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  • Vandals strike Doko Park again

    Steven Hasterok, Director of the Conference and Events Center, examines damage from large ‘donuts’ cut into the park’s athletic field. | Barbara Ball

    BLYTHEWOOD – After the latest in what has been years of varying degrees of vandalism in the town park, Town officials say they’ve had enough.

    During Monday night’s town council meeting Mayor Bryan Franklin announced that the park was struck again over the weekend by vandals who dug deep ruts in the grass, making 20- to 30-foot diameter ‘donut’ circles into the park’s large athletic field on the McLean Road side of the park.

    Teen Arrested

    It was similar to another vandalism during the winter when a Blythewood teenager was arrested after digging deep tracks and ‘donuts’ in the grass in the park with his pickup truck, causing approximately $1,500 in damage.

    The incident was captured on the town park’s surveillance cameras in conjunction with a group of teens who were using the park as a nightly hangout, according to Steve Hasterok, Director of the Conference and Events Center for Doko Manor and Doko Meadows Park.

    Hasterok told Richland County Sheriff’s deputies that the problem had been ongoing.

    While the town did not take that ‘donut’ case to court, the town’s attorney, Shannon Burnett, working with Town Administrator Carroll Williamson and Mayor Bryan Franklin, reached a settlement that Burnett called ‘stiff,’ with the teen’s attorney.

    “He was required to pay $1,500 for the damages and must work 40 hours at the park. Except for his required work there, he is banned from the park for two years,” Burnett said. “If he completes these requirements, the issue is settled. If not, we have the option to prosecute, and we will.

    “We’ve also had vandals breaking lights along the walking trails and ladies have complained about harassment as they go on morning and evening walks,” Franklin said. At least one man has been prosecuted for harassment in the park.

    New Security Options

    While Williamson said Monday evening that he did not know if the current vandalism has been reported to the Richland County Sheriff’s office, he said he has so far been working on gathering information on the incident.

    “We’ve been figuring out who it was and capturing it,” Williamson said. He said it would be reported shortly.

    Town council has in recent months discussed taking steps to stop the vandals, including upgrading surveillance cameras so they will pick up greater detail, keeping a closer eye on park goings-on after dark, and town hall is currently installing an additional gate just past the town Christmas tree in front of Town Hall. That is the only remaining road open to the park after hours.

     Still the vandals persist.

    Franklin said Monday night that the Eagle scouts are coming to put a fence along Freeway Music and then on the south side of the farmers market.

    “That will be a physical barricade, physically impossible to get in unless they violate the ordinance,” he said.

    “I’ve instructed the town attorney to prosecute that individual to the full extent of the law,” Franklin said. “If the barricade doesn’t work and Richland County can’t assist us in enforcing it, then we’ll do a security force of our own.”

    “We’ve been far too lenient and far too patient and now it’s time to enforce the law,” he said. “And we plan to do that.”

  • Luck quarry hearing set for Geiger, Aug. 5

    RIDGEWAY –  SC DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ) and Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) will hold a joint public hearing on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, beginning at 6:30 p. m, at Geiger Elementary School, 150 TM Cook Ln, Ridgeway, to discuss an application by Luck Stone Corporation to operate the proposed Fairfield I-77 Quarry.

    The purpose of the hearing is to accept written and verbal comments on the proposed project.

    Due to the number of COVID-19 cases in South Carolina, the public hearing will also be online to give interested persons who cannot attend the hearing the opportunity to participate remotely.

    Anyone who plans to participate in the public hearing had to complete the registration form prior to August 5, 2021, by going to at https://scdhec.gov/LuckStoneFairfield.

    If you have questions about participating in the public hearing on Aug. 5, contact Monica Taylor at (803) 898-7678, or by email at taylormn@dhec.sc.gov.

    Luck Stone Corporation has requested environmental permits from DHEC to mine granite at a site located in the vicinity of the intersection of S.C. Highway 34 and Simpson Circle in Fairfield County, approximately 3.5 miles west of Ridgeway.  A proposed reclamation plan to restore the site to lake/pond, grassland, and commercial has been submitted with the application.

    The hearing will be conducted by a hearing officer designated by SC DHEC. If necessary, based on the number of requests for verbal comments received, a time limitation may be imposed on each commenter. The time may not be transferred to another speaker. Commenters will be called upon in random order. Written and verbal comments will be considered equally and included in the record of the decision.

    Of the 416 acre site, 259.9 acres will be affected, and 77.9 acres will be reserved for future use. There will be 77.9 acres of buffer.

    According to the permit, the mining process will include drilling, blasting, hauling and crushing the stone to usable size. The quarry is expected to draw 100,000 gallons of water from the ground each day.

    Interested parties may review the materials drafted and maintained by SC DHEC for this facility and submit written comments on the draft permit by the end of the public notice period listed above.

    Written comments will be accepted through close of business (5:00 p.m.) on August 20, 2021. Comments made during and after the public hearing may be considered when making a decision regarding the draft air construction permit.

     Written comments can be submitted to the BAQ Public Notice Coordinator at the above SC DHEC address or by email at AirPNComments@dhec.sc.gov. Comments should specify, in as much details as possible, the air quality related issues and if possible, identify the portion(s) of the state and/or federal air quality regulations that are of concern and have not been adequately addressed in the draft permit.

    Copies of a draft permit or other related documents may be requested in writing to the Freedom of Information Office; fees may apply.

    The public notice, along with the draft permit and draft statement of basis, may be viewed through the end of the notice period on SC DHEC’s website at: http://www.scdhec.gov/PublicNotices/ and https://scdhec.gov/LuckStoneFairfield.

    For more information, contact Jeremy Eddy, Bureau of Land and Waste Management Project Manager at 803-898-7609 or eddyje@dhec.sc.gov.

  • Wilson Auto, Hawthorne Pharmacy take home top chamber awards

    Bob Prather presents Freddie Wilson with the Fitz John Creighton McMaster Industry of the Year award. | Photos: Barbara Ball

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce leaders presented a flurry of awards during its 2021 Annual Meeting last week at The Farm of Ridgeway. Before the awards presentation, outgoing board chairman Charlene Herring passed the gavel to the incoming chairman, Lisa Kelly, who in turn recognized the Chamber’s board of directors.

    Chamber President Gene Stephens missed the meeting entirely when he was admitted to Prisma Health for an emergency appendectomy.

    MaryGail Douglas, right, presents the Small Business of the Year Award to, from left, Nadine Young, Markita Belton, Jo Banister, Deon Qualls, and Carrie Baker for Hawthorne Pharmacy.

    Board member MaryGail Douglas presented the Terry Vickers Small Business of the Year Award to Hawthorne Pharmacy.

    “All of these employees at Hawthorne Winnsboro Pharmacy grew up in their community,” Douglas said of the six women accepting the award. “They personally know and care for their patients. They can do the extras like calling the doctor’s office to change your medication to a cheaper drug, check on drug interactions and make the appropriate decisions, and even deliver when necessary.

    “Hawthorne’s also offers a hardship account that help those in the community who cannot afford it, receive their much needed medication. So, when COVID-19 happened, the store stayed open, offering curb-side service. This is still offered today, though the store is now open to the public,” Douglas said.

    The 2020 Chamber Chairman Bob Prather presented the Fitz-John Creighton McMaster Industry of the Year award to Wilson Auto Sales.

    “Freddie Wilson, owner of the dealership, started in the car business part time at the Chevrolet store after school when the store was Winnsboro Motor Sales owned by Forest Hughes, in the parts department,” Prather said. “Freddie worked up thru the ranks until Hughes sold the store in 1998 to a group out of Columbia. Freddie was able to purchase the Chevrolet store in 1991 with the help of his father Hiram Wilson.”

    After returning the store to the old-fashioned values with a local hometown feel that made the store successful for years, the Wilsons were able to turn the store around. Freddie later purchased the Chrysler store in 1997 from Hennis Pope here in Winnsboro. Freddie added the Jeep franchise at that time.

    Wilson’s moved to the old Piggly Wiggly building in 2006, where they are today. The Chevrolet store is in the same location it has been since 1948 with major renovation in 2013.

    Dillon Pullen, the Chamber’s Community Relations Director, introduced a new annual Community Partner award and presented it to two people – Sam ‘Carburetor’ Edenfield and Hannah Phillips.

    • Community Partner Award recipient Hannah Phillips
    • Community Partner Award recipient Sam Edenfield

    Edenfield’s passion for mechanics and old cars fueled the coordination of his first car show, held in Fortune Springs Park. After the show outgrew the park, Edenfield brought it to downtown Winnsboro where it continues today as part of the Rock Around the Clock and Car Show, an event which draws top antique refurbished cars from all over the nation. Pullen describes Edenfield’s car show as second to none.

    The other Community Partner award went to Hannah Phillips, whose keen interest in Fairfield County history was evident in her being a charter member and Board member of the Fairfield County Historical Society.

    She was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 1985. She was a charter member of the Winnsboro Downtown Development Association and a Fairfield County Tour guide for over 40 years. For over 6 years she had “Hannah’s History Quiz” on our local radio station and what she thoroughly enjoyed was being a member and serving one term as Chairman of the Olde English District Commission comprising seven counties.

    She was a member of the Anemone Garden Club for over 50 years serving as president several terms and was a member of the first faculty of Richard Winn Academy. The list of her memberships and awards are many.

    Phillips family was named the South Carolina Family of the year.

    Pullen announced that going forward, the Community Partnership award will be called the Phillips-Edenfield Citizen of the Year award.

    Assistant Town Manager Chris Clausen, Mayor John McMeekin, Town Manager Jason Taylor, and Fairfield County Director of Economic Development Ty Davenport
    • Dan and Robbie Martin, Fairfield Councilman Clarence Gilbert
    • Lisa Kelly and Charlene Herring
    • Keryn Isenhoward, Liz Cady and Terrie Smith
    Belva Bush Belton with Carolyn and Don Prioleau

  • Death of Fairfield woman being investigated

    Two Suspects Arrested

    CHESTER – Authorities are still working to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of a Fairfield County woman found dead in Chester County on Monday.

    Two suspects are in custody.

    Linda W. Robinson, 63, was found deceased by deputies with the Chester County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 11:40 a.m. Aug. 2. Authorities said her body was discovered on the side of Carpenter Road, in the Lewis Turnout community of Chester County.

    At the time of the discovery, Robinson’s body was unidentified until authorities with the Chester Police Department were called to a Walmart located on JA Cochran Bypass that afternoon to respond to a report of a missing woman.

    According to a release from the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, authorities were told that a woman matching Robinson’s description had last been seen at that Walmart earlier that morning, and through coordinated efforts between Chester PD, Chester County SO and the Chester County Coroner’s Office, Robinson was positively identified as the woman found deceased.

    Authorities later located Robinson’s vehicle, a blue 2009 Honda Odyssey van, that night at approximately 8 p.m. off of James F. Wherry Road in northern Chester County. The vehicle was impounded and has since been processed by SLED’s Crime Scene Unit.

    On Tuesday, Chester County authorities reported that arrest warrants were issued for two individuals, George “Si” Linward Faile and Amber Nicole Harris, in connection with Robinson’s death. By Tuesday night, both individuals had been arrested on murder charges.

    Chester County Sheriff D. Max Dorsey, told Chester County media outlets that Faile is a known meth user who was out on bond from a meth trafficking arrest in July. 

    Robinson’s cause of death has not been released. Authorities said an autopsy was set for Wednesday.

    Authorities are also seeking help from the public in piecing together the events that may have occurred after Robinson went missing. Detectives are searching for any witnesses who may have seen Robinson or her blue van on Monday. Homeowners and businesses in the area are asked to review their video surveillance footage and encouraged to contact detectives if the vehicle was seen passing through their area between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. that day.

    Anyone who believes they may have information regarding the investigation may contact detectives at Chester County SO at 803-581-5131 or 803-385-5433.

  • Lake Wateree man dies in ATV crash

    LAKE WATEREE – Lake Wateree resident Lee Renwick, 27, was killed when the 2018 Polaris ATV he was driving crashed early Sunday morning on Plantation Pointe Road near N. Dutchman Creek Road, about 10 miles north of Ridgeway.

    Renwick

    The crash occurred at 2:38 a.m. according to S. C. Highway Patrol Master Trooper Brandon Bolt.

    Renwick was traveling west on Plantation Pointe Road when the ATV crossed the center of the roadway, traveled off the west side of the road and overturned. Renwick was ejected and died on the scene, according to a Highway Patrol report.

    The incident remains under investigation by the S.C. Highway Patrol and the Fairfield County Coroner’s office.

    A separate fatal ATV crash took place at Carolina Adventure World in Winnsboro, also on Sunday.

    Leonardo Bellorin, 22, of Charlotte, N.C., was a passenger on an ATV that lost control.

    Bellorin was ejected from the ATV. He was transported to MUSC/Fairfield Emergency Department where he was pronounced deceased.

    The incident is under investigation by the Fairfield County Coroner’s Office.

  • The driver of an ATV died after a crash on Plantation Pointe Road

    LAKE WATEREE – The unidentified driver of a 2001 Polaris ATV was killed early Sunday morning during a crash on Plantation Point Road near N. Dutchman Creek Road. The crash occurred at 2:38 a.m. 

    According to Master Trouper Brandon Bolt, the driver of the ATV was traveling west on Plantation Pointe Road when it crossed the center of the roadway, traveled off the west side of the road and flipped over. 

    The crash occurred in a wooded area near Lake Wateree, just across the bridge from Lake Wateree State Park. The location is 10 miles north of Ridgeway and about 20 miles east of Winnsboro.

    The driver was not wearing a helmet and was ejected during the crash. The driver was deceased on scene, according to a Highway Patrol report. 

    The coroner has not yet released the name of the driver who was the sole occupant of the ATV.

    The incident remains under investigation by the S.C. Highway Patrol.

    This information will be updated as it becomes available.

  • Former FCHS standout returns as coach

    Larry Perry played shortstop for the SC Braves. | Martha Ladd

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield Central recently announced that alum Larry Perry will be the next head baseball coach for the Griffins.

    “Coach Perry comes to us with a wealth of baseball knowledge,” Fairfield Central’s announcement said.

    Perry

    Perry, a 2007 graduate, was a baseball standout for the Griffins and played travel ball with the SC Braves, a team loaded with Midlands baseball talent. The Braves played in USSSA and Triple Crown tournaments.

    After high school, Perry played for two seasons at USC Sumter before moving on to finish his collegiate career as a USC Beaufort Sand Shark.

    In his final year as a USCS Fire Ant, Perry batted .351 in 49 games played. He had 53 hits, 10 doubles, three home runs and 31 RBIs in 151 at bats. Perry’s fielding percentage was .957 with 27 putouts, 52 assists and only 4 errors, helping the team to a 47-7 record.

    In the 2010 season at USCB, Perry was named 2nd Team All-Conference. Perry’s statistics remain in the record books at USCB. His single-season batting average of .392 and 53 runs are each sixth best in school history. Perry is one of only three Sand Sharks to hit two triples in a game. Perry’s on-base percentage of .422 remains in the top 15 of USCB players. He is third-best in single-season stolen bases with 21. His 29 career stolen bases at USCB is sixth best in program history.

    Perry returned to Winnsboro and has worked as an Athletic Specialist with the Fairfield County Parks and Recreation Department.

    “This is truly a blessing,” Perry said in a statement on Facebook. “Dr. Swilley and Coach Roach thank you for the opportunity, it feels good to be home!”

  • Doko Meadows Park rules revised to allow children of all ages

    BLYTHEWOOD – As the original rules for the use of the park and Manor were adopted in 2017, the use of these facilities has grown, making security a critical issue, Town Administrator Carroll Williamson told council at Monday night’s council meeting.

    To that end, the rules are being updated and adopted, Williams said, to ensure that they reflect the best interest of the park and those who enjoy it.

    Most of the changes have to do with what park visitors are allowed and not allowed to do in regard to fishing, swimming, grilling, bringing dogs to the park, noise, trash disposal, the use of fireworks, firearms and other weapons. The new rules also address peddling, parking, hunting, alcoholic beverages, driving, and the protection of the grounds and facilities.

    A controversial item on the list of do’s and don’ts concerned the age of children who use the playground.

    The first reading stated that: “The playground is designed for ages five to 12 years of age. Children over 12 are prohibited.”

    That stipulation restricting children of certain ages was removed Monday night.

  • Council OKs funding for outside agencies

    BLYTHEWOOD – During the FY2021-22 budget work session and discussions during Blythewood Town Council meetings, council identified specific outside agencies to receive funding. However, Town Administrator Carroll Williamson noted in a memo that council members approved the budget without a specific amount allocated to each agency. The total amount allocated for all the agencies was $37,500.

    “[These agencies] are not necessarily affiliated with A-Tax or H-Tax awards,” Mayor Bryan Franklin said “but are grants we give to organizations that ask for them and that have a relationship with the town.”

    Williamson said the purpose of the item being on the agenda Tuesday night is to allow a separate vote for each outside agency’s funding once the agencies have provided their organizational information and stated how they intend to use the funds. He said the agencies that are not on this agenda would be voted on later after they have provided the necessary information to town hall.

    At Councilman Donald Brock’s suggestion, council took one vote to approve all the following outside requests:

    • Blythewood Chamber of Commerce – $5,000
    • Big Red Barn – $1,000
    • Blythewood Soccer Club – $1,000
    • Camp Discovery – $1,500
    • Bethel-Hanberry Athletic Alumni Association – $6,000

    Councilman Larry Griffin recused himself from voting since he is president of the Bethel-Hanberry Athletic Association.

  • Big Grab set for Sept. 10-11

    BLYTHEWOOD/FAIRFIELD – Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s time to mark your calendar for the annual 50-mile Big Grab community yard sale – COVID-style.

    The sale is set for Friday, Sept. 10, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 11, from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

    The  shopping crawl is a figure 8 loop that extends up Hwy 21 from Blythewood to Ridgeway, then along Highway 34 to Winnsboro where vendors will be set up along the Highway 321 Bypass, Highway 200 and through downtown Winnsboro back to the Bypass and back to Blythewood via Highway 321 to Cedar Creek and then to Blythewood Road.

    “It started out at 25 miles as a way to bring people into our communities and to enjoy small towns again, as well as a way to help our citizens put a little money in their pockets,” Gene Stephens, president of the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce, said.

    “The Big Grab has always been a successful weekend for the Blythewood/Ridgeway/Winnsboro communities and this year, with the world opening back up after losing more than a year to COVID 19, people are ready to get out. So it should be bigger and better than ever.

    We are, of course, asking everyone, both vendors and shoppers to observe safety guidelines – wear masks, use hand sanitizer and social distance,” Stephens said.

    The event has been a boon to local churches, who have capitalized on The Big Grab as a major annual fundraiser – not only selling their own wares, but also renting out prime selling space to vendors who otherwise would not have had a spot along the route.

     To find the perfect spot to sell stuff, see the list of available vendor spaces, costs, facilities, etc., at the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook Page.

    “It’s not just about vendors setting up tables and selling their wares,” Liz Humphries of Blythewood Consignment said. “It’s a time for people to shop, eat, walk, talk and experience what the small towns of Blythewood, Ridgeway and Winnsboro are really about.”

     “We hope to see vendors set up all over downtown Blythewood and beyond. Some set-up areas will be free while there will be a small charge for others,” Stephens said. “Secure your spot today so you’ll be ready to sell on the Big (Grab) day.”

    Those who have space for vendors to set up, contact the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce in Winnsboro (803-635-4242) or Liz Humphries at Blythewood Consignment in Blythewood (803-691-6808).