BLYTHEWOOD – A lucky local woman won a whopping sum of $375,000 playing South Carolina Education Lottery’s scratch-off game.
After returning to work, the woman scratched off the prize, officials said. Instead of going to cash in her winnings, she worked the rest of the day as usual.
The winner didn’t say what she plans to do with the newfound
windfall and chose to remain anonymous.
“I feel really lucky,” she said.
The winning ticket was sold at the QuikTrip on Wilson Boulevard in Blythewood. The ticket distributor will get a bonus of $3,000 for selling the winning scratch-off ticket.
RIDGEWAY – The Ridgeway town council discussed several
options regarding the fate of the town’s 100-year-old water tower last week
after recent sub-freezing temperatures and high winds damaged the iconic “Tin
Man” structure.
Present for the discussion was Daniel Wilson of Southern
Corrosion, the company the town had recently contracted to paint the tower and
make minor repairs at a cost of $75,000. The town received a $100,000 grant
from the state last fall to have the work done. But before it was painted, the
Christmas Eve winter storm burst the pipe that took water to and from the tower
and blew off half of the catwalk that leads from the main catwalk to the top of
the tank.
Water was kept in the tank to keep it stabilized even though
the tank no longer serves the town’s water customers. When the freeze thawed,
all the water from the tank drained out the burst pipe, leaving the top-heavy
tank at risk.
Mayor Heath Cookendorfer pointed out that without water in
the tank, the tower could become unstable. He suggested several possible
options for stabilizing the structure – repair the tank and fill it with water,
sand or concrete; or take it down.
After much discussion, it was decided that filling it with
water or sand would further corrode the tank walls, causing them to thin.
According to Wilson, filling the tank with concrete might be
fine for now, but at some time in the future when the tank might have to come
down, that much concrete could be a huge problem, creating a hazardous
situation.
Prioleau asked Wilson whether the base might become the
stabilizer by lacing rebar through the four legs at the bottom and adding a
base of concrete.
Wilson said that Prioleau’s idea might possibly work, but
that he could not confirm it would.
The only other solution proposed would be to take the 100+
year old tank down which, Cookendorfer said, would be a controversial action.
“It’s a landmark,” he said.
“But even repairing the damage to the water tower could be a
problem for us if we try to collect insurance money to cover our costs,”
Cookendorfer said. “The insurance company might pay us, but they might also
make us take it down. That’s what happened when the roof caved in on the old
school building. The insurance company paid us for the damage, but made us tear
it down,” he said. “We have the same
insurance company now that we had then, so we need to consider that might be
their decision on the issue.”
Wilson said he would bring a re-figured cost to council next
month that would include removing what is left of the damaged catwalk and
repairing additional damage caused by the storm. He also agreed to allow the council two
months to make a final decision as to how they want to proceed with the
stabilization of the water tower.
COLUMBIA – Dr. Baron Davis has stepped down as superintendent of Richland School District Two, the second of two high-ranking departures in the district in a month.
Davis
No official reason was stated for Davis’ departure. He had
held the district’s top post since 2017.
On Tuesday night, after a nearly six-hour executive session,
school board trustees voted unanimously to “mutually agree to separate their
contractual relationship, and that the Board accept Dr. Davis’s resignation.”
The resignation was effective January 17, the date of the
board meeting. The motion also authorized board chair Lindsay Agostini to
execute a separate agreement with Dr. Davis, which was reviewed in Executive
Session.
Details of that agreement were not available at press time.
An agenda for the meeting listed the purpose of the
executive session as for the “receipt of legal advice regarding superintendent
contract.” A vote on executive session items followed, according to the agenda.
Since the Jan. 5 meeting, at which the superintendent’s
contract first appeared on the agenda for discussion during executive session,
rumors have circulated across social media that the board might vote to dismiss
Davis.
One media outlet based a story on a comment that former
board member James Manning posted on his Facebook page.
“Don’t let the board make decisions in a vacuum,” Manning
posted on Jan. 4, the day before the first special meeting at which Davis’
contract was discussed. “Show up to ensure they have to look you in the face
when making decisions. There is a good chance they will fire the superintendent
at this meeting … they want a weak leader who will do their bidding. Not be a
true leader.”
Davis’s resignation comes after the state Inspector General’s
Office released a report critical of the former Richland Two school board for
its political environment, dysfunction, and chaos.
Davis’s departure also comes on the heels of an announcement
by the District’s Chief Financial Officer Shelley Allen, that she is resigning
effective Jan. 27.
One media story appeared to tie Allen’s resignation to the
board’s Jan. 5, 2023 special called board meeting. The story stated, “Last
week, the board called a special meeting to discuss the Inspector General’s
report and Davis’ contract … Allen’s letter was dated Jan. 6, a day after this
meeting.”
But Agostini said in an interview with The Voice following
the Jan. 17 meeting, that on Dec. 19, 2022, Davis told her (Agostini) that
Allen was resigning.
“He asked me to keep it confidential. But just hours after
our conversation, I received a text from a member of the community saying, ‘Hey,
Shelley [Allen], the girl from accounting, is resigning.’
“I texted Dr. Davis that the public already knew. He texted
back, ‘Ok. We won’t share anything from our end.’
“Any implication that Ms. Allen was leaving because we were
having discussions about Dr. Davis’ contract is just inaccurate,” Agostini
said.
“No discussion had been initiated about Dr. Davis’ contract
before Dec. 19 when he informed me that Ms. Allen was resigning. I didn’t even
speak to our attorney about the contract until Dec. 20, when I asked if she
would address the board about the superintendent’s contract.”
In her resignation letter, Allen stated the district
continues to be “filled with chaos and dysfunction.” She blamed local and state
leaders for that chaos and dysfunction.
“It is very disheartening and quite frankly demoralizing to
all district employees when this mentality is so prevalent in our community,”
the letter states.
“I have optimistically hoped that the outcome of the
Inspector General’s report would provide some justification for making some
changes that are needed in this district,” the letter continues. “But the focus
continues to be misdirected.”
Allen made clear in her letter her support for Davis,
praising his leadership.
“I have been fortunate to work with you,” Allen, said,
referring to Davis in her letter, “in a capacity that has allowed me to witness
your passion, your humility, your vision and your deep desire to provide the
best education for every student.”
The Richland Two Black Parents Association responded to
Allen’s letter with the following Facebook post:
“Is Ms. Allen referring to the current board or the old [previous] board? …she worked at the district the last four years and was there
when the Governor launched the investigation by the Inspector General …so did
these revelations become clear to her right after the November elections?”
Voters opted for four newcomers for the board last November,
ousting the former chair who was the only incumbent seeking re-election.
Agostini has marked Davis down on his annual evaluations,
citing concerns over his demeanor and excessive travel to out-of-town
conferences, among other issues.
In 2020, Agostini and
Davis clashed over a board policy the former superintendent proposed – and the
prior board majority approved – that required the full board to approve an
individual trustee’s request for records.
The policy contradicts a S.C. Attorney General’s opinion
that says elected officials have a right to review district records.
The board has called a special meeting Thursday, Jan. 19, at
5:30 p.m. to discuss employment regarding an acting/interim superintendent for
Richland Two.
This story was updated on Jan. 18, 2023 at 5:05 p.m.
WINNBORO – Fairfield County Council voted Friday night to bring former Assistant County Administrator Laura Johnson back as interim county administrator. The vote was 6 – 1, with Councilwoman Shirley Green voting against.
Johnson
Council Chairman Douglas Pauley told The Voice that Johnson
is under contract with the county from Jan. 16 – June 30, 2023.
“We are extremely fortunate to have Ms. Johnson return to
the county as we search for a new county administrator,” Pauley said. “She has
a broad knowledge of the county’s operations and her experience and dedication
are going to be a great asset to the county in the coming months as we fill
several key vacancies.”
Johnson served the county for many years as comptroller.
“In the 19 years that she worked for Fairfield County, she
has demonstrated that she has both the necessary work ethic and integrity needed
to serve the people of this county,” Pauley said.
Prior to being named assistant county administrator, she
served as interim deputy county administrator.
Johnson was one of a number of top county officials and
department heads who were either pushed out or left the county’s employ after
the balance of power on council changed two years ago. Others who left include
County Administrator Jason Taylor, County Attorney Tommy Morgan, Clerk to
Council Patti Davis, Director of Economic Development Ty Davenport, Director of
Community Development Chris Clausen and others. The County’s Director of Human
Resources Brad Caulder and Comptroller Anne Bass left after being elected to
public offices in the county – Caulder as Probate judge and Bass as county
auditor.
Johnson is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has
previously served in the South Carolina Auditor’s office as well as the South
Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Her responsibilities as Assistant County Administrator
included project management as well as operational and financial oversight.
Johnson is a graduate of Fairfield Central High and Winthrop
University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Johnson is married to Otis Johnson and they are the parents of three adult sons.
COLUMBIA – Monday night’s Powerball drawing left one South
Carolina resident $50,000 richer, and the winning ticket was purchased in
Fairfield County.
It was sold at the Pops #550 on US Hwy 321 in Winnsboro. The
ticket won in the Double Play drawing, which was held after the regular
Powerball drawing.
The Double Play ticket matched four of the first five ball
numbers drawn and the red Powerball® number at odds of 1 in 913,129.
by William (Bill) McLean; Excerpted from the Blythewood Garden Club’s ‘Blythewood Scrapbook’ with permission.
I got a job in the summer of 1936 measuring cotton by using aerial photo maps. I had no automobile, so I used a bicycle to travel to the different farms to outline various cotton fields to see if they were conforming to their allotment.
McLean
During one of these trips, I spotted an old Model “T,”
belonging to, I believe, a Mr. Ballentine on Cedar Creek Road. It was a 1927
model and he told me he would sell it for $20. It was a four seater with no
top, but it was beautiful.
At this time Frank Boney was running the Sinclair Filling
Station on the corner of Blythewood Road and Highway 21 and it was the hangout
for young boys and girls. We boys decided to take the old body off and to
replace it with a “boat” looking body, still with no top. We decided to paint
signs on the “Boat” such as “ALL YOU GIRLS WHO SMOKE, PUT YOUR BUTTS INSIDE.”
We used this Model “T” to go the pond and swim, or just cruising.
Bozie Palmer, who worked for J.R. Creech, also, had a four
seater Model “T”. One time I remember a race was arranged, going toward
Columbia on 21. There was very little traffic in those days. I was driving my
car with Charner Boney in the back as the look out; Bozie was in his car by
himself. Bozie and I were side by side, both vehicles steaming like crazy,
going about 25 miles an hour.
Charner hollered to me that a Highway Patrolman was behind
us. I threw the spark and gas levers up, Bozie went past me just laughing his
head off. Finally, the siren blew and he stopped Bozie. I was going right on
past with a “tic, tic, tic,” sure that I wasn’t going to be stopped. Just as I
was going to pass Bozie, the Patrolman held up his hand saying, “Where are you
going?” He made no charges, but gave a stern warning that if we wanted to race
to go into a nearby field.
I made many enjoyable trips into the low country, and drove that old car to Clemson. During my college days a crowd would pile in and away we would go to Anderson Junior College for Women. It never let us down; just a pair of pliers and a screwdriver was all we needed. I might say that when the right pedal (brakes) wore out, I just used the middle pedal (reverse) and it would stop.
Blythewood’s history in a book
by Barbara Ball
BLYTHEWOOD – Most small towns never have their histories recorded, much less published. Blythewood’s history has not only been recorded and published, but it’s practically a best seller in the town.
Compiled and published by the Blythewood Garden Club, there
have been three editions published – 1976, 1994 and 2004. The books are sold to
raise money for the Club’s civic beautification projects, like the seasonal
flowers that grow in planters at the entrance to the post office on McNulty
Street.
While all the editions offer a pleasantly written history of
the town, the first two editions include more of the town’s early families. The
short-essays are written by some of those families’ descendants who still live
in the community, including the Boneys, Wilsons, Blumes, Creeches and Levers,
and are laced with personal memories and handed-down information.
Some of the early homes pictured in the Scrapbook are still
lived in by descendants of the families who built them. Ann Joy Mullins’
children, for example, were the seventh generation to be raised in the Allen
House on Mullis Road.
The Scrapbook is full of anecdotes about Indians, Robert
Frost, Winthrop Rockefeller and others who spent time in Blythewood. There’s a
little romance, some intrigue and fascinating insights into what the town was
like in its early days.
Jim and Sybil Jennings of JJ Ranch
The 2004 edition adds newer information including the fine horse farms that came later – Farewell Farm, OneWood Farm and others that are credited with helping to preserve and enhance the rural charm that has long distinguished the Blythewood community.
Whether you’re a scout looking for facts about the town in
your quest to earn a badge or a newcomer wanting to learn more about the
history of your new community, you’re going to enjoy reading the Blythewood
Scrapbook. You’ll gain insight into the town, its landmarks, and even the names
of streets.
All three versions of the Scrapbook are available to peruse
at the Blythewood branch library and the Blythewood Historical Society
(Langford-Nord House.) Reading them will make you feel a closeness to the
community you live in and an appreciation of those who so thoughtfully recorded
the town’s history.
The 2004 edition of
the Scrapbook sells for $10 and is available in paperback at Blythewood
Pharmacy, the Langford Nord House, Blythewood Consignment and town hall.
Fairfield County Fire Service responds to the concrete plant. | Contributed
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – Steven M Huot, 27, of Conway, SC has been arrested for two separate arson investigations.
Huot
In connection with these investigations, Huot has been
charged with 2 counts of Attempted Murder, Attempted Arson, Arson 2nd Degree,
and Burglary Second Degree and is currently being held at the Fairfield County
Detention Center.
During the early morning hours of Jan. 3, an incident
occurred at a residence on W. Eleventh Street in Winnsboro where a fire was
intentionally set while two occupants were asleep inside of the residence,
according to Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery.
On the same day, a deputy was patrolling the US Hwy 321
South area and spotted a fire at the Winnsboro Concrete Company. Huot was
identified as a suspect in both incidents and was arrested immediately.
These investigations are ongoing and anyone having any
information about these incidents or Mr. Huot are asked to contact the
Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office at 803-635-41414.
“We are thankful that no one was injured in either of these
incidents,” Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery said. “This could have
been a very tragic situation. I am pleased that our deputies observed the fire
so quickly and we were able to identify and arrest Mr. Huot before any more
damage could be done.”
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – A Winnsboro woman and her 2-year-old son lost their lives New Year’s Eve in a crash on I-77.
Fairfield County Coroner Chris Hill identified the woman as
Ashley Hawkins of Winnsboro. Hawkins was the driver of the vehicle.
According to Hill, the accident occurred at about 11:45 p.m., Dec. 31. The vehicle was traveling north on Interstate 77 near Exit 32 when it went off the right shoulder of the highway and then over corrected, striking several trees. The vehicle then overturned ejecting Mekia Simmons, age 2, who was identified as the son of the deceased.
An autopsy to determine the cause of death is scheduled for
this week in Newberry.
No further information about the accident is available at
this time.
The Fairfield County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina
Highway Patrol continue to investigate this accident.
RIDGEWAY/WINNSBORO – Plans are underway by citizens in Ridgeway and Winnsboro to show the communities’ appreciation to Winnsboro water technicians Veshawn Owens, Jesse Self, Mikey Bunting, Jawarin Jones and Kaelen Fee, Meter Reader Isaac Boyd, and Winnsboro Gas Water and Sewer Director Tripp Peak, who worked around the clock Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and part of Monday in sub-freezing temperatures and icy winds to repair breaks in water lines in Winnsboro. Ridgeway Water Director Robert Arndt was pretty much a one-man act taking care of resulting water problems in Ridgeway.
Winnsboro’s Water Plant Director Jeff Cisney and his crew
worked long hours as well trying to keep water in the tanks and lines through
it all.
“I don’t know when they slept Saturday and Sunday nights,”
Peake said. “Every time I call over to the plant, Jeff answered.”
Sarah and George Pierce of Sarah ‘n Geo’s are spearheading
the appreciation drive.
“We’re donating meals here at the restaurant to the men and
their families,” Sarah said, “and other donations have also come in. It’s just
a way for the community to show their appreciation for these men getting the
water pipes repaired under unimaginable circumstances.
“Residents of the two towns and even in the county have been
bringing gift cards, food, hand warmers, and even cash to show their
appreciation. Carol Allen of Laura’s Tea Room in Ridgeway brought over a large
gift basket,” Sarah said.
“These guys were out
there Christmas Eve and Christmas day, away from their families, working hard
in miserably cold weather, in freezing water and with only about two hours rest
Saturday night, then back out. It was really bad,” Peak told The Voice. “We
couldn’t get any contract workers because they were on other jobs. Towns all
over the state had the same problems. Some even worse than ours.”
Drop off point for both the Winnsboro and Ridgeway workers
is at Sarah ‘n Geo’s restaurant, 170 S. Palmer Street in Ridgeway until 8:30
tonight and from 11 a.m. until 8:30 Wednesday night. For more information about
the appreciation drive, call Sarah at 803-337-0520.
BLYTHEWOOD – A Blythewood Middle School teacher has been
placed on leave after having been charged in connection with a recent fatal hit
and run.
Aja Raevon Adams, 27, of Blythewood, was charged Dec. 14
with four counts, according to court records.
The charges as listed in the Richland County Public Index
include:
Hit and run, duties of driver involved in accident with
great bodily injury
Hit and run, duties of driver involved in accident with
death
Felony driving under the influence, great bodily injury
results
Felony driving under the influence, death results
Additional details about the nature of the charges were not
available as of press time.
A spokesman with the S.C. Highway Patrol said the charges
stem from a fatal collision that occurred before Thanksgiving, but the agency
wouldn’t release the responding trooper’s report unless The Voice submitted a
Freedom of Information Act request.
Police agencies usually don’t require FOIA requests for
police reports. State law doesn’t require FOIA requests for reports for
incidents occurring within the past 14 days.
In a recording, Lance Cpl. Tyler Tidwell with the Highway
Patrol said the collision occurred Nov. 29 around 10:30 p.m., on Hard Scrabble
Road near Clemson Road, about six miles north of Columbia.
According to the recording, a 2016 Honda Accord and a moped
carrying two people were both traveling south on Hard Scrabble Road when the
Honda struck the moped from behind.
One person died and a second person was taken to Prisma
Health-Richland with undisclosed injuries. There was only one occupant in the
Honda, Tidwell said.
The recording referred inquiries about the person who died
to the Richland County Coroner’s Office. A representative with the coroner’s
office couldn’t be reached as of press time.
Richland Two spokeswoman Ish Tate said Adams is a teacher
and was hired Aug. 8, 2019.
The Blythewood Middle School website lists Adams as a 7th
and 8th grade science teacher. Adams is currently on paid administrative leave
per district policies, Tate said.
When a district employees is arrested, “the superintendent
or his/her designee to take appropriate employment action with regard to an
employee who has been arrested, consistent with state law,” according to the
district’s employee handbook.
Employees are required to notify their supervisor within
three days of an arrest and also must keep administration updates on the
continued status of pending charges, according to the handbook.
Adams’ next court appearance is scheduled for January 27,
2023, according to court records.
