2024 S.C. Press Association Awards Presentation (Part A)

Welcome! AWARDS CELEBRATION BANQUET

ASSOCIATED PRESS S.C. PHOTO OF THE YEAR

Andrew J. Whitaker

The Post and Courier

South Carolina Press Association

Hall of Fame

Judith Mundy Burns

Index-Journal (1947-2019)

IN MEMORY

Peter Cooper | Dec. 6, 2022 | Former General Assignment Reporter, Herald-Journal

Murray Glenn | Jan. 13, 2023 | Former Reporter, Herald-Journal

Kathleen Maria Vereen Dayton | April 12, 2023 | Former Reporter, The Sun News

William Davis “Bill” McDonald | April 23, 2023 | Retired Reporter and Columnist, The State

Brett Borton | May 30, 2023 | Former Sports Editor, The Island Packet

Marion "Mac" J. Livingston | June 6, 2023 | Retired Pressman, The Newberry Observer

James Edward Bobo Sr. | June 30, 2023 | Publisher, The Community Informer News

Charles "Charlie" deV. Williams | July 11, 2023 | Retired Business Editor, City Editor, Metropolitan Editor, State News Editor, Sports Reporter, The News & Courier; Retired Business Reporter, The Post and Courier

Julia C. Aldridge | July 20, 2023 | Former Writer, The Link

Warren D. Wheat | July 23, 2023 | Former Governance and National Editor, The State

William Pressley Steele Jr. | Aug. 31, 2023 | Former Reporter, Aiken Standard; Former Reporter, The Herald; Former Reporter, The State

Jane Clute | Sept. 14, 2023 | Former News Reporter, Features Writer, Columnist and Lifestyles Editor, The Evening Herald

Eric Boynton | Oct. 6, 2023 | Former Sports Writer, Herald-Journal

Larry D. Smith | Oct. 21, 2023 | Owner, Publisher and Editor, The Community Times, The Times Upstate and The Coastal Chronicles

Warner Miller Montgomery, Ph.D. | Nov. 24, 2023 | Co-owner and Past President of The Columbia Star

William "Bill" "The Coach" King Mitchell | Nov. 28, 2023 | Retired Sports Writer, The State; Former Freelance Writer, High School Sports Report and The Associated Press

Will Lester | Feb. 7, 2024 | Reporter and Editor, The Associated Press; Sports Editor, The Lancaster News; Reporter and News Editor, The Columbia Record and The State

Lou Krasky | Feb. 8, 2024 | SC-based Photographer, The Associated Press

JUDSON CHAPMAN AWARD

OPEN DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Tom Corwin and Seanna Adcox

The Post and Courier

SECOND PLACE

John Ramsey

The Post and Courier

JUDSON CHAPMAN AWARD

OPEN DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Sammy Fretwell and

Susan Merriam

The State

Stood out in a category full of outstanding investigative works. Telling the stories of people who are actually suffering from health issues and not just investigating an issue, helped put a face on a serious situation and led to action. Well done.

THIRD PLACE

Steve Stegelin

Charleston City Paper

SECOND PLACE

Mike Beckom Index-Journal

CARTOON

OPEN DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Makes point simply with good art.

Robert Ariail

Charleston City Paper

SECOND PLACE

Andy Owens and

Andrew Sprague

Charleston Regional Business Journal

Welcome to The (real ) Peach State

Technically tomatoes are a fruit, and we honor the value and taste of South Carolina tomatoes. They’re the best. You get savory and sweet in one beefsteak, Duke’s-slathered sandwich.

But this is about our favorite fruit that is unquestionably a fruit: Peaches.

Late summer is about the best time to get South Carolina-grown peaches. They’re plentiful and exceedingly delicious this time of year.

The peach industry in the Palmetto State isn’t just about great eating, though. It’s also one of the major agricultural drivers in South Carolina.

In short, South Carolina is the real peach state. Aside from what Georgia might want to put on airs about, they did likely, possibly, perhaps have the first documented peach tree land on North American shores on a Georgia Sea Island. We appreciate them doing that because it’s been a cash crop in South Carolina for well over 150 years and counting.

The peach industry has been struggling lately in both South Carolina and Georgia. As you can imagine, that’s increased prices for the sweet, fuzzy fruit and caused the sector to take a hit in overall value.

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which recently issued

its annual report on peaches, show that South Carolina and Georgia have both seen a reduction over the last year in peach production, with 30,500 fewer tons of peaches grown from 2021 to 2022 in the two states.

While the Palmetto State produced 20,000 fewer tons of peaches in 2022 compared to the previous year, farmers saw a 9.6% increase in the price of peaches. That still resulted in a nearly $20 million decline in the overall value of the state’s peach crop.

Georgia, by comparison saw a reduction of 10,500 tons and experienced a price increase of 26.6%, which resulted in an decrease of $4.8 million in overall value.

Scan

Peachy

Peachy numbers about our favorite fruit

1,251,360,000

Pounds of fresh peaches produced in the U.S. in 2022, worth an estimated $663.2 million.

134,800,000

Pounds of fresh peaches produced in South Carolina in 2022, worth an estimated $107.8 million.

$1,600

FORLAYOUTPURPOSES

Across the U.S., peach production was down 9.4% in 2022 and the average price per ton was up by 12.9%.

Comparing annual peach production

Peach production is down in Georgia and South Carolina, but the Palmetto State continues to grow tens of thousands of tons more peaches than the Peach State.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, May 2023

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-22.9%

From 2021 to 2022, peach production fell by 20,000 tons in SC.

Price per ton of peaches in South Carolina in 2022, which was more than 50% higher than the national average and fourth highest in the nation among peach-producing states.

1571

The year the first documented peaches came to North America by way of China. Researchers have pinpointed St. Simon’s Island, Ga., as the place the peaches first landed.

233

Number of peach packing houses in South Carolina in 1935, with 3 million peaches being commercially grown in Spartanburg County alone.

15,500

ON THE RECORD

“I’m really happy to present Africa in a culinary way. The food is something that brings people together,” — Bintou N’Daw, Bintü Atelier

Acres of peach-bearing land producing in South Carolina in 2022. Georgia had less than half that number for the year.

20

Number of quarts of peach preserves you can get from one bushel of peaches. That’s about 2.5 pounds of peaches to make one quart of peach preserves.

Sources: Clemson University Cooperative Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture

GA GA GA

FIRST PLACE

Andy Owens and

Andrew Sprague

Charleston Regional Business Journal

Shark attacks for 2022 in U.S. waters Don’t panic over SC’s annual shark attack data!

We don’t want to scare off any of our beach-going tourists visiting the Palmetto State this summer, but South Carolina had the fourth-highest number of unprovoked shark attacks in 2022.

Before you call your relatives to change their short-term rental from the beach to the mountains, understand that fourth-highest is still only four unprovoked shark bites and zero fatalities for the year.

South Carolina tied with California, which also had four bites and no fatalities, according to data from the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida. Not coincidentally, Florida had the highest number of run-ins between humans and the toothful fish with 16.

Worldwide, the U.S. had the highest number of shark attacks in 2022 with 41 bites, including one fatality in Hawaii. The next highest incidence of bites was in Australia with nine. Two fatalities were recorded in Egypt and two in South Africa.

Florida, with the nation’s longest shoreline of any state where sharks are typically found (Alaska actually has more shoreline), typically has the highest number of unprovoked bites. People come to Florida for the beaches, and that’s where the sharks live, so it’s more likely to happen in the Sunshine State.

Historically, South Carolina has had 111 confirmed shark attacks since recordkeeping started in 1837. Florida, by comparison, has had 910 confirmed shark bites going back to 1882. You won’t see this data on any tourism posters, but if you needed a reason to pick South Carolina over Florida, then you could do worse than fewer shark bites.

To be fair to humans and sharks, attacks are down worldwide, both fatal and nonfatal, according to the International Shark Attack File. The ISAF said that beach safety, medical resources, and public awareness have causes a reduction in fatalities going back decades.

Data from the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism show tourism resulted in a $29 billion economic impact for the Palmetto State. That’s an 11.5% increase from the previous year, and a 20.8% increase from 2019, the year before the global pandemic dented tourism numbers by many billions of dollars, sharks and all. By Andy Owens.

The International Shark Attack File documents encounters between humans and toothful fish. The annual report noted 41 unprovoked attacks in the U.S. for 2022, including four off the coast of South Carolina.

Source: International Shark Attack File, 2022 Shark Attack Report

Shark attacks by SC counties

Charleston and the Grand Strand hold the top spots for the most unprovoked shark attacks documented since 1837 in South Carolina.

Source: International Shark Attack File

ON THE RECORD

Texas

2 attacks

SouthCarolina

4attacks

North Carolina

1 attack

Alabama

1 atta ck

California

4 attacks

Hawaii

5 attacks

Florida

16 attacks

111 attacks

South Carolina waters experienced 111 unprovoked shark attacks since 1837.

New York

8 attacks

Annual shark attacks by the numbers

108

Number of shark-human interactions worldwide in 2022.

57

Number of unprovoked bites.

32

Provoked bites.

Looking sharp! Clean presentation of date with good color choice.

19

Other encounters, including incidents such as boat bites, scavenging, unconfirmed encounters and even a collision with a shark.

41

Number of unprovoked bites in the U.S. in 2022, the highest worldwide.

1

Fatality in the U.S., compared to five worldwide.

Source: International Shark Attack File, 2022 Shark Attack Report

“We refer to it as hallowed ground, a sacred site. Some folks even refence Ground Zero, we honor the fact that we have power of place and we have reclaimed this important site.”

— Tonya Matthews, president and CEO of the IAAM Here

of the Coburg Dairy. “It’s the sense of humor,” said longtime West Ashley resident Joan Perry. “They bother to dress it up for events and holidays. I’ve seen with a graduation cap. … And when all the lights are on, it’s real landmark.”

In fact, Google Maps has its own listing of the Coburg Cow, characterizing it as landmark complete with Yelp reviews. “It’s always been beloved,” Smith said. “I remember when was in college, the boys would get drunk and go ride the cow. It was rite of passage.” He added the suburb used to have more tall signs. “They’re all gone now, except for the Coburg Cow, because was landmarked at some point. It really came into prominence as the sole survivor — all that signage being gone now due to newer height restrictions. The whole landscape of West Ashley changed literally overnight. It was very strange, but the cow stayed. It’s one of the few things of any historical value we’ve been able to save in West Ashley, and people appreciate that.”

Weathering other cow-tastrophes

Literal storms haven’t been the only threats to the Coburg Cow’s legacy, however. Having been up for more than half century, it’s had its fair share of scares, beginning with Coburg’s relocation to North Charleston in 1990. Coburg Dairy changed hands several times after its relocation, having been first bought in 1998 by Dean Foods, the largest dairy company in the United States at the time. Dean was later bought out by Suiza Dairy, Puerto Rican brand. Eventually,

Charleston City Paper

Lots

INNOVATION

OPEN DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Kalyn Oyer, Isabel Adams and Scott Stubbs

The Post and Courier

SECOND PLACE

Brandon Lockett and John Ramsey

The Post and Courier

INNOVATION OPEN DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Hrisanthi Pickett, Loumay Alesali, Ted Clifford & Orizo Hajigurban

The State

WOW, AN 89-PART SERIES ON TIKTOK?!!! That’s amazing. We’re lucky to get a single TikTok video each week. And to cover such a sensational trial makes the project even more incredible. High points for the editor/reporter who came up with the idea and for the editors and reporters who took the videos, edited them and made them palatable for the public. Lots of wise decisions were made. I’m betting your readers couldn’t wait for the next video to be posted. These sorts of projects remind your readers why newspapers continue to play an important part of their daily lives.

Highway and go up to the grove of oaks shading Cap Dunn’s small blacksmith shop. Every day he’d be there hammering molten ingots of iron, cherry-red sparks flying. As rivulets of sweat streamed down his dark face, could tell he enjoyed the work. Yes, it was smoky, grimy work, and he didn’t make a ton of money, but the man who loves his work is rich in other ways. Five years ago I spent two afternoons with the Caines Boys over Georgetown way talking about the path that led them to their grandfather’s calling, duck decoy carving. Before carving, Jerry and Roy Caines worked the coastline as shrimpers. “We were married to the sea,” said Jerry. They started carving in 2005. “We both work on decoys,” said Roy. “I do the rough cut and Jerry does the art.” It took six months to make their first decoy. Tupelo gum is the preferred wood although Jerry said they’ve carved some from cedar. Roy passed I heard and that saddened me. sure hope Jerry is soldiering on. envy artisans, craftsmen, and tradesmen. They do real work. wish I could build furniture, repair things, and keep things shipshape. I’m just not cut out for it, but thank goodness others are. So here’s something to think about. What if your son or daughter announces that going to college and sitting at a desk

CODY SOSSAMON PUBLISHER

she knew he supported Hillary.

I let her talk and finally gave her the bad news.

“Dad voted absentee and delivered his ballot to the election commission. I saw who he voted for.”

For the first — and probably only time in her life — she was at a loss for words.

Now on to more current events.

The school building referendum. I’m voting for it. understand it will put a financial burden on quite a few folks — me included. Not only will the taxes on my house and vehicles increase, but taxes on the Ledger property will climb. The way I see it is that sooner or later new schools will have to be built. If we opt for later, the cost will escalate and significantly so. Construction costs went up by 17.5% from 2020 to 2021 and are projected to rise by 14.1% this year. CBRE, a multinational real estate corporation, expects this increase to slow down and return to the historical average in the 2%-4% range in the coming years. Even if this prediction is accurate, costs will continue to rise. I’ve heard all the complaints and criticisms of the proposed plan and even have some questions of my own, but as with anything, anything tell you, you’ll never get complete agreement. For the large majority of the residents of Cherokee County, the cost of this building program will be less than $1 a day. How much does a cell phone cost? How much does your TV service cost? How much does a meal at McDonald’s cost? The list could go on and on but you get my drift. We all seem to find a way to pay for the things we want. want the children of this county to have the best opportunity to succeed in life and being educated is the first step. New schools are not the cure-all, but they are one of the ingredients of the remedy. plan to vote YES for the referendum.

ELECTION AND POLITICAL COVERAGE

ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Skyler Baldwin & Andy Brack

Charleston City Paper

This entry not only gave comprehensive coverage to the election, the candidates and their positions, but also went beyond the immediate election story to also examine issues such as clandestine negative campaigning and effectiveness of how elections are administered.

ELECTION AND POLITICAL COVERAGE

ALL DAILY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Dev yani Chhetri and Bob Montgomery

Herald-Journal

SECOND PLACE

Staff

The Post and Courier

ELECTION AND POLITICAL COVERAGE

ALL DAILY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Staff

The State

The State’s coverage not only gave perspective on two national candidates for president but more importantly gave coverage to important state and local elections. Those stories gave local readers information on issues and candidates important in their lives.

-

EDITORIAL

THIRD PLACE

Travis Jenkins

The News & Reporter

No approval needed

BY EDITORIAL BOARD

Apublic record, according to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act includes “books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings or other documentary material regardless of physical form or characteristics that is prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body.”

You’ll notice the word “approved” does not appear anywhere in that description. That is important. This comes occasionally and needs to be addressed and understood by everyone going forward. Almost literally anything written down, recorded, filmed or photo -

graphed in the possession of a governmental body is subject to FOIA. It doesn’t belong to them, it belongs to you, they just happen to be the caretaker of it. You have every right to inspect, review or obtain copies of reports, budgets and anything else (there is a very limited number of exempt items).

We mention this because it has come up several times recently (and it has come up a lot over time) that meeting minutes are somehow off limits from public view until a body approves them. That is incorrect and it is problematic for a number of reasons.

We can’t and you can’t be in attendance for every meeting of every council, board, com-

mission and committee. Those things are all acting on your behalf, however, setting policy and deciding how your tax dollars will be spent. What if something controversial or consequential happens? We recently had a Chester City Council meeting in which “personnel, administrative department” was added to the agenda once the meeting began and then the administrator was fired. He was then rehired two days later. You had no way of knowing that was coming. You might want to read the minutes to see the conversation or issues that led up to that event. You shouldn’t have to wait two weeks (or sometimes a month) for minutes to be approved to do so. A case could

also arise in which a council would simply not ever approve the minutes from the previous meeting and that very public record would be shielded from view forever. They should not and do not have that power. So understand what the law says… if the minutes are written, they are a public record and you are entitled to review them and get copies of them, period.

We aren’t saying local bodies would try to hide records, but the possibility doesn’t even need to exist, not should you have to wait to read written accounts of what happens in public meetings.

The law already approves that right, whether local bodies do or not.

SECOND PLACE

Suzanne Detar

The Daniel Island News

Freedom of Information laws are your tool to use

from the publisher

SUZANNE DETAR

Do you want to know how much the mayor or your city officials make? Do you have questions about Berkeley County School District’s curriculum? Do you want to know the cost and status of the Clements Ferry Road widening projects?

For example, our editor requested and received from the Berkeley County School District copies of former Superintendent Deon Jackson’s and current Superintendent Anthony Dixon’s employment contracts. He used that information in connection with stories he wrote about Mr. Jackson’s surprise firing and the equally quick and surprise hiring of Dr. Dixon.

information by making requests under FOIA.

Four very hard letters

Ronda Schilling 843.330.1981 ronda@thedanielislandnews.com

Graphic Designers: Matt Zabierek design@thedanielislandnews.com

Jan Marvin jan@thedanielislandnews.com

The Daniel Island News is published weekly and distributed free throughout

In the United States, there are laws that protect your right to know the answer to these questions and many more. Collectively they are known as Sunshine Laws. The federal government and many states, including South Carolina, have Freedom of Information Acts (FOIA) that guarantee your right to access information.

At the paper, our reporters regularly use FOIA to get information for stories involving state and local governments.

Our reporters regularly access police reports from the Charleston Police Department so we can report on crime.

Many years ago, when I was an attorney handling federal and state highway construction claims, I routinely sent FOIA requests to the federal and state departments of transportation to acquire records relating to construction plans and delays. FOIA is not mysterious or available only to media outlets or lawyers. You and every citizen can request and are entitled to receive

This week, this newspaper and newspapers throughout the state and country are celebrating Sunshine Week. We celebrate this week by working to inform citizens about their rights to information. When the government operates in secrecy, the citizens often foot large tax bills and surprise decisions can negatively impact citizens’ lives.

If you want to know information about what your government is doing, you can use FOIA to get your answers.

Here’s how to do it:

The first step is simply to go to the governmental body and to ask for the information you want. If that doesn’t work, the next step is to ask in writing and to include the words “Freedom of Information” request. You can make your request by email, fax or letter. Be specific about what you want.

You are entitled to an answer

within 10-20 days, depending on what you request, and they have up to 30 days to produce the materials you want. The government body may charge you reasonable fees for photocopying and other expenses, but oftentimes they will provide it at no charge. There are also some exceptions to what information is accessible.

South Carolina Press Association, of which this paper is a member, created a guide to educate citizens about FOIA, how to use it to gather information about your government, what to expect, and what might be excluded.

You can access the guide here: scpress.org/foia-citizens-guide. You may also contact me via phone 843-856-1999 or email sdetar@thedanielislandnews.com if you’d like more information or have questions about how you can use the Sunshine Laws to hold your government accountable.

You may read the full text of South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act here: scstatehouse.gov/

FIRST PLACE

Editorial Board

Charleston City Paper

Creative way to get the importance of the FOIA across.

Calhoun Falls residents, that’s your money they’re playing with

Calhoun Falls residents whose tax dollars fill the coffers of the town’s treasury should show up en masse for Monday’s council meeting. It starts — although not all that conveniently for working people — at 5 p.m. in the town hall. They should demand answers about where their tax dollars are being spent and what is reflected in the town’s budget.

After receiving a tip that the town had not filed a budget or updated financial statements for the past two years, the Index-Journal began looking into the situation. We asked to get a copy of the town’s current and past year’s budget. Much to our surprise, the town clerk said we would have to file a Freedom of Information request.

If you don’t already know, municipal, county and other public bodies’ budgets are, in fact, public record that should be readily available for anyone requesting them. The clerk, mayor and town council should know that. Further, they should abide by that.

But here we are with September coming to a close and still no budgets have been provided, despite Mayor Terrico Holland promising in August to release them and despite clerk Wendi Alewine’s continued ignorance of and disregard for the law, even though she and the mayor were provided copies of the public officials guide to the S.C. Press Association’s guide to the Freedom of Information Act. Early this month, when again contacted about receiving the budget information, Holland said it would be made available. Well, it hasn’t been made available and additional efforts to speak with Holland have been futile.

Calhoun Falls residents, you should be angry. You should attend Monday’s meeting and make your anger known and demand to know how your

WHItING’S WrItINGS

A beaverful summer vacation RICHARD S.

time sensory overload. The good news is check-in at the beach wasn’t until 4, so we really did have plenty of time to absorb all that is Buc-ee’s. Did you know there are more than 100 fuel pumps at each location? Did you know you can actually Google how many fuel pumps each location has? won’t ruin your Google-ing by telling you the number, but day-um.

More than 100?

Yep.

Anyway, when we left at 3:50 ... I’m kidding. We didn’t spend much more than an hour there, but when we did finally leave Wendy and agreed on one thing. Well, more than one thing, but the main one thing we agreed on is that going to Buc-ee’s

ee’s Nuggets in all sorts of flavors. Buc-ee’s own brand of beef jerky you can buy in small bags, large bags or have yourself a good ole time standing at what is the equivalent of butcher shop meat counter and ordering up every flavor under the sun in any number of pounds your heart desires and your stomach can stomach. They have Buc-ee’s soft toys and key chains with smaller version of the mascot hanging on them. Before you ask, yes they also have Buc-ee’s clothing. Try as might, Wendy was not going along with my idea that we get Buc-ee’s bathing suits. C’mon, we’re going to the beach. How cool would it be we both had Buc-ee’s beaver on a bikini and trunks? But no. We grabbed up some Beaver snacks and jerky, a few other items we did not realize we needed — Wendy got one of those pretty silicone rings that takes the place of a wedding band — and headed to NMB. Hard as it was and despite having the room for them, we did not buy an outdoor firepit, a smoker grill or any of the outdoor seats and tables that are way better than our lowslung beach chairs that neither of us can easily get ourselves out of. So, is that it? That the end of our vacation tale? You bet your sweet beaver butt it’s not. No way. We had five days at the beach and headed back to Greenwood on Friday, did laundry, repacked and got up about 4:30 Saturday morning to head to Gallatin, Tennessee, for the wedding of the son of Greenwood friends. After getting through the mayhem that is Interstate 26 and onto the mayhem that is Interstate 40, there it was, rising to the side of the Tennessee roadside. A billboard larger than life telling us that just 30-odd miles ahead is a Buc-ee’s. Perfect. We can see what we missed in the Florence theme park. Plus, we need gas and bite to eat, right? More sensory overload but less money spent this time.

and wants of the die-hard Buc-ee’s Beaver Brigade faithful. Sure enough, we needed to top off the gas tank, get snack and take a bathroom break. Speaking of bathrooms, there are nearly as many urinals and stalls in the bathrooms as there are gas pumps at these stores. Plus, they have attendants there to keep the traffic moving and the whole place pristine. Fancy tiled floors and stalls. Heck, even the urinals had tiled privacy walls on either side. You’d have to crane your neck to see who was standing next to you, which is something don’t recommend even if there are no walls. So, there you have it. Florence, South Carolina, and Crossville and Kodak, Tennessee, Buc-ee’s are in the books for the Whitings. Plus the one in Warner Robins, of course.

On the way back to Greenwood on Sunday, would you believe we needed breakfast and gas? Would you believe we stopped at the Kodak Buc-ee’s?

Of course you would. swear, think they put something in the gas and maybe even in their breakfast tacos and heaping brisket sandwiches that cause you to have to take the next Buc-ee’s exit. Maybe they have tractor beams that pull people into the next location. Hey, if they finally do open one of those stores in Anderson, you have to go. At least once. Surely you’ll find something you want and something you need, even if at first you didn’t realize you needed it. Really, it’s an amazing operation of efficiency and cleanliness, too. It’s like Chick-fil-A meets Walmart. An upscale Walmart. You might see me there. Still thinking about those swimming trunks, even if Wendy won’t join in the fun. And one of those beaver mascots would look pretty cool staring out the back window of my truck.

Whiting is executive editor of the

ALL DAILY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Cindi

Ross Scoppe

The Post and Courier

Artfully weaves together various instances of FOI violations by government entities to reveal a portrait of such violations throughout the state.

Thursday October 19, 2023

Rules of conduct create division

The

new rules of conduct adopted last week by Georgetown County Council are unworthy of our elected and appointed officials as well as our citizens. They are intended to protect meetings of the former from disruptions by the latter. Instead, the rules themselves carry the seeds of divisiveness between the people and their representatives that must not be allowed to take root in county affairs. The rules require the audience and speakers at meetings of all public bodies to “conduct themselves in a decent, orderly, respectful and lawful manner.” No signs are allowed in public meetings unless they are part of a presentation. All remarks must be made to the board and only from the podium or other designated area. Speakers are warned to “refrain from personal attacks.” Those who violate the rules “shall be subject to removal,” language that makes such action mandatory rather than optional.

The rules make the presiding officer the arbiter of decorum and give the chairman “sole discretion” to decide whether a violator will be allowed into future meetings for up to 12 months. Sheriff Carter Weaver, whose deputies provide security at the county courthouse, wonders how the rules will be enforced. The council voted to delay implementation of the rules until March 1 to provide time to “educate” law enforcement. Education is clearly needed. There are valid concerns about free speech and due process, but there is no need to debate those. It is impossible to envision anyone now serving who would invoke these rules. There is no need. Speakers at county meetings are sometimes critical and occasionally rude. No one’s behavior has yet risen to the standard for disorderly conduct contained in state law – and which deputies would address without being asked.

are better than this. So is the

and that is their greatest flaw.

Scarlet letters: Class of 2023

Time to adopt new tree rules

Opinion

Pawleys Island

You can kill a tree without cutting it down. One way is known as girdling. It requires stripping away the layer of bark in narrow band all the way around the trunk. Eventually, the tree will die from lack of nutrients.

They should have planted tree. That would have been a better way to remember the Waccamaw High Class of 2023. Instead, the 202 graduates are likely to be remembered for the actions of a few dozen seniors who wandered the halls one night in May indulging in a “prank” that cost the principal his job, marred the school’s reputation and, as best as we can tell, left no one laughing out loud. Time will surely work its wonders along with the graffiti remover, but until that happens Class of 2023 will linger in red spray paint in the minds of many. With school back in session, we can all move on, except for the Class of 2024, who will spend their senior year in the shadow of the pranksters. It’s so unfair. And the first of many lessons is the obvious one about life and fairness. Another is about learning from mistakes. Not only your mistakes, but those of other people. School is place where you expect people to make mistakes of all sizes and with regularity. It is the learning, when it occurs, that is the price of forgiveness. What the community learned from the Prank of 2023 is that the millions of dollars that have been spent on security at school buildings over nearly a quarter of a century don’t amount to much. The security cameras are great for figuring out what happened afterward. What keeps them from happening in the first place?

At Waccamaw High, it wasn’t the alarm system. That had been off all weekend, according to school district records, which also indicate it wasn’t the first time the system had gone dark. It wasn’t the locks. Weeks were spent determining how the students gained access (from coach who unlocked door). It wasn’t from social media that gave an audience of peers real time access to the events but which prompted not single phone call to anyone in authority. It wasn’t from passersby on Kings River Road who could have seen tents and fire pits outside the school on a Sunday night. These are mistakes that the Class of 2023 revealed. Now we need to learn from them.

County Council Leadership, not division, will serve community Courts

The same technique can kill an ordinance, scraping away the layers of reasoned argument that created it and starving the legislative process of momentum. It is currently threatening long overdue amendment to the tree regulations in Georgetown County’s zoning ordinance. County Council wisely invoked the pending ordinance doctrine to prevent a rush to fire up the chainsaws before the stiffer penalties could take effect, but there is a real concern that the ordinance that will emerge after months of delay will fall short of what’s needed to protect a valuable natural and cultural resource.

What began as debate has become footdragging. It’s time for council to move forward with the needed amendment.

Affordable housing Option was better than high-density development

Council Member Raymond Newton, who represents District 5 in the north west portion of the county, raised a series of objections before finally narrowing his focus on a clash of cultures. Fortunately the measure that has been proposed protects his constituents with deep ties to the land as well as those who arrived more recently.

In rural areas, the hypothetical resident who wants to cut down a 24-inch diameter “grand tree” on his homestead for firewood won’t be affected. The homeowner who cuts that tree by mistake or out of ignorance of the county’s rules won’t be assessed a $12,000 fine that will force him into bankruptcy.

Neither of those scenarios, which Mr. Newton envisioned, is possible under the proposed change in the tree regulations. Owner-occupied land outside the Waccamaw Neck is exempt in the current regulations and the proposed regulations.

What changes is the penalty for cutting or damaging protected trees. The $500 per tree fine in the current ordinance is a rounding error in construction budgets.

that is proposed is more likely to

proved by council for construction?

A truthful answer is, No. Now thank Elliott and Mercado for streamlining the process to deny or approve project. My friend Mr. Andeson needs to take the lead in healing the division that he himself has declared. He knows that not every vote goes his way. He is the seasoned leader on council. This declaration of war will only serve to harm the citizens of the Neck. Bill Hills Murrells Inlet

Public needs access to Trump’s trials

from them then were only for work and not grant public access. In fact, since 2019, council

has carefully avoided even uttering the words “public access” in conjunction with the easements. In council’s Aug. 14 meeting, the council presented Corps representative, Dudley Patrick, who corroborated exactly this ongoing misrepresentation. insisted that council ask anybody else at the Corps whether Mr. Patrick was correct. The council did and was told by Mr. Hinely of the Corps that the easements do contain public access. However, the new town administrator, Mr. Newquist, now reports on Oct. 9 to your paper, not that Mr. Patrick was wrong in agreeing the easements were only for work, but that Mr. Patrick misspoke “when saying the easements were limited to the life of the project.” According to Mr. Newquist, Mr. Patrick allegedly thought the council was asking about how long the “public access” feature continued. It is the complete absence, not the duration, of a public access feature which has been fraudulently represented for four and half years. Crafty council was asking Mr. Patrick to state that the easements were only for work, not asking how long “public access” lasted. He incorrectly complied. Thus, in its Oct. meeting, council hasnally been forced to admit that “public access” is included, but, rather than

apologize for the fraud, crafty council now instantly pretends that public access is precisely what the council has been talking about repetitively for four and half years. defy you to find one time the council or its lawyers have mentioned “public access” in conjunction with the easements in the Aug. 14 meeting or at any time since the council lost both its court condemnation attempts. Until now, the council and all its cohorts have decided to never, ever, forthrightly mention the words “public access” in connection with any discussion of the easements. They have not been able to afford having 110 duped owners hear such an admission of fraud. The public access provisions which have been sneaked into the easement are rooted in the Corps of Engineers misguidedly claiming its work otherwise would not have a public benefit. This is comparatively recent excuse to try to seize an easement which (i) takes existing private oceanfront property along public shore and makes it into additional public beach, and (ii) is perpetual. The Corps has traditionally done nourish-

Town misrepresented beach easements

ment such easement. has previously termined erybody oceanfront private sands of general ecosystem, the existing and closer tributing and the The fraudulently council many heirs of their primary cil has loss of take time growth manifest. The provisions ly subject “foot traffic.”  ment, doorstep subjects ment thing on occupation, ities and tion, as ulation, town placement ities and tion in public nue needs.

recently as liaison between trial court and the media in the highest profile case in South Carolina history, the prosecution of prominent lawyer for the murder of his wife and son. The presiding judge recognized the importance of allowing the public to view the trial as it took place, and issued an order establishing pool requirements for audio, video, and photographic coverage of the trial. The trial lasted six weeks and proceeded without interference, distraction or disruption from the pool coverage. As a result of the judge’s

Readers invited to write letters The Coastal Observer welcomes letters from readers on topics of public and personal interest. Send letters online at

coastalobserver.com by email alobserver.com to P.O. Island,

Trees Memories take root where row crops once

EDITORIAL WRITING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

John Clayton

Laurens County Advertiser

6 The Laurens County Advertiser April 26, 2023 Black Cyan Magenta Yellow An Independent Newspaper Founded in 1885 The Laurens County Advertiser

Catastrophe over Thomas avoided, but school board’s

trust

It's difficult to say what Laurens County School District 55 Board of Trustees Chair Cathy Little expected Monday night, but perhaps a history lesson is appropriate.

Race relations in Laurens County are always on tenuous footing.

Cyan Magenta Yellow

The county, once home of The Redneck Shop, a KKK museum and gift shop, has a sordid history of racial divides from Back Street to West Main and beyond.

More recently, a 2018 referendum to spend tens of millions of dollars on a District 55-wide building project, which would have included a needed new high school and renovations to others, was voted down.

The Laurens County School District 55 Board of Trustees has become completely dysfunctional, so much so that a scheduled meeting Monday night was canceled because three members who completed a quorum walked out.

Inourview

When private lives become public, we have a responsibility

While that referendum was an issue of finances, it was also at times debated and fought along racial lines.

So, when now substantiated rumors began to circulate this past week that the Board intended to fire District 55 Superintendent Ameca Thomas, an African-American woman, Laurens native and product of District 55, a large throng of supporters – black and white – showed up in support of Thomas.

And they did so to the applause of some people in attendance.

Beyond race and beyond support for their native daughter, here's why:

Board members Anthony Carpenter, Peggy Nance and Neal Patterson walked out of the meeting after Chair Cathy Little refused to allow Carpenter’s motion to replace her as chairperson.

Less than a year ago, eight months almost to the day, Thomas received a fairly glowing review and a contract extension through 2025.

Little refused, saying that there was no mechanism in place to allow such discussion or such a vote.

Carpenter disagreed.

Some will say that’s none of our business – and in most cases we would wholeheartedly agree.

But this is not most cases, and we have an obligation to report a story also reported nationally and initially by the Greenwood Index-Journal and FITS News.

We do not wish to hurt or embarrass the Duncan family, but we have an obligation to inform the local electorate of what is going on with their seven-time elected U.S. Congressman from S.C. District 3.

Little said this: “During our review we determined that Dr. Thomas, her overall review, was proficient, however she did have many areas that we thought were very excellent. We have been very pleased with how things have progressed, especially in the last few months, and we appreciate her efforts in the district and what she’s doing and how she’s leading our district and our community. So at this time we would like to offer her a one-year contract extension and a three percent raise.”

District 55 legal counsel apparently offered no answers during the exchange, so Carpenter, who has been a vocal critic of Little, Nance and Patterson left the meeting 10 minutes into it.

So, the optics of coming for Thomas' job less than a year later are far less than favorable for Little and the Board, which underwent a shift in November with new board members and the retirement of former chair Susan Calhoun-Ware.

Thomas had support among board members, but apparently no longer enough heading into Monday night’s meeting to hold on to her job.

Little was left alone on the stage at Laurens District High School (the board is once again on its district school tours that stopped during COVID) with board member Mike Hughes and Superintendent Ameca Thomas, whom Little wanted to oust at the board’s February meeting without publicly stating why.

Melody Duncan is alleging an ongoing affair between her husband of nearly 35 years and a Washington, D.C., lobbyist named Liz Williams with whom Duncan is allegedly living in the D.C. area. The filing also says that he admitted to the affair to Mrs. Duncan and their three sons and that the relationship between Duncan and Williams has been common knowledge in state and D.C. political circles.

That changed when vocal supporters for Thomas showed up at Monday night’s meeting.

Facing a determined and angry crowd, the school board opted to back down rather than fire Thomas without a legitimate explanation. That was perhaps their only move – it was certainly the smartest move they made Monday.

That was met with vehement opposition from a large group of Thomas supporters who may have changed the outcome of the meeting.

President Joe Biden is now 80 years old. He will be 82 when he campaigns for the 2024 presidency – and a clearly debilitated 86 should he be elected and fill out his second term. He has been in government for over a half-century.

None of this is to say District 55 is without problems: Board members are reportedly unhappy with the district’s report cards – a measuring stick used by the S.C. Department of Education. There are other problems, but none unfamiliar to other districts, other school boards and other administrators.

We said in a March 1 editorial that it appeared that Little’s lack of savvy and transparency had lost her the confidence of at least half the board.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and current representative from California is 83.

So, a change in superintendent only shuffles those problems from one desk to another, while putting the real issues involving students and learning on a back burner.

We said Little’s apparent desire to oust Thomas, a Laurens native and District 55 product, has compromised her ability to lead the board and the district.

This raises more than a few ethical questions for Rep. Duncan that go beyond an accused cheating spouse. How much sway does an accused lobbyist in this situation have over the congressman? Where exactly is Duncan living permanently? Is he only a visitor to District 3 and the constituency he represents?

That much was evidenced again Monday night.

After leaving his annual “Faith and Family BBQ,” he is alleged in Mrs. Duncan’s divorce filing to have gone directly to the “home of his paramour.”

If the BBQ attendees had pledged support and treasure for Duncan due in no small part to his touted conservative family values, what do they think now?

In another era, particularly in conservative South Carolina, Rep. Duncan’s name would be accompanied by the phrase “disgraced former congressman” following these revelations.

Concise; stated facts adequately and made their position clear.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the second-ranking Democratic House member behind Pelosi, was House majority leader until early this year. He is 83, and has been an elected official for nearly 60 years.

As chair, Little should have seen all of that. She should have expected an outcry coming from the community. She should have known the board would need a long list of Thomas’professional failures as superintendent for her dismissal to look like something other than an attack that has nothing to do with the job.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is 72, with 48 years in elected government.

Little now has a quorum she obviously cannot work with.

Since early 2021 we have witnessed somewhere between 7 and 8 million illegal entries across the now nonexistent U.S. southern border.

But we no longer live in that era. Politicians have grown brazenly unapologetic for egregious actions.

The voters will have to decide in 2024 - if Duncan seeks re-election – if he truly represents them and their interests.

District 55 board dives into dysfunction Contact Your Representative S.C. Senate District 9 (Greenville and Laurens cos.) Daniel B. “Danny” Verdin III (R)

Newly elected board member Peggy Nance said Monday night that school board members should trust the superintendent. And an administrator needs to be able to trust the Board in order to function in the job. It works both ways.

Our calls to the district’s legal counsel were not returned Monday, but the question of whether board members can under the rules that govern the board remove the chair needs to be answered before their next meeting in May. This needs to happen because the board’s dysfunction is bad for the school district and bad for its students. The infighting among board members has nothing to do with education other than being a cautionary tale for future board members and other school districts.

Democratic luminary and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Intelligence Committees, Senator Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., is 89, and ailing – after 53 years as an elected official.

tribune

beyond recognition by Senators Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., the so-called Squad, the Congressional Caucus, newly elected senators the Georgia duo of Jon Ossoff Raphael Warnock – and Antifa Black Lives Matter.

The more the border vanished, the more federal immigration law was rendered inert, and the more Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas spun fantasies that the “border is secure.” He is now written off as a veritable “Baghdad Bob” propagandist.

But how and why did the Biden administration destroy immigration law as we knew it?

The Trump administration’s initial efforts to close the border had been continually obstructed in the Congress, sabotaged by the administrative state, and stymied in the courts. Nonetheless, it had finally secured the border by early 2020.

To the editor: Downtowns are important.

James Clyburn, D-S.C., is House minority whip and 82. These are the official faces of the Democratic Party. They came into power and maturity three decades ago during the Clinton years of 1993-1999.

bragged that illegal immigration would create what they called “The New Democratic Majority” in “Demography is Destiny” fashion. Now they slander critics as “racists” who object to left-wing efforts to use illegal immigration to turn southwestern red states blue.

Yet Biden and company amiliar American faces. Their final role is to acculturate the electorate to the Democratic Party.

Our self-induced catastrophe at the VICTOR DAVIS HANSON tribune media

Yet almost all its successful initia-

They are the center of the whole community. People gather there to shop, to eat, to meet friends, to relax and be entertained. grew up in Laurens. When I was a kid, downtown was always bustling. We had shoe stores, clothing stores, furniture stores, restaurants, a meat market, an ice cream parlor, a department store, even three

der states began to bus or fly a few thousand of their illegal immigrants northward to sanctuary city jurisdictions — especially to New York, Chicago, and even Martha’s Vineyard. The sanctuary-city “humanists” there who had greenlighted illegal immigration into the southern states suddenly shrieked. They were irate after experiencing the concrete consequences of their own prior abstract border agendas. After all, their nihilism was always supposed to fall upon distant and ridiculed

Mexico now cannot survive as a modern state without some $60 billion in annual remittances sent by its expatriates in America. But many illegal immigrants rely on American state and federal entitlements to free up cash to send home.

Decades ago, they sometimes supported strong national defense, secure borders, gas and oil development, fully funding the police, and a few restrictions on partialbirth abortions.

Not now.

explosion of activity! New shops and restaurants have opened, older ones have taken on new life, fountain Cokes are available day and night, and on Friday and Saturday nights, there are lights, music, food and a lot of people - singles, couples, families downtown! How did this happen?

Their role has changed from that of liberals of the Clinton era to serving as the thin power-holding veneer that masks the new real

Mexico also encourages its own abject poor and often indigenous people from southern Mexico to head north as a safety-valve of sorts. The government sees these mass exoduses northward as preferable to the oppressed marching on Mexico City to address grievances of pover-

Its radicals are breathing their necks to get out of the for a while longer they still such an ossified veneer respectability to ease the transition to what is now essentially ist-European green party. This new Democratic believes in defunding the police. It supports the George-Sorosfunded state and city district neys.

West Many universities near on unaudited never campuses. The but the chaotically est into ground health diplomas, or catastrophe.

These prosecutors seek release violent criminals bail or reduce their felonies demeanors.

Critical legal and race are their creeds. So they argue crimes have little to do with vidual free will.

Criminals are not deterred tough enforcement of the

of the last been working Island, Florida, the Hurricane When I returned was pleased plaza on The plete. This the weather door visitors amazing downtown of these improvements paid for with at no cost

P American diverse, immigration

OPINION

An

E.A. RAMSAUR AWARD FOR EDITORIAL WRITING

ALL DAILY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

David Lauderdale

The Island Packet

Passion for the subject matter combines with vibrant writing that tells a story and leads readers to a clear recommendation for action. I’m ready to subscribe to read more editorials.

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Michael Stern

Aiken Standard

REVIEW PORTFOLIO

OPEN DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Paul Hyde

Greenville Journal

Easy, fun read. Made me excited to watch the reviewed.

HEALTH BEAT REPORTING OPEN

DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Elizabeth Hustad

The Post and Courier

North Augusta/The Star

SECOND PLACE

Tom Corwin

The Post and Courier

HEALTH BEAT REPORTING

OPEN DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Anna Sharpe

Moultrie News

Amazing depth in these examples. Impressive! Lede paragraphs draw in readers.

Thorough research. Detailed and heartwarming (and eye-opening) storytelling.

“I AM SOUTHERN BAPTIST”: A CONFESSIONAL PEOPLE AND THEIR CONFESSION OF FAITH

“WHO ARE YOU?” THE CRIMINAL ONCE ASKED

Batman. “Who are you?” the ’70s rock band, the Who, once asked their generation. In one sense, the answer should be obvious. We ought to be able to answer as Popeye did: “I am who am and that’s all that am.” But, is it really? Can your identity be boiled down to one easy statement? “I’m Peter.” Or, “I’m a pastor.” “I’m Karis’ father.” “I’m Melanie’s husband.” You get the idea. Who you are is not one thing or another. It’s the aggregate of many things. If that’s true of each of us as individuals, how much more complex must the answer be when we answer as body, as a gathering of diverse yet somehow like-minded folk who share a common identity? Now, think of the complexity of the answer to that question when the answer represents the collective sentiments of millions of people in a denomination or even movement that spans the globe.

Yet, people ask us all the time, “Who are you? What’s a Baptist? How are you different than any other church or religious group?” One would hope that any church-going Southern Baptist could answer such questions with aplomb.

But can they? regularly begin class on Baptist theology by asking doctoral students, “What does it mean to be Baptist?” get all the expected answers. “We practice believer’s baptism by immersion.” So? So do many evangelical groups who aren’t Baptists. “We believe in congregational polity.” Yeah, so do some of your charismatic neighbors. “We hold to regenerate church membership.” And? Around and around we go. They eventually get my point just as you did. Baptists are all those things. And more. Thus, the answer to the question, “Baptists, who are you?” is complex. The answer

faith like the Abstract were also used to protect the denomination from theological drift. Such was the case with the dismissal of Lottie Moon’s onetime fiancé, Crawford Howell Toy, in 1879. Toy lost his professorial

Editor

I’VE ALWAYS HAD HEROES. When was 12 years old, Pete Rose was my hero. In Little League baseball, wore number 14 on the back of my uniform, had Rose’s Beatles-style bowl haircut, sprinted to first base on walks, ran the bases with reckless abandon, and slid head-first into them. When hitting, crouched low at the plate. On the field, went all out, all the time. My teammates called me “Charlie Hustle” (Charles is my first name, and for the non-baseball reader, CH was Pete Rose’s famous nickname), and reveled in it. As grew up, two things became clear: The Lord didn’t give me nearly enough talent to fulfill my dream of playing second base for the Cincinnati Reds (or any other big league club, for that matter) — and Pete Rose had some serious character flaws, which led him to prison and a lifetime ban from baseball. I’ve been praying for Pete Rose for many years, that the Hit King (he’s baseball’s all-time hits leader) would run head-first in repentance and faith to the King of kings. When began to work in newspapers as a young adult, skilled writers and journalists became my heroes. loved the baseball writing of Roger Kahn and Thomas Boswell. In college, couldn’t get enough of William Faulkner or Ernest Hemingway or Shelby Foote or Mark Twain. discovered Flannery O’Connor’s fiction, David McCullough’s history, and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth. wanted to write like them. wanted to make people laugh like Southern humorist Lewis Grizzard — who spoke at my college graduation. wanted to write with verve and vigor, precision and concision, character and conviction — like they all did. Then God called me to ministry, and began to be shaped by pastors and theologians: John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, John Piper, Adrian Rogers, Albert Mohler, Iain Murray, Charles Stanley, Tom Nettles, and many other living ministers. From church history, there’s always been John Calvin, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Charles Spurgeon, John Bunyan, J.C. Ryle, Billy Graham, Adrian Rogers, and a host of others. had (and have) ministry heroes.

What is hero? In his highly commendable book “Heroes,” Iain Murray (one of my historian heroes), quoting the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, defines hero as: “a man who exhibits extraordinary … greatness of soul, in connection with any pursuit, work or enterprise.” (He goes on to say the same would apply to female heroes).

Scripture certainly gives warrant to have heroes, to study and emulate men and women of the faith whose lives are so marked by humble, courageous, Christ-honoring character and grace-enabled skill in living the Christian life.

THE BIBLE ON HEROES

Paul tells the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). At first glance, that might strike some as slightly egotistical, but the second phrase clarifies what Paul is really saying: “Insofar as I’m like Christ, be like me.”

Indeed.

Paul was a hero to young Timothy, as the pastoral letters from the veteran minister to the pastoral rookie demonstrate. In Corinthians 4:16-17, Paul touts himself as bona fide spiritual father to church members at Corinth, a spiritual hero, just as he has been to Timothy: “I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as teach them everywhere in every church.”

The Epistle to the Hebrews gives Christians even clearer warrant to have heroes. There’s chapter 11, often called the hall of faith, which gives mini-biographies of some of the great heroes from the Old Testament. Earlier in the letter, the writer commends Abraham and other paragons of faith to a Jewish church undergoing persecution and flirting with abandoning the Christian faith and returning to a more politically acceptable Judaism: “And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:11-12). From Abraham to Moses, Daniel, and the apostle Paul, Scripture commends some lives as worthy of examination and emulation by others.

CHERISH HEROES, DON’T PLAGIARIZE THEM think every pastor, theologian, missionary, evangelist or ministry worker should adopt examples to emulate. Of course, when you’re dealing with fallible humans, there are always pitfalls. So, how can we have heroes without trying to become them?

1. REALIZE THEY ARE ONLY MEN.

Even the best men (yes, universally all humans) are men at best. Pete Rose was baseball player with feet of clay, which he has stumbled over for decades since his on-field career ended. That doesn’t surprise me. He’s just a baseball player.

FIRST PLACE

Jessica Brodie

S.C. United Methodist Advocate

$2

‘A move from God’

Ecumenical churches partner for huge community outreach in downtown Charleston

By Jessica Brodie CHARLESTON—Over and over, the

Rev. Nathan Smalls prayed the same prayer: Lord, please send us some food and some helpers for the people in our community.

The small church he pastors, Mount Carmel United Methodist, is in a downtown area that is both highly developed and highly underserved, and many neighbors rely on the small food pantry, clothing closet, soup kitchen and other outreach activities the church offers.

But with limited numbers in his congregation, and many of them older adults who have moved from the area, Mount Carmel simply didn’t have enough people to provide all the help the community needed. In his heart, Smalls worried he’d have no choice but to scale back and eventually discontinue their efforts.

“I didn’t tell anyone I was praying, but I spent quite bit of time prayer and fasting,” Smalls said. “I was heartbroken.”

Then one day, he showed up to the church and discovered their refrigerator and blessing boxes were filled with food.

Smalls was astounded—and he had no idea who was responsible.

“I’d been only one doing this, and three times I went down there to find fresh food in there!” he said. “I never could catch them.”

Finally one day he discovered his mystery angels in the act. He found out they were a group of women from the large nondenominational Coastal Community Church

See “Ecumenical Partners,” Page 10

A short simple story about some of the great things that Churches do for their communities. Not to mention a heartwarming tale written simply and effectively.

Volunteers assess termite camp was one of 32 held

By Jessica Brodie

Despite relentless heat all summer long, nearly 1,000 32 different sites across South Service returned in full force. Founded in 1978 by the youth, young adult and adult mission event to repair and many of them living in poverty

Eccles: Caring

By Jessica Brodie HUGER—An

effort to restore Eccles United Methodist Church cis Marion National Forest is community attention as organizers a goal.

According to Nancy Platt, ber and elementary school teacher spearheading the restoration, Artis Preservation Contractors to cost roughly $75,000, covering timber framing and the repointing bricks on one of the foundational “We’re focusing on the three tural needs to make the building

SCHOOLS Fields of Faith

Hundreds gather to share the Word

in their lives.

By Chris Sokoloski COASTAL OBSERVER

In 2021, Jeff and Michele Herwig of Tradition Club were making plans to buy a motorcycle with money Jeff had received from an

Michele then heard a message from God: “You’re not going to buy a motorcycle. You’re going to buy a food truck. You’ll live longer and you’ll help a lot of people.”

inclement weather did force the event to be moved from the school’s stadium to inside the gymnasium, where approximately 500 people packed the bleachers, sat on the floor, or stood. The event included prayers, modern worship songs that got students on their feet and dancing, and Waccamaw High and Lowcountry Prep School students and Waccamaw teachers giving testimonies to what God has done

There was also a light moment when Waccamaw High principal Adam George, assistant principal Hunter Eddy and Fellowship of Christian Athletes advisor Chris Overbeek were among a group of people who volunteered to get hit in the face with whipped cream pies. Waccamaw High students Anna Parsons and Layla Christian spent about six months organizing and fundraising for the event. Both were amazed and excited at the size of the crowd and how the evening went.

“It was just the coolest opportunity to share something that’s so spe-

cial to me with the whole community,” Parsons said. “God started something here that’s going to keep going.” “It was way better than we thought it was going to be,” Christian said. “I looked in the stands and saw so many people [I knew] and said, ‘I did not think you would be here.’”

Parsons, Christian and

the other organizers from the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter raised more than $3,000 to pay for T-shirts, food and other expenses for the event.

Pastor Percy Strickland of The Abbey said it was “awesome” to see young people develop a passion for God. “It makes me feel pret-

Singing and dancing are,

ty good about the future, because I’m getting older and older,” Strickland added. “These guys and their leadership, and the way God is using them, it gives me a lot of hope. We don’t oftentimes feel that way about the next generation.”

n The Fellowship of Christian Athletes start-

ed Fields of Faith 17 years ago. There are now more than 500 events annually across the United States. Strickland told the crowd that some people would say it got “churchy” at Waccamaw High. That was wrong, he added. “If church was this dope, more people would be going to church,” Strickland said.

So they did and now travel around the county serving free meals as part of No Boundaries International.

“We’re having so much fun. You hear retirement and think, ‘what are we going to do?” Michele said. “We are busy, but it’s busy by choice and we love the people we’re working with.”

The food truck cost $28,000 and includes a stove and a griddle for warming up food and a refrigerator. There are 24 volunteers who work on the truck, and others who bake desserts.

“It’s not just about who we’re serving, all of our volunteers get a lot out of it, too,” Jeff said.

n For 15 years while living in Maryland, the Herwigs used to cook for their church’s soup kitchen.

“We loved to cook for people; we loved to serve,” Michele said. “We love to eat. That’s why we learned how to cook well.”

When they retired and moved south in 2018 they started volunteering at Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church’s Bread of Life Kitchen.

“When the food truck thing came up it was an easy extension of that,” Michele said. “It’s amazing how once you can cook for 30 people, you can cook for 60 people. Now we’re cooking for 120 people.”

“Many people like to cook and many people know how to cook really well,” Jeff said. “But it’s a different skill to cook for 100. … God was preparing us for this for 15 years.”

The Herwigs receive the majority of the meat for the food truck from Outreach Farm, a nonprofit that provides proteins to other nonprofits that provide hot meals to people in need.

Outreach Farms recently provided 50 pounds of shrimp, which was used to make fried rice for this week’s stops at Friendship Place and the

Baskervill Food Pantry.

Next week, lunch will be brisket that was donated by a local restaurant. Donations also come from local supermarkets.

“This is such a giving community, and that’s what we love about it,” Michele said.

“We have not had to beg for funds,” Jeff said.

The Herwigs do the majority of the cooking at their church, Pawleys Island Community, which also allows them to park the food truck there when it’s not in use.

“They’re a big supporter of us,” Michele said. “Most of our volunteers attend there.”

The Herwigs see improving race relations and community relations as part of their mission.

“We wanted to be part of this community so we want to serve it,” Michele said. “Whether that’s the church dinner or food to the homeless, people in need, school kids.”

This summer, the couple took the truck to a summer school program, serving a kid-friendly menu of hotdogs and chips.

The Herwigs often travel to Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church on Choppee Road to feed and spend time with its congregants.

“That’s a race relations thing, too,” Jeff said. All the members are Black.

“We have hearts to heal that. There’s only so much we can do, but it’s a little thing we can do.”

Since April, the Herwigs have taken the truck to the Baskervill Food Pantry to feed patients from the Smith Medical Clinic and residents at St. Elizabeth Place.

“These people look forward to coming down,” Michele said. “We talk to them. We pray with them. We ask them how things are going. It’s just building relationships.”

One of the newer residents of St. Elizabeth started volunteering on the food truck as a way to get to know her neighbors.

n The Herwigs also park at Friendship Place in Georgetown once a month and partner with Feed Georgetown County to provide protein at food distributions in the Carvers Bay area. For that distribution, the Herwigs buy and freeze proteins themselves to give away.

While serving the meal, the Herwigs offer to pray with, and for, the people receiving the food. They are not preaching, Jeff said.

“We’re connecting with people. It’s not just, hey, give me my food,” he added. “Now, many people drive up and say, ‘I don’t need lunch today. Would you just pray with me?’”

Photos by Chris Sokoloski/Coastal Observer

Anna Margaret Loftus, left, gives testimony during a Fields of Faith event last week. Due to rain, the event was moved inside Waccamaw High’s gym, where attendees gathered for a prayer circle.

from left, Elijah Mason, Layla Christian, Anna Parsons and the Rev. Percy Strickland. The event wasn’t all about prayer, as principal Adam George found out when he volunteered to get a face full of whipped cream.

The food truck has a crew of 24 volunteers, including, from left, Martha Culler, Tammi Strasen and Linda Meyer, who serve meals.

FAITH BEAT REPORTING

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Bill Bengtson

Aiken Standard

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Kenna Coe

The Post and Courier

FAITH BEAT REPORTING

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Bristow Marchant

The State

This story goes into great detail over an issue that is not unique to South Carolina but is across the country. It gives a perspective unique to this church body while touching on issues that go so much further.

SPORTS BEAT REPORTING

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The News & Reporter

A sports beat is about more than game coverage, and your entries proved it. Well done, especially “Field of dreams” and “He’ll always be coach.” Easy to read writing style.

Travis Jenkins

SPORTS BEAT REPORTING

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Ben Morse

The Sun News

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Jon Blau

The Post and Courier

SPORTS BEAT REPORTING

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David Cloninger

The Post and Courier

I really like the variety... everything from the big loss to the personal side of the players and no matter which angle, all are well written. If I was a subscriber I would look forward to your next piece.

Jonathan Vickery

employees are getting raise.

At the February county finance committee meeting, Barnwell County Councilman Daniel Alexander explained Sheriff Steve Griffith had one request before signing the agreement between the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and Barnwell County allowing federal inmates to be housed at BCDC.

of inmates housed impacts the amount of revenue received.

“Before he signs the agreement, he wants us as council to commit to increasing the detention center salary,” said Councilman Alexander. “I do think it's good time to get this done and take care of the people that are taking care of the program.”

Now under the new per diem rate, the county is projecting an annual increase of $300,000 for the three-year contract started in March. The rate was previously $68 per day per federal inmate. Barnwell County will now be paid $77 per day per federal inmate they house, a $30 per hour rate for transport, and a federally set mileage refund at $.625 cents per mile, according to Captain Mike Rasar.

“Between what we’re getting now and the new per diem rate, there's about a $300,000 increase per year,” said Councilman Alexander. “What he is asking us to consider, and what think we should consider, is that we use a portion of that to increase the salaries of the detention officers, which are extremely low.”

BCDC currently has 60 federal inmates as of May 11, however, this number stays in flux and has once been as high as 85 individuals. The number

After discussion amongst the committee, it was agreed this negotiation would be brought before Barnwell County Council to be voted on.

At the February 14 council meeting, Councilman Alexander made a motion to accept the new contract “with the pending personnel increases as

NEWS HEADLINE WRITING ALL WEEKLY

DIVISION

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Cody Sossamon

The Gaffney Ledger

not

QUEEN JARIYA

Jariya Long was crowned Gaffney High homecoming queen Friday during halftime of the Gaffney-Boiling Springs football game.

PAGES

The CCA middle school was among 22.5% of schools statewide rated “Excellent,” the highest rating in the state’s education accountability system. Now in its fourth year, the CCA elementary school received an “Average” rating.

By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

Council expected to finalize trashing of garbage fee

By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

County Council is expected to take the final step at today’s (Monday) meeting to repeal its Solid Waste User fee.

Cherokee County.

Council will have third reading of an ordinance that repeals a fee that would have made residential property owners pay $10 a month to have their garbage collected. The repeal passed unanimously on first reading at council’s most recent meeting. A public hearing will be held prior to final reading.

in American Rescue Plan funds, more commonly known as federal COVID-19 money, to balance its $33 million budget.

The Solid Waste User fee passed by a 4-3 vote on first and second reading but was tabled on third reading.

Jeff Richardson, right, Vice President of First Piedmont along with Kim Myers, board member of The Boys & Girls Club, is shown presenting a contribution of $5,313 to the Boys & Girls Club of Cherokee County. Vance Hammond, Director of the Boys & Girls Club is shown accepting the contribution.

The fee was a critical part of the new county budget to bridge a $1.4 million shortfall, and would have appeared as a $120 annual charge on residential tax bills. Council will now use what remains of the $11 million

Saying the lone bidder’s qualifications checked out, Cherokee County Council approved its administration’s recommendation on Monday to hire a Charlotte-based consultant firm to assist the county in implementing zoning and updating its comprehensive plan. The county will pay Benchmark of Charlotte $242,725, which was actually a little less than the county estimate of $250,00 for the consultant.

Council members David Smith, Lyman Dawkins, Bill Blanton and Tracy McDaniel supported the fee on first and second reading. Councilmen Quay Little, Tim Spencer and Elliott Hughes opposed it twice.

Cherokee County Assistant Administrator Merv Bishop told council members that Benchmark

Council members have said the lack of an opt-out clause was the reason for the repeal. Under the fee, churches and non-profits would not have been exempt.

Rapid response by firefighters, employees limits damage

Ringling

By ABBIE SOSSAMON Ledger News Editor abbie@gaffneyledger.com

Bros.,

but it’s pretty close

By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer

larry@gaffneyledger.com

County Administrator Merv Bishop will update council on plans for the former Alma Elementary School property during his report time.

Monday’s meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the county administration building’s council chambers.

chines fully engulfed, according to fire chief Jamie Caggiano.

Well, the circus came to town Monday and nearly blew the roof off city hall.

In the center ring were old adversaries Gaffney Mayor Dr. Randy Moss and Gaffney City Councilman Kim Phillips.

Instead of flying on a trapeze, the elected officials were hurling insults that began when Phillips introduced an agenda item dealing with the city’s social media policy and use of the City of Gaffney name on a social media site.

A quick response from City of Gaffney firefighters helped prevent structural damage when a machine at a plant caught fire Sunday night.

“Between quick actions from the employees and the response time from our crews, the fire was contained to only the machine,” he said.

COACH SPEAK

OBITUARIES

Firefighters were able to have the fire under control in less than an hour.

that met

A

had performed duties for Bishop pany is plete its months.

County been guarded cussing subject the goal new growth to where Cherokee cilman Tracy has said isn’t to zone idential protect new growth from non-compatible

Crews were called to the Plygem facility on Cellwood Place around 8:42 p.m. for a structure fire. The first firefighters to arrive found one of the ma-

Caggiano said there was no structural or roof damage to the plant and only minor damage to the machine. There were no reported injuries.

6. There was a special police and personnel committee held yesterday to address the administrator and his failure with both staff and other matters.

“(Offensively) we have to be able to execute and we had a few that weren’t really tuned in … Defensively, the guys got after it.”

Smokin’ Smokin’

PENNINGTON, Gregory, 56, Blacksburg

PARKER, Ruby, 83, Gaffney

TEAGUE, Nancy, 84, Gaffney

But officer, I am not guilty, I am ‘Innocent’

An individual whose middle name is “Innocent” was arrested Nov. 26 after they attempted to steal more than $700 worth of clothing from a Factory Shops Boulevard store.

POLICE REPORT

7. If you want to work for the City, make sure your daddy is a city councilman. Kimber Phillips daughter works for the Gaffney City Police Department.”

The incident occurred at the Polo Ralph Lauren store around 4 p.m.

Phillips said because of the City of Gaffney-Mayor Moss heading, the statements appear to be posted on a city-sponsored social media page.

catalytic converters were missing from the vehicles.

Theft losses are estimated at $4,900, the report states.

towards the door.

While making his way to the exit, the thief allegedly told the employees, “If you come near me, I’ll kill you.”

The employee told police the suspect has been in the store before and stolen multiple purses.

identifies itself as the City of Gaff

that

Officers were able to detain the suspect. The manager reported the suspect was putting articles of clothing in other shopping bags.

“I’m tired of things being said on this (social media page),” Phillips said. “I challenge the liar.”

All of the items were able to be returned to Polo.

Phillips then called for a motion to hire an outside counsel to determine what action can be taken to prevent the falsehoods.

never made a post to the site and noted Eddie’s Footlong Hotdogs Hwy. 11 Gaffney, SC Eddie Owner “A Little Taste of Home” (Beside Old Post Store) g 864-902-1933 864-902-1933

less

shoplifting

The resident first told police that he thought he saw two males inside the apartment. When officers went back inside, they could tell there was a bullet hole through the curtain and through the busted glass door. Officers pointed out the observation to the resident who asked to speak to the

l Employees at a Factory Shops Boulevard store were threatened by a purse thief, a report on file at the Gaffney Police Department States.

The theft occurred Nov. 28 at 5:48 p.m. at the Michael Kors store.

Excellent headlines. The “circus” headline fits well with story’s opening sentence. All three entries certain to attract readers.

According to one of the employees, a male came into the store and looked around for a few minutes

Auto

1018

PATRICIA Fruit of 507 Cherokee Services

FIRST PIEDMONT DONATES

NEWS HEADLINE WRITING

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Beth Harrison

The Post and Courier

The puns and fun were in full force with these headlines. Creative without obscuring the point, these headlines draw the reader into captivating and compelling stories. Definitely a way to get readers to look at other pages in the paper.

Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852

club, local businesses, drivers and other entities. “We thought it went great,” Corbett said. “Everyone seemed to have a great time and nobody got hurt.”

He never wore a uniform and was rarely on the field, but for 43 years, Chester’s Dr. Sam Stone was an important part of the Clemson Tigers football team.

the Tigers

have it

Florida State two weeks ago, Stone and his family were given the honor of “dotting the I” in “Tigers” as part of the football team’s pregame entrance ceremony.

SEE I’S

/PAGE A3

on

against out here are like family,” said Donnie Crawford of the team “Smoky D’s”

Buffalo. “The

siblings are often

taking part in a soapbox derby. “I just, thought ‘Rotary can do that in Chester,’ he said. BY BRIAN GARNER BGARNER@ONLINECHESTER.COM T he first thing that you see when you pull onto the E. & J. Gallo Company campus outside of Fort Lawn is a large mural on the side of the main building that says “We Serve Joy”. That and the classic rock music coming from the speakers in not just the employee area but over the whole of the property, tell you something special is going on here. Along with Chester BY BRIAN GARNER BGARNER@ONLINECHESTER.COM Just after he accepted the gavel from outgoing Mayor Wanda Stringfellow, newly-elected and sworn Mayor Carlos Williams proclaimed from the dais to an overflow crowd: “It’s a new day in Chester.” Mayor Williams will be helped to usher in the new day in Chester by several new (and one King of the Hill Inaugural Downhill Derby a big success BY TRAVIS JENKINS/THE N&R At the inaugural Chester Rotary Downhill Derby, racers competed to see who would be “King of the Hill” (as they raced down the hill on Gadsden Street) and win the race. Behind the Joy An exclusive look at E. & J. Gallo plant in Fort Lawn Above: This “We Serve Joy” mural at the frontr of the E. & J. Gallo building tells you right away this is no ordinary manufacturing Chester Mayor, new council sworn in ‘It’s a new day in Chester’ Mayor Williams proclaims SEE KING PAGE A4 ONLINECHESTER.COM ISSUE 20 • 2 SECTIONS, 14 PAGES W EDNESDAY M AY 17, 2023 $1 SPORTS LEWISVILLE ONE WIN AWAY FROM STATE PAGE A6 C hester C ounty s h ometown n ewspaper s inCe 1869 DIVAS ON A DIME QUINOA TOPS HEALTHY, LOW-COST GRAIN BOWL PAGE B2 BY TRAVIS JENKINS TJENKINS@ONLINECHESTER.COM It’s a festival, it’s a contest, but for the 10 competing teams, the annual Hog

FEATURE HEADLINE WRITING

OPEN DIVISION

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Beth Harrison

The Post and Courier

This set of headlines really crackles with wit. The Poe headline is an excellent example of how headlines on feature stories can have a voice that news headlines simple can’t.

Iron Horse girls’ soccer opens undefeated in region, looks to repeat

PHILIP M. BOWMAN sports@thedanielislandnews.com

The Philip Simmons High School girls’ soccer team was ranked the No. 10 team in the Class AAA preseason poll.

That’s an accomplishment in itself because the Iron Horses lost some talented players from the 2022 team that was crowned the Region 6-AA champs while reaching the third round of the playoffs.

This spring, the Iron Horses opened the season with five victories in seven games and were 2-0 in Region 8-AAA play.

“We had a good season last year, but we lost some key seniors,” coach Ed Liebe said. “But we should be as good as or better than we were last year.”

The Iron Horses’ two losses this spring were close encounters. They dropped a heartbreaker to Bishop England and let a first-half lead slip away in a setback to Ashley Ridge.

Other than the two stumbles, the Iron Horses have been dominant, outscoring foes 26-8 this spring.

The team lost talent to graduation. But Liebe has developed

depth, and there’s still a heavy dose of skill on this team that features five seniors and six juniors on the roster of 19 players.

Claire Esse is on top of the list of talented players. She’s earned a scholarship to UNC Greensboro. She’s also earned all-state status in her three years on the varsity squad. She’s off to a good start to make it 4-for-4 with eight goals and four assists in the first seven games.

Esse shines in the classroom as well with a 4.85 GPA on a weighted scale. She will major in business with a minor in architecture. She earned an UNCG Bryan School Business scholarship, given to only 25 students out of 600 applications.

“Claire is a special player,” Liebe said. “There’s no doubt about that.”

Esse is one of five seniors on the roster. The other seniors include Morgan Davis, Micaela Hughes, Alexandra Jannuzzi and Emma Stacey.

Two juniors have made big contributions this spring. Tess Neary had three goals and five assists in seven games. Lizzie Hamlin, who missed most of last season with a

‘We crushed it’

PHILIP

If you are the track and field coach at Philip Simmons or Bishop England High School, you might want to have a giant eraser handy as you update your school’s record book.

That was the case on March 25 as the Iron Horses and Bishops competed in the Region 6 Coaches Classic Qualifier, which was held at Woodland High School. The

February

meet was one of seven qualifiers across the Palmetto State for the Elite Coaches Classic, which will be held April 22.

The Iron Horses boys’ and girls’ teams both finished in third place in the meet, one of the top meets contested in the regular season.

The Iron Horse boys finished in third place behind Wando and Lucy Beckham. Wando won with 82 points, the Bengals were second with 74 points and the Iron

Next of kin BE taps longtime coach’s grandson to lead boys’ soccer

PROVIDED/PHILIP SIMMONS HIGH SCHOOL

The Philip Simmons High School girls’ soccer team was ranked the No. 10 team in the Class AAA preseason poll.

knee injury, has been solid. Hamlin was cleared to play by doctors just in time for the start of the season and has tallied five goals and an assist.

“Tess Neary is a very dangerous player,” Liebe said. “She’s doing really well while Lizzie has worked very hard to regain her form. It was a lot of work.”

Horses third with 63.5 points. In the girls’ meet, the Iron Horses finished third behind Class AAAAA heavyweights Wando and Summerville. Wando won with 142 points and the Green Wave was second with 66 2/3 points and the Iron Horses were third with 64.5 Bishop England also fared well. The girls finished in seventh place with 37 2/3 points while the Bishop boys were 12th with 18 points.

“Every week it’s a case of setting new school records,” said PSHS boys coach Cory Magwood.

“We crushed it.”

Seventh-grader Laura Perry led the Iron Horse girls with a gold medal in the 3,200-meter run and silver in the 1,600 with respective times of 11:22.14 and 5:16.97. The

The team also features Davis and junior Riley Jenkins, who earned all-region honors last spring.

Liebe is in his second year as the head coach. He had about three decades of coaching experience in New Jersey and Maryland. He’s growing the program. In the school’s first year, Philip Simmons fielded a co-ed team.

3,200 clocking was a school record. She is ranked in the top 10 in Class AAA in the Palmetto State in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 runs. She is ranked No. 2 nationally among seventh-graders in the metric mile and two-mile runs.

Senior Zhaire Mack broke her school record in the javelin with an effort of 126-3 and set the mark in the shot put with a heave of 31-2.

Sophomore Vallencia Starkes broke her own record in the discus with an 89-11 effort.

Junior Alex Peredia shattered the school record with a time of 17.32 in the 110-meter high hurdles. He also owns the record in the 400 hurdles.

half.”

Bishop England also crushed it. The BE girls’ team celebrated six personal records and two

The next year, the school fielded a girls’ junior varsity team. In 2020, the Iron Horses opened with a 3-0 record, outscoring foes 29-0. But the season was shut down by the pandemic.

The team was 11-4 the year before Liebe arrived on campus, and were 11-7-1 last spring.

school records. The BE boys set 10 personal records and two school records.

Bishop England freshman Nora Brahim set two new school records with a time of 5:11.39 in the 1,600-meter run to break her own record of 5:11.68. She then ran 11:28.07 in the 3,200 run to break the previous school record held by Jeanne Stroud, who ran 11:38.04 in 2010.

Bishop England junior Justin Hafner set two school records in boys’ events. He ran 1:57.08 in the 800-meter run to break Aidan Richter’s record. He also broke his own record in the 1,600 run with a 4:19.62.

The complete field for the Coaches Classic Elite will be announced later this week.

Bishop England won its fourth consecutive game with the victory over the Volunteers to reach the state championship for the eighth time since the 2011-12 season. The Bishops have earned six state titles including 2012, 2014-17 and 2019. Playing in a state championship seemed like long shot back in late December as the Bishops finished up the non-region part of their schedule.

Khouri has been leading the Bishops through workouts and the team played in the annual Rotary Soccer Classic Feb. 12, an event that was hosted by Wando High School.

managed to win 13 of their next 17 games heading into the championship.

Bishop England served up what might be the best 16-minute stretch of defense in the state this season, allowing four points in the stretch.

“We were much better defensively in the second half,” Runey said. “We switched up on defense, going from man-to-man to zone. We created some breaks and opportunities.”

The Bishops received scare when junior guard Izzy Woods was injured in the fourth quarter and missed the remainder of the game.

Sophomore guard Lissie van De Erve was the only Bishop in double figures with 11 points. With a couple of ticks left on the clock, Kitchin stepped to the foul line for two shots. She missed the first attempt, but sank the second shot for her only point of the

chippy from the opening snap. The teams are bitter rivals, after all. During the quarrel, Riverside player leaves the sidelines to try and pull his teammates back. He’s a known leader for his team, and has no ill intent. He doesn’t lay finger on an Eagle, and he helps to diffuse the situation by removing his team mates from the altercation. He’s ejected and suspended for the following game. Per SCHSL rules, leaving the sidelines at any point during an altercation — no matter the reason — is grounds for an ejection. Any ejection is subject to a one-game suspension minimum. The player — with help from Riverside officials — sends in the altercation video and an appeal. With context, and seeing how the player helped diffuse the fight,

Iron Horses, Bishops’ playmakers picked for all-state squads

The Bishops played Wando in an exhibition match and the two schools played to a 1-1 tie in 40 minutes of action.

Khouri was an original member of the Daniel Island Soccer Academy, a program

State and was redshirted his freshman year in 2014. He had a breakout season in 2015. He played in all 90 minutes of his first college match against top-ranked UCLA and concluded the season and was a member of the Conference USA’s all-freshman team.

Khouri said his grandfather has given him advice, but it involved more tips on paperwork that is part of a high school coach’s job.

from PG. The referee allegedly believes it to be directed at him. The player — of noted upstanding character — vehemently denies it, saying it was harmlessly directed at a teammate. Nevertheless, he’s tossed. He’s then suspended for the final two regular season games of his senior year. “You’re literally affecting kid’s ability to get recruited by suspending him for one or two games,” says a frustrated parent in attendance at the game. “All for a nonviolent offense. He wasn’t fighting anyone. “These kids get so few games, and [SCHSL] is just going to take them away so easily? think that’s baloney. It’s all politics. You’re just enforcing a rule to say you enforced a rule. It’s ridiculous. These are kids!”

“He’s given me some pointers, but it was administrative rather than tactical,” Khouri said. “He has faith in me.”

Khouri’s other accomplishments include:

sports

SPORTS HEADLINE WRITING

WEEKLY DIVISION

By LARRY B. LITTLEJOHN Ledger Staff Writer moose@gaffneyledger.com

BOILING SPRINGS, NC – Jitters... cramps... penalties. Mixed all together

Friday night was a recipe for disaster as Gaffney fell to Crest, 44-38 in the season opener at Sid Bryson Stadium in Boiling Springs, NC.

Despite those bad ingredients, Gaffney coach Dan Jones said his team played well except for one thing – containing Crest quarterback Ny’Tavious Huskey, who passed for 326 yards and rushed for 87 more.

“Their quarterback had the wheels and we just couldn’t contain him,” said Jones. “We tried to ‘umbrella’ our defense for him in the second half but he still made some plays.”

The Indians, flagged for 12 penalties for 96 yards, were down by nine points early and trailed by as many as 10, but rallied back to cut the deficit to two at the half. They took their first lead, 24-20, at the 5:30 mark of the second half, and held a 38-34 lead with 11:05 to go in the game. But Crest scored 10 points in a 10 minute span to lead, 44-38, with 3:22 remaining.

The Indians mounted a frantic 4th quarter rally with about two minutes to go, but two quarterback sacks, the latter by Crest linebacker Finn Allen, sealed Gaffney’s fate.

FIRST PLACE

Larry Hilliard

The Gaffney Ledger

“We can draw some positives from tonight,” said Jones. “We fought back and competed. said to myself before the game that whoever had the ball last could win it. We had that chance but couldn’t cash in. We played a good football team.”

The Life of Riley (Staton)

Gaffney quarterback Riley Staton was 14 of 25 for 279 yards and no interceptions.

The Indians are 0-1 on the season and will host Union County Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Reservation.

SCORING SUMMARY

1st qtr. (6:26): Javarius Green yd. pass from Ny’Tavious

By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

After months of speculation, the longrumored quarterback transfer finally has a name.

Gaffney head coach Dan Jones said that former Gray Collegiate quarterback Riley Staton officially took part in his first Gaffney spring practice on Monday. Jones said Staton has family in the area and will be living with them.

Staton has all the physical tools of a pure drop back quarterback at 6-3, 185 lbs.

“He’s a pocket passer and he gets rid of the ball on time,” Jones said. Staton completed 63% of his passes for 2,216 yards and 24 touchdowns in guiding Grey Collegiate to an 8-4 record and second round playoff game this past season. He threw just six interceptions, and was instantly installed as the starter under center.

Former starting quarterback Jamarcus Smith, who has been slowed in spring drills with a sore shoulder, will return to his wide receiver position.

Gage McDaniel will continue as a backup.

Staton will use the remainder of the spring and summer workouts to build a relationship with the receivers, in particular, and teammates, in general.

Staton is expected to get reps today at the Indians’ Black and Gold spring game to conclude spring drills.

(PAT good) Crest 12, Gaffney 10

2nd qtr. (11:25): Javarius Green 19 yd. pass from Ny’Tavious Huskey (2-pt. conv.)

Crest 20, Gaffney 10.

2nd qtr. (9:36): Jaiden McDowell 25 yd. run. (PAT good). Crest 20, Gaffney 17.

Jones said the game will be more like a scrimmage with the emphasis on plays the team has worked on during spring drills. It’s expected to last not longer than 90 minutes.

2nd qtr. (5:30): Jaiden McDowell 4 yd. run. (PAT good). Gaffney 24, Crest 20.

2nd qtr. (0:00): Malachi Addison 24 yd. pass from Ny’Tavious Huskey (PAT no good).

Crest 26, Gaffney 24. 3rd qtr. (9:22): Emazon Littlejohn 51 yd. pass from Riley Staton (PAT good). Gaffney 31, Crest 26. 3rd qtr. (6:52): Aiden

Jones said he’s been pleased with the progress the team is making.

“Last year, we started seven sophomores and one freshman. This year, they have more experience. We lost some great kids, now other ones have to step up,” Jones said. There will be particular attention paid to the offensive line where Jake Buerk has been moved from tackle to center and several newcomers are expected to play key roles.

Speaking of roles, on defense, the story has been a position switch by Clay Cook from inside backer to the position manned by BrayShawn Littlejohn on the outside. The other outside backer slot will be played by Amari Boyd, a sophomore who is having an excellent spring.

Defensive lineman Jarriel Jefferies, inside backer Andrew Ruppe and defensive back King Dowdle are also

game-changing 40-yard defensive touchdown by Zaydron Burris to sting the Buford Yellow Jackets.

Blacksburg looked good from start to finish with a 42-15 win over Buford to kick off their 2023 season.

Wildcats players showered head coach Josh Batchler with a Gatorade bath after he earned his first win.

Buford was unable to move the ball on its next possession and quickly punted the ball away. Taking over at the 37-yard line, the Wildcats offense effectively mixed the run and pass on a long scoring drive.

Burris scored on a 3-yard run for his third touchdown to put the final bow on the Wildcats first win in nearly two years.

Owen

Luke

Quarterback Josh Sims threw for 279 yards and connected with wide receiver Ziyon Harris for three touchdowns in their first start.

Burris helped swing the game’s momentum in the Wildcats favor shortly after his 9-yard scoring run gave the Wildcats a two touchdown lead late in the second quarter.

After Buford quarterback Noah Crump fumbled a snap, a hard-charging Burris scooped up the loose ball and scored on a 40-yard fumble return for a 27-7 lead with 3:01 left in the sec-

Gaffney

The Blacksburg defense made its first big play of the night when the Wildcats stuffed Buford on a fourth down run at the 42-yard line to end the game’s first possession. Sims found wide receiver Cameron Cobb for a 23yard pass and then tossed a 5-yard pass to Harris for an early 7-0 lead.

The excitement from the Wildcats fans was short-lived.

After the Wildcats defense forced a punt, Buford senior defensive back Aaron Morris stepped in front of Sims’ first pass and scored on a pick six to tie the game at 7.

Very cute wordplay that doesn’t detract from the story. Good job!

The Yellow Jackets appeared to get a lift from Crump’s 1-yard touchdown and two-point conversion run that cut the Wildcats lead to 27-15 right before

“I’m extremely proud of our kids. These guys believed in me as a coach, and our kids never let down tonight,”

Batchler said. “We are working to get

Blacksburg struck back two plays later when Harris caught a short pass from Sims and outran the Yellow Jackets defense for a 59-yard touchdown.

“Buford played us tough in the first half. We struggled to run the football,” Batchler said. “We did a better job of spreading the ball around and getting more players involved on offense. can’t say enough about our defense. They give us fits in practice every day. thought they played really well.” The Wildcats defense limited Buford to just 203 yards, with 57 yards coming

Jaiden

Emazon

SPORTS HEADLINE WRITING

ALL DAILY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

The Times and Democrat

Headlines very catchy. Attention grabbing. Great job writing them.

Kristin Coker

NEWS SECTION OR SPECIAL EDITION

ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Staff

Charleston City Paper

Well-organized special section. Quality photos and concise articles. Layout guides the viewer or reader through the news section. Advertisers got their money’s worth with full page ads which were adequately spaced through out the section. Photos were used in a way as to not clutter the pages.

NEWS SECTION OR SPECIAL EDITION

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24 hours on

Folly Beach

The Post and Courier photo staff documents a day in the life of this funky beach town just south of Charleston

FIRST PLACE

Staff

The Post and Courier

This is a fantastic concept and perfectly executed. Having the text accompany the outstanding visuals was smart, as was not forcing full vignettes for every hour. This is an idea I have every intention of using in my own newspaper.

SPORTS SECTION OR MAGAZINE

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FIRST PLACE

Scott Chancey and Justin Driggers

Morning News

Love this! The cover art POPS! Strong writing. Variety of articles. The top five/list pieces add to the effect, plus they’re quick reads! Like the local tie with coaches making picks.

FEATURE SECTION OR MAGAZINE

ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Staff Greenville Journal

This class of entries had several contenders I really liked, and it was hard to choose the top three. The 20-year anniversary issue stood out for very strong design, great writing and wonderful photos. I liked that you went back to the first house featured for the cover story. I also liked the story about the wrong turn. This was a fun read. Kudos to all for outstanding work.

ALL DAILY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Janel Strieter and Staff

The Sumter Item

SECOND PLACE

Lauren A. Haley Aiken Standard Discover

FEATURE SECTION OR MAGAZINE

ALL DAILY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Janel Strieter, Kayla Green and Staff

The Sumter Item

I deeply appreciate the amount of work that goes into a stand alone section chock-full of essential information about living in an area – that helps newcomers and long-time residents alike navigate life. This section does that, in spades, with 80 pages full of colorful ads and actionable information. Stellar work!

MIXED MEDIA ILLUSTRATION

OPEN DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Rachel Handley

The State

Thankyouforyourconsideration, GinaSmith InvestigationsEditor TheStateMediaCo.

Outstanding! Pairing the information and the illustrations make a powerful punch. The time alone put into the information, how to present it, and graphics created to build this illustration is why this entry raced to the top of the division. Congratulations to all involved in the work behind this entry as the illustrations/graphics make a powerful impact to the story.

DIGITAL PROJECT

ALL DAILY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Brandon Lockett

and John Ramsey

The Post and Courier

SECOND PLACE

Staff

The Post and Courier

DIGITAL PROJECT

FIRST PLACE

Sammy Fretwell, Susan

Merriam, Sohail Al Jamea and Rachel Handley

The State

I really liked this. Very detailed. Great use of information and not just a bunch of words.

SECOND PLACE

Jonathan Vickery

Brian Garner and Travis Jenkins

Donate Life Month: Be a heroThe People-Sentinel

A

pril 21 is a very special day for me, a second birthday! It is the day I received a kidney from a deceased donor named Steven. had waited for five years for my gift to arrive and it is truly the gift that goes on giving...for a lifetime! This year marks nine years of my new life, given by someone I’ve never met but will never forget. Observed in April each year, National Donate Life Month helps raise awareness about donation, encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift of donation. National Donate Life Month (NDLM) was established by Donate Life America and its partnering organizations in 2003. This National Donate Life Month, we ask you to be a part of this interconnected life-sustaining community by registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor; becoming educated about living donation; and champi-

TROOPER:

oning the Donate Life cause. April is Donate Life Month and Nearly Half of Americans Don't Know about Living Organ Donation. Last year, more than 6,400 people became living organ donors. The kidney is the most commonly transplanted organ from a living donor. One entire kidney is removed and transplanted. Living liver donation, where a segment of the donor’s liver is transplanted, occurs less

ADOPTABLE PET OF THE WEEK

Paulette Rooney Contributed ‘Mr. Noodle’ is friendly, comical

a lot longer. A living donor can be family member, friend, co-worker or even someone who comes forward who wants to donate to no one in particular, just because they understand the great need we have for organs for transplant. Kidneys can be donated by a living donor, as can a portion of the liver. Seventeen people in the United States die each day waiting for an organ, according to Donate Life America, and a new person is added to the national transplant waiting list every nine minutes. You can register online or at the DMV. When you register at the DMV, you are registering in your state donor registry. Both your state donor registry and the National Donate Life Registry are checked by donation professionals at the time of your death. Your most recent donor registration is honored as the legal document of gift. You can access your National Donate Life Registry registration anytime at RegisterMe.org Register today, be a hero, be Steven.

Mr. Noodle is this week’s Adoptable Pet of the Week from the Barnwell County Animal Shelter. Mr. Noodle is a mixed breed suspected to be treeing walker coonhound and poodle. He is approximately two years old. "He is friendly to everyone, people and dogs. He’s comical and great guy to have around," said shelter manager Marlena Ray. Help him find his forever home today. The shelter is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mail donations to 57 Wall St., Barnwell, S.C. 29812. Contact 803-259-1656 or animalshelter@barnwellsc.com.

The News & Reporter

SOFTBALL LADY LIONS WIN 17 STRAIGHT PAGE A6

Fund started to help local trooper's recovery after shooting FROM PAGE 1A

proud grandfather of eight, L/Cpl. Frazier is focused on making strong bonds with the community that he serves. His favorite quote is 'Be strong and keep the faith,'" said a fundraising page set up to help him in his recovery.

Edward Gathers Bamberg County Detention Center

PRAYERS & RECOVERY

Those strong bonds are evident in Facebook comments.

“Prayers, he's such a nice gentleman. I just saw him the other night going through a road check.

Hope he recovers quickly,” said Rachael Fennell on Facebook.

no one does. He was doing his job! He was protecting and serving. God will make sure he is healed,” Briggs said. “We pray for a speedy recovery of Trooper Frazier. We have him and his family in our prayers and ask our Barnwell community to join us,” states post on the Barnwell Police Department’s Facebook page. Frazier remains in the hospital recovering from his injuries.

Derrick

78 toward Denmark.

Page 10A • Wednesday, April 19, 2023 The People-Sentinel the Bamberg County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) to assist other law enforcement agency personnel when able, so they won’t be alone during traffic stops. "That's how we operate. Our procedure is we take care of each other in this county. We all work together," said Sheriff Bamberg. “I truly believe that custom helped save a life,” said S.C. Rep. Justin Bamberg, who represents Bamberg and Orangeburg counties. Rep. Bamberg is the son of Sheriff Bamberg. THE PURSUIT Hearing the radio call with the suspect vehicle’s description, law enforcement officers from multiple agencies joined forces in pursuit of the suspect, who fled eastbound on Hwy.

BY N&R STAFF

Chester County saw multiple incidents of shots being fired Monday, including one that ended in a fatality.

Chester County Sheriff’s officers and investigators from the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) are investigating a Monday morning shooting that happened on Pinckney Road, just outside of the Chester

City Limits. According to a post from the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, investigators were in the area of Pinckney Street (Road) near Bratton Street investigating the shooting that took place on Monday, April 17, at about 10:20 a.m. One victim was deceased.

On Tuesday morning, Chester County Coroner Terry Tinker confirmed

That same SEE SHOTS PAGE A3

Department located and pursued the vehicle through Bamberg County and into Branchville in Orangeburg County where

On Tuesday, April 18, a judge denied Gathers bond during a virtual bond hearing. “This is an ongoing investigation. As such, no other information about the case will be disclosed by SLED at this time,” states a press release. SLED is handling the in

Lance Corporal Frazier has been with SCHP’s Troop since 2018 and currently serves in Post A (Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, and Hampton counties).

"A Navy veteran and a

Tammy Briggs said Frazier is “a symbol of a good, righteous man” because he would give the shirt off his back, the last dollar in his pocket, and the food off his plate to help someone.

“He didn’t deserve this,

Over $7,300 has been donated through a fundraiser to support Frazier and his family moving forward, helping to cover medical bills and other needs. Donate here: https://serve andconnect.networkforgood. com/projects/191588-lancecorporal-b-a-frazier-recoveryfund.

“We WHAT THE PENNY IS PAYING FOR County treasurer gives a penny sales tax update

place in and around Chester last week. The Dawson Drive incident where shots were fired during a Dixie League youth baseball game, took place only yards away from the Chester County Law Enforcement Center and Dorsey’s office. In his statement, Dorsey declined to mention any details of the ongoing investigations and also declined to state whether these shootings were connected.

to take place in broad daylight. One took place in February on Pine Street in the early afternoon as a pedestrian and a motorist reportedly exchanged shots. No one was hurt in that incident but a bullet did enter a nearby home, while another damaged a gas line, requiring the street to be blocked for some time. EYES ON CRIME Chester Police Chief has unique way to discourage crime “I understand that people don’t want a camera in their front yard. That’s not what I’m doing. But by putting them on the public access roads, the camera has the ability to pick up safety concerns.” BY BRIAN GARNER BGARNER@ONLINECHESTER.COM

Chief ONLINECHESTER.COM ISSUE 17 2 SECTIONS, 14 PAGES W EDNESDAY A PRIL

‘You’re going to be safe’ In light of recent shootings, Dorsey speaks to reassure the community PHOTO BY BRIAN GARNER THE N&R Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey responds to questions during a press conference concerning the recent shooting incidents this week in and around the City of Chester.

C hester C ounty h ometown n ewspaper s inCe 1869 DIVAS ON A DIME THE SECRET TO BUYING ORGANIC PRODUCE ON BY BRIAN GARNER BGARNER@ONLINECHESTER.COM Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey’s message to a community on edge following numerous shooting incidents, including one fatal shooting and another that threatened the lives of children at a baseball game, is “you’re going to be safe.” Dorsey spoke at a press conference on Friday from the CCSO East Region Office outside of Richburg. His topic was the three and possibly more shootings that took

BY TRAVIS TJENKINS@ONLINECHESTER.COM Election Day City of Chester has already begun. Early voting General Election day and will continue April 28. The ities are daily 8:30 a.m. until takes place at Building at 109 The last day ballots has already There are tive races in the not always been or’s seat is up and incumbent who has served tive terms, filed

City election coming next SEE SAFE PAGE A3 SCHOOL DISTRICT’S DAY OUT

often, and the donor is usually related to the recipient. Also, in rare cases, a uterus or segment of other organs can be transplanted from a living donor. For people in need of an organ donation, living kidney donation can be superior to receiving an organ from a deceased donor because it can decrease the time a patient will wait to be transplanted, provide a better-quality organ, and increase the chance it will last

BREAKING NEWS REPORTING WEEKLY UNDER 3,000 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Alexandra Whitbeck and Jonathan Vickery

The People-Sentinel

On the afternoon of Friday, August 11, the steeple atop Hagood Avenue Baptist Church (HABC) was struck by lightning and fire broke out.

Children at Barnwell Primary School, shoppers at Barnwell IGA, and residents living near Hagood Avenue all heard when the steeple was struck. Moments after, they heard sirens racing toward the church.

Crews spent the next 12-plus hours trying to control the fire–which was fully involved in the roof.

“Since I’ve been coordinator, this is probably the worst we’ve had in the county,” said Barnwell County Fire Coordinator Wesley Gatlin, who became coordinator late last year.

“We had our local responders respond and then started calling other agencies through our statewide mutual aid agreement and S.C. Firefighter Mobilization,” said Barnwell County Emergency Management Director Roger Riley. Local departments raced to the scene such as the City of Barnwell, Williston, Blackville, Long Branch, Hilda, Friendship, as well as local law enforcement.

Responders from Lexington, Hampton, Aiken, Beaufort,

Allendale, Jasper, Bamberg, Lancaster, and Dorchester counties all came to aid. Ladder trucks were brought by Savannah River Site, New Ellenton, and Hampton County fire departments.

The S.C. Fire Marshal’s office as well as S.C. Emergency Management also responded.

The county’s EMS service, Thorne Ambulance, stayed on scene. The American Red Cross brought supplies which were housed in the Allendale and Barnwell Disabilities and Special Needs Board building nearby.

“This fire will go down as one Cody Allen Davis, 29, of Williston was arrested on July 26 by the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) after a 19-year-old was found dead.

Deputies responded to residence on North Clemson Drive in Barnwell County at 4:20 p.m. on July 25 after a call to dispatch reported a “male subject that was unconscious, not breathing, and that the patient was blue,” states the incident report. When deputies arrived on scene, they were directed to bedroom

can reach over 50,000 degrees fahrenheit. When lightning strikes a building, it travels through the roof and walls leaving smoldering path.

“Lightning will heat nails, bolts, wire, or any other metallic object to glowing red when it strikes and can

and support one another. On August 12, the congregation held prayer and worship service in the parking lot where they were joined by members of the community, including people from other churches. “In the midst of this terrible event, witnessed wonderful church family coming together to pray, cry, and support one another,” said Rev. Brandon Sandifer. “I see God using it to draw us closer together as church family, strengthen our faith.” He said they have been “very humbled” by the “beautiful and overwhelmingly wonderful” support from the community and beyond, including offers of space to meet. They are especially grateful to First Baptist Church Barnwell for allowing use of The Merge to temporarily hold services and the YMCA for letting them use space for staff meetings. “This is one of the great realities of small-town life. still believe Barnwell is unique among small towns and is an incredible community,” said Sandifer. Many individuals and businesses donated food, drinks, coolers and tents to support the firefighters and congregation. Hilda Fryebaby’s brought its food truck during the fire while Russell’s Pizza donated 25 pizzas for the prayer service. “I’m grateful for community who is loving us so well in the midst of our sorrow,” said youth minister Brandon Howard. Despite the physical loss of the building, the church continues its ministry. “When the building goes down, it doesn’t mean the people do,” said member Karrie Bolen.

At the August 12 prayer service, Sandifer said, “One thing God is going to teach us is that the church is more than an event on Sunday, it’s more than programs that happen; the church is people who have been born by a holy spirit through the gospel of Jesus.” Though the congregation understands the church is the people, not the building, Sandifer said it’s fine to grieve the loss of the building which holds memories. “It’s not just a building. It’s where I heard God’s voice through amazing hymns of the faith and where heard God speak uplifting words when was so discouraged. It’s where I received direction when I didn’t know which way to go. It’s where prayer was made on my behalf before serious surgery,” said retired Hagood pastor Ken Catoe. After moving to Barnwell from Alabama as teen in 1984, Hagood helped fill void of loneliness for Amy Bozard and her family.

“I grew up in that church, accepted Christ, and was baptized in the original building. Soon after, we moved in to the one we lost today. got married there. dedicated all three of my babies to the Lord there. Those same babies grew in that nursery and accepted Jesus there and were baptized as well. Every major event in my life was there,” said Bozard. “But it’s not just the major things. It’s the little things. Like watching my daddy and his amazing mentors step out on faith and build that new building.

Sunday morning worship. Greeting my precious church

family in the foyer. Monday nights when people met to pray for illnesses, infertility, and addictions. Being taught how to serve the Lord.” The list goes on. For Deanna Grubbs, the building was filled with 31 years of memories, including watching her father, Rev. Catoe, preach on Sundays. It’s where she got married, dedicated her children, and was “refuge” during difficult times. “God showed us today what the church really is! It’s community of believers that are not confined to building, who go out and serve people in Jesus’ name!

It’s people dropping everything on a Friday afternoon to bring food, drinks, tents, and hugs/prayers. It’s pastors/ businesses coming by to offer facilities to house our meetings or small group studies. It’s firefighters and their families giving every ounce of energy they had to make sure that fire was contained and everyone was safe,” said Grubbs. “Today was hard! But we will see beauty rise from these ashes.”

For Rebekah Thrasher, Hagood is where she was spiritually fed since birth.

“It’s where Jesus saved me. It’s where learned to trust Him. It’s where watched my Nannie and parents model serving in the church,” said Thrasher who later got married in the church and is now raising her children there. “Jesus is still the same. He is still good. He is still God. All things happen for our good, and for His glory. We are the church – the hands and feet of Jesus,” she said. Sandifer said his prayer is that God continues to use them to bless the community as they seek to bring people to Jesus. “Our treasure is not what we have, not our possessions, not our building; our treasure is Jesus.” Member Mike Beyer said Satan tried to destroy the church but instead “brought together many communities and churches, from both near and far, glorifying God every step of the way.”

“God has promised that all things work together for

the good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28). Although it may be hard to see how God allowing one of his places of worship to burn and displace his people could be good, we trust the good will come,” said member Adam Bolen. Church leaders don’t

Incredible reporting and updating community with posts and photos. Highlights the voices of the pastor and firefighters as well as the community members who have been affected.

know what insurance will pay yet or the extent of their needs to rebuild, but many have asked how to donate financially. Donations can be made at https://giving. ncsservices.org/App/Giv ing/hagood and clicking “Rebuild & Restore” fund. Even more important, they need continued prayers

and encouragement as they make decisions. They are relying on Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

“Because Jesus is strong, we are Hagood strong and also Barnwell strong,” said Sandifer. Fire destroyed the building but not the church.

BREAKING NEWS REPORTING WEEKLY 3,000-6,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Zach Giroux

The Daniel Island News

BCSD school board abruptly fires superintendent

ZACH GIROUX

zach@thedanielislandnews.com

An abrupt turn of events at Berkeley County School District’s school board meeting on Nov. 15 resulted in the surprise firing of the superintendent and in-house legal counsel followed by the hiring of a new superintendent and legal counsel.

The turbulent mid-year transition came in two separate motions to fire superintendent Deon Jackson along with in-house general counsel Dr. Tiffany Richardson. Both motions passed by a vote of 6-3, with much anger and disgust from dissenting board members and members of the community in attendance who chanted phrases such as “unjust” and “no process.”

Jackson was hired in July 2021 as the first Black superintendent in BCSD’s history. He worked in the district for more than a decade, including as the first principal of Cane Bay Middle School. Richardson, a graduate of Stratford High School, was hired in April 2021. The votes in favor to fire Jackson and Richardson included: board chair Mac McQuillin, vice chair Sally Ballentine Wof-

Deon Jackson Anthony Dixon

ford, secretary Michael Ramsey, Joe Baker, Kathy Littleton and Jimmy Hinson. The board members who opposed the firings were David Barrow, Yvonne Bradley and Crystal Wigfall.

Both Richardson and Jackson excused themselves from the meeting without comment. Board members Bradley and Wigfall followed suit and dismissed themselves before the end of discussion. Citizens in attendance joined them to form a mass exodus.

“The board policy needs to be revised, amended to give reason why you’re terminating someone,” Bradley said. “… How in the world can you terminate somebody without giving a reason.”

Jackson has been replaced by Dr. Anthony

Dixon, Charleston County School District chief of schools and former BCSD chief academics and innovation officer and chief administrative officer. Dixon was a semifinalist for the superintendent position that Jackson was ultimately appointed to last spring. He formerly served as principal for Philip Simmons High School, Philip Simmons Middle School and Cainhoy Elementary School. As well as assistant principal at Daniel Island School.

Richardson was replaced by Brandon Gaskins, an employee of Moore & Van Allen law firm. Gaskins previously served as deputy chief counsel to former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford.

The motion to terminate Richardson was made by Littleton. The motion to terminate Jackson was introduced by McQuillin, the Daniel Island and Philip Simmons representative of District 2. The board did not specify the rationale for Jackson’s firing. He earned a proficient rating from his recent school board review.

When asked for the grounds for firing Jackson, McQuillin replied vaguely that it was a “personnel matter.” However, his col-

league, Barrow, said that he was told that the cause stems from an “unconstitutional” and “unlawful” contractual matter.

When Jackson was hired as superintendent last year, he was given a multi-year contract with a provision that a supermajority must vote unilaterally to terminate him with “no cause” from his position as opposed to a simple majority. In this case meaning that six board members would have to terminate Jackson as opposed to five. This is exactly what happened at the board meeting.

Barrow cited an opinion from a local legal professional that said Jackson’s contract was not illegal. Andrea White from White & Story LLC informed Barrow that Jackson’s provision is common practice.

White, a member of the Richland County Bar and the South Carolina Bar, represents a number of school districts around the state.

White practices in all areas of school law, with an emphasis on providing advice and counsel on issues relating to personnel matters and employment discrimination.

See SCHOOL BOARD on PAGE 10

SECOND PLACE

Abbie Sossamon

The Gaffney Ledger

By ABBIE SOSSAMON Ledger News Editor abbie@gaffneyledger.com

A two-month-old is fighting for his life after allegedly being abused by his father over the weekend.

Malachi Alfred Maurice Tate, 20, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of abuse/inflicting great bodily injury upon a child.

LARRY HILLIARD TATE

neck. The parents told police the infant had fallen off the bed a few days before and on Saturday he “wasn’t acting right,” according to Gaffney Police Major Brian Blanton. The infant suffered several brain pital Saturday night where he remains on life support. Officers searched the Chandler Blanton. A police report indicates Tate, Junior had multiple bruises on his forehead and on the back of his neck. The infant suffered several brain bleeds and underwent treatment and evaluation since Saturday night before he ultimately succumbed to his injuries at 3:07 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22. “This child has multiple areas of injuries on his body that are not consistent with fall as the father initially reported had occurred two days earlier,” Fowler said. “The fatal injuries on this infant are no doubt from abuse. It appears this child may have been tortured, and it makes me sick to my stomach that helpless infant has suffered and lost his life at the hands of someone who had a total disregard for a human. We must send message that this kind of behavior will not

his MONTGOMERY FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023 GAFFNEY, S.C. www.gaffneyledger.com 75 CENTS A newspaper in all that the wordimplies, devoted to the best interests of the people of Cherokee County. INFANT DIES; CHARGES TO BE UPGRADED By ABBIE SOSSAMON Ledger News Editor abbie@gaffneyledger.com A three-month-old who was fighting for his life after allegedly being abused by his father has died, according to Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler. Fowler identified the infant as Malachi Alfred Maurice Tate, Junior. Tate, Junior was taken to Cherokee Medical Center Saturday night by his father, 20-year-old Malachi Alfred Maurice Tate. Tate, Junior was unresponsive when he arrived at the Gaffney hospital and was resuscitated before being airlifted to Greenville Children’s Hospital, Fowler said. Tate, Junior’s parents told police he had fallen off the bed few days before, and on Saturday he “wasn’t acting right,” according to Gaffney Police Major Brian

Drive apartment and found evidence of abuse that led to Tate’s Sunday arrest, Blanton said. Blanton could not disclose what type of evidence was processed as the incident remains under investigation. At this time, the mother is not considered a suspect. “The mom was at trate Judge Collis Edwards has denied Tate’s bond, according to online jail records. be tolerated.” City police searched Tate’s Chandler Drive apartment where they found evidence of abuse. Blanton could not disclose what type of evidence was processed as the incident remains under investigation. Tate was arrested Sunday on abuse/inflicting great bodily injury upon a child. Municipal Judge Collis Edwards denied bond. Charges against Tate are in the process of being upgraded following the death of the infant. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday to assist with the investigation of the infant’s death. “These types of investigations are extremely difficult for the victim’s family as well as any personnel involved in the investigation. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for all involved,” Blanton said. Attorney held in contempt of court

Union's city clerk is the only candidate running for the District 3 seat on Union City Council.

Gloria Rogers wants to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Chasity Pearson. In a letter to City Administrator Joe Nichols and city council dated Aug. 9, Pearson said she was resigning for “personal reasons.”

BREAKING NEWS REPORTING WEEKLY 3,000-6,500 DIVISION

Rogers has served as city clerk and HR director for the past 32 years. She and Pearson ran for the District 3 in 2021 after Vicki Morgan resigned. Pearson received 42 votes during the special election. Rogers received 35 votes.

A special non-partisan election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 7. If Rogers wins, she would have to resign from her job as clerk.

Murder suspect arrested in Union

Tim Svedlund owns Tiny Bubbles Car Wash and Union Kwik Lube.

Car

wash marks first anniversary

By ANNABROWN

As Tiny Bubbles Car Wash marks its first anniversary of business, Tim Svedlund says he wants to thank customers for their patronage of it and the business next door, Union Pennzoil Kwik Lube, which he has owned for 11 years.

General Sessions Court Buffalo Man Sentenced, For Shooting Incident

Murder suspect arrested in Union

Howard Lawson is the new director of the Union County Museum.

New museum director has done extensive research on local railroad

By ANNABROWN

By ANNABROWN

By ANNA BROWN

Aman arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant is accused of murdering his roommate in Georgia.

Aman arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant is accused of murdering his roommate in Georgia.

A Buffalo man was sentenced to three years in prison last week in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in 2022.

By MACYPETTY

“Our history goes back so far and is so rich,” said Howard Lawson, the new director of the Union County Museum, when asked what makes our local history unique. “There is really something for everybody.”

Capt. Scott Coffer said Calvin Larnard Goodwin, 31, of 4719 Central Drive, Stone Mountain, was taken into custody at Fairforest Apartments on Aug. 28 by Union County Sheriff's Office narcotics officers and U.S. Marshals. He is being held in the Union County Detention Center awaiting extradition.

FIRST PLACE

GOODWIN

GOODWIN

Tuesday September 12, 2023

Volume 14, No. 51

Capt. Scott Coffer said Calvin Larnard Goodwin, 31, of 4719 Central Drive, Stone Mountain, was taken into custody at Fairforest Apartments on Aug. 28 by Union County Sheriff's Office narcotics officers and U.S. Marshals. He is being held in the Union County Detention Center awaiting extradition.

50 cents

Coffer said Goodwin is accused of killing the man at their DeKalb County apartment in February.

108 E. Main St. Union, S.C.

Lawson began work as director on June 26. AUnion native, he graduated from Union High School in 1985. He attended classes at USC Union and began working at Robert Bishop's Auto to pay his tuition.

Coffer said Goodwin is accused of killing the man at their DeKalb County apartment in February.

Goodwin was living with his girlfriend in Union when he was arrested.

427-1090

Goodwin was living with his girlfriend in Union when he was arrested.

Anna Brown Union County News

Jaran Harris, 36, of 202 Buffalo St. entered a NC vs. Alford Plea on Sept. 12 to discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. Defendants who enter Alford Pleas do not admit guilt but admit there is likely sufficient evidence for a jury to convict them. Harris was given credit for the 293 days he has served in the Union County Detention Center since his arrest on Nov. 23, 2022.

District 3 city council election has one candidate

District 3 city council election has one candidate

By GRAHAM WILLIAMS

By GRAHAM WILLIAMS

By ANNA BROWN

Everyone was anxious when firefighters pulled Zeke out of the smoking house and laid the unconscious dog on the ground for medics to begin administering oxygen.

"The economy in Union over 11 years has really changed a lot," he said. "But the one thing that hasn't changed is the way we look at serving our community. We try to treat people the way we want to be treated when we go somewhere and spend our money. And the other thing

Union's city clerk is the only candidate running for the District 3 seat on Union City Council.

“I ended up making a career out of it,” he said. He eventually became shop foreman of Union's Chevrolet dealership and worked there until its closing. He then spent several years living in West Palm Beach, Fla., where he was the general manager of an antique car dealership that had been a Cadillac-LaSalle dealership in the 1920s. He returned to Union in 2010 and had been “semi-retired” until he got the position at the museum.

Harris was originally charged with attempted murder in the incident, which occurred on John Jeter Lane in Carlisle in on July 21. The victim said he came out of his house to go to work and noticed a car stopped down the road. Two men were standing on the steps of an unoccupied house nearby. One of them yelled at him and he heard shots. He ducked into his vehicle and the men ran. Footage from a video camera on a neighboring house confirmed what the victim said.

Murder suspect arrested in Union

Union's city clerk is the only candidate running for the District 3 seat on Union City Council.

Gloria Rogers wants to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Chasity Pearson. In a letter to City Administrator Joe Nichols and city council dated Aug. 9, Pearson said she was resigning for “personal reasons.”

“I've always been into history,” he said.

Gloria Rogers wants to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Chasity Pearson. In a letter to City Administrator Joe Nichols and city council dated Aug. 9, Pearson said she was resigning for “personal reasons.”

By ANNABROWN

Aman arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant is accused of murdering his roommate in Georgia.

job opened, Lawson felt that his love of history would make him a great candidate. His duties at the museum

Onlookers, including his owner, Mae Jeter, breathed a sigh of relief when the boxer mix’s long, brown tail started wagging.

“Look, he’s getting back to himself,” said Mae’s aunt, Barbara Means.

And, except for a slight cough, Zeke has made a full recovery.

When he was a child, he enjoyed reading books on World War I and World War II that his uncle gave him or watching movies about the old west. He became especially interested in the history of the railroad in Union after he received his first toy train set.

Rogers has served as city clerk and HR director for the past 32 years. She and Pearson ran for the District 3 in 2021 after Vicki Morgan resigned. Pearson received 42 votes during the special election. Rogers received 35 votes.

Rogers has served as city clerk and HR director for the past 32 years. She and Pearson ran for the District 3 in 2021 after Vicki Morgan resigned. Pearson received 42 votes during the special election. Rogers received 35 votes.

The day Harris was taken into custody he was also charged with assaulting two relatives on Browns Creek Church Road earlier that November. A woman said she gave Harris money and he hit her because he wanted more. She said he also grabbed her 10-year-old grandson by the throat.

“My grandfather told me to make a model of the B.U.C.,” he said, describing an abandoned line called the Buffalo-Union Carolina Railroad, which ran from

Capt. Scott Coffer said Calvin Larnard Goodwin, 31, of 4719 Central Drive, Stone Mountain, was taken into custody at Fairforest Apartments on Aug. 28 by Union County Sheriff's Office narcotics officers and U.S. Marshals. He is being held in the Union County Detention Center awaiting extradition.

A special non-partisan election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 7. If Rogers wins, she would have to resign from her job as clerk.

sites that the Union County Historical Society cares for, and digging for any information that people request. doing genealogy research,” he said. family. said. “I told him I would do the family genealogy.” ly has been in the area since the late 1700s. He stresses that it is important to ask your older relatives about his-

-Caleb Kyle Revis, 27, of 140 Mitchell Road, was sentenced to six years in prison on Sept. 11. He was given credit for 250 days time served.

A special non-partisan election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 7. If Rogers wins, she would have to resign from her job as clerk.

GOODWIN

Coffer said Goodwin is accused of killing the man at their DeKalb County apartment in February.

By ANNABROWN

New museum director has done extensive research on local railroad

City of Union firefighters were called to the house on Standpipe Street on Sept. 9 around 10 a.m. Firefighters on the scene said the fire appeared to have been started by a candle in the bathroom. The fire spread to another room and into the ceiling.

New museum director has done extensive research on local railroad

By MACYPETTY

By MACYPETTY

Jonesville police meet state standards

Buffalo to Pride.

Revis pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy, distribution of Fentanyl, distribution of Fentanyl near a park or school, distribution of oxycodone.

Goodwin was living with his girlfriend in Union when he was arrested.

“Our history goes back so far and is so rich,” said Howard Lawson, the new director of the Union County Museum, when asked what makes our local history unique. “There is really something for everybody.”

“Our history goes back so far and is so rich,” said Howard Lawson, the new director of the Union County Museum, when asked what makes our local history unique. “There is really something for everybody.”

JONESVILLE - The Jonesville Police Department is in compliance with standards established by a new state law.

Police Chief Carl Jennings recently met with an evaluator from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy who determined the department is in

Warrants said he sold Oxycodone and fake blue Roxies containing fentanyl to the operative on South Mountain Street.

By GRAHAM WILLIAMS

District 3 city council election has one candidate

or an employee of the law enforcement agency and the establishment, implementation, or continuation of an early warning system that identifies, assesses, reviews, and tracks at-risk behavior of employees and requires intervention where appropriate.

ance by law officers, uniform vehicle pursuit standards and the use of lethal options during pursuit; an officer's duty to intervene in the actions of other observed officers; hiring and terminating practices; mandatory and uniform post basic academy field training; uniform implementation and the use of body worn cameras;

Lawson began work as director on June 26. AUnion native, he graduated from Union High School in 1985. He attended classes at USC Union and began working at Robert Bishop's Auto to pay his tuition.

Union's city clerk is the only candidate running for the

Lawson began work as director on June 26. AUnion native, he graduated from Union High School in 1985. He attended classes at USC Union and began working at Robert Bishop's Auto to pay his tuition.

By ANNA BROWN

Jennings received a letter in late

chase Ends In Union County

Right place at the right time to cover a breaking news story that also tugs on the heart strings and has a happy ending!

Lawson has done extensive research on this part of Union's history, even going to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. to study evaluation maps. He says that these documents, which he copied, detailed all the buildings and depots along the track, many of which are no longer standing. He also began designing custom B.U.C. cars, which brought him to the Union County Museum to seek the help of curator Robert Grady in his

Lawson has done extensive research on this part of Union's history, even going to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. to study evaluation maps. He says that these documents, which he copied, detailed all the buildings and depots along the track, many of which are no longer standing. He also began designing custom B.U.C. cars, which brought him to the Union County Museum to seek the help of curator Robert Grady in his

An Anderson man is accused of stealing an ambulance and leading law officers on a chase into Union County on Thursday.

Toni Teal with Spartanburg County EMS and Mark Williams with Union County EMS treat Zeke. Teal was riding with Union County EMS to earn training hours. (Anna Brown, photo)

Zeke’s owner, Mae Jeter, holds the oxygen mask for Zeke as Sgt. Nate Burdine with the Union County Sheriff’s Office prepares to transfer him to the veterinarian. (Anna Brown, photo)

Jaran Harris

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Delayna Earley and Mike McCombs

The Island News

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Mike McCombs

The Island News

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Mike McCombs

The Island News

A “breaking” news story must be timely and unexpected/unscheduled. The winning entry was reported in a timely fashion and obviously updated as new details emerged. The best story as far as writing and detail goes.

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Dede Biles

Aiken Standard

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Matthew Hensley and Dede Biles

Aiken Standard

5 dead in murder-suicide

FIRST PLACE

Shelbie Goulding and Staff The Sumter Item

Tuesday, March 21, according to Sumter Police Department. When police arrived at the home, they found her children shot to death and her ex-husband, Charles Edward Slacks Jr., 42, dead by apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. In a news conference

Wednesday afternoon, Police Chief Russell Roark and Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker shared information regarding the case. Sumter Police Department’s Investigations Unit sat in the back of the room, quiet as both spoke. Roark said the mother, Aletha Holliday, was in her backyard with a coworker when Slacks entered the home using a key, walked outside and fired several shots at the coworker. Slacks then went back inside with Holliday in tow. Roark said he began to go upstairs, where the three children were sleeping, and pointed a gun in her direction. It was not indicated that he fired at her. According to Roark, Slacks and Holliday had two children together, Aason Holliday-Slacks, 6, and Aayden Holliday-Slacks, 5. He was a stepfather to her oldest child, Ava Holliday, 11.

Holliday’s cellphone was charging upstairs, and she was unable to call 911, Roark said. She ran outside to get a phone from the man who was shot in the backyard. She was unable to locate his phone and heard several gunshots fired in the house. “She comes back in the residence. She goes back up the stairs Mr. Slacks is at the top of the stairs, puts the weapon to his head and commits suicide in her presence,” Roark said. She continued up the stairs to find

Murdaugh trial gives unsolved Hampton death investigation a publicity boost

There is no doubt this coverage was the clear and most-spot-on best breaking news reporting entry in this class. No other entry came close to this reporting, which was a mix of real-time social media posts and closely followed and reported coverage in the immediate hours and days of this tragic event. Well done on all levels, from the astute pouncing on via social media and quick web post to follow ups with all the details readers need and photos from the scene. Thank you for great work.

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Evan McKenna

The Island Packet

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Sebastian Lee and Lisa Wilson

The Island Packet

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Evan McKenna,

Sebastian Lee and Karl Puckett

The Island Packet

A series of events launched by a mayor’s surprise resignation provided the thesis for a series of stories detailing and explaining, via many sources, the issue and the outcome. Exceptional sourcing/reporting along with excellent writing deserves journalistic praise and readers’ applause.

11:17 AM Authorities catch NY fugitive in Berkeley County following manhunt News postandcourier.com

https://www.postandcourier.com/news/authorities-catch-ny-fugitive-in-berkeley-county-followingmanhunt/article_ d��cd��-fa�e-��ed-����-efb������� �.html

Authorities catch NY fugitive in Berkeley County following manhunt

Johns

HUGER — A manhunt for a fugitive wanted in connection with a murder and rape in New York, and for a kidnapping in Pennsylvania ended May �� when the suspect was caught after a search that spread across the rural South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

�

of

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Staff

The Post and Courier

This is comprehensive for a breaking news article with insightful sidebars.

Public housing crisis affecting rural Allendale

are rent burdened.

Being someone who grew up in Allendale, eviction and the resulting displacement is a painful experience for Sabb. For years, Sabb has moved from apartment to apartment in the area, never managing to find stability. However, two years ago, she made it through the public housing wait list and settled into her apartment at the Union Apartments complex in Fairfax, a quiet community where she feels safe letting her kids go outside to play.

“I love my place, love it here,” Sabb said. “I like the spot where I’m at. It’s a good environment for my kids.” In Allendale and the surrounding counties, public housing resources are stretched thin; so thin that the wait list for public housing is five years long, according to Beth Overton, deputy director of South Carolina Regional Housing Authority number 3 (SCRHA).

“It’s frustrating, it really is,” said Overton, who works to bring state and federal resources to Allendale, Barnwell and other surrounding counties.

are rent burdened. However, in Allendale County, the least populated county in the state, 42% of renters

In the 1930s, the United States Housing Act was passed, which contained Section 9, a law that began the construction of public housing across the country. However, since the 1980s, public housing has increasingly been turned

evicted on September 1, despite Sabb working five days a week to support her kids.

into a complex voucher system that benefits private landowners. This system is run under Section 8 of the U.S. Housing Act. Over the years, spending on public housing has flatlined when adjusted for inflation, according to the United States Office of Management and Budget. Practically, this has meant less resources for maintaining existing public housing, building new units and helping people in crisis.

“To take care of our wait

list and the needs of public housing in Barnwell and Allendale counties, [we would need] millions,” Overton said. “It’s federal funding, and with the money that we currently receive there’s not a lot of wiggle room for building new units.” With not nearly enough federal and state resources to go around, housing authorities and local elected officials are left to fight amongst each other for the funds that do exist. However, in rural area like

Allendale community invited to meet superintendent finalist

Allendale that has an estimated population of 7,579, very little can be done to outcompete urban areas like Charleston and Columbia, which have larger populations and thus, more people in need of public housing.

“Just because the numbers aren’t high doesn’t mean our people do not need housing,” said Allendale Town Council member Marlon Creech, who serves on the housing committee. Currently, Creech is working on two grants, one public and one private, that could bring 85 small new homes to the Town of Allendale.

“Small towns are always overlooked,” Creech said. “It’s always frustrating to run into that type of roadblock because you’re seeing these people you’re living with need [housing], but they can’t get it because they don’t live in a city or a bigger, populated area. They can’t get the resources and the help that they truly deserve. I’m obligated to give my best and will continue to keep pushing.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing authority and other local social service groups began to collaborate, Overton said. Additionally, in 2022, Together for Hope, a rural development association sent its Lowcountry Rural Housing Task Force into impoverished lowcountry counties like Allendale to

survey citizens on their housing needs. During the survey, none of its 121 participants, which included participants from Allendale, agreed with the statement “we have sufficient housing to meet our community’s needs.” The lack of housing within financial reach for residents of Allendale County also affects the county’s economy, which has been in a downward spiral, as described by Allendale residents in the survey.

Currently, Sabb is looking for other places in Allendale County to live, however, the cheapest place she can find is a private trailer. Unlike her current apartment, which has a foundation, trailers are more exposed and dangerous to live in during intense weather (like oncoming Hurricane Idalia), which will increase in frequency and intensity as the climate continues to change.

Additionally, Sabb says the trailer is more expensive than her current apartment and in an area that she feels is less safe for her kids. As a result of her experience, she has felt continued frustration with the political system. “It’s been like this since I’ve been small,” Sabb said. “I’m from Allendale. I been here all my life. Born and raised. It’s like nothing has changed.”

Mother gets 35 years in infant death by

Deputy Solicitor Lively provides more details on the case

BY BRIAN GARNER BGARNER@ONLINECHESTER.COM

A sad story of an infant death case from 2021 has had an important chapter added to it with the sentencing in circuit court of the mother responsible for the baby’s death.

According to a news release from 6th Circuit Deputy Solicitor Candice Lively, “Joyce Renee Stover, 34, of Chester, charged with Homicide by Child Abuse, was sentenced to 35 years in prison to be served in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. The sentence was imposed on Wednesday (Aug. 2) afternoon after a jury returned a verdict of guilty on her charge of Homicide

by Child Abuse during the Chester County General Sessions Court presided over by the Honorable Brian M. Gibbons.

Candice Lively

Joyce Stover

Per the release, Stover was arrested and charged with homicide by child abuse for the October 30, 2021, death of her 11-monthold child, Novah Stover. Stover was living in Chester County along with her mother, Sharon Jordan. DSS had an open case and safety plan on Stover because of her extensive drug use and addiction.

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Travis Jenkins

The News & Reporter

Going behind the scenes of a problematic building uncovers how these things work (or not work).

Elizabeth Bush

The Daniel Island News

LET’S PLAY BINGO

The Gaffney Ledger’s popular BINGO game returns today with cards included in today’s paper. There are three ways to win: coverall — $200; any vertical — $50; any horizontal — $50. There will only be one winner for vertical, horizontal and coverall, so the first person to bring a winning card to the Ledger office at 1604 W. Floyd Baker Blvd. will receive the prize. This promotion is made possible by our sponsors: Buford St. Ace Hardware,

BINGO Gameland, Gordon Mortuary, Limestone University, El Michoacan Mexican Restaurant, Pizza Inn, Pete’s of Gaffney, Mid-South Guns & Pawn, APS Staffing, Gaffney Board of Public Works, Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Daddy Joe’s Beach House BBQ & Grill, 85 Plumbing, Cherokee Bonding and Family Car Rental.

Two numbers will be published in sponsor ads beginning today and will continue until all three prizes have been claimed.

“M.” The date on the headstone appears to be 1846.

Property owners are allowed to remove graves from an abandoned cemetery or burying ground only after following the South Carolina code which requires giving living relatives a 30-day notice to object. If no relatives are known, a 30-day notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation.

According to Suzanne Dantin, attorney for Mark III Properties, the company was about to start grading the land when the

objections to removal, the company will purchase a plot in a local cemetery.

The response to posts on social media about the ad were varied — some questioned “Why not let her rest in peace,” others worried about any homes built on the site being haunted. Several commenters applauded the company for taking the proper legal action and moving her to an appropriate burial site.

As of Tuesday, Dantin had received two calls regarding the headstone, but there had been no objections to removal.

SECOND PLACE

$100,000 grant will be used to expand Lake Whelchel trail and add

By ABBIE SOSSAMON Ledger News Editor abbie@gaffneyledger.com

The Lake Whelchel Trail has received a nearly $100,000 grant to add 2.5 miles of trail to the popular walking and biking area.

Out of 23 applicants, the Lake Whelchel Trail was one of eight selected by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism to receive funding from the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP).

The $98,000 grant will help fund the addition of a series of loops around the large peninsula area of the lake as well as a second parking area for 25 vehicles along Pleasant School Road.

parking

14, 2022, a trail counter placed at the Concord Road trailhead recorded 37,187 daily trips to the location.

Grant projects were evaluated for their overall quality, need, public support and planning process. Priority was given to trail projects in low-income areas and that connected or extended to at least 10 miles long.

Larry Hilliard The Gaffney Ledger

The current 7.5-mile trail, dubbed the “crown jewel of Cherokee County” was opened in 2019 and loops around the Gaffney Board of Public Works lake.

From January 15, 2022, through July

“The RTP grant provides significant assistance to Cherokee County to expand its trail system and promote more hiking, biking, and walking opportunities for its residents and visitors who wish to take advantage of the county’s scenic, cultural, and historic resources, ” said Paul R. LeFrancois, Ph.D., Overmountain Victory Trail Steering Committee Chair.

Other projects that received grant funds in the 2023 cycle include trails in Union County, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, Greenville, Newberry County, Sullivan’s Island and the Francis Marion National Forest.

City-issued credit cards: One policy for employees, none for council

By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

In the past, the use of city credit cards by council members was limited to out of town conference expenses for food and lodging.

However, Gaffney City Councilman and Finance Committee Chairman Harold Littlejohn said now he has a simple rule to approve council members’ credit

spending on our tab — “It must be for the betterment of the city.”

According to policy, city employees must complete and receive a requisition order from the department head before final approval by the city administrator for a purchase order. The employee is then issued a purchase card which must be returned following the expenditure. The card can’t be used for personal purchases, alcohol or in-town meals and food items.

It’s unclear when the policy changed or even if there is a policy for council members, who are issued a personal credit card with their name and must only seek purchase approval from finance committee chairman Littlejohn.

Littlejohn said he believes the council members purchasing policy likely changed when council rescinded its $1,000 budget appropriation for council members to spend on their districts. The appropriation, deemed a “slush fund” by

critics, was rescinded when it was discovered that council member Missy Reid Norris spent $700 to feed the Gaffney High football team.

Littlejohn said he confers with city administrator James Taylor before approving council members’ use of the city credit card.

Taylor said council members received a generic city-issued credit card to spend on out-of-town conference expenses, but l See CARDS, Page 3

After all I’ve been through, how could you do this to me?” From up above, there came a voice, “Sorry. didn’t recognize you.”

A headstone dating back to 1846 was found by a developer preparing to grade a 60-acre lot for a housing subdivision.

ENTERPRISE REPORTING

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Bryn Eddy

Myrtle Beach Herald

Good job of getting people to talk about and explain what can be an uncomfortable topic and giving the background of a movement under way.

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Megan Fitzgerald Greenville Journal

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Lily Levin

Charleston City Paper

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Elizabeth Hustad

The Post and Courier

North Augusta/The Star

A great feel good story full of many details.

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com

BRUCE MILLS THE SUMTER ITEM Morris College student body president Talique Cobb poses for a photograph with his mom, Karen Cobb, at the college’s graduation ceremony at Sumter County Civic Center two weeks ago on May 6.

He said campus activities for students decreased substantially during his four years at the college.

“When was a freshman in 2019, there was a lot of things that loved to do,” Cobb said. “As I reached up my tenure, the school became less and less proactive, and they started regressing.”

He added the school’s student activities coordinator on staff never would ask students about activities they wanted to do.

“Instead of doing a survey to see what students want out of the

school, he basically does the same thing over and over again,” Cobb said. “He does bingo, and that’s it. He doesn’t actually go out and ask students what kind of events that they want to see.”

Lack of staffing and concerns about COVID-19 were typically responses when students raised issues or brought forward new ideas, even in the last year, he said. For example, because the college’s dining hall closed at 7:30 p.m. during the week, Cobb — as a student leader — proposed the cafeteria offer late-night dining from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. possibly two times per month. “I brought that up to the dean,” he said. “She looked at me like basically that was going to be kind of like

hard to do. also went over to the lady who was over the whole entire dining hall, and she basically looked at me like, ‘That probably won’t happen because of the staffing.’ “And that’s just another issue — they don’t really try to push things for the students.”

Five of the seven recent graduates who spoke to The Item said there was a lack of student activities on campus, including fellow Student Government Association leaders Jasmine Abraham and Bracia Gero. One who said that the college was slowly bringing back activities after COVID-19, Gabrielle Johnson, was not on campus last school year since she finished her degree coursework in the summer of 2022. A final student, Deshawn Peoples, said there were enough activities to get involved with on campus.

LACK OF PROFESSORS AND MAJOR COURSES

Six of the seven graduates said Morris lacked professors and staff after COVID-19 and the totals have not improved. Cobb said many faculty and staff left because the college could not pay them enough and sought better opportunities elsewhere. Most said it was common in some majors for students to have to take “substitute classes” and just receive credit for them instead of the major course.

Gero, the Student Government Association class secretary as senior, said the scenario hurt lot of students.

“After COVID, good bit of professors kind of disappeared, and that

SEE MORRIS, PAGE A5

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Robert Jordan

Index-Journal

Nice job taking a deeper look at efforts to preserve and protect the local lake and the safety of those who depend on it. This is definitely the best entry in this competition this year!

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Blake Douglas

The Island Packet

SECOND PLACE

Sebastian Lee, Sofia Sanchez and Lisa Wilson

The Island Packet

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David Weissman

The Sun News

This is the story every editor wants from their reporters. A human connection is established and threaded through, while exploring multiple facets of an important issue. In particular, I liked getting the push-back from unhoused persons about how the police treat them. The inclusion of a solution is important, too, and the piece shows strong writing throughout.

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Devyani Chhetri

Greenville News

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Clare Fieseler

The Post and Courier

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Kathryn Casteel

Greenville News

Good writing and storytelling skills, well... tell a story worth telling.

While this is a well-sourced account, the voices of those the program has helped spoke loudest.

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

“We

books with 89.22 percent of apportionments paid. That translates to almost $15 million of the $16.7 million conference budget paid by local churches in the UMCSC.

demic and the upheaval of our denomination but continue to give generously in support of the mission and ministry of the South Carolina Conference,” said Beth Westbury,

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL MEMBER DIVISION

Churches contemplate discernment as March 1 deadline approaches

By Jessica Brodie

FIRST PLACE

Jessica Brodie

S.C. United Methodist Advocate

Page 24, January 2023

SENIOR PROM:

Laity-initiated event raised more than $19K

One big ministry

From Page 1

prom for senior citizens rather than seniors in high school.

The event, held Aug. 27, netted more than $19,000, raising enough to pay apportionments and more.

Sass and her committee met weekly to strategize events and activities, planning party games, dancing and more. For example, guests were invited to “Guess the Younger Version” of prom king and queen contestants, with pictures displayed of the contestants during their youth.

In addition to trivia, vote was taken to determine the winning king and queen. Margie Gadsden won the title of queen, while Isaiah Simmons won the title of king.

Some United Methodist churches in South Carolina are contemplating separating from the denomination this month after conference leaders announced a Local Church Discernment Process.

“The biggest highlight was that everybody involved worked really hard,” Sass said. “The seniors, they were the ones who made [the

prom] successful.”

With the prom theme, “The strength of a kingdom comes from its king, the strength of a king comes from his queen,” the prom was open to the church and the community beyond. All queens were aged 65 and older; kings had no age requirement.

“Like other churches, we have been struggling to pay our bills this year,” Smalls said. “Not paying the apportionments was not an option, but many of our folks just did not have the funds. We started selling hotdogs after church to generate some funds, but this was proverbial drop-in-the-bucket to the almost $19,000 we were required to pay.”

He said he was immensely proud of his church for stepping up and getting creative, as well as all the hard work it took to organize such a fun event.

“This, in my mind, is phenomenal,” Smalls added.

Prom winners were Margie Gadsen and Isiah Simmons.

DISCERNMENT PROCESS: Not intended to encourage exit

From Page 1

The process was released in the January Advocate, via email and through district superintendents in all 12 districts of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.

In South Carolina, no local church that has inquired about disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church has qualified under this provision, since they do not profess to disagree with the human sexuality language in the Book of Discipline or how the South Carolina Conference has interpreted it.

“It has been my hope that the division so present in the rest of the denomination would not affect us in a negative way,” said Bishop L. Jonathan Holston. “But it has become increasingly difficult over time to shield South Carolina United Methodists from these distractions.

In essence, it permits any church to engage in a discernment process about leaving the UMC if their members believe the denomination has not upheld its stated doctrine on issues of human sexuality.

“There are a growing number of churches in our conference inquiring about a way to leave the denomination, especially since disaffiliation under Para. 2553 is not available to them. While this is a source of real sadness, have concluded that providing churches the space for conversation and discernment is a faithful step forward within the provisions of the Book of Discipline.” The Trustees of the Annual Conference and the Extended Cabinet have prayerfully developed the Local Church Discernment Process. Their intentional and meticulous work is not intended to encourage churches to leave the denomination or to remain with The United Methodist Church. Rather, it was designed with the singular goal of en-

There are a number of steps the church must follow in order to comply with this process, including completing an intentional, 30-day discernment process; satisfying financial obligations, including all unpaid apportionment giving and unpaid salary and benefits due to clergy; satisfying or transferring of debts and other legal liabilities of the local church; full communication about all of this from the church council to the district superintendent; and a vote taken before March 1 that indicates two-thirds of professing church members present agree to formally declare the church can no longer continue to function as a UMC.

See “Discernment,” Page 10

Hartsville Cooperative Parish pools gifts from

suring that churches will be fruitful in their mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. While similar to the disaffiliation process found in Para. 2553, the Local Church Discernment Process is grounded in Para. 2549 of the Discipline which is typically employed when a local church is closed because it no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized. Unlike the disaffiliation process, the Local Church Discernment Process has no long-term “sunset” provision. The process consists of multiple steps, including but not limited to: If the church council of a local church determines that it is in the best interest of the church to allow the congregation to pursue separation, the council must ask the district superintendent to call a church conference; Before the church conference takes place, the local church must complete an intentional, 30-day process of discernment to consider whether the congregation can continue to function as United Methodist church; Representatives of the congregation will be assigned the responsibility of ensuring that certain financial obligations—as calculated by conference trustees—are satisfied before the congregation can vote on whether to separate. These payments include: A tithe equal to 10

percent of the appraised value of all church property and liquid assets; all unpaid apportionment giving for the prior year, as well as for the year of closure up to the date of the Annual Conference vote to close the church; an additional 12 months of apportionment giving; all unpaid salary and benefits due to clergy appointed to the church; and a withdrawal liability equal to the church’s proportional share of any unfunded pension obligations.

• Other financial considerations and legal liabilities of the local church—such as the disposition of any debts, loans, leases, endowments, foundations and cemeteries—must be satisfied or transferred to a new entity.

• At the church conference meeting, support of two-thirds of professing church members present and voting is required to formally declare that the church can no longer continue to function as a United Methodist church. This vote must take place by March 1 each year to be considered by Annual Conference members during their regular session the following June.

• Once all terms of separation are satisfied, the members of the Annual Conference must vote on a resolution to close the local church and transfer its

assets to new entity. A simple majority vote in favor of the resolution is the final step before the local church separates from The United Methodist Church, maintaining its property.

All inquiries about the Local Church Discernment Process must be communicated by the church council to the district superintendent.

Holston continues to implore South Carolina United Methodists to remain patient and focused on what should be the top priority of every local church—our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

“During this time of discernment, I am encouraging everyone to pray for our church and for each other, to trust in the Lord with all your heart and not lean only on your own understanding,” Holston said.

“Amid all of the distractions the world casts across our path, let us seek a more excellent way to focus on what matters most—trusting, believing and knowing that God is with us.”

The conference also offered several resources to aid churches in this discernment:

• “Guidelines for Holy Conferencing” (Inspired by John Wesley): https:// www.umcsc.org/wp-content/uploads/ Guidelines-for-Holy-Conferencing. pdf

• “Courageous Conversations Regarding the Future of the UMC” (Discipleship Ministries): https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/courageous-conversations-regarding-the-future-of-theumc

By Jessica Brodie HARTSVILLE—Imagine

• “What it Means to ‘Be UMC’” (Resource UMC): https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2022/06/10/19/37/

BeUMC-Discussion-Guide-2

Dr. Reginald Lee (right), supervising pastor of the four churches in the Hartsville “We really have a lot in common,” said Jeanette Lunn of St. John UMC. “When

• “Visioning: What is the Next Step?” (Resource UMC): https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/visioningwhat-is-the-next-step

• “Planning Inspired by the Spirit” (Lewis Center for Church Leadership): https://www.churchleadership.com/ leading-ideas/planning-inspired-bythe-spirit/

a church with multiple sites, all connected. At one site, there’s someone with a powerful gift for music, and another with a gift for organizing. At another site, there’s someone with powerful preaching skills, and at another, lots of space, plus a few people with outstanding technology gifts.

Then imagine all of these sites joining together, sharing their talents, gifts, financial resources and building space—one big church

Subscribe to the Advocate or use this QR code

Impactful, in-depth coverage of an issue relevant to residents across South Carolina. Advocate staff followed the discernment/disaffiliation debate for eight months, shining light on complex, secretive matters and asking tough questions including what’s next. They covered the topic with enterprise, fair reporting and lots of digging to find and share information related to more than 100 S.C. churches that voted to separate from the United Methodist Church over sexuality and other concerns. The newspaper’s staff fought for transparency, were aggressive in their coverage and followed the topic from start to finish. Well done.

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‘A

with limitless That’s and two and members reach and “This ing pastor

Whitewater is here, now Town of Great Falls has work to do

Kayak ‘launch’

be whitewater recreation in the middle of South Carolina, in real river channels. So good things do come to those who wait,” he said.

Barnwell,

Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852

FIRST PLACE

Jonathan Vickery

Redistricting leads to 'heated' exchange

Jonathan Vickery Publisher jvickery@thepeoplesentinel.com

Temps were cool outside, but things got heated inside the Barnwell City Council chambers.

Council has been discussing several options for redistricting at meetings in January, February, and March. This process of redrawing the lines of districts from which public officials are elected is necessary following the 2020 Census, which determined the city’s population decreased by 2.1 percent – from 4,750 in 2010 to

4,652 in 2020. This caused the ideal number of people per district to shift from 791 to 775.

“In theory, redistricting is in place to adjust electoral boundaries to ensure inclusion of all citizens of an electorate. This is incredibly important to the city because how and where districts are drawn essentially affects a community's ability to elect the representatives of their choice,” said Mayor Marcus Rivera, who doesn’t think that’s the case.

Currently, Ron Still’s District 1 has 994 residents – 28.2 percent over the ideal number. District 3, represented by Alicia Davis, is

under the range by 28.68 percent with 553 people. The other four districts are within the 5 percent range. That’s why it’s necessary to redistrict.

The S.C. Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (SFA) helped the city look at several options to meet the goal of 775, which were presented to council. The first draft puts every district below the recommended 5 percent deviation rate while keeping three of the six districts as minority districts. The second draft keeps neighborhoods more “contiguous throughout the districts” but has a deviation rate of 7.87 percent. This is higher than

the 5 percent but lower than the federally required 10 percent.

against Draft 1 while the other four council members voted in favor.

“Councilmember Davis said that her concern with Draft 1 is that it impacts her district (District 3) by taking a handful of people out of a neighborhood and putting them in another district. There are neighbors around each other that will be in different districts. Mayor Rivera said that Draft 2 keeps the neighborhoods together and the numbers are not too far off,” states the official minutes of the Feb. 6 meeting.

In a 4-2 vote on Feb. 6, the council approved Draft 1. Mayor Rivera and Councilwoman Davis voted

HEATED EXCHANGE Redistricting was not listed on council’s regular March 13 agenda, but the topic took up most of the two-and-a-half hour meeting. Video of the full meeting is posted on “Barnwell City Hall Offices” Facebook page. Councilman Still made a motion to amend the agenda and add discussion about the mayor’s recent Facebook post about redistricting. “Councilwoman Davis of District 3 and I were excluded from

See REDISTRICTING, 10A

Legacy of Service: Peggy Kirkland honored through community projects

Gives a voice to all. Does not sugar coat the information. This article does a great job of informing the public on the actions and words of those in charge.

“If I have to work day and night to bring this department back up, I will. We have some good firemen out there."

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH WEEKLY 3,000-6,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Zach Giroux

The Daniel Island News

BCSD school board abruptly fires superintendent

ZACH GIROUX

zach@thedanielislandnews.com

An abrupt turn of events at Berkeley County School District’s school board meeting on Nov. 15 resulted in the surprise firing of the superintendent and in-house legal counsel followed by the hiring of a new superintendent and legal counsel.

The turbulent mid-year transition came in two separate motions to fire superintendent Deon Jackson along with in-house general counsel Dr. Tiffany Richardson. Both motions passed by a vote of 6-3, with much anger and disgust from dissenting board members and members of the community in attendance who chanted phrases such as “unjust” and “no process.”

Jackson was hired in July 2021 as the first Black superintendent in BCSD’s history. He worked in the district for more than a decade, including as the first principal of Cane Bay Middle School. Richardson, a graduate of Stratford High School, was hired in April 2021.

The votes in favor to fire Jackson and Richardson included: board chair Mac McQuillin, vice chair Sally Ballentine Wof-

Deon Jackson Anthony Dixon

ford, secretary Michael Ramsey, Joe Baker, Kathy Littleton and Jimmy Hinson. The board members who opposed the firings were David Barrow, Yvonne Bradley and Crystal Wigfall.

Both Richardson and Jackson excused themselves from the meeting without comment. Board members Bradley and Wigfall followed suit and dismissed themselves before the end of discussion. Citizens in attendance joined them to form a mass exodus.

“The board policy needs to be revised, amended to give reason why you’re terminating someone,” Bradley said. “… How in the world can you terminate somebody without giving a reason.”

Jackson has been replaced by Dr. Anthony

Dixon, Charleston County School District chief of schools and former BCSD chief academics and innovation officer and chief administrative officer. Dixon was a semifinalist for the superintendent position that Jackson was ultimately appointed to last spring. He formerly served as principal for Philip Simmons High School, Philip Simmons Middle School and Cainhoy Elementary School. As well as assistant principal at Daniel Island School.

Richardson was replaced by Brandon Gaskins, an employee of Moore & Van Allen law firm. Gaskins previously served as deputy chief counsel to former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford.

The motion to terminate Richardson was made by Littleton. The motion to terminate Jackson was introduced by McQuillin, the Daniel Island and Philip Simmons representative of District 2. The board did not specify the rationale for Jackson’s firing. He earned a proficient rating from his recent school board review.

When asked for the grounds for firing Jackson, McQuillin replied vaguely that it was a “personnel matter.” However, his col-

league, Barrow, said that he was told that the cause stems from an “unconstitutional” and “unlawful” contractual matter.

When Jackson was hired as superintendent last year, he was given a multi-year contract with a provision that a supermajority must vote unilaterally to terminate him with “no cause” from his position as opposed to a simple majority. In this case meaning that six board members would have to terminate Jackson as opposed to five. This is exactly what happened at the board meeting.

Barrow cited an opinion from a local legal professional that said Jackson’s contract was not illegal. Andrea White from White & Story LLC informed Barrow that Jackson’s provision is common practice.

White, a member of the Richland County Bar and the South Carolina Bar, represents a number of school districts around the state.

White practices in all areas of school law, with an emphasis on providing advice and counsel on issues relating to personnel matters and employment discrimination.

See SCHOOL BOARD on PAGE 10

SECOND PLACE

Christian Boschult

Myrtle Beach Herald

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

WEEKLY 3,000-6,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Bryn Eddy

Myrtle Beach Herald

This story needed to be told. An impactful story on a local and national crisis. Well-written and well-reported. Best of a category filled with deserving entries.

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Andy Brack

Charleston City Paper

SECOND PLACE

Evan Peter Smith

Greenville Journal

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Elizabeth Hustad

The Post and Courier

North Augusta/The Star

EXCELLENT! An eye-opening look at funding. Thorough coverage. Timeline outlined that shows how discussion led to voting on making a change, spurring action.

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

DAILY UNDER 7,000 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Matthew Christian

Aiken Standard

SECOND PLACE

Bianca Moorman

Aiken Standard

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

DAILY UNDER 7,000 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Matthew Christian and Matthew Hensley

Aiken Standard

Great work here in following court cases and showing the impact on people.

Connecting the dots is an important part of in-depth journalism. Well written and compelling.

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

DAILY 7,000-15,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Karl Puckett and Sofia Sanchez

The Island Packet

SECOND PLACE

Caroline Williamson

The Sun News

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

DAILY 7,000-15,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Chalmers Rogland Herald-Journal

This series does an excellent job of taking a deeper look at a multi-faceted story that centers around two very sensitive issues: mental health and race, and how both are handled by law enforcement. There’s good flow between the facts and the impact on those who loved Lavell Lane, and the articles are thorough, well-researched and very well-written. Nicely done!

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Zak Koeske

The State

SECOND PLACE

Tim Carlin, Devyani Chhetri and Savannah Moss

Greenville News

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Tony Kukulich

The Post and Courier

The focus of a story that could happen to anyone versus a large business is defined well here. It gives a face to what could be any name around the country and tells the story of the “little guy.” Too bad the “big guy” wouldn’t comment.

THIRD PLACE

Barnwell's Tyler Smith plays in North-South All-Star game, Sports, B2

Harrison's Travels opens storefront in downtown Blackville, Business, A3

Alexandra Whitbeck

The People-Sentinel

VOLUME 146, NO. 34 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2022

Red Oak Fire Dept. faces heat from county

Alexandra Whitbeck Reporter reporter@thepeoplesentinel.com

The Red Oak Fire Department will now be a temporary substation of the Snelling Fire Department after the department was stopped from running calls altogether due to none of Red Oak's 12 members being fully certified to fight fires.

“The more he digs, the

worse it gets,” said Barnwell County Fire Coordinator Wesley Gatlin at the December 5 Health and Safety meeting.

Gatlin was speaking of Red Oak Fire Dept. interim chief Henry Smith’s task of looking into department records.

Interim Chief Smith was elected to the position on November 16, 2022, nearly a year after the late Chief Joe Gaines passed away in December 2021. For nearly a year the Red Oak Fire Department has been

in limbo without a chief, but county officials discovered the misappropriations of funds and lack of qualified volunteers has been going on for much longer.

The People-Sentinel reached out to the Gaines family, who had been at the helm of the department since the passing of their chief and patriarch.

Alicia Gaines, daughter of the late Chief Gaines, declined to comment on behalf of her family and the department.

Upon Interim Chief Smith’s acceptance of the position, he began looking through the department's records alongside Gatlin per county request. Once the areas in need of restructuring were identified, Barnwell County Administrator Tim Bennett compiled a letter to the Red Oak department on November 22 detailing the issues that have been brought to the attention

See DEPARTMENT, 2A

SECOND PLACE

Delayna Earley and Mike McCombs

The Island News

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE Bru Nimmons

Pickens County Courier

races have yet to

determined with runoffs ahead in Central, Easley and Pickens, two local municipalities have determined new mayors for the next four years.

EASLEY — A man faces indecent exposure charges after police allege he exposed himself on the Doodle Trail.

stand for out on

Porter 422 votes to 204 votes on Tuesday.

Things were less clear on city council, with six candidates

Rocky Nimmons/Courier Kathryn Hicks was made an honorary driver in the Walmart private fleet last Wednesday. She is pictured above with her mother Karen Hicks and Walmart driver Antoine Sadler.

Nicholas Chase Simmons, 23, of Pickens, is charged with two counts of indecent exposure, according to a release from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.

The Walmart volunteer program in 1998 when a young a congenital heart a short life expectancy, granted his wish of the Walmart trucks. Truck drivers

According to the release, sIMMONs

see EXPOsED on page 3A

PAC board appeals to county council for investigation

By Bru Nimmons Staff Reporter

bnimmons@thepccourier.com

Principals report on rstday goings-on in district

Hiott presented with top state ag leadership honor

New school year

ens County’s to say about the school:

“It has been

COUNTY — Just one week before its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status is stripped away, the Pickens County Performing Arts Foundation Board is asking for an investigation into mismanagement of funds and records that has made it impossible for the current board to repay fines and fees owed to the South Carolina Secretary of State and IRS.

COUNTY — The muchneeded rain didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of parents, teachers or the 16,000 plus students who began the 2011-2012 school year in Pickens County on Tuesday.

COLUMBIA — State Rep.

Davey Hiott of Pickens has been named recipient of the John W. Parris Agricultural Leadership Award by the S.C. Association of Agricultural Educators. The award was presented by Dr. Tom Dobbins, state director of the Clemson University Extension Service, during the annual state conference of agricultural educators.

Among the notable back to school highlights were the opening of five new schools in the School District of Pickens County: Chastain Road and Dacusville Elementary

“In 2017, the county council granted the foundation $68,000 in seed money. There is now less than $16,000 in the account. That’s not even enough

money to pay off the fees that have accrued over the past four years,” the board told the Courier in a statement released this week. “Meanwhile, less than $5,500 (that we can see) of the tens of thousands of dollars processed through the account were actually used toward its intended purpose: the care and maintenance of the building.

schools; Pickens County Career and Technology Center (CTC); and Liberty and Pickens High schools.

In addition to the grand opening of these recently constructed school buildings, McKissick and Liberty Elementary schools boasted freshly renovated facilities and major renovations continue at Edwards and Dacusville Middle schools.

Here is what some of Pick-

“We appeal to county council to investigate this matter, as it may involve entities far beyond our small foundation. Furthermore, the citizens of Pickens County have a right to know what happened to the tens of thousands of their own tax dol-

Clemson University, community to mark

Pickens resident ris, takes the

Pickens campaign

see PAC on page 3A

The story was well-researched and was presented with organization and clarity that would have taken a lot of time and effort from the writer. It stands out as the best example of investigative reporting in a class that had several strong entries.

Sept. 11 anniversary

Hiott has been serving in the S.C. House of Representatives since 2004 and as chairman of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee in recent years. Hiott is a great supporter of agricultural education and the FFA. He was installed earlier this year as the majority leader of the House of Representa

Courtesy photo

By Jason Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com

By Bru Nimmons Staff Reporter

bnimmons@thepccourier.com

COUNTY year removed work toward chair-accessible ens Doodle Park, ment, elected

COUNTY County steps to the county’s services. A held Friday Pickens

Sumter school board chairman proposes idea for long-term school ‘master plan’

Rezoning concept would consider several factors, not just attendance boundary lines

BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com

Sumter school board’s chairman said he thinks a disrezoning plan for school ttendance lines needs to ina comprehensive facility master plan that takes into acthe age of buildings. After hearing a consultant’s esentation on a Sumter

School District realignment study that was conducted more than a year ago at Monday’s board of trustees’ meeting, the Rev. Ralph Canty offered a project perspective tha he thinks would serve the district better long term. Initiated by the previous school board, the topic of redrawing attendance lines for Sumter’s public schools and

the ensuing study completed by an independent consultant generated public outcry during the 2021-22 school year. In April 2022, it passed in a split 5-4 board vote.

Two main goals in the project were to increase bus transportation efficiencies and also balance “facility utilization,” or schools’ enrollments, across the district.

To balance utilization, a project theme involved moving students from higher-enrollment schools in the City of Sumter to lower-enrollment schools in the outlying county areas. That measure generated public dissent. A seven-member turnover to the nine-member board occurred in the November 2022 election, and when the new board took office at the beginning of 2023, it voted to delay implementation of realignment from this fall to recon-

sider at a later date. Now district Superintendent William Wright Jr. — who did not arrive until July 2022 and after the study occurred — put the item on Monday’s agenda to begin consideration by the board for implementation next school year. He allowed project consultant Matthew Cropper of Ohio-based Cropper GIS Consulting to give the project

Epperson sets his own salary, makes more than Sumter’s administrator

BY ASHLEY MILLER ashley@theitem.com

EPPERSON

chairman of county council after discussion with members of county council,” Epperson said.

Former District 3 council member Benton Blakely disagrees. He told The Sumter Item he has never seen Epperson’s contracts.

The most recent change included a decrease in the administrator allowance but

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

DAILY UNDER 7,000 & 7,500-15,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED

FIRST PLACE

Sarah Haselhorst and Mary Dimitrov

The Island Packet

Well-researched and -written overview of an issue that it seems will only get worse.

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Sammy Fretwell & Susan Merriam

The State

SECOND PLACE

John Ramsey

The Post and Courier

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Tony Bartelme

The Post and Courier

This is a true investigative piece that is the result of journalism’s most important role: watchdog. Amazing tale about officials pushing limits of power. Great persistence!

Michael

M. DeWitt Jr.

The Hampton County Guardian

SECOND PLACE

Brian Garner

The News & Reporter

Luck Stone carving out a new plan for Chester County

Submits rezoning applications — but with a difference

BY BRIAN GARNER BGARNER@ONLINECHESTER.COM

Part 1 of 2 Luck Companies, the parent company of Luck Stone who previously sought to locate a rock

quarry and some economic development properties in Chester County, is submitting a pack of new rezoning applications. The requests for rezoning (and down-zoning) are on the agenda for the Dec. 20 meeting of the Chester County Planning Commission. According to the Planning Commission agenda,

the 10 rezoning requests are:

• CCMA22-25 Luck Companies request a portion (7.8 acres) of Tax Map #089-00-00-005-000 at 1207 Lancaster Hwy, Chester, SC 29706 to be rezoned from Rural Two District (R2) to General Commercial District (GC);

• CCMA22-26 Luck Companies request a por-

tion (1.82 acres) of Tax Map #089-00-00-005-000 at 1207 Lancaster Hwy, Chester, SC 29706 to be rezoned from Rural Two District (R2) to Restricted Industrial District (ID-1);

• CCMA22-27 Luck Companies request a portion (48.89 acres) of Tax Map #089-00-00-008-000 at 1113 Lancaster Hwy, Chester, SC 29706 to be

rezoned from Rural Two District (R2) to Restricted Industrial District (ID-1);

• CCMA22-28 Luck Companies request a portion (17.92 acres) of Tax Map #089-00-00-008-000 at 1113 Lancaster Hwy, Chester, SC 29706 to be rezoned from Rural Two District (R2) to General

SEE

Ben Thompson Luck Stone Director of Greenfield Development

BY TRAVIS JENKINS TJENKINS@ONLINECHESTER.COM

He served his community, he served his church, he served in government and he served up really good barbecue too.

Mitchell “Mitch”

Blane Foster died at his home Sunday morning.

The former member of

SERIES OF ARTICLES

WEEKLY UNDER 3,000 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Elijah de Castro

The People-Sentinel

Deer, hogs munch profits of local farmers

Sam Grubbs, like any father, doesn’t want to miss time with his family. However, given the ever-increasing destruction that wild deer cause to his farm’s crops, he and his brother Will Grubbs have been forced to spend their nights out hunting to protect their fields.

“Last week, for two nights in a row, I was out till 3 a.m.,” Sam said. ‘I laid my head down at 3:30 and had to get back up and get the kid to daycare and everything else. It’s no kidding, you’re working 18, 19 hours a day for days on end.”

Sam and Will’s story isn’t unique. On top of larger issues that farmers face — supply shortages, rising costs and increasing drought and flood intensity due to climate change — deer and hogs are munching up what little profit margin farmers can take home. Over the past few years, wild deer in rural southern counties like Barnwell and Allendale have gone from being a nuisance to being an existential threat to farmers. Grubbs said that when he goes out at night to protect his fields, he has seen deer in groups of up to 100. Without a major intervention taking place, many farmers in the region are now in a downward spiral; more deer means less profits, which in turn means having to spend more money to fight deer to protect crops.

Grubbs said that last year, 300 acres of his 1,000-acre farm were destroyed by deer, as well as by feral pigs.

“Something's gotta give at a certain point,” said Walker Nix, a farmer who has had hundreds of acres of his fields destroyed by deer. “It’s a nightmare. It’s just a nightmare.”

Effects on farmers Wild deer have been in the Americas for thousands of years. After their population in the southeast fell to 215,000 in the early 1900s, conservation efforts brought their population in the south back to the current day estimate of 12 million, according to The Wildlife Society Bulletin. However, the natural predators of deer — red wolves, black bears and other large omnivorous mammals — have collapsed in numbers and been pushed into South Carolina’s nature preserves and parks, due to human activity. As a result, only humans and the occasional coyote are able to keep exploding deer populations in check.

“Deer become a problem in agriculture when we start seeing numbers above about 30 [deer] per square mile,” said Cory Heaton, state wildlife specialist and assistant professor at Clemson University Extension. “Everything that we’ve tested in ag[ricultural] areas around here averages about 125 deer per square mile. In some areas it’s 150 to 160 deer per square mile.”

Clemson University researchers walk through a deer-damaged cotton field in Barnwell. When deer eat cotton plants, their growth is stunted and they yield less crop.

European colonialists. Over the centuries, different types of feral pigs bred with each other to create sus scrofa a new breed of pig that John Mayer, a wild pig research scientist at Clemson University, calls “super pigs.”

said, she had to replant her fields three times because feral pigs kept coming back to feed. In addition to eating the crops, pigs rip up soil, leaving holes that, when driven over, can damage expensive farm equipment.

Depending on the crop, the damage that deer cause is different. When peanuts grow, they branch out and grow into the ground. The wider, taller and bushier

“Those of us who study wild pigs never saw this coming this pig bomb that went off in the United States that started in the early 2000s,” said Mayer. “We started spreading the word and trying to warn people that this is going on.” When a feral hog feeds (which is most of the time), they use their snouts to dig down over a foot into the soil, tearing up native plants, wetlands, crops, and even trees. A study by Global Change Biology found

“They get in there and they don’t just eat the crop, they make a mess of the environment,” Sharp said. “You’ll come across holes and it will break the equipment, especially the headers on the front of combines, which are very susceptible [to breakage].”

In addition to causing losses on the crops themselves, wild deer and feral pigs also load farmers up with other additional costs. The cost of repellent, seeds for a replant, trapping

hole,” Sharp said. “Crop insurance is expensive. If you run a smaller operation or if you’re just starting out even, you want insurance but you can’t necessarily afford it.” Grubbs said a common misconception that people have about the issue is that because his farm has crop insurance, he is covered. Despite the extent of the problem and the fact that his farm spends $40,000 a year on crop insurance premiums, he has never received a wildlife payment over his 10 years as a farmer.

have that deer density down, [repellants] are ineffective or very short term effective,”

Heaton said. “Regardless of how we do this, the answer is to reduce the deer population.”

Grubbs has had success in using dry chicken litter as a repellent. However, when spread out over his 1,000 acres of crops, the chicken litter is no cheap solution.

can only kill two antlerless deer per day, and the deer they kill must be tagged. Some farmers, like Sharp, have hired a hunter to go out at night to protect crops. However, smaller farmers like Grubbs, who cannot afford to hire a hunter have bought equipment like heat tracking scopes to hunt at night.

I feel this is an important article which deals with serious problems to those who produce the food that feeds us and the crops that provide us with necessities. It was very well written and explained. A top notch entry done well.

To make matters worse, Nix said, everything farmers buy is at a retail price, meaning that farmers pay the

“The deer are horrendous and we do everything we can,” Grubbs said. “We had wonderful results with chicken litter, but chicken litter is expensive. … Just to put it out you’re talking 200 dollars an acre.”

On August 8, Clemson Extension will host a “Nuisance Wildlife Workshop” where experts like Mayer and Heaton will speak about proactive, longterm strategies to address the issue. In addition to discussing the damage that deer and pigs cause to

Photos By: Elijah de Castro

Elijah de Castro Reporter elijah@thepeoplesentinel.com

Rachel Sharp looks at a row of soybean plants damaged by hungry deer who feed at night.

To trap and kill wild hogs, Rachel Sharp's farm dug trenches on the outside of one of their field.

Some of the corn destroyed by deer at Sam Grubbs' farm.

This photo shows damaged peanuts in a local field. An undamaged field would not have rows.

Vietnam vet recalls long battle with PTSD

Vietnam vet recalls long battle with PTSD

FIRST PLACE

Martin L. Cahn

Chronicle-Independent

An important project to record and preserve the history of this battle and learn more about the men who died there.

A lot to read, but it was well worth it because of the good reporting and descriptive writing.

DAILY UNDER 7,000 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Matthew Robertson

Morning News

SECOND PLACE

Bianca Moorman

Aiken Standard

Where I stand: A journey of self-discovery with reporter Alaysha Maple

BY ALAYSHA MAPLE alaysha@theitem.com

This is new to me. Normally, my name is attached to a headline that has nothing to do with my life Now, there will be a whole series. A body of work. There’s a reason. have learned about Black history and witnessed it with my own eyes. To learn of such achievements is empowering to me. Yet, it often leaves me wondering where I stand in reference to greatness. I’m tired of wondering. I’m tired of living life day by day,

Sumter police, district partner for Black History Month art, essay contest

BY ASHLEY MILLER ashley@theitem.com

BY ALAYSHA MAPLE alaysha@theitem.com

not knowing where I’m going or how I’m going to get there. I’m tired of being weighed down by expectations and not knowing what I’m supposed to do with them. I’m tired of being afraid to grow old, thinking I’ll look back on my life and feel unfulfilled. Hence the purpose of this series amid Black History Month, “Where I stand.” To seek clarity for my weighted

wonderings.

I’m going to take this paragraph to gloat a little (a lot). was born in what I believe to be one of the greatest months on the calendar: February. A month filled with hope for a new, prosperous spring season, an abundance of love and a wealth of information about Black innovators, educators, activists and legends who defied the odds. When this month rolls around, I get excited. Each day is filled with a new discovery, a new story, a new beginning. And not to discredit

Alaysha Maple SEE SERIES, PAGE A8

The process of finding identity with Michaela Angela Davis

A partnership between the Sumter Police Department and Sumter School District will allow students to creatively express their admiration for historical Black figures during Black History Month.

Since 2013, the police department and school district have partnered for its annual Black History Month Art and Essay Contest. For 10 years, the contest has been an opportunity for Sumter offi-

cers to recognize the significance of Black History Month and connect in a positive way with the community, local children and Sumter School District, according to Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for the police department. Kindergarten through fifth-grade students in the city's seven elementary schools, which include Willow Drive Elementary School, Lemira Elementary School, Wilder

a house fire last month.

INSIDE WEEKEND:

Off Dingle Pond Road stood a residence for six: Robinson, a paraprofessional at Manning Early Childhood Center, and her children, 18-year-olds Jata via and Janiya, 16-year-olds

WHERE I STAND

Who do you think you are? A simple question that can have a plethora of complex, personal and meaningful responses — or mean and nasty ones, depending on the context and intonation. For part one of this “Where I stand” series, it will be the question of the day — every day, from this day forth — when it comes to me finding my identity. In part one, I decided to interview Michaela Angela Davis on the concept of identity, given that it's what her recent work, and her own personal journey connecting with her family’s Sumter roots, is all about. Michaela, born in Germany and raised in Washington, D.C., is an American writer, image activist and executive producer. Her recent

Alaysha Maple

works include a memoir on identity with singer Mariah Carey titled “The Meaning of Mariah Carey” and working alongside Oprah Winfrey and Tracee Ellis Ross to produce the NAACP Image Award nominated docu-series “The Hair Tales,” which focused on the identity and humanity of Black women through the lens of hair.

tle care in the world of who we were, how we were perceived and what was ahead of us. Life consisted of toys, a proper bedtime and fun. Though it wasn’t “cool” to read all the time as a kid, according to my peers, books were my solace. The playground only served me when I could settle in on a swing to enjoy a good book.

Gamecocks get revenge on Dutch Fork with playoff rout B1

When asked to define identity, she stated “it’s who you are.” And while I thought that was simple, she explained that the definition of identity is simple. The process of finding your identity is nothing short of complicated. Speaking from personal experience, as children, most of us had lit-

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 FEBRUARY 20, 2023 Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 $2.00

As teenagers, we try different looks. It feels like yesterday cut Nicki Minaj-inspired bangs and dyed my hair red. We find new interests and take on personas to seem interesting. Yet, as we age and experience life — the harsher side of it, the side of life that expects so much from us though we still have no clue what to expect from ourselves — we begin to question whether it’s easier to become a carbon copy of what is

SEE DAVIS, PAGE A8

Getting real about growing up, with Erika Williams

BY ALAYSHA MAPLE alaysha@theitem.com

Yesterday was my birthday — Feb. 17. turned 24. Another year older, another year wiser, and another year of wondering the same thing: What am doing with my life?

Am moving in the right direction? Am moving at all? Will ever feel like I know what I’m doing with my life? wish I could insert an audible sigh of relief when learned that Erika Williams, communications and strategic initiatives manager for Sum-

Javien and Javary — who all attend Scott's Branch High School — and Jaquel, 24. A short walk across the yard lives Robinson's extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and her mother, Gladys. Every Sunday, the family gathers at her mother’s house for dinner, but Jan. 22 was not a typical Sunday for the family. About 5 p.m., after dinner, Robinson’s oldest son left his grandmother’s house to get ready for work. Instead of walking into his longtime home, he was met with a blaze that broke out in his youngest sister’s room. He notified his mother, and they immediately called 911. “My son normally comes home after we eat dinner and lays down in his room with the door closed and takes a nap before work. He did not come over here Sunday and do that, and was thankful because he

ter Economic Development, too wondered these same questions when she was in her 20s. Hailing from Denmark, Erika, the youngest child of three for James Jr. and Ruthie, was born, raised and educated in South Carolina. Since middle school, she has been an active figure in her community. From cheerleading to student council to her school newspaper to club organizations, if "get involved" could be personified, it would be Erika. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communica-

S.C. lawmakers are alarmed in investigation of $3.5B error

SEE FIRE, PAGE A8

tions and Theater from Lander University and her secondary degree in public administration from the University of South Carolina. From working at United Way of the Midlands in Columbia to training at Blue Cross Blue Shield to flying to nearly 45 of the 50 states as the ombudsman at Palmetto G.B.A., she has had her share of career

experience and finding what does, and doesn’t, work for her. On Sept. 14, 2015, she started at Economic Development with little experience in the field but was able to utilize her same skill set of marketing, public relations and community outreach on a global scale to help make Sumter the “premier spot” for global business expansion. Erika took all the avenues necessary to set herself up for a prosperous career — but economic development wasn’t her original plan. couldn’t begin to describe my inner

shock when she said she wanted to become a reporter.

country

Thomas Rivers Brown grew up in Sumter, attending Sumter High School and graduating in 1990, then moved to Napa Valley, California, after college to pursue his new interest in wines and winemaking. He has created high-end wines that have won numerous awards. In 2010, he was named Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine magazine.

In that moment, it almost felt like looking in the mirror. She’s the baby of her family, educated in South Carolina, majored in communication, has a love for theater, she’s Black, young and hopeful for her future and the next generations, and so am I. In high school, was always told by advisors, administrators, counselors and teachers that must have a plan for my life and have to see it

PHOTOS BY CAL CARY THE SUMTER ITEM

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, Chinetta Robinson walks through her house that burned in January. The family was having dinner at their aunt’s house on Jan. 22 when it is assumed a box heater fell over and caught the house on fire. The house and all their belongings were destroyed.

Sumter Sen. McElveen says

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Compelling story telling and detailed reporting make this complex societal issue personal to anyone who reads it.

Complemented by excellent photos and graphics, this is a remarkable package.

a 19-year-old was found dead.

Deputies responded to a residence on North Clemson Drive in Barnwell County at 4:20 p.m. on July 25 after a call to dispatch reported a “male subject that was unconscious, not breathing, and that the patient was blue,” states the incident report.

When deputies arrived on scene, they were directed to a bedroom in the home to find Larry Benjamin Joyner III, 19, of Olar on a bed. Deputies immediately began to administer CPR.

“After accessing Joyner further it had appeared that this incident may have been caused due to a

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Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852

“Live

that we talk about, that we pray about."

“No witnesses have come forward at this time."

for info leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s).

“On

"Treat people like

A ‘Fireman’s Carry’

Firefighter Campbell gets honors from fellow firefighters

- Lizzie Etta Wright

- Barnwell County Sheriff's Office on Oct. 15 shooting

were not

as of press time. Wunderlich could also not confirm the exact location or time of the shoot-

ing, though a resident reported it took place in the Razor Road area. Shortly after midnight on Oct. 15, the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) responded to a shooting at a “very large gathering” on Quail Road, off Patterson Mill Road, stated an incident report.

wish to be treated, it doesn't matter who"

“Investigation revealed that six individuals were injured by gun-

shots and five were treated and released from area hospitals. The sixth is still recovering in a medical facility,” according to BCSO. Another female was transported to the hospital where she died of an unknown cause.

FOIA FAILURES

“No eyewitnesses have come forward at this time,” stated BCSO. BCSO is offering a $500 reward

Additionally, BCSO plans to meet with pastors in the Red Oak area to encourage them to talk with their congregations about the importance of coming forward if they have information about crimes.

“We genuinely need people’s help,” said Lt. Eric Kirkland, community relations deputy. Anyone with information can message BCSO on Facebook, call Lt. Matt Davis at (803) 300-8210, or Sheriff Griffith at (803) 671-0552.

Report Cards show educational gaps, glimpses

from my mother and father…I tried to keep it and do the best that can,” said Wright. She and her family were all members of First Thankful Baptist Church in Estill where Wright still attends today. Growing up, Wright and her siblings were surrounded by adults who cared for and respected

possible drug overdose,” states the report.

While Medshore EMS was enroute, deputies administered one dosage of Narcan to Joyner who remained unresponsive. In the report, deputies noted Joyner was “very cool to the touch and seemed to have already been Larry

A

school systems.

her parents, and therefore cared for her. She remembers how they would always come to her side when needed. “There is nothing we can do but go to one another, talk to them about it, and they give you the best of their knowledge on how to live

Second man charged in overdose death

Alexandra

A second person was arrested in connection to the overdose death of 19-year-old Larry Joyner in July.

Braeshawn Darrell Epps, 30, of Aiken was arrested on October 3 as a result of a narcotics investigation by the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). BCSO performed multiple controlled undercover purchases of crack cocaine from Epps at a home on the corner of Peacock and Kelly streets in Williston. Search warrants were then issued by a Williston magistrate judge and executed by law enforcement.

Braeshawn

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Average, and Unsatisfactory. Schools also receive ratings on various indicators such as academic achievement, college and career-readiness, and graduation rate.

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“With the assistance of SLED SWAT, they executed the search warrant and located Braeshawn Epps who had three active warrants from the Barnwell Sheriff’s Office and placed him in custody” at the Barnwell County Detention Center (BCDC), states

Epps was initially charged with three counts of distribution

of cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a schedule II narcotic, and child endangerment. While searching this home, investigators found marijuana, a pill which tested positive for fentanyl, and one hydrocodone pill.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, test scores among American students have dropped significantly. Test scores began to recover as school systems across the country reopened, however, they remain below pre-pandemic test scores.

During a press conference held Oct. 10 at Kelly Edwards Elementary School (KEES) in Williston, State Superintendent of Education

At the press conference, the South Carolina Department of Education announced that the number of

BY BRIAN GARNER/THE Rock Hill Firefighter David Campbell’s flag-draped casket is placed aboard Engine No. 6 being carried to the Celebration of Life at Chester Freedom Ministries. Firefighter Campbell supported by the firefighters from Rock Hill FD.

for his celebration of life. An honor guard of David’s fellow Rock Hill FD firefighters accompa-

Man convicted for infamous ‘88 killing ‘entitled to relief’

BY TRAVIS JENKINS

TJENKINS@ONLINECHESTER.COM

The decision took four years to render and likely won’t offer possible relief for three more, but it is legal win for Robert Moore.

This past summer, Judge Frank Addy authored a new sentencing order for Moore, one that declares the man convicted in relation to an infamous 1988 Chester County double murder (see related story) is “entitled to relief.”

Moore

shown in

during his 2018 resentencing hearing.

18, when it was considered a missing persons case and once it was deemed homicide. He said Stephenson and Rollings were last seen at car wash on Lancaster Street on the night of Feb. 9, 1988, parked side-by side. No would know it for two years, but Moore and Harrison were in Chester County that day from their home in Fairfield County. They’d been dropped off, had no way home, planned to steal a car to joyride to Florida and were both armed.

nied the casket, lifting it the fire engine No. 6 that served on. A procession consisting of Rock Hill Fire Depart-

The 2018 resentencing hearings of two murderers unfortunately meant reviving ing the men’s 30-year-old crimes. In 1990, Robert III (along with Harrison Jr.) were tenced to consecutive terms for the deaths of Renee Rollings (22 at and Brian Scott Stephenson, 18, tional consecutive sentences for two of armed robbery having stolen the the two victims. son (who lived in at the time) and (who had home ter but was staying her parents in Rock were reported as on Feb. 9 of 1988 failed to report and she missed town appointment. had last been heard by her mother before she was as missing. Family bers initially believed left” because of threats allegedly received

Alexandra Whitbeck Reporter reporter@thepeoplesentinel.com

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Alexandra Whitbeck

The People-Sentinel

Alexandra Whitbeck Reporter reporter@thepeoplesentinel.com

A lawsuit has been filed against the Barnwell Police Department (BPD) claiming officers violated a local man’s constitutional rights. The lawsuit alleges illegal search and seizure, unreasonable invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, gross negligence, and malicious prosecution.

he still manages to put a smile on his face and everyone else’s faces daily,” said Christin Cook Crosby, who organized a campaign that raised thousands of dollars. She originally was going to purchase a bicycle, but ended up having enough money to buy a moped. On August 7, Crosby and others gathered at Country Cupboard to surprise Stokes as he finished his shift. He was overcome with emotion after opening a gift bag containing keys and being led outside to his new ride.

“Y’all didn’t have to do this,” said Stokes as tears welled up. However, community members said this was the least they could do to help someone who has

“As a direct and proximate result of [BPD’s] officers conduct, Plaintiff was deprived of his rights, privileges, and immunities secured by the South Carolina Constitution,” states the lawsuit.

haven’t seen him with a smile on his face and his professionalism has always been top notch. He works so hard. If this world was full of Jermaines, it would be a much better place,” said Roland.

Lawsuit alleges BPD violated man’s constitutional rights

ing to the incident report, off-duty Lieutenant Shawn Howze contacted the responding officer regarding an allegation of shots being fired near his home adjacent to Rose Street. Howze has since begun working for the Town of Allendale Police Department and is no longer with BPD, unrelated to this incident.

Shanon Bragg said Stokes is deserving because he’s a “light in all our lives” while Trina Wix said he “blesses so many, and today he knows how much his community loves him.”

gun shells on Davis’ front porch.

His work ethic and positive attitude has not gone unnoticed by his bosses.

“He is a very hardworking, dedicated employee. He is a very

The motion for dismissal continues to explain “law enforcement has failed to provide the names of any individuals officers spoke with on the night in ques tion,” and there were no witness statements pro vided.

Around 3:30 a.m. on November 25, 2022, 26-yearold Robert Allen Davis was arrested and subsequently charged with discharging a firearm within the city lim its and public disorderly conduct.

These charges were later dismissed at the magistrate level with prejudice nearly four months after the initial arrest on March 23, 2023. When a case is dismissed with prejudice, it means the case has been permanently dismissed and cannot be retried.

On the date of arrest, Davis was approached at his home by two on-duty BPD patrolmen. Accord-

According to the lawsuit, the lieutenant called Chief Lamaz Robinson who di rected Howze to have the patrolmen initiate Davis’ arrest for “Municipal Or dinance Violation Sec. 20131 ‘Discharging a Firearm within the City Limits.’” Chief Robinson has since resigned from BPD and is set to accept a job as the ad

Entering a residence and making an arrest without a warrant violates the fourth amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the S.C. constitution, and is an unreasonable invasion of privacy: “The laws of search and seizure are aimed at protecting a basic American right: the right to be left alone,” states the judge’s bench book provided by the S.C. Judicial Department available on the S.C. Courts website.

“On November 25, 2022, Defendant's officer searched Plaintiff’s home, seized, and arrested Plaintiff in an unreasonable manner and without legal justification,”

According to the incident report, the responding officer attempted to speak to witnesses who “did not want to get any further in volved.”

report, this ticket was issued likely because of Davis fighting apprehension and kicking the inside of

Davis was then trans ported to the Barnwell County Detention Center (BCDC) for booking.

Defense seeks dismissal over investigative issues

Law enforcement officers must have a warrant,

Fun & educational pages for children Feature, B9-10

The lawsuit claims BPD “unlawfully caused Plain tiff to be restrained and detained in plain view of

of Plaintiff for an alleged violation,” states the lawsuit.

Alexandra Whitbeck Reporter reporter@thepeoplesentinel.com

Arrest reports listed below are public record and have been provided by local law enforcement agencies. All persons named are presumed innocent until their cases are determined in a court of law.

Leonard Armstrong 28, of 634 Elko Street, Williston, S.C. was arrested on September 16, 2023 by the Barnwell County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) for Driving Under Suspension. Armstrong was booked and released to Barnwell County Detention Center (BCDC).

Street, Blackville, S.C. was arrested on September 14, 2023 by BCSO for Failure to Appear. Felder was booked and released to BCDC.

A case involving child negligence has been remanded back to law enforcement for further investigation per a judge’s order after the defense alleged a lack of investigative procedure.

On June 26, the Barnwell Police Department (BPD) was called in response to an unattended child outside of Walmart in Barnwell. Law enforcement later learned the child was five years old and that of Joseph and Cristen Seigler. According to the incident report, the responding officer “immediately identified the juvenile and knew who the parents were.”

Sade Autumn Babb 27, of 2745 Seven Pines Road, Barnwell, S.C. was arrested on September 16, 2023 by BCSO for (2) counts of Failure to Pay Court Fines. Babb was booked and released to BCDC.

Dennis Eugene Driggers, 48, of 1158 Hampton Avenue, Blackville, S.C. was arrested on September 14, 2023 by BCSO for Failure to Register as Sex Offender. Driggers was booked and released to BCDC.

rights to personal pri vacy and security provided by state and federal constitutions.

Failure to instruct officers in the proper manner and legal requirements for arresting and

facts and circumstances that allow for probable cause. The lawsuit argues the arresting officer did not have facts nor circumstances to arrest Davis.

Barnwell

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Nicholas Ryan Gunnells, 22, of 85 Ables Drive, Barnwell, S.C. was arrested on September 20, 2023 by BCSO for Possession of Marijuana. GUnnells was booked and released to BCDC.

The Seiglers were escorted to the store by BPD officers individually, according to the defense during the August 21 court proceedings.

The defense explained that the child had wandered away from playing with her two older siblings

“Every individual, regardless of circumstance, deserves the full protection of their constitutional rights. It’s our firm's policy not to comment on the specifics of a pending lawsuit. We are dedicated to ensuring justice prevails,” said Davis’ attorneys, Carson Alexander and Wil Alexander, Alexander & Alexander Attorneys at Law.

Documentation of Allendale County administrator firing 'mostly verbal'

comment too much on that.”

Failure to supervise officers to ensure there was compliance with BPD’s policies and pro-

Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852

According to the incident report, the responding officer observed three shot-

Alexandra Whitbeck Reporter reporter@thepeoplesentinel.com

A couple from Sycamore was granted bond for charges relating to a three-car crash that left two dead earlier this year.

David Hammond, Jr., 34, of 2517 Dexter Street, Blackville, S.C. was arrested on September 16, 2023 by BCSO for Criminal Sexual Conduct. Hammond was booked and released to BCDC.

Antwon Lamont Jennings, 39, of 223 Davis Street, Blackville, S.C. was arrested on September 16, 2023 by BCSO for Driving Under Suspension. Jennings was booked and released to BCDC.

Donna Sue Dyche 6516 Highway 70, Blackville, S.C. was arrested on Sep tember 14, 2023 by BCSO for Failure to Appear. Dyches

Neiko Hakiem Odom, 29, of 376 Circle Drive, Barnwell, S.C. was arrested on September 18, 2023 by BCSO for Inmate in Posses sion of Contraband. Odom was booked and released

The public disorderly conduct ticket was written by the BCDC officer who

Failure to institute procedures designed to detect and/or prevent constitutional violations.

“January 21st changed our lives forever."

outside the family's apartment located behind Walmart. According to the defense, a preliminary hearing was held for Joseph on August 14. A preliminary hearing for Cristen has not yet been held.

Caitlan Williams Brown, 27, is charged with misprison of a felony and Malcolm Ben-Edward Brown, 27, is charged with two counts of reckless homicide. Both were granted a $100,000 personal recognizance bond at their September 11 arraignment in the Barnwell County Courthouse. The Browns were directly indicted by the Barnwell County Grand Jury on August 24 with

of Prescription Narcotics. Owens was booked and released to BCDC.

Rubert Dakota Padgett, 31, of 99 Canary Road, Barnwell, S.C. was arrested on September 13, 2023 by BCSO for Possession of Marijuana and Driving Under Suspension. Padgett was booked and released to BCDC.

Pamela Yvonne Ray, 42, of 546 Blease Creek Road, Barnwell, S.C. was arrested on September 13, 2023 by BCSO for Assault & Battery. Ray was booked and released to BCDC.

case to law enforcement for further investigation,” said the defense.

Barnwell County Arrest Reports

these charges for the January 21 collision.

Three vehicles were traveling in the same direction on Highway 300 – two trucks and an SUV.

of 295 Ables Drive, Barnwell, S.C. was arrested on September 21, 2023 by BCSO for Driving Under Suspension. Ward was booked and released to BCDC.

During the August 21 proceedings, the defense referenced Rule 5 of the S.C. Rules of Criminal Procedure and Brady vs. Maryland – a 1963 Supreme Court order requiring prosecutors to disclose material and exculpatory evidence (evidence favorable to the defendant) to the defense. This order requires law enforcement to turn over the case and all related documents to the solicitor’s office within 30 days. If 30 days pass, the solicitor can dismiss the case.

“Mr. Brown was driving the truck in the middle,” said assistant solicitor Leigh Staggs while presenting the facts of the case. “The truck in the back went to pass the other two vehicles.

Tyrell Lee Workman,

Mr. Brown got over before the other truck completed passing and he knocked the back end of

BPD “engaged in the above-described actions

In the Seiglers’ case, law enforcement did provide an incident report to both the solicitor's office and defense attorneys. According to the defense, the incident report lists seven officers who were involved in the case.

the other truck. It spun, skidded, flipped, and ended up on the right shoulder in a tree.”

Two passengers in one of the trucks were killed as a result of this incident: Brandon Davis, 37, of Springfield, Ga. and Hunter Scharber, 27, of Bamberg. Others involved were injured.

The People-Sentinel received a redacted copy of the incident report and are not able to confirm how many officers responded to the scene outside of what the defense explained. Only four supplemental reports from officers were included in the discovery according to the defense, as well as a later report from BPD Chief Lamaz Robinson, making five in total.

23, of 172 Bombay Street, Barnwell, S.C. was arrested on September 22, 2023 by BCSO for Unlawful Carrying of a Pistol. Workman was booked and released to BCDC.

“There had been some drinking at a restaurant beforehand,” said the solicitor.

See BOND, 10A

Barnwell, Allendale counties remember 9/11 loss, lessons

“The order says that if the

John Wilson Seabrook, Sr., 40, of 1536 Patterson Mill Road, Barnwell, S.C. was arrested on September

“At the preliminary hearing last week, we learned there was another supplement done by the

Two months after the firing of Allendale County Administrator Bert O’Rear, the Allendale County Council has not yet stated the reason for his termination.

As a result of this incident, Davis was subject to “false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution, severe emotional distress, lost time, humiliation, embarrassment, mental anguish and suffering, pain and suffering, inconvenience, and was forced to incur unnecessary costs and expenses in defending himself against these crimi-

Caitlan and Malcolm Ben-Edward Brown appear in court Sept. 11 on charges related to a fatal January wreck.

On July 27, The People-Sentinel sent the county a Freedom of Information Act request regarding O’Rear’s termination. The request asked for all documents related to O’Rear’s termination, as well as all communications made between county council members about O’Rear’s performance. On August 14, the county fulfilled The People-Sentinel’

The fulfilled FOIA request given to contained only a copy of O’Rear’s termination notice.

The termination notice, which was signed by all members of the council, states that O’Rear’s employment as county administrator has been terminated. No rationale for O’Rear’s termination was given, other than to say it was “with cause.”

O’Rear has not responded to The People-Sentinel’s requests for comment.

Couple receives bond in January fatal crash

The county’s FOIA fulfillment letter states that communications between county council members and O’Rear were only made verbally and no documentation of the reason for O’Rear’s termination exists.

- Melissa Davis, on the death of her husband Brandon in a wreck GloverOwens

Williston & Bamberg men charged in Easter murder in Orangeburg

Jonathan Vickery Publisher jvickery@thepeoplesentinel.com

“We needed to go in another direction with the administration,” Connelly said in an early July interview, following O’Rear’s firing at the end of June.

Following the council’s FOIA The People-Sentinel spoke to Taylor Smith, a media lawyer at the South Carolina Press Association who represents The People-

“It seems there are likely records they possess about his performance that they are not turning over,” Smith wrote in an email. “Particularly if this person served for any extended period of time. … Otherwise, if all communications about the firing were indeed verbal then there are no records for them to produce. This wouldn’t violate SCFOIA but is stupid.”

Daniel Wesley Owens, 54, of 566 Honey Lane,

“We did fire him with cause but right now I don’t really want to

A Williston man and a Bamberg man are charged in connection to an Easter shooting in Orangeburg that left one dead and two others injured.

This read like a “beat report;” concise, succinct, and informative. It referenced laws/orders and then also broke down the info into laymen’s terms and explained what they were and why they applied. Very well done!

Levern Miguel Glover, 18, of Williston and Drevon Malik Owens, 19, of Bamberg are each charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of criminal conspiracy. Glover is also charged with three counts of possession of a weapon dur-

After O’Rear’s firing, Chanel Lewis, the county’s chief financial officer, was appointed by the county council to become interim county administrator in addition to her duties as the finance director. Lewis previously served as a county administrator in Hampton County from December 2022 to March 2023.

Dantavious Dowling of Denmark dead. A 14-year-old male was shot in his back and complained to deputies that he couldn’t feel his legs. A 23-year-old man was shot in his leg but tried to render aid to Dowling along with other

John

Elijah

Joseph and Cristen Seigler stand in court with their attorneys on August 21. Alexandra Whitbeck Reporter

Jermaine Stokes is overcome with emotion after members of the community surprised him on August 7 with a moped, so he no longer has to walk to his two jobs. Jonathan Vickery Publisher

Photo By: Alexandra Whitbeck Reporter

“We

golf Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer Period packs await distribution with food and other items from the Baskervill Food Pantry

started and we know that tying in with Barnabas af ter talking with them, you can’t get a better collabor ative partner,” Giles said. “It will grow. There’s no doubt it will grow.” Barnabas is hosting an all-day female veterans retreat on Sept. 30. For more information go to barnabashorse.org.

beneficiary of GIFT’s Teachers Finding 30 minutes of free time

tournament fundraiser. “We’re just getting FOOD DRIVE Volunteers load groceries from the Holy CrossFaith Memorial Chapel for the trip to Pee Dee. At left, Amy Jones grabs one of the 60 bags By Chris Sokoloski COASTAL OBSERVER Feed Georgetown County and the Baskervill Food Pantry are trying to make the food desert in the western part of the county little less barren. Once a month volunteers travel from Holy Cross-Faith Memorial Episcopal Church in Pawleys Island to Pee Dee Park to distribute food and toiletries. “I’m constantly humbled by the courage and the perseverance of families that have so little and stretch it with so much,” said Annette Perreau of Feed Georgetown County.

said Scott Giles, GIFT board member. A larger donation will be coming in the spring when Barnabas becomes the can choose to host parent-teacher conferences during their free time; the district just can’t require them to do so. According to Price, the district has been studying this for more than a year and elementary school principals’ biggest challenging is finding ways to “protect” those 30 minutes for teachers. “They’re looking at some scheduling flexibility that they have to try to guarantee that time for our teachers,” Price said. “There’s still some other time in there where some of them might have that time built around the lunch period, where they’ve got enough support staff where they can supervise lunch.” The challenge with that plan, Price added, is

be tolerated.” City police searched

Tate’s Chandler

ment and evaluation since Saturday night before he ultimately succumbed to his injuries at 3:07 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22. “This child has multiple areas of injuries on his body that are not consistent with a fall as the father initially reported had occurred two days earlier,” Fowler said. “The fatal injuries on this infant are no doubt from abuse. It appears this child may have been tortured, and it makes me sick to my stomach that a helpless infant has suffered and lost his life at the hands of someone who had a total disregard for a human. We must send a message that this kind of behavior will not

Murder charge dismissed after prosecutor says case was full of ‘factual errors’

apartment where they found evidence of abuse. Blanton could not disclose what type of evidence was processed as the incident remains under investigation. Tate was arrested Sunday on abuse/inflicting great bodily injury upon a child. Municipal Judge Collis Edwards denied bond. Charges against Tate are in the process of being upgraded following the death of the infant. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday to assist with the investigation of the infant’s death.

Festival headliner one of country music’s ‘hottest acts’ Drive

By ABBIE SOSSAMON Ledger News Editor abbie@gaffneyledger.com

By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

folks are included here as well even though the law does not specifically require that,” Thompson said. n The policy would not

were

state

Littlejohn, who lived next door, was getting ready for bed when he heard music, a loud crowd and commotion coming from the cookout. He told the crowd of people to leave, but when they did not immediately disperse he went back outside with his AR-15 and fired one round into the air.

Get your bell bottoms ready!

ployee recognized the voice as Ruppe’s and also saw a photo of him in the employee uniform.

Volunteers organize deliveries to food desert INDIANS STORM PAST WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2023 GAFFNEY, S.C. A newspaper in all that the word implies, devoted to the best Goucher Charter holds ribbon-cutting, By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com Like a spouse clamping spendaholic partner, Gaffney cil on Monday approved tions to council members city-issued credit card. Under what was described “travel policy,” council the credit card are limited registration fees and parking town conferences. The policy passed

A different set of volunteers then make the 45-minute drive to Pee Dee Park in the western part of the county for distribution.

“Every month we have more people than we actually need,” Perreau said. “We’re very, very blessed to have that many volunteers See “Food,” Page

largest the school needs to have staff in place to supervise students in cafeterias. “As you know, with our youngest learners, [it’s] ‘can you help me open my milk carton? Can you open my chip package?’ Price said. “It requires lot of hands on deck to make lunch flow seamlessly. It’s something cafeteria staff would not be able to do.” During budget presentations, Waccamaw Intermediate School principal Travis Klatka told the board he and the elementary school principals would like an administrative aide position added at their schools. Board Member PatHammel asked whether those aides could help with free time. “Absolutely,” Price said.

16 Photos

The gunshot ignited chaos and led to multiple groups firing off their own weapons, Haney said.

The murder charge and possession of weapon charge were dismissed as the case was full of “factual errors,” according to Haney.

Those errors include the destruction of Littlejohn’s AR-15 and a shoddy investigation, defense attorney Steve Denton said.

“This case is littered with issues,” Denton said. “There is injustice on both the victim’s side and Mr. Littlejohn’s side.”

City of Gaffney police recovered 9mm, l See DISMISSED, Page 8

Riding the success of her latest record “Bell Bottom Country,” Lainey Wilson will head line a South Carolina Peach Festival concert July 14 at 6 p.m. at Lake Whelchel.

Wilson and Hardy’s “Wait in the Truck” is currently the No. 1 song on the Mediabase Country Airplay Chart. This is Wilson’s fourth No. 1 hit as an artist.

FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023 GAFFNEY, S.C. www.gaffneyledger.com 75 CENTS A newspaper in all that the wordimplies, devoted to the best interests of the people of Cherokee County. By ABBIE SOSSAMON and SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writers Bond was denied for an 18-year-old man accused of attempted murder in a Tuesday morning shooting that the sheriff is calling a drug deal gone bad. Christopher Alan Smith made his initial court dition. Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller called the shooting a “potential drug deal gone bad.” In the bond hearing, Leskanic said the victims were lured to the scene under the guise of a transaction to purchase marijuana and other drugs only to be met by armed weapons. Leskanic said the juvenile admitted to the police Suspects in Blacksburg shooting arrested INFANT DIES; CHARGES TO BE UPGRADED By ABBIE SOSSAMON Ledger News Editor abbie@gaffneyledger.com A three-month-old who was fighting for his life after allegedly being abused by his father has died, according to Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler. Fowler identified the infant as Malachi Alfred Maurice Tate, Junior. Tate, Junior was taken to Cherokee Medical Center Saturday night by his father, 20-year-old Malachi Alfred Maurice Tate. Tate, Junior was unresponsive when he arrived at the Gaffney hospital and was resuscitated before being airlifted to Greenville Children’s Hospital, Fowler said. Tate, Junior’s parents told police he had fallen off the bed a few days before, and on Saturday he “wasn’t acting right,” according to Gaffney Police Major Brian Blanton. A police report indicates Tate, Junior had multiple bruises on his forehead and on the back of his neck. The infant suffered several brain bleeds and underwent treat-

The Louisiana native earned her first No. 1 hit with her ACM Song of the Year, “Things A Man Oughta Know,” in 2021. She reached the top of the coun try charts for “Never Say Never” with Cole Swindell and her 2022 smash hit sin gle “Heart Like a Truck.” She recently performed a new duet with Lukas Nelson called “More Than Friends.”

Former Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Daniel Gardner secured a search warrant and went through messages between Ruppe and Drexler that discussed the child’s injuries and how to cover them up. Barry read some of the messages, including: “What do tell grandma? Say she fell out of the crib? What do need to say about the large swelling? Do I just say hit her too hard this time?”

is a tradition in Gaffney,” said Bradley Jordan, founder of Peachtree Premier. “We are excited to partner with the long-standing festival to continue building on the beloved community event. Lainey is one of the hottest acts in country music and the cherry on top!”

Tickets for the Lainey Wilson concert are available on pre-sale Thursday, April 27 at 10 a.m. on the festival’s website, www.southcarolinapeachfest.com.

When officers went to the home they found the child covered in bruises, and the left side of her head was so swollen it had deformed her ear, according to Barry. She was taken to the hospital where she disclosed Drexler hit her and burned her with cigarettes. The child later said she was hit by Ruppe and Drexler with their hands and belts.

During the hearing Gardner said he thought he was prepared after seeing the phone evidence but was in disbelief when he walked into the home and found the victim.

Tickets will officially go on sale to the public Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m. on the festival website. Ticket prices will start at $59.

the opportunity

speak

court, Ruppe took the blame for the abuse and

Drexler was as scared as the child. His attorney, Chris Thompson, said his client

very remorseful

using methamphetamine

The festival concert will feature 2023 Grammy nominee Drew Parker, along with more artists to be announced.

Parker was nominated in the Best Country Song category as a co-writer with Robert Williford and Luke

NONPROFITS Barnabas Horse Foundation

McGill was one of approximately 30 individuals attending a cookout at a Lincoln Drive home on August 8 when shots rang out, striking her in the leg and breaking her femur. She was transported to Spartanburg Regional by ambulance but later died.

BEAT REPORTING WEEKLY 3,000-6,500

DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Charles D. Perry

The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach/Georgetown Times

A run-away winner in this category. The reporter was one of the few to really paint a picture. He captures the emotion of the moments and has a masterful command of the English language.

BEAT REPORTING

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Samantha Winn

The Post and Courier North

Augusta/The Star

SECOND PLACE

Delayna Earley

The Island News

BEAT REPORTING

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Chelsea Grinstead

Charleston City Paper

Stories are complete generally with info from many sides of the issue.

Good background to help readers understand the complexity of charter schools.

BEAT REPORTING

DAILY UNDER 7,000 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Matthew Christian

Aiken Standard

SECOND PLACE

Matthew Christian

Aiken Standard

BEAT REPORTING

DAILY UNDER 7,000 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Martha Rose Brown

The Times and Democrat

The judge looked for three things: Was the beat clear from the selection of stories? Was writing good? Was there any enterprise in covering the beat? Only the winner included a story that could have been missed without enterprise.

BEAT REPORTING

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Bob Montgomery Herald-Journal

Samantha Swann Herald-Journal

PAGE LABEL EVEN

BY GREG OLIVER THE JOURNAL

SENECA — For the fi rst time in nearly 30 years, the Oconee Disabilities and Special Needs Board and Tribble Center have a new leader.

But Meloney Stokes is a familiar face now occupying the executive director role. Stokes, who fi rst joined the Trib-

ble Center in 1990 and has worked continuously there since 1996, succeeded Jerry Mize after his retirement last spring. Ironically, Stokes had been planning to retire from her position as director of day program and community supports prior to the board naming her as Mize’s successor.

“He taught me what I know, he taught me Tribble Center and what was important,” Stokes said

month in connection with incidents where he is accused of calling fast-food employees a racial slur

IN BLOOM: Blue Ridge Orchid Society hosting annual orchid show. B1

HIGH STAKES: Biden wants ‘sharper rules’ on unknown aerial objects. D1

OCONEE

Tribble Center executive director Meloney Stokes speaks with clients. Stokes, who first started working at the center in 1990, took over as director this year after longtime Tribble Center head Jerry Mize retired.

Longtime employee Stokes now Tribble Center director

of her former boss and mentor. “He taught me to make sure we support these folks here and that they live the best life they possibly can. That’s the best thing you can teach anybody is to care for other people. It wasn’t a hard lesson to learn.”

CRIME

While Stokes learned the things under Mize she said she “needed

COUNTY OCONEE COUNTY CLEMSON BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR THE JOURNAL SENECA — A Seneca business owner died after a heart-related medical event led to a single-car crash Wednesday afternoon, autopsy that morning determined Glenn’s Muffler Shop owner Thomas “Tommy” Glenn, 49, of WestminSeneca resident Windell Powell Jr., 75, was sentenced to serve three years in prison beginning Thursday after he admitted to receiving oral sex from a 15-year-old girl who was on his bus route while he was a driver for the School District of Oconee County. RILEY MORNINGSTAR THE JOURNAL

Coroner: Man had heart issue before wreck Glenn, 49, remembered as ‘a wonderful man’

and having nearly 9 grams of marijuana.

Vol. 119 No. 34 Friday, February 17, 2023 100 BY

The Journal The Journal

Sports News

Gary McDaniel, 56, of Skyview Drive in Clemson, was

driver headed to

75-year-old pleads guilty to sexual conduct with minor

RILEY MORNINGSTAR THE JOURNAL

WALHALLA — A

75-year-old former School District of Oconee County bus driver admitted he was guilty of receiving oral sex from a special

needs teenager Thursday, although he and his attorney argued the girl was not intellectually disabled or ever coerced.

FRESH START Tigers open first season under Bakich this afternoon. C1

‘Incorrigible’ SEE

Windell Sutton Powell Jr., formerly of Sam Brown Road in Seneca, pleaded guilty to second-degree

SEE TRAGEDY, PAGE A6

BEAT REPORTING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

John Monk The State

SECOND PLACE

Clare Fieseler

The Post and Courier

BEAT REPORTING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Ted Clifford

The State

This reporter takes crime and court coverage to a deeper level than most, giving context to his enterprise stories and providing readers with deep levels of background and critical questioning. Well done!

GOVERNMENT BEAT REPORTING

WEEKLY UNDER 3,000 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Jordan Lawrence

Lexington County Chronicle

SECOND PLACE

Kailee Kokes

Lexington County Chronicle

GOVERNMENT BEAT REPORTING

WEEKLY UNDER 3,000 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Travis Jenkins

The News & Reporter

In reading the entry it becomes apparent the writer understood their role in reporting and performed it well. Everything was very clear which is important in reporting controversial matters. A very good series.

EDUCATION

PAWLEYS

With 55 signed up, district will reopen search for magnet students

Ruling lets beach suits move ahead with limits

COASTAL OBSERVER

By Chris Sokoloski COASTAL OBSERVER

The Georgetown County School District is looking for more students to join the 55 already accepted into the new Magnet Schools Assistance Program. The district will open another application period at the end of June.

State champions fulfill the promise

Halina Gregory, above left, takes a selfie with her Waccamaw High School soccer teammates and the Class 3A state championship trophy on Saturday evening at Irmo High School. Below, Corine Gregory raises a hand to supporters as the team left for the match showing they planned to earn a championship ring. The Warriors beat Travelers Rest 5-1. See story on Page 14.

Members of the Georgetown County School Board told Bill Gaskins he was the right man to be the next chairman.

tary schools, its creative and performing arts at Browns Ferry,

digital

LAND USE | Site plan review

Photos by Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer

After much contemplation and prayer, Gaskins agreed to accept the nomination and was unanimously elected on Tuesday night. The support of his fellow board members was humbling, said Gaskins, who represents District 5.

“I know it has a lot of challenges ahead as we go forward,” Gaskins said. “I’m willing to listen. I am there to serve the other board members and the con-

COUNTY COUNCIL Dropping in on District 6

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

Vol. XLI No. 26 Pawleys Island, South Carolina ~ December 8, 2022 $1.00

A suit over the Pawleys Island beach renourishment project can continue, but a Circuit Court judge dismissed four claims in suits brought by neighboring property owners, including one that would have allowed them to seek triple damages.

In a ruling last month, Judge Paul Burch denied a motion from the state Department of Parks, Recreation and tourism to dismiss the three suits alleging that erosion at Prince George was caused by the placement of sand on Pawleys Island over the winter of 2019-20.

stituents of Georgetown County.”

The agency funded a portion of the $14.8 million project, which was designed by Coastal Science and Engineering, permitted by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control and carried out by Marinex Construction. Property owners at Prince George have sued all four entities seeking to have their beachfront repaired and to have Pawleys Inlet at the south end of the island restored to its location before the renourishment.

Gaskins was elected to the board in 2020 to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Elery Little. Before that, he worked for the school district for 20 years as a teacher, reading specialist and instructional technologist before going to work for the Berkeley County School District. He retired in 2018.

Gaskins is also the former

Bud and Melesa Watts, who own the northernmost beachfront lots at Prince George, filed suit last July after seeing the inlet migrate south in front of their property. Other property owners and the Prince George Community Association filed See “Pawleys,” Page 2

See “Schools,” Page 3

Day-long event takes some heat out of land-use issues

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

Faced with complaints that it was stifling public input, Georgetown County last week delayed action on a change to the way it reviews plans for multi-family developments. Although critics say the current process violates state law, they told the Planning Commission that the proposed fix will create other problems.

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

Duane Draper, who chairs the citizens group Keep It Green, which is one of the plaintiffs in four lawsuits challenging county land-use decisions.

The wood benches in the former courtroom that now serves as Georgetown County Council chambers don’t encourage people to linger. Over the last year, Clint Elliott and Stella Mercado persevered. Even when the two Waccamaw Neck Republicans learned this spring that they would be unopposed for seats on the council, they continued to attend the meetings. Elliott has also been a regular at See “Council, Page 3

It would “hamper the ability of the public to oversee and participate in effective land use planning and zoning,” said

for each zoning district. On the counters, there were maps with all the undeveloped residential property in Council District 6 larger than an acre outlined in red. She expected most of the questions would be about land use. “There’s a lot of misinformation. That’s why I’m doing this,” she said. Since taking office in January, Mercado has been criticized for votes on land-use approvals, including one in February that was challenged in court by neighbors and citizens groups. It is one of four suits filed against the county in the last year over land use issues. See “Council,” Page 4 ISLAND

OBSERVER

At issue is a process called site plan review. Until 2008, ap plications for multi-family de velopment on property that was already zoned for that use were reviewed by the planning staff, just like single-family develop ments and commercial proj ects.

That was changed to require multi-family projects with more than 10 units to seek “planned development” zoning, which

requires a public hearing by the Planning Commission and approval from County Council. The goal was to provide more public notice of multi-family projects before construction

Property owners along a stretch of Highway 17 between Pawleys Island and Litchfield are organizing to oppose plans for a convenience store at the corner of Ford Road.

Ordinance change seen as threat to public input

“If we don’t work together, we’re not going to win this,” Jackie Harris, president of the homeowners association at Hidden Oaks, told about 80 people who met at Waccamaw Library.

Royal Farms, a chain of 260 convenience stores in the midAtlantic states and West Virginia, presented the HOA with its plans for a 5,154-square-foot store and restaurant this fall.

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

Property owners were not impressed. “We know the negative impact it will have on our community,” said Don Tyson, a board member. Those include increased traffic and stormwater runoff and decreased property values, residents said.

Stella Mercado, center, uses maps to show the amount of undeveloped property available for residential development during a drop in for constituents at the Waccamaw Rec Center.

Charles Swenson/ Coastal Observer

expected the store to generate 4,100 car trips a day.

the ordinance change “is a plan that any Communist country would applaud.”

Among more than 150 pages of comments on a proposed change to the Georgetown County zoning ordinance, one stood out.

“Welcome to the trough Stella,” it began.

The HOA was told by the project’s engineers that they

From there it pointedly accused county officials of taking payoffs and kickbacks from developers along with suggesting

“That spells, to me, accidents, congestion and backups,” Tyson said. The property is zoned “general commercial,” which allows convenience stores. Commercial buildings on Highway 17 on Waccamaw Neck have to comply with design rules that cover such items and roof pitch, color and materials. No permit applications have been submitted for the store, said Holly Richardson, the Georgetown See “Land use,” Page 4

It was sent to Council Member Stella Mercado, Council Member Raymond Newton, Council Chairman Louis Morant and to the planning department.

“As part of civil discourse, we need to remain civil. I’ll leave it at that,” Mercado said.

Duane Draper, who chairs

See “Comments,” Page 4

LITCHFIELD BEACH

Chris Sokoloski (above), Charles Swenson (below)/Coastal Observer

LAND USE An inconvenient truth: Neighbors look for ways to thwart proposed store EDUCATION

Former

Clint Elliott and Stella Mercado review a council agenda from the audience.

Royal Farms

A rendering of the Royal Farms standard store design.

Bill Gaskins

GOVERNMENT BEAT REPORTING

THOSE WE LOST IN 2022

of Cherokee County” was opened in 2019 and loops around the Gaffney Board of Public Works lake. From January 15, 2022, through July

sistance to Cherokee County to expand its trail system and promote more hiking, biking, and walking opportunities for its residents and visitors who wish to take advantage of the county’s scenic, cultural, and historic resources, ” said Paul R. LeFrancois, Ph.D., Overmountain Victory Trail Steering Committee Chair. Other projects that received grant funds in the 2023 cycle include trails in Union County, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, Greenville, Newberry County, Sullivan’s Island and the Francis Marion National Forest.

By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

In the past, the use of city credit cards by council members was limited to out of town conference expenses for food and lodging.

However, Gaffney City Councilman and Finance Committee Chairman Harold Littlejohn said now he has a simple rule to approve council members’ credit

spending on our tab — “It must be for the

betterment of the city.”

According to policy, city employees must complete and receive a requisition order from the department head before final approval by the city administrator for a purchase order. The employee is then issued a purchase card which must be returned following the expenditure. The card can’t be used for personal purchases, alcohol or in-town meals and food items.

FIRST PLACE

Larry Hilliard

The Gaffney Ledger

Governor Henry McMaster ordered that the flags atop the State Capitol be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset

By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer

Newly elected Gaffney City Councilman Allen Montgomery said he was told by several people that joining city council was like joining the circus. Well, the circus came to town Monday and nearly blew the roof off city hall.

In the center ring were old adversaries

Gaffney Mayor Dr. Randy Moss and Gaffney City Councilman Kim Phillips.

Instead of flying on a trapeze, the elected officials were hurling insults that began when Phillips introduced an agenda item dealing with the city’s social media policy and use of the City of Gaffney name on a social media site.

According to Phillips, there have been falsehoods posted on a Facebook page that identifies itself as the City of Gaffney-Mayor Moss. Although Phillips never mentioned her name, the posts were written by Moss’ wife, Ana Moss, who attended the meeting.

Reading from a prepared memo, Phillips said those falsehoods include: “1. The city is mismanaged. Council ordered a special outside investigation on (city administrator) James Taylor.

2. James Taylor cost us millions and continues to discriminate against our local businesses and people daily.

3. Taylor was asked to resign by the new mayor for failure to show financial transparency, disclosure costs, disclosure of complaints from businesses and city mismanagement.

4. Councilman (Kim) Phillips fixing tickets and adjusting the law.

5. Councilman uses government Visitor’s Center for a special interest and fundraising event and threatened the po-

lice chief if he did not attend.

6. There was a special police and personnel committee held yesterday to address the administrator and his failure with both staff and other matters.

7. If you want to work for the City, make sure your daddy is a city councilman. Kimber Phillips daughter works for the Gaffney City Police Department.”

Phillips said because of the City of Gaffney-Mayor Moss heading, the statements appear to be posted on a city-sponsored social media page.

“I’m tired of things being said on this (social media page),” Phillips said. “I challenge the liar.”

Phillips then called for a motion to hire an outside counsel to determine what action can be taken to prevent the falsehoods.

Responding to Phillips, Moss said he’s never made a post to the site and noted the site is privately managed.

“There are multiple websites that list the City of Gaffney,” Moss told Phillips.

Gaffney City Councilwoman Missy Reid Norris defended Moss by saying that every council member, including herself, “has been trashed” on social media.

However, both Montgomery and Gaffney City Councilman Harold Littlejohn called for the incendiary posts to stop. Montgomery urged council members to speak up to defend Taylor and Phillips if they believe the posts are false.

Phillips asked again for the city to determine if posts can be made with the city’s name that “are bald faced lies.”

An agitated Moss then told Phillips that his opinion of Moss, “can’t be less than my opinion of you (Phillips).”

Montgomery then pointedly asked l See CIRCUS, PAGE 9

It’s unclear when the policy changed or even if there is a policy for council members, who are issued a personal credit card with their name and must only seek purchase approval from finance committee chairman Littlejohn.

critics, was rescinded when it was discovered that council member Missy Reid Norris spent $700 to feed the Gaffney High football team.

By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

14.8 acre property. The offer made by the Goucher planning committee in

Littlejohn said he believes the council members purchasing policy likely changed when council rescinded its $1,000 budget appropriation for council members to spend on their districts. The appropriation, deemed a “slush fund” by

Littlejohn said he confers with city administrator James Taylor before approving council members’ use of the city credit card.

Taylor said council members received a generic city-issued credit card to spend on out-of-town conference expenses, but l See CARDS, Page 3

By a

4-3 mar-

final reading of its

fiscal year budget that includes a $10 a month garbage collection fee on residential properties to eliminate a $1.4 million deficit in the county’s budget. Council members Lyman Dawkins, Bill Blanton, David Smith and Tracy McDaniel voted for the fee, which will appear as a $120 annual charge on residential homeowners’ tax bills. The fee will generate about $2.4 million, which is about the cost to operate the county’s solid waste col-

can’t. We have a bunch of $50,000 houses and it’s a burden. I don’t think we’ve talked about it enough if it’s good for our citizens.”

He also urged for a delay because of the possibility he said the city may resume residential garbage collection with a fee.

lection operations, not including capital items such as new garbage trucks.

Councilmen Elliott Hughes and Tim Spencer joined Quay Little in opposition to the new fee.

The vote followed nearly 50 minutes of passionate debate on both sides.

Little urged the county to dip into its $11 million

fund balance for the $1.4 million to balance the budget – an action he said the county has done many times in the past.

County officials said $1 million of the deficit is for the recurring salary expense.

“I can’t vote for the fee,”

Little said. “..Money is tight. Everybody on council can afford it but others

McDaniel, however, argued the county absorbing the cost of residential garbage pickup has handcuffed council from properly maintaining its properties, paying its employees and improving the quality of life for county residents.

“We are very low on taxation,” McDaniel said. “We pick up trash every week without a fee and we are the last (county) to do it. No other county can afford to do it. We’ve not maintained our buildings.

Take a trip to the county

l See TRASH, Page 2

County says

By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff larry@gaffneyledger.com

A teary-eyed

Bratton professed workers at on Monday.

A charter school group’s effort to purchase Goucher Elementary hit a major obstacle at Monday’s school board meeting. School trustees voted unanimously to rescind the sale of Goucher Elementary

A Gaffney High band room addition will be built this school year in a parking area between the existing band room and the school’s new weight room.

This story needed a great lead, and it had one. Many reporters have been at meetings with high tensions and even some name calling –the writer did a great job of setting the stage and presenting sides without any apparent bias. Wish I could have been there!

(

Bratton resigned as an assistant Board of Public employee is “County find,” said Bratton, eye. “We are ond to none.” Bratton was

SCOTT POWELL photo)

Cherokee County Council voted Monday to impose a $10 a month garbage collection fee to eliminate a $1.4 million deficit. (Ledger file photo)

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Anna Sharpe

Moultrie News

GOVERNMENT BEAT REPORTING WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Elizabeth Hustad

The Post and Courier

North Augusta/The Star

Photo sets the scene for the readers to immerse them in the topic at hand. Writing has flow and guides the reader not to an idea but to the information being

reflection of facts present. Feeling I have been not only told but well-informed after reading. Balance of narration and description. Generalities introduced

Fluttering

into downtown Sumter

9 new butterflies featured in 2nd round of art project

SLocation: Church of the Holy Comforter

BY ALAYSHA MAPLE alaysha@theitem.com

pectacular hues and artistic brilliance have, once again, taken flight in downtown Sumter, leaving the city aflutter with vibrant charm as the second round of installations for the Main Street Society’s butterfly project is complete.

The invasion started in 2019, when the first round of butterflies was announced, funded by the Main Street Society members and sponsorships. It wasn’t until 2020 that the seven crafted creatures were painted and installed across the Central Business District down both Main and Liberty streets.

SEE ART, PAGE A6

With new trend, most S.C. districts are already in session

Hannah Morris’ colorful, shape-filled butterfly can be found in front of the Central Carolina Technical College Health Sciences Center at 133 S. Main St.

Only 9 districts will wait until the 3rd Monday in August or later for 1st day

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com

Unnamed (new)

Artist: Abbie Mason

Location: Main Attractions Barber

Unnamed (new)

Artist: Mandi Windham Chiappone

Location: Sumter Opera House

Unnamed (replaced)

Artist: Julie Watts

Location: Cut Rate Drug Store

Unnamed (new)

Artist: Hannah Morris

Location: 133 S. Main St.

Unnamed (new)

Artist: Matthew Morse

Location: 12 W. Liberty St.

Unnamed (new)

Artist: Laila-Vice Johnson

Location: 100 W. Liberty St.

PHOTOS BY ALAYSHA MAPLE THE SUMTER ITEM

The tradition of starting the school year in South Carolina on the third Monday in August or later has gone the way of a new trend. It is called a “modified year-round academic calendar,” and most school districts in the state, including Sumter and Clarendon, have already started the year, according to South Carolina Department of Education data and a spokesman who talked Wednesday with The Sumter Item After three more districts began the school year on Wednesday, 52 of the 73 districts (71.2%) have started classes now. Clarendon County School District, based in Manning, had its first day for students on July 31. Sumter School District’s first day of school was one week ago on Aug. 3.

Last year, the third Monday in August was still the most popular start date for districts

SEE SCHOOLS, PAGE A6

BY ASHLEY MILLER ashley@theitem.com

Nearly a year after it was first introduced, the North Shore Project returns as a topic for Summerton residents after state representatives announced funding toward its water and sewer infrastructure component. But with the work required, fixed-rate water bills for the area could change.

On Tuesday night during a regular Town of Summerton council meeting, state Sen. Kevin Johnson, D-Manning, and state House Rep. Fawn Pedalino, R-District 36, talked to the public about funding for the project.

In August 2022, The Sumter Item reported about the project after a Clarendon County Planning Commission meeting where project developer John Hofford requested from the planning commission a zoning certification to approve a hotel and restaurant on about 19.375 acres along Polly's and Bridgeview lanes in Summerton. This was unanimously approved despite most residents being against the project.

A retro robotic, floral scene, courtesy of Matthew Morse, is at 12 W. Liberty St. Seven new decorated butterflies have been placed across downtown Sumter, painted by local artists, and two of the original butterfly installations have been replaced or repainted.

"We plan to build a 125-room Spring Hill Suites by Marriott, a lakefront restaurant, around 10 to 12 rental cottages and two swimming pools and two boating docks,"

GOVERNMENT BEAT REPORTING

DAILY UNDER 7,000 & 7,500-15,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED

FIRST PLACE

Adam Benson

The Sun News

Benson approaches the government beat by asking questions and seeking the answer, not simply chronicling a public meeting. These stories use records to dig deeper and then explain clearly to the reader why they should care.

GOVERNMENT BEAT REPORTING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Macon Atkinson

Greenville News

SECOND PLACE

Tony Kukulich

The Post and Courier

GOVERNMENT BEAT REPORTING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

David Slade

The Post and Courier

Very interesting stories and well written. They are easy to full and understand, which is not always easy with government stories. Strong leads draw you in and you do a great job explaining the details.

BUSINESS REPORTING

ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL MEMBER DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Christina Lee Knauss

Columbia Regional Business Report

SECOND PLACE

Ross Norton

GSA Business

BUSINESS REPORTING

ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL MEMBER DIVISION

IN-DEPTH FEATURES

Filling up n ried chicken

Convenience chains emerge as favorite source of Southern meals

HANNA

FIRST PLACE

Hanna Raskin

Lunchtime at Parker’s Convenience Store in Brunswick, Georgia/ Hanna Raskin

There is no such thing as gas station food.

In your heart, you know that’s wrong. But as enthusiasm for driving wanes, the convenience store sector wants customers to realize its members aren’t �xated on fossil fuel, so the o�cial industry stance is retailers who sell anything that can’t be classi�ed as automotive—even if it’s just lottery tickets and bubblegum—are in the c-store business.

A homerun as everyone knows about this subject. Finding more info about something we take for granted was wise.

SEE SPORTS RED ROSE CITY BOXING CUB OFFERS YOUTH NEW SPORT PAGE A5

Recyclng firm would have invested $14.3M in county

BY MAC BANKS MBANKS@THELANCASTERNEWS.COM

with only Brian Carnes and Steve Harper in favor of them coming. Councilmen Allen Blackmon, Jose Luis, Terry Graham and Billy Mosteller voted down third reading at the Monday, Oct. 9, meeting. Councilwoman Charlene McGriff was absent.

Costco passes second reading

N.C. man arrested in Lancaster shooting

The company, revealed as EFactor3, based in Charlotte, N.C., was looking to locate on 16.62 acres in the Lancaster Business Park. The company is a recycling company that imports recycling machines manufactured in Europe. The company was planning to

build a 30,000-square-foot building on Quality Drive to house a distribution headquarters and showroom. The company would have brought 15 jobs to the area and possibly added 15 more over time. The company’s investment in the county was scheduled to be $14.3 million. The county would have conveyed the property to the

Council cancels proposed E3 project

company for $100 as part of the agreement, which is where the problem arose for council members. The land is valued at $450,000.

GRACE/ WEEKEND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE CROW HEROES ON MAIN PAGE A12 $1 SATURDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14-15, 2023

despite a traffic impact analysis (TIA) still being in the draft phase.

Some council members felt it would be better to lease the land. They asked what would happen if EFactor3 decided to

SEE REJECTED PAGE A3

HELANCAS TE RNEWS. C OM WEEKEND E DIT IO N SERVING LANCASTER COUNTY LANCASTER • HEATH SPRINGS • KERSHAW • VAN WYCK • INDIAN LAND BY DENISE JOHNSTON CORRESPONDENT

ly from Antioch Baptist Church, enjoyed a nine-day trip to the Holy Land, although they said the tension there was palpable, and arrived home safely days before the Oct. 7 attack. GLAD TO BE OUT OF ISRAEL Local group toured Holy Land before fighting broke out BY JANE ALFORD JALFORD@THELANCASTERNEWS.COM A North Carolina man has been charged with shooting another man in Lancaster last month. Tony Anthony Deese Jr., 30, of Wadesboro has been charged in the Sept. 11 shooting on Rock Street. About 7:30 p.m.

The TIA will analyze the impact the 100,000-square-foot store could have on Charlotte Highway.

The county doesn’t require a TIA for the land where the Costco is going to be built to be

Tony

car.

apparent gunshot wound to his leg at MUSC Health-Lancaster Medical Center. He had been taken to the hospital in a private

FIRST PLACE

Charles D. Perry

The Post and Courier Myrtle

Beach/Georgetown Times

Covered business and growth by fully reporting the issues with perspective.

BUSINESS BEAT REPORTING

DAILY UNDER 7,000 & 7,500-15,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED

THIRD PLACE

Mary Dimitrov

The Island Packet

SECOND PLACE

Samantha Swann Herald-Journal

BUSINESS BEAT REPORTING

DAILY UNDER 7,000 & 7,500-15,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED

FIRST PLACE

Christian Smith

Morning News

In depth review of grocery store’s financial troubles. In “50 years at Piggy Wiggly,” standout personality profile.

“Sand Mine” explains complex issues.

BUSINESS BEAT REPORTING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Warren L. Wise

The Post and Courier

SECOND PLACE

John McDermott

The Post and Courier

BUSINESS BEAT REPORTING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Chris Trainor

The State

Trainor understands that the real story behind a business is the people who make it happen. His story about the last night of The Whig, a Columbia watering hole, puts the reader in middle of event, with vivid imagery, great quotes and a context you look at how a humble bar was a key part of South Carolina’s capital city.

Panhandle fire departments looking to merge

Merger would help control costs as the area grows

with the exploding growth in the area.

The two departments cover a combined 40,000 residents in Indian Land and both fire district boards support the merger.

“We think it is a more effective use of tax money,” said Darren Player, Lancaster County Fire Rescue director.

Tidwell arrested in Lancaster stabbing death

District on fiscal watch for 2nd year

Van Wyck residents confused by zoning changes

BY HALEY JONES HJONES@THELANCASTERNEWS.COM

Van Wyck Town Council unanimously approved the second and final reading of the town’s new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) on Dec. 5.

The new UDO does not include a heavy industrial classification, so it changes the zoning of certain parcels from heavy industrial to light industrial.

Current business uses have been grandfathered in, meaning that specific business operations will not be affected, even if the land is sold to another business in the same category, unless the business is inactive for 180 consecutive days.

However, some residents and business owners say there is growing dissatisfaction with the town government’s actions, stemming partly from a lack of clarity regarding who or what is affected by recent changes.

Teachers

Council briefed on widening, intersection options for highway

BY MAC BANKS MBANKS@THELANCASTERNEWS.COM

arrive are still unknown.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT BEAT REPORTING WEEKLY UNDER 3,000 & 3,000-6,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED

Changes to h elp congestion and safety along U.S. 521 have been di scussed, but what those changes look like and when they might

Lancaster County Council was briefed by Councilman Brian Carnes about the U.S. 521 corridor evaluation from the latest Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area Transportation Study (RFATS) meeting. Carnes is an RFATS Committee member.

The most recent discussion regarding the highway looked at congestion and safety from the North Carolina state line south to S.C. 75 in Indian Land, roughly 8.5

miles of the four-lane road.

“This is an ongoing process,”

Carnes said. “The operating conditions are being evaluated.

Project alternatives are being suggested.”

Parallel roads that come off or near U.S. 521, such as Harrisburg, Marvin, Possum Hollow and Henry Harris roads, are also being looked at regarding how changes might affect them.

“These roads provide some avenues of getting traffic off

Highway 521,”

“There would have substantial work eral of these roads this to be sufficient.”

Carnes said tion needs to about what work to be done on roads and how with the potential U.S. 521.

FIRST PLACE

Mac Banks

The Lancaster News

Council discusses changes to UDO

Mixed-use districts, standards, natural resources on table

REWORKING

MIXED-USE DISTRICTS

WIDENING

There are

Heath Springs

The Lancaster County Council wants to do something to handle growth, but just what that is, they aren’t sure quite yet.

County Council members along with Development Services Director Rox Burhans and County Administrator Dennis Marstall tossed ideas around at the most recent Committee of the Whole meeting Nov. 16.

BY MAC BANKS MBANKS THELANCASTERNEWS.COM

MBANKS@THELANCASTERNEWS.COM

Lancaster County Council is looking at asking voters to approve another 1% sales tax to fund county road projects in 2024.

County Public Works Director Jeff Catoe recommended a new 1% sales tax to help pay

How developments in Lancaster County look in the future depends a lot on the actions that Lancaster County Council takes today.

Scoopmire talked about working through ways to tweak mixeduse districts, like in the Red Ventures development in Indian Land, where there is office space and apartments in the same general area. He said simplifying mixeduse districts is a possibility.

So what does the County Council want to do regarding growth in Lancaster County?

At its Monday, Nov. 28, meeting, council got an update on where things stand with the reworking of the county’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) from consultant and lawyer Sean Scoopmire with White and Smith Planning and Law Group.

“I am in favor of a revision of the current MX district,” said Councilman Allen Blackmon.

“We felt like it is important to put these questions back to you,” Burhans said. Burhans reminded the County Council that they denied the last five Indian Land based single family rezoning request, which consisted of 1,565 lots. During that time, they also approved two multi-family developments of 608 units.

Councilman Terry Graham agreed, saying he isn’t sure the current mixed district is what they want.

“These numbers should speak for themselves,” said council member Larry Honeycutt. “We better look at the numbers. If we let it build up like we did on (Hwy.) 521, we are going to have a mess down here.”

GETTING A

Scoopmire talked mostly about development standards with council members and picked their brains about what they would like to see in developments as part of the UDO. The revised UDO should be completed by spring 2024.

for such projects. The transportation tax would generate $15 million a year and provide $375 million for roads over a 25-year period.

“Growth affects everything, including the roadways,” Catoe said. “To have a plan, you need a dedicated funding source. The future transporta-

Council trying to gure out how to handle growth

moving forward when different developers approach them wanting to build in Lancaster County.

“I’m not opposed to doing a revision of the MX district,” he said.

CLEAR MESSAGE

DIFFERENT EVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Planning staff is needing direction on what the council wants regarding growth, so they know what to do

“I got a feeling they want something in writing,” said council member Terry Graham. “I don’t like the word moratorium, but at this point in time, I don’t think we need to do rezoning north of (Hwy.) number 5 until the infrastructure catches up.”

Another key aspect council looked at was development standards and how they work in a county with both urban and rural populations.

The majority of growth in

the county has been north of Hwy. 5 in the Van Wyck and Indian Land areas, mostly north of Van Wyck Road in Indian Land up to the North Carolina state line.

“We need to establish parameters going forward,” said council member Brian Carnes. “What we look at down here in Lancaster is different than what we look at in Indian Land.”

tion plan is a necessity.”

Council members asked Catoe to get with the County Transportation Committee to start looking at possible road projects for a 2024 referendum. Council wants to look at the proposed projects in the first quarter of 2024, and send

I felt I was continuously informed on the development of the ongoing issue.

District might not make audit deadline

those approved to a ballot next November.

BY MAC BANKS

widening an

521

MBANKS@

“I am only in favor of it if the voters are in favor of it,” said Councilman Allen Blackmon, during the Committee of the Whole meeting Wednesday, Oct. 11.

Meet the Van Wyck Town Council candidates SEE ROADS PAGE A2 Historic jail turns 200 OUT & ABOUT CAST, CREW READY FOR UW BED RACE PAGE A14 BUSINESS SCOUTS PREP FOR PINK PUMPKIN PATCH PAGE A3

This year’s audit of the Lancaster County School District is due by Dec. 1, but district officials are unsure if they can make that deadline. The audit of the district’s finances is taking longer than expected, according to district officials. That being said the Dec. 1 deadline may be missed and the Lan-

burg Road

The district is hoping that it could come off fiscal watch with the completion of this year’s audit.

Catoe said the county has roughly one shot at

Greenville County. The audit firm has been working on the audit since the end of August. Interim district finance director Mellanie Jinnette said she is familiar with the audit firm that is doing the district audit this year. “They are very, very thorough,” she said. “They do their due diligence on everything, so it is taking a little longer. They are working diligently. We are working on

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT BEAT REPORTING

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Skyler Baldwin

Charleston City Paper

SECOND PLACE

Delayna Earley

The Island News

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT BEAT REPORTING

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Elizabeth Hustad

The Post and Courier

North Augusta/The Star

Really comprehensive reporting on a subject that will have a big impact on Post and Courier readers. Each story was well-written and edited to keep the reader interested until the final period. Good use of subject headers to help guide readers and break up the gray mass of text. Number stories like these can quickly bore readers but the Post and Courier’s writer(s) and editor(s) did an excellent job of breaking down the numbers and making them understandable. Great job!

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT BEAT REPORTING

DAILY UNDER 7,000 & 7,500-15,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED

THIRD PLACE

Karl Puckett

The Island Packet

SECOND PLACE

Blake Douglas

The Island Packet

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT BEAT REPORTING

DAILY UNDER 7,000 & 7,500-15,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED

FIRST PLACE

Mary Dimitrov

The Island Packet

All three entries from this publication, but especially these articles, talk not just about development but about the impact of the development. This market is clearly focused on what growth will mean for the area, and their newspaper is representing them well. THIS is what community journalism is about. THIS.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT BEAT REPORTING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Megan Fernandes

The Post and Courier

SECOND PLACE

Conor Hughes

The Post and Courier

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT BEAT REPORTING

15,500

FIRST PLACE

David Slade

The Post and Courier

quickly’ to relocate recycling center

EDUCATION BEAT REPORTING

PROVIDED BY BCSD

FIRST PLACE

Emma Slaven

The Daniel Island News

PROVIDED BY BCSD

The Garden of Curiosity honors 7-year-old Alex Nassyrov. Nassyrov lost his life in car accident in February 2023. “He was loved by everyone who met him,” said Ashlee Newton, Nassyrov’s former teacher. “He was enthusiastic about everything in life and always wanted to know more about everything.”

Philip Simmons Elementary School’s Garden of Curiosity honors late student

EMMA SLAVEN emma@thedanielislandnews.com

It’s

a.m. on a quiet Thursday morning as teachers start to flow into Daniel Island School, but Laura Blanchard is already in her office. Flamingo pink papers line her desk, her pearl earrings glow and a fan softly whirrs in the corner, ready to cool down any stress the day may bring. This is Blanchard’s first year as principal at DIS, though she is no stranger to leadership. With over 32 years in education, she started by teaching at the middle and elementary levels. Her journey in administration began in 1999 when she took on the role of assistant principal at Oakbrook Middle in Ladson. She moved to Knightsville Elementary in 2003, where she was named principal and served there until 2007, when she became principal of William M. Reeves Elementary School. Here, Blanchard received a Palmetto’s Finest award before being selected to open up Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary in 2016. Under her guidance, her school was

Philip Simmons Elementary School’s Garden of Curiosity is a vibrant, student-created, educational garden honoring the life of 7-year-old Alex Nassyrov, a beloved student who tragically lost his life in a car accident in February 2023. It was a difficult spring for students and teachers who knew and loved Nassyrov. For many students, their classmate’s untimely death was the first real tragedy they experienced. In an attempt to work through feelings and have sense of doing something for Nassyrov, the PSE first-grade teachers incorporated their spring STEAM unit with creating space in Nassyrov’s memory. As first-grade students learned about plants in their science curriculum, they were confronted with an intriguing real-world problem:

the empty garden beds lying dormant on the school’s premises. “[Students] used their background knowledge from our science unit and came up with a solution to move the beds into our courtyard,” Melissa Alexander explained in BCSD video posted to PSE’s Facebook page. The first graders conducted research on what various flowers, fruits and vegetables they could

heartwarming tribute to Nassyrov, embodies the curiosity, enthusiasm and joy he brought to his classmates and teachers. The garden is funded by the Judy Rainey Passion Project. Berkeley County School District teacher of the year Cynthia Zimmerman also gave her grant to support the STEAM garden passion project. The funds allowed teachers and students to continue the garden as a testament to the power of

for years to come. Newton said students in Nassyrov’s sister’s grade are already working to create a gardening club that will involve multiple teachers and grade levels. The school intends the garden to be a place for PSE students to learn about the life cycles of plants and take pride in their school, according to BCSD Facebook post earlier this year. Newton said teachers will support students in the upkeep of the garden.

“We would like to continue to build it to provide an outdoor learning environment and, when yielding enough, a community outreach to provide fresh food items to those needing it,” Newton said. Danielle All, one of the firstgrade teachers who helped transform the garden, describes the garden as safe place where students can come to remember Nassyrov. “This is to honor him and remember the joy he brought to everybody.”

New DIS principal stresses love of teaching and of learning

a recipient of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools Award. Her journey to Daniel Island was a natural transition as she already had roots on the island. Blanchard and her husband were one of the founding families of the Daniel Island Soccer Academy before most of the housing construction began. Most evenings she would walk from Smythe Park to the Daniel Island Library, not knowing that one day she’d take the same route in her role as principal at Daniel Island School. When she joined the island’s only public K-8 school, Blanchard said she was excited to return to her middle and elementary level background in administration. The sense of community, not only on Daniel Island but at the school itself, is what drew her to DIS. “I’ve always loved working with kids and teachers in the community and being a part of a team that ensures there’s a safe, happy learning environment for kids that is also rigorous, challenging, and that affords kids the opportunities to grow.” They say some professions run in the fam-

02 | NEWS thedanielislandnews.com

Blanchard uses a First Day Feelings

to greet

PROVIDED BY BCSD

The Garden of Curiosity, a heartwarming tribute to Alex Nassyrov, embodies the curiosity, enthusiasm and joy he brought to his classmates and teachers. The garden is legacy project that students at Philip Simmons Elementary can enjoy for years to come.

CLAIRE

day of school to see how they feel about being back in the classroom.

EMMA SLAVEN

ily, which may be true for this new principal. Inspired by her mother, Blanchard grew up watching her role model grow as a teacher

News website, includes Sarah Gruen’s “Water for Elephants,” Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner,” Richard Wright’s “Native Son,” Toni Morrison’s “Beloved,” and the Kurt Vonnegut classic, “Slaughterhouse Five.”

and successful principal throughout her

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF THE 93 CHALLENGED BOOKS SCAN QR CODE or VISIT thedanielislandnews.com

According to the ACLU-SC, “All of the titles being challenged in Berkeley County are listed on BookLooks, a website commonly used by political interest groups like Moms for Liberty to disseminate superficial talking points.”

who’s telling a fib? Am getting the wrong information? don’t want to sit up here and look like a complete fool!” she said.

In response to the public comments and confusion among the board, the district’s Chief Communications Officer Katie Tanner was asked to clarify the process.

REVIEW PROCESS

a public records request with the district. According to the ACLU-SC, the parent indicated that she read all 93 books. The complete list of challenged books, which can be found on The Daniel Island

During the Sept. 18 school board meeting, several community members questioned how one parent is capable of reading all 93 books and selecting them for review. Several parents raised concerns over parental involvement and transparency in the book selection process. Some board members were caught off guard with Board member Yvonne Bradley saying she was told there was no book ban. “I was told there was no such thing. So

yet.” She confirmed that parent requested a District to set up committees to review books, make recommendations See CENSORSHIP on PAGE 12

EDUCATION BEAT REPORTING

THIRD PLACE

Zak Koeske

The State

SECOND PLACE

Bristow Marchant

The State

EDUCATION BEAT REPORTING

ALL DAILY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Mary Dimitrov

The Island Packet

This is an especially powerful package of stories about book banning, and the people who would bring the nation’s education system to a halt. the story about the teacher who faced threats, and how little was done to protect her, was especially moving. The stories are all very well written and organized, with great use of sources. This was a strong class of entries, so well done in topping the field.For the class as a whole, I wish I could have given more awards. Education is the hot topic to cover now.

THIRD PLACE

Andy Brack

Charleston City Paper

SECOND PLACE

Anna Sharpe

Moultrie News

COMMUNITY SERVICE

ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Andy Brack

Charleston City Paper

This story exemplifies community service as it goes beyond the if-it-bleeds-it-leads mentality and uses facts, figures and interviews to show efforts to curb gun violence.

Shaw personnel meet with residents affected by water contamination

BY

Shaw fighting water contamination

victims, Bordeaux said. Johnson surrendered himself, again, to investigators on Tuesday, May 23, and was taken to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center where he was released on a $28,500 surety bond on Wednesday. Johnson was previously arrested on March 20 and charged with criminal solicitation

of a minor after Sumter Christian School’s Administration contacted the sheriff’s office on March 15 to report that Johnson sent inappropriate text messages to a minor, Bordeaux said. He was taken the Sumter County Sheriff's Office Detention Center where he was released on a $5,000 surety bond. The notification of his conduct came a day after investigators were notified

Item historian Sammy Way reflects on Memorial Day with 11 counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, third-degree disseminating obscene material to person under 18, third-degree assault and battery and incest, according to Mark Bordeaux, public information officer of the sheriff’s office. The crimes are alleged to involve two minors, and investigators are not aware of additional victims and if the current charges relate to the original

Sheriff’s office: Sumter Christian School coach rearrested on 24 additional sexual charges BY ALAYSHA MAPLE alaysha@theitem.com JOHNSON SEE REARREST, PAGE A6

Sumter residents voice concerns about groundwater contamination plans at Shaw AFB Advisory Board meeting

On May 22, residents were given the chance to hear about Shaw Air Force Base’s efforts to rectify the groundwater contamination brought on by firefighting foam — and they didn’t hold back. Around sunset, Cherryvale residents affected by groundwater contamination along with Sumter County Chairman James “Jim” McCain, County Councilman Carlton Washington and Sumter City Councilman Collin Davis gathered at the Patriot Park pavilion for the Shaw AFB Restoration Advisory Board meeting concerning its PFAS investigation. In 1970, the Air Force began using firefighting foam con-

taining PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, for firefighting purposes. From then until present, the use, maintenance or storage of the foam likely released the chemical into the environment. Because of its inability to break down, it made its way into the groundwater system. From 2016 to September 2018, Shaw determined three fire training area sites may have released PFAS to groundwater and in June 2021 began its investigation of soil and groundwater to determine the extent of the contamination on base. Shaw also conducted extended site inspection beyond the base out of concern that the contamination spread to off-base drinking water sources. Dozens of surface and sub-

surface soil samples, groundwater samples from new and existing wells and surface water and sediment samples were collected throughout the investigation. In May 2022, the investigation into soil and groundwater was completed and confirmed that ground-

water containing the PFAS compounds had migrated to drinking wells east of the base. The current stage of the investigation will be conducted in phases to assess risks to human health and the environment and to evaluate the

cost and performance of potential treatment technologies. One form of treatment the base has begun is its offbase groundwater pump and treatment plant. Deep trenches, nearly 50-feet long, are

WILSON Gov. McMaster signs

ALAYSHA MAPLE alaysha@theitem.com PHOTOS BY RICHIE WEBER THE SUMTER ITEM Efforts by Shaw Air Force Base to remove harmful “forever chemicals” known as PFAS are underway. A trenching site on base is one component of those efforts to clean up the contamination. SEE GROUNDWATER, PAGE A10

COMMUNITY SERVICE

ALL DAILY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Staff

The Post and Courier

This entry garnered first place IMO as judge because of several reasons and elements.There was a huge impact and large population base as well as wildly spread out communities affected by this sobering problem. That impact on the wider community was bigger than the 2nd place entrant, which itself was an excellent project. The use of public records, as well as the intimate story-telling of the residents of affecting high-rises was really masterful mixing of approaches to coverage. This also covered non-residential structures, as even parking garages were included - who knew? Over, an extremely powerful project which had excellent photography and use of graphical computer elements and interactive features. Really nicely edited, flowed well and tackled issues of housing and global warming/sea level rise - both of which are critically important issues as we move into the future. Well done, y’all!!

NEWS REPORTING

ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL MEMBER DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Christina Lee Knauss

Columbia Regional Business Report

SECOND PLACE

Kenton Makin

NEWS REPORTING

ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL MEMBER DIVISION

Picket crosses orker lines

Union organizing Southern restaurant workers holds rst strike

FIRST PLACE

Hanna Raskin

Supporters of a strike at Dollar General on January 17/ Provided

How many Dollar General workers does it take to whip up a strike at Store #10635 on Broad River Road in Irmo, South Carolina?

Two.

Two, because Miranda Chavez and TyBrianna Shaw constitute the entirety of the location’s fulltime, non-managerial sta�

Two, because when a store is so drastically understa�ed that there’s only one worker in the building for an eight-hour shi�, she doesn’t get a lunch break.

Interesting story that puts a face to a place we drive by or walk into often. Also did a good job of explaining how the micro events at this one store could have a macro impact in the service industry.

Great Falls Reporter

The real meaning of ‘protect and serve’

BY TRAVIS JENKINS TJENKINS@ONLINECHESTER.COM

As police chief of the Town of Great Falls, Jeremy Vinson took an oath to protect lives and serve the community. To him, that means all lives and the entire community.

At Monday’s meeting of Great Falls Town Council, Mayor Josh Brantley read a letter he received the previous week from Randy St. Clair of the police department. The letter noted that on Dec. 13, Chest er County E911 dispatched the Great Falls Police Department to a structure fire on Walnut Street. Vinson was on patrol nearby and was able to respond within a minute.

What he found was a home rapidly filling with smoke and an elderly homeowner who was refusing to leave the residence.

“(He) continued to resist Chief Vinson’s actions of leaving his home due to his concern for his two canines,” Brantley read.

Vinson said when he

PROVIDED JEREMY VINSON

entered the home, the resident was only visible from about the waist down because of the smoke that was rapidly

collecting at the ceiling and building towards the floor, cutting off breathable air. Realizing the danger the man was in, Vinson assured him that he would return inside the house to rescue the dogs if he would just go outside. That worked, with the homeowner allowing Vinson to escort him out.

Luckily, Vinson not only has law enforcement training, he has a long background as a firefighter.

In fact, he spent 17 years in that field in Lancaster County, where he also spent time as an EMT. Obviously, entering a dwelling that is burning and emitting a great deal of smoke posed serious danger, but given his years of experience and training, he knew he had time to make good on his promise to save the dogs. He did that for the homeowner but also did it for animals.

“I didn’t want anything to happen to the dogs,” Vinson said. “But based on where the fire was, I knew I had ample time to save (them) and that

it would make him happy and make him not want to go back in.”

So, he entered the house, located t he two dogs and brought them to safety. There was only one problem.

“He said there were five, one-week-old puppies still inside,” Vinson recounted. The man told him they were in a crib in the bedroom, so Vinson made a beeline for that location. He knew there wasn’t time to retrieve them all one by one and that trying to hang on to five, squealing, squirming little dogs with limited visibility wasn’t an option either.

So, he picked up the entire crib, puppies still inside, and brought them outside as well.

Vins on said that Fire Chief Josh Cauthen was on scene by that time. He was able to chop open a wall near a furnace to expose the source of the flames.

As the Great Falls Fire Department arrived and began actively extinguishing the home, which had visible

flames pouring from within, Vinson began regulating the tank pump module of the fire engine.

“The quick actions of Chief Jeremy Vinson show an example of a true leader,” Brantley read. “A leader that not only leads by example but exemplifies a true love and concern for the citizens of Great Falls, South Carolina.”

Brantley expressed his personal gratitude to not only Vinson, but all that serve Great Falls.

“I want to thank Chief Vinson and all of the first responders for their bravery and risking their lives for our community everyday. Our first responders are all heroes and we are truly grateful for each and every one of you,” he said.

Vinson said things turned out as well as they could given the situation. Most of the home was saved and everyone, both man and beast, escaped safely because they were both protected and served.

The planning process began in 2020 with an emphasis on public input from citizens and various stakeholders. After much study, analysis, and ongoing public and stakeholder input, the One Berkeley

Comprehensive Plan seeks to achieve balance between preservation of the county’s highly valued resources and continued growth, with focus on the following overarching principles: „ To prioritize the provision of adequate infrastructure and conservation of the county’s unique communities, cultural and natural resources, and quality of life; „ To enhance collaboration and impact assessments during the development review process; „ To create activity centers and hamlets, which are contextually compatible with the existing communities, that are strategically located where infrastructure ca-

BY BRANDON ROBERTS broberts@journalscene.com Wayne Snow may be new to his position as publisher and advertising director at Summerville Communications Inc., but his experience and record of success span decades. “With tremendous enthusiasm, am honored to step into my expanded role as publisher and advertising director of the three newspapers representing Dorchester and Berkeley counties,” Snow said. “Contributing my leadership, skills and digital expertise toward customer, community and reader engage-

FIRST PLACE

Jonathan Vickery

The People-Sentinel

Smith pleads guilty to reckless homicide in 2019 fatal wreck

Tears filled the courtroom as one family sought justice and another sought leniency.

James Anthony Smith, 33, of Aiken, pleaded guilty on Monday, Jan. 23 to reckless homicide in the death of 15-yearold Kaleb Hinckley. On June 22, 2019, Smith was driving home when he crashed into the vehicle occupied by Hinckley and his brother Gabriel. Kaleb died at the scene while Gabriel was injured.

“If I could change those 15 seconds, I would,” said a tearful Smith of the actions leading up to the fatal crash.

Deputy Solicitor David Miller of the Second Judicial Circuit

explained both Hinckley and Smith’s vehicles were traveling west on Highway 278 near Chinaberry Road when the wreck occurred. Gabriel Hinckley was attempting to turn left on Chinaberry to go home when Smith, who was two cars behind, passed another vehicle on a double yellow line. This resulted in Smith crashing into the driver’s side door of Hinckley’s truck, causing it to overturn and the roof to be crushed in. This account was backed up by consistent stories from other drivers who witnessed the wreck.

The S.C. Highway Patrol investigated the wreck and determined the approximate speeds of the two vehicles at the time of the wreck – 16 miles per hour for Hinckley’s truck and 54 miles per hour for Smith’s SUV.

However, Miller said Smith’s pre-impact speed was calcu-

lated to be 73 miles per hour.

“There is no evidence he was impaired,” said Miller of Smith, who was examined at the scene by law enforcement. “It appears

charged fatal

I couldn’t stop reading! The writer did a great job of objectively sharing the stories of both families in this tragic case.

A three-car Highway 300 one charged, on the evening

This marked traffic fatality Michael Kearse 26, of Ulmer, two counts under the influence in death by in Barnwell Brandon Springfield, Ga. dead at the accident, and 27, of Bamberg at Augusta University Center the following Shortly after accident, “a was conducted of Mathias inebriation, arrest warrant.

Near Allens in Ulmer at vehicles were a 2015 Chevy driven by a from Ulmer Ford F-250 female driver a 26-year-old from Sycamore and a 2015 Ford five people in When the the Chevy Equinox, F-150. This resulted colliding with subsequently Equinox. The F-150 right side of overturned, process. The People-Sentinel received varying

Victim's advocate Brenda O'Berry (left) comforts Crystal Williamson as she asks for justice in the 2019 death of her son Kaleb while defendant James Anthony Smith (right, background) and his attorney Erin O'Neal Gaddy listen. Jonathan Vickery Publisher

Alexandra

Jonathan

Alexandra

Crystal Williamson hugs her son Kaleb in this undated photo.

Two Lancaster men arrested in shootings

Police looking for third man, two juveniles also involved

treated and released from a nearby medical facility.

Frederick Wade Jr. Kevontae Jones Marterrious Hannah

Officers have obtained warrants and are still looking for Marterrious Tyresse Hannah, 21, in the East Arch Street shooting and two juveniles

Robinson Hayes Robinson was surprised with a superhero-themed welcome home parade after 100 days in a Minnesota hospital for a bone marrow transplant.

Superhero comes home after bone marrow transplant

BY HALEY JONES HJONES@THELANCASTERNEWS.COM

Hayes Robinson got a superhero’s welcome home from family, friends, church and community members in late June after a harrowing health journey ending in a bone marrow transplant. Some in the parade at his home even donned superhero costumes and waved signs as Hayes sat and smiled at the passing cars.

affects bone marrow. The disease can cause delayed growth or development, certain cancers, fertility issues in women, hearing loss, anemia, infections and bleeding problems — to name a few.

Hayes, who is 5, was born with Fanconi anemia, a rare genetic blood disorder that

BY U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ALBANY, N.Y. — Movement Mortgage, LLC, has agreed to pay the United States $23.75 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman announced June 29.

The firm failed to comply with material program requirements when it originated and underwrote mortgages insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Movement Mortgage is headquartered in Indian Land, with loans underwritten across the United States, including in upstate New York.

“Lenders participating in mortgage programs backed by taxpayers must follow rules designed to protect both program integrity and homeowners,” Freedman said.

“Today’s settlement

involved in the shootings. Hannah, who is described as 6 feet tall and about 150 pounds, is considered armed and dangerous. One juvenile was charged with the possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and law enforcement has obtained a secure custody order for the other juvenile. Police are actively looking for these individuals and

it, which is an incredibly rare probability. His mom, Kelsey Robinson, explained that his body was born with all of the platelets — red and white blood cells — that he would have in his lifetime, as he does not have the ability to generate new cells. “Once his body uses (blood cells) ... his body does not know how to make them anymore,” Kelsey said. “We had to be super careful with him being sick, because you need white blood cells to fight off an infection. (Those) platelets (are missing), so he would BY HALEY JONES HJONES@THELANCASTERNEWS.COM A Lancaster man was

holds Movement Mortgage accountable for its past violations, while acknowledging that it has taken steps to strengthen its internal controls to ensure future compliance with FHA and VA requirements.”

Participants in FHA insurance and VA guarantee programs, like Movement Mortgage, can originate and underwrite mortgages without having the government review the loans for compliance with the agency’s underwriting and origination requirements. If one of those loans defaults, a holder may submit a claim to the United States for certain losses. Lenders are therefore required to follow FHA and VA rules designed to ensure that only mortgages that meet key credit and underwriting criteria are insured or guaranteed by the government.

The settlement resolves allegations that Movement Mortgage failed to maintain quality control programs to prevent and correct underwriting deficiencies,

Robinson Movement to pay $23.7M to settle case Lancaster man killed in hit-and-run July 10 Gunter revered for service, dedication to IL SEE MORTGAGE/PAGE A3 SEE SUPERHERO PAGE A2 SEE ARRESTS/PAGE A3 HERE & NOW HORTON ELECTED FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF LOCAL NAACP PAGE A9

caster, according to Cpl. Tyler Tidwell with the S.C. Highway Patrol.

NEWS FEATURE WRITING

WEEKLY 3,000-6,500 DIVISION

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Trey Stewart

The Greer Citizen

CHAMPS

Wheelchair basketball team wins national title

Area students, coach shine in Wichita BY TREY STEWART STAFF WRITER When the clock finally hit zero, the Roger C. Peace Rollin’ Tigers wheelchair basketball team could finally let it all out. All the hard work, preparation, and growth experienced along the way led to that moment — one that saw the Rollin’ Tigers reign victorious on national stage on March 26. Led by coaches Jeff Townsend and Lindsey Metz, the Rollin’ Tigers took down four highly-ranked opponents to capture the NWBA (National Wheelchair Basketball Association) Championship in Wichita, Kan. As the reality set in, celebration from the players abounded. “You could just see it on their faces, how much it meant to them,” Metz said. “Whether they were on the court or on the sideline,

it didn’t matter. Everyone rushed over to celebrate with one another.” Metz, who grew up in and currently lives in Taylors, has been involved in wheelchair basketball for the past 17 years — first as a player, now as a coach. Speaking at the team’s championship celebration at St. Matthew United Methodist Church on April 6, she said her experience coaching the Rollin’ Tigers was the most rewarding of her career. “I remember as a kid, was on a team that won a national championship,” she said. “I remember that feeling, but honestly, it’s even better as a coach. You see these kids work hard and put in the time. Seeing them play as well as I’ve known they can play, it’s just really exciting.” When Metz was 11 years old, she was involved in a car accident that impaired the use of her legs. Having grown up playing churchleague basketball, she was devastated at the thought of not being able to play the sport she loved anymore.

bilitation process following the accident, Metz was introduced to wheelchair basketball. She immediately had reservations.

“At first, when was told about wheelchair basketball, was totally uninterested. told myself it wasn’t the same. It took a good couple of years before was finally willing to try it, and it was 17 years ago that finally gave it a chance… haven’t stopped since.”

Metz has coached many of the kids on her team for several years now, and she’s seen the growth they’ve shown both mentally and athletically. She spoke highly of several by name.

“[Coaching] these kids is a privilege to me,” Metz said. “Being able to get them engaged and see that light come on when they finally get it. Like Wyatt [Banks]. He was our youngest kid a few years ago at age 5, and now he’s 8, but this season, he just decided he was going to defend like crazy out there.”

Metz noted Monty Weer, who lives in Greer with his parents Kevin and Marjorie. He is 8 years old and in his third year with the

Rollin’ Tigers. “[Weer} was pretty young when he started,” Metz said, “but he just started being able to make a bucket, which is super exciting.” Were it not for a chance encounter with a stranger, however, Weer may have never found himself a national-champion wheelchair basketball player. His parents laugh when they recall the story of being introduced to the Rollin’ Tigers program. The seed was planted years ago, in the middle of Target on a weekend afternoon. “A lady literally chased us down in a Target,” Weer’s father, Kevin, said. “Her daughter was in a wheelchair, too. She saw us unloading [Weer’s] wheelchair in the parking lot, parked, and chased us down in the store, and she said, ‘Come and join our basketball team!’ So, naturally, we came and joined her basketball team.”

Weer’s first two years on the team involved a lot of adjustments. He was on the shier side, more hesitant to speak up and get involved. Now, he’s hitting his stride.

“He’s much more confident and willing to get engaged,” Kevin said. “No one has to tell him, ‘Hey, Monty, do this,” or anything like that. He’s not afraid of the ball or afraid to be under the basket. He does what he needs without being asked. He’s far more outgoing and stronger and faster.” Weer’s favorite part of the season was easy for him to recall.

“I liked Kansas,” he said, referencing the national tournament. Before the festivities concluded at the NWBA Junior National Championship game, the team celebrated by passing out gifts and taking pictures with their giant glass ball championship trophy. Players said goodbye to one another, and parents cracked up on the bleachers telling stories from the season. Metz took a moment to

look back on the season and take everything in. The Rollin’ Tigers is the only youth wheelchair basketball team in South Carolina, and Metz reflected on how far the program she’d been a part of since the very beginning had come.

“When first started, we only had seven players,” Metz said. “We would show up to tournaments hoping no one would find out that we had so few players. Now, we look down the bench in the middle of a game, and we have so many players that we’re wrapped around the baseline. It’s exciting to see the growth and how much we’ve been blessed.”

Exceptional writing supported by marvelous quotes helps this story engage readers. While a unique “local” sports story, it dwells on the participants, coach and families. The score? Who knows, who cares. The local kids won a national championship.

PHOTO COURTESY ROGER C. PEACE ROLLIN’TIGERS Coaches Lindsey Metz, left, and Je Townsend celebrate after winning the NWBA Junior National Championship.

Joe Brady Ru McMakin Monty Weer Coach Lindsey Metz

Death Notices

Undertones underscores beauty

BY JENNIFER BENT

A heron on the hunt stands motionless, yellow eyes arrow-pointed at what she seeks. An osprey catches an updraft under his five-foot wings as he lands on the edge of nest that his Santee River family has added to for generations. Meanwhile, two generations have spent years crafting “Undertones, Gifts of a Southern Tide,” an artbook as layered as an oyster bed and just as rich with life. Written by seasoned outdoorsman Douglas Cutting and photographed by Cutting’s mother, lens artist Nan Young Carey, “Undertones” draws the reader in like breath, inviting us to wade through tidal creeks and salt marshes, sit on a weathered porch listening to the wind in the spartina, and be absorbed into an ecosystem as primally beautiful as it is endangered. Presented in December 2022 by publisher Susan Kammeraad-Campbell of Summerville’s Joggling Board Press, “Undertones” is the winner of the NYC Big Book Award for best photography book and a Foreword Reviews finalist for best coffee table book. Cutting and Carey each embody a creative focus that mirrors the survival techniques of the waterway denizens they observe. Carey, a fine arts photographer, might spend countless minutes in suspended motion, stalking the shadows cast by one oyster shell’s razor curves. Waiting for that perfect moment of exposure, she holds her lens as still as a heron poised for minnow. “I used macro lens so can get very close to what I’m shooting. For that oyster shell (page 63), I was on my stomach at high noon with the hot sun barreling down on me and had no idea what was going to get,” said Carey, a Virginia native who earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Asheville. A self-described purist, Carey works only with an analog film process and employs the traditional “dodge and burn” method of dark room development that is bit like painting with light. Her work has been exhibited in numerous juried, invitational and solo shows in the Carolinas and Georgia. Her photographs have been published in B&W Digital Magazine, Focus, Charleston Magazine and Sporting Classic Magazine.

“You can’t duplicate the hands-on process. It makes a hand-done piece more special because each one is an original. I enjoy diving deep into the process and the mystery of what you captured rather than that instant grati-

like the mysterious images the best – the ones that challenge people,” said Carey, a grandmother of 11 living in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, Brooks. Cutting grew up in three Southern exposures: the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills from Morgantown, North Carolina into Virginia, as well as the Tarheel State’s Cape Fear River. His uncles were “old school naturalists,” and his Great-Aunt Helen was a “broke the mold” lady who had an old fishing shack at the mouth of the Cape Fear, where she popped bottle caps and talked Tarheel basketball.

“I was kind of soaked in land wilderness and salt marsh wilderness and really interesting aunts and uncles, and just started writing about it,” said Cutting, who lives on Daniel Island with his wife Jeni, son Hunter, daughter Adelaide and their Lab May. An experienced outdoorsman and award-winning writer, Cutting’s creative inspiration comes from the wild – the woods and water of the coastal Southeast. His stories, essays and poems have appeared in Garden and Gun, Sporting Classics, Charleston Magazine and Gray’s Sporting Journal. Cutting holds Bachelor of Arts degree from Davidson College; a Master’s in creative writing from UNC Wilmington; a U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license and real estate broker licenses in North and South Carolina. He is also the owner of Blue Wing Properties, a

servation and sporting properties in the Carolinas.

It is in his brokerage work with Blue Wing that he displays that talent of the male osprey – finding the nesting ground he hopes his clients will not only protect, but pass on to future generations of family who will carry on the same stewardship of the wild that certain kind of sportsman holds sacred.

“Conservation is the focus of Blue Wing. look for properties that are going to trade hands between one sportsman and the next. With a conservation easement, if it’s threatened by development, it can be protected. You still have to play around with the economics of it, but we’re trying to encourage people to be good stewards,” said Cutting, whose childhood experience included growing up in the wild places with his dad and “between the two poles” of his uncles – one of whom was an Angus cattle farmer and the other “next-level” gardener and hunter who wouldn’t leave an animal he’d killed without offering prayer ceremony for it. Cutting recalled the serendipitous path that brought him from writing to survive college and fishing to eat to newspaper columns and then into land brokerage. By way of being “dead broke,” he took job he didn’t want, selling lots in eastern North Carolina. He walked an old farm humming with wildlife and found some historic Native American artifacts that he described as “once in a lifetime finds.” And not long after that, the project failed and the owner came to Cutting for help with reconfiguring the deal. Suddenly, he had 400 acres of farm land and was able to find buyers who wanted hunting property to preserve. “It has not been that way every time. There are tremendous challenges. But the angle is always toward wildlife management and good stewardship. There are ways to do timber sustainably — slow and smart. We’ve got rivers and swamps; if we cut out all the cypress and hardwood, it changes the downstream habitats longterm. We try to find ways to monetize it so it can be kept as healthy as possible, and this balance between the wild spaces and the money is sustained. We have this beautiful green marsh that we all want to live on, and the most beautiful land is always tied in the heaviest to money and development. Helping transfer the stewardship of these creeks, swamps and rivers that then end up forming the waterways and the salty environment our book focuses on — that’s universal balancing act. We’re all part of this ecosystem. So, we fight when and where we can and we hope for that balance.”

NEWS FEATURE WRITING

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

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Anna Sharpe

Moultrie News

Very thorough, looked at different aspects of problem. Made problem personal.

A different problem people don’t always see in their food purchasing.

Ron Millender joins Greenwood County Hall of Fame

ed,” Millender said to the crowd. “When you retire and you get older, you kind of start to get anxiety that maybe you won’t have anything to do. So far that has not been problem for me.”

DAMIAN DOMINGUEZ INDEX-JOURNAL

Ron Millender was inducted Thursday into the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame, following career at Capsugel that doubled the Greenwood facility’s size and a storied history in the nonprofit world that includes helping form the Greenwood Promise.

Born and raised in St. Matthews, Millender developed an early aptitude for math. The church he attended in his hometown had a fund to help local students pay for college, and Millender was among the first to tap into it. Millender pursued an education in engineering at Clemson University, and after graduating began a career with Dow Chemical in North Carolina. When he moved to Greenwood, he started a career at the company he would eventually make globe-spanning changes in — Capsugel. Within six years, Millender went from being process engineer to

See MILLENDER page 4A

By GREG

K.DEAL gdeal@indexjournal.com

FEATURE WRITING

DHEC leader encourages RSV and flu vaccines

BY ASHLEY MILLER ashley@theitem.com

FIRST PLACE

Bryn Eddy

The Sumter Item

Dr. Linda Bell of S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said the department is already seeing an increase in COVID cases over the last two months.

During the media briefing on Wednesday, Sep. 13, Bell provided insights into what South Carolina residents can anticipate for the upcoming fall and winter, addressing not only COVID-19, but also the implications of the flu and RSV.

“The best way to prevent hospitalizations and death due to COVID right now is to get vaccinated against the variants that are currently spreading,” she said.

According to Bell, COVID-19 has entered the endemic stage, meaning while individuals can still contract the virus, case numbers remain relatively steady and hospitals are not experiencing the same level of COVID-19-related strain as seen at the beginning of the pandemic During the pandemic, DHEC regularly posted updates on cases, hospitalizations and deaths because of COVID-19. But since the COVID-19 emergency declaration expired in May, the department stopped posting the updates but continues to collect the information and share it with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With the increase of COVID-19 cases in the last two months, Bell said beginning Sept. 20, DHEC will start posting weekly updates with numbers of flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases. “It has never left us completely,” Bell said. “We are still seeing cases with complications that are preventable.”

According to recent data from the CDC, the state saw 373 COVID-19 hospital admissions the week ending Sept. 2, with is an 18% increase over the previous week. Since August 2020, there have been more than 90,000 hospitalizations statewide because of the virus In the last three months, there

Sumter VFW Post 3034 may be haunted. Ghost hunters came to verify

Paranormal

investigators

pick up on several signals of activity

BY BRYN EDDY bryn@theitem.com

Amid the clinks of liquor bottles — Jameson, Jim Beam, Tito’s, Smirnoff — and in front of some wood-paneled walls original to the 1950s and even in the women’s bathroom, with its creaking stall doors and pink tiled walls, something may be lurking at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3034. Perhaps it’s something sinister, perhaps something friendly; nevertheless, it seems to call the Gion Street VFW home. It must not mind the smell of lit cigarettes pinched between the fingers of Sumter veterans or the sounds of them chatting, laughing and making a routine of

visiting the local veterans’ hub. The potential apparitions’ tolerance of it all, according to members of the South Carolina Paranormal Research & Investigations team, may be because in their waking life, they may have been veterans, too. And maybe they, too, once frequented the black leather bar stools and enjoyed something neat or on the rocks with like-minded folk.

Amanda Farmer, the manager of VFW 3034, invited SCPRAI — ghost hunters for all intents and purposes — to the post after a few instances that gave her the heebie jeebies. A wreath and a picture frame, SEE HAUNTED?, PAGE A6

Just a perfect example of what makes an ideal feature in a local newspaper. The writing is excellent and thus able to draw the reader in immediately with a little suspense before taking them on a brief journey that ends just as well as it began. Great work.

The team sets up recording equipment on Saturday night.

NEWS FEATURE WRITING

DAILY 7,000-15,500 DIVISION

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Sarah Haselhorst

The Island Packet

A really excellent news feature story! I felt this article had a clear edge on other competitors in the originality area. It was also very well written, had good flow, was nicely organized in subheaded-topic areas and answered a ton of questions I had about this issue and cool technology. From the history to the science explainer and lots of great source quotes, you hit all the bases in a really nicely done news feature. Clear 1st place for me. Thank you.

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Kelly Jean Kelly

The Post and Courier

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Jocelyn Grzeszczak

The Post and Courier

NEWS FEATURE WRITING

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Adam Parker

The Post and Courier

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Jackie Broach

Georgetown County

Aïda Rogers

FEATURE WRITING

ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL MEMBER DIVISION

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Krys Merryman

GSA Business

The headline and photo drew me in, the article is well written and engaging. I continued to want to know more about her journey.

THIRD PLACE

Burglary charges upheld following preliminary hearing

Alexandra

Jonathan

Vickery The People-Sentinel

On May 15, 2022 around 3:30 a.m. Shemar McKay Donaldson robbed the Tiger Express convenience store in Elko while out on bond for his involvement with the September 2020 murder of Ashwinbhai “Andy” Patel.

A preliminary hearing was held before a magistrate judge on November 10, 2022 to determine the charges being brought to trial. Donaldson was charged with second degree burglary, grand larceny, malicious injury to real property, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, and safecracking for the May 15 robbery.

Preliminary hearings are heard by a magistrate judge without a jury. Commonly, the prosecution will call a witness such as the arresting or investigating officer to testify on probable cause.

According to a Facebook post by BCSO, “BCSO deputies, with the assistance of Blackville PD, were able to apprehend Donaldson without incident.”

Jonathan Vickery Publisher jvickery@thepeoplesentinel.com

ABlackville-Hilda

High School alumnus united his love for history and theatre as a background actor in an upcoming war movie.

Anderson Corder, 25, filmed four scenes for “Devotion”, which will be released nationwide on Nov. 23. Filming took place in the Savannah, Ga. area between February and March 2021.

“Doing this movie was probably the best experience I’ve ever had,” said Corder, the son of David and Lynette Corder of Olar. “If it weren’t for the encouragement of my parents, wouldn’t have been able to do this.”

The film depicts the harrowing true story of two U.S. Navy fighter pilots, Jesse L. Brown and Thomas

Hudner, during the Korean War. Brown, the first AfricanAmerican aviator to complete the U.S. Navy's basic flight

training program, died in December 1950 after being shot See MOVIE, 11A

Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) was informed of Donaldson’s whereabouts at 965 Oak Ave. in Blackville prior to his arrest. A BCSO Facebook post led to Donaldson’s identification, according to BCSO Investigator Robbie Gunnells, who explained at the hearing Donaldson’s sister and girlfriend saw the post and notified authorities.

When BCSO deputies and Blackville Police Department officers arrived at the location, Donaldson fled on foot.

When he was eventually apprehended, a pistol was found in his right pocket according to BCSO Investigator German Galarza, who spoke at the hearing. Upon this arrest, Donaldson was charged with resisting arrest and possession of a pistol.

At the hearing, the defense motioned to drop the charge for resisting arrest because although Donaldson ran from officers he did not attempt to escape once apprehended.

The prosecution argued that law enforcement officers stated their motive upon arrival with warrants in hand, and Donaldson fled after knowing of his impending arrest. To which the defense argued to drop the charge of resisting arrest because officers had no element of control over Donaldson allowing him to resist.

The defense made no motion to drop or change the charges presented for the robbery itself, and only asked to drop the resisting arrest charge issued upon Donaldson’s arrest.

Magistrate Judge Susan Anderson determined probable cause for all seven of Donaldson’s charges to be bound over for trial.

“If probable cause is found by the magistrate, the defendant shall be bound over to the Court of General Sessions,” states the SC Judicial Branch Rule 2 on preliminary hearings.

In September 2020, Shemar McKay Donaldson was involved in the murder of Ashwinbhai “Andy” Patel at the Corner Stop in Blackville. He was later granted a $30,000 bond in June 2021 by a circuit court judge. It was while out

SECOND PLACE

Leigh Ann Maynard

The Manning Times

Whitbeck Reporter reporter@thepeoplesentinel.com

Anderson Corder of Olar is shown on the set of "Devotion" at an ATV park in Bloomingdale, Ga. that was transformed into a Korean village for a battle scene. The ground was covered in fake snow.

Photo Courtesy: Eric Smith

Olar native Anderson Corder (left) looks on as actor Glen Powell, who plays Thomas Hudner in "Devotion", plays air guitar while on the set.

Surveillance video from the crime scene led to the arrest of Shemar McKay Donaldson.

Photo Courtesy: "Devotion" set photographer

FEATURE WRITING WEEKLY UNDER 3,000 DIVISION

Loaves feed more than hunger Paws for prayer

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Sit. Stay. Pray.

Nine pets – and 18 pet lovers – did just that the afternoon of Oct. 1 for the Blessing of the Animals in the yard of the Wittenberg Lutheran Church parsonage.

“This is a great opportunity to be reminded of God’s beautiful creation and how our pets can teach us about unconditional love and loyalty,” Pastor Keith Getz said of the gathering held to mark the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, which is Oct. 4. “St. Francis is known for his love of nature and his deep love for animals. Francis saw all of creation as a beautiful gift from God.”

FIRST PLACE

Most in attendance – and the dogs, too – stayed focused on the pastor during prayer and even as each pet was sprinkled with water. Few barks were heard from Dasher and Lad, Atticus, Buttons, Savannah, Margie, Luna, Lucy and Daisy, and several jumped to try to catch their blessing.

Tonya Rodgers

The Twin-City News

Getz said he hopes to draw a larger crowd and more furry friends next year, adding that all pets will be welcome, but snakes and mice should be in containers.

“May we rejoice in having our pets, who are our friends and our companions here on earth, and may we love and provide for and protect them,” he said.

Linda and Michael Guerette’s dog, Savannah, leaps at the water sprinkled by Pastor Keith Getz while Chris and Robin Taylor’s dog, Daisy, waits her turn. Below, Connie and Michael Kramer with Lucy and Joann Wells with Buttons listen as Getz talks about St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all animals and nature.

BY TONYA RODGERS

Janice Cleveland of Johnston began her ministry, Loaves of Love, in 2016. When she found out her daughters’ teacher at Strom Thurmond High School needed a heart transplant, Cleveland wanted to do something to help the family with unexpected expenses.

She had always loved baking bread for family and church gatherings and would give it away to others, so she felt God tugging at her to begin a bread ministry. Today, that ministry has helped numerous families suffering with cancer, death or financial burdens, as well as the elderly, through donations with 100% of proceeds going to those in need. Cleveland retired from teaching at Douglas Elementary School in Trenton, S.C,. about two years ago and now

What an uplifting ministry! Well written, and shared with the community.

Photo by Tonya Rodgers Janice Cleveland began baking bread to sell for the benefit of those in need in 2016.

Photos by Mary Frances Hendrix

Ellie Getz watches for a reaction as her family’s dog, Luna, is sprinkled with water.

are well-connected.”

He knows because his brother has written a birding column for newspapers in Tennessee and Virgina for 25 years. Despite that connection, Stevens said he was kept awake at

night worrying about the details of the festival. “I wanted to make it a personal experience,” he said. It was also important to time the event for shoulder season when there would be sufficient accommodations as well as birding opportunities. It was Walker who suggested the date, based on his decades of experience watching the winter migration. Stevens was concerned about the weekend forecast. The weather ranged from 75 degrees and sunny to 50 degrees and rainy. Oliver wasn’t bothered. “I went birding once in Minnesota. It was 30-below,” he said. Birders are accommodating, said Dai Morgan. “They can go all day out in the cold and nothing happens,” he said. “Then you see that one bird.”

Inside an unassuming warehouse squeezed between a radio station and daycare center off Clements Ferry Road, an extreme mechanical makeover is underway.

A team of highly trained technicians at the Arkonik Special Vehicle Operations headquarters are outfitting and restoring

Photos by Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer

Silvie Martel, center, came from Canada for the festival and was impressed with the variety of birds.

TOURISM Hammock Coast Birding Festival

Mike Walker, above, and Hal Vivien, below, lead tours. Bottom, birds along the ricefields draw attention.

Elizabeth Bush

The Daniel Island News

ELIZABETH BUSH beth@thedanielislandnews.com

There’s lot of noise coming from the fitness room at the Daniel Pointe Retirement Community on Tuesday mornings. You’d think it was mini rock concert – as thumping music from the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s blasts from the space. Even those walking by along the outside hall known as “Main Street” can’t help but stop and sway to the beat. A quick glance in the room and it’s easy to see why. It’s “Cardio Drummers” Tuesday, a day residents are invited to step up, step out and release their inner Ringo Starr. Standing behind large blue buckets containing giant fitness balls, each participant grabs his or her sticks and prepares for

instructions from teacher Lee Worsham.

“Good morning, everybody!” exclaims Worsham. “Are we ready?”

After few stretching exercises, Worsham kicks off the fun with song about surfboarding. His pupils raise their arms and pretend to swim, before bringing their sticks down on the balls below.

“That’s it!” shouts Worsham. “You got it!” The group pulses through litany of songs with beats you can feel in your chest.

“Side to side,” continues Worsham, as Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock” pumps from his speaker. “…Ready for seven hits?”

Smiles break out among the group as they pound on the balls and “shimmy” back and forth. After 30 minutes of music and motion, it’s time for a cool down.

“Thank you so much” says one class member. “That was great!”

“You burned 320 calories in 30 minutes!” Worsham tells them. “I better go all day!” a participant yells with laugh. And so marks another successful cardio drummers class at Daniel Pointe, where Worsham has been conducting these jam sessions for little over two years. “It’s fun, and they don’t know they’re working out!” explained Worsham. “Our background is physical and occupational therapy, so we try to get them to move without realizing they are moving, because when you tell them ‘let’s exercise,’ they’re like mmm, mmm....so when you say ‘let’s hit things and jump around,’ they are all about it!”

And Worsham is very intentional about the things he has each participant do in the class there

This was impressive and a really fun feature to follow along with!

has been attending for a couple of years.

“I like this class because of the exercise, because take extra exercise (personal training)...Feel these legs!” she said, grabbing her upper thigh.

Paulette McLaughlin takes part with her husband, John. “It’s fun and it’s loud and it’s modern – and they play some of my favorite songs!”

“I like all the movement that we make,” added Peggy Donnelly. “Because a lot of times we sit around and don’t do anything. We know the exercises....and we get out

there and do them!”

No one is more proud than Worsham, who says he can see a big difference in the progress of his students. Now, they don’t miss beat!

“When they first started, they had real hard time keeping the rhythms, which is fine because just wanted them to come and

move,” he explained. “But over time you see them start to develop that rhythm, it’s just that repetition in the brain. Doing it over and over, they start getting better and better. It’s nice to watch them get better at it.” But the best part is seeing their reactions. “I love seeing the smiles,” added Worsham. “It’s great makes my day!”

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Chelsea Grinstead

Charleston City Paper

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Helen Mitternight

Charleston City Paper

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Elizabeth Hustad

The Post and Courier

North Augusta/The Star

Congratulations on a well-balanced story of fostering. Hopefully, your feature will make people consider becoming foster parents.

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DAILY UNDER 7,000 DIVISION

Millwood Elementary School Principal Jessica Wright, and others, visit classrooms on the first day of the new school year on Thursday, Aug. 3.

Thursday was 1st day of school throughout Sumter School District

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com

Music, smiles, high energy and even a “Welcome Train” were part of first day-of-school festivities on Thursday at Millwood Elementary School, and it is all part of a strategic approach.

Yes, it is back-to-school time already in Sumter School District, and the elementary school on the west side of town was in full gear. It was hard not to notice given the traffic and the

sounds booming from Pinewood Road. Millwood Principal Jessica Wright said the high energy and excitement are all part of being “intentional” with the students to start the new school year.

“I use the word ‘intentional’ because we want to get kids excited about being here,” she said. “Attendance, academics and behavior is our focus, but it starts with attendance. We try to spread that positive atmosphere so kids want to be here. Once we get them in the building, they are ours, and we can focus on the academics and the behavior.

“Today and tomorrow, we want to get them here, get them back into a

Jumping through generations

FIRST PLACE

Alaysha Maple

The Sumter Item

Sumter’s 1st family of double Dutch delves into family history, hopes for sport’s longevity

BY ALAYSHA MAPLE alaysha@theitem.com

Deeply coiled within the fibers of African American culture streams a vibrant and rhythmic tradition that has thrived for generations — double Dutch.

Far more than a playground pastime, this art form of skipping rope has echoed the spirit of endurance and unity from one generation to the next — the Ford family is a prime example.

Double Dutch took off in New York around the 1930s when NYPD police officer David A. Walker saw that girls in his neighborhood had fewer opportunities to play sports but had perfected double Dutch with their rhymes and creative moves. He envisioned the game to be much more, and in 1973, he developed a set of rules and ultimately founded competitive double Dutch.

Once it reached the South, kids everywhere were enamored with it — including Rose Ford, now age 84. As a little girl, Rose watched from the

SEE

JUMPING, PAGE A10

The extended Ford family is seen at Rose Ford’s home in Sumter. In the 1980s, Rose Ford was the director of Sumter County Parks and Recreation Department, and she helped bring the double Dutch world championship to Sumter and helped to establish the sport here. In her family are Loria “Jean” Ford, president of the American Double Dutch League, and Rosalind F. Boone, a judge for the league. The third generation includes Tameisha L. Lloyd, 41, a master counter, and Taneisha B. Goodman, 40, executive assistant to the board of directors and head scorekeeper. The fourth generation includes Se’Veon Boone, 21, a master counter; My’lik Lloyd, 19, counter; Keondre Benjamin, 19,

Sumter Little Theatre opens 2023-24 season with ‘Clue’ this month

This was a fun category to judge. It was a real challenge to choose the top place winners. This story takes the crown with crisp writing, lots of history balanced with strong quotes, and great organization. It really flowed well. Pictures added a lot. The background on double Dutch was helpful. Outstanding work. Keep it up!

BY ALAYSHA MAPLE alaysha@theitem.com

Do you know your five Ws?

Let’s start with “Who?”

Sumter Little Theatre, that’s who

The tale begins at a remote mansion as six mysterious guests gather for an unusual dinner party. What’s on the menu, you ask? Murder, served with a piping-hot side of blackmail.

Mrs. Peacock and Kelvin Page as Colonel Mustard — with help from Kendall Jones as Yvette, Matt Williams as Mr. Boddy, Amanda Wiley as the cook, Taryn Wiley as chief of police, Maryah McIntosh as a

fierce fiasco will happen, opening night is Aug. 31 at the theater, 14 Mood Ave., at 8 p.m. The production will run from Thursday, Aug. 31, to Sunday, Sept. 10. But the fun doesn't stop

ADAM FLASH THE SUMTER ITEM

MICAH GREEN THE SUMTER ITEM

timekeeper; and Caleb Benjamin, 18, counter.

DAILY 7,000-15,500 DIVISION

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Sarah Haselhorst

The Island Packet

SECOND PLACE

Sofia Sanchez

The Island Packet

LIFESTYLE FEATURE WRITING

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Sarah Haselhorst

The Island Packet

Feature on Ted Turner’s former private island colorfully captures the island, its history, and what its like to stay there. It moves smoothly and is very thorough, well written.

LIFESTYLE FEATURE WRITING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

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Autumn Phillips

The Post and Courier

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Warren L. Wise

The Post and Courier

PROFILE FEATURE WRITING OR STORY

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Alex Feagin

The Manning Times

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Garrett Mitchell

The Woodruff Times

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Michael M. DeWitt Jr.

The Hampton County Guardian

The features that stood out mostly avoided spending too much time telling the source’s life story. Each person’s life has multiple standout moments, but the feature should decide a narrower focus to engage the reader more than simply inform the reader. Most features overly rely on just the subject as a source rather than bringing in outside perspectives that enhance the reader’s understanding and appreciation. The winning stories narrowed focus and told compelling stories. The first place entry was just plain intriguing. The judge would have loved to include honorable mentions had that been allowed.

supplier for the St. Francis-Bon Secours hospital system, and the donors who helped save Odom’s life came from people who had donated just a few

At Thursday night’s event, four of Odom’s donors were present, and she was able to meet and speak with each of them. “As they walked up, the first thing could do was wrap my arms around them. was at loss for words,” Odom said. “I told them, ‘In my opinion, heroes are just ordinary people who do extraordinary things, and that’s what really counts.’ never imagined seeing them and meeting them and personally telling them thank you.” She said that since the time of her near-death experience, she had known there was a group of people in the country who had changed her life, but she never envisioned getting to meet them. “I cannot believe that what they did changed everything for me,” she said. One of the 24 donors was a student from Blue Ridge High School, where Odom’s husband was assistant principal at the time.

“For five years, I’ve prayed that my story would not be wasted, and could share it. really have this longing of wanting to say thank you to as many people as can who were part of saving my life,” she said. Her next goal is to make video to send to the other 20 donors who she has yet to meet, to thank them for their blood donation all those years ago. Meeting those four, Odom said, was tearful moment and an equally overwhelming moment for the donors. “I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude,” Odom said. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop being thankful for the life I’ve been given.”

Since Caroline’s birth, Odom has recovered completely and given birth to another healthy baby girl. Odom plans to stay in contact with the four donors she met, including one who lives just down the road in Greenville. “I’ve had so much healing in this. Because of The Blood Connection, am

here today,” she said. “It’s the best happily ever after story.” As thank you to the loyal blood donors who have helped The Blood Connection carry out its mission for 60 years, donors received a 60th anniversary commemorative pin and letter from Odom, which has prompted positive feedback on social media. “At the end, was handed a card from you and your beautiful daughter Caroline, and it made the whole experience worth it. You guys made my whole day. I’m glad y’all are here, and because of you, I’ll keep donating,” shared one donor to Odom on Facebook.

PROFILE FEATURE WRITING OR STORY WEEKLY 3,000-6,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Emma Slaven

The Daniel Island News

16 | WILDLIFE thedanielislandnews.com

Through the lens: Meet the founder of Daniel Island Wildlife Facebook group

EMMA SLAVEN emma@thedanielislandnews.com

At the age of five, Mitchell Schlimer got a view of his life’s purpose when his father placed a Polaroid camera in his hands.

“Oh man, he’s got some eye!” his cousin said about the first photo Schlimer ever took: a house. The rest is history.

Now, at age 67, the Charleston photographer has experience as a video director, radio show host and sports photographer, where he captured dramatic moments like a ball hitting the bat or a wide receiver in mid-air. With a quick eye and a specialty in motion, Schlimer transitioned to capturing Mother Nature through his wildlife artography, a unique blend of digitally manipulated photography and design.

Most days he’ll wake up at 5 a.m. to be-

“My real high is to share [the photos.] There’s nothing like seeing the look on someone’s face and them going, ‘Is this real? Is this a painting? I’ve never seen anything like this.’”

– Mitchell Schlimer

come one with nature, studying the movements of the creatures above him, waiting for the perfect shot. Some days he’ll tell his wife the “photo gods” are with him; other days all he comes home with are mosquito bites. When he isn’t carrying the camera, Schlimer hosts a weekly podcast – “Every Photo Has a Story” – where he showcases other photographers and shares the story behind some of his best shots. If you have a Facebook account, you may have seen some of his work. Not only does Schlimer frequently post on the Daniel Island Wildlife Facebook page, he created the page to allow islanders to share their own photos.

Two years ago, still in the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Schlimer reasoned that just because people couldn’t get out much, that didn’t mean they couldn’t go out in nature. “Wouldn’t it be great if people could have this phototherapy?” he thought. With all the wildlife inhabiting Daniel Island, it’s easy to come across one of the island creatures. It’s even easier to take a photo.

“Everyone is a photographer. Steve Jobs came along and put a camera on a phone, so now everyone has a camera on them,” Schlimer said.

With 831 members and counting, Daniel Island Wildlife invites nature lovers around the island to contribute their own photos for others to enjoy. Schlimer also created the Facebook group, Mount Pleasant Wildlife and Nature Photography, which has 1,290 total members. Both forums are an opportunity to share any beautiful, interesting, or strange wildlife sightings in your local area. Schlimer found that the wildlife on the island is unlike anything he’s ever seen. The passionate artographer says each sector around Charleston has wildlife indigenous

to itself, such as the fox squirrels on Daniel Island. Other special findings of his include bald eagles, snowy egrets and great blue herons.

“My real high is to share [the photos.]

There’s nothing like seeing the look on someone’s face and them going, ‘Is this real? Is this a painting? I’ve never seen anything like this.’”

Schlimer believes in the power of “phototherapy,” a term he coined over 15 years ago, referring to the power of a special image. He says the goal of his work is to leave the world a little better off based on what can be seen and felt from his images.

His hope for the wildlife Facebook groups is that locals can take what they have seen and bring it before the eyes of others to convey a message only apparent by picture. That, according to Schlimer’s philosophy, is phototherapy.

“Depending on your religion – you can call it God, universe, spirit, Mother Nature – my basic core belief is no one paints better than Her. My job is to capture what she’s painting.”

Mitchell Schlimer’s wildlife photos will soon be featured in the Mary Martin Fine Art Gallery in downtown Charleston. To see more of his work, check out his website, mitchschlimerartography.com. To share your own wildlife captures, join the Daniel Island Wildlife page on Facebook.

The layout was seamless, the article interesting and attention-holding, and the layout of photos was great!

MITCHELL SCHLIMER

Mitchell Schlimer, who has taken his camera all over the world, says the wildlife around Charleston is unlike anything he’s ever captured.

MITCHELL SCHLIMER

Fox squirrels (top left), indigenous to Daniel Island, come out to play for Mitchell Schlimer’s camera. The local photographer also captured shots of the island’s bald eagles (bottom left), blue herons( bottom right) and snowy egrets (top right).

PROFILE FEATURE WRITING OR STORY

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

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Leigh Savage

Greenville Journal

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Alex Nettles

Charleston City Paper

PROFILE FEATURE WRITING OR STORY

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

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Elizabeth Hustad

The Post and Courier

North Augusta/The Star

A good story deserves a good storyteller. Hustad did her part with an eye for detail, an ear for a good quote, and plain old good writing skills. Well done.

PROFILE FEATURE WRITING OR STORY

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Kyle Dawson

Aiken Standard

Great writing. Feel-good story that draws in the reader. Well chosen quotes.

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DAILY 7,000-15,500 DIVISION

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Joanna Johnson Herald-Journal

SECOND PLACE

Karl Puckett

The Island Packet

PROFILE FEATURE WRITING OR STORY

DAILY 7,000-15,500 DIVISION

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Samantha Swann

Herald-Journal

The story connects historical segments of the life of this farmer – telling a tale of time and one with an ending unplanned. Great use of detail in sharing his story.

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Ted Clifford and Kallie Cox

The State

SECOND PLACE

Nina Tran

Greenville News

PROFILE FEATURE WRITING OR STORY

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Jocelyn Grzeszczak and Gavin McIntyre

The Post and Courier

This piece is a sterling example of feature writing. The writer takes an already interesting subject and uses strong, descriptive writing to make the subject even more fascinating.

FOOD WRITING

WEEKLY UNDER 3,000 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Jordan Lawrence

Lexington County Chronicle

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Nichole Livengood

The News

FOOD WRITING

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FIRST PLACE

Nichole Livengood

The News

Informative with great photos! Good job! Every food story needs photos of good food!

FOOD WRITING WEEKLY 3,000-6,500 DIVISION

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Denise Johnston

The Lancaster News

Thanksgiving at Southern Dish

John and Brenda Barnes said the food at the Thanksgiving dinner was delicious.

Cooking school serves free meal

BY DENISE JOHNSTON CORRESPONDENT

S

outhern Dish 101 was the place to be Thursday, Nov. 17. That’s when the Main Street culinary arts center offered a free community Thanksgiving dinner.

Owner and chef VerShawn Gray and her staff served glazed ham and smoked turkey with all the trimmings and two traditional Southern desserts — pound cake and banana pudding.

“This was a community effort — Nutramax was the sponsor and the Arras Foundation provided some of the volunteers,” Gray said.

“I met Mayor (Alston) DeVenny and his wife, Susan, at our grand opening (Oct. 1) and shared my vision for the dinner with them then,” Gray said. “We want the homeless, veterans and seniors to know that we love them and are here for them.”

Volunteer Joyce Baker slices ham for plates to be delivered to those unable to come to the free Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 17 at Southern Dish 101.

photos by Denise Johnston

I enjoyed this story and learned about people of the area at the same time. The writer was able to give us a true glimpse of success in life through a very entertaining story. Very good work.

Denson shines for South Carolina

Heath Springs activist named Community Star

Its theme this year is “Driving Change and Going

Denson said she is

$112

FOOD WRITING

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Lynn and Cele Seldon

Lowcountry Weekly

SECOND PLACE

Leigh Savage Greenville Journal

FIRST PLACE

Greenville Journal

Excellent story, lessons, and history!

Evan Peter Smith

https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/business/salsas-bar-grill-mexican-restaurant-robot-aiken-sc/article_

Cely Avecilla prepares to serve a plate of food that was delivered to table at Salsa's in Aiken by a robot known as a BellaBot, or Bella for short.

https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/news/chitlin-strut-returns-to-salley-after-two-year-hiatus/article_cacba���- cfc-��ed-�d��- bda��ba�� �.html

Chitlin Strut returns to Salley after two-year hiatus

The town of Salley hosted its th annual Chitlin Strut the weekend of Nov.

SALLEY — It’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving in Salley. For all but two of the past �� years that has meant one thing: Chitlin Strut.

The annual Strut, a celebration of the chitlin or, more formally, the chitterling, attracts people from all over and swells this town of less than ��� to one of �� ��� to �� ��� every weekend after Thanksgiving.

A parade down Pine Street, a car and motorcycle show, DJ’s amping the music and a carniva with Ferris Wheel �lled out the non-chitlin part of the Strut.

For those who don’t know, the tasty snack bringing so many people to Salley for more than half a century is none other than boiled and fried pig intestines – chitlins. Hot sauce on the side.

Canceled for the pandemic in ���� and ���� the Chitlin Strut reappeared this year for its �� th iteration.

that never ended

BY KAYLA GREEN kayla@theitem.com

This week marked three years since COVID-19, a novel coronavirus at the time, landed in Sumter County. Much of this edition will take a look at areas that were impacted and how people, businesses and sectors The Item talked to so often in 2020 are faring now.

The TV in the newsroom at The Sumter Item is usually off. When it’s on, it’s usually playing a holiday movie or background music. When it’s turned to a news channel, something big is happening.

I will always remember March 16, 2020. We were watching Gov. Henry McMaster talk about a new coronavirus — had not

Sumter city, county government looks back on operational changes, sees financial assistance from ARPA, low employment after COVID-19 A2

Sumter businesses adjust to ‘new normal’ now A3

Clarendon Chamber, Planning Commission affected differently A3

Arts, entertainment leaders remain optimistic after adjustments A5 Sports and COVID-19 3 years later B1

heard that word much before — and its swift spread. But like Ebola or a bad flu season or any other potentially catastrophic event in my lifetime, I figured it would blow over. A week or two of headlines, and we’d move on like the news cycle — to a fault, often — does.

By the time two more front

SEE VIRUS, PAGE A6

Sumter’s food industry back on track, mostly,

Lasting

shifts include to-go service, less staff

BY SHELBIE GOULDING and KAYLA GREEN shelbie@theitem.com kayla@theitem.com

With the St. Patrick’s Day holiday in 2020, several restaurants planned for the increase in customers eager to come out and celebrate. In-

stead, Sumter became a ghost town. The restaurant industry saw an impact right away from the COVID-19 pandemic, including a new establishment that planned its grand opening on the day the governor announced businesses closing because of a novel

coronavirus.

“We had our opening party. Opened the doors at 4 o’clock, and then 4:30, (Gov. Henry) McMaster’s on the phone going, ‘Hey, we’re all shutting down for a few months,’” said Gray Shuler, owner of Sumter Original Brewery. “We just kept the party going.”

But after that first day, they didn't reopen any time soon.

Shuler had to let his newly

from COVID-19 is key in all schools

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com

March 16, 2020, was the first day that all schools across the state — both public and private — were closed because of the “unprecedented coronavirus pandemic,” as it was described at the time.

An anticipated two-week closure of campuses through March 31, 2020, was soon extended by state Gov. Henry McMaster through the end of April as online instruction and meal distribution plans to local communities

SEE SCHOOLS, PAGE A6

after closings

hired staff go.

“Only being opened the one day,” Shuler said, “basically everybody was let go with the exception of myself, Troy, who was brewing at the time, and I think my kitchen person at the time.”

Restaurant owners had a decision to make: to close or find an alternative way to continue serving customers. Everyone, after all, still had to

eat. Although the brand-new, three-story brewery remained empty, Shuler’s three-man team earned consistent sales by offering take-home brews outside its windows on South Main Street.

“We started doing to-go service in the next couple days,” Shuler said. “We had plenty of beer, and nobody was

SEE RESTAURANTS, PAGE A6

FOOD WRITING

DAILY 7,000-15,500 DIVISION

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Lisa Wilson

The Island Packet

SECOND PLACE

Lisa Wilson

The Island Packet

FOOD WRITING DAILY 7,000-15,500 DIVISION

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Karl Puckett

The Island Packet

Both a food story and an agriculture story, this was the most well-researched and deeply reported story in the category. Well done!

FOOD WRITING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

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Kalyn Oyer

The Post and Courier

SECOND PLACE

Lillia Callum-Penso

The Post and Courier

FOOD WRITING DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

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Alan Hovorka

The Post and Courier

Such a personable, heartfelt and uplifting read. Who wouldn’t want to try one of Carolina’s pastries?

I’m reading and can smell items baking, transported to the kitchen. Excellent!

THIRD PLACE

Nichole Livengood

The News

SECOND PLACE

Natalie Szrajer

Lexington County Chronicle

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WRITING WEEKLY UNDER 3,000 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Jordan Lawrence

Lexington County Chronicle

Great positive story with first-hand told facts.

as he breaks into a top secret lab in Charleston to steal research. After cleaning up Perez’s mess, Richard Parker, the top scientist of the lab, comes home without knowing radioactive spider has followed him. The spider bites Richard’s son, Peter Parker,

giving him enhanced abilities with side effects of anger and depression. Throughout the storyline, Peter must learn to control his powers and internal struggles while anonymously protecting his father from Azael. Filming commenced in April of this year, spanning various Charleston locations including Wando High School, Oak Bluff neighborhood on Clements Ferry Road and CGI scene on the Ravenel Bridge. Editors Dorian Andrade and Kyle Dykstra worked behind the scenes during filming, finishing edits in early October. Reflecting on the past two years, Flowers shared, “This is my first film experience and just really want to keep going on forward with this.”

Kristowski, who has produced other films via Barn Door Productions, said of the Marvel fan film, “This is my first bigger film, compared to my other productions. just want to thank everyone involved. Timmons and I are both kind of amateur filmmakers right now so it’s really cool to see everybody come along and make dreams reality.”

The success of “Spider-Man: The Dark Age” owes much to its Charleston cast,

including Shelby Busey, Adam Outsin, Tyler Inabinette, CJ Kinney and Allison Driggers. Among the talented ensemble was Fort Dorchester graduate Joshua Morgan, who played the role of Spider-Man.

“I’ve always wanted to play Peter Parker so when saw the link to apply, didn’t even read it,” Morgan said. “I’ve always connected to Peter because he tries to save everybody and like to help people and entertain them.”

All the project participants were volunteers and the film was self-funded.

“The Dark Age’’ stands not just as a fan film but as a testament to the creativity and dedication flourishing within the local community. The teen filmmakers behind the project have not only paid homage to an iconic character but have also proven that passion, creativity, and determination can turn dreams into reality right here in our own backyard.

The fan film will be available Oct. 22 on Flow Studios’ YouTube channel and the group has plans to upload to Amazon Prime in the near future, reaching a broader audience and showcasing the talent of the local film industry.

School board public forum gets heated

Speaker’s action sparks police report

BY HALEY JONES HJONES@THELANCASTERNEWS.COM

Tensions were high at the April 18 Lancaster County School Board meeting’s public forum session.

Of the 15 speakers — six from the same family — violence in schools across the

district was the subject of every three-minute statement. The Lesnefsky family, whose daughter was the subject of a violent text sent by a classmate, has been outspoken in school board meetings and online since the incident occurred in January. Family members said they have continuously asked the district to share the threat assessment

protocol that was used in their daughter’s specific case, and do not want or expect details about anyone else to be shared.

Among the other speakers was Tonya Ross, who provided context about the possibility of a violent threat or accusation in schools becoming a larger safety event, like a school shooting. While Ross spoke, she handed out folders

to each board member. She recited comments a child might make during a school shooting, and told board members to close their eyes and imagine hearing that, before telling them to open their folders and look inside. Photos of each board member’s children were printed inside the folders.

“I’m going to tell a story

to them, and change the narrative and remove them from (their) district 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 seat and put on that hat that they say they’re most proud of. That’s been (as) a parent, grandparent, or aunt and uncle,” Ross said, in explaining her actions afterward. “The story I told was about what if? changed the

Phillips

Local

Phillips makes it to Hollywood round

BY HALEY JONES HJONES@THELANCASTERNEWS.COM

Local musician Brayden Phillips got his 20 seconds of fame earlier this month.

son, which premiered Feb. 19. He made it to the show’s

Hollywood round before being eliminated. Viewers across the country got to see the 20-year-old

CVS, Walgreens and Walmart. The money comes from the state’s portion of the national opioid settlements.

This is the third round of national settlements the state is participating in with counties throughout the state each getting a portion of the settlement.

Lancaster County is expected to receive $5,811,178.15 from the state’s $393 million from the settlements through 2038. Lancaster County is getting 1.48% of the settlement, while larger counties, such as Spartanburg and Charleston, get more. Greenville County is getting the most with 7.15%.

The county can only get part of the $5.8 million annually until 2038. But it may be entitled to more funds.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WRITING WEEKLY 3,000-6,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Charles Swenson

Coastal

Observer

TRADITIONS “The Andy Griffith Show” A daughter comes home to Mayberry

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

Dixie Griffith came late to Mayberry. She was not even a year old when “The Andy Griffith Show” debuted. When it ended, she was 8. “I don’t think I knew what was really going on until kind of the later years,” Griffith said. She knew that her father was famous for his role in films and as Sheriff Andy Taylor. She found it unnerving.

“I used to be an introvert. I’m not anymore, thanks to Mayberry,” Griffith said. She waded into a house full of guests at Keith and Angie Brown’s home in Heritage Plantation over the weekend for an evening dedicated to fans of the show. Keith Brown, the former principal of Waccamaw High, is more than just a fan. He attends Mayberry gatherings as Col. Harvey, a snake-oil salesman who appeared in one of the 249 episodes.

Brown’s group, Trivial Trivialities, is an official chapter of “The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club. One of 69 chapters in South Carolina and nearly 1,500 in the U.S. (The name comes from one of Deputy Barney Fife’s lines.)

when it came out,” Griffith said. “I’m not sure how accurate the memory is, just remember we did it and it was cool.”

She remembers dinner with Don Knotts. “I was starstruck,” Griffith said. Her three daughters felt the same way on a Christmas visit to their grandfather that also included a dinner with Knotts.

Griffith also got to attend the White House ceremony in 2005 when her father received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush. Muhammad Ali, Carol Burnett, Jack Nicklaus and Alan Greenspan were among the other recipients that year.

“It was the coolest thing,” she said. “One of the coolest moments was tracking down Aretha Franklin to get a picture with her.”

The Queen of Soul was another recipient.

So Griffith understands the lure of celebrity.

“I’m really thrilled that Keith asked me to come,” she said before the Trivial Trivialities members arrived for a semi-annual pot luck supper. There was a costume contest, a round of trivia naturally, and a continuous series of reruns on the television.

“Why would I say no?” Griffith said. “It’s an honor.”

“I had no idea. No clue,” said Griffith. She grew up in California and lives in Colorado. She spent summers in North Carolina, where her father had a home on the Outer Banks and where he died in 2012.

The photos included were perfect with the story.

In 2015, she was invited to Mayberry Days, a festival in her father’s hometown of Mount Airy. “I was in the parade, signing autographs,” Griffith said. “That kind of led to other

“I never really spent a lot of time telling people who my dad was,” she said. “I never saw myself doing any of these things. I didn’t even know about Mayberry Days.”

But she has embraced the role and the opportunity to connect with her father in a different way.

“I wasn’t representing my dad, but I was able

his craft, and use that word: craft,” she said. Griffith was in her 30s when she saw her father’s first film “A Face in the Crowd,” a searing drama about a performer who goes from a county jail to a network television show before he flames out, a victim of his own ego. She had heard him talk about the 1957 film and knew

monologue “What it Was, Was Football.”

I continued to be engaged from the first paragraph. It was a great read that left me with a smile after.

“I knew he was somebody, but is seemed more important to other people than it did to me. To me, he was ‘let’s go play in the pool, let’s go motorcycle riding, let’s go drive in an antique car,’” Griffith said. “It didn’t really register to me.” She realizes now that

Photos by Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer Keith Brown invited Dixie Griffith to a meeting of his rerun watchers club. Brown was among those dressed as characters from “The Andy Griffith Show.”

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Zoe Nicholson

The Post and Courier Columbia/ Free Times

SECOND PLACE

August Krickel

The Post and Courier Columbia/ Free Times

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WRITING

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Great job going outside the box – er, off the path – for this story! This story had me wanting to visit these museums.

Chloe Hogan

Charleston City Paper

THIRD PLACE

Matthew Christian

Aiken Standard

SECOND PLACE

Matthew Robertson

Morning News

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WRITING

DAILY UNDER 7,000 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Christian Smith

Morning News

Nice feature about the work that went into restarting a high school marching band. Interesting and well-told!

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WRITING

DAILY 7,000-15,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Caroline Williamson

The Sun News

SECOND PLACE

Mary Dimitrov

The Island Packet

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WRITING

DAILY 7,000-15,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Karl Puckett

The Island Packet

This category had a lot of good entries covering diverse aspects of arts and entertainment. What made this story on filming in Beaufort stand out was that it combines personal history, details of filming, statewide perspective on filmmaking, and regional history. Fascinating.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WRITING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Kalyn Oyer

The Post and Courier

SECOND PLACE

Kalyn Oyer

The Post and Courier

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WRITING

DAILY OVER 15,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Alan Hovorka

The Post and Courier

This story was so beautifully told, both in words and photos, I was hooked from beginning to end. It’s a lesson in being the best at what you do where you are, and finding a niche in a type of business where struggle to survive is a daily thing. I am sure it inspired other people to do the same. Fantastic piece.

opment comes because it’s clear that county services are already overstretched after 40 years of steady growth that leaves them “running on fumes,” Carrigg said. County services and emergency medical services officials already have told council members that it’s difficult to meet current demands, especially in responding to calls for help as soon as desired. The new freeze won’t affect pending plans from developers to add about 5,000 new homes in 28 neighborhoods of varying size in coming

years. County population could rise from about 300,000 today to about 500,000 by 2050, planners at the Central Midlands Council of Government forecast. Councilman Larry Brigham of Batesburg-Leesville described the step as “giving us time to catch our breath” and figure out better ways to cope with development. It was adopted 6-2, with council members Todd Cullum of Cayce and Debbie Summers of Springdale opposed. Councilman Glen Conwell of West Columbia was absent. The halt sends message that the

county is “closed for business when it comes to housing,” Cullum said. Projects affected include nearly all new neighborhoods, apartments and other types of dwellings. The only exception is projects of nine homes or less. A separate proposal by Brigham to significantly reduce the number of homes allowed in new neighborhoods in much of the western third of the county also won initial council approval. The plan would permit only two or three homes per acre instead of four – depending on location – in the area between U.S. 1 and Interstate 20 that stretches from Gilbert to Batesburg-Leesville.

Pre-Christmas boom remains a mystery

The Christmas weekend started with a mysterious boom.

Many people took to Facebook Friday evening, Dec. 23, to report hearing a loud boom around 10 p.m. People heard it across multiple counties, including parts of Barnwell, Allendale and Bamberg counties, according to posts on Facebook.

selves were in the yards looking for a downed tree or something. Not only did we hear it but it shook our house. It knocked pictures off our neighbor's walls and knocked a few things off a table and shelf in our house. Whatever it was, was loud and shook the houses," said Colleen Noonan, who lives in Barnwell.

“We don't have any evidence of what it could have been."

- Chief Deputy Darlene Cook, on the mysterious boom

on Facebook; however, county officials are still searching for answers.

was not aware of any blown transformer. No earthquake has been reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.

“We went to the local plants to see if they had an explosion, but we found nothing,” said Cook.

BY TONYA RODGERS

Janice Cleveland of Johnston began her ministry, Loaves of Love, in 2016. When she found out her daughters’

Cook said it sounded like a transformer blew, but people near Snelling reported the noise sounding louder, she said.

Page 8A • Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Jordyn Gilbert

"My neighbors and our-

December 24, 2021

An earthquake, meth lab explosion, blown transformer, and training at local plants have topped some of the speculation as to the cause

Parents: Daja Williamson and DeVante Gilbert

Grandparents: Patricia Williamson and Lawyer Williamson

• The People-Sentinel

“We didn’t feel anything but we heard it. We don’t have any evidence of what it could have been,” said Chief Deputy Darlene Cook with the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office. From her house in the City of Barnwell, Chief

Ansley May Fenn

Barnwell County Dispatch has no reports of the cause. Chief Cook said the fire departments were never dispatched for a fire or explosion, and the power company

Some have suggested it was a sonic boom, a sound associated with shock waves created when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound.

rarily located at the Columbia airport and have night runs towards the coast so that could have been a sonic boom," said Troy Burns on Facebook. Others believe the boom could have been from a cryoseism, ice quake or frost quake, which refers to a seismic event caused by a sudden cracking action in frozen soil or rock saturated with water or ice, or by stresses generated at frozen lakes.

December 27, 2021

"I know there is an air squadron that is tempo-

Harmony Renee Jones

Parents: Kellsey Schmidt & Jessey Fenn

Grandparents: John Fenn, Beth Fenn, Chasity Schmidt, Charles Schmidt, and Becky Bozard

Luna, Lucy and Daisy, and several jumped to try to catch their blessing. Getz said he hopes to draw a larger crowd and more furry friends next year, adding that all pets will be welcome, but snakes and mice should be in containers. “May we rejoice in having our pets, who are our friends and our companions here on earth, and may we love and provide for and protect them,” he said.

Linda and Michael Guerette’s dog, Savannah, leaps at the water sprinkled by Pastor Keith Getz while Chris and Robin Taylor’s dog, Daisy, waits her turn.

Below, Connie and Michael Kramer with Lucy and Joann Wells with Buttons

listen as Getz talks about St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all animals and nature.

The cause of the noise remains a mystery.

December 30, 2021

Parents: Destiny Hutson ,KheMontae Jones

Grandparents: Kathryn Penley, Shania Washington, Desmond Belton, Kemo Jones, John Hutson

Photos by Mary Frances Hendrix Ellie Getz watches for a reaction as her family’s dog, Luna, is sprinkled with water.

Photos

the Barnwell County Sheriff's Office hosted a toy drive on Dec. 16 outside of Walmart.

ABOVE/BELOW/AT LEFT: Barnwell County Career Center students help collect toys at Stuff the Bus.

Some of the donated toys (above) fill the bus (at left).

Santa came to the Stuff the Bus event. He's pictured with Lt. Eric Kirkland of the sheriff's office and David Augustine, director of the Barnwell County Career Center.

car.

SHORT STORY

WEEKLY UNDER 3,000 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Kasie Strickland

The Easley Progress

Jase Graves Contributing columnist

I didn’t know much about Ed Sheeran prior to the concert, other than he sang a couple of popular romantic ballads and he had ginger hair that looked like he styled it with a package of fire crackers. My wife and I both worried that we might have trouble staying awake if all of his songs were slow and being performed after 8:00 PM. Oh, well. More napping!

A few hours before the gates opened, we decided to have a late lunch in downtown Arlington at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, where the food is served familystyle, most of it is fried, and everything is “all-you-can-eat.” (Did I mention the chance for napping?)

The atmosphere in Babe’s was cozy and dark, probably so we couldn’t see each other making total pigs of ourselves as the massive Lazy Susan on the table doubled as a rotating trough full of fluffy biscuits, greasy fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and a few other vegetables that I don’t remember much.

Once we had traumatized our waistbands at Babe’s, we were off to the concert. We arrived early, which gave me a chance to scout out the food vending (including a jumbo hotdog I had my eye on) since the long walk to our seats was making me hungry again.

Probably because our tickets were free, they were high enough in the stadium to be right next to the Lord’s throne room, which was fine with me. Up there, we were among other adults who had the good sense to stay seated.

The first performer was a new rock artist named Dylan. She was young, incredibly energetic, and almost certainly had never eaten at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House. I thoroughly enjoyed her music, but she made me exhausted just watching her. When she was finished, I felt old – and hungry.

Next up was Khalid, whom I can only describe as “totally cool.” His voice was cool, his walk was cool and his songs were cool. I couldn’t really make out most of the lyrics, other than one song called “Young, Dumb & Broke.” Now, that’s a song I can relate to –parts of it, anyway. Khalid’s coolness made me feel really uncool–and still hungry.

Finally, it was time for Ed Sheeran. I was excited to discover that his performance included lots of fast, “rocking” music, and he delivered a terrific stage show. There were striking visuals, exploding fire and best of all, I finally got my hot dog.

We had a great time at the concert. Ed Sheeran and friends were extremely talented musicians, so much so that when the concert ended, I felt really untalented , but at least I wasn’t hungry–until the ride home.

My view

Not all stories have happy endings

Grief is an odd thing — it has no basis in nature, no primal reason for being. Other emotions make sense with our biology: Fear keeps us from danger, pain warns us of injury, friendship and love keep us together in groups and social settings. (After all, there’s safety in numbers.)

But there is no reason for grief, except to remind us that what we once loved … is gone. My father died 204 days ago.

I measure it in days, because it’s the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning. I’ve been doing it since it happened. “Dad’s been gone a day. Dad’s been gone two days. Dad’s been gone three days …” When I hit seven, and I said to myself “Dad’s been gone a week,” I freaked out. So I stopped measuring it in weeks, and later, months. I stuck with days. Two hundred and four days without a phone call. Two hundred and four days without hearing his laugh. Two hundred and four days that I’ve watched the world just keep spinning on without him, as if he was never here.

How dare it.

It seems to me when people talk about grief, they tend to focus on the softer emotions like sad-

ness and loss. And while I do feel those, if I’m being completely honest, mostly what I feel is anger.

I’m angry at the paramedics for not instantly appearing after I called 911. I’m angry at the oak door for being so hard to break down. I’m angry that when the coroner came out, she had a pink sparkly jacket on. Mostly, I’m angry at myself. I’m angry at myself for not making him go to the doctor. I’m angry at myself for being in the kitchen and not noticing when he got up from bed. I’m angry with myself for not being better at CPR. I’m angry at myself for telling the paramedics it was OK to stop when they told me he was gone. In one instant, my house was turned from a loving, family home to nothing more than the place where my Dad died. I see the floor outside the room where they worked on him and there’s no indication anything ever happened there. It’s just a hallway I have to walk down everyday. But every time I do, all I can think is “my Dad died right here.” He is everywhere in my mind, and nowhere to be found. His absence is suffocat-

strickly speaking

Kasie Strickland

ing. This weekend was Father’s Day and I had been absolutely dreading it. My friends warned me to stay off social media, that it was likely to stir up a whole slew of memories and emotions. So, to avoid getting swamped down in my grief, I kept myself busy and avoided my phone. I ran errands, started a painting project and cooked my husband’s favorite meal. All was going fine until that evening. It was quiet, the boys were in bed, dinner was finished and I was foolishly headed towards the wrong end of a bottle of merlot. All those feelings I had buried throughout the day were starting to claw their way back to the surface and I stepped out into our backyard because I felt like I was really about to lose it. But just before I did — right when that ball of grief was so big in my chest it was about to burst — I smelled him.

The scent only lasted a second or two, but it was very real — that combination of soap, cigarettes and cooking oil I had smelled a thousand times on his work shirts when I was a little girl — and that ball in my chest

melted away.

I’m not a particularly spiritual or a prayerful woman — never have been. I believe in what I can see and touch. I believe in what science tells me is true, I believe in what I can prove.

But in that moment, in those brief seconds as that familiar scent washed over me, I almost believed in impossible things.

Almost.

Was it the stress of the day? Maybe. Was it the wine? Probably. Was it a daughter’s grief bubbling over until her brain whipped up the most comforting thing it could conjure? Most likely.

But maybe the “whys” and “hows” don’t matter. Not really.

If you’re waiting for me to tell you that since that night everything has seemed a little brighter, I’m afraid you’ve missed the point. Remember, there is no logic behind grief, you can’t measure or make sense of it. It ebbs and flows according to it’s own wishes, swooping up at you when you least expect it, and then abandoning you without notice.

Like a scent on the breeze, 204 days later.

Kasie Strickland is the general manager of The Sentinel-Progress and can be reached at kstrickland@ cmpapers.com. Views expressed in this column are those of the writer only and do not necessarily represent the newspaper’s opinion.

Writing was effective. I could feel her sorrow in losing her dad. Knowing the days since her dad passed, that will go away.

Reach Graves at susanjase@sbcglobal.net. Opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer only and do not necessarily represent those of the newspaper.

Davis, Arterburn pushing Jackets through playoffs

‘The way they respond to adversity at such a high level. That’s why we’re in the position we’re in now.’

Greg Miller Greer softball coach

the first pitch of her at-bat over the left-field wall to lift her Jackets to a 17-16 walk-off win. Her teammates mobbed her as she crossed home plate. It hadn’t been easy, but they’d gotten the job done. “I’ve been talking about it all year, but the character of these young ladies is incredible,” said Greer head coach Greg Miller. “The way they respond to adversity at such a high level. That’s why we’re in the position we’re in now.”

Greer moved on to play Greenwood in the next round on May 4, where the Jackets fought hard but fell 12-6. They run-ruled Pickens 11-1 the next day to stay alive in the playoffs. Freshman Morgan “Mo” Arterburn pitched a stellar complete game to keep Greer’s hopes alive. Arterburn has pitched every game for the Jackets through their playoff run so far.

“Mo––she means everything to this team and the girls know that,” Miller SEE JACKETS B2

Newcomers go behind the scenes before going up front

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

The wood benches in the former courtroom that now serves as Georgetown County Council chambers don’t encourage people to linger. Over the last year, Clint Elliott and Stella Mercado persevered.

Even when the two Waccamaw Neck Republicans learned this spring that they would be unopposed for seats on the council, they continued to attend the meetings. Elliott has also been a regular at See “Council, Page 3

SCHOOLS | Waccamaw Intermediate

FIRST PLACE

Charles Swenson Coastal Observer

homeowners association at Hidden Oaks, told about 80 people who met at Waccamaw Library.

Royal Farms, a chain of 260 convenience stores in the midAtlantic states and West Virginia, presented the HOA with its plans for a 5,154-square-foot store and restaurant this fall.

Property owners were not impressed. “We know the negative impact it will have on our community,” said Don Tyson, a board member.

Those include increased traffic and stormwater runoff and decreased property values, residents said.

The HOA was told by the project’s engineers that they

Farms standard store design.

expected the store to generate 4,100 car trips a day.

“That spells, to me, accidents, congestion and backups,” Tyson said.

The property is zoned “general commercial,” which allows convenience stores. Commercial buildings on Highway 17 on Waccamaw Neck have to comply with design rules that cover such items and roof pitch, color and materials. No permit applications have been submitted for the store, said Holly Richardson, the Georgetown See “Land use,” Page 4

Elf sightings have students shaking their heads – and smiling

By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER

Perhaps it was a joke. Maybe some kind of sick humor?

It was enough to make your toes curl; unless your toes were curled already.

Students who arrived at Waccamaw Intermediate School on Monday morning were confronted by the doleful sight of an elf seated in a wheelchair in the doorway of the nurse’s office. A thermometer hung from his mouth like an empty Christmas stocking.

A few kids just kept walking. Some stopped long enough to grab a candy cane from the box that also sat in the doorway. Others pondered the un-

canny resemblance of the elf to the school’s principal, Travis Klatka.

Most of them laughed and smiled.

The elf didn’t move. He could have been on a shelf.

“It’s just a way to bring some fun. It’s a stressful time of year; the holidays,” Klatka said.

The elf made a speedy recovery. He was spotted the next morning on the wall outside the cafeteria as sixth-graders were dropped off. He was then found with a rod and reel by the fish tank in the lobby.

Klatka started his foray into elvishness last week. With just 12 school days left before the Christmas break, the elf was perched in a tree in front of the

An elf who looks much like the principal, Travis Klatka, sits outside Waccamaw Intermediate.

Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer

school. The next day, the elf was atop a brick wall by the bus circle.

The sixth-graders were his toughest audience; trying to ignore the elf, but drawn by the absurdity.

“They try not to smile, but you can tell,” Klatka said. The parents lingered to snap photos, and younger kids on their way to the elementary school smiled and waved from car windows.

See “Elf,” Page 2

Engaging,

Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer

Clint Elliott and Stella Mercado review a council agenda from the audience.

THIRD PLACE

Andy Brack

Charleston City Paper

SECOND PLACE

Mike McCombs

The Island News

SHORT STORY

WEEKLY OVER 6,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Bob Sofaly

The Island News

Sweet – just way too sweet! So is his picture! It’s a very nice opportunity for this young man to be able to follow in his family footsteps!

ered bat sat in the junior’s bag for about a year before he decided to repurpose it earlier this season. Dominguez first painted it all purple, but Taylor and Ouzts wanted to spice up a bit. They suggested adding white stripes, applied in pattern of candy cane. At first, the rest of the Tigers were skeptical, but when the product was finished, their doubt was put to rest. “They loved it,” Dominguez said.“I thought it was pretty cool. was going to throw it away, and found use to it.”

Player of the Year as a junior.

“It’s really special, I’m thankful to God for putting me in this po-

ver GM Lin Dunn said. ‘We are excited to pair her with Kelsey (Mitchell) and NaLyssa (Smith)

you know the system. ... It took a lot of thought.” bert after the Indiana Fever selected her first overall at the WNBA draft day in New York.

bats, hot hearts

Greenwood baseball hosts

By CAM ADAMS cadams@indexjournal.com

A lot of things brought a smile to Ava Boyter’s face.

She loved gymnastics.

She loved all things girly.

And when she received a plethora of Squishmallows while in

Early, big hits lead GHS past Byrnes

By CAM ADAMS cadams@indexjournal.com

As the third batter in the lineup, TJ Aiken got all he could ask for in his first at-bat — two guys on and no outs.

Aiken took two balls and a strike, then on the fourth pitch, he swung for the fences.

The senior sent it over the right-field wall, batting in three of the Eagles’ five runs in the inning. That hit coupled with another huge double from Luke Godwin in the second gave Greenwood a 9-2 win Monday night over Byrnes.

“We were able to get some guys some innings, good approaches at the plate. That’s a good baseball team over there. We played well,” Greenwood coach Matt Baker said.

After Aiken’s home run, the runs kept rolling in for the Eagles early. Following an Elijah Tiller single and an Evan Avery double, Tiller came back home on a wild pitch. With Avery taking third on that same play, Jayden Adams hit a sacrifice fly to bring him around for a score.

Then, Godwin’s double in the second brought home a pair of runners along with Aiken on an error to add three more. A couple of atbats later, Godwin was sent back around after a Pat Wood RBI single.

“We’re swinging it well, guys are moving well. It’s always huge to get a lead early,” Baker said. “Put up a five-spot in that first inning was just huge, so it’s always big to get that lead early and put the

Sign up and save $5.

PHOTOS BY CAM ADAMS INDEX-JOURNAL Greenwood starting pitcher Matt Murray slings a pitch in the Eagles’ Monday night win over Byrnes.

espite

“We’re trying to raise money to get better resources, playground equipment, Field Day, birthday things for the kids,” said Amanda Kuykendall, PTO president.

School walk a lap during Thursday’s turkey trot.

Lane: Voting odyssey shows poll workers follow law

By MATTHEW HENSLEY mhensley@indexjournal.com

Theo Lane went to his polling place last week, voter registration card in hand, eager to cast his ballot. Instead of voting, however, the Greenwood County Council member found himself on a quest to prove his identity.

That’s because he showed up at Coronaca Fire Department without a driver’s license.

South Carolina requires each voter to show a photo ID at the polls. He rifled through his wallet. It wasn’t there. He searched his house and couldn’t find it.

“I still don’t have a driver’s license,” he said.

“I don’t know where it is.”

Lane settled on another permissible form of photo ID: his passport.

He told his fellow council members Tuesday that there was a purpose to his parable.

“When I walked into Coronaca Fire Department, everybody in that building knew who I was. Everybody,” Lane said. “But that didn’t influence the fact that they followed the verification process that secures the sanctity of our vote. And although it was a little bit of an inconvenience to me, I thanked them for doing that.”