Trey Webb, Agent
I’m your one-stop shop for the service you deserve at a price you want. Call me for surprisingly great rates and Good Neighbor service right in your neighborhood.
Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®
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.
Examples of content that will cause letters to be rejected include the following:
• Disrespectful comments regarding a group's or individual's ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religion, culture, or race.
• Poor taste.
• Endorsements for or complaints about individually named commercial products or services.
• Personal attacks.
The Elgin News will not knowingly publish factually incorrect information.
Only letters written exclusively to the newspaper will be published. Letters to a third party or those written to more than one newspaper are not accepted.
Letters written in response to other letter writers should address the issue at hand and, rather than mentioning the writer by name, should refer to the headline and date the letter was published. Discourse should be civil and people should be referred to in a respectful manner. Letters referring to news stories should also mention the headline and date of publication. All letters must be signed and include the writer's street address or route address telephone number, which will be used for verification purposes only.
We welcome your input. You may write to us by e-mail at elginnews@gmail.com or by regular mail at:
The Elgin News P.O. Box 152 Elgin, SC 29045
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 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
and
verification are provided at no charge. 15% agency comm. is 30-days firm. Photography charges
reproduced without permission.
Shoplifting: On June 13, 2025, Officer was dispatched to the Family Dollar on the report of a shoplifting wherein the subject had left the premises. Upon arrival, contact was made with Manager who related the following, with videos to support. At 0842, a light silver (close to white) four door vehicle came from the south end of the parking lot and parked; the passenger exited and entered the store. The driver, who remained behind, is described as a white female, "older", with a red shirt and dark pants. She briefly exited the vehicle and then returned to the driver's seat. Passenger is described as a white male, about 5'11 and slim build, wearing a white T-shirt with "PUMA" across the chest and black shorts. Passenger's hair is brown and he has a trimmed beard. Suspect went to aisles 35, 36, and 39 removing items and placing them into his shorts, beneath the t-shirt, effectively concealing with intent to deprive. Based on employee's review of the videos and their knowledge of the store's layout, they indicate that about $50 worth of goods were stolen including a six-pack pair of socks, foot fungus and other OTC meds, deodorant and razors, and hand towel. All items were concealed and subject left the store without paying for any items. Upon returning to the vehicle, subject is seen on camera (and, by an employee "live") lifting his hips off of the seat and reaching around - movements consistent with removing items from his shorts. After these actions, the driver drove away and exited southbound Main St towards Richland County. Family Dollar personnel forwarded video of vehicle and a still photo of suspect, which are attached to this report. BWC was activated and will be uploaded. Brief review of the local area FLOCK Cameras was unsuccessful in identifying the vehicle.
All-terrain Vehicle on Road: On 6-13-2025 at approximately 1055, Officer responded to Abbey Road in the Town of Elgin within the boundaries of Kershaw County S.C. in reference to Harassment. Upon arrival, I made contact with Complainant who explained that she was having issues with a neighbor who lived on Abbey Road (Subject). Complainant has been calling law enforcement due to Subject and his son riding their dirt bikes on the roads in the neighborhood and the dirt bikes are loud. Today, Complainant saw Subject riding his dirt bike near the front of the neighborhood as she was turning in to go to her home. Complainant explained that when Subject saw her pulling onto Abbey Road, Subject sped to his house and got into a Gray Dodge Charger and rushed to her home when she was turning in. Complainant stated Subject revved the engine on the vehicle which was loud and turned onto a different road to rev the engine near her home, then back in front of her home to rev the engine to harass her and her family. Complainant completed a written statement on what she saw in the event. I will attempt to upload the statement to this case. When I spoke with Subject to get his side of this story, Subject denied being on his dirt bike and also denied the claims that he was the driver of the vehicle when it was revving the engine in front of her home. Officer Cooper responded to several different addresses on Abbey Road and was able to determine by security camera videos that Subject lied about riding his dirt bike today. I will be issuing a town ordinance violation charging Subject with the dirt bike on the road. Subject will not be charged with harassment at the time of this report due to no proof that he was driving the vehicle that was revving the engine in front of her house. Officer's body worn camera was activated during this call for service.
Vandalism of Property: Reporting officer was dispatched to the location, Piper Lane, which is located within the Town limits of Elgin, in reference to a vandalism that had just occurred. Upon arrival, Officer spoke with the Complainant who stated that she had woke up to the sound of something making a pop sound in her yard at approximately
0200 hours. Complainant stated that when she came outside to see what had made the noise she could hear air leaking out of the rear driver side tire on her vehicle, a black in color blank (SC tag). Complainant stated that when she took a look at her vehicle she noticed that all four of her tires were flat and that some of them appeared to have slashes in them as if they had been stabbed with a knife or other sharp instrument. Officer was able to take a look at the tires on the vehicle and did observe that all four tires were flat and sitting on the rim, with the two passenger side tires having slash mark in them. Complainant stated that approximately $600 worth of damages had been done to the vehicle. When asked if she knew of anyone that might wish to cause damage to her vehicle, Complainant stated that she had gotten into an argument with an ex-boyfriend, Suspect, earlier in the day about retrieving some of her belongings from his house. Complainant stated that when she told him to keep the items, he got angry with her and stated that "if she wanted to play with him she could find out." Complainant informed Officer that her tires had been slashed on May 10th of this year (case number 25-0500284) and that she believed him to have been responsible for the damages then seeing as she had angered him by breaking up with him. Complainant also informed Officer that three days after the incident on the 10th, Suspect sent her money via Cash App for the amount of $600 with a note that said "car". When Officer asked what kind of vehicle Suspect drove she stated that he drives a black in color F250 with a black toolbox on the back. Officer had been in the neighborhood conducting a property check moments before the call came out and did observe a black pickup truck backing up in the area of Complainant's home but did not observe the driver nor a license plate. Officer did obtain the plate information for Suspect's vehicle from DMV's customer vehicle list and did confirm that it hit on the White Pond/Jeffers Rd flock camera at 0203 hours. At the time of this report, Complainant stated that she did not wish to press charges but expressed interest in a restraining order. Officer will be making contact with the victim again to have her sign a form for declining to prosecute. Hit and Run, Property Damage: Officer received a call for service to investigate a hit and run with property damage. Officer arrived on scene and determined the following: While shopping in Hidden Treasures, a retail store within the jurisdiction of the Town of Elgin the Complainant had left her 2011 Cadillac Sedan parked in an unmarked location within the gravel parking lot outside Hidden Treasures. At approximately 1240, a white Chevrolet or GMC SUV was backing out of a parking space and the rear passenger side of the SUV collided with Complainant's Cadillac sedan, causing damage to the front passenger side of the bumper cover and the grille of the Cadillac while simultaneously causing damage to the rear passenger side of the bumper cover on the SUV. A Witness also saw the collision. Witness stated that the driver of the SUV was a white male in his middle to late 50s, with long white (salt and pepper) hair and mentioned that this unidentified white male had a foul body odor. Witness stated that she knew who the passenger of the SUV was and identified the passenger as Passenger. Witness works at Hidden Treasures and has seen Passenger. on several occasions prior to this date. Witness further stated that the unidentified white male paused and then drove from the accident location and did not return. Witness noticed that the back passenger side of the bumper cover of the white SUV was flapping due to it being damaged/loose. Witness was unable to get the license plate number from the SUV. Review of the store purchases that Passenger. had made revealed that she had used a credit/debt card and a copy of that receipt was printed. Officer contacted Officer #2 who assisted by doing some research on SCDMV in an attempt to locate Passenger. No positive identification could be made at the time of this report.
By: Liz Simon, Staff Writer
Have you started your summer reading? I know teachers like to assign summer reading to students. Reading for twenty minutes daily keeps motivation high outside school. I always have a list of authors I like to read and to treat myself to when I am on vacation or at home alone.
Some of my favorite writers are Susan M. Boyer, Karen White, Victoria Benton Frank, Mary Alice Monroe, and W. Scott Jones. What do four out of the five authors have in common? I have had lunch with all but one of them, Susan. Karen is the only author not from South Carolina.
Reading intriguing books, whether fiction or nonfiction has always been one of my favorite pastimes, especially the hour or two before I go to sleep at night. My friend and my former coworker at Lugoff Elgin High School Coach Scott Jones has done it again! Five best-selling novels in a span of four years. Pretty prolific for a high school football coach and history teacher at Camden Military Academy.
According to Scott he loves to write, and I am enjoying working as his editor and helping him with his publicity. His latest novel, The Coaches Wives, is a southern psychological mystery. Three women - one town - A dream that becomes a nightmare when a homeless woman comes into the ER for a voluntary psychiatric evaluation. She has had several nights of the same terrifying dream when she meets Melanie Brewington, the psychiatric counselor at the hospital. Melanie also happens to be the wife of the head high school football coach in the fictional town of Dicey Creek near Charleston, SC.
A day later, when the woman's dream becomes a reality, Melanie and two other wives of coaches on her husband’s staff become forever linked because of a horrific tragedy. Melanie’s quest to locate her former psy-
chiatric patient along with tales of temptation, jealousy, marital affairs, politics, deceit, and redemption are the basis of this novel. It is a clean read with no R rating. Readers can order a copy from Amazon for $15.99 plus tax and shipping charges or go to Scott's website www.scottjonesauthor. com. and pay $18.”
Scott and I both agree that Pat Conroy is our favorite author because of the South Carolina connections. Recently, Scott has enjoyed Eric Larson’s history books about Chicago and The Civil War. He has also enjoyed reading novels by Helen Bradley, Leigh Ebberwein, Dawn Major, and Caleb Wygal. From a Biblical point of view, Scott thinks Peter and Paul were amazing men who were flawed but found redemption through Christ and wrote their eyewitness testimonies of events they witnessed.
When we discussed writing and meeting various authors, Scott said that he would encourage anyone who wants to write a book to explore all the ends and outs of publishing before they start. A writer must be patient and realize that the publishing side of writing can be very difficult.
Scott and I both had the opportunity to meet Helen P. Bradley, a former Bethune High graduate who currently lives in Savannah, Georgia and is now a best-selling author. We met Helen at her book signing at the Bethune Library. Helen said of Scott’s work, “He is a born storyteller.”
Scott said, “I would have to say that so far, my favorite character is Melanie Brewington, from my new novel The Coaches Wives. I love her because she reminds me of someone I know. I have been fortunate to have several readers tell me that my books have touched their lives. As an author that is the greatest compliment. I am thankful to all of the people who have supported me on my writing journey. During my darkest days, writing has helped me to move on with my life. After the worst nightmare I have ever faced, I appreciate all the wonderful people that I have met, and I look forward to meeting many others as I continue this journey.”
Scott has a book signing next week in Sumter on Wednesday June 25 at the Elephant Ear from three to five and in Bishopville’s Veterans Museum at the Lizard Man Stomp Saturday June 28 from ten until two. Hope to see you soon. Happy reading!
On June 8-10, over 1,100 advocates from across the nation — including here in South Carolina —traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with their members of Congress during the 2025 AIM Advocacy Forum. While there, Alzheimer’s Impact Movement leaders presented Jules Lemonds of Elgin, S.C., with the prestigious Emerging Advocate of the Year Award, presented each year to an outstanding advocate who is leading the fight against dementia in his or her community.
Jules started her advocacy journey at the age of 17, inspired by the memory of her beloved Mimi, who bravely battled Alzheimer’s disease. She has grown to become a core advocate and valued volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association S.C. Chapter, meeting with her state legislators, assisting with advocacy events, helping at the local office and volunteering with Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Columbia. She also visits schools to gently educate children about Alzheimer’s, honoring her grandmother, who passed away from the disease.
"I will never forget the moment when the woman who helped raise me, who lived just across the street, who celebrated every milestone of my life with me — looked at me and asked, 'What’s your name?' That moment changed me forever," Jules shared.
Jules currently holds the title of Ms. Hartsville South Carolina 2025, with Alzheimer’s as her platform. She achieved 4th place in the Ms. South Carolina 2024 competition and will compete in the 2025 competition later this month.
"At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to help create a future without Alzheimer’s, so no other child has to experience the heartbreak of their favorite person forgetting their name," Jules said in her acceptance speech. "This award is not just mine — it belongs to every person fighting for that same future."
training for health care providers. Meeting by meeting, they urged their elected officials to accelerate, not stop, the progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia by supporting:
• Research appropriations, including an additional $113.485 million in FY 2026 for Alzheimer’s research activities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $35 million for implementation of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• The Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, which represents a potentially transformative step toward leveraging diagnostic innovation for earlier Alzheimer’s disease detection. The bill would give the HHS Secretary authority to provide Medicare coverage for routine dementia blood test screening.
• The Accelerating Access to Dementia & Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act, which will empower primary care providers to better diagnose Alzheimer’s and other dementia and deliver high-quality, person-centered care in community-based settings.
Following her trip to Washington, D.C., Jules is more inspired than ever to keep up the fight against Alzheimer’s and all dementias. She's working to inspire the next generation of advocates.
"To every young person who feels they are ‘too young’ to make a difference — please hear this: Your voice matters. You are never too young to be the spark for change," she said. "Start now. Start where you are. The world needs you."
Today, there are more than 7 million people age 65 and older in the United States living with Alzheimer’s, including 112,500 in South Carolina
The Alzheimer’s Association offers a free 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900), as well as free educational programs and support groups across South
On the 250th birthday of the US Army and Flag Day, the Larry Jeffers American Legion Post 195 performed a dignified retirement of 963 flags that included a handful of South Carolina state flags, military branch flags, bunting, and well over 900 national flags. The flags ranged in size from small 3-by-5-inch display flags to one of nine feet by fifteen feet. There were hundreds of similar flag retirement ceremonies across the state and nation that Saturday. The ceremony is normally held annually on Flag Day, regardless of the day of the week.
Flag Day is a holiday celebrated on June 14, and commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, exactly two years after the US Army was established. The resolution of the Second Continental Congress stated "That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
Flag Day was first proposed in 1861 to rally support for the Union side of the Civil War. The day was officially proclaimed in 1916 as such by President Woodrow Wilson designating June 14 as Flag Day. National Flag Day was officially established by an Act of Congress on August 3, 1949.
This year's ceremony was held at Post 195 and was led commander Ruppert Baird. He was assisted by First Vice Commander Kate Brock, Second Vice Commander Kris Mela, Chief Financial Officer Chris Montjoy who stood in for the Sergeant-at-Arms who was unable to attend, and Chief Charity Officer Cliff Turner standing in for the post's chaplain.
Also in attendance were a number of guests, including two young ladies just returned from Palmetto Girls State who were sponsored by the post's Auxiliary Unit 195. They attended with their mothers. Afterward, members and guests were invited indoors for soft drinks and cookies.
Larry Jeffers American Legion Post 195's next membership meeting will be at 6:30 PM, June 26 at the post's meeting hall at 534 Wildwood Lane in Lugoff. Additionally, the Auxiliary will host it's monthly spaghetti dinner fundraiser June 27 from 5 PM til 7 PM. All are welcome to a complete meal with salad, bread, dessert, and drinks that can be eaten at the post's Heil Hall or taken out, all for $10 per meal.
Additional information can be found at the post's website at alpost195.com. Photos courtesy Izabell
LEHS Summer Archery Camp is set for July 7-11, from 8:30-12:30 in the LEHS Annex. Cost per camper is $125. To sign up, scan the QR code. Rising 4th graders and above are invited to attend!
Springvale Baptist Church, located at 1496 Springvale Road in Lugoff, invites you to their upcoming Vacation Bible School: Saturday, July 12 | 9:00 - 3:00 Ages 4K - 5th grade (rising 6th graders)
Register using the link on the church website, https://springvalebaptist.churchtrac.com or on the Springvale Baptist Church Facebook page.
Let the 246th Army Band put you in the patriotic spirit as they perform on Town Green, 1015 Market Street on Thursday, June 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Each year, the 246th Army Band travels all over South Carolina in the weeks leading up to Independence Day, spreading patriotic pride and a healthy dose of mid-summer fun. And this year, they are coming to Camden!
Bring your family and friends, blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy this summer night concert! Beer and wine are permitted on Town Green during the hours of the concert. No glass containers are allowed. For more info, call 803-549-5648 or visit www.experiencecamdensc.com.
Fort Clark Baptist Church is searching for a Lead Musician. This person must be proficient at organ/piano and all genres of gospel music. If you or someone you know are interested, scan the QR code for a job description. Please email resumes to ftclarkmedia@gmail.com
All Kershaw County kids are invited to show their patriotic spirit by decorating their bicycles, scooters, and wagons and wearing their red, white, and blue for the ninth annual Kids’ Fourth of July Parade, Saturday June 28, 2025 in Downtown Camden. Pre-parade activities begin at Camden City Hall at 10 am. The parade starts at 10:30 am. This is a free event.
Pre-parade activities on City Hall front lawn in partnership with community organizations such as the Camden Fire Department, Revolutionary War Visitor Center, Hobkirk Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Col. Joseph Kershaw Chapter of the South Carolina Society Sons of the American Revolution, Camden Junior Welfare League, and more. Free sno cones will be available to all participants following the parade.
For the safety of the participants, motorized vehicles (electric or gas powered) are not allowed, and children 10 and under must be escorted by an adult. Don’t forget to decorate your bicycle and your helmet!
The parade is sponsored by Books on Broad and Coffee and the Downtown Camden Cultural District. For more information, please contact Laurie Slade Funderburk at laurie@booksonbroad. com or Kat Spadacenta, Community Development Coordinator, at kspadacenta@camdensc.org.
During the June 3 school board meeting, the Kershaw County School Board approved the hire of Coleman Smith as the district’s new Coordinator of Safety and Security.
With 18 years of law enforcement experience, Smith currently works as a Lieutenant for the Kershaw County Sheriff ’s Office, serving as a School Resource Officer and SRO Supervisor in the East Wateree area of the county, where he has served for the past eight years. Prior to this, he served as a deputy, patrol officer, and security consultant.
“I am incredibly thankful and excited for the opportunity to continue serving the Kershaw County School District in a new capacity. Having dedicated most of my career as an SRO within this district, I look forward to this next chapter as the Safety and Security Coordinator. My goal is to work collaboratively with school officials and first responders to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and visitors. Together, we can continue to build a secure and supportive environment for learning and growth for our students,” says Smith.
Smith graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in 2007 as a class 2 officer, then graduated as a class one officer in 2010.
Smith and his wife Myranda, and their two sons Preston and Benjamin reside in Kershaw County.
The Duke Energy Foundation recently awarded the Kershaw County Fire Service (KCFS) a $19,500 grant. These funds will be used to purchase essential response equipment, including personal protective gear and rope rescue equipment for water-related incidents on the lakes, rivers, ponds, and potential floodwaters within Kershaw County.
focus on supporting communities like ours. The grant awarded will substantially improve our water rescue operations, which is vital for our crews to respond promptly to a range of emergencies, especially during major weather events," said Will Glover, Director of Emergency Services.
“When emergencies strike on Wateree, Kershaw County Fire Service is often the first on the scene,” said Duke Energy District Manager Quinetta Buterbaugh. “Their swift response is vital to protecting lives and property, and we’re incredibly grateful for their dedication. Through our partnership with KCFS, we’re proud to support their efforts, knowing the equipment purchased with the HERO grant will enhance their emergency response capabilities where it’s needed most.”
For over 20 years, our United Way of Kershaw County has partnered with the Kershaw County School District with funding from the US Department of Agriculture and the SC Department of Education to provide the Summer Food Program to summer programs throughout the county. Last year we provided nearly 40,000 breakfasts, lunches and snacks to camps, schools, recreation programs, church groups, and other programs throughout Kershaw County. These meals help support educational and recreational programs so that they can serve our youth longer, with more impact and meet their hunger and nutritional needs during the summer months.
This year we have multiple sites including schools, arts, music, recreational programs and churches throughout the county. The programs operate throughout the county on various dates from June 2 to July 18. Information regarding Summer Food Program sites will be shared via social media, on the United Way of KC website at uwkc.net.
The Summer Food Program is an extension of
food programs provided throughout the school year at area schools and is a great way to ensure that our youth have supplemental recreational, literacy, arts and other activities throughout the summer break. The United Way of Kershaw County, the Kershaw County School District and our many partnering summer programs are excited to provide the Summer Food Program in and for our community.
The following locations will be providing meals as part of the Summer Food Program:
• ACTUP Camp
• Arts Arising
• Be Great Academy (Blaney Elementary)
• Be Great Academy (Pine Tree Hill Elementary)
• Bethlehem Baptist Church
• Bethune Recreation Center
• Beyond the Court Basketball Camp
• Calvary Outreach
• Camden High School Band
• Camden High School Boys Basketball
• Camden High School Football
• Camp Sun Fun
• CERDEP (Camden Elementary)
• CERDEP (Wateree Elementary)
• Choir Camp of SC
• City Arena
• ESY (Camden Elementary)
• First Baptist of Camden
• GBK2 Martial Arts Camp
• Kirkland Community Center
• Lil Angels Day Care
• Lugoff-Elgin High School Football
• Lugoff-Elgin High School SPARK
• Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
• Mt. Sinai AME Church
• Nature As Teacher
• North Central High School Football
• Old Armory
• R2S Camp (Camden Elementary)
• R2S Camp (North Central Elementary)
• R2S Camp (Wateree Elementary)
• St. John Baptist Church
• Victory Sports Outreach Camp
Visit uwkc.net for more details.
The third and final reading of the 2025-26 Kershaw County budget was approved at Tuesday night’s county council meeting (6/17/25). Our new budget year starts on July 1st. Last year your KCSO was given its own special millage for operational expenses. The natural growth of our county’s mill went up a lot since last year. This gave us a really large budget increase without a need to raise taxes.
My budget goal, as your sheriff, has always been to get our office on our own special millage. I think of the county’s budget as a pie and your KCSO gets a piece of that pie. Our piece of the pie represents a certain percentage of the pie and as the pie grows, our piece grows. We receive our share of the budget without having to beg for funding. To the credit of the Kershaw County council and administration, they have always
taken good care of all your first responders since I have been in office. Needless to say, Kershaw County is growing fast. This year’s budget will allow for pay raises to current employees as well as the ability to hire four additional personnel. Outside of state funded SROs, this will be more additional personnel in one year than I have got in my budget in the past six years combined. But we will need more next year and the following years as our county continues to grow. My hope is that our budget continues to grow with our county’s population so I won’t need to ask for anything outside of the natural growth of my piece of the pie.
By the way, on July 1st our new starting salary for patrol deputies will be $55k-$64k (depending on prior experience and education level). We have a bright future ahead of us. Join our team.
