Elgin News - 12A 2025 by The Elgin News

News From KC Council

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Letters to the Editor

The Elgin News P.O. Box 152 Elgin, SC 29045

By: Council Chairman Ben Connell

As we approach the close of another year in Kershaw County, I find myself filled with gratitude for what we have accomplished together and optimistic about the opportunities ahead. The Christmas season reminds us of the importance of faith, family, community, and the shared hopes that bring us together. It also gives us a moment to pause and reflect on the progress we have made due to dedicated citizens, local businesses, hard-working staff, and leaders who care deeply about this county’s future.

This year brought transformative improvements across Kershaw County. One major project was the needed expansion of parking and other enhancements at the West Wateree Sports Complex, which should be completed soon. This investment ensures that our families, athletes, and visitors have the facilities they deserve, supporting youth sports, and healthy living. The complex continues to be a gathering place where memories are made and friendships grow, and these upgrades will serve the West Wateree area for decades to come.

Perhaps the most inspiring project of the year was the opening of the Wateree River Medal of Honor Boat Ramp at Veterans Park, an asset that strengthens recreation, tourism, and access to our beautiful river. More importantly, it stands as a lasting tribute to Kershaw County’s four Medal of Honor recipients: Sgt. Richmond H. Hilton, Cpl. John C. Villepigue, Cpl. Donald L. Truesdell, and Sgt. Maj. Thomas Patrick Payne. Their courage and sacrifice reflect the very best of our nation and serve as a reminder that freedom is never free. It was an honor to join with our county council, legislative delegation, numerous veterans, and community members to dedicate this landmark in their names. Notably, Kershaw County is tied for first in the state for the most medal of honor recipients.

Holiday spirit is shining brightly throughout the county as well. The Elgin Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was a wonderful event which highlights the importance of Christmas in our community. It was so nice to have that event in the backdrop of the new Elgin Community Center at Potter Park, and see so many families together. In addition, the Tinsel Trail has once again transformed the center of county into a holiday wonderland. Local businesses, churches, civic groups, and families poured creativity into decorating over 70 Christmas trees or displays, each one unique, joyful, and filled with hometown pride. If you haven’t taken an evening stroll along the Tinsel Trail, there is still time to bundle up, bring the kids, and make some memories along the banks of the Wateree River.

As we look toward the new year, our momentum continues. Plans are underway for more recreational amenities, thoughtful growth, economic development, and strong partnerships that ensure Kershaw County remains a place where families and businesses can thrive. In that vein, we will keep focusing on quality infrastructure, public safety, and economic opportunities for all our residents. This holiday season, may each of us find joy in simple moments, like the warmth of a shared meal, the laughter of children, sharing kindness, the twinkling lights that brighten December nights, and the peace and promise of a hope that comes during the Christmas season.

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and may God bless you in the year ahead. Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving as your County Council Chairman. The best is yet to come for Kershaw County!

The Elgin News builds community and brings people together by informing everyone about local businesses, services, schools organizations,

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 dubious reputation.

Rates are net - discount agreements must be reflected on the publication order. Invoices due on receipt. Tearsheets and proofs available upon request. Advertising setup, changes and publication verification are provided at no charge. 15% agency comm. is 30-days firm. Photography charges negotiable. By-line articles are the property of the contributor and may not be reproduced without permission. The Elgin News, PO Box 152, Elgin, SC 29045 · (803) 513-5108 Cate Goff, Editor · Email: elginnews@gmail.com Cate

Elgin Police Department Incident Reports

Disorderly Conduct: On November 25th 2025 around 08:20 the Principal of Blaney Elementary, called SRO to the front office for a parent, Subject, showing out after an IEP meeting. Principal and the Assistant Principal, stated they felt threatened by Subject because Subject yelled shut up at Assistant Principal and then said "I'll see you outside of school" which Principal and Assistant Principal both took as a threat. Subject was in the lobby at this time waiting on her other two children. When SRO went out to speak with her she did not say much at first but when she did she had an attitude and raised her voice to the a level that caught the attention of the other parents in the lobby. At that time SRO asked her to step outside and speak with me. Subject said there was no need as she didn't have anything to say and just wanted her children. SRO checked with Front Office and she informed me the children were on the way up. Subject stated "I didn't threaten anyone. I just said I will see them outside of school and I will." She then said she was going to the district and the school would be hearing from the district. Principal informed SRO she wanted to have Subject trespassed from the school property. Once Subject's other two children were up front and Subject was outside the school SRO informed her she was going to be trespassed from the school then she was informed of the consequences if she did return. Subject kept walking and said her kids would not be back at this school then got in her car. Subject got back out of her car and said her children had stuff in the classrooms they left and she wanted it. SRO asked which teachers and what items then went into the school to ask Assistant Principal to call the teachers to request the items. SRO took the items to Subject's car, she would not open the door but had the children open the back car door and retrieve the items. Subject left the school grounds without further incident. Due to the lack of willingness to speak with me after being told she as trespassed, a trespass notice was filled out after and has been added into LawTrk. Body worn camera was activated at the time of this incident.

Shoplifting: Reporting officer was notified by one of the clerks at Town Hall that Food Lion needed to report a shoplifting where the suspect had already left the property. Upon arrival, Officer made contact with the Manager who stated that she had CCTV footage

of an individual failing to render payment for approximately $41 worth of merchandise before passing all final points of sale when she left the building. Manager also stated that she had footage of the suspects vehicle as it was leaving the parking lot. Officer was able to review the CCTV footage while on scene and observed the following while watching the footage. Officer observed the subject approach a self check out register and scan what was approximately $41 worth of merchandise. The subject can be seen holding her card up to the card reader before she enters a pin number then leaves without waiting for a receipt to print out. When the subject leaves, the point of sale system reverted back to the 'select payment type' screen, indicating that the payment on the card reader had not been successful and that the order had not been paid for. The suspect, having left after entering the pin number, continued out the door with the unpurchased $41 worth of merchandise and heads to a vehicle in the parking. The suspect can be seen getting into a white SUV that leaves the parking lot, traveling in front of the Food Lion building in the process. Manager was able to zoom in on the vehicle and obtained a license plate and Officer was able to make out that it was a BMW SUV of some sort. Officer ran the license plate number that was obtained through SC DMV and was able to get a result. The tag showed to be displayed on a BMW X5 SUV, registered to Subject. R/O was able to pull up Subject's DMV profile and confirmed that she matched the description of the suspect that Officer plans to meet with the subject to speak with her about the situation as soon as possible.

Assisting Other Agency: Reporting Officer heard Central Dispatch give a call to Kershaw County Deputies at Highway Church Rd. where the caller heard what sounded like a female being assaulted. Due to this being just outside of town limits Reporting Officer headed that way. As the Reporting Officer arrived in the area KCSO Deputy called out on Highway Church Rd.. The Reporting Officer called out with her and realized it was in fact a location of domestic argument, but was advised to have been verbal only. Prior to arriving on scene the male half departed on foot. The Reporting Officer was advised it was a black male wearing all black. Reporting Officer circulated the area and located a male matching that description walking on Heath Pond Rd. and Highway Church Rd. Contact was made with him and he too advised it was a verbal

only argument and he walked off to cool off so it would not escalate. He was identified by his name and birth date and South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle files. However, when ran through NCIC he came back as a missing juvenile from the City of Columbia Police Department. A ten minute hit was sent and confirmed. The Suspect was released to KCSO. Reporting Officer then cleared the scene and returned to town. The Reporting Officer's body worn camera was activated. Reference KCSO case number 2025-04583. Counterfeit/Forgery: Reporting Officer was dispatched to the location, Food Lion, which is within the Town limits of Elgin, in regards to a suspect attempting to use a fake $100 bill inside the store. Upon arrival, Reporting Officer made contact with the Manager who stated that she just had an unknown gentleman come inside and attempt to exchange a fake $100 bill for some smaller bills. Manager stated that the customer had made the comment "I just printed that yesterday" to the clerk before he proceeded to hand her a fake bill. Reporting Officer was able to look at the bill while on scene and confirmed that it was fake. Across the front of the bill, where Benjamin Franklin's head is displayed, there are several marking that indicate the bill is fake, such as things saying "Not legal tender", "Prop movie money", "For motion picture purposes" and a few others. While Reporting Officer was on scene, Manager was able to point out the male that had used the bill and Reporting Officer went to speak with him. Reporting Officer spoke with the Suspect who stated that he was not aware that the bill was fake. Suspect stated that he had found the bill on the ground outside of Sam's Club on Two Notch Road and simply though that today had been his lucky day. Suspect stated that he didn't look too closely at the bill and simply took it to a store that he could exchange the bill for change. Suspect stated that the comment that he had made had been a joke and that he did not realize nor intent to give the clerk a fake $100 bill. After speaking with the Suspect, Reporting Officer asked Manager if Suspect had attempted to pay for any items using to fake bill and she stated that she hadn't. Reporting Officer then asked if she believed that Suspect had been malicious with his actions and she stated that after listening to him she didn't, however she needed to have this documented as fake money has come through her store recently.

Christmas At The House On The Hill

By: Liz Simon, Staff Writer

The November/December issue of the popular magazine Southern Lady features the cover story, “Heartfelt ideas for a handmade Christmas,” showcasing the Christmas tree and detailed mantel arranged in greenery in the charming living room of Lugoff residents Rachel (LE ’05) and Landon Payette (LE’ 04). Since its inception in 1999, Southern Lady has been a source of inspiration, celebrating women who live in the South as well as those who feel southern at heart.

Page 117 includes a six-page spread showing rooms in the ‘House on the Hill’ located at 1760 Ridgeway Road, arranged for the holidays. The headline reads: “Where Memories Gather—a historic home celebrating the season with meaningful decorations and lasting memories.”

“The house on the hill was originally built in the 1700s by a Mr. Henry Horne. It is one of the oldest houses in Kershaw County, but it has never been historically restored even though it has been remodeled numerous times. The Gettys family acquired it in the early 1800s around 1820, according to Rachel's aunt Sarah Watson Oliver. “When my grandfather John Lathan Gettys died in 1956, my mother Eloise (Cooter) Gettys Watson inherited the house.”

Sarah continued, “For the next 20 years my father (Rachel's grandfather) Haile Otto (Pete) Watson worked remodeling the house. At one point in time 16 family members lived in the house in the summer. The house measures under 3000 square feet, but apparently the porches were often used for sleeping. When Columbia was burned by Sherman; the fire could be seen from the second story front porch. The front corner of the beautifully styled living room is the only area of the house that has the original peg construction remaining. The beams underneath that area of the heart pine floor are pegged together.”

Rachel has enjoyed holiday planning since childhood, helping her mother and grandmothers with “decking the halls”/rooms of their homes.

Before co-founding Ella’s Boutique with her sister Ashleigh Watson

Rabon (LE’01) three years ago, she completed an online interior design course. She likes blending old and new pieces into her home and often visits antique shops for unique décor.

Rachel’s favorite decoration is a sleigh on her kitchen table; her son Banks (9) prefers The Nutcracker on the hearth in the den, and her daughter Ella (4) loves shiny tree ornaments. Landon enjoys the fire in the fireplace. She starts decorating in October to songs such as “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree,” and packs away everything right after Christmas. Their stockings are kept at the foot of their beds until Christmas Eve. Then they bring their stockings downstairs to hang on the mantel.

Christmas morning, Banks and Ella find the den’s doorway covered in wrapping paper; to reach their gifts under the tree, they must break through the paper barrier.

The red chaise lounge (known as a fainting couch) is a family heirloom from the Victorian era that moves from room to room. When Rachel lived with her grandmother, she allowed her to redecorate the upstairs, and the red chaise was the first item Rachel wanted for her sitting room.

Rachel describes her style as southern traditional, and she enjoys using the bold colors red and green at Christmas time.

Landon and Rachel were LE High school sweethearts like her parents Butch and Lynda Stockman Watson. I did not see the mistletoe when I came to visit, but I have a feeling it will be brought in before Christmas with the other live greenery.

Her colonial home sits on 12 acres, with fresh greenery in the window boxes, just as her late grandmother did. In 2021, Camden’s Junior League included Payette’s House on the Hill in their Candlelight Tour of Homes, drawing hundreds of visitors to the historic property once owned by her great grandfather, who owned Rock Springs Dairy Farm.

The final page of the magazine is dedicated to a full-page photograph of the Payettes’ daughter Ella’s bedroom. The accompanying headline, “Christmas for us was, is, and always will be about family,” perfectly illustrates the spirit of the season and this family.

I taught my first year at LEMS with Rachel’s grandmother Eloise Watson and then taught all five of her children Boo, Sarah, Butch, Lisa, and Abby. It is inspiring to see the legacy of love displayed so beautifully in this home by this family and recognized by Southern Lady magazine.

Lugoff Elementary Fall Festival

Lugoff Elementary students recently enjoyed the school’s annual Fall Festival. Children enjoyed a variety of favorite autumn activities, including a wagon ride, bingo, and a special fall storytime. The fun continued with a dance party, cake walk, and exciting bounce houses that kept everyone smiling. Students also snacked on fresh popcorn and enjoyed a treat from Pelican’s.

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Above left: BES Teacher of the Year Mrs. Florette Jackson, 4k preschool teacher (center) with Assistant Principal Detra Simmons (left) and BES

Above right: BES Support Staff of the Year Gloria Carillo (center) with BES Principal DAdele Dixon (left) and BES Assistant Principal (right).

Stover welcomed military families for a breakfast drop-in to thank them for their service and to show our appreciation to our military children and parents.

Blaney Visits Goat Daddy's Farm

Schedule a FREE consultation today.

BES 4k students enriched their animal unit studies with an engaging field trip to Goat Daddy's Farm. They interacted with a variety of animals, including goats, playful pigs, and reptiles. Above, Taylor Dove says hello

REHABILITATIVE CARE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

Midlands Regional Rehabilitation Hospital in Elgin can help you regain your independence after an injury.

Our inpatient rehab hospital has 40 all-private rooms and treats those recovering from disabling injuries or living with chronic illnesses, such as:

• Strokes

• Brain injuries

• Spinal cord injuries

• Orthopedic injuries, including hip fractures

• Major multiple trauma

• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Parkinson’s disease

• Amputations

• Neurological conditions

To learn more about our services, visit our website at MRRH.ernesthealth.com.

Upcoming Evnets

Springvale Baptist

Dec, 7 - Evangelist Ben Tidwell and family will be leading in worship - 10:30 Dec. 14 - Christmas Concert by 2nd Chance Ministries - 10:30 Springvale is located at 1496 Springvale Road, Lugoff.

Lugoff Fire-Rescue Holiday Events

Lugoff Fire-Rescue (LF-R) is pleased to announce two upcoming holiday events to provide children and adults a chance to see Santa.

The first event, LF-R Santa Land, will be hosted at LF-R headquarters, located at 892 Hwy 1 South Lugoff, on Saturday December 6, 2025 from 6pm to 8pm. Santa and his helpers will be setup at the front of the fire station for a drive-thru visit. Vehicles are asked to enter in the rear entrance of the fire station behind McDonalds. Firefighters will then direct vehicles through the station to see Santa. All vehicles will exit onto Hwy 1 South via the front entrance to LF-R headquarters. LF-R has also partnered with the Kershaw County Parks and Recreation Department to be a drop-off site for the Silver Spurs Santa Letters. A template for the Santa letter has been posted to LF-R website located at (www.lugofffire.com) and LF-R Facebook page located at (www.facebook.com/lugofffire). Please print off the template and have it ready to drop in the special Silver Spurs mailbox during the drive-thru event on Saturday December 6, 2025.

The second event, Santa Patrol, is an annual community favorite. This year LF-R apparatus will bring Santa around to the Lugoff Fire District neighborhoods - see page 10 for a full schedule.

North Springs Holiday Market — Free Event!

Join us Saturday, December 20, 2025, from 9 AM–1 PM at 1320 Clemson Rd, Columbia, SC for a festive indoor holiday market! Enjoy photos with the Grinch, a live DJ, raﬄes, crafts, gift wrapping, and more family fun. Shop bath & body, home décor, baked goods, clothing, arts & crafts, sweet treats, and great stocking stuffers from local vendors. Free admission — all are welcome!

Christmas Book Drive at Lugoff-Elgin Middle

Lugoff-Elgin Middle School is proud to announce the launch of its International Christmas Book Drive, running now through December 17, 2025. This initiative supports two remote public high schools in the Philippines through a partnership with the Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) Teacher’s Guild in Cagayan de Oro City.

The beneficiary schools currently have no libraries and extremely limited learning resources. Through the donation of new or gently used middle and high school–level books, the LEMS community will help establish their first classroom libraries and expand educational opportunities for students in underserved areas.

How the Community Can Participate:

• Donate new or gently used books appropriate for grades 6–12.

• Donations should be submitted to the LEMS Library

• Donations will be accepted through December 17, 2025.

All shipping costs for the project will be fully covered through grant funding, ensuring every book donated directly benefits students who need them most.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to share the spirit of giving with our students while supporting young learners across the globe,” said the organizers. “This initiative reflects our school’s commitment to compassion, generosity, and global citizenship.”

For more information, please contact Mrs. Kristine Adams at kristine.adams@kcsdschools.net.

Lugoff FD Santa Patrol

Christmas Parade Season Begins

The holiday season is officially underway in Kershaw County as Christmas parade festivities begin this weekend. Residents will kick off the celebrations with the 50th Annual Catfish Stomp Parade in Elgin, set for Saturday, December 6, at 10 a.m. The long-running tradition is expected to draw large crowds as families gather to enjoy floats, music, and community spirit.

The Christmas parade season is one of Dalton’s and my favorite times of the year, offering a special opportunity to connect with residents across the county and celebrate the warmth of the season together.

Following the Catfish Stomp Parade, other holiday parades are scheduled throughout December, giving families multiple opportunities to join in the festivities: Kershaw County Christmas Parade –Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Lights of Lugoff Christmas Parade –Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Boykin Christmas Parade –Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

Organizers encourage community members to come out, celebrate the season, and support the many volunteers who help keep these cherished traditions alive.

Lugoff Fire-Rescue Awarded Grant

The Health Foundation of Kershaw County recently awarded Lugoff Fire-Rescue (LF-R) with a $14,000 grant to enhance the health and safety of county residents.

LF-R will utilize the grant funding to pur-

tourniquets, and automated external defibrillator (AED) trainers.

Having trained members of the public available during an emergency can provide better outcomes when first aid efforts are started im-

Captain Christi Catoe and LF-R’s Community Risk Reduction (CRR) coordinator, Captain Daniel Hughes. More details regarding the class schedules and sign-up information will be released on the LF-R website and LF-R Face-