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  • Vandals strike Doko Park again

    Steven Hasterok, Director of the Conference and Events Center, examines damage from large ‘donuts’ cut into the park’s athletic field. | Barbara Ball

    BLYTHEWOOD – After the latest in what has been years of varying degrees of vandalism in the town park, Town officials say they’ve had enough.

    During Monday night’s town council meeting Mayor Bryan Franklin announced that the park was struck again over the weekend by vandals who dug deep ruts in the grass, making 20- to 30-foot diameter ‘donut’ circles into the park’s large athletic field on the McLean Road side of the park.

    Teen Arrested

    It was similar to another vandalism during the winter when a Blythewood teenager was arrested after digging deep tracks and ‘donuts’ in the grass in the park with his pickup truck, causing approximately $1,500 in damage.

    The incident was captured on the town park’s surveillance cameras in conjunction with a group of teens who were using the park as a nightly hangout, according to Steve Hasterok, Director of the Conference and Events Center for Doko Manor and Doko Meadows Park.

    Hasterok told Richland County Sheriff’s deputies that the problem had been ongoing.

    While the town did not take that ‘donut’ case to court, the town’s attorney, Shannon Burnett, working with Town Administrator Carroll Williamson and Mayor Bryan Franklin, reached a settlement that Burnett called ‘stiff,’ with the teen’s attorney.

    “He was required to pay $1,500 for the damages and must work 40 hours at the park. Except for his required work there, he is banned from the park for two years,” Burnett said. “If he completes these requirements, the issue is settled. If not, we have the option to prosecute, and we will.

    “We’ve also had vandals breaking lights along the walking trails and ladies have complained about harassment as they go on morning and evening walks,” Franklin said. At least one man has been prosecuted for harassment in the park.

    New Security Options

    While Williamson said Monday evening that he did not know if the current vandalism has been reported to the Richland County Sheriff’s office, he said he has so far been working on gathering information on the incident.

    “We’ve been figuring out who it was and capturing it,” Williamson said. He said it would be reported shortly.

    Town council has in recent months discussed taking steps to stop the vandals, including upgrading surveillance cameras so they will pick up greater detail, keeping a closer eye on park goings-on after dark, and town hall is currently installing an additional gate just past the town Christmas tree in front of Town Hall. That is the only remaining road open to the park after hours.

     Still the vandals persist.

    Franklin said Monday night that the Eagle scouts are coming to put a fence along Freeway Music and then on the south side of the farmers market.

    “That will be a physical barricade, physically impossible to get in unless they violate the ordinance,” he said.

    “I’ve instructed the town attorney to prosecute that individual to the full extent of the law,” Franklin said. “If the barricade doesn’t work and Richland County can’t assist us in enforcing it, then we’ll do a security force of our own.”

    “We’ve been far too lenient and far too patient and now it’s time to enforce the law,” he said. “And we plan to do that.”

  • Death of Fairfield woman being investigated

    Two Suspects Arrested

    CHESTER – Authorities are still working to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of a Fairfield County woman found dead in Chester County on Monday.

    Two suspects are in custody.

    Linda W. Robinson, 63, was found deceased by deputies with the Chester County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 11:40 a.m. Aug. 2. Authorities said her body was discovered on the side of Carpenter Road, in the Lewis Turnout community of Chester County.

    At the time of the discovery, Robinson’s body was unidentified until authorities with the Chester Police Department were called to a Walmart located on JA Cochran Bypass that afternoon to respond to a report of a missing woman.

    According to a release from the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, authorities were told that a woman matching Robinson’s description had last been seen at that Walmart earlier that morning, and through coordinated efforts between Chester PD, Chester County SO and the Chester County Coroner’s Office, Robinson was positively identified as the woman found deceased.

    Authorities later located Robinson’s vehicle, a blue 2009 Honda Odyssey van, that night at approximately 8 p.m. off of James F. Wherry Road in northern Chester County. The vehicle was impounded and has since been processed by SLED’s Crime Scene Unit.

    On Tuesday, Chester County authorities reported that arrest warrants were issued for two individuals, George “Si” Linward Faile and Amber Nicole Harris, in connection with Robinson’s death. By Tuesday night, both individuals had been arrested on murder charges.

    Chester County Sheriff D. Max Dorsey, told Chester County media outlets that Faile is a known meth user who was out on bond from a meth trafficking arrest in July. 

    Robinson’s cause of death has not been released. Authorities said an autopsy was set for Wednesday.

    Authorities are also seeking help from the public in piecing together the events that may have occurred after Robinson went missing. Detectives are searching for any witnesses who may have seen Robinson or her blue van on Monday. Homeowners and businesses in the area are asked to review their video surveillance footage and encouraged to contact detectives if the vehicle was seen passing through their area between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. that day.

    Anyone who believes they may have information regarding the investigation may contact detectives at Chester County SO at 803-581-5131 or 803-385-5433.

  • Lake Wateree man dies in ATV crash

    LAKE WATEREE – Lake Wateree resident Lee Renwick, 27, was killed when the 2018 Polaris ATV he was driving crashed early Sunday morning on Plantation Pointe Road near N. Dutchman Creek Road, about 10 miles north of Ridgeway.

    Renwick

    The crash occurred at 2:38 a.m. according to S. C. Highway Patrol Master Trooper Brandon Bolt.

    Renwick was traveling west on Plantation Pointe Road when the ATV crossed the center of the roadway, traveled off the west side of the road and overturned. Renwick was ejected and died on the scene, according to a Highway Patrol report.

    The incident remains under investigation by the S.C. Highway Patrol and the Fairfield County Coroner’s office.

    A separate fatal ATV crash took place at Carolina Adventure World in Winnsboro, also on Sunday.

    Leonardo Bellorin, 22, of Charlotte, N.C., was a passenger on an ATV that lost control.

    Bellorin was ejected from the ATV. He was transported to MUSC/Fairfield Emergency Department where he was pronounced deceased.

    The incident is under investigation by the Fairfield County Coroner’s Office.

  • SC Women’s Open returns to Cobblestone Aug. 12-15

    BLYTHEWOOD – The South Carolina Women’s Open is set to return to Cobblestone Park Golf Course in Blythewood in just two short weeks, Aug. 12 – 15.

    The four-day tournament kicks off with the Pro-am on Aug. 12. Open to men and women, the teams will be comprised of four amateurs and one professional. The cost is $150 per amateur or $600 per team.

    The morning will begin with an 11 a.m. LPGA clinic, followed by a boxed lunch and the pro-am tournament at 1 p.m. There will be on-course prizes, beverages, a silent auction and an awards ceremony and music by Keith Burns, founding member of the Grammy-nominated ACM & AMA award-winning, platinum-selling group Trick Pony.

    The Womens SC Golf Association’s Senior Professional and Amateur tournament will be Aug. 13-14, and the Open Professional and Amateur Tournament will be Aug 13-15.

    The tournament will shift its focus off of golf on Aug. 13 for a Friday night concert at the Palmetto Citizens Amphitheater in Doko Meadows Park. The free event will feature Keith Burns of Trick Pony. Robbie Cockrell and Mason Horne will open for Burns.  Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. VIP Meet and Greet tickets are available at $50.

    For more information on the four-day event or to register for the Pro-Am, visit www.southcarolinawomensopen.com.

  • Blythewood teen dies in crash

    BLYTHEWOOD – Sierra Rosario, 17, and an eleventh grader at Westwood High School, was killed in an early morning crash on Interstate 26 on Sunday.

    The teen was driving a 2018 Hyundai sedan east on I-26 when a 2011 Jeep SUV, traveling in the opposite direction, collided with the Hyundai in the eastbound lane.

    Christian Lucille, 34, the driver of the SUV also died at the scene.

    “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of one of our beloved students,” Westwood High School Principal Robert Jackson said in a prepared statement.

    “The school has been in compete contact with the Rosario family and wishes to convey our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to them and Sierra’s many friends,” Jackson said. “Let’s keep them in our thoughts and prayers. Please join us in respecting their privacy wishes and collectively refrain from reaching out to them at this time.”

    The crash happened at 5:30 a.m. at the 119 mile marker on I-26, Cpl. Nick Pye of the South Carolina Highway Patrol reported.

    Information about why the Jeep was traveling in the wrong direction was not available. The collision continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.

  • Missing Winnsboro man found dead

    FAIRFIELD COUNTY – The Fairfield County Coroner Chris Hill announced that Jeffrey Harrison, 62, of Winnsboro, was found deceased on July 22 off of Old River Rd. in Fairfield County.

    Harrison, who had been reported missing to Winnsboro Public Safety on July 14, 2021, was found inside of a wrecked vehicle that had gone off of the roadway into a ravine.

    The death remains under investigation by Fairfield County Coroners Office, Winnsboro Public Safety and South Carolina Highway Patrol.

  • County hires $200/hour consultant to assist admin

    WINNSBORO – The County’s Human Resources Director Brad Caulder was hired last month by the majority 4 as the county’s interim administrator to replace former Fairfield County Administrator Jason Taylor. Last week Caulder hired a $200 per hour consult to assist him in his administrative duties.

    Ed Driggers

    Ed Driggers, a consultant with Parker Poe, will be paid for a minimum of 10 hours or $2,000 per week, which would total $8,000 per month or about $100,000 annually, just $25,000 under Caulder’s annual salary. Caulder said Driggers will likely work about 20 hours a week initially, which would total $16,000 per month or about $200,000 annually.

    Caulder said that after a while, he would expect Driggers hours to drop back to about 10 per week.

    A section of Driggers’ agreement with the county also provides for $40 per hour for any personnel that Driggers hires to work under him on any of the county’s projects.

    The consulting agreement also provides for both Driggers and anyone he should hire to work under him to be reimbursed for mileage and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

    The minimum cost to the county for Driggers ($100,000 annually) and Caulder ($125,000 annually) totals $225,000 annually.

    Caulder is under contract for six months.

    Top employees receiving extra pay

    Caulder also told The Voice that some of the county’s top level employees will receive extra pay for extra work. He would not say how much extra money they are receiving, who those employees are or whether the extra pay is temporary or permanent.

    After several top level employees, including Taylor, the town attorney, assistant county administrator, clerk to council, community development director, parks and recreation director and others were pushed out by the majority 4 or left voluntarily since the first of the year. Caulder said this has caused an extra load of work on the remaining employees.

    A search is underway for candidates for permanent county administrator. Other vacant jobs in the county right now include the clerk to council position, community development director, human resources director and a permanent parks and recreation director.

  • How will majority 4 spend $7.6M?

    WINNSBORO – Approximately $7.6 million is coming to Fairfield County this month from the Dominion settlement, and county council is looking at their options for how to spend it.

    According to the $99.5 million settlement agreement, which was finalized in May and resulted from the county’s lawsuit in relation to the failed nuclear plant project, the $7.6 million is earmarked to assist the county in paying down its bond obligations.

    Specifically, it’s aimed at the $24 million bond – primarily for infrastructure projects – that the county committed to in 2013, anticipating revenue that would’ve been generated by the new plant.

    What’s not specified, however, is exactly how the county must use the money in its debt repayment effort. There are several options.

    Make Bond Payments Directly

    One option would be to use the money directly to cover the county’s bond payments for the next five years, storing it in an account earmarked for that purpose.

    The idea behind this option would be to simply fill in the gap, anticipating that within the next five years the county will have enough revenue coming in from new industries developed in that time to then cover the payments going forward.

    Pay to Principal, Lower Millage

    Another option would be to put the lump sum toward the principal of the loan and refinance what remains, bringing the county’s annual bond payment down from $1.7 million to approximately $1.2 million.

    Because of how bond payments are structured in relation to tax millage, this would result in a corresponding reduction in property taxes, reducing the county’s property tax revenue by approximately half a million dollars annually going forward.

    Use for Current Financial Issues

    A third option – and this is one that Bell appears to have his eye on and that he says the council is seeking more information to consider – would be to continue to make bond payments in the current fashion but use the money from the settlement to reimburse the county for the payments, essentially freeing up money for other things he might want to use it for.

    This, he says, would help the county to deal with current pressing financial issues and other immediate priorities.

    For example, he says, the county needs to make up the difference between the $4.2 million committed to a needed courthouse renovation project and the $5.3 million the project is expected to cost. And county leaders need to have money on hand for economic development opportunities that may arise.

    “We’re trying to make sure we have every option that can be good for the council to consider, so that’s what we’re working on currently,” Bell says. “We’re going to try to decide what are the best options for us as a county, knowing the financial situation we’re currently in.”

    He says that while opinions may differ on what is the best course of action, whatever the council ultimately decides, he hopes everyone will get on board.

    The $7.6 million, while a large sum in relation to the county’s budget and debts, is a relatively small piece of the pie in the total settlement.

    The $99.5 million settlement, which was announced in May, came after four years of legal process and negotiation after South Carolina Electric & Gas (SC E&G) parent company SCANA Corporation failed to develop its two planned nuclear reactors in Fairfield County.

    After SCANA abruptly announced the abandonment of the $9 billion project in mid-2017, investigations revealed fraud and ultimately led to criminal charges – resulting in prison time and other penalties – for two executives, plus a $25 million civil fine for the company.

    The Fairfield County lawsuit was one of several faced by SCANA and Dominion, the Virginia-based energy giant that bought them out in early 2019.

    Fairfield County leaders have touted the settlement as a win-win for the county and Dominion, which provides electricity for much of the county through its existing plant and stands to gain additional customers from development.

    The biggest chunk of the settlement — $45.7 million – is earmarked for development of the county’s much-needed wastewater treatment plant, which is being built to accommodate both residential and industrial growth in the county.

    An additional $13.4 million is also earmarked for economic development projects: $6.5 million to grade an industrial mega-site, $3.2 million for grading at the Commerce Center, $1.8 million escrow for rate relief, and $2 million for a spec building at the Commerce Center.

    The three most controversial earmarks have been the $2.2 million for a teachers’ village, $2.5 million for a park and recreation center in Ridgeway, and $1 million for a Martin Luther King monument on the grounds of Mt. Zion. A $27.1 million chunk of the settlement is going to the attorneys assisting the county in the settlement.

  • Shots fired on W. College St.

    WINNSBORO – The Winnsboro Department of Public Safety (WDPS) responded to a call July 19 of shots fired in the 400 block of W. College Street.

    When units arrived, all involved parties had left the scene, according to a WDPS incident report.

    A witness reported seeing a black male running up the street shooting at a dark colored Nissan Altima with tinted windows.  The witness reportedly did not recognize the shooter.

    A short time later, a Nissan Altima was seen at the Master Shell Service Station with bullet holes and a flat tire.

    No injuries were reported.

    The subjects in the car were questioned and released. Officers collected a total of 16 shells from the shooting scene as well as bullet fragments from the struck vehicle.

    The shells and fragments will be sent to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for analysis.

    Anyone with information about the shooter is asked to contact WDPS at 803-635-4511.

  • Town council terminates MPA contract, files countersuit

    From left: Councilmen Sloan Griffin and Donald Brock, outside legal counsel David Black, and councilmen Larry Griffin and Eddie Baughman | Barbara Ball

    BLYTHEWOOD – The nine-month long Blythewood town council/marketing fiasco continued Tuesday night with a special called meeting that ended with council filing a countersuit against MPA Strategies and terminating the firm’s contract with the Town.

    The countersuit follows a complaint filed by MPA against the Town on June 28, after Mayor Bryan Franklin failed to submit documents to MPA in response to MPA’s FOIA request dated April 15.

    While MPA received those documents on July 9, that was after MPA had filed suit.

    “There is a violation of the SC Freedom of Information Act by not responding within the statutorily-required time and when information is turned over after a lawsuit is served. That usually means prevailing party status is given to the requester which almost assures they will win and their attorney’s fees and costs will be paid by taxpayer money,” Taylor Smith, attorney for the S.C. Press Association, said in an email to The Voice.

    Ashley Hunter, owner and CEO of MPA Strategies

    Going into executive session Tuesday night with the town’s newly hired outside counsel David Black, Mayor Bryan Franklin, who was not present but attended virtually, said council would receive legal advice relating to claims and potential claims received by and against the Town and other matters covered by attorney client privilege.

    After an approximately two-hour executive session, council resumed public session and Franklin read a prepared statement.

    “We have learned tonight that our attorney is working for the town’s best interest, not for individual council members or the mayor.

    “We have learned and understand that it is our duty and obligation as elected officials of the Town to conduct business using conduct that is beyond reproach and with businesses that also meet that standard.

    “I am of the opinion that we have not done this with the marketing contract,” he said. “We have a duty tonight to correct this mistake and re-establish harmony in our town ahead of on-going legal actions,” Franklin concluded.

    “What say you, council members?” Franklin asked from the monitor screen.

    Councilman Sloan Griffin spoke up immediately and strongly, saying, “With the advice of our legal counsel and with the health and harmony amongst this council and your office, I am making a motion to execute in accordance with the advice of our attorney, our 60-day opt-out clause in the MPA contract.”

    Councilman Eddie Baughman seconded the motion.

    Town Attorney Shannon Burnett spoke up to clarify Griffin’s motion.

    “We can opt for the 60-day opt out clause and pay her that money we had talked about, but request that money be held in escrow pending the litigation and also that we go ahead and pay her that but not use her services beginning now,” Burnett said.

    Sloan Griffin corrected his motion.

    “The Town would enter into the 60-day opt out and pay MPA what is owed but terminate services immediately and request to hold the money in escrow per litigation,” he said.

    Baughman once again seconded the motion.

    The vote in favor of the motion was 3-1, with Sloan Griffin, Franklin and Baughman voting for and Councilman Donald Brock voting against. Councilman Larry Griffin left the meeting early due to a death in his family earlier in the day.

    Following the meeting, Sloan Griffin said he based his vote on the attorney’s legal advice.

    The countersuit was filed in Richland County Circuit Court on Tuesday afternoon, but it was not made available to The Voice, and had not been posted on the public index at press time on Wednesday. After the meeting, neither the council members nor the town administrator would reveal what the countersuit addressed or why MPA’s contract was being terminated.

    The Voice was told that affidavits were signed earlier on Tuesday by Town Administrator Carroll Williamson, Town Attorney Shannon Burnett and Franklin, attesting that the information in the complaint is correct.

    Ashley Hunter, owner and CEO of MPA Strategies, started her work marketing the Town and writing grants on May 1. During her first month on the job, she brought in a $10,000 grant for the Town from International Paper Company.

    “The first round of funding for the grant automatically makes us eligible for the second round [another $10,000] as well,” she said. “So it will be a two-part pot of funding for our park here in Blythewood.”

    Hunter reported at the May council meeting that engagement on the Town’s Instagram account has more than tripled.

    “I’ve also been spending time meeting with various non-profits, associations and corporate teams about reserving this beautiful space (the Manor). Lots of people are asking for proposals so I’ve been working closely with Carroll [Williamson] on this.”

    The Voice will make more information available about the Town’s counter suit against MPA as it is made available.