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  • BAR grants Sandy Level COA with conditions

    Historic interior of Sandy Level Church | Jim McLean

    BLYTHEWOOD – Sandy Level Baptist Church member and attorney Jamie Walters appeared before the Town’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR) for the third time last week to request a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) that would allow the church to replace the existing aging vinyl siding and windows with similar vinyl siding and windows on both the historic sanctuary and the newer classroom addition.

    Sandy Level Church circa 1856 | Hudnalle McLean Sr.

    The almost 170 year old sanctuary of the church has a historical designation in the town, and the BAR had twice previously deferred the request as they tried to convince Walters to bring the sanctuary back to its original state by painting it instead of replacing the vinyl siding which was not original to the sanctuary.

    Walters argued that if the sanctuary is painted, it would have to be repainted about ever six or seven years, something he says the church cannot afford.

    On Monday night after almost three hours of back and forth discussion between Walters and the board, with an expert opinion from former head of Preservation South Carolina, Mike Bedenbaugh, the board granted a complex COA approval under the financial hardship section of the Town’s historic preservation ordinance. 

    While the BAR voted to allow the church to replace the windows and siding with materials that do not meet the historic ordinance’s standards, board members worked with Walters to come up with specifications whereby the building would retain, as nearly as possible, its historical look.

     “We’re happy to be able to move forward and get this project behind us in a way that will help preserve the building and that we can afford,” Walters said.

    “Our responsibility is to enforce the ordinance,” BAR member Jim McLean said. “We tried to meet the church half way, but we wanted to maintain the church’s historical value. Sandy Level and the town hall are the original buildings in Blythewood and were built in the same year, 1865, probably by the same builder. They are of extreme significance to the town as well as to the county and even the state.”

    McLean said Sandy Level predates Abraham Lincoln and is almost exactly as it was when it was built.

    “It’s an essential part of the town’s history,” he said.

    “The struggle in approving this particular COA was the conflict between the board trying to preserve the historical features of the church versus the congregation’s desire to protect themselves from a financial burden,” McLean said. “Unfortunately, I also believe the church had cost numbers that were not accurate…but in the end that became a difficult argument.

    “The building is almost 170 years old,” he said. “It’s a historical gem that we want to protect.”

    The board voted unanimously to approve the COA with special conditions.

  • Shooting incident injures juvenile

    WINNSBORO – The Fairfield County Sheriff’s office was notified a little after 8 p.m. Monday evening that a 16-year-old shooting victim was at MUSC Fairfield in Winnsboro. The injured juvenile was transported to a hospital in Columbia for treatment.

    Once deputies responded, it was determined that the shooting had occurred in the Town of Winnsboro’s jurisdiction.

    At this time, according to Winnsboro Police Chief Kevin Lawrence, it appears that the shooting was accidental and that there is no threat to the community. It also appears that no charges will be brought against the suspect, also a juvenile, who Lawrence said is being fully cooperative.  

    “Had this weapon been stored properly, the juveniles would not have had access to the weapon,” Lawrence said. “I want to emphasize the importance of gun safety because that can sometimes be the difference between life and death. Thank goodness that no one was fatally injured. Our prayers go out to the victim and the family as the road to recovery begins.

    “I would like to thank the community for its assistance in this matter along with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office who worked closely with WDPS to investigate this incident,” Lawrence said. “Hopefully moving forward the community will begin to see how the agencies working together will help keep the city and our county a better place to live, work and visit”

    More information about the shooting will be provided as it becomes available.

  • 90-acre rezoning proposed near Blythewood

     BLYTHEWOOD – Two Richland County council members have invited members of the Blythewood community to attend a town hall meeting with developers and county planning staff to discuss the rezoning of 90 acres of land for housing.

    The acreage is located at 1000 Kelly Mill Road, just north of Blythewood.

    Developers seek to rezone the property from Rural (RU) to a residential single-family estate district (RS-E).

    Councilman Derek Pugh (Dist. 2) and Jessica Mackey (Dist. 9) will be there to discuss the proposed rezoning with citizens.

    “This rezoning is going to have a tremendous effect on our community,” Councilman Derrek Pugh said.

    “Our traffic, schools and public safety will feel the impact, so it’s very important to make your voices heard,” Pugh said.

    The meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb., 21, 6 p.m., at Killian Park, 1424 Marthan Road, Columbia.

  • New council cracks down on expense reimbursements

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield leaders are clamping down on the county council’s travel reimbursement policy for individual council members.

    On Monday night, the council voted 4-3 on the policy revisions, which set controls on expenses eligible for reimbursement.

    Council members Shirley Greene, Tim Roseborough, and Neil Robinson voted against the revisions.

    Greene complained the new policy was too vague.

    “When we have something that’s nebulous, and this document is nebulous in terms of specificity, we can do better in stating what’s comprehensive,” Greene said.

    In 2021, in addition to travel costs, five of the seven council members – Bell, Greene, Trapp, Roseborough and Robinson – received a total of $14,714.40 in miscellaneous reimbursements, according to an investigation by The Voice.

    Greene spent the most, invoicing the county $4,119.16 in expenses. Council Chairman Bell billed the county $3,338.57.

    Roseborough ($2,682.68), Trapp ($2,373.61), and Robinson ($2,200.38) rounded out the top five.

    Council members Pauley and Gilbert didn’t seek or accept reimbursements, according to documents obtained by The Voice.

    Some council members bookended extra hotel room nights outside listed conference dates, while others sought reimbursement for routine travel to council meetings, county records show.

    On Monday night, the current council majority voiced support for the new policy.

    “I feel like it’s something we need to do,” said Councilman Clarence Gilbert, who has heavily criticized council reimbursements in the past.

    Councilman Dan Ruff also supports the new policy, and introduced an amendment that would deny reimbursements to council members who are late in submitting requests. The amendment passed 4-3. He said late reimbursements put an extra strain on staff.

    “I never in my previous time [on council], and won’t this time, ask for or receive expense reimbursements for anything,” Ruff said.

    Councilwoman Peggy Swearingen said council members shouldn’t need reimbursements since they’re already paid to serve. Council members make $15,000 a year, according to budget records. The Chair makes an additional $4,800, the vice chair an additional $3,000 over what the other council members receive,

    “Take your salary and go on home. You knew what the salary was. We don’t need all this other stuff. Take your salary and be done with it,” Councilwoman Peggy Swearingen said.

    In May 2022, an investigation by The Voice found several instances of wasteful spending in council member reimbursement requests.

    In 2021, Greene and Roseborough zigzagged across the state to attend various economic development conferences in North Augusta, Beaufort, Hartsville, and Orangeburg. Together they spent a combined $3,726.80.

    They also billed Fairfield council members for local travel.

    Records show Greene sought reimbursement for 44-mile roundtrips to pick up her agenda packets from the county administration building, even though they could have been emailed like they were to others. 

    Roseborough also drove 52.5 miles to attend a Fairfield County chamber function, and 30 miles for a Midlands Technical College meet and greet, neither of which were required functions for them as council members to attend, records show.

    The policy revisions approved Monday night specifically address local travel.

    Council members must submit monthly mileage logs when traveling on county business.

    Limits are also set on which events council members can attend. Travel reimbursements to and from the county administration building, which were charged last year by council members Bell, Green, Trapp and Robinson, are expressly prohibited under the new revised policy.

    “Mileage will be reimbursed only for those educational, training and lobbying opportunities that are essential to being on County Council,” the policy states. “In-county mileage will not be reimbursed.”

    Council members must submit mileage logs when seeking reimbursement. Reimbursement requests must be submitted within 30 days of the month’s end.

    The policy also states the county will now provide cell phones and Surface Pros to council members instead of reimbursing them for those items. The cell phones and laptops were issued to each council member earlier this month. Each council member has been assigned an email address so they can receive agenda packets electronically.

    According to Interim Administrator Laura Johnson, reimbursing council members for computer and phone expenses cost the county $19,020 annually. Issuing the council members county owned phones and laptops will only cost the county $4,000 annually, saving as much as $15,000 annually.

    Greene worried about how council members would get wifi for the Surface Pros, and was told that council members could use their home wifi to connect to the internet.

    In other business, Johnson told council that the audit, which is now almost two months late, is still on track to be presented to council on March 13.

  • Robert Edward (Eddie) Clark

    BLYTHEWOOD – Robert Edward (Eddie) Clark, 69, of Blythewood, died on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Born in Columbia, SC, on December 16, 1953, he was a son of the late Lewis and Thelma Kelly Clark.

    After graduating from Keenan High School, Eddie chose to enlist in the United States Military. He proudly served as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, graduating from Parris Island and then stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay. After his military service, Eddie continued his studies at the University of South Carolina graduating with a degree in Marketing, and recently retired from a career in the surveying sales industry.

    An avid and lifelong Gamecock supporter, Eddie also enjoyed reading his Bible and books by John Grisham, long morning walks, building things with his hands, and working on his tractor. He adored his family and nothing gave him more joy than being with them. He took his family on many trips to Fripp Island, Folly Beach, spent Christmas at Biltmore and Disney, and countless fall Saturdays at Williams-Brice Stadium.

    He loved watching his children grow, and how their relationship evolved over the years from parent to friend. He was blessed to also have a son in-law and two grandchildren. He was always present for their sporting events, and loved spending time with them around the pond and in the woods. In 2021 Eddie and the boys planted twenty-four trees at the front of his property, and the sign he had made to commemorate that day still stands.

    The most special person in Eddie’s life was Rene, his wife of 45 years. They met in August of 1976 at a Young Adults cookout hosted by Ravenwood Baptist Church, and were married there a year later on August 6, 1977. Together, they set an example for their children and so many others of what a devoted and faith-based marriage looks like. They loved to travel together, see the Eagles in concert, and spend time at the pond with their family during the spring and summer as they watched everyone fish.

    Eddie and Rene moved to the Cedar Creek community in Blythewood in February of 1979 where they became charter members of a church plant of Belmont Baptist Church. As a devoted member of Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Eddie served in many capacities including Deacon and Sunday School Teacher for both adults and children. For many years, he lead youth trips and worked with Vacation Bible School and other ministries. As a charter member, Eddie was an integral part of the land preparation and building process for where the original sanctuary and educational buildings still stand. His children, son in-law, and grandchildren were all baptized at Cedar Creek.

    Survivors include his best friend and wife, Rene Varnadore Clark; son, Robert Clark; daughter, Jamye Duren (Evans); and grandchildren, Clark Duren and Wyatt Duren; as well as a sister, Faith Koon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Lewis Clark, Jr.

    The service for Mr. Clark will be held at 11am, Saturday, February 18th, at Cedar Creek Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. James W. “J.” Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church beginning at 10am. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

    Memorials may be made to Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Building Fund, at 1920 Cedar Creek Rd, Blythewood, SC 29016.

    Eddie’s family loved him fiercely, and he will be greatly missed.

    Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com

  • Valentine’s Day fatal crash on I-77

    The driver of a 2020 Chevrolet SUV died in an early morning single vehicle crash on I-77 at the 31 mile marker at about 3:07 a.m., Tuesday.

    The SUV was traveling south on I-77 when it left the roadway to the left and hit several trees, according to Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway.

    The lone occupant of the vehicle, the driver, died at the scene, the report said.

    The Fairfield Corner has not yet released the name of the deceased. The crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

    This story will be updated as more information is available.

  • Winnsboro Town Council hears complaints as smart meters arrive

    Winnsboro utility customers share stories of high bills to a TV station. | Photos: Barbara Ball

    WINNSBORO — Prior to the Winnsboro Town Council meeting Monday night, the camera was rolling as 20 or so Winnsboro water customers expressed to WLTX-TV their frustration over longtime utility billing issues.

    A few minutes later, they moved indoors where they addressed council about their gas, water, and electricity bills – some as high as $1,300 – and erratic billing cycles and billing delays.

    “I can’t control my finances if the billing is here, there and everywhere,” James Lawhorn told council. “I have health issues that are taking a toll on me. I can’t pay the bills because the billing cycle is so out of control. Put me on a 30-day cycle so I know what’s going on,” he said.

    Winnsboro customer James Lawhorn

    Betty Crouch said she received a bill for 15 days of service that was about the same as the previous bill she received for almost three months of service.

    “We are fed up with high bills,” Gail Floyd said, holding up her bill.

    “We’ve been in a situation that’s not been efficient or accurate,” Town Manager Jason Taylor said. “And it has not been timely. That hurts our customers and our Town’s finances. When we read every two months, that costs the Town anywhere from $40 to $80 dollars more per meter than if we read them every month.”

    Taylor said the Town has been facing the real world consequences of labor shortages and supply obstructions the last couple of years.

    “We only have one reader and should have six,” he said. “We’ve interviewed six people now and we’ve raised the meter reader’s salary to $22 per hour for entry level. Even then, they have to have a driver’s license and we have to hire people we can trust. We can’t send people into backyards who have criminal records or drug problems.”

    Taylor says the ultimate solution is the new AMI smart meters that the Town ordered almost two years ago at a cost of $4 million for all the utilities – gas, water (sewer), and electric. The meters have been delayed by supply chain interruptions, he said.

    “Now that we have just received all the water and gas meters for Winnsboro customers, installation is set to begin within the next couple of weeks,” Taylor said. “Once we get started, it should go rather quickly.”

    He said once the meters are installed, that will put everyone on the same 30-31 day schedule every month.

    The Town still has to bridge the gap to get meters read until the installations are complete.

    To do that, Taylor said he has met with a company that contracts meter readers for Dominion, who also faced extreme labor shortages.

    “We’re waiting for a proposal from them to help us to transition from manual readings to the automatic, efficient AMI meters,” Taylor said.

    “With the new smart system, customers will have options such as being able to check usage on the internet by the hour, even by the minute,” he said. “It’s that accurate. We’re planning to add that feature to our new system.”

    Sign-up sheets were available at the meeting for customers to ask for help for their particular situations.

    “We’ll schedule a time for you to come in, and we’ll work with you, go out and re-read your meter and look at the history of your readings, set up a payment plan if you want,” Taylor said. “We’ll also do an equalization plan to help you catch up. We’ll look at any options and do what we can to help you.”

    Taylor has told residents that if they believe their bills have been overestimated, they can pay on the bill until they get an accurate reading. He said there will be no disconnections of service during this time, and that, when the new AMI system is installed, any overages from past bills will be credited to their accounts.

    Mayor John McMeekin said the new AMI meters will take the Town out of the Stone Age into the modern world.

    “We are going to try to restore your confidence which we have lost.” McMeekin said. “That’s the direction we’re moving in. We’re going to try to move heaven and earth to get this done. We didn’t get here overnight.”

    McMeekin, addressing the gravity of the situation for some customers during the transition to the AMI meters, encouraged them to call town hall.

    “Everyone’s situation is different,” he said, “but we’ll address it and try to come up with an appropriate solution.”

    Mariam Trezevant addresses Town Council about her high utility bills.

  • Ridgeway man charged with Grand Larceny

    • Edwards
    • Huling

    FAIRFIELD COUNTY – Jason Edwards and Terry James Huling Jr, were arrested by Fairfield County Deputies and each was charged with four counts of Grand Larceny over $10,000 and one count Conspiracy.

    The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating several cases of grand larceny that have occurred over the past few months. Through the course of this investigation, Edwards and Huling were developed as suspects. These incidents occurred at the same property in Fairfield County near the US Hwy 321 N/White Oak area.

    At the time of these incidents, Edwards, 34, of Tupelo Rd. in the Ridgeway area, was a Richland County Sheriff’s Deputy. Huling, 46, lives in the Cold Branch Rd area of Richland County.

    Both Edwards and Huling were transported to the Fairfield County Detention Center and are currently awaiting bond.

    “This investigation is still in its early stages and we are limited on what information that we can provide at this time,” Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery said.

  • Eagle boys roll through Anderson, Cambridge

    GREENWOOD – Richard Winn’s boys picked up their seventh win in a row with a blowout win at Cambridge Academy on Monday.

    Miller Stuck (11) | Photos: Laura Bonds

    Lawson Wade picked up his tenth double-double of the season, leading the Eagles with 26 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Drew Spires chipped in 17 points along with five rebounds. Freshman Charlie Bonds also had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

    The win comes on the heels of a 71-48 win at Anderson Christian last Friday.

    Wade had 26 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots. Junior Miller Stuck had 16 points and give assists. Rob Wilson put in 9 points. He also had eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals. Spires had eight points and two blocked shots.

    The Eagle girls had Friday night off as Anderson Christian does not have a girls’ team. They returned to the court Monday in Greenwood, looking to piggyback off of their win against Oconee Christian the previous Monday.

    Brinson Baker (2)

    Cambridge led 15-6 after a quarter and extended the lead to 31-14 by the half. Richard Winn held the Cougar offense to only 18 points in the third and fourth quarters.

    Despite outscoring Cambridge in the second half, the first-half deficit was too much to overcome and the Eagles dropped the game 49-37.

    Abby Lewis and Brinson Baker combined for 21 of the Eagles’ 23 points in the second half with scores. Lewis and Baker each had 12 points on the night, all from behind the arc.

    Both Eagle teams faced King Academy on Wednesday in their final home game of the regular season, but scores were not available at press time. King handed the Richard Winn boys’ their only conference loss of the season in January, holding the Eagles to only 27 points. A win over King would clinch a conference title for the Eagles.

    Up next, the Eagles will play in the SCISA A Region 4 conference tournament this weekend. Seeding was not available at press time. Friday’s games at Laurens Academy will feature four games: seeds 3v6 and seeds 4v5. Saturday’s games at Richard Winn will feature seeds 1 and 2 against the winners of Friday’s games. Winners will advance to a region tournament championship game on Monday at Newberry Academy.

    The Eagles then will await playoff brackets. The SCISA state tournament is set to begin Feb. 17.

    RWA 71, Anderson 48

    RWA: Wade 26, Stuck 16, Wilson 9, Spires 8, C. Bonds 7, Caulder 3, B. Nicholson 2.

    RWA 86, Cambridge 30

    RWA: Wade 26, Spires 17, C. Bonds 11, Stuck 8, T. Bonds 6, Smith 4, Chaisson 4, Wilson 3, B. Nicholson 3, K. Nicholson 3, Caulder 1.

    CAMBRIDGE 49, RWA 37

    CA – 15-16-8-10 – 49

    RWA – 6-8-9-14 – 37

    RWA: Lewis 12, Baker 12, Brigman 7, Young 4, Steed 2.

  • Fairfield County Sheriff’s office investigating early morning double homicide

    JENKINSVILLE – The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double-homicide that occurred at a residence on Marsh Lane, located in the Hwy 215 South area of Jenkinsville.

    Shortly after 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, deputies responded to shots fired at the residence and found 2 deceased individuals.

    Theron Byrd, 23, of Winnsboro and Malik Butler, 22, of Jenkinsville, were the two deceased individuals located inside the residence, according to the Fairfield County Coroner Chris Hill.

    The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Crime Scene Unit was requested to assist with this investigation.

    “As we are in the very early stages of this investigation, it is still very fluid and we are very limited on what information we can provide at this time,” Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery said.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 803-635-4141.

    This story was updated at 5:25 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2023.