Letter Submissions
News From KC Council
By: Council Chairman Ben Connell
Kershaw County is on an upward trajectory, and I am proud to share the recent successes that are driving economic development and enhancing the quality of life for our residents. As Chairman of Kershaw County Council, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the growth and innovation that define our community's future.
Economic development continues to be a cornerstone of our recent progress. One of the most exciting recent developments is LaserForm’s $16 million investment commitment in Kershaw County. This investment not only strengthens our manufacturing sector but also creates new opportunities for skilled workers. Their expansion underscores the confidence businesses have in our county’s workforce and infrastructure.
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Letters to the Editor
The Elgin News P.O. Box 152 Elgin, SC 29045
Cate Goff, Editor (803) 513-5108
Adding to this momentum, Luck Companies has announced a $25 million investment commitment in our community. This project represents a significant step forward for economic diversification and will provide high-quality jobs for our residents. Their commitment to responsible development aligns perfectly with Kershaw County’s values.
Innovation is thriving as well. Sterlite Technologies recently reported to the County Council on their success in reaching critical goals in fiber optic manufacturing and technological innovation. Their products, which are manufactured right here in Kershaw County, are being used across the nation to improve internet access and speed. Their advancements contribute to keeping Kershaw County at the forefront of connectivity and high-tech manufacturing, benefiting both businesses and residents alike.
While economic development is vital, we must also celebrate and protect our natural resources through conservation and thoughtful zoning. Kershaw County’s beautiful landscapes and waterways are among our greatest assets. That’s why I’m excited to share that the new boat ramp project is underway at the Veterans Park on the Wateree River. This project will enhance public access to the river for recreation, fishing, education, and eco-tourism, reinforcing our commitment to preserving and enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds us. The Airport overlay district, which also is geared towards protecting important aspects of Kershaw County, will soon be at the second reading phase. This overlay district is intended to protect the state and federal funding eligibility of our airport. The amendments which have occurred along with other anticipated revisions, should address important equine, hunting, and land use concerns, all
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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.
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The Elgin News, PO Box 152, Elgin, SC 29045 · (803) 513-5108
Cate Goff, Editor · Email: elginnews@gmail.com
Elgin Police Department Incident Reports
Disorderly Conduct | Vehicle Accident: On 1/29/2025 at around 4pm, Officer received a call that someone had struck a pillar of the building at the Food Lion in Elgin. The caller stated it was a tan Buick. On arrival, Complainant was standing outside and pointed me to the car that was sitting in the parking lot. The tan Buick had a Nebraska tag. Officer did notice damage to the front of the car. Complainant stated the front of the car had bumped into the pillar. Complainant stated the white male that was driving was Subject. Complainant stated Subject asked her if her store had a bathroom and then parked his car and walked off. Officer walked around inside Food Lion one time unable to locate Subject. Officer came back outside to check around the parking lot not locating Subject. A short time later, Officer went into the Food Lion to check the bathroom near the produce section. Officer located Subject who was passed out flat on the floor inside the stall.
MB looked to be having some kind of medical issue possible (od) being familiar with Subject from past dealings. Officer called out to Subject while shaking the stall door. After a few attempts Subject came to. Chief Anders arrived on scene and continued to call out to Subject to open the door while Officer looked over the stall. Subject came to and was very spastic with his breathing and mannerisms. Subject was wet and was sweating profusely. Officer was looking at Subject who was fully clothed and not using the rest room. Subject was yelling to the door that he was using the bathroom and would not open the stall door. After telling Subject several times to open the stall door with negative results the door was forced open. Due to the totality of the situation Subject was told to place his hands behind his back. Subject had to be forced to the floor and secured into hand cuff s. Subject was unsteady on his feet, sweating profusely, talking out of his head saying things that could not be comprehensive. Subject was taken out side to
area of his car. EMS was called to the scene to check on Subject. According to EMS that was checking on Subject some of his vitals seemed to be out of normal range to a concerning level according to EMS. While EMS was on scene Subject began going in and out of consciousness at some points not breathing or breathing very little. EMS on scene called for a ambulance to transport Subject to the hospital. Officer rode with EMS to the hospital, along the way EMS did administer a dose of narcan to Subject. Subject was placed into handcuff s for a public safety concern due to the actions of Subject. Once at the hospital Subject began to seem to be some what more level headed and aware of what was going on. Subject was given a ticket for PDC and left in the care of the hospital. Subject did tell Officer at the hospital he had paid 30 dollars for a eight ball and he did the whole thing that he thought was METH and then stated he wasn't sure what it was and it was not enjoyable.
To Have And To Hold
By: Liz Simon, Staff Writer
There have been too many events on the calendar for January, and now that February is here, there are even more! Our readers ask, “Did the Groundhog see his shadow Sunday Feb. 2nd?” I almost did not have time to check the headlines, but the answer is yes. According to Punxsutawney Phil we have six more weeks of winter. What a busy 2025 it has been here in our Lugoff-Elgin community!
Here are a few short sketches or thoughts as these opening weeks of the new year have flown by like the leaves falling from the trees. Writing these sketches for you, our readers, may help others remember what happened that they need to follow or adjust.
I had an American literature teacher in high school who required her students to memorize 20 poems during the year. Several poems that I particularly enjoyed learning were written by Robert Frost. At the time I memorized the poems, I didn't relate my life to the words. One poem was “The Road Not Taken” and the other one was “Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening.” Google the poetry titles and read them. I think you will enjoy two of my favorites that I had to memorize. To me, reading poetry can bring calmness and peace to our everyday lives. Do we not all need a little bit of taking a deep breath to exhale and relax?
It snowed finally from the sandy beaches to the high hills on Tuesday Jan. 21. I can only imagine South Carolina’s favorite weatherman Joe Pinner doing a snow dance in heaven. Looking at our beautiful South Carolina scenes on my friends’ Facebook pages I enjoyed seeing pictures of snow men, snow angels, ice carvings, and snow tubing. Did anyone make snow cream? I forgot the milk. On a snowy day or an e-learning day the students stayed home, enjoyed the change in their weather and made the most of their time
out of the classroom.
In 1973, February the 9th through the 11th, we had the Great Southeastern Snowstorm. South Carolina, and our Lugoff-Elgin area received 24 inches in 24 hours with impassable roads; travelers stuck on the interstates for hours.
January 31, 2025, at 3:47 AM there was Breaking News on our local TV stations that another earthquake 4 miles east of Elgin had occurred. What a way to start off our year with snow and an earthquake!
The weather patterns have changed in the past 40 years. We don't have the snowfalls we grew up with in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Now snow is rare during the winter season in the southeast section of our country. Weathermen like to make headlines with predictions of the possibility of snow. It certainly brings up the ratings.
I thought of some "notable quotables" about the winter season that I want to share. “No winter lasts forever. No spring skips its turn.” This quote was from Hal Borland who was a popular novelist. His most famous novel “When Legends Die “was published in 1963, the same year I was a sophomore in high school trying to memorize my required poetry.
Everyone talks about the weather - from hunters to farmers to fishermen to yours truly who gets excited when even a mention of a snowflake is made by the weatherman. Some additional wise folklore sayings are as follows: “Leaves fall early, winter will be mild. If leaves fall late, the winter will be wild!”
When I was a small child, my grandmother told me that there was an old wise saying that if one hears thunder in the winter, snow is only a few weeks ahead, and if snow stays on the ground for a week, it is looking for more snow.
In three weeks, we will have those breezy, warm, longer daylight days of March. The month of March often roars in like a raging lion, and then at the end of March it goes out like a meek lamb. Everyone enjoys our days of spring but unfortunately, we have several weeks to wait before the official start of springtime March the 20th.
Miss Gold and Black, Jr. Miss Gold and Black Crowned
KERSHAW
COUNTY
Thank
Presenting Supporters 2025 Kershaw County Sheriff's Department
• Lugoff Automotive Group • Ambient Media • FJ Rabon Construction
Church • Myers Timber Company • New Life Christian Outreach • Rabon
Platinum Supporters 2025 The Arc of SC • Cantey Foundation
Alderson Gold Supporters 2025 Attic & Crawlspace Solutions
Campbell & Company • CEF Electrical • Coca-Cola Consolidated
Mad Batter • Davis & Davis Heating and Air • Laserform and
• Mitch & Donna Watson • Sumter Casket Company • Shirley Construction
Construction • Wolfe Mechanical Silver Supporters 2025 DLT
First Palmetto Bank • Signs Unlimited • Synovus • The Red Shirt Guys
ALPHA Center • BCBS of SC • Bowtie Photography • Denton Builders
Ella's Boutique • Flowers For All Occasions • Greg Newman/Coldwell
Tim Glenn • Laura Leigh & Co. • Lifeline Ambulance Services • McKay
Furniture of Elgin • Roy's Wood Products • Sarah Oliver • Sheheen Hancock
Camden Award. Photos courtesy Johnny Deal.
On January 31, Blaney Elementary School hosted middle school “job shadows” for Groundhog Job Shadowing Day. These students were paired with teachers to get a look at a day in the life of a teacher. Pictured is Stover Middle School 6th grader Daniella Griffin (left) assisting BES fourth grader Paisley Greer (right) with a math assignment.
Thank you to our supporters
Department • Kool 102.7/Carolina Country Classics
Construction • Herndon, Inc. • Malvern Hill Baptist Rabon Enterprises, Inc. • The Catery on Broad Foundation Specialists • Drs. Todd & Theresa
Solutions • Bowers Builders & Remodeling • Consolidated • Connell Law Firm • Ashley’s • The Machine • Mark Williams Collision Center
Construction • The UPS Store • Wateree Concrete
DLT Consolidated/Industrial Forest Products • Guys Roofing Bronze Supporters 2025
• DSV • Edgar & Kim Bell • Elgin Pharmacy • Banker • JP Photography • Keith Williamson
Entertainment, LLC • MUSC Health • Newman
Hancock & Godwin • Upchurch & Jowers • Elgin News
'Plant The Moon'
Ms. Ashley Middleton’s class and "Be a Fan" club at Lugoff-Elgin High School are reaching for the stars—literally—by participating in the Plant the Moon Challenge, a worldwide experiment in lunar agriculture. Students are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on Earth and beyond by conducting hands-on research to explore the possibilities of growing food on the Moon.
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Under Ms. Middleton's supervision, students have set up experiments to test the effectiveness of coffee grounds as a soil additive for growing leafy greens and tomatoes. Additionally, they are investigating self-watering systems that use "bottom-up watering" techniques to improve plant
This exciting opportunity not only engages students in STEM-based learning but also aligns with the school’s commitment to teamwork and innovation. “We don’t just play together: we learn and grow together,” said Middleton.
Top: Students work together to set up their self-watering plant systems, a key component of their lunar agriculture research.
Bottom: Freshman Hannah Hasty checks on the class’s lunar plant experiment under specialized grow lights. The team is
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while protecting the airport as a gateway to Kershaw County.
In recognizing the natural beauty in Kershaw County and our great state, it’s fitting to recognize the appointment of Dr. Tom Mullikin as the new Director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Dr. Mullikin’s is a resident of Camden and his leadership and expertise in environmental conservation will be invaluable as our state navigates the challenges and opportunities involved with protecting our natural resources. On behalf of Kershaw County, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Mullikin and look forward to working with him to promote sustainable growth and conservation efforts in KershawCounty and magnify the ecotourism opportunities we have locally.
These successes are not just about numbers and projects—they’re about people. The investments by LaserForm, Luck Companies, and the achievements of Sterlite Technologies represent a brighter future for Kershaw County residents. They bring good jobs, technological advancements, and infrastructure improvements that will benefit our community for generations.
I want to thank the dedicated individuals and businesses who have worked tirelessly to make these successes possible. Your efforts are shaping a prosperous and vibrant future for Kershaw County.
Thank you for your support, and I look forward to sharing more exciting developments in the months ahead, including the importance of Central Carolina Technical College’s growth in our community.
KC Democratic Party News
The Kershaw County Democratic Party will be holding its county convention on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Abundant Life, 810 Laurens Street, in Camden, South Carolina from 10 am to 12 noon.
There will be refreshments and guest speakers. Come join us. It is free, and the public is invited.
Chief's Outstanding Citizen Award
Stacy Brevard-Mays was recognized at the February Town Council meeting as Chief Alan Anders and Investigator Aaron Threatt presented her with the Elgin Police Chief’s Outstanding Citizens Award.
Several weeks ago at a local restaurant, Ms. BrevardMays observed an elderly couple that appeared upset while they were on the phone with someone. Instead of ignoring them, she did the exact opposite. She approached the couple and asked if everything was okay. She could hear the individual on the phone giving instructions and realized very quickly that they were possibly being scammed. She instructed them to hang up the phone and then had them follow her to the police department to report the incident. Because of her assistance and taking the time to check on this couple, she was able to prevent them from losing their life savings to a scam technique that has caused many to lose large sums of money in our community and throughout the country.
Thank you Stacy for going above and beyond and helping someone in their time of need and preventing a very serious crime.
Stover 7th Grader Becomes First Female
To Win State Championship in Wrestling
In an inspiring display of skill and dedication, 7th grader Madelyn Ross, a standout student-athlete, has clinched the state championship in the 114-pound weight class, making her school and community proud. In doing so, Maddie has made history as the first female in Stover's history to bring home a state championship in wrestling. She embodies the true spirit of a student-athlete, excelling not only on the wrestling mat but also in the classroom, where she shines as an exemplary scholar.
Maddie's journey to the top has been marked by hard work and determination, qualities that have earned her admiration from both peers and mentors. Her victory at the state championship is a testament to her commitment to her sport and her studies, setting a high standard for young athletes.
In addition to Maddie's remarkable achievement, her teammates also delivered commendable performances. Logan Vinson secured a second-place finish in the 102pound category, while Dalton Hinson earned a third-place spot in the 135-pound division. Their successes underscore the strength and depth of the school's wrestling program.
Fallen Law Enforcement Officer
Memorial Planned At KCSO
The Law Enforcement community of Kershaw County invites you to join us in building a memorial to the fallen law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the citizens of Kershaw County, SC. It has been over 106 years since we lost the first of nine law enforcement officers in Kershaw County. I truly believe it is long overdue for these heroes and their families to receive a proper monument for what they did for us. We began this project in May of 2024. A board was formed to create the best monument possible. The board consists of Jeannie Potter (Fallen KCSO Deputy Chris Potter, III’s Widow), David Thomley (Retired KCSO Captain), Harold Brown (Retired Elgin Police Chief), Danny Templar (Kershaw County Administrator), Daniel Roberts (Ker-
ty Law Enforcement Memorial to begin creating one for Kershaw County. We reached out to Brown Memorials for a more custom design fitting the vision of our board members and the landscaping of your KCSO. Pictured below is what they came up with. Our end goal is to have this monument built near the flagpole at your KCSO headquarters by Peace Officer Memorial Day (May 15th) 2026. We plan to hold ceremonies at this monument every year on May 15th to forever remember the ultimate sacrifices of those peace officers who died in the line of duty in Kershaw County. This memorial will not be free. It will cost approximately $250,000.
These fallen officers paid the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Kershaw County. The least we can do is pay for a proper memorial for these heroes and their families. Thank you for any help you can provide.
For more information go to: https://www.kershawsheriff.com/kcso-memorial
