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  • David Alan Wylie

    David Alan Wylie, 76, of Winnsboro passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2023.  Born in Charlotte, he was the son of the late James Leonard and Alice Pelletier Wylie.  

    He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Susan Aldridge Wylie, brothers and sisters in law, David and Betty Aldridge and Jonell Aldridge Collins; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

    A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church conducted by Reverend Kem Thomas.  The family will receive friends one hour before the service in the church. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. 

    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in David’s memory to Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church or Washington Street Baptist Church. 

    Pope Funeral Home is assisting the Wylie family. 

  • Proposed: Rerouting part of US 21, realignment of Boomer, Farrow Roads

    Map/Ashley Ghere

    BLYTHEWOOD – New proposals concerning road widening and new road and rail extensions to the Scout Motors development were shared with the Blythewood Planning Commissioners at their regular monthly meeting on Monday night. 

    One proposal, explained by Brooks Bickley of the S.C. Department of Transportation, is to relocate the Boomer Road entrance to U.S. 21 about 150-200 feet towards the Town of Blythewood, then re-route U.S. 21 from that new Boomer Road intersection southwestwardly through the former Google property, to just past the Fairfield Electric power station where it would tie back in to U.S. 21.

    Under that proposal, Farrow Road would also be realigned to intersect with the re-routed U.S. 21. The newly proposed connector road from the Scout plant would then pour into a point along the rerouted section of U.S. 21 where additional turn lanes would be added, according to Bickley.

    “The rail spur that’s going to feed the Scout development was originally proposed as an at-grade crossing on U.S. 21,” Bickley said. “In order to avoid an at-grade crossing there, one alternative is to take the re-routed section of US 21 over the rail.

    The new connector road that will be coming from the Scout plant, over the newly proposed Exit 26 interchange on I-77 (between Exit 24 and Exit 27) would then tie in to the rerouted U.S. 21.

    “Another part of this project for S.C. DOT would be the widening of I-77 northbound,” Bickley said. “That widening would start just north of Exit 24 where it actually necks down from three lanes to two lanes in the northbound direction. We would continue that third lane north to give additional capacity to I-77.”

    The proposal also calls for the rerouted section of U.S. 21 to be widened to 3 to 5 lanes.

    Thomas and Hutton is contracted by Richland County to do the widening work on Blythewood Road between Syrup Mill Road and Muller Road, with an extension of work (turn lanes primarily) to continue a short distance on Muller Road. Thomas and Hutton are also contracted with the county to widen Community Road to four lanes and to construct the new county road from the Scout plant east across the proposed I-77 interchange to U.S. 21.

    The County’s Penny project includes the current installation of a new roundabout at the Community and Blythewood Road intersection.

    “So this is going to be the new north axis that the county will own,” Bickley said. “We don’t have a lot of details on the proposed Exit 26 interchange yet, but Norfolk Southern will be installing the new rail line which will come from the other side of Highway 21 down across and into the site,” Bickley said.

    “We’re in the process of doing a traffic study right now that should be to us in the next couple of weeks,” he said. “Once we have that traffic study it can give us final recommendations of what actual improvements need to be done and where.”

    Bickley said the traffic count was finished before school ended and that S.C. DOT is just waiting on the calculations to be finalized.

  • Hiking the Palmetto Trail out of Fairfield’s Alston Trailhead is for everyone

    Ann Chadwell Humphries and Furman Miller on the Broad River Trestle at Alston Trailhead, located in Fairfield County at the Peak Passage of the Palmetto Trail. | Contributed

    FAIRFIELD COUNTY – Some people let their perceived limitations limit their lives.  Others are determined to live life to the max, regardless of the hurdles that may appear.  That’s the case with Ann Chadwell Humphries who is blind but that did not stop her from enjoying the great outdoors on Saturday with a hike on the Palmetto Trail that started at the Alston Trailhead in Fairfield County.

    Ann began losing her sight while in her 50’s to retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disorder that causes cell loss in the retina, ultimately leading to blindness.  As her field of vision narrowed, she continued to read, write and work at a local hospital.  By age 55, however, work became too difficult, and Ann retired. 

    She acquired and trained with a guide dog, Brego, and together they earned the state’s Ultimate Outsider T-shirt by hiking in every state park.  She continues to hike in the company of friends and has become an excellent birder by ear. 

    To celebrate National Trails Day on June 3, Ann hiked The Palmetto Trail Peak to Prosperity Passage from the Alston trailhead in Fairfield County, into Newberry County with a group of 30 hikers.  Furman Miller, Midlands Region Trail Coordinator, led the three hike.

    While the trestle at Alston over the Broad River is a major draw for many who hike the passage, for Ann, it is a much more physical element of her hike, as she feels the changes in air currents and sounds.

    Furman Miller assisted Ann and her hiking companions, describing the rich history of the area as they walked. She reported “we had a wonderful hike! Furman looked out for me.  He is such an excellent guide and that trail is so historically interesting.” 

    Ann encourages hikers and The Palmetto Trail to “invite people with differing abilities to join them on walks. Hikers might learn more than what their eyes see.”  She mentioned things such as the feel of gravel underfoot and the echo beneath a bridge that she called to her friends’ attention, as they in turn let her know about a soaring eagle. 

    The Peak to Prosperity Passage crosses the Broad River on a spectacular 1,100-foot-long trestle bridge, but there are 20 trestles spanning the many creeks crossed by the 11-mile trail, which follows an historic railroad line.  The 200-foot-wide right-of-way was purchased from Norfolk Southern Railroad using the railbanking program. Partners SC Parks, Recreation & Tourism provided funds to convert the river trestle to a passage treadway, while Fairfield County provided the funds to develop the Alston trailhead park. 

    The Palmetto Trail stretches from the mountains of Oconee County to the Intracoastal waterway at Awendaw, allowing for hiking, cycling and occasionally camping and kayak/canoe access.  The organization celebrated National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June, by providing guided hikes and healthy food in a Farmer’s Market setting to familiarize the local community on both the Fairfield and Newberry County sides of the passage with the opportunities offered by the Trail.  A similar event was held at the Wateree Passage in Richland/Sumter counties.  Both events were supported by a grant from the Central Carolina Community Foundation’s Connected Communities program.

    Ann is also a published poet, with numerous honors to her name, so it is likely the Peak to Prosperity Passage, with its history and dramatic trestle will find their way into her work.

    For information future Palmetto Trail led trail hikes and events -https://palmettoconservation.org

  • Chronicle editor, others answer MPA lawsuit

    BLYTHEWOOD – The editor of the County Chronicle named in a conspiracy lawsuit along with the Town of Blythewood and its mayor is asking a judge to throw the case against her out.

    The Country Chronicle was previously owned by Camden Media, a partnership owned by Charles H. Morris of Savannah, Ga., and Mike Mischner of Camden, SC.

    It has since been sold and is now owned by Paxton Media Group and is published out of Paducah, Kentucky.

    Meantime, the Camden media company that employed the editor and that is a co-defendant in the same suit, has denied most of the allegations against it in a recently filed response.

    In January, Ashley Hunter, the chief executive of MPA Strategies, sued the Town of Blythewood and Mayor Bryan Franklin over comments suggesting MPA landed a town contract because of a romantic relationship between Hunter and Town Councilman Donald Brock. Both Hunter and Brock have denied the allegation.

    The lawsuit originally accused Page of defamation, negligence, civil conspiracy, and tortious interference against a contract, and Camden Media of negligence.

    MPA has since dismissed the defamation and negligence causes of action against Page, but the remaining parts of the suit remain active.

    In a motion to dismiss filed May 30, Page asserts her news coverage of Franklin’s comments about the MPA contract was “substantially accurate,”

    Franklin told people at a Blythewood Chamber of Commerce function that Hunter and Brock were “having an affair,” and that it was why she got the marketing contract, according to the original suit.

    The Town and Mayor Franklin have filed motions to dismiss on procedural and technical grounds.

    Page’s attorney argues in a memo that the “fair report” privilege protects journalists even when they quote false statements, provided said statements appear in government records or are stated in public settings.

    “Plaintiffs cannot make an ‘end run’ around the fair report privilege and other protections afforded to the media against defamation claims by calling their claims by another name,” the motion states. “This Court should dismiss Page from the present lawsuit, with prejudice, because Plaintiffs’ remaining causes of action against her are an improper attempt to avoid the protections provided to news reporters by the fair report privilege and other defamation defenses.”

    Further, Page’s attorney said there’s no proof his client worked in concert with Mayor Franklin to defame Hunter.

    “The Complaint fails to sufficiently allege that Page and Franklin had any sort of agreement or acted in combination,” the memo states. “Nor does the Complaint sufficiently allege that Page’s primary purpose was to injure Plaintiffs.”

    Camden Media has denied most of the assertions in the MPA lawsuit.

    The newspaper group denied that any articles “overly favored” any person or position. Camden Media acknowledged, however, that Page didn’t contact Hunter to seek comment before publishing content in some of her stories. The group also asserts that many of Page’s stories quoted public records verbatim. The content included remarks where Franklin accused Hunter of “trying to drag [Blythewood] in the mud with totally unfounded claims that appear to benefit her and Councilman Brock, according to court records.

    Camden Media has asked for the MPA suit to be dismissed and is also seeking attorney fees and other costs related to the suit.

    A deadline of August 28 has been set to complete mediation.

  • Scout plant to impact wetlands

    BLYTHEWOOD – A proposed $2 billion automobile manufacturing facility would potentially negatively impact over 111 acres of wetlands, according to a recently published public notice by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

    The proposed 1,600-acre facility that Scout Motors wants to build near I-77 and Exit 27 would impact 73.6 acres of wetlands, 38 acres of ponds and 38 thousand linear feet of tributaries, the notice states.

    Those details and more are part of the document filed in support of a permit Scout is seeking to discharge fill material in the vicinity of Beasley Creek. The creek is located on nearly 2,600 acres south and east of Blythewood Road.

    Comments are being accepted for 30 days from June 1, the date the notice was issued.

    “Written statements regarding the proposed work will be received … from those interested in the activity and whose interests may be affected by the proposed work,” according to the notice.

    The Army Corps of Engineers will issue a decision based on public comments, evaluating potential impacts, and compliance with federal and state guidelines.

    “All factors which may be relevant to the project will be considered, including the cumulative effects thereof,” the notice states. “Among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands … and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people.”

    A subsidiary of Volkswagen, Scout wants to start construction next year and complete the facility sometime in 2026. Advocates of the new facility tout the 4,000-plus jobs Scout has promised to create, as well as road improvements Scout has pledged to complete in the Blythewood area.

    To compensate for the affected wetlands, Scout has proposed buying stream mitigation credits from several locations, including from the Mill Creek in southern Richland County.

    The Environmental Protection Agency defines a mitigation bank as “a wetland, stream, or other aquatic resource area that has been restored, established, enhanced, or (in certain circumstances) preserved for the purpose of providing compensation for unavoidable impacts to aquatic resources permitted under [federal law] or a similar state or local wetland regulation.”

    Essentially, developers can buy mitigation credits elsewhere to replenish credits expended when damaging or destroying wetlands.

    Mitigation maps place Scout’s proposed Mill Creek mitigation site about 10 miles southeast of downtown Columbia.

    In addition, Scout says it plans to take the following actions to minimize environmental impacts:

    • Use appropriate erosion and sedimentation controls
    • Take steps to prevent oil, tar, trash, debris and other pollutants
    • Complete construction in an “expeditious manner”
    • Follow proper procedural and seasonal protocols when clearing wetlands
    • Properly place pipes to avoid/minimize scour and permit upstream passage of aquatic life
    • Use clean fill materials
    • Build multiple storm water detention ponds to minimize effect of impervious surfaces.

    The Army Corps’ public notice did not rule out impacts to endangered wildlife.

    A review of Scout’s plans said there would be zero impact on the Canby’s dropwort and rough-leaved loosestrife, two herbs found in the county.

    However, the project “is not likely to affect” the red-cockaded woodpecker or smooth coneflower, the notice states.

    The woodpecker remains endangered, however the coneflower was recently down-listed from endangered to threatened, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

    Public comments can be submitted via email to Jeremy.M.Kinney@usace.army.mil or snail mail to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: Regulatory Division, 69A Hagood Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29403-5107. Correspondence should include the following notice/file number: SAC-2023-00690.

  • 11 farms on Fairfield Ag + Art Tour June 17 & 18

    Fairfield County – Eleven Ag + Art Tour sites in Fairfield County will include working farms featuring painters, potters, weavers, quilters, musicians, storytellers, bakers and other local artisans. The tour is set for June 17 & 18.

    Now in its 12th year, the Ag + Art Tour is a free, self-guided farm tour where visitors can learn about where their food and fiber products come from while enjoying the creativity and entertainment of local artisans. Each farm will offer something different – chickens, goats, and other livestock as well a variety of local artisans.  For purposes of the tour, artisans are defined as those who hand-craft products without using kits or commercial models and whose primary components are not manufactured.

    “One of our goals has been to give people a better knowledge of what is produced in their backyard and help them to support local businesses while making healthier food choices,” said Will Culler, an agribusiness agent with Clemson Cooperative Extension and director of the S.C. Ag + Art Tour. “This event does that by putting food and product with a face.”

    Eleven counties, including Fairfield, will host Ag + Art tours on separate weekends in 2023.

    The sites are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

    Crazy Chic Heritage Farm: 450 Kenal Rd, Ridgeway, SC 29130
    Open Saturday & Sunday
    First generation protein and regenerative practice farm with Kune Kune pigs, Dexter cattle, Beefalo, many chicken varieties. Also, mini donkeys, a mini horse, a guardian llama and dogs, wagon rides. 

    • Dexter Cow Encounter- June 17, 1-2pm
    • Equine Encounter- Sunday, June 18, 1-2pm
    • For sale: meat, eggs, jam, sauces, baked goods, soaps, homemade beauty products, and lip balm.
    • Kid-friendly activities.
    • Ready to eat food and beverages for purchase (lunch, snacks, etc.),
    • Restrooms.

    Fairfield Farmers and Artisans Market: 117 E Washington St, Winnsboro, SC 29180
    Open only Saturday 10-4.
    Farmers market offering seasonal produce from local farmers and handmade items from local artisans.

    • Fruits, vegetables, livestock meats, eggs, jam, sauces, beverages, baked Goods, flowers, honey, herbs, artwork, hand carved woodwork and metal work.
    • All items are subject to change due to vendor participation
    • Ready to eat food for purchase on-site (lunch, snacks, etc.)
    • Restroom.

    Heirloom Fine Art Gallery: 121 E Washington St., Winnsboro, SC 29180
    Open only Saturday 10-4.

    • Original art for sale with live painting on site.
    • Restroom facility on-site.

    Gypsy Wind Farms: 3005 Buckhead Rd., Blair, SC 29015
    Open both Saturday and Sunday.

    • Barbados Blackbelly Sheep and Mangalitsa Pigs.
    • Walking Trails
    • Farm Store fully stocked with farm-raised meats, soaps, honey jams, sauces, baked goods, lard soaps, lip balms and salves, herbed salts and vinegars, custom charcuterie and cutting boards.
    • Petting area and sawmill activities.
    • Kid friendly activities.
    • Ready to eat food and beverages for purchase (lunch, snacks, etc.)
    • Handicap restroom.

    Home Grown on the Farm: 2500 Old Douglass Road, Winnsboro, SC 29180
    Open only Saturday 10-4.

    Farm fresh eggs, vegetables, farm meats, flowers.

    • A Pot Bellied Pig, two Mangalica Pigs, chickens, and pet friendly goats
    • Artisans/vendors and live entertainment on site. 
    • Kid friendly activities.
    • Lunch and beverages for purchase.
    • Handicapped restroom.

    Ridgeway Town Hall and Downtown: 170 S. Dogwood Ave, Ridgeway, SC 29130
    Open only Saturday 10-4.

    Visual and performing artists (individuals, small groups and bands who will entertain visitors with a variety of music from classical to country).

    • Artwork and crafts for sale.
    • Lunch, snacks, beverages for purchased
    • Restroom.

    Riding Ridge Farm: 692 Riding Ridge Rd., Ridgeway, SC 29130
    Open both Saturday and Sunday.

    • Saanen and Nubian goats.
    • For sale: goat milk soap.
    • Saturday and Sunday, hand milking demonstration and hoof trimming at from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. 
    • Beverages for purchase.

    Slightly North of Charleston: 160 S Palmer Street, Ridgeway, SC 29130
    Open both Saturday and Sunday.

    • For sale: Fine art, woodworking, soaps, toiletries, candles, jams, tumbled glass, aprons and more!
    • Painting on site.
    • Restroom.

    STORE34: 18438 Newberry Road, Blair, SC 29015
    Open Saturday only 10-4.

    • For sale: antiques, vintage farm equipment, farm tools, etc., along with a lot of just neat stuff!!
    • Restroom.

    The SHE Garden: 1450 Newberry Road, Winnsboro, SC 29180
    Open both Saturday and Sunday.

    • Owned by Christy Buchanan, who is an artist and professor of architecture. 
    • Colorful flowers, vegetables, recycled art. Structures made from recycled materials (such as the bottle house)
    • Restroom.

    Wilde Rose Farm: 2437 South Carolina 269, Winnsboro, SC 29180
    Open both Saturday and Sunday.

    • Chickens, pigs, and honey bees.
    • For sale: eggs, pork, chicken, Jam, sauces, honey, beverages, baked goods.
    •  Kid-friendly activities,
    • Restroom.

    Find a complete list of tour dates and participating counties at www.agandarttour.com.

  • Driver killed in two-car accident

    FAIRFIELD COUNTY – Fairfield County Coroner Chris Hill is released the name of an individual who was involved in a fatal accident that took place on I-77 and Hwy 200 in Winnsboro.

    Mr. John Thompson, 80, of Great Falls, SC, was the restrained driver of a vehicle that was involved in a two car motor vehicle accident in the afternoon of May 31, 2023. Mr. Thompson was pronounced deceased on scene from blunt force injuries that he sustained in the accident.

    An autopsy is scheduled with Newberry Pathology in Newberry, SC to determine the exact cause and manner of death. The accident remains under investigation by Fairfield County Coroner’s Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol.

  • Rookie Ball All Stars

    Photo: Martha Ladd

    WEST COLUMBIA – Blythewood Youth Baseball League’s youngest All Stars wrapped their season last week as Runners Up in their Division tournament. They opened the tournament with a loss to Pineview, but rebounded with a big win over Midlands All Stars before falling to Pineview in the title game.

    Kneeling: Kody Schwarzbaur, Landon McIntyre, Witten Wilson, Owen Lorick, Sullivan Sloan, Colton Phillips. Standing: Maddox Olver, Kash Hollash, Caroline Ladd, Mason Winstead, Jude Creese and Joshua Sharpe. Coaches: William Ladd, Jason Sloan, head coach Philip Wilson, Ace Holland and David Lorick.

  • Playing Fore a Cause

    BLYTHEWOOD – The Fairfield County Disabilities and Special Needs Board held their 11th Annual Golf Tournament at the Blythewood County Club on May 15.

  • Winnsboro addresses water quality issues

    WINNSBORO – After weeks of questions regarding the quality of its water, the Town of Winnsboro has posted two public notices about its drinking water to its Facebook page. Below is the most recent update from May 25, 2023.

    Update on Taste and Odor Issue | May 25, 2023

    The Town of Winnsboro’s Water Treatment Plant gets its raw water from the Broad River, which is experiencing unprecedented levels of geosmin. Although we cannot pinpoint the exact reason for this, we do know that algae, which produces geosmin, thrives in hot temperatures, low water levels, and still or slow-moving water. We have experienced all three in recent months on the Broad River above our plant intake.

    The Town of Winnsboro is not alone. Other municipalities that draw water from the Broad_ have seen similar issues. We sample source water for geosmin routinely and usually it is well under 5-parts per trillion. However, over the last two months, it has spiked dramatically. It is a rarity that we see levels approaching 25 parts per trillion in water from the Broad River; however, the current levels are much higher.

    While the taste and odor from geosmin is harmless, we understand it is a nuisance for our customers and we are doing everything we can to eliminate it. We continue to add activated carbon, which acts like a sponge, in the treatment process. We are also cleaning the elevated storage tanks and flushing our water distribution system. In addition, we have taken steps to add a chemical feed on the source water supply line that will allow us to directly apply copper sulfate in order to kill the algae. Copper sulfate is a chemical commonly used for this purpose, and our plans have been reviewed and approved by SCDHEC prior to implementation. We have been in constant communication and consultation with SCDHEC concerning this situation. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to resolve the issue.

    Important Information about Your Drinking Water | May 17, 2023

    The Winnsboro water system is experiencing taste and odor issues in the drinking water.

    The Town apologizes for the inconvenience and thanks you for your patience as we work through these taste and odor issues. As our customers, you have the right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.

    Due to the unseasonably warm temperatures several weeks ago, odor and taste changes became apparent. The Town is still working to locate the exact source of the issue and is working closely with SCDHEC to resolve the problem.

    What is being done?

    Currently, the Town has increased the activated carbon and introduced copper sulfate that should remove the taste and odor from the drinking water. We are also closely monitoring the reservoirs, and in addition we will be flushing all storage tanks, as well as cleaning the interior of those tanks.

    Health Effects

    Although the water does have an earthy smell, it is completely safe to drink and shower with. We test the drinking water every 2 hours daily and we ship samples weekly for any bacteria and microbial contaminants to a water quality testing laboratory for verification that it meets all SCDHEC drinking water quality standards.

    For more information, please call: Jeff Cisney, Water Treatment Plant Director at (803)815-3020The Town of Winnsboro’s Water Department continues its efforts to address the taste and odor issues that are affecting customers served by its Water Plant. The musty taste and odor is harmless. It is caused by geosmin, which is produced from algae in water and is naturally occurring in the environment. It is what gives dirt and certain vegetables like beets their odor.