Category: News

BLYTHEWOOD – A suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a man in an incident that occurred last week in the 600 block of Campground Road.

On Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at approximately 1:15 a.m., deputies responded to Camp Ground Road in reference to a shooting.

When deputies arrived on scene, citizens were attempting to render aid to a male victim with a gunshot wound in the upper body. Deputies began to render aid to the victim until EMS arrived. EMS pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.

The investigation revealed that an altercation occurred at the incident location between the suspect and the deceased victim, leading to the shooting. Investigators were able to identify De Anthony Lopez Huff, 30, as the shooter, according to the incident report.

The report stated that Huff turned himself in to investigators at RCSD Headquarters on Nov.3, was arrested, and charged with Murder and Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime.

Huff is booked at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing. Bond will be set in General Sessions.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call RCSD at 803-576-3000 or submit a tip through CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

BLYTHEWOOD – The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on Camp Ground Road, in Blythewood

On Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at approximately 1:15 a.m., deputies responded to the 600 block of Camp Ground Rd in reference to a shooting. 

When deputies arrived on scene, citizens were attempting to render aid to a victim with a gunshot wound in the upper body. Deputies began to render aid to the victim until EMS arrived on scene. When EMS arrived, they pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.

The sheriff’s department has not released any information about whether this incident was connected to the bonfire shooting in Blythewood on Halloween night.

RCSD investigators and the Crime Scene Unit responded to investigate. This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information regarding this incident, call RCSD at 803-576-3000 or submit a tip through CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

This story will be updated as more information if available.

BLYTHEWOOD – During a press conference Tuesday, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott confirmed that a third teen, a girl, was shot during a bonfire party in Blythewood on Oct. 31. The incident occurred in the 11,000 block of Wilson Blvd. (Hwy. 21) near Gunter Circle on Halloween night.

He said there were an estimated 500 – 800 teens at the bonfire.

“It’s tragic that we cannot have large gatherings of teenagers without somebody pulling a gun out and shooting,” Lott said. He said three people were shot – two female victims, 16 and 17, and a male victim, 17 years old – and that all survived.

“We’d already publicized two, but a second female was found shot the next day,” he said, adding that numerous teens were injured in the melee trying to get away from the bullets that were fired from a nearby woods.

“So those numerous parents whose child got to come home that night, you need to thank somebody higher up for that,” Lott said. “We’re just very fortunate, by the grace of God, that we don’t have a lot of kids killed.” He added, “Parents, it’s your responsibility to know where your teenagers are at.”

Lott said the party was not a group of friends getting together. He showed the invitation that was posted on social media, “inviting everybody who sees it just to come,” he said. The fliers stated: ‘We’re out here until they shut us down.’

“It was an invitation for anybody to show up, and they did,” he said. “We estimate 500-800 kids were there. Just imagine that number of unsupervised teenagers drinking alcohol, smoking dope, and that’s what they were doing. And then people pull out guns, and bullets start flying,” he said.

“Our initial call was at about 10:15 p.m., a call of noise ordinance, loud noises, loud music. We responded, talked to the parent who lived at the [address] where the party was …about 20 minutes later, we received calls of shots fired,” Lott said.

“Virtually every deputy in Richland County responded to that call,” he said. “So, the rest of Richland County was pretty much uncovered because of what we had to respond to.”

Lott said he thinks it’s a shame that this event happened, that there are adults that condoned this and didn’t stand up and stop it. He said the adult that was there was helping direct the cars into the party area.

“To those who put this on, you bear responsibility of it, too,” he said.

Lott said to the teens who were there taking videos, “…we need those videos so we can get more evidence that will lock those up that were responsible.

“This is a community effort, and we’re asking the community to be part of the solution, not part of the problem,” Lott said.

“We do have evidence. Our investigators are working on it. I’m very confident we’re gonna make some arrests,” he said. 

“My main concern right now is to identify those that did the shooting,” Lott said. “The shooters don’t know what we know until we knock on their door about four o’clock in the morning and put them in handcuffs.”

Lott asks that anyone with information on this shooting contact RCSD at 803-576-3000 or provide an anonymous tip through CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

RCSD investigators and the Crime Scene Unit responded to the scene to investigate. This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information regarding this incident, call RCSD at 803-576-3000 or submit a tip through CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Letter of Intent Authorizes Next Steps for Construction Feasibility

MONCKS CORNER – After a review of proposals from global leaders in the nuclear power industry, the Santee Cooper Board of Directors approved a letter of intent with Brookfield Asset Management (“Brookfield”) to guide final, exclusive negotiations with Brookfield concerning the two partially built AP1000 nuclear units in Fairfield County.

The letter of intent establishes a six-week initial project feasibility period. In that period, the parties will jointly select a project manager and evaluate construction providers that would be used in resuming construction of the two nuclear units. The six weeks also would allow for advanced discussions with entities interested in buying nuclear power generated by the units and facilitate additional due diligence, leading to execution of a Memorandum of Understanding.

“Brookfield came to Santee Cooper with a proposal that set out the path to turn our prior nuclear investment into lasting value for our customers and all South Carolinians,” said Santee Cooper Board Chairman Peter McCoy. “Our goals include completing these reactors with private money and no ratepayer or taxpayer expense, delivering financial relief to our customers and gaining significant additional power capacity for South Carolina. Brookfield’s proposal would do just that, and the company has the financial capability to stand behind its proposal.”

“We thank Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina General Assembly members who were instrumental in encouraging Santee Cooper to conduct this bidding process,” said Santee Cooper President and CEO Jimmy Staton. “As we move closer to a final deal, our goal remains the same: to enable completion of these two units and thus provide 2,200 MW of carbon-free, reliable nuclear power that delivers energy security for South Carolina and specific benefits to Santee Cooper customers who are paying our initial investment.”

Staton noted that Santee Cooper’s strategic decision to maintain the equipment over the past eight years positions the Fairfield units for a quicker and less costly path to completion.

“The state of the units, and the fact that they use the same Westinghouse AP1000 technology that is now operating in Georgia and overseas, make these assets very attractive to the nuclear power industry,” Staton said.

One key element of resuming construction is the continued involvement of Westinghouse Electric Co., which designed and owns the AP 1000 technology.

“Brookfield is a majority owner of Westinghouse, which added to their proposal,” Staton said.

With surging residential and industrial customer demand, and with the support of state leaders, last year Santee Cooper recognized a potential opportunity to sell the assets to a third party who would complete the unfinished nuclear units. The utility launched a competitive bidding process in January 2025, receiving initial expressions of interest from over 70 potential bidders and 15 formal proposals. Working with industry experts, Santee Cooper developed key financial, risk mitigation and execution criteria by which the final proposals were measured.

Completion of the two units could generate thousands of temporary construction jobs; hundreds of highly skilled, permanent operational jobs; strengthen and diversify South Carolina’s energy portfolio; and enhance grid reliability. The two units could also help attract new industries, bringing more jobs and other economic benefits.

Centerview Partners LLC served as financial advisor to Santee Cooper on the competitive process to sell its interest in the two partially built AP1000 nuclear units. J.P. Morgan also served as financial advisor to Santee Cooper.

BLYTHEWOOD – Five candidates for Blythewood town council shared their views Monday night in a public forum moderated by the town’s first and longtime town attorney, Ted Von Keller with Columbia law firm Crawford and von Keller.

More than 60 people attended the forum which was sponsored by The Voice and held at Trinity United Methodist Church’s Youth Building on McNulty Road in Blythewood.

Timers were Blythewood High School student Zaire Collins and Westwood High School student Jackie Smith.

The panelists featured Trish Hovis, incumbent Rich McKenrick, Corey Mitchell, Ja’maal Mosely, and Marcus Taylor, each responding to questions submitted by the audience. Questions could be asked of all the candidates or just one.

The forum was live streamed. The video of the opening and closing statements and the candidates’ answers can be viewed on The Voice of Blythewood and Fairfield County’s Facebook page.

Here is a summary of some of the questions asked by members of the community with the candidate’s answers.

Did you support the change from a mayor-council to a council-manager form of government?

Hovis: “I supported the referendum. [It] was necessary, because we have leadership that is not performing to standard as it relates to public funds and the reputation of the town. I don’t believe that leadership and town council had a working relationship such that they could produce results.”

McKenrick: “Yes, I did support the referendum. In my tenure on council, we operated for the most part under a council-manager form of government until probably last year when our current mayor kind of took over things. Everybody started reporting to him. He took over staff meetings, and started to go down a slipper slope. The council had no trust.”

Mosely: “When we voted in July, I was opposed. My opposition was not against the form of government. It was against the timing and the tact, because it made it very clear that we also wanted to have more education.”

Taylor: “So one person’s going to be held accountable for anything bad that may happen to them. So we’re going with whatever people want. That’s what we’ve got.”

Mitchell: “So I voted yes… All I want is for us to get up there and get together, share the community, bring it back to us, talk about it, and then come back out as one. So when we come back in front of you guys, there’s no confusion.”

 If elected, will you commit to not raising the salaries of the mayor and town council members?

Hovis: “No I would not do that [raise salaries].”

McKenrick: “I would vote against raising council’s salary.”

Mitchell: “I can’t say I would commit to that. We will sit down and talk. If it’s in the budget or if it’s feasible, is that what we need to do? Yes. If not, no.

Mosely:  “I cannot make a decision without …I’m willing to discuss it with residents and council. I’m willing to examine the budget and based on those findings, willing to vote. So I can’t say yes or no without those two precursors.”

Given the reports of the financial losses at the Manor, what should be done to prevent or mitigate future losses and to hold responsible those who contributed to the losses responsible?

All five candidates agreed that the town’s pricing structure should be adhered to.

Taylor: “Basically, it’s up to the town. I’m not in it for the money. If you guys want to give us a raise when it’s time, if it’s in the budget, fine. If not, that’s fine, too.”

Hovis: “When you have somebody that comps, gives away the manor, that’s not the leadership style that I would employ, that comps the manor for somebody to have a birthday party because of a relationship. If you say, ‘I don’t know, that’s what my staff does’, and then we get documentation that comes out showing that you actually did approve that. That needs to be eradicated.”

McKenrick: “Council has absolutely no means to stop the mayor from comping the Manor until Nov. 26. A town ordinance (law) establishes the structure. The mayor ignores that ordinance. That’s why the referendum was important. On Nov. 26, we’ll mitigate the losses at the Manor. We’ll change from a strong mayor who gives the manor away, to a council-manager form of government. That manager is then accountable to council. It will stop.”

Mosely: “We must come to agreement on how much it costs to use a system that does not allow someone to receive personal funds to their personal accounts for someone to request that property. I think that’s where we start. In terms of holding folks responsible, what’s the statute of limitations on that? Are we gonna go back to a full investigation back in 2015 and hold all parties accountable, or are you just talking about what’s happening in the news right now?”

What is your position on expanding town residency to people currently not annexed into the town?

All candidates agreed that just living in Blythewood 29016 does not necessarily allow a person to vote in town elections. All candidates agreed that those whose properties are contiguous with the town limit border could petition the Town to be annexed, thus enabling them to vote in town elections.

Taylor suggested changing the law so that everyone in 29016 can vote in the town elections. [It is a state law, not a town law, that states that only those people who live within the town limits are allowed to vote on town issues. That law cannot be changed by town council.]

Mr. Mosley, could you please explain a comment you made in response to an article about the Blythewood referendum that appeared in the Minority Eye? After you asked if the people wanted you to run for town council to shake things up, you next said, ‘Make way for the S1Ws.’ Who, what is the S1W?

Mosely: “It is a music reference to hip-hop group Public Enemy’s song lyric, ‘Clear the way for the S1Ws.’ “He said it has no political meaning and is “like saying Geronimo or Yippee.” The person who asked, questioned that explanation.

Another man in the audience pressed for a definition of S1W. “What are you talking about?” he asked.

After several minutes of questions from the audience as to ‘what is S1W,’ Mosely gave several answers, including: “it’s a catch phrase by a music group.’

“My time is up,” he said at one point.

According a Google AI overview, “S1W stands for ‘Security of the First World’, a group that was part of the hip-hop group Public Enemy. S1W was known for their military style uniforms and synchronized performances, which included martial arts, military drills and show-step dances. They represented discipline, purpose, and power, visually embodying the group’s message of Black empowerment and resistance.”

Should council members visit all businesses in town?

All five candidates agreed that council members should visit all businesses in town.

Mitchell pointed out, however, that not everyone can enter some businesses in town. With his own accessibility experiences in mind, he noted that some of the town’s businesses are not wheelchair-accessible and he would like the town government to help owners make improvements to become ADA compliant.

What are your priorities for police, fire, and emergency responses in the town as the population grows?

All candidates said they realize the town can’t afford these departments now, and that the town has intergovernmental agreements with the Richland County’s sheriff’s department, EMS, and fire service. The town contracts its water services from two sources, Winnsboro and the City of Columbia.

Mitchell and Mosely noted that Scout’s bringing in 4,000 or 5,000 people, and that the likelihood of public safety incidents, whether they are highway accidents or some sort of safety or industrial accidents, will require first-inning emergency responders and the Town is going to eventually need a police department.

McKenrick stated that a police department in Blythewood would cost more than the sum total of the town’s entire annual budget. “If Blythewood wants a police force, then we’re going to have to levy a millage or find another sustainable source of revenue.”

What is your long-term plan for the town’s growth in the next five to 10 years?

All five candidates agree that the town’s comprehensive plan is the ticket for long term planning for the town as Scout is likely to bring exponential growth to the area.

Hovis talked about Blythewood’s comprehensive plan in terms of the town’s Town Center zoning. “Town center meaning vibrant, a little restaurant, places you want to go and feel happy about and take your family, not light industrial. So, I just wonder why Mr. Mosely [planning commission] just recently recommended that town council change town center zoning to light industrial for U-Haul? Fortunately, town council shot that down. Let’s follow the comprehensive plan.

McKenrick said the comprehensive plan is our long-term plan for growth. “If you don’t like what it says, you can’t drop back and punt and say, we’re going to re-set the comprehensive plan because we’re on the Planning Commission and that’s what we can do. No, the comprehensive plan is there for a reason. Please use it.” 

Mitchell says managing rapid growth begins with listening and working to ensure that the necessary resources and critical infrastructure are in place to meet the demands of the changing demographics. Growth should strengthen our community and preserve what makes Blythewood a place where we’re proud to call home. 

Mosely says the comprehensive plan was designed so that we could prepare for the future. “We need to look at it, accomplish, check, and adjust,” he said.

Taylor said we need to definitely go back and revisit the comprehensive plan.

Are there plans to improve pedestrian and bike access to downtown or community areas?

Hovis said this is what the City of Columbia is doing to try to attract young people to stay there when they graduate college. “Young people like a walkable area where they can walk to restaurants, clubs, and shopping,” she said.

Mitchell said he had not seen any plans. The other four candidates, three of which have served or are serving on the planning commission, said the town’s comprehensive plan provides green space, sidewalks, bike paths, walking paths and other outdoor amenities.

McKenrick said it has an entire section dedicated to walkability and Blythewood becoming pedestrian and resident friendly. He said the County’s Penny Tax plan (TPAC) has paving projects for road widening, and bike paths are part of that road widening project.

Mosely said the town purchased 37 acres to expand Doko Meadows Park for outdoor activity.

The election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 4.