Blythewood Online 691

Category: News

  • Town of Winnsboro awarded additional $1.8M grant for Fortune Springs Park

    A view of a water feature in Fortune Springs Park after it was completed. Taylor said the newly awarded funds will help to ensure that the underlying drainage issues in the park are addressed before the restoration of the features begins.

    WINNSBORO—Winnsboro Town Manager Jason Taylor announced last week that the Town of Winnsboro has been awarded the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) grant of $1,859,744.90 for the Fortune Springs Stormwater Project and a $54.886.28 Parks and Recreation Development (PARD) grant for restoration work in Friendship Park at the corner of Garden and Moultrie Streets.

    Fortune Springs Project

    SCOR had previously awarded the Town a grant of $440,825.00 for Fortune Springs Park. Combining the current and previous SCORE awards, the Town now has a total of $2,300,569.90 to apply toward the Fortune Springs Park project.

    Taylor said the newly awarded funds will help to ensure that the intent of the project, of addressing the underlying drainage issues that undermined the original park design, can be more fully realized.

    “This money is primarily geared towards drainage and things like that. We hope we can include curbs and gutters and some sidewalks, but we have to explore what we can do beyond just site work,” Taylor said.

    “This money,” he said, “is not for building pretty things – like fountains and such – it’s for the substantive things like foundational work that makes something be able to stand the test of time. Drainage is not a safety issue,” Taylor said, “but if you don’t deal with drainage, your project is going to be washed away because water’s going to do what water’s going to do.

    “This newly awarded grant from SCOR will help to further the goal of revitalizing Winnsboro, making it a better place for its citizens, and more attractive for those considering to make Winnsboro their home.

    “We want to thank the South Carolina Office of Resilience for recognizing Fortune Springs as a project worthy of investing in,” Taylor said. “These will have a long-lasting positive impact on the Town of Winnsboro.

    Friendship Park Project

    Tayor said the Friendship Park is a well-used and well-worn park that needs some attention.

    “We’ll replace the concrete basketball courts to begin with and maybe take care of some fencing that a tree fell across,” Taylor said. “Then I hope we will be able to work on some of the parking lot pavement.

    “Revitalization of the Town has been made a top priority by the Mayor and Town Council, and it has been strongly advocated by others such as State Representative Annie McDaniel,” Taylor said.

    The same view after the design was destroyed by underlying drainage issues. | Martha Ladd

  • Blythewood boys, girls win Friday, split Tuesday

    ROCK HILL – The Blythewood boys basketball team (19-6, 7-2 Region 3-5A) beat Clover 67-53 Friday night and Rock Hill 51-45 on the road Tuesday night.

    Against Clover, Will Olden led the way with 20 points. Austin Coker had 17 points and T.J. Lewis had 16 points.

    Against the Bearcats, Lewis scored 14. Coker and Olden contributed 13 points apiece.

    The Bengals can clinch the region championship with a win at Spring Valley Friday.

    The Blythewood girls (13-7, 6-3) beat the Blue Eagles 72-62 Friday night and fell at Rock Hill 67-45. The Bearcats (22-3, 9-0) clinched the region championship with the win.

    Against Clover, Chase Thomas scored 28 points, India Williams added 14 points, Kalia Spain had 13 points and Hayley Hightower added 11 points.

    The Bengals can finish second in the region behind Rock Hill with a win over Spring Valley Friday.

  • McCloud surrenders to sheriff

    FAIRFIELD COUNTY – After eluding Sheriff’s deputies for five days in the Bellefield Road area of Fairfield County, Quteses S. McCloud turned himself in to the Sheirff’s office on Tuesday and was arrested.

    McCloud was charged with attempted murder, domestic violence, ill treatment to animals, discharging a firearm into a dwelling, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The charges stem from two incidents reported in the morning and afternoon of Jan. 3, 2023.

    At about 11 a.m., that day, deputies arrived at a Longtown Road address in Fairfield County to serve a domestic violence first degree warrant on McCloud, according to the incident report.

    The officers reported observing several malnourished dogs roaming on the property when they arrived. Animal control was notified, then the officers on scene observed a “severely emaciated” white dog tied to a chain link fence panel with only a couple of feet of room to move, the report stated.

    Upon further investigation, deputies also observed two dead dogs on the property – one appeared emaciated and the other was decapitated and ripped into several pieces with a collar still around the neck of the animal, according to the report.

    The dog’s legs, feet and head were found in other locations near the body.

    While on the property, the officers heard other dogs inside the residence. A woman inside, who owned the home, allowed a deputy and animal control to enter the residence where they found a small grey and brown dog in a locked cage in the kitchen and another brown and white dog locked in a bedroom surrounded by broken glass, the officers reported.

    Officers observed that none of the animals had food or water, and removed the dogs from the residence.

    Warrants were taken out on McCloud for animal cruelty/torture.

    Officers who had been to the property previously said the dogs were in exceptionally worse condition than before that day.

    Later that same day, officers investigating an incident off Bellfield Road where they were told that McCloud had just shot at a vehicle with a female inside. The woman told officers that she was at the property speaking with McCloud’s father.

    She said that as she was driving away from the property, she observed Mr. McCloud pointing a firearm towards her vehicle. Then, she said, she could see in her rear view mirror that he began shooting towards her. 

    After she arrived home, she said she noticed a hole, from what she understood was caused by a bullet on the left side of her vehicle, above the tail light.

    On Monday, officers posted on the Fairfield County Facebook page that they were currently in the Bellefield Road area of the county attempting to locate McCloud.

    McCloud surrendered to the Sheriff’s office on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

    The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is assisting with the investigation.

  • Fairfield’s Interim administrator Laura Johnson’s contract not renewed

    Deputy Admin Named as Acting Administrator for Two Weeks

    WINNSBORO – After 13 months and three tries, Fairfield County Council has failed to put a new county administrator in place.

    Instead of voting for one of three candidates – the current Interim Administrator Laura Johnson, Matt DeWitt, former administrator of the City of Newberry; or Frank Hart, former supervisor of Union County – council members voted Monday night to name the county’s deputy administrator, Synithia Williams, to serve as acting administrator for only two weeks.

    Williams

    Chairman Doug Pauley did not comment after the vote as to council’s next step moving forward, but did say that Johnson had left the county’s employ and wished her well in her retirement. Pauley had continued to support Johnson, praising her for the job she has done. Johnson was paid $150,000 for the past year. The Voice has not been able to review Johnson’s contract to know if that was her entire compensation during the 13 months she served the county as interim administrator.

    A statement was issued by the county on Wednesday stating that Johnson’s contract had expired. One council member told The Voice that there was not a majority consensus to renew Johnson’s contract.

    The council member said Pauley planned to instruct the County Attorney Tommy Morgan to find – during the next two weeks – a qualified person to serve as interim administrator until a further search can be conducted for a permanent administrator. At press time, Pauley had not responded to an inquiry from The Voice seeking confirmation of this information.

    The vote naming Williams as acting administrator following executive session Monday night followed two failed votes taken at a special called meeting on Wed., Jan. 17. At that meeting, council was considering the same three candidates for the administrator position: DeWitt, Hart, and Johnson.

    At that meeting, Councilman Clarence Gilbert made a motion to hire Johnson. Councilman Dan Ruff offered a substitute motion to hire DeWitt. The vote for DeWitt was 3 – 3 with Councilwoman Shirley Greene abstaining, saying she supported starting the hiring process over.

    Voting for DeWitt were councilmembers Dan Ruff, Tim Roseborough, and Peggy Swearingen. Voting against were Pauley, Gilbert and Councilman Neal Robinson. A tie vote is a failed vote.

    The vote for Johnson was also a 3 – 3 tie vote with Greene abstaining again. Pauley, Gilbert and Robinson voted for Johnson and Ruff, Roseborough, and Swearingen voted against.

    Some council members said privately that they did not consider Hart because of his preference to not relocate. It is a requirement of the job description for the county administrator to live in Fairfield County.

    The two tie votes during the special called meeting set up the vote on Monday night.

    Five citizens made comments on Monday night concerning the administrator search.

    Donna Wilkins urged council to make a selection from the applications they have and not to restart the hiring process.

    “We have an applicant with a lot of experience. We need someone with experience to help us grow,” Wilkins said. “Please look again at the man with 16 years of experience and hire him and not the person who has not much experience.”

    Don Goldbach also called on council to not start the process over.

    “Starting over is a waste of money,” Goldbach said. “You have the information to make an informed decision. You’ve listened a lot to your attorney, but how much have you listened to your constituents?”

    Gene Stephens, who was hired by Johnson three months ago as the county’s public information officer, chastised council for not hiring Johnson.

    Stephens said he was speaking on behalf of the county’s employees and that the employees were happy with the county’s leadership.

    “The employees are busting their tail with a smile on their face,” Stephens said. “They’re excited because the county is doing great things.”

    He said he has a long list of the county’s accomplishments since Johnson came, though he said he didn’t bring the list with him.

    He also claimed that council members had told employees they don’t matter.

    “Now employees don’t feel supported,” Stephens said. “They feel lost, because you all say they don’t matter …you told us you don’t care about employees.”

    Stephens claimed employees are afraid to say anything for fear of retribution.

    “I am very good at my job,” he said, “but as a county employee and all the rest of the staff, we feel you don’t support us.”

    No other employees or staff spoke out on the issue.

    Ruff countered Stephen’s accusations that council had told employees they don’t matter.

    “That is not true,” Ruff said.

  • FCSD Board names finalists for Super

    WINNSBORO – The Fairfield County School Board of Trustees voted unanimously to select five educators as finalists for the next superintendent of the Fairfield County School District: Claudia Avery, Ph.D; Tony Hemingway, Ed.D; Floyd Lyles; Shawn Suber, Ph.D; and Sam Whack, Ed.D

    Avery

    Claudia Avery, PhD. is currently serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Academics in Fairfield County, a position she has held since 2011. Before assuming this role, she served as Director of Special Projects in Fairfield. She has served as an Assistant Principal in Lexington School District Two, a Curriculum Specialist for the SC Department of Education, and a Classroom Teacher in Richland County School District One. She attained her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Capella University, a Master of Education degree from the University of South Carolina, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of South Carolina Upstate. In 2023, she graduated from the Aspiring Superintendents Academy facilitated by The School Superintendents Association (AASA).

    Hemingway

    Tony Hemingway, EdD is currently serving as the Chief Human Resources and Strategic Planning Officer in Clover School District. He has been in this role since 2017. Prior to this position, he served as the Principal for Larne Elementary School, an Assistant Principal in Crowders Creek Elementary, Larne Elementary, and Kinard Elementary. He has classroom teaching experience in Clover School District, Philadelphia Public Schools, York School District One, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. He received a Doctor of Education degree from South Carolina State, an Education Specialist and Master of Education degree from Cambridge College and a Bachelor of Science from Claflin University. He completed the National Superintendent’s Academy through Atlantic Research Partners.

    Lyles

    Floyd Lyles is currently serving as the Deputy Superintendent for the SC Department of Juvenile Justice. Before being named Deputy Superintendent, he became the Interim Deputy Superintendent of DJJ in 2018. Prior to this, he served Principal and Assistant Principal for Birchwood School at SCDJJ. Mr. Lyles worked as an Instructional Facilitator at Fairfield Middle School in 2015. He was the Principal at Union County High School, Jonesville Elementary/Middle School, Assistant Principal at Union County High School and a classroom teacher at Excelsior Middle School and Sims Junior High School. Mr. Lyles served as a Summer School Director for Union County Schools. He was also a part of the high school baseball and football coaching staff. Mr. Lyles received an Educational Specialist degree and a Master of Education degree from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Benedict College in Columbia, SC.

    Suber

    Shawn Suber, PhD currently serves as the Executive Director of Learning Support Services in Richland School District Two. He has been in this role since 2023. Previously, he served as Director of MTSS/State and Federal Programs, Principal at L.W. Conder Elementary, Assistant Principal at Lake Carolina Elementary and Rice Creek Elementary, and a School Counselor. He received a Doctor of Philosophy degree, an Educational Specialist degree, and a Master of Education degree from the University of South Carolina. He received a Master of Education in School Counseling from Winthrop University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Newberry College.

    Sam Whack, EdD currently serves as the Director of Educator Effectiveness, Recruitment and Retention for Clarendon County School District. During his 26 year career, he has served as Deputy Superintendent of Administration and Instruction, Chief of Human Resources and Instructional Services, and Interim Chief of Human Resources and Secondary Program Specialist in Jasper County School District and District Coordinator of Professional Development and School Improvement in Richland School District One.

    Whack

    He served as Principal at Palmetto Middle School, Savannah Grove Elementary, Lower Lee Elementary School and Rosenwald Elementary/Middle School. He served as Assistant Principal at Walker-Gamble Elementary School, District Transportation Director in Clarendon School District Three, Administrative Assistant at Fleming Intermediate School, and a classroom teacher in Clarendon School District Two. He received a Doctor of Education degree, Educational Specialist degree, and Master of Education from Cambridge College. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from South Carolina State University.

    Finalists will be available to meet with community members and faculty/staff on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Fairfield Central High School from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Finalists will have their final interviews with the Board of Trustees on Feb 5, 6, and 7.

    Henry Miller, chair of the Fairfield board said he is excited about the next phase in the search process. Community members and faculty/staff are encouraged to reach out to board members with their feedback on this important decision.

  • Blythewood Road widening project affected nearby pond

    Byron Dinkins stands next to his two-acre mustard-colored pond that he says was a beautiful blue color until the drainage pipe was installed sometime last fall.

    BLYTHEWOOD – Unmanaged water runoff from the Richland County Penny Tax funded Blythewood Road widening project between I-77 and Syrup Mill Road is causing worrisome changes to neighboring property, says Byron Dinkins, who says his two-acre pond has been fouled with silt, has turned brown, and may be permanently ruined as highway drainage from the construction project continues to pour onto his property.

    The long tube-like area the county graded to accommodate an approximately 150-foot drainage pipe and retention pond designed to drain stormwater from the new four-lane Blythewood Rd. Byron Dinkins’ pond is approximately 100 feet downhill from where the stormwater drains out of the four-foot diameter drainage pipe.

    “I don’t want the water drainage from a mile of four-lane highway draining into my pond for the rest of my life,” says Dinkins. “The county should’ve purchased more property from the adjoining landowners for the drainage to be disposed of as it should be, the proper way.”

    Dinkins says the problem started last fall, when he says the construction crew hired by Richland County ran 50 or so feet of giant four-foot diameter concrete pipe from Blythewood Road onto a wedge of property purchased from one of Dinkins’ neighbors. County officials call the wedge of property a continuation of the highway right of way.

    “They say the pipe and a retention pond beneath the mouth of the pipe are within the right of way,” Dinkins said. “But the way it’s installed, the drainage pipe is pointing in the direction of my pond and sending drainage water downhill right in to it.”

    The highway runoff water is intended to pour from the concrete drainage pipe into a small five or six-foot deep retention pond. While the pipe and detention pond are situated within the county’s right of way, the pipe points towards Dinkins’ pond which is not more than a hundred feet away and downhill from the retention pond, allowing the highway drainage to pour onto Dinkins’ land and into his pond.

    Neither the road contractor nor the county officials overseeing the project could be reached for comment. Project Manager Michael Green referred The Voice to the county’s public information office. The Voice emailed questions to the office, but has not yet received a response.

    Dinkins says the assistant project manager was initially responsive to his complaint. That’s when the small gravel retention pond was constructed on the neighboring property. But the retention pond filled and overflowed quickly – within 24 hours of construction. And the problematic stream of drainage water continued to flow downhill, directly into Dinkins’ pond.

    Byron Dinkins stands on the edge of the county’s retention pond dam, where it broke the first night after it was constructed, releasing Blythewood Rd. drainage and silt downhill onto Dinkins’ property, where he says it pours into his previously blue pond.

    Dinkins describes it as a band-aid on a wound that continues to bleed – a problem that needs a larger solution.

    In reality, he says, fixing the drainage issues caused by the road project will require a drainage plan and likely the acquisition of a little more of the neighboring land to properly handle the runoff.

    Dinkins says finding a solution is important not just in this location, but for the project as a whole. He also owns property at the intersection of Syrup Mill and Muller Roads, where a future phase of the project is planned.

    “I’m concerned that the lack of an effective drainage plan there will cause a similar problem, devaluing an otherwise excellent corner lot,” Dinkins said.

    Other landowners adjoining the road may also be affected if the drainage issues are not handled.

    “It’s very poor planning,” Dinkins says of the current problem.

    “They should’ve acquired more property for this drainage system they’re putting in because all the drainage from this mile stretch of road is going to be dumped here into this pond, which is now brown and is going to be contaminated from here on out.”

  • Fairfield Sheriff seeks help in cold case murder

    FAIRFIELD COUNTY – The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office is asking the community for assistance in solving a homicide that has remained unsolved for 3 years.

    On Oct. 24, 2020 at approximately 8:45 p.m., a juvenile victim was killed near the intersection of Meadow Lake Rd and Hwy 215 South, near the Monticello EZ Mart, in the Monticello community of Fairfield County. The juvenile was found with multiple gunshot wounds, lying near his vehicle in an old parking lot.

    A press release from the Sheriff’s office said that despite exhaustive efforts and leads, the case has gone cold.

    “Investigators believe that there are individuals in the community who may have vital information regarding this case,” the release said. “The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward and help solve this crime.”

    The Sheriff’s office asks that anyone with any information related to this investigation contact the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office at 803-635-4141. Tips cam also be submitted anonymously through FCSOTipline@gmail.com.

    Any information provided could be crucial in providing investigators with the breakthrough that they need to bring this investigation to its conclusion.

  • Mayor Griffin meets with Scout officials

    BLYTHEWOOD – Following Richland County being given the green light last week to resume grading and construction on the Scout Motors EV site in Blythewood, Blythewood Mayor Sloan Griffin met with Scout and County officials on Tuesday to talk about what Scout plans going forward and what Blythewood residents want.

    “We talked about the concerns of our Blythewood residents and that I want Blythewood to know what’s going on and what’s happening next,” Griffin told The Voice. “Scout and county officials and I plan to stay in touch so that our residents are included and considered.”

    Griffin said he left the meeting with the assurance that from this time forward, the Blythewood community will receive regular updates on the construction project and other issues.

    ”That we are going to be provided regular timelines is one of my requirements,” Griffin said.

    Construction on the site was suspended last August as the county awaited the issuance of a wetlands permit. Permitting was issued last week by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will allow the county to fill about 100 acres of wetlands and 7 miles of streams on the 1,100 acre site. In turn, Scout Motors will pay to protect about 5,000 acres of wetlands near the Congaree National Park, another 155 acres on Shelton Island in the Broad River, and 19 streams in the Sumter National Forest.

  • Honoring Dr. King

    RIDGEWAY – Lebanon Presbyterian Church held a service to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday in Ridgeway. Stated Supply Pastor Jasper Lloyd Jr. led the service, with CJ Pearson, liturgist, and music from Shonna Canzater.

    Photos: Will Montgomery

  • Blythewood sweeps Nation Ford at home

    BLYTHEWOOD – Nation Ford pestered the Blythewood boys basketball team in the lane throughout their game Saturday at The Jungle.

    That inside action left the Bengals clear to strike from long distance.

    Blythewood sank 11 3-point shots and managed to get in the paint just enough to outpace the Falcons 70-61 and claim their first Region 3-5A game of the season.

    Head coach Zeke Washington himself was surprised at the number of threes his team made, and was glad to see that the number made up for a lack of effectiveness up close.

    “Some of my former players were here and they told me they couldn’t believe that we shot so many 3-pointers,” Washington said. “That’s just where our talent is. That’s what we do well, so I let them do it.”

    Will Olden led the way from behind the 3-point arc with five treys for 15 points, while Taurus Lewis Jr. hit two 3s and finished the afternoon with a team-high 18 points for the Bengals (13-5, 1-1). Kishan Chung hit three treys and finished the night with 11 points.

    Nation Ford (7-10, 0-2) Got off to an early 6-2 lead as Blythewood struggled to both score and defend under the nets. The Bengals sank three 3-pointers, two from Chung and one from Lewis, in the first quarter to keep the game close.

    “We want to attack the basket as much as we can, but we had some mental lapses and sometimes we’re not as focused as we should be,” Washington said about the Bengals struggles inside Saturday. “If we’re more focused, I think some of the things that went wrong today we can just automatically handle without even emphasizing it so much.”

    Blythewood trailed 17-16 after the first quarter and fell behind 22-16 a minute into the second quarter. The Bengals cut Nation Ford’s lead near instantly.

    Olden sank back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game at 22. Then Lewis hit a go-ahead 3, stole a ball and made a second 3 to put Blythewood up 28-22 by the 5:28 mark of the second quarter.

    It was a lead that Nation Ford challenged, but the Bengals never relinquished. Blythewood led 39-30 at the half, and kept its 9-point lead through the third quarter, starting the final quarter leading 54-45.

    Both teams scored 31 points over the final two quarters.

    Lewis and his teammates found some success going inside in the second half, but the Falcons kept frustrating the Bengals inside the 3-point arc. Nation Ford senior center Caden Giles, standing 6-11, got just three rebounds, but batted away shots and moved Blythewood players out of position under the nets throughout the game. Senior wingman Jackson Burnham led all scorers with 22 points, including three 3-pointers of his own. Giles had 11 points.

    Blythewood visits Nation Ford Jan. 30.

    “We’ve got to be focused because they were ranked earlier in the year and I think they’re a pretty good team,” Washington said. “We’ve got to play them on the road and we’ve got to figure out how we can get it done.”

    In the girls game, the Bengals (9-4, 2-0) dominated Nation Ford (10-7, 0-2) 66-32. Blythewood got off to a 16-5 start in the first quarter, led 28-13 at the half, and outscored the Falcons 38-19 in the second half.

    Chase Thomas scored 25 points, made 11 rebounds and three assists to lead the Bengals. India Williams had 13 points and seven rebounds, and Hayley Hightower had 10 points and six assists. Kaila Spain had 10 rebounds to go with six points.

    Blythewood played at Clover Tuesday night. The Bengals host Rock Hill Friday and are at Spring Valley Tuesday.

    Nation Ford  – 17-13-15-16 — 70

    Blythewood – 16-23-15-16 — 61

    Nation Ford

    Jackson Burnham 22, Ben Chutty 14, Caden Giles 11, Walters 7, Pryer 5, Robertson 2.

    Bythewood

    Taurus Lewis Jr. 18, Will Olden 15, Kishan Chung 11, Coker 7, Jones 5, Mazyck 4, Sims 4, Washington 2, Major 2, Stephens 2. 

    Girls

    Nation Ford – 5-8-10-9 — 32

    Blythewood – 16-12-20-18 — 66

    Nation Ford

    Ariah Heard 13, Kurowski 8, Bennett 4, Washington 2, Morrow 3, Luczywo 2.

    Bythewood

    Chase Thomas 25, India Williams 13, Hayley Hightower 10, Spain 6, Fluker 5, Cross 3, Brown 2, Guerrero 2.