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Volume 137, No. 29
WEDNESDAY, November 6, 2013
2 Sections/ 20 pages/ 75 cents
Woman dies in house fire Susan C. Delk Managing Editor susan.delk@morris.com
A Barnwell woman was found dead inside her home after the Barnwell Fire Department responded to a house fire Friday morning. Donna Dempsey, 56, of Berry Street was pronounced dead at the scene of the fire, Barnwell County Coroner Lloyd Ward said. Autopsy results later revealed Dempsey died of “smoke inhalation,” Ward said. The fire, reported at 10:45 a.m., was discovered by Dempsey’s fiancé, Ward said.
Multiple agencies are investigating the fire and Dempsey’s death, including local fire and police as well as state agencies. Barnwell Police Chief Todd Gantt said the investigation, which includes the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, is “very premature” but there was “no indication” of arson at this time. A team from the S.C. Fire Marshal’s office was also on the scene Friday. Barnwell Fire Chief Tony Dicks said the Fire Marshal’s Office was there merely to research the fire and its origins to learn how to better educate the public about fire safety.
Gantt said it was “protocol” to call in SLED when a death occurred during or because of a fire. SLED spokesman Thom Berry would only say his agency had been “requested to investigate the incident” and did not provide any other details. Dicks said when his department arrived on the scene, they were directed to the back of the home where a door was unlocked. Inside, Dicks said his firefighters found “intensive heat” but the fire had burned itself out. Once Dempsey’s body was dis-
Susan C. Delk/Managing Editor
Two people embrace outside the home where Donna Dempsey’s body See FIRE, 10A was discovered shortly after firefighters arrived on the scene.
Blackville election turnout low for three council seats
Leaders still in place at DTC jonathan vickery Staff Writer jonathan.vickery@morris.com
Turnout was low in the morning hours of voting during the Blackville Town Council election Tuesday. Just 14 people had voted in Blackville’s first precinct shortly before noon. Voting for the town’s three precincts was held at the community center. Three council seats were up for grabs. Council members Allen Harrison and Steve Jowers ran for re-election. Fred Orr, a former math teacher at Blackville-Hilda High School, filed as a write-in candidate. Councilman Russ Reed did not run for re-election. David Purtell/Staff Writer Check our website, www.thepeoplesentinel.com, for results.
The leadership of Denmark Technical College is still in place, although reports to the contrary have surfaced in recent days. The DTC Area Commission convened during a special meeting Tuesday to discuss actions they took Friday in an emergency meeting. Tuesday’s meeting came at the request of the S.C. Technical College System. “The Commission wishes to announce to its students, stakeholders and the public that Dr. (Joann) Boyd-Scotland remains the president of Denmark Technical College,” states a release handed out after Tuesday’s meeting. This follows Friday’s meeting where The (Orangeburg) Times and Democrat reported the commission approved to have three of its members run the school after See DTC, 10A Boyd-Scotland, Interim Vice
Allendale set to get 125 manufacturing jobs Contributed S.C. Governor’s Office news@thepeoplesentinel.com
Louis Hornick and Company, a leading manufacturer and importer of window coverings and home textiles, last week announced plans to establish its new manufacturing facility in Allendale County. The $2.5 million investment is expected to generate 125 new jobs over the next three years. The announcement was made at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. “Every aspect of this venture is www.thepeoplesentinel.com
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geared toward offering the most options to our retail partners and manufacturing the highest quality products the American consumer demands and deserves. We aren’t just building a facility - we are moving to South Carolina,” said Louis “Tripp” Hornick III, chief operating officer of Louis Hornick and Company. “We appreciate the exceptional support we’ve received from state and local officials.” Louis Hornick and Company will establish its new manufacturing facility in an existing 103,000-square-foot building, located on 28 acres in Allendale. The company plans to begin
What’s Inside
operations by November 2013. “It’s exciting to see a leading manufacturer, like Louis Hornick and Company, choose South Carolina as the location for its new operations. We celebrate the company’s decision to invest $2.5 million and create 125 new jobs in Allendale County,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “Companies want to go where they will be successful. Louis Hornick and Company’s decision to start new operations here in South Carolina is a testament to our state’s pro-business climate and thriving manufacturing industry,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
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OPINION.................4A ARRESTS...............5A SOCIETY..............6-7A EDUCATION.........8A SPORTS...............1-4B Wed., Nov. 6 CALENDAR..............5B Partly sunny CLASSIFIEDS.....7-9B High 72 Low 57
The window covering manufacturer has specialized in producing curtains and draperies for 96 years. In South Carolina, Louis Hornick will be manufacturing in a highly automated cut sew packaging process. A diverse collection of window covering fabrics will be manufactured at the Allendale facility. The new plant will also be a supplier to Walmart stores. “As a 40-year supplier to Walmart, we thank them for taking the lead on supporting U.S. manufacturing, and we could not be more pleased to continue to work together,” said Louis
Hornick II, chairman and CEO of Louis Hornick and Company. “This is a great day for Hornick, South Carolina and America.” “Louis Hornick’s decision to open a factory in South Carolina shows that revitalization of U.S. manufacturing is possible,” said Michelle Gloeckler, senior vice president of Home at Walmart. “This is a great illustration of what can be accomplished when business leaders, government officials and companies work together.” The announcement follows WalSee JOBS, 10A
Weather Forecast
Thurs., Nov. 7 Mostly cloudy High 76 Low 47
Fri., Nov. 8 Sunny High 65 Low 42
Sat., Nov. 10 Mostly sunny High 68 Low 45