Category: News

RIDGEWAY – An item brought up by Mayor Rick Johnson at last week’s town council meeting – that was not on the agenda – stirred much interest from the audience: an effort to rid the Town of Ridgeway of big rig truck traffic.

To do that would require both the Washington, D.C. and South Carolina departments of transportation to remove the truck route designation from those roads – something the town’s government has tried for years to do without success.

Johnson said it’s time to make that happen.

Calling on Washington

“I’ve been working on this for about four or five months,” Johnson told council. Addressing the issue that has long festered with Ridgeway residents, shoppers, and downtown merchants.

Johnson said he contacted U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman last June to seek his help in eliminating the constant stream of big rigs through the downtown. He said about half of them are logging trucks carrying pulp wood to Camden for processing,

“These trucks have for years been a dangerous, noisy nuisance on the single-lane road that runs through our downtown area,” Johnson said. “We have more than a hundred 18-wheelers, cement trucks, tankers and pulp wood trucks come through here every day between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. It’s constant and an extremely dangerous situation for our residents and shoppers.”

The Perfect Storm

U.S. Highway 34 and State Highway 21 converge as they each cross through the little town to set up the perfect storm – a shortcut for big rigs traveling from I-77, particularly from the north, to Camden and Highway 601. Trucks from I-26 also cut across western Fairfield County to cut through.

“These trucks could easily travel on down I-77 and go east on I-20 to Camden,” Johnson said. “Ridgeway should not have to suffer them cutting through our town.”

Johnson hopes, with Norman’s help, to convince Washington and South Carolina to take Highways 34 and 21 off the map as a truck route through downtown Ridgeway.

“It’s been that way for years and years,” Johnson said. “It’s time for it to stop. When I called SCDOT about Highway 21, I was told, ‘That’s a big ask.’”

But Johnson said Norman has put two staff members on the case who are dedicated to helping re-route the trucks.

“Both of them have been very active,” Johnson said. “At least one day out of every week, they are on the phone with me.

“Mr. Norman’s office seems to think that they can make something happen,” Johnson said. “They’re not just passing this off when I call. They’re trying their best.”

WINNSBORO – Fairfield County’s Animal Control department will soon undergo a restructuring process that will divide the department into two separate departments – animal control and the animal shelter. The shelter will continue to include intake and adoption services.

“This restructuring of county operations is an effort to better serve our citizens and accomplish the goals laid out for us,” said Fairfield County Deputy Administrator Jonathan Burroughs during Monday night’s county council meeting.

“Animal control will become a standalone department whose focus will be to enforce the animal care and control ordinances that the county is currently considering,” Burroughs said.

Jo Shaw, who is now the director of animal control and the shelter, will assume responsibility as animal control manager, according to Burroughs.

“The animal shelter will be split from the animal control department,” Burroughs said. “The county will be hiring a new manager and a new staff for the shelter.”

Burroughs also announced that Joey Price, who came to work for the county a year ago and currently serves as emergency management director, has been promoted to director of community and safety services. That will put Price as overseer of the county detention center, animal control, the animal shelter, and emergency management E911. These departments will still have their own department managers, adding another layer of management in the county’s government. These department managers will now report to Price instead of to County Administrator Vic Carpenter.

Price has 35 years’ experience in emergency management service, and has experience in 9-1-1 dispatch, fire, and EMS.

“We look forward to Mr. Price excelling in this new capacity,” Burroughs said.

In addition to changes in animal control, Burroughs also announced that Carnell Robinson, currently the county’s solid waste manager, has been promoted to be director of public works for the county.

CHESTER – The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division in the rescue of 47 dogs and puppies from three properties suspected of dog fighting in Chester and Lancaster counties this week. The Chester County Sheriff’s Office, Chester County Animal Control and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Humane World for Animals also assisted with the rescue operation.

Authorities served search and seizure warrants simultaneously on three properties early in the morning on Nov. 5. On each property, rescuers were greeted by a scene of scarred, injured and underweight dogs with wagging tails, most of whom were on heavy chains with plastic barrels or makeshift structures as their only source of meager shelter, according to officials.

Veterinarians noted that multiple dogs on each property were suffering from infected puncture wounds consistent with dogfighting. Most of the dogs were found to be severely underweight and infested with fleas, and many suffering from painful, severe dental disease, officials said. Dogfighting paraphernalia was identified on the properties, including treadmills and what appeared to be a broken-down fighting pit.

A severely underweight mother dog and three nursing puppies were found in a filthy, feces-caked hutch. While she initially appeared cautious, she quickly warmed up to her rescuers.

Nearby, responders noted a dog limping on his chain. Veterinarians identified recent puncture wounds from an apparent dog bite on his swollen leg, which will require x-rays. Despite his pain, he was friendly and eager for attention.

“It’s haunting to see so many dogs—injured, covered in scars and clearly in need of veterinary attention—just stuck on the end of a heavy chain. They looked hurt and alone,” said Janell Gregory, South Carolina state director, Humane World for Animals. “It’s rewarding to see them start to wiggle and give kisses as we got them to safety. We are deeply grateful to SLED for initiating this rescue operation.”

“SLED’s Dogfighting Unit continues to aggressively pursue anyone who is involved in this illegal activity in South Carolina,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “This most recent operation resulted in the rescue of 47 dogs that were taken out of a cruel and abusive environment along with the seizure of firearms and drugs, all of which only benefited the criminals who were arrested today.”

“In the course of answering calls for service and investigating cases, we often come across dogs that appear to have been maltreated and evidence that they have been fought,” said Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile. “Dogfighting cases are complex, often involve other crimes like drug and gun law violations, and routinely cross jurisdictional lines. 

“SLED prioritizes these cases and has the resources to thoroughly investigate them. What we found this week is deeply disturbing but through the efforts of these partnerships, we have taken immediate action that dismantled a horrific animal abuse operation,” said Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey. “Animal cruelty has no place in our community and it will not be tolerated.”

FAIRFIELD COUNTY — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Newberry Road and Meadow Lou Lane in Winnsboro, has tested positive for rabies.

According to DPH, no people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed when the skunk was found in the dog’s pen. The dog had been vaccinated for rabies, according to its owner’s records, but will be quarantined for 45 days as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.

The skunk was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing Oct. 30, 2025, and was confirmed to have rabies the following day.

Anyone who has come in contact with the skunk or whose pet(s) have come in contact with the skunk or another animal that potentially has rabies, should call DPH’s Columbia office at (803) 896-4680 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon-Fri) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (Option 2).

“Rabies is usually transmitted through a bite or scratch that allows saliva from an infected animal to be introduced into the body of a person or another animal. However, infected saliva or neural tissue contact with open wounds or areas such as the eyes, nose, or mouth could also potentially transmit rabies,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program director.

“To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals their space. If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it and contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer, wildlife control operator, or a wildlife rehabilitator.”

All animal bites, scratches, and exposures to potentially rabid animals should be reported to DPH.

This skunk is the first animal in Fairfield County to test positive for rabies in 2025. There have been 85 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 144 positive cases a year. In 2024, none of the 81 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Fairfield County.

According to DPH, it is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease.

Contact information for local Public Health offices is available at dph.sc.gov/RabiesContacts. For more information on rabies visit dph.sc.gov/rabies or cdc.gov/rabies.