Richland County Councilman Derrek Pugh, Blythewood Mayor Pro Tem Andrea Fripp, and State Rep. Kambrell Garvin | Barbara Ball
BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood Chamber of Commerce members heard updates from town, county, and state leaders during a recent panel discussion featuring SC House Rep. Kambrell Garvin, Blythewood Mayor Pro Tem Andrea Fripp, and Richland County Councilman Derrek Pugh. Each official talked about some of the accomplishments made by their respective governments and outlined priorities moving forward as growth continues to dominate Blythewood and the surrounding area.
SC House Rep. Kambrell Garvin
Garvin spoke about legislative accomplishments from the most
recent session of the General Assembly. Among those were the Hands-Free Driving
Act, which prohibits texting while driving in an effort to improve road safety.
He also highlighted insurance reform legislation aimed at reducing liability
costs for restaurants and businesses that serve alcohol.
“The state continues to invest in education, including new
laws supporting teachers through permanent certification, improved contract
protections, and expanded leave options,” Garvin said. He also noted
legislation that expands access to free breakfast and lunch for students living
in poverty. In addition, Garvin pointed to significant state funding for school
buses, facilities, instructional materials, and scholarships, as well as
ongoing discussions around infrastructure and energy needs to support the
state’s growing population.
Looking ahead, Garvin said lawmakers will continue focusing
on infrastructure improvements, education funding, and guiding responsible
growth. While the state has recently been successful in passing legislation
that provides funding for charter schools and other non-traditional education,
he said the focus this coming year will be monitoring legal challenges to that
funding.
Mayor Pro Tem Andrea Fripp
Fripp discussed Blythewood’s recent strategic planning
efforts and the town’s intent on maintaining its small-town character while at
the same time preparing for future growth. She said beautification was
identified as a top priority by council members at the strategic planning
workshop. She said the emphasis is on making the town welcoming and visually
appealing even as development increases across the landscape.
Fripp also addressed the town’s temporary pause on nighttime
public events. She explained that council’s safety concerns for the community
led to the decision. Council’s newly formed park security task force headed up
by Councilwoman Trish Hovis and made up of town officials and town residents
will review event policies and recommend ways to safely bring events back,
Fripp said.
She also said the town is reviewing development proposals
and rezoning requests to ensure growth aligns with residents’ concerns.
“The community’s concerns are our concerns,” Fripp said.
Council’s immediate plans, she said, include hiring a new
town manager to guide the town under Blythewood’s new council-manager form of
government and encouraging more residents to serve on town boards and
commissions, including the Planning Commission, the Board of Architectural
Review, and the Board of Zoning Appeals.
County Councilman Derrek Pugh
Pugh addressed the county’s response to infrastructure and
public safety challenges tied to current and future growth. He provided updates
on major road projects, including the Blythewood Road project, improvements
near the roundabout by Food Lion, and the Hobart Road railroad crossing, which
is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
Pugh said the county is exploring impact fees for new
development to help fund roads, schools, and public safety services in the
county. He also talked about the importance of supporting small businesses and
strengthening partnerships between the county, town, and state to better plan
for future needs.
Looking forward, Pugh said continued discussions with the
town’s officials and long-term planning will be critical to preserving
Blythewood’s small-town feel while ensuring the infrastructure and services are
in place to support the tremendous growth the town is experiencing.
The panel concluded with all three officials encouraging
open communication with residents and business owners as the community
continues to see new businesses and homes come to the area.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – Jeromy Scott Gattis, 42, has been arrested for theft of coins from several Voice newspaper boxes, and is charged with Theft from Coin-Operated Machine or Device.
The theft of coins from The Voice’s newspaper boxes included
locks being cut off the boxes and some damage to one box.
The newspaper delivery person discovered the thefts when
delivering newspapers and notified several business owners of the thefts from
the newspaper boxes sitting outside their businesses.
One of the business owners checked his surveillance camera
and found that the incident took place at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 30,
2025. On Dec. 5, the owner of the business called the Fairfield County
Sheriff’s Office to report the break-in.
According to the incident report, the surveillance video
showed a grey 2022 KIA Sorento SUV, with an identifiable JT’s KIA paper tag
pull up between the gas pumps and the business, stopping by the newspaper box
belonging to The Voice.
A white male wearing a reddish-colored hoodie/jacket got out
of the driver’s seat with a pair of bolt cutters in his hands, according to the
report. The subject can be seen in the video walking toward the newspaper box
outside the business.
The subject can be seen moving around before he places the
bolt cutters back in the vehicle and then returns to the newspaper box. The
subject remained at the newspaper box for a short period of time and then
returns to his vehicle and leaves the property.
Sheriff’s deputies identified the man in the video as Jeromy
Scott Gattis. The report states that the vehicle Gattis was driving matches one
that had been seen at a residence on West High Street in Winnsboro. The car at
that address was subsequently observed to have the same tag number as the car
Gattis drove in the video, according to the report.
Gattis was arrested on Christmas Eve and posted a $10,000
surety bond the same day.
RIDGEWAY – A 25-year-old man is in custody after allegedly assaulting a woman and firing multiple rounds into her vehicle as she attempted to flee a residence on True Luck Lane in Ridgeway.
Balewa Mayo Jr. was arrested Monday, Jan. 12, following an
investigation that began when the victim sought help at a separate location in
Columbia.
According to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, deputies
were first alerted to the situation by the Richland County Sheriff’s
Department, who had made contact with the female victim in Columbia. The woman
reported that the shooting had occurred earlier that day in Ridgeway.
Investigators determined that the victim had driven Mayo to
the True Luck Lane residence to drop him off. The victim told deputies that an
argument escalated when Mayo physically assaulted her. As she attempted to
drive away, Mayo allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired several shots at her
vehicle.
While Fairfield County investigators were interviewing the
victim, additional deputies secured the scene in Ridgeway. Though Mayo had
initially fled the area, family members at the home assisted in negotiating his
return. Mayo eventually returned to the residence and surrendered to
authorities without incident.
During a search of the property, investigators recovered
seven spent shell casings and the suspected firearm. According to the Sheriff’s
Office, Mayo admitted to firing the rounds into the victim’s vehicle during a
subsequent interview.
Mayo has been charged with attempted murder, Domestic
violence of a high and aggravated nature, discharging a firearm into an
occupied vehicle, Possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent
crime.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional
information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Investigator Robert
Byrd at 803-815-4120 or the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office at 803-635-4141.
Buddhist Monks pass through Blythewood Sunday. Councilmembers Andrea Fripp and Rich McKenrick are seen directly behind the Monks. | SodaCity Aerials
BLYTHEWOOD – On Friday, Jan. 9, it was announced that a group of Buddhist Monks and their Peace Dog Aloka would be traveling through Blythewood the following Sunday.
Their first stop in 29016 was at the Transfiguration Catholic Church on Highway 21 southeast of town. It was a rest/lunch stop that lasted from 10:30 a.m. until a little after 1 p.m. During that time, an estimated 3,000 people sat in a grove of trees behind the church to listen to the Monks’ leader, Bhikkhu Pannakara, deliver one of many peace messages that he customarily shared each day during the rest/lunch stop and again in the evening during visiting hours, usually from 6:30–9 p.m.
Starting about 9 a.m. that day, crowds began to gather along
Main Street (Hwy. 21) through downtown Blythewood.
Bhikkhu Pannakara
It was like a Christmas parade crowd lining the streets,
sitting on curbs, and eventually growing to thousands. The atmosphere was
unusually quiet as the people waited patiently for hours to see the Monks.
The warm morning sunshine turned chilly and breezy just
before the Monks approached Blythewood a little after 3 p.m.
Several Richland County Sheriff’s vehicles drove slowly
ahead of the procession as the Monks, their rust- and orange-colored robes
glowing in the distant sunshine, rounded the curve.
The excitement grew along the street as the Monks walked
briskly into town, receiving and giving flowers to people along the route. The
crowd was eager to see the Monks, but orderly and quiet. Mothers held their
babies out for the Monks to see and give flowers to.
Everett Renwick, 9, and his brother McLean, 7, students at
Langford Elementary School, stood along the roadway holding colorful Peace and
Love signs they had made to greet the Monks.
Aloka rode in the Monks’ RV that day, resting his leg
instead of walking with the Monks. The question could be heard frequently along
the route, “Where’s Aloka?” Considerable disappointment was expressed that he
was not in the procession, but there was also understanding of his condition.
As the Monks passed Liz Humphries’ consignment shop, a man and woman beside the road reached out to the Monks and they stopped, gathered around the man, took his hands in their hands and began a chant that lasted several minutes. They smiled and waved as they bid farewell to the couple. The Monks picked up their normally fast pace and they were gone … on their way to Ridgeway where they would overnight.
The Monks stopped at Fairlawn United Methodist Church before stopping at Transfiguration Catholic Church.
WINNSBORO – After a woman in Fairfield County reported on Dec. 26, 2025, that she had been scammed on a purchase of more than $1,000 from Thomas and Turner Boutique in Belton, Anderson County, South Carolina, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the complaint.
On Dec. 31, 2025, Fairfield County investigators met with a
Fairfield County magistrate and presented the facts of the case.
The Fairfield woman who filed the complaint stated that in
2024, she placed an order in the amount of $1,153 with Thomas and Turner
Boutique, but never received the items she purchased.
The complainant stated that she contacted Pamela Brooke
Schronce, the owner of the boutique, about the order and requested a refund.
She said the last communication she had with Schronce was in November 2025 via
email.
She said she has not received a refund and has since been
blocked by Schronce on the business’s Facebook page.
Based on the information provided, an arrest warrant was
issued for Pamela Brooke Schronce, owner of Thomas and Turner Boutique, on the
charge of Obtaining Goods Under False Pretenses, in violation of South Carolina
Code of Laws §16-13-240.
Immediately following the issuance of the arrest warrant,
the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with the Anderson County
Sheriff’s Office. Schronce was taken into custody and transported to the
Anderson County Detention Center. She was extradited to Fairfield County, where
she was formally charged and was released on a $1,000 surety bond.
The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office recognizes that this
case is associated with allegations made by numerous individuals, including
claims circulating on social media platforms. Anyone who believes they may be a
victim of similar activity is encouraged to report their allegations to their
local law enforcement agency.
This investigation remains ongoing.
Additional information may be released as it becomes
available.
BLYTHEWOOD – A six-month investigation launched by an ethics complaint filed against Blythewood’s Richland County Council representative Derrek Pugh has ended in dismissal.
Pugh
The investigation focused on whether Pugh, as a government
official, had violated the S.C. Ethics, Government Accountability, and Campaign
Reform Act (Ethics Act) for accepting free use of the Town of Blythewood’s
event venue—the Manor—for two separate events valued at more than $8,000.
“In this case, there is insufficient evidence to find that
the economic benefit that inured to [Pugh] was the result of an action taken in
his official capacity,” stated F. Xavier Starkes, Chairman of the South
Carolina Ethics Commission. Starkes announced the dismissal in a letter sent to
both the complainant – Blythewood Town Councilman Donald Brock – and Pugh.
Starkes emphasized, however, that, “the facts of this case
are troubling. It is clear that the fee schedule for events held at the Manor
has been unevenly applied and that the Ordinance has not been followed,”
Starkes continued. “The Commission finds that the current scenario, at the very
least, has an appearance of impropriety.”
Starkes stated, however, that an appearance of impropriety
is not a violation of the Ethics Act.
The ethics investigation began twelve days after a story was
published in the July 17, 2025, edition of The Voice regarding two Manor events
that, according to Manor records received through a Freedom of Information
request, were 100 percent comped for Pugh.
Starkes stated that Commission investigators interviewed
Mayor Griffin, Pugh, and Manor Director Fred Layman during the course of the
investigation.
Mayor Griffin’s Interview
Griffin stated that he had known Pugh for some time, and
that Pugh contacted him (Griffin) about renting the Manor only after Pugh had
unsuccessfully attempted to contact Manor staff on multiple occasions,
according to Starkes. Griffin stated that he then telephoned Manor staff and
asked them to contact Pugh, Starkes stated in the Order of Dismissal. He said
Griffin, “denied directing Manor staff to waive or reduce Pugh’s rental fees, while
staff notations indicate otherwise.”
“While it is undisputed that Pugh contacted Mayor Griffin to
inquire about renting the Manor, Griffin denied that Pugh sought directly or
indirectly, the reduction or waiver of rental fees.
Pugh’s Interview
“Pugh stated that he did not direct any person to waive or
reduce the rental fees,” Starkes wrote.
Layman’s Interview
Layman stated that Mayor Griffin telephoned Manor staffer
Kim Kacsar to schedule Pugh’s events, and that Kacsar then logged the two
events in the Manor’s electronic filing system, according to the Order.
No Kacsar Interview
“As to the May 17 event, Kacsar noted ‘No pay, per Mayor.’
As to the Aug. 1 event, Kacsar noted ‘per Mayor,’” Starkes wrote.
There is no indication in the Order that Kacsar was
interviewed, why Kacsar made the notations, or if she stated who asked her to
waive the fee for Pugh’s events.
The Investigation
According to the Ethics Commission’s investigation, on April
1, 2025, Pugh and/or his wife scheduled two events at the Manor – one on May
17, 2025, and one on Aug. 1, 2025. Commission investigators concluded that both
events were personal in nature and were unrelated to Pugh’s public office.
The town’s ordinance regulating rental fees for the Manor
listed the rent for the Manor for the May 17, 2025, event as $4,500, and the
rental fee for the Aug. 1, 2025, event as $3,700.
As earlier reported in The Voice, and stated in the ethics
report, no rental fees were paid to the Manor for either of the events prior to
Brock filing the complaint.
The following is taken from the Notice of Dismissal:
“On July 29, 2025, in response to local reporting [about
Pugh receiving free reservations], a meeting occurred between Pugh, Town Mayor
Sloan Griffin, and Manor Director Fred Layman. The purpose of the meeting was
to negotiate rental fees for the [Pughs’] events. The parties ultimately agreed
to a payment of $1,500 for both events, with $500 of the payment a refundable
security deposit.
“On July 31, 2025, Pugh’s spouse provided a certified check
for $1,500 to the Manor [for the negotiated fee.]
“[Brock] alleged that Pugh’s rental fees were initially
waived and/or reduced because of his [Pugh’s] status as a public official, in
violation of Section 8-13-700.
“Because of Pugh’s longstanding friendship with Griffin,”
Starkes wrote in the Order of Dismissal, “the Commission is unable to find that
Pugh’s phone call was an action taken in his official capacity.”
“I appreciate the Ethics Commission looking into this
complaint and I respect their decision to dismiss,” Brock told The Voice. “It
does give me pause that it appears it was dismissed on a technicality, but if
they considered all facts and reached the conclusion that the Ethics Act wasn’t
violated, so be it.
“The bigger takeaway is that the citizens of Blythewood are
still missing revenue that the Mayor, regardless of what he says, gave away to
political friends and supporters. Fortunately, the citizens saw fit to strip him
of all authority so this doesn’t happen moving forward,” Brock said.
Authorization
The Director of the Manor is the only person authorized by
town ordinance to approve Manor discounts; however, the Voice obtained through
Freedom of Information requests several emails written prior to and after the
Pughs’ events in which Griffin directed Layman to comp or greatly reduce Manor
reservation fees for his [Griffin’s] friends and political supporters.
From mid-2024 to the end of September 2025, approximately $43,000
in lost revenue from 15 free and reduced-fee Manor reservations are linked to
Griffin through emails authorizing comps and reductions as well as through
staff notations in the Manor’s reservation schedules.
Below are portions of emails in which Griffin authorized
comps and reduced-fee Manor reservations.
1-17-2025 – I am authorizing a fee adjustment for Ms. VonGretchen, effective Feb. 15, 2025, to $1,000…
That reservation is listed at $4,500 in the Manor fee
ordinance.
11-12-2025 – I’m officially authorizing two price changes: Blythewood Chamber of Commerce Christmas Gala – No Charge; Straiter Family Thanksgiving Day Dinner – $500”
These two reservations, according to the Manor fee
ordinance, are listed at $2,800 and $2,200 respectively.
Other friends and political supporters enjoyed thousands of
dollars in free and reduced-rate reservations at the Manor, according to staff
notations on reservation documents.
7-7-2024 – There was no payment recorded for a surprise birthday party for the Blythewood town clerk who also serves as the executive assistant to Mayor Griffin. According to the Manor fee schedule, that reservation is valued at $2,800.
7-11-2025 & 7-12-2025 – A $4,500 wedding anniversary party reservation was gifted to the mayor’s close friend and former Town Councilman Larry Griffin. A notation in the reservation schedule stated: “A gift from the Town.” Councilmembers Brock, Rich McKenrick, Andrea Fripp, and then-councilwoman Erica Page – told The Voice they had no knowledge of the party and had not authorized of funded such a gift. There was no payment recorded.
8-23-25 – A memorial service was free for one of the mayor’s staunchest political supporters, who passed away, according to the person who organized the memorial service. “As per mayor,” was noted in the reservation. The Manor fee ordinance price for the reservation is $4,500.
8-3-2025 – Khali Gallman, described on Manor documents as a Richland County Commission Member, held a festival at the Manor on Aug. 3, 2025 that included the Manor, the amphitheater, and soccer fields 2, 3, and 4 according to Manor documents. The fee was $5,000 plus $500 security deposit. Manor documents do not show any payment was made for the event.
History of Losses
Since it opened in 2015, the Manor’s bottom line has
suffered from mismanagement in one form or another.
Initially, Richland School District 2, the Blythewood
Chamber of Commerce, and town and county governments were allowed to use the
Manor at no charge. In the last few years council has made strides toward
requiring businesses, organizations and nonprofits to pay their way. Last year,
council voted for the Town to pay for its own use of the Manor.
Still some youth sports organizations, civic clubs and
non-profits that made reservation deals years ago with the Manor, receive
reduced fees, mostly for limited, little-used time slots.
A New Pattern of Loss
Documents received in Blythewood town hall’s Sept. 8, 2025,
response to a Freedom of Information request from the Voice show a new pattern
of lost Manor revenue that began in mid-2024. That pattern shows reservations
for the Manor, the amphitheater, and other park venues increasingly ‘rented’
for free or at greatly reduced fees to friends and political supporters of
Mayor Sloan Griffin, with some comps -authorized by him in writing.
The Manor’s total net loss jumped to $175,375.56 in fiscal
year 2024–25, more than $30,000 over the prior year’s net loss.
Griffin was recently quoted in another news outlet, saying,
“These folks are acting like nobody has ever received anything from the Manor
until I took office,” Griffin said. “This is the same thing that’s been
happening during every administration. It’s just that the people may look
different than the folks in the last administration that got to use the Manor.
That’s all this is.”
The Voice emailed Griffin on Friday, Dec. 26, requesting to
view the Manor reservation/payment records from the four years prior to his
administration in an effort to report on free or reduced fees for Manor events
during that time.
At press time on Jan. 7, 2026, Griffin has responded only
with an automated ‘out of office’ email that same day.
RICHLAND COUNTY – Starting Jan. 5, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will close the Lorick Road bridge over North Branch in Richland County for essential repairs.
The two-lane bridge is scheduled to remain closed through
Jan. 22, though officials note that completion dates are subject to change
based on weather conditions.
To manage traffic during the project, SCDOT has established
a formal detour route. Motorists are encouraged to use U.S. Highway 321, Koon
Store Road, and U.S. Highway 21 as primary alternatives.
Drivers should pay close attention to posted detour signage
to navigate the area effectively. While the bridge site itself will be
impassable, Lorick Road will remain open to local traffic on either side of the
work. SCDOT urges all motorists to exercise caution and remain alert.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – A single-vehicle crash on Christmas Eve
in Fairfield County claimed the life of 21-year-old Armanti Rice-Richmond.
According to S.C. Highway Patrol Master Trooper Hannah
Davidson, the crash occurred at approximately 4:20 p.m. on Dec. 24 on SC 213
near Anderson Quarry Road.
Rice-Richmond was a restrained front-seat passenger in a
2006 Honda Accord traveling south on SC 213. The Highway Patrol reports that
the driver of the vehicle crossed the center line, overcorrected, and then ran
off the right side of the roadway before striking a tree.
Rice-Richmond sustained fatal injuries in the collision. The
condition of the driver has not been released.
The crash remains under investigation by the SC Highway
Patrol.
Blythewood Medical Park is located at 230 Redhawk Way.
BLYTHEWOOD – As Blythewood continues to grow, Lexington Health is moving in to meet the rising demand for local medical services. The health system officially opened the doors to its new Blythewood Medical Park last week, located at 230 Red Hawk Way.
The 21,300-square-foot facility currently serves as the home
of Blythewood Family Medicine, a primary care practice designed to serve both
children and adults.
“This area continues to experience tremendous growth, which
significantly increases the need for primary care,” said Tod Augsburger,
president and CEO of Lexington Health. “By bringing these services closer to
where people live and work, we can improve access, reduce wait times, and help
residents manage health care costs.”
The practice is currently staffed by Dr. Jarvis J. Johnson,
Dr. Trevor Morris, and family nurse practitioners Chanelle Jackson and Stacy
West. The facility offers a wide range of on-site capabilities, including
laboratory services, X-rays, general ultrasounds, and advanced cardiac
diagnostics, alongside routine preventive care and same-day sick appointments.
While primary care is the anchor of the new park, more
specialized services are on the horizon. Lexington Health confirmed that the
park will expand in 2026 with the addition of Lexington Women’s Care Blythewood
and Lexington Health Physical Therapy.
Blythewood Family Medicine is open Monday through Thursday
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday until noon. The practice is currently
accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment,
call (803) 419-4949 or visit LexHealth.com.
BLYTHEWOOD – Capt. Maria Yturria, Director of the Office of
Public Information for RCSD, announced on Dec. 16 that Frederick W. Layman,
III, Director of Doko Manor, has been arrested on charges of obtaining property
under false pretenses.
According to Yturria’s announcement on Thursday, Sept. 11,
2025, Blythewood’s town attorney sent a letter requesting an investigation into
the possible misuse and/or misappropriation of public funds associated with the
use of the Manor.
In answer to The Voice’s inquiry about the investigation
following Monday night’s council meeting, Interim Town Manager Ed Driggers said
he had been in frequent communication about the town hall-initiated investigation
and had turned all evidence of criminal activity at the Manor over to the
sheriff’s office. He said all the communication between himself and RCSD has
been verbal, and that town hall has not received any documentation from RCSD
about Layman’s investigation or the Sept. 11 Manor incident investigation.
Yturria stated in the press release that Layman had accepted funds for the use of the Manor and had not deposited those funds into the town’s account.
“This occurred over the course of 6 months totaling about
$2,950,” Yturria stated.
She stated that Layman wanted to repay the money so he would not be held accountable and sent his wife to the Manor on Sept. 11, with a blank check. At that time, he further made allegations of kidnapping by the Mayor. The RCSD incident report, however, did not mention that Layman alleged kidnapping, but stated that Layman said his wife was being held hostage.
In an email to The Voice, Yturria stated that, “This [Sept.
11] investigation is closed with no prosecution after evidence was presented to
the solicitor’s office, who advised no prosecution.”
“An arrest is not a conviction,” Layman’s Attorney JJ
Shellenberg with Thad Myers law firm said. “There is significantly more to this
situation, and we look forward to the opportunity for Mr. Layman to clear his
name.”
Yturria stated in the press release that RCSD has received
additional requests to investigate other allegations of misconduct and of ethics
violations.
The SC Ethics Commission is currently investigating Manor reservations that, according to the Manor reservation records, were comped for Richland County Councilman Derrek Pugh. A notation, “Mayor/Pugh,” was next to the reservation records obtained by The Voice through an FOI request.
Yturria also stated that allegations of misconduct or policy
violations that are not criminal in nature were directed back to the town
council. However, members of Blythewood Town Council have told The Voice that
they have not received any allegations of misconduct or policy violations from
RCSD.
The only criminal violation at this point, Yturria said, is
that of Layman’s.
Layman turned himself into investigators of the sheriff’s
department on Dec. 16, and was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
on charges of Obtaining Property Under False Pretenses.
At the bond hearing Tuesday morning, Layman was released on
a $10,000 personal recognizance bond. Layman’s case was delayed because the
judge conducting the bond hearing had to recuse herself for his case. Officials
at the jail told The Voice that judges are not required to say why they are
recusing themselves.
