From The Mayor's Desk
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Letter Submissions
It is the policy of The Elgin News to encourage reader participation on its editorial page. Diverse and varied opinions are welcomed. Because of space limitations, we must limit all contributors to one letter per person per month. Letters of 200 words or less will be published unless they contain language or content that the editors feel is inappropriate.
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We welcome your input. You may write to us by e-mail at elginnews@gmail.com or by regular mail at:
Letters to the Editor
The Elgin News P.O. Box 152 Elgin, SC 29045
By: Mayor Melissa Brazell Emmons
Note: From The Mayor’s Desk is submitted by Mayor Melissa Emmons and is not the official minutes of the Elgin Town Council.
The Elgin Town Council gathered on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, for its monthly meeting, with Mayor Melissa Emmons presiding. Council members Cristy Bradley, Brad Hanley, and Dana Sloan were in attendance, along with Chief Alan Anders, Lt. Chris DeLong, Town Clerk Jamie Parker, and Town Attorney John Wells.
After opening with an invocation from Mayor Emmons and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Hanley, the Council quickly approved the minutes from the August 5 meeting and adopted the evening’s agenda.
New Businesses Welcomed
Three new business license applications were reviewed for August: Roofco Inc., Hawthorne Plumbing, and Twist & Sip Lemonade.
Police Department Updates
Chief Anders reported that the department’s new vehicles are expected to arrive by mid-September. He also praised new officer Bruce Beck for his strong performance and announced the promotion of Officer Robert Cooper to the rank of Lance Corporal.
Ordinances and Old Business
In old business, the Council approved the second readings of Ordinance 43 Amendment and Ordinance 251, both passing unanimously. Councilman Hanley requested future meetings include a synopsis of Community Center rental details for better oversight.
Zoning Amendment Discussion
A proposed zoning ordinance amendment to reduce the minimum acreage requirement from 15 acres to 3 acres (Section 2.3-2) was brought forward by Councilwoman Bradley but failed to advance due to the lack of a second.
Later, in the council briefing, Hanley requested further clarification on the zoning change. Mayor Emmons explained that the amendment could give the town greater flexibility in land use, while Attorney Wells added that the Plan Development District would allow the town to customize property and business projects.
Annexation and Appointments
The Council also discussed a petition for annexation, noting that signatures from landowners are required before the process can move forward.
Additionally, Patrick Wise was unanimously approved as a new member of the Elgin Zoning Board of Appeals.
Executive Session
The meeting moved into executive session at 6:45 p.m. for legal advice. No votes or actions were taken during the closed session, and the Council returned to open session before adjourning at 7:16 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Elgin Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
The Elgin News builds community and brings people together by informing everyone about local businesses, services, schools organizations, government, activities, events and other information useful for becoming involved. It helps those who live and work in Elgin to get to know each other as people and to become friends.
The Elgin News accepts no responsibility for the contents of the advertisements or articles. Advertisements and articles are accepted with the full responsibility of the advertiser for worth and accuracy. Readers who wish to comment or have concerns regarding advertisements contained herein are urged to phone the Elgin News at (803) 513-5108 or (803) 466-4604. The Elgin News will discontinue accepting advertising from firms of alleged
Elgin Police Department Incident Reports
Simple Assault: Reporting officer was traveling down Smyrna Road, which is within the Town limits of Elgin, when they observed what they thought to be a civil disturbance occurring at the intersection of Smyrna and Abbey Road. Officer turned around to make contact with the parties that were involved in this altercation, a male standing next to a bicycle and a male standing outside of a red sedan, when they noticed one Victim curled up on the sidewalk apparently in pain. Officer made contact with Victim, which is when he disclosed that the subject in the red sedan had just assaulted him. Upon making contact with the victim, who is known through prior encounters as Victim, Officer observed that he was clutching his midsection and appeared to be in pain. When Officer asked a Witness what happened he stated that a man had got out of the red vehicle Officer had seen, a red Toyota Corolla according to Witness, had called Victim a 'pedophile' before he hit him in the face and ribcage area with a closed fist. Officer asked if a license plate number had been obtained for the vehicle when Victim spoke up and stated that he knew where the man lived. Officer asked who the male was and Victim stated that it was a 'First Name' subject but was unsure of a last name. Officer was unable to see any visible signs of injury at the time of this report. When Officer spoke with Victim about what happened he stated that First Name, later identified as Subject, stopped him while he was walking down the road and hit him after calling him a pedophile and stating that he did not want Victim in the neighborhood anymore. Officer asked if Victim knew Subject's last name and he stated that he didn't but he lived right across the road from him. Victim stated that he was struck in the face as well as his side, the area of his body that he was clutching when Officer pulled on scene. Victim also stated that Subject had driven past him two separate times while on his motorcycle before he made a comment saying "wait until I go get my car". Victim stated that he had not said anything to Subject prior to the assault and was just walking down the street. EMS was contacted to come access the level of injuries that could have been sustained. Victim was checked out by EMS but ultimately refused to be transported to the hospital despite his inability to stand up straight without pain in his chest/ribs. After leaving from the incident location, Officer went to Kelly Street which is the home of Subject. Upon arrival, Officer made contact with Subject's wife who stated he wasn't home at the moment but would be returning shortly. When Subject ar-
rived home moments later, Officer asked about what happened. Subject immediately stated that he couldn't say that he knew anything about any assault that had occurred and stated that he had only been on his motorcycle. Subject did state that he had passed Victim where he was walking, however he stated that he ignored him just like he always does. When Officer asked if he had taken the red Toyota Corolla that was in the driveway anywhere recently he stated "I mean... no". Officer also asked if he was the individual that was inside the vehicle yelling when they arrived on scene and Subject reply was "not to my recollection." Subject then later into the conversation made a statement "If he looks at my kids again, if he takes his penis out again in front of my children maybe then I'll assault him but I'm not going to say I assaulted him now." At this time Subject was taken into custody and placed into the rear of Officer patrol vehicle after being searched. Once in the rear of the patrol vehicle Subject continued to state that he did not assault Victim but made a comment stating "If I wanted to beat him up I would have beat him up." Officer did have the chance to ask Subject's wife if he had taken the Corolla instead of the motorcycle anywhere and she stated that he had taken it to go get gas for her but was unsure of what time that was. Subject was transported to the Kershaw County Detention Center and booked without incident. Officer received a call to another Kelly Street address a few hours after the initial call in reference to the assault and spoke with family members of the victim who convinced him to be transported to the hospital to get checked out. At this time, based off evidence that was collect from the initial investigation, the level of injury is consistent with 3rd degree Assault and Battery which is what Subject is being charged with.
Road Rage: The Complainant requested through Central Dispatch for an Elgin Officer to give her a call. The reporting officer called the Complainant who wanted to report what she called a road rage incident. She advised she was driving her blue Toyota Rav 4 along Smyrna Road doing the speed limit when a new white GMC Yukon speed up behind her. She said the vehicle then passed her on the left in the turn lane at Goff Lane. Once in front of her the vehicle slammed on brakes and attempted to cause her to hit them. The vehicle then sped off and he driver flipped her off. She advised it was a white female driver with her hair up in a bun, but due to the windows being tinted that was all she could tell. The Complainant was unable to get a tag number, but advised it was a South Carolina tag. The Complainant wanted law enforcement to look into the incident because she believes it may be a common insurance scam where people try
to cause an accident for insurance money. The reporting officer will search Flock. Also, due to the location being described the reporting officer requested CCTV footage from Statewide Security from the camera box at Smyrna Road and Goff Lane. Due to the report being taken over the phone the reporting officers body worn camera was not activated.
Civil Disturbance: Officer responded to Food Lion in reference to speaking with a subject. Due to a call for service being dispatched to me at the same time that involved a wreck with injuries, I contacted Complainant by phone. Complainant Complainant informed me that the incident she wanted to report happened in the parking lot of Food Lion. Complainant explained to me that her and her son were walking through the parking lot to go inside of the store to shop. While they were walking in the parking lot, another vehicle almost backed into them. No contact was made between Complainant, her son, and the vehicle. This incident led into Complainant and the driver of the vehicle getting into a verbal altercation. Complainant did not report any threats being made. Complainant wanted to get the stores security camera video from the incident and wanted this incident to be documented. Complainant did not state who the other person was. Complainant said she spoke to the store manager in an attempt to get the video of the incident and was directed to law enforcement about the incident and they would be willing to send the video to the Elgin Police Department. Complainant was provided a case reference number and I informed her Food Lion would send me the video at a later date. Due to this report being completed for documentation purposes, no criminal charges or police investigation will be pursued.
Larceny: On 09/16/2025, The complainant came to the Elgin Police Department to report a stolen trailer on behalf of he employer. The complainant stated that sometime between 0745-0950 on the above date, an unknown person came to 2434 Main St. in the Town Limits of Elgin and stole a trailer that was parked behind the fireworks stand on the property. The complainant stated that the company had placed an air tag on the trailer and seen the trailer was on Hwy 378. The owner went to the location shown on GPS and locater the trailer parked in a wooded area with a boot on the wheel. The trailer owner used a saw to remove the boot and took possession of his property. The complainant stated that there is no cameras that point to where the trailers were parked but there is a possibility a camera from across the street could have captured something.
By: Liz Simon, Staff Writer
When I opened the letter from Lugoff-Elgin High this spring, I never expected it would hold an invitation to the school’s Hall of Fame on September 4th, at the beautiful Rock Bottom Pond venue owned by Donna and George Speedy.
Following is an excerpt from my speech that evening:
My story at Lugoff-Elgin began in 1970. At the suggestion of my pastor, who was a fraternity brother of then–middle school principal Robert Falls, I accepted a teaching opportunity here. Looking back, I realize that sometimes it is not about how good you are, it’s about connections and timing referred to by my journalism students as ‘networking.’ That’s how I landed in Kershaw County.
At my very first county-wide teachers’ meeting, I ran into my old junior varsity basketball coach, Coke Goodwin, who was then principal at Camden High. He told me not to be overwhelmed, that I would grow to love this community the way he did. He was right.
What I found was more than a teaching job. I discovered a home, a family, and a career that shaped my life for more than 55 years. Since retiring 25 years ago, I’ve had two strokes, and I often say I’m living in the “fourth quarter,” still hoping for overtime. Even so, this community continues to bless me in ways I never imagined especially Cate Lynch, my editor at The Elgin News.
I was raised by parents from “The Greatest Generation,” who taught us baby boomers to set goals, dream big, and reach for the stars. At LE we dreamed big whether it was raising funds to create opportunities for our students or pushing ourselves in academics and athletics. We proved that when a community like Lugoff came together with a town like Elgin, incredible goals can be accomplished. None of this would have been possible without my fellow teachers (most of whom were baby boomers like
Hispanic Heritage Month at LEHS The Legacy of Lugoff-Elgin High
me), the administration, the students, and the parents who stood beside us.
I would like all of us to remember the students and colleagues we have lost along the way. Their legacy is woven into the very fabric of this schooltheir laughter in the halls, their hard work in the classroom, their courage on the playing fields, and the lessons they left behind. They remain an important part of the Lugoff Elgin story. Their spirit lives on in every success story that comes after them, and I carry their memory with me.
We have had broken dreams. We have had heartaches, but we have also reached the heights, and we have seen the stars.
Sharing this honor with Monte Lee and Tressa Dixon reminded me that the Hall of Fame is not just about celebrating personal achievement. (Please continue this recognition. Special thanks to Jess King, Kayla Shoemake, Kelly Little, Principal Wright.) It’s about honoring the threads that connect us to one another and to this school. Each of us took different paths—mine through the classroom, Monte’s through athletics, and Tressa’s through public service—but our roots remain the same.
Monte has served as head baseball coach of his alma mater, the College of Charleston and Clemson University winning 5 conference championships. In 2022 Monte joined USC as the associate head coach, helping lead the team to Super Regionals in 2023 and 2024. Monte is widely respected for his player development and recruitment.
Tressa was named South Carolina Victim Assistance Advocate by Governor Henry McMaster and has been with the Columbia Police Department since 2002. She received a BA degree in Criminal Justice from Ashford Academy. While in high school she was an all-state All Star basketball player scoring over 1000 points. Later she helped coach the varsity girls’ basketball team and made monetary donations to the program.
Thank you to those of you who are here. You are the people who help us make our dreams come true, and for the ones who are not here tonight and could not be here, keep the story of LEHS alive. Be proud to tell your story.
Remember as we go our separate ways and as the years go by, the legacy of Lugoff-Elgin will be in your hands.
Students created colorful displays showcasing traditions, history, and contributions from various countries. To bring the celebration to life, they for the entire school community.
Lugoff-Elgin High School recently celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a student-led initiative that highlighted the richness and di versity of Hispanic cultures.
Habitat For Humanity Volunteer of the Year
Paula Bordner, Habitat For Humanity's Volunteer of the Year, was born and raised in Camden and has spent her entire working life giving to others though the love of books. Starting her career at Kershaw County School District in the classroom. Paula transitioned to the library and found her niche. Paula thrived in the challenges of the library, especially organization. She became the special assignment librarian being reas signed to nearly every school in the district. Paula was a problem solver and every library she served benefited. Paula retired form the school dis trict and joined Camden Military Academy. Where she enjoyed 10 more years in the library assisting the cadets in their studies. In 2023 Paula retired for good and found time for a new love gardening. Paula and her husband Tim have 2 children and four granddaughters.
Paula joined the Habitat family in February of 2024 volunteering in the ReStore keeping the books and media organized. Paula logged 400 hours during her first a year of service.
She was honored by the Habitat Board to be awarded the Volunteer of the Year 2024. Habitat is dedicated to the mission of making a positive impact on our community by building affordable homes. It has been a place to meet friends, help shoppers in the store. Volunteers are needed, but you can support our mission by donating and shopping. See you at the Habitat Restore.
Dance teacher Gracie Buring partnered with art teacher Jess King and teaching assistant Nikita Gar ner to design a lesson where students responded to visual artwork through movement. King and Gar ner provided the art, while Buring’s dance students interpreted the pieces with original choreography, blending two disciplines into one powerful expression of creativity.
'Grand' People Visit Doby's
In celebration of Grandparents Day, grandparents and (other grand-people) were welcomed to DME to join their loved ones for lunch. There were lots of smiles and lots of hugs!
Blaney Elementary 4th Graders Explore Camp Leopold
Elementary 4th graders recently spent the day exploring, learning, and growing at Camp Leopold through both team-building challenges
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Springvale Homecoming
Springvale Baptist Church in Lugoff will be having Homecoming on Sunday, Oct. 12. Worship service will begin at 10:30, with former Pastor Todd Horton returning to bring the message. Lunch will be held after the service. Everyone attending is asked to bring a side dish or two and dessert. For more information, please call 803-438-1505.
Sandhills Medical Mobile Unit
Sandhills Medical is proud to announce the official launch of its new Mobile Health Unit, a fully equipped medical office on wheels designed to deliver high-quality, compassionate care di rectly to communities across the region. With the goal of breaking down transportation and acces sibility barriers, this new unit represents a major step forward in Sandhills Medical’s mission to provide comprehensive care, close to home.
The Mobile Health Unit will offer a wide range of services including preventive screenings, primary care, behavioral health, vaccinations, and follow-up care coordination. It will also serve as a vital resource during community events, health fairs, and emergency response efforts.
“We’re thrilled to bring care directly to the communities we serve,” said Cassandra Waddell, Mobile Health Unit Manager at Sandhills Medical. “This Mobile Unit allows us to meet patients where they are—whether that’s in rural neighborhoods, community centers, or schools—and provide the same high level of care they would receive at any of our permanent locations.”
Mobile Unit Services Include:
• Primary care visits
• Preventive health screenings
• Lab draws and point-of-care testing
• Immunizations
• Chronic disease management
• Behavioral health services
• Referrals and health education
Sandhills Medical is building strategic partnerships with schools, churches, nonprofits, and local organizations to maximize the reach and impact of the Mobile Health Unit. These collaborations are carefully developed to bring meaningful health services directly into the communities that will benefit most.
Contact for Community Partnerships: Cassandra Waddell, Mobile Health Unit Manager 704.533.1028 | cwaddell@sandhillsmedical.org
About Sandhills Medical
Sandhills Medical, legally known as Sandhills Medical Foundation, Inc., is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) committed to providing quality, comprehensive, and cost-effective healthcare services. Serving residents of Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, and Sumter Counties, Sandhills Medical operates nine locations dedicated to providing comprehensive care, close to home.
Above, left to right: Mary Ellen Powell and Cassandra Waddell of Sandhills Medical chat with Sen. Jeffrey Graham.
the Lugoff-Elgin Cross Country team at school's stadium on Wednesday, September 17.
The presentation was made on the football field's fifty-yard-line prior to the kick-off of the Stover Middle School's Royal & Gold Night football game. The Stover Tigers met the Fairfield Middle School Griffins.
A check for $2034.00 was presented by Auxiliary Unit 195 member Brenda Cook and President Glenda Baxley, as well as the post's commander Ruppert Baird. Accepting the check was coach Sierra Oliphant and the cross country team.
The donation covers the cost of the team's uniforms and warm-ups.
This is Post 195's second year of direct support of the team, that has seen explove growth under the tutelage of coaches Charlotte Gibson and Oliphant.
The Larry Jeffers Post 195 of the American legion in Lugoff presented the Lugoff-Elgin Cross Country team a donation for the team's kit before the Stover Middle-Fairfield Middle football game Wednesday evening September 17 at the L-E football stadium.
Presenting the check is Auxiliary Unit 195 member Brenda Cook and President Glenda Baxley, as well as the post's commander Ruppert Baird, at the right of the check. Coach Sierra Oliphant and the cross country team accept the check.
Stormwater Safe Pool Winterizing
Swimming pools are great fun when it’s hot out, but as the fall and winter approach homeowners begin emptying their pools for storage or cleaning until next season. Chlorine is commonly added to pool water to keep it clean and clear, but should not be drained to stormwater drainage systems or local waterways. Flooding the environment with chlorinated water can have serious health and environmental repercussions, including the creation of harmful byproducts like chloroform. Dechlorinating your pool before draining it can help reduce your impact on the environment and prevent polluted water from entering the water system.
Effects of chlorine on streams, rivers and lakes:
• Health concerns: dry, itchy skin and brittle hair; burning and redness in eyes; shortness of breath
• Creates harmful byproducts when it reacts with other organic compounds, including chloroform and possible carcinogens
• Damages plant life in areas of high contamination
• It absorbs into the bloodstream of fish, and can cause burns. It has a similar effect on aquatic macroinvertebrates. These burns can cause serious damage to aquatic organisms.
Chlorine that enters the environment via pool cleaning will act much the same as chlorine in a fish tank. For an aquarium to be healthy, you must dechlorinate the tap water before adding fish to avoid burns. The same effect can occur in natural systems.
Dechlorinating Tips:
• Use sunlight. Sunlight will naturally help to remove chlorine from water. Stop adding chlorine to your pool and test it over 10 days to see when chlorine levels are safe to discharge. This is the easiest way, but it takes the longest. Make sure to keep running your pool pump, if you have one, even though you are no longer adding chlorine!
• Buy a dechlorinating kit. Local pool vendors often sell dechlorinating kits but be sure to ask for help if you have any questions about directions. Make sure that the chemicals used are safe for the environment before you drain your pool.
• Using a test kit. Be sure to use a test kit to ensure that your pool water reflects a certain chlorine concentration and pH range before draining. Chlorine concentrations are usually around 01. ppm and pH should have a range of 6.5 to 7.8, but be sure to check city regulations to see if they have different specified amounts.
• Use a carbon absorption filter. This is the most thorough way to remove chlorine from a pool, but can be more expensive than using chemicals or sunlight. Ask a pool professional if this is the right choice for your pool.
• Make sure to test your pool water before draining. Even after treating your pool, it is always a good idea to double check that the method you chose was successful to prevent adding unsafe levels of chemicals to the environment.
“The Pickup” Movie Mustangs Will Be At This Weekend’s Firefest
We hope to see everyone at Fire Fest at Camden City Arena on Saturday (9/27/25) at 9am. There will be some very special Mustangs in the parade and on display.
You will be able to see the actual ’68 Fastback Mustangs (Hero 1 & Hero 2) used in the new movie “The Pickup” starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, and Keke Palmer. These special Mustangs are owned by some of our very own Kershaw County citizens at River Rat Classics in Lugoff. Photo credit to SCPoliceCruisers.com
Concerned Citizens Event Set for Oct. 16
Concerned Citizens of Kershaw County will host its 4th highly successful Town Hall Meeting on October 16th at Liberty Hall at the Revolutionary War Visitors Center, Camden, SC. The community is invited to attend and share their thoughts with local leaders. Questions about community issues of concern are encouraged and those asking a question are asked to sign up at 6 pm.
Hosted by WACH FOX anchor reporter, Fraendy Clervaud, the pre-
senters will include: Matt DeWitt/Camden City Manager, SC Senator Jeffrey Graham/District 35, Jeff Burgess/KC Economic Development Director, Russell Brazell/Vice Chairman KC County Council, Tina Griggs/ Food for the Soul Executive Director, Sgt. Bobby Hager/KC Sheriff 's Office Community Oriented Policing & C.O.R.E. Team, Jim Edge/KC Emergency Medical Service Director, and Dr. Harrison Goodwin/KC School District Superintendent.
