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  • MPA files motion for dismissal of counterclaim

    BLYTHEWOOD – MPA Strategies, LLC has filed a reply to the Town’s counterclaims filed July 20, 2021, in response to a lawsuit filed by MPA Strategies against the town government on June 28, 2021. All the claims and responses were filed in the Court of Common Pleas Fifth Judicial Circuit in Richland County.

    MPA also filed three motions last week, including one to dismiss.

    First Motion

    In the first motion, filed Aug. 18, 2021, MPA seeks to have the Town’s counterclaim dismissed, stating that the counterclaim, as it relates to the executed Marketing Agreement, fails “for being brought in an improper venue in violation of the fully negotiated forum selection clause agreeing to jurisdiction in Lexington County,” where MPA’ offices are located.

    In the motion, MPA also states that the Town’s counterclaims against MPA Strategies, LLC, Ashley Hunter and State and Frink Foundation for fraud, negligent misrepresentation/fraud in the inducement; violation of S.C. Unfair Trade Practices Act; violation of S.C. Frivolous Civil Proceedings Sanctions Act; civil conspiracy; violation of Federal False Claims Act – 31 U.S. Code Section 3701, et seq.; and negligence/gross negligence, “fail for a failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.”

    Second Motion

    In its second motion, MPA asks the Court to strike Joseph Dickey, the attorney for Ashley Hunter (MPA’s owner), from being called as a witness in Court.

    MPA states that on July 20, 2021, the Town of Blythewood, “made false and defamatory allegations in its Answer and Counterclaims by naming Plaintiff and Counterclaim defendants MPA Strategies, LLC (“MPA”), State and Frink Foundation (“State and Frink”) and Ashley Hunter’s attorney Joseph D. Dickey, Jr., Esq. (“Dickey”), in its Counterclaims.

    “The Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendants [MPA, Ashley Hunter and State and Frink Foundation] can only speculate that the Town is attempting to create a conflict between them [MPA, Ashley Hunter and State and Frink Foundation] and its chosen counsel and/or to fabricate a basis upon which to seek to disqualify their chosen legal counsel [Dickey] from representation going forward,” the motion states.

    “In addition, it seems apparent that the Town seeks to damage Mr. Dickey’s reputation by intentionally making false allegations in its counterclaim.”

    “As there is no basis or other valid reason for Mr. Dickey to be identified, the Counterclaim Defendants respectfully request that his name, any allegations against him, and any reference to him be stricken from the Town’s counterclaims,” the motion states.

    After presenting a lengthy argument about the issue, the motion states that,“The Town’s counsel [David Black with Nexsen Pruet] and in-house counsel [Shannon Burnett] through her verification, falsely has certified to the best of their knowledge, information, and belief, formed after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances, that Mr. Dickey has committed the crimes of fraud and other related crimes. This false certification has occurred despite these facts,” which are listed in the motion:

    “1. Prior to Joseph Dickey’s first involvement in this matter, Town Attorney Shannon Burnett advised Town Council at a publicly recorded meeting that having non-profit status was not a requirement for a vendor to perform marketing for the Town.

     “2.  Joseph Dickey’s first involvement in this matter was to draft a letter notifying the Town of his representation and concerns about the contract award at the direction of a client.

    “3. Joseph Dickey, once informed, fully disclosed that State and Frink did not have 501(c)(3) status and had no need to obtain it based on the Town’s RFP and applicable law prior to contract execution.

    “4. Joseph Dickey provided Town’s counsel persuasive legal authority supporting MPA and State and Frink receiving State A-tax funds and again notifying the Town that State and Frink did not have 501(c)(3) status prior to execution of the contract.

    “5. Joseph Dickey’s role as counsel for the Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendants is simply no Rule 11 basis upon which to make the defamatory accusations that he committed crimes or other dishonest actions.

    “Based upon these facts and under any reasonable objective standard this certification fails and Town’s counsel and officials should be held accountable for their false certifications,” the motion states. “One can only surmise that the identification of Mr. Dickey is part and parcel of a strategy to create conflict where none exists and/or to deprive the Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendants of the legal counsel of its choosing,” the motion stated.

    The motion requested the court to issue an order, “striking any and all allegations identifying and falsely accusing Mr. Dickey of committing a crime, silently making him a witness, and requiring the Town to pay the attorneys’ fees and costs associated with filing and arguing this motion.”

    Third Motion

    A third motion requested protection from Court appearances for Dickey for a specified period of time for a family matter.

  • Critics: Roof repair ordinance full of pork

    Hoof & Paw President Outlines Desperate Needs of Animal Shelter

    • Randy Bright
    • Tony Armstrong
    • Kathy Faulk

    WINNSBORO – Critics of a recently approved $1.05 million capital improvements plan say the deal is loaded with pork.

    On Monday night, Fairfield County Council – by a slim 4-3 margin – approved final reading of the measure, which is being paid for from the county’s general fund.

    Council Chair Moses Bell and council members Tim Roseborough, Shirley Greene and Mikel Trapp voted in favor.

    Included in the deal are funds to conduct roof repairs to the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services building, repairs most council members and residents agree are needed.

    But the roof repairs were discussed during the budget meetings in the spring and it was a consensus that the repairs could wait another year.

    After complaints from residents on the western side of the county about Councilman Moses Bell’s Ridgeway district getting a $2.5 million recreation center the roof repairs showed up on the  July 26, 2021, agenda along with $500,000 from the general fund earmarked for the two mini parks.

    But critics say the bulk of expenses – for a new mini-park in Blackstock and upgrades to Willie Lee Robinson Park in Blair – are parochial in nature.

    Both mini-park projects are located in Council District 3, represented by Trapp, who couldn’t be reached for comment.

    Councilman Doug Pauley said that lumping the parks with needed HHS roof repairs was designed to ensure the park projects passed. He called the parks “a total waste of money” that ignore more pressing needs in the county.

    “The roof on the DHHS building was only added to this ordinance so that asking for the mini park and upgrades wouldn’t look so bad to taxpayers,” Pauley said.

    Community residents also took aim at the park plans during a public hearing that preceded Monday night’s vote.

    Winnsboro resident Thomas ‘Tony’ Armstrong questioned the wisdom behind the mini-park spending plan.

    “$1,050,000 to some is nothing, but to a lot of us it’s a lot,” Armstrong said. “We need to hold off and be more frugal with the taxpayers’ money.”

    Ridgeway resident Randy Bright called the ordinance “amateur hour,” noting the spending plan doesn’t even itemize park expenses.

    “We’ve combined two wants with one need, a need that should’ve been taken care of during [budget discussions],” Bright said.

    “If you vote for it, you’re voting for two unnecessary wants,” Bright continued. “But if you don’t vote for it, we’ve got a roof falling in. It just doesn’t make sense.”

    More Pressing Needs

    Bright and others thought it would make more sense to focus on the county animal shelter, which has some alarming needs.

    After starting in January with 155 animals, the shelter this year has taken in 848 cats and 636 dogs, greatly outpacing adoptions and owner reclaims, said Kathy Faulk, president of the Hoof and Paw Benevolent Society.

    Faulk didn’t specifically address the mini-park vote in her address, but was emphatic the county has some pressing needs – like a new animal shelter.

    To that end, she asked the county to form an animal welfare committee and also for each council member to visit the shelter to observe conditions there firsthand. She said the facility is comparable to what might have been 50 years ago.

    “This is a county building that should be funded by the county,” Faulk said. “This is a critical need.”

    Council members voiced general support for the shelter but did not commit to any of the Hoof and Paw requests.

    “I think that’s an idea we’ll have to research and really take a look at how we move forward on some of the suggestions you’ve made,” Councilwoman Shirley Greene said.

    Refinancing $24M Bond

    In other financial business, the county unanimously approved first reading of an ordinance to refinance over $20 million in debt. First reading was by title only so there was no discussion among council members. With interest, the debt is closer to $40 million

    The plan calls for applying $7.5 million in Dominion settlement funds toward paying down $23 million in debt the county accrued following the 2013 $24 million Fairfield Facilities Corporation bond. In addition, the plan calls for refinancing existing debt to a lower interest rate. 

    Both measures will trim annual debt payments by about $500,000 a year, or by $10.5 million through 2042, said Brent Robertson with Stifel Investment Services.

    Robertson attended along with Ray Jones representing Parker Poe.

    “Since the issuance of that debt, we find ourselves in a very favorable interest rate environment,” Robertson said.

  • Blythewood dad, daughter injured in crash

    McKinna and Chris Morris

    BLYTHEWOOD – The Blythewood youth softball league rallied together to support one of its own over the weekend.

    Nine-year-old McKinna Morris, who plays on the 8U Bobcats softball team and was a member of the 10U All Star team, and her father Chris were on their way home from a tournament in Charleston on Sunday when they were in an accident at the intersection of I-95 and I-26 near Orangeburg.

    McKinna and her father were transported to Prisma Health Hospital in Columbia. McKinna had a lacerated spleen and burns on the back of her leg from hot car liquids. She had the first of multiple reconstructive surgeries on Tuesday morning and is now home recovering.

    McKinna’s father, Chris, was placed in a medically induced coma with extensive injuries, including multiple breaks in both legs and arms. On Monday, Prisma Health surgeons repaired his legs and one arm and wrist, but had to place a steel rod in his other wrist. Chris suffered burns on his face as well. On Tuesday, the Blythewood Bobcats posted on Facebook that Chris was out of ICU after an extensive surgery on Monday, and that he will begin the long road to recovery.

    “Chris has a long road ahead,” the post stated, “but as you can see he is strong and a fighter.”

    Perhaps a family trait, McKinna’s 8U coach, Jordan Atkinson, described her the same way: strong.

    McKinna plays first base for the 8U team and is a power hitter. Atkinson said she probably leads the team in RBI’s and extra base hits. She’s a valued member of the 8U Bobcats team, but not just because of her talents. Her teammates also love her for her sense of humor.

    When Atkinson received news of the accident, she emailed the team’s parents so they could break the news to McKinna’s teammates.

    “It’s been difficult for her teammates to comprehend everything,” Atkinson said. “They’re 7 and 8 year olds. They were concerned about her and worried if she can still play ball, things like that.”

    There’s no doubt that the Bobcats will miss having McKinna on the field as she recovers. The team and their parents have rallied their support in the few days since the accident. Parents initiated a meal train to feed the Morris family each evening.

    The third day of softball camp at Blythewood High School, Atkinson painted McKinna’s number, 11, next to first base. The girls gathered around the base for a photo, which they sent to McKinna before she went into surgery on Tuesday morning.

    BHS softball campers honor McKinna with a painted 11, her Bobcats’ jersey number, by first base on Monday night.

  • Daughter arrested for mother’s murder

    WINNSBORO – A Winnsboro woman was arrested on Aug. 12 in connection with the murder investigation of her mother, 57-year-old Gwendolyn Green.

    Barbara Green

    On July 19, 2021, EMS informed Fairfield County Deputies that a patient, Gwendolyn Green, had injuries that were not consistent with what they were told happened.

    Deputies responded to an address on Trade Mill Court and spoke with Green’s daughter, Barbara Green, who stated that Gwendolyn Green was found between an air conditioner and the back stair case.

    Officers reported that other details given to them by Barbara Green were not consistent. The incident report states that Barbara Green appeared drunk and was possibly not well.

    The officers then contacted the ER charge nurse at Prisma Health Richland, who stated that Gwendolyn Green was unconscious upon arrival at the emergency room.

    Gwendolyn Green was observed to have at least three lacerations – one on the right side of her neck, one on the right cheek and one on her right eye lid. According to the report, the charge nurse said she didn’t feel the wounds were self-inflicted.

    Deputies were unable to locate a possible weapon or any witnesses.

    Gwendolyn Green had been transported to Prisma Health Richland Hospital for treatment of injuries from the alleged assault and succumbed to those injuries on Aug. 7. After an autopsy, her death was ruled a homicide.

    On Aug. 12, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested and charged 35-year-old Barbara Jean Green with murder along with Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult resulting in Death.

    Barbara Jean Green is a daughter of the victim, Gwendolyn Green.

  • Rural infrastructure broadband grants awarded

    The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) has issued Notices to Proceed to 16 internet service providers in 22 counties for almost $30 million in projects to expand broadband availability in rural areas of need in our state.

    Earlier this year the Joint Bond Review Committee approved the allocation of $30 million for a competitive rural infrastructure grant program to be administered by ORS in coordination with the South Carolina Department of Commerce, and on May 14, 2021, ORS began accepting applications for projects in eligible counties on a 1:1 matching basis.

    Projects were awarded in the following counties: Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Williamsburg.

    The following companies submitted successful grant applications: Aiken Electric Cooperative, CenturyLink, Comcast, Comporium – Lancaster Telephone Company, Comporium- PBT Communications, Inc., Farmers Telephone Cooperative (FTC), Hargray, Home Telecom, Horry Telephone Cooperative (HTC), Lynches River Electric Cooperative, Newberry Electric Cooperative, Orangeburg County, Palmetto Telephone Communications, Revolution D, Sandhill Telephone Cooperative, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, and TruVista.

    The first construction reports are due to ORS by Oct. 15, 2021, and all projects are scheduled to be completed by October 2022.

    More information can be found at ORS.SC.GOV/broadband. 

  • New hurdles to Mt. Zion relocation

    WINNSBORO – During Monday night’s county council meeting, Council Chair Moses Bell called on several county officials to voice their concerns about plans to relocate the county’s administration operations into the newly renovated Mt. Zion building when it’s completed in October, 2021.

    Bell and Councilwoman Shirley Greene took the lead in voicing those concerns, stating repeatedly that the cost of the renovations to the county has now reached $10 million, up they said, from the initial $8.7 million.

    “That $8.7 million was adjusted to $8.9 million two years ago when council voted to add the teacherage to the project,” according to County Councilman Clarence Gilbert.

    “And the county’s costs are still at $8.9 million, I don’t know where they’re getting those amounts,” Rory Dowling, principal of 1st and Main (the developer), told The Voice on Tuesday, the day after the council meeting. “If they’re including the $900,000 state allotment for the 911 call center, or the [Dominion settlement’s] monument or museum, those are outside the county’s project. The county is only paying $8.9 million for the project.”

    “I think this project is on an extremely high budget,” the county’s newly hired consultant Ed Driggers told council Monday night.

    “You’re going to have cost overruns. Most of those cost overruns have already been approved. That was true with the 911 call center and the changes required to do that. You can’t reverse those types of things,” Driggers said. “Those decisions were made and you’ve moved forward. But they will have implications as you move forward,” he warned.

    Asked following the meeting whether the county’s costs were actually at $10 million, Driggers said he didn’t know.

    “Those are their (council’s) numbers, not mine,” Driggers said.

    Almost a million dollars of those cost overruns, however, were earmarked for the 911 call center’s relocation and upgrades that are state-mandated and state-funded and were not paid for out of the county’s general fund, according to Councilman Doug Pauley, during an interview following the meeting.

    “Those funds are restricted and could only be spent on upgrades for the call center whether the call center relocated to Mt. Zion or stayed in its current location,” Pauley said.

    Fairfield County Interim Administrator Brad Caulder called on Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery to talk about his office’s concerns regarding relocating to the Mt. Zion campus.

    “We have some concerns about our offices being at Mt. Zion, mainly safety,” Montgomery said.

    “The windows are on ground level in the investigator’s office and in my office. So anytime the public is in these places somebody would be able to see them talking to us or could do some type of harm to them.

    “We also have 75 sex offenders who come to our offices every month to register and we’re going to have the rec building right next to our offices,” he said.

    “Another problem is space,” Montgomery said.

    He said the space is smaller than where they are now and that they have lots of training equipment they will need storage space for.

    Driggers added that another concern for Montgomery is that the space that was designated for the Sheriff’s office has since become smaller.

    After Montgomery spoke at the podium, Bell prompted him to lay blame on Taylor.

    “Did you bring these concerns forward with Mr. Taylor and others about the safety and space?” Bell asked.

    “The concerns were brought up day one when we started this project,” Montgomery said.

    Later in the meeting, Bell again prompted Montgomery.

    “I want to be clear,” Bell said. “I really need to be clear. You’re telling us that you shared all these concerns prior to when they started building?”

    “Absolutely,” Montgomery responded. “Everything but the windows.”

    Asked about Montgomery’s concerns, former County Councilman Jimmy Ray Douglas, who voted for the Mt. Zion renovation in 2018, said he never heard Montgomery express these concerns previously and that Montgomery never came before council with them that he could remember.

    Dowling told The Voice that he is not aware that any space designations for the Sheriff have been modified.

    “Their space has never changed. The Sheriff’s department approved the plans two years ago and we have never heard anything more from them or anyone else about their space changing,” Dowling said. “They have the entire first floor and about a third of the second floor. The 911 call center, which is separate from the Sheriff’s offices, is also on the second floor.”

    Former County Administrator Jason Taylor, too, told The Voice that he has not been made aware that the space for the Sheriff’s offices changed after he left the county in June.

    “I went over there with the Sheriff and went over everything about a week before I left,” Taylor said. “We had numerous meetings with all the departments and everyone was always encouraged to look at the plans and tell us how we could make it better. And we had a number of public meetings.”

    Asked by Pauley if he would prefer to relocate or stay in his current building, Montgomery said he would leave that up to the county to decide, but he added, “We’re comfortable where we are.”

    Caulder then called on Driggers to express his opinion about the Sheriff’s concerns.

    “Mr. Driggers has done a great job digging into the construction and contractual obligations of the Mt. Zion renovation,” Caulder said.

    “Mr. Bell, you do remember that you’re about to spend $3.5M on recreation that could be used for a new Sheriff’s building, right?

    — Douglas Pauley, Fairfield County Councilman

    “Talking with Mr. Caulder, I believe the most cost beneficial path for the county would be to allow the Sheriff to stay in his existing situation, to allow resources to be used for the building we are in now,” Driggers said. “For upfit of that, we have some engineering studies that have given us some costs on that.” He did not say what those costs are.

    Bell said another eleventh hour concern is parking.

    “What you (Driggers) told me is that we don’t have near enough parking,” Bell said.

    Asked about the parking, Dowling said that, based on the amount of parking they currently have, there is ample parking at the new facility.

    “And there’s still plenty of space for overflow parking,” Dowling said. “No one from the county has consulted us about this.”

    Bell continued expressing his dissatisfaction with the building.

    “The way you heat it, they got all them open glass windows, so you’re going to have heat and air blowing out the windows. I cannot understand,” Bell said, raising his voice, “why a Sheriff, elected county wide, would not have his voice listened to by the decision makers. It is beyond me to understand that. We’re at a cross roads. This is a bad situation.

    “This is beyond where we ought to be,” Bell continued, becoming emotional.

    He then read from the 2018 council minutes when council approved the Mt. Zion project.

    “‘He (Bell) feels we made a grave mistake,’” he quoted. “‘There are other builders who build new buildings with this type of financing. He said this is a bad mistake.’”

    “People talk about my decisions – that was one,” Bell said.

    “Mr. Bell,” Councilman Douglas Pauley addressed the chair. “You do remember that you’re about to spend $3.5 million on recreation that could be used for a new Sheriff’s building, right?”

    After a pause, Bell shot back, “Mr. Pauley, I’ve not directed any questions to you, and you’re not to direct any questions to me. And it ain’t $3.5 million. It’s $2.5 million. Get your facts straight,” Bell said.

    “What about the mini park?” Pauley asked. “That’s another $1 million, right?”

  • Neighbors of proposed granite quarry speak out

    About 75 people attended the Ridgeway public hearing for proposed Luck mine. | Photos: Mike Fanning

    RIDGEWAY – Neighbors of the granite quarry proposed in Fairfield County expressed their concerns at a public hearing last week that the water usage required by the project will drain their wells and ponds, impacting the water supplies they and future generations will rely upon.

    They told the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and operator Luck Stone that they had very real fears that the water supplies of landowners and the nearby town of Ridgeway could be destroyed by the project.

    “We’re only addressing Ridgeway, and yet the landowners’ wells are going to dry up based on these models,” said John Lyles, one of several neighbors of the proposed project who spoke at the hearing, citing analysis of the data that’s been made publicly available so far.

    “The model isn’t complete. It’s missing calibration wells… and because it’s lacking, I would like to see Luck or rather DHEC delay the decision on this application until that well is drilled and they have an accurate drawdown measurement or at least a drawdown model based on real pumping in that area.”

    With the proposed usage of 100,000 gallons a day for the quarry’s first 12 years of operation, Lyles said the potential impact on the neighbors’ water supplies is of real concern, both for his own spring-fed pond 900 feet from the proposed pit and the wells and ponds of his neighbors.

    Citing the available data, he noted the details of several neighboring water sources that would be highly impacted and even dry up based on the predicted drawdown.

    The 417-acres site of the proposed quarry is near the intersection of state highway 34 and Simpson Circle in Fairfield County, about three and a half miles west of Ridgeway, roughly five miles from Winnsboro, and one mile from Interstate 77.

    About 260 acres is proposed for excavation during the development of the project, and the plan includes buffer areas where the property adjoins neighbors’ land.

    Citing generations of family ownership – in some cases extending back to the 1800s – neighboring residents said that if a 100-year permit is granted to Luck, they fear future generations won’t be able to enjoy the land as they and their ancestors have.

    “A hundred thousand gallons of water per day for the first 12 years of operation. That’s far more water than the towns of Winnsboro, Ridgeway, and all the private landowners in the vicinity collectively use in a day. It’s a lot of water,” said Robert Seibels, another neighbor of the proposed quarry.

    “We’ve been promised an intense transparent and responsive monitoring program. Even if that becomes a reality, we would like to know how Luck Stone or DHEC is going to revive a spring-fed pond with no spring,” Seibels said.

    About 40 people spoke at the hearing, which was part of DHEC’s permitting process for the project. For the quarry to operate, the state agency must approve both a mining permit and an air permit. According to DHEC, public comments will be considered if submitted in writing through Aug. 20.

    The first person to speak in the public hearing portion of the meeting was State Rep. Annie McDaniel, D-Fairfield, who said that, as with a similar project in Chester County (part of which is also in her district), she intends to advocate for constituents.

    “I am very concerned not just about this mine but any industry that comes into our county that could disrupt our environment, that could disrupt our individuals’ properties and communities and could lead to lifelong damage,” McDaniel said.

    Many of the other speakers echoed each other’s concerns, either registering opposition to the quarry or seeking information about the mitigation of potential impacts.

    “No one has adequately answered our question should the mine happen to impact drinking water,” said Morris Lyles, who owns adjacent property along with family members, acknowledging the likely realities if neighbors’ water supply is disrupted.

    “You can’t snap your fingers and dig a new well, nor can you run a water line quickly, nor can you shower very well using bottled water.”

    He asked for clear communication about what would happen and how the company would fix any problems that arise with neighbors’ water sources.

    Residents and other stakeholders also expressed concern about the potential for dust and impacts on the quality of Lake Wateree and the tributary stream near the project, both of which are already impaired by unrelated activity.

    Another concern expressed was the need for transparency and accountability with regard to air, water, and seismic monitoring data if the quarry becomes operational, as well as noise restrictions and communication about blasting schedules.

    A representative of Luck Companies, Ben Thompson, spoke toward the end of the public hearing. He did not address the water quantity concerns directly, but he did promise to engage and partner with the community about water concerns and establish a citizen panel board, and he invited people to call him.

    “All of the monitor wells, dust regulation – all of those things are captured in the regulatory environment. However, they are also open book, so that is public information. Anything we capture is there for public consumption as desired,” Thompson said, “We’re more than happy to share in any conversation.”

    “This is a community of people who are good neighbors, who look out for their neighbors…and I understand that with this project Luck Stone says it wants to be your neighbor,” said Lauren Megill Milton, an attorney with the South Carolina Environmental Law Project.

    “I want Luck Stone to hear me tonight, and what I have to say is if you want to come to this community, you need to commit to being the kind of neighbor to them that they are to one another, and what that means is transparency. It means sharing the information that you have. It means making promises and keeping them.”

  • Man charged with 19 sex offenses

    COLUMBIA – Fairfield County resident Jonathan David Neel, 23, was arrested on Thursday, Aug. 5 and charged with 19 counts connected to the exploitation of minors. 

    Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which led them to Neel. According to investigators, Neel solicited a minor for sex, encouraged them to produce child sexual abuse material, distributed child sexual abuse material, possessed child sexual abuse material, and distributed nude images to a minor.

    Neel is charged with four counts of criminal solicitation of a minor, a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count; three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, first degree, a felony offense punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment on each count; three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree, a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count; eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree, a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count; and one count of disseminating obscene material to a person under age eighteen, a felony offense punishable by up to ten years imprisonment.

    Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Attorney General’s Office made the arrest.  Investigators with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), both also members of the state’s ICAC Task Force, as well as the Fairfax (VA) County Police Department, Tuscaloosa (AL) Police Department, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) also assisted in this multistate cooperative investigation. The case will be prosecuted by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson’s Office.

    Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

  • Body of Winnsboro man found near BHS stadium

    BLYTHEWOOD – Richland County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the 10000 block of Wilson Blvd around 9:45 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9 to reports of a body found.

    A deceased male was located near the bushes by the road outside of the Blythewood High School stadium. The Richland County Coroner’s office identified the man as 38-year-old Robert Branham of Winnsboro.

    “We are working with the Richland County Sheriff Department to fully investigate this matter,” Richland County Coroner Rutherford said.

    Rutherford’s office will do an autopsy to determine Branham’s cause of death and will provide an update when available.

  • Town prepares to receive millions

    BLYTHEWOOD – Anticipating millions of dollars in new funds to be coming to the Town in the near future, council voted unanimously Monday night for Town Manager Carroll Williamson to prepare the Town’s budget funds for the additional revenue.

    “Significant revenue funds are anticipated in this budget year that we didn’t know much about as we were going through the budget earlier in the year,” Williamson told council. “I would like to get approval from council to move forward setting up accounts in anticipation of coming back with a budget amendment before you sometime in November.”

    Councilman Donald Brock asked Williams to explain where the anticipated funds are coming from.

    “The ARP (American Rescue Plan) is sending approximately $2 million,” Williamson said. He added that another $250,000, coming from the state, is earmarked for Doko Meadows Park security upgrades. Williamson said there might be other grants coming as well.

    “All that was not in the budget that we currently have,” Williamson said, “so we will have separate accounts for all that and then bring that before you for your approval.”

    Local Gov Investment Pool

    Council also voted 5-0 to utilize the Local Government Investment Pool.

    “The Town has accounts in the local government investment pool held in the state treasurers office,” Williamson said. “It’s a state savings account that many municipalities, counties and schools use to save their excess cash to generate some interest. The Town currently has no funds in these accounts, and we do have excess cash that needs to be in there,” Williamson said.

    “The [Town’s] CPA did recommend that we move the excess cash to this account so, even though interest rates are extraodinarily low now, there is something,” Williamson said. “I think we need to get them in those accounts. The exact amount we’re needing, I’ll go by the Town’s CPA for guidance and I will brief you on that as well.”