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  • Pig on the Ridge survives up/down vote

    POR Committee Seeks 75 Volunteers

    RIDGEWAY – It appeared last week that the almost 20-year-old Ridgeway institution – Pig on the Ridge – was about to breathe its last. The festival survived an up or down vote by the hair of its chinny-chin-chin when the POR steering committee voted 3 – 1 on Oct. 11, for the 2018 Pig on the Ridge to go on. Donald Prioleau voted against.

    In early October, Prioleau announced to the other three committee members – Tom Connor, Rufus Jones and Henry Dixon – that the 75-or-so longtime community volunteer servers, who worked under his supervision during the festival, had told him they were going to sit out the 2018 Pig on the Ridge because they were upset at the town government over the defunding of the town’s police department. That defunding resulted in the elimination of Police Chief Christopher Culp’s job. Ridgway’s policing was subsequently turned over to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s department. Prioleau said the volunteers were also disgruntled over how they perceived Prioleau, the town councilman with oversight of the police department, had been treated by council.

    “They’re not talking Pig on the Ridge. They’re talking Town, starting with Pig on the Ridge. And there’s other things they’re going to bring,” Prioleau warned.

    Prioleau said the standoff included not only the volunteer servers provided by the town’s churches for the festival, but other vital personnel as well – the car cruise organizer,  the man who assisted in meat delivery, the soft drink organizer, the railroad employee who handled the traditional train stop during the festival, the singing groups who entertained and others. The most crucial blow, however, was that the event’s most popular performer, the dj – Prioleau, himself – would not participate.

    After Prioleau’s announcement, one committee member said he didn’t see how the event could go on without those volunteers.

    “But to not have it this year would be the end of Pig on the Ridge,” he said.

    A meeting was called on Oct. 11, for the committee to vote whether the festival would go. After calling that meeting to order, Chairman Connor had his say right off.

    “I favor continuing,” Connor said. “Here’s why. As the originator and a founding member of this committee, I’ve seen the many positive impacts over the last 19 years because of the Pig on the Ridge festival – things such as enhanced community relations, donations to help with community needs, etc.,” he said.

    Every year, the committee reached out to 21 churches who provide the 75 volunteers. Each church received $300 to purchase Christmas gifts for children who might not otherwise receive gifts.

    “We are now faced with deciding the festival’s fate,” Connor continued, “because some key volunteers will not be available as in past years. It appears their decisions are to express their reaction to Town Council’s defunding of the Town Police Department,” he said.

    “Pig on the Ridge, as a body, had no role and no voice in Council’s decision,” he added. “I’m sure the kids who have had a better Christmas in prior years because of Pig on the Ridge had no voice in this, and Pig on the Ridge does not wish such a voice,” Connor said.

    “Is Pig on the Ridge guilty of something by affiliation [with town government]? And must it, therefore, suffer consequences for that affiliation?” he asked.

    Connor clarified after the meeting that the town government handles all Pig on the Ridge funds and keeps those financial records but does not interfere with the event’s management.

    Connor explained in the Oct. 11 meeting that many Pig on the Ridge providers have already ordered their supplies, more than 60 certified barbecue judges have been recruited and that significant sums of money have been spent.

    “To discontinue at this late date throws them under the bus,” Connor said.

    Connor reviewed the committee’s original goals: to conduct a family friendly event and to generate funds to donate back to the community. He said the event is designed to enhance a diverse community.

    According to Connor, the festival has been the largest barbecue event in the state almost every year since 1999. He said the South Carolina BBQ Association recognizes Pig on the Ridge as a premier cook-off in the state.

    “I hope whatever divides this community at this point can be mutually addressed and resolved by good-minded and community-focused citizens,” Connor concluded.

    Connor then turned to Prioleau.

    “Don?” Conner said.

    Among his grievances over the defunding of the police department, Prioleau said he had been asked, at one point, by the mayor to resign from his oversight over the department.

    “I declined,” Prioleau said, adding, also, that when he was asked [after Culp left] by the mayor to remove items from the police station for inventory, the lock had been changed.

    “I have been blessed to grow up in a town where we – Rufus, his mother and father, Dan Ruff and his mother and father and people like the Thomases and others – got along like sisters and brothers. I don’t know where it’s going, but you got citizens in this town highly upset. They are telling me to resign. But I’m not,” Prioleau said.

    “I love this little town, but I cannot participate in Pig on the Ridge. I have to listen to the people,” he continued, his comments turning poignant. “But I won’t do anything to try to stop it.”

    “We have to go on,” Dixon said. “Pig on the Ridge has to continue. I hate this happened. I love Don. We grew up playing ball and everything else together. I understand where you’re coming from in some respects,” Dixon said to Prioleau. “I’ve beat myself up since last week over this thing. I haven’t slept six hours any night this week. I sleep two to three hours and wake up and watch TV because I can’t get it off my mind. I just think we’ve got to go on. Maybe by doing it we can heal some.”

    “I can’t get in my mind how they would target something that is only loosely affiliated with something they have ill will toward,” Connor said. “There are good things about Pig on the Ridge that would be jeopardized.”

    “I think we’ve said all we can say,” Jones said.

    With that, the committee voted. Moments later they began in earnest re-working plans for next month’s Pig on the Ridge. At first, Prioleau was subdued but was soon in the thick of it, pointing out such things as who needs to be called for this and that, explaining the intricacies of having the train stop during the festivities and how to set up barricades.

    “You’ve got to be careful about how the arrows are turned (on the barricades),” he cautioned.

    The planning went on for another half hour with the focus on finding volunteers to fill the new vacancies.  Town Councilman Dan Martin who was in the audience volunteered for some of the jobs.

    By the time the meeting was adjourned, the committee members were making inside jokes and laughing with abandon, probably much like when three of them were kids playing ball together.

    The 19th annual Pig on the Ridge Festival will happen Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2 – 3. Watch for details in The Voice next week.

    Anyone wishing to volunteer for the 2018 Pig on the Ridge, please email artie@toddysmith.com

  • Blythewood plans parade

    BLYTHEWOOD – The town’s Christmas parade is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m.  It is being organized for the third year by the Knights of Columbus Council 13713 and Transfiguration Church.

    “We’re looking for folks who would like to be part of this event either as a participant or as a sponsor,” Paul Richter said. “We are looking forward to another great parade again this year with lots of sponsors and parade entries. Any person or organization wishing to participate can find sponsor forms and signup sheets at BlyParade@aol.com or on the Town of Blythewood home page.”

    “And for those not participating, we hope you’ll join us as a spectator,” Richter said.

  • Randal Sisk animal cruelty case dismissed

    WINNSBORO – Another Fairfield County animal cruelty case has concluded with no jail sentence imposed.

    Sisk

    Winnsboro resident Randal Sisk is no longer facing an ill treatment of animals felony charge that was filed in July. The case was dismissed during a preliminary hearing in magistrate’s court and was never sent to Circuit Court. Online court records list the case’s disposition as Nolle Prosequi, which means prosecutors are no longer pursuing the case.

    The case’s dismissal comes in the wake of an investigation by The Voice, which found that virtually none of the 15 animal cruelty cases prosecuted since 2015 ended in jail time for offenders.

    The Sisk charge represents the 16th case.

    Sixth Circuit Solicitor Randy Newman Jr. did not return phone calls.

    William Frick, a public defender who represented Sisk, declined to comment about specifics.

    “They had no evidence that he committed a crime. A judge agreed and the case was dismissed,” Frick said Tuesday.

    The dogs were placed into the care of the Fairfield County animal shelter while the case was pending.

    One of the dogs, a tan male, suffered from chronic severe dermatitis and needed immediate medical treatment, including flea and tick treatment, antibiotics and antifungal treatments, according to a veterinary report.

    The black male dog has since died. A necropsy report obtained by The Voice states the dog that died suffered from severe dirofilariasis, commonly known as canine heartworms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.

    There is no record that either dog had been under a veterinarian’s care for their conditions when they were taken in by animal control.

    The necropsy report on the black male dog states there were “large numbers of nematodes within the heart, the pulmonary artery and its branches.”

    Follow up findings discovered a number of lesions in the dog’s tissue.

    One was identified as polioencephalomalacia, which the report identified as a necrosis condition that’s rare in dogs. Multiple veterinary websites state it is more common in goats and sheep.

    Polioencephalomalacia has been associated with “lead poisoning, cyanide poisoning, thiamine deficiency, cardiac arrest, hypoglycemia and cranial trauma,” the necropsy report states.

    The condition has also been associated with canine distemper virus, according to a 1979 Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine study.

    The other dog was returned to Sisk, said Bob Innes, Fairfield County shelter director.

    “He’s already picked up his animal,” Innes said Monday. “He picked it up the same day [as the dismissal of charges].”

    The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Department charged Sisk after a Winnsboro Department of Public Safety employee stated that he found two dogs in a back yard, chained to a tree and tangled in the chain so that one of the dogs could not reach shade.

    An incident report also stated that the dogs did not have food, water or shelter.

    One dog was clipped to a cable on an overhead run. A black male mixed breed dog without a collar was secured by a chain tied around its neck, according to the report.

    The July case was the fifth time investigators responded to an animal complaint involving Sisk since 2009, according to police records obtained by The Voice.

    Sisk shot a neighbor’s pit bull with a .22 caliber weapon, according to the 2009 report. He told deputies the dog was charging at him, the report said. The neighbor said Sisk’s dogs trespassed into his yard, and also that Sisk had, in the past, threatened to shoot the neighbor’s dog.

    The responding deputy said in the report that the pit bull appeared friendly and “showed no aggression whatsoever.”

    Three times – in 2011, 2012 and 2015 – officers were called to the 200 block of Hillcrest Drive after receiving complaints of a dog or dogs running at large. The reports stated the animals belonged to Sisk.

    In 2011, Sisk was cited for allowing dogs to run at large after it was reported trespassing on a neighbor’s yard, the report said.

    The 2012 incident involved one of the suspect’s dogs barking and jumping on a neighbor’s door, causing the screen frame to bend, according to the report.

    Sisk, the report said, retrieved the dog and took the screen to get repaired. Deputies issued him a warning.

    In May 2015, deputies responded to Hillcrest Drive after two dogs attack one of Sisk’s dogs while it was tethered in Sisk’s front yard, another report said.

    The report said his dog had a puncture wound near its ear and also several scratches.

  • Blythewood plant named industry week finalist

    BLYTHEWOOD – A Blythewood plant located in Carolina Pines industrial park, Intertape Polymer Group, has been named one of 12 Industry Week finalists for North America.

    “It’s the first time we entered and we’re a finalist,” Plant Manager Tyrone Javis said in an interview with The Voice. “And we’re expecting to win.”

    The Blythewood plant makes myriad general purpose and industrial grade tapes including duct tape, masking tape and flat back packaging tape as well as stencil tape for the monument industry.

    The original plant was located in Columbia on Shop Road dating back to the 1930s and officially moved to Blythewood in 2014. The company, which is headquartered in Sarasota, FL, is global with 22 plants.

    Of the 12 industries selected for the recognition, three are located in South Carolina – Boeing in Landis and another plant in Travelers Rest.

    To be considered for the recognition, Javis said the plant had to show three years of continuous improvement in growth within the organization.

    “They’ve asked us to follow up on a couple of action items and will do an onsite audit to confirm what we stated were our improvements,” Javis said. “It’s absolutely a big deal, and we’re excited about it.”

    A plant celebration will be held next week in recognition of the achievement.

    The top winner will be announced in the first quarter of 2019.

  • Richland 2 discipline issues increase

    Blythewood – While in-school suspensions are generally trending downward in Richland 2, the opposite is true of out-of-school suspensions and expulsions, including at Blythewood area schools.

    Both Blythewood area high schools and all three middle schools reported increases, as did one elementary school, according to online state report cards published by the S.C. Department of Education.

    That’s consistent with data recently presented to the Richland 2 Board of Education. On Sept. 25, district staff said in-school suspensions (ISS) have been plummeting, but out-of-school suspensions (OSS) and expulsions are trending upward.

    “Each year, we are well under 1 percent of students that actually get expelled,” said Cleveland Smith, the district’s chief administrative officer. “Even though last year’s numbers were up, which were 0.37 percent, its still less than 1 percent.”

    Smith noted that increasing enrollment year to year has helped offset percentage increases in suspensions and expulsions.

    “99.63 percent of our students never got to that point,” he said. “In any year, 99 percent of students are not at that level of expulsion.”

    There are some key differences in how the state and district data were measured, however.

    State report cards only report OSS and expulsion data “for violent and/or criminal offenses,” according to the Department of Education website.

    District data presented on Sept. 25 included all suspensions and expulsions, regardless of the reason. The district’s data also included ISS figures, which are not listed on the state report cards.

    In the report, delivered during the Sept. 25 board meeting, district staff said out-of-school suspensions rose from 2,380 in 2016 to 2,462 last year. Expulsions increased from 52 to 102, district data shows.

    In-school suspensions dropped from 1,850 to 1,617. They had been as high as 2,382, the data shows.

    School district data, though, is likely higher. In tabulating suspension and expulsion data, the district counted by the student. If one student was suspended multiple times, the district counted it as only one suspension, Smith said.

    Dr. Monica Elkins-Johnson, the board’s vice-chair, questioned the methodology.

    “You indicated that the students, if they served in in-school suspension six or seven times, they’re only counted once,” Elkins-Johnson said. “Walk me thru that. I’m trying to figure out how we’re having an accurate account if they’re only on the chart once. Is this an accurate reflection?”

    Smith said the district used “unduplicated” data in compiling suspension and expulsion figures. He pledged to provide a more detailed report showing the total number of actual suspensions and expulsions at a later date.

    According to state data, Blythewood High School out-of-school suspensions and expulsions involving violent and/or criminal offenses rose from 2.2 to 2.5 percent in the past two school years.

    The 2017 report card lists Blythewood High’s student population at 2,001 students, resulting in about 50 suspensions and expulsions. That’s about one suspension or expulsion every 3.6 days in a 180-day school year.

    Westwood High School reported an even higher percentage of suspensions and expulsions, rising from 2.2 to 4.1 percent.

    The 4.1 percent figure translates to at least 55 suspensions and expulsions, or about one suspension or expulsion every 3.3 days, according to the data.

    Muller Road Middle (0.8 percent), Blythewood Middle (1.7 percent) and Kelly Mill Middle (1.2 percent) saw increases as well, data shows.

    Lake Carolina Elementary suspensions and expulsions rose slightly, from 1 to 1.2 percent. The rate dropped from 0.6 to zero percent at Round Top Elementary.

    Bethel-Hanberry and Langford elementary schools didn’t report any suspensions or expulsions in 2016 or 2017, state data shows.

  • Board budgets $3.5M surplus

    BLAIR – As Fairfield County school leaders seek $600,000 in tax breaks for a developer of a proposed teacher housing development, the district committed to spending $3.5 million in anticipated surplus funds on facility needs and salaries.

    At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Fairfield County Board of Trustees voted 5-2 to appropriate the funds, with $2.5 million going to facilities, while $1 million was earmarked for salaries, though pay increases won’t come until 2019-2020.

    Board members Annie McDaniel and Paula Hartman dissented.

    McDaniel, a frequent critic of employee pay, said she only opposed the motion because she thought the district isn’t doing enough to increase pay.

    “I am happy that we put some money for salaries, but I am a little disappointed that we still have some people making $13,000, $14,000 [a year],” McDaniel said. “Do we have any money in the budget for bonuses?”

    Dr. J.R. Green, district superintendent, said the budget includes enough money for $200 holiday bonuses for every employee, the same as last year.

    McDaniel thought the bonus should be higher, but only for lower paid employees. Her motion to amend the original motion to approve the $3.5 million called for a $500 bonus for every employee making less than $20,000. The motion died due to a lack of a second.

    Green said the $1 million would be placed into the general fund for the 2019-2020 budget. He said the district is preparing a “very substantial salary proposal” for next year, but didn’t disclose specifics.

    Setting aside $1 million now would provide some financial wiggle room when the time comes to implement the proposal, he said.

    “We are preparing for a very, very robust salary proposal,” Green said.

    “I understand robust, Dr. Green, but what about equity and fairness?” McDaniel responded. “$13,000? Come on, really?

    “I’m not sorry that I put it [the motion] on the floor,” McDaniel continued. “I’m sorry that you people don’t care about people who make $13,000.”

    Board secretary Sylvia Harrison said she’s not against higher bonuses, but thought bonuses should be uniform for all employees.

    “If you’re going to give it to some, I say give it to all,” Harrison said.

    Staff also recommended appropriating $2.5 million to the district’s capital projects fund to pay for various facility needs, according to board documents.

    Leading the laundry list of items was field turf at $615,000, followed by security upgrades at $300,000. The district also plans to spend $200,000 on each of the following projects: bathroom upgrades, computer and Chromebook replacements, and auditorium seating.

    Other facility needs listed in board documents included playground equipment and rubber mulch, fencing and a new scoreboard.

    In other business, the board received an update on the proposed “Teacher Village,” a proposal to build teacher housing on 22 acres behind the district off U.S. 321 Bypass in Winnsboro.

    Green said he wanted to clarify comments made during the September board meeting. He noted that $600,000 of the estimated $3.6 million price tag consists of tax abatements that would be awarded the developer.

    “The tax incentive will provide about $600,000 over a seven-year period,” Green said. “It’s not that the school district or the county needs to come up with money on the front end.”

    Fairfield County has not said whether or not it will agree to grant a tax abatement. School officials presented the teacher village proposal to a county subcommittee Monday, and also plan to address County Council on Monday, Oct. 22.

  • Blythewood woman sentenced to 30 months

    COLUMBIA – Teresa Yarborough-Walker, age 50, of Blythewood, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for Theft of Government Funds. She was also ordered to pay over $416,000 in restitution.  Judge Mary Geiger Lewis presided.

    Walker

    Walker pled guilty in April to stealing approximately $416,257 in federal funds, United States Attorney Beth Drake stated. Evidence presented at the April hearing established that Walker was the human resources supervisor for Genesis Health Care, Inc.  Genesis is a non-profit health care center that offers medical services to poor, rural communities.  Genesis was funded by the Health Resources Service Administration, an agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services.  Many Genesis patients are on Medicare and Medicaid.

    Walker embezzled from Genesis by creating fictitious employees and paying them a salary.  She then diverted those salaries to herself.  She modified the payroll software to prevent reports from going to management that would have revealed the scheme.

    The theft is a violation of Title 18, United States Code 641. Walker faced a maximum penalty of imprisonment for ten years with a potential fine up to $250,000.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service and the City of Columbia Police Department investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

  • Glitzy Hoof and Paw event to benefit pets

    Minge Wiseman, Kathy Faulk and Jan Reynolds review potential purchases at last year’s silent auction.

    COLUMBIA – The Hoof and Paw Benevolent Society’s second annual Evening in the Garden promises to be every bit as elegant and fun as last year’s.

    Organized to benefit animals and held at Woodley’s Garden Center, the Evening will include many valuable silent auction items including clothing and accessories from the top women’s boutiques in Ridgeway and Columbia and top men’s clothiers in Columbia. There will also be tickets to great venues in Charleston – a dinner cruise, carriage rides, museums and restaurants.

    Must-buys are donations from Howle and Howle jewelers, as well as equine massages and ferrier trims and shoes, pottery, jewelry and a $250 gift certificate from Trinity Window Cleaning.

    “We’ll have fabulous food, a lovely evening garden filled with white lights, live music and cozy settings,” organizer Kathy Faulk said. “Dress is smart casual and dogs on leashes are welcome. It’s going to be an evening to remember – so many nice items to purchase for yourself or for very special Christmas gifts.”

    The event’s attendees will be the who’s who of horse people and animal lovers. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased from any Hoof and Paw member or go to hoofandpawsc.org more for information.

    An Evening in the Garden is set for Thursday, Oct. 25, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Woodley’s Garden Center located at 1067 Woodley’s Way in Columbia (off Two Notch Road).

  • School Board, House candidates speak out

    WINNSBORO  – As the Nov. 6 elections approach, School Board candidates Henry Miller (Dist. 3) and Rev. Carl E. Jackson, Jr. (Dist. 5), both incumbents, are not worried about the outcome of their races since they are running unopposed. However, four school board and two House candidates, however, are on the stump.

    School District Board of Trustees

    District 1

    Harrison

    Incumbent Sylvia Harrison, 51, is seeking re-election to the school board after serving a partial first term following the death of longtime board member Andrea Harrison. 

    I have faithfully served this community as a change agent for more than 30 years, and honorably served District 1 for the past two years on the school board.

    I have served as the Fairfield Central High School PTO president for several years, on the school improvement council as a parent and community member and the First Step board. She is a member of the NAACP.

    I continue to serve as a mentor to our children through Sylvia’s Foundation that awards scholarships to our Fairfield County students.

    I have owned a hair salon in Winnsboro for the past 29 years and I am the mother of three adult daughters, all of whom graduated at the top of their classes and earned college degrees.

    I love the children of Fairfield County and all those I’m entrusted with representing. I’m thankful for the love and support from all the parents, schools, and especially my Geiger family.

    I am seeking re-election to the school board and I pray that I did everything thus far pleasing in God’s eyesight. I pray that I have been the voice for ALL children and that I have represented the Ridgeway area well.

    Qualls

    Elliott Qualls is throwing his hat in the political ring for the first time, and here’s why.

    I am a lifelong resident of Ridgeway and I want to represent the people of Ridgeway and the county. I have been working with children through the recreation center since 1970, from baseball to football. I am well known and respected as having coached many kids in the district over the years.

    And I am a man you can trust on council.

    I am married to Clair, who has worked for Fairfield County school District for 33 years. We have four children, three of whom attended school in Fairfield County along with our grandkids.

    I am the man for District 1, I promise you.

    District 7

    Davis

    Incumbent Darreyl Davis was elected in January to finish the term for a board member who passed away. He is seeking re-election to a full term.

    I am a native of Fairfield County and a member of the Shiloh Presbyterian Church. I am a graduate of Fairfield Central High School and am currently employed at Isola USA of Ridgeway as an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist.

    My wife, Tamika, and I are the proud parents of six children, two of which are enrolled at Fairfield Elementary School.

    I am passionate about serving the students, teachers, support staff, parents and administrators of the Fairfield County School District.

    The district is making great strides towards excellence, and I am honored to be a part of the approval of: the construction of a new athletic field house, renovations to three schools (Kelly Miller, Fairfield Middle, and Fairfield Central), the expansion of the SRO program to all elementary schools, the renaming of McCrorey-Liston Elementary school cafeteria.

    I want to help our school system to continue to grow and I want to serve the people of this county.

    Rentz

    Herbert Rentz is making his second run for a seat on the school board this year. That seat was previously held by his late wife, Beth Reid.

    Crucial to the successful operation of our education system is accountability. Our results have to correlate appropriately to our expenditures. Our superintendent, as our primary employee, successfully prioritizes our goals and objectives and is responsible for matching our resources so that we achieve maximum efficiency.  Policies established by the board are designed to insure that this process continues.

    School districts across the United States are experiencing a major teacher shortage. This is especially evident in rural school districts. The opportunity to attract talented teachers to our county should have a direct and positive effect on student performance.

    Poverty is a community challenge. Every agency and civic group must work tirelessly to elevate the living standards of our neighborhoods. The school district has been, and will continue to be, an integral part in this process.

    I believe in open government. The school board should be a forum for seeking answers to rational and reasonable questions.

    I hold a Bachelor’s degree from the Citadel and a graduate degree from Winthrop University. I am a U. S. Army veteran, retired with the rank of LTC and I have taught and coached at Great Falls High School. I am manager at Mid County Water Co.

    House of Representatives

    District 41

    Kennedy

    Fred Kennedy, 65, of Winnsboro has filed to run for the House of Representatives, District 41, the seat currently held by MaryGail Douglas. His opponent is Anne McDaniel who won the Democratic primary in June over Douglas.

    I am a member of the United Citizens Party, and my platform for the office of House Representative for Fairfield County is aimed at building up the Fairfield community, to improve housing and help people get jobs. That is also my goal in my work through my church, Man Up Ministries.

    One of the problems is there is not a father leader in many of our families here in Fairfield. I believe if we can get to the man of the house, we can save the family.

    There are some crucial issues that must be addressed in this community, and you have to be a part of the community to really know what people need, if you are going to help them. I grew up in this community. I live here, and I believe I can help my fellow community members.

    I am a retired truck driver, and I work for a construction company under the South Carolina Housing Authority. I want to give the people of Fairfield County a helping hand. I want to see the county and its people prosper.

    Kennedy is the father of two adult children. His daughter Chrishonda Baker is a computer science teacher at Fairfield Central High School. His son, Kenard, is a truck driver.

    McDaniel

    Annie McDaniel won the Democratic primary in June for the House seat currently held by MaryGail Douglas.

    A longtime school district trustee, McDaniel holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina and is a member of the SC School Boards Association Board of Directors. She is a Leadership SC graduate and her campaign literature states that she has experience in county government, health care and private sector finance.

    McDaniel states that she wants to ensure accountability and equality in public school funding and provide more support for classroom teachers and support staff. She wants more accessible healthcare options for all South Carolinians, to create economic development opportunities and support for small businesses and to enhance the quality of life and opportunities for senior citizens.

  • Winnsboro Dept. of Public Safety seeks robbery suspect

    WINNSBORO – The Winnsboro Department of Public Safety is seeking information on the identity of a man suspected of an armed robbery of First Citizens Bank in Winnsboro on Oct. 12.

    A black male wearing a Batman hat and a Bob Marley t-shirt handed a bank teller a note demanding money shortly before 6 p.m., according to an incident report.

    The report stated that the teller said she had observed the suspect standing outside the bank for a while, talking on a cell phone.

    Witnesses who were in the bank during the robbery reported that the suspect left the bank on foot and turned to the right. A video on the outside of the bank shows the suspect walking through the drive-thru area outside the bank.

    Anyone with information on the identity of this suspect is being asked to contact Lieutenant Mike Carrell at (803) 635-4511.