 2019 at 5:27 PM

S.C. boy forges new friendship with FedEx delivery driver

A Lexington boy said he is extra thankful this holiday season after befriending his neighborhood FedEx delivery driver over their shared love of basketball.

Caroline Hecker

Published December 24, 2019 at 12:32 PM

Need to finish some last minute shopping? Here’s a list of what’s open on Christmas Eve

The rush to cross items off the Christmas lists of loved ones is on, as shoppers have one day left to get everything they need.

Caroline Hecker

Published December 23, 2019 at 5:24 PM

SC serviceman surprises his kids in emotional holiday homecoming

A Columbia serviceman will spend the holidays with his family after returning from an 11-month deployment in Iraq and surprising his children upon his arrival.

Caroline Hecker

Published December 20, 2019 at 7:55 PM

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Caroline Hecker

Reporter

Recent Articles by Caroline

Miranda Parnell and Caroline Hecker

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