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Volume 137, No. 11
WEDNESDAY, July 3, 2013
2 Sections/ 20 pages/ 75 cents
County extends WRS contract
Celebrating Independence
Contract to continue on month-to-month basis Susan C. Delk Managing Editor susan.delk@morris.com
County medical transportation services were continued Friday as the county signed a month-long contract with their current pro-
vider, Williston Rescue Squad. The previous contract, originally signed June 2010, was set to expire June 30. Barnwell County Administrator Pickens Williams Jr. said the onemonth contract, signed June 28, will ensure medical transportation services within the county through the end of July. The “month to month” basis contract is in place until the new owners of the former Barnwell County Hospital have transportation services in place. “Folks at the hospital are looking at some options,” Williams said, but did not elaborate as to what options the owners are considering. The asset purchase agreement governing the sale of the BCH to Resurgence Management Company stipulates RMC “shall operate or arrange for emergency and non-emergency medical transportation in Barnwell County.” RMC took control of the hospital June 12. The purchase agreement also deems the county will pay a subsidy to RMC for the emergency medical transportation services for two years at the current contract rate. In years three, four and five the county will pay less than 25 percent or $225,000. Barnwell County will pay $77,745 per month for the service.
4 WRS employees agree to settlement Susan C. Delk Managing Editor susan.delk@morris.com
Jonathan Vickery/Staff Writer
Youth watch in awe as a colorful array of fireworks blast in the air, signaling the end of the city of Barnwell’s June 29 Independence Day Celebration at the Veterans Memorial Park. Besides fireworks, the annual event included food, games for children and live music by Loose Stone. See pages 2 and 3A for more photos from the event.
County to receive state funds to repair courthouse jonathan vickery Staff Writer jonathan.vickery@morris.com
Despite a veto by Gov. Nikki Haley, $100,000 is coming for renovations to the Barnwell County Courthouse. State Rep. Lonnie Hosey of District 91, which represents most of Barnwell County, said he put the money in at the request of Barnwell County Council in order to fix some problems. “I consider our courthouse to be a landmark in our county,” he said of the circa 1879 building. However, the money was among 81 vetoes issued June 25 by Gov. Haley. “Although many courthouses www.thepeoplesentinel.com
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require maintenance and repair, upkeep of these buildings is the responsibility of the counties. We should not support this earmark,” wrote the governor in her letter to legislators. “It’s condescending when you look at cuts to the local government fund,” said Hosey, referencing the state money allocated to municipalities each year. The $100,000 – and several other vetoed projects – were saved after the House and Senate overrode them. The House voted 95 to 21 in favor June 26, while the Senate voted 29 to 13 on June 27, according to www. scstatehouse.gov. Hosey said it took a “cross section of support” from Republicans and
What’s Inside
Democrats to save this money. “I really appreciate them for doing that,” he said. “A number of areas in the budget did not get that support.” Barnwell County Administrator Pickens Williams Jr. said the money is appreciated because “we haven’t been able to put enough in our budget to do maintenance on our older buildings.” He said this money could help with gutter work and waterproofing the building so moisture won’t come through the walls. Hosey and Williams agreed the money is not enough to completely take care of all the problems, but “$100,000 starts the process,” said Hosey, who said it could take $2 million.
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OPINION.................4A ARRESTS...............5A SOCIETY..............6-8A SPORTS...............1-3B EDUCATION.........4B Wed., July 3 CALENDAR/TV.........5B Cloudy/ 60% showers CLASSIFIEDS.....6-8B High 88 Low 72
Four Williston Rescue Squad employees have agreed to pay settlements in the ongoing investigation into Medicare fraud at WRS. United States Attorney Bill Nettles, with the U.S. District of South Carolina, announced Thursday the government has reached settlements with three Emergency Medical Technicians and one Paramedic that transported patients who clearly did not need ambulance transport for weekly dialysis treatments. The settlements ranged from $2,000 to $5,000 and were based on the individuals’ ability to pay, the release states. For their part in the fraud case, Tina Rigdon, paramedic, was ordered to pay $5,000. Emergency Medical Technicians Theresa Rhinehart, Joseph Griffin and Merisa Zorn were ordered to pay $2,000, $3,000 and $4,000, respectively. The settlements indicate each employee transported patients, who they knew did not require ambulance transportation, to and from dialysis facilities. Rigdon participated in the transportation of these patients during the period from Jan 1, 2008 through Nov. 25, 2011. Rhinehart transported patients during the period from March 2003 through Nov. 25, 2011. See WRS, 10A
Jonathan Vickery/Staff Writer
Demolition complete
The Price Wise grocery store was demolished last week, two months after fire ravaged the 55-year-old building. The Williston store should be rebuilt in the coming months, say owners.
Weather Forecast
Thurs., July 4 Partly sunny High 89 Low 71
Fri., July 5 Mostly sunny/40% showers High 89 Low 73
Sat., July 6 Mostly sunny/30% showers High 91 Low 73