WINNSBORO – A fatal head-on vehicle crash occurred on U. S. Highway 321, at approximately 1:55 p.m. Tuesday about two miles south of Winnsboro.
According to the SC Highway Patrol officer Joe Hovis a 2003 GMC pickup was traveling North on US Hwy 321 when it crashed head on with a 2014 Dodge pickup truck traveling South.
The driver of the GMC, a 27-year-old female and a 17-year old male passenger, both of Winnsboro, were injured and transported to Palmetto Richland Hospital. The female was seatbelted and it was not determined whether the male passenger was wearing his seatbelt, according to the report.
Trooper Hovis reported that a second passenger, a 20-year-old female, was injured and succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Both passengers in the GMC were trapped and had to be mechanically extracted from the vehicle.
The driver of the Dodge truck, a 53-year-old male, of Winnsboro, was also injured and transported to Palmetto Richland, the report stated.
The accident is under investigation by the SC Highway Patrol and the Fairfield County Coroner’s office.
This story will be updated as information is available.
COLUMBIA – Richland Two school board Vice Chair Monica Elkins-Johnson (seen in the surveillance video wearing a pink jacket) was arrested Thursday and charged with disorderly conduct. The altercation occurred Jan. 22 following a school board meeting at the Richland Two Institute of Innovation on Fashion Drive in Columbia.
School Board Vice Chair Monica Elkins Johnson arrested
COLUMBIA – A Richland Two school board member has been criminally charged for her role in an altercation moments after a recent board meeting.
Elkins-Johnson
Monica Elkins Johnson, 51, of Columbia, has been charged with disorderly conduct, according to online police and court records.
Elkins Johnson was charged Thursday. Bond information was unavailable as of Thursday afternoon.
The charge comes following a heated exchange that also included State Sen. Mia McLeod and Stacy McKie, husband of Richland Two chairwoman Amelia McKie.
A Richland County Sheriff’s Office news release says Elkins-Johnson “did attack several individuals,” and cursed and threatened them. The incident was caught on video, the release said.
Elkins-Johnson turned herself in at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where as of Thursday afternoon she was awaiting a bond hearing, the release continued.
Two police reports were filed in relation to the altercation that followed the Jan. 22 board meeting at the Richland Two Institute of Innovation.
One report stated that as McLeod and her sister were leaving the meeting, the suspect aggressively approached one of the sisters.
A second report stated the suspect called Stacy McKie several “offensive words,” and threatened to kill him.
Elkins Johnson filed a complaint a petition for a restraining order against Stacy McKie, claiming in court records that he cursed at her and alleged harassment. A magistrate denied Elkins-Johnson’s petition.
Things turned heated after the Jan. 22 board meeting, a meeting in which the board discussed proposed policy revisions that would make it easier to remove board members from officer positions, such as board chair, vice-chair or treasurer.
The proposed policy changes come following an investigation by The Voice into Richland Two board members filing to file required ethics forms with the S.C. Ethics Commission.
McKie was recently fined $51,750 for failing to file several campaign disclosure reports.
Elkins-Johnson didn’t file several quarterly campaign disclosure reports from the 2016 campaign until Dec. 27, 2018, according to the ethics commission online database.
It is unclear what ethics fines, if any, Elkins-Johnson faces. An ethics commission spokesperson couldn’t be reached Thursday.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
Updated: R2 Board meeting ends in melee
COLUMBIA – An altercation involving a state senator, the spouse of the Richland Two school board chair and a second board member, erupted following a recent board meeting, according to public records obtained by The Voice.
The skirmish resulted in two separate police reports being filed against the subject (the reported school board member), whose name is redacted in the report, and a petition for a restraining order against Stacy McKie, spouse of board chair Amelia McKie.
A heavily redacted Richland County Sheriff’s Office report lists the incident type as “simple assault” in one report and “all other offenses” in the other. One report states the subject “was threatening to kill” McKie’s husband.
Although the police report contained significant redactions, Richland Two board member Monica Elkins-Johnson is named in the restraining order petition.
Elkins-Johnson sought a restraining order against Stacy McKie, alleging harassment, court documents state.
“I felt threatened and would ask that he not be allowed to come near me,” Elkins-Johnson wrote.
Daniel Coble, associate chief magistrate for Richland County, sided with Stacy McKie, and denied Elkins-Johnson’s petition.
Elkins-Johnson couldn’t be reached for comment. Amelia McKie, board chair, also couldn’t be reached.
In one of the police reports, McLeod and her sister are identified as saying they wish to prosecute. Attempts to reach McLeod have been unsuccessful.
Reports redacted
Sen. McLeod’s name is unredacted in the narrative. McKie, the school board chair, is also identified in the report by her elected post.
All other names of subjects, victims and witnesses were blackened. The only redactions in the restraining order petition were the plaintiff’s (Elkins-Johnson) and defendant’s (Stacy McKie) addresses and contact information.
Jay Bender, an attorney with the S.C. Press Association, of which The Voice is a member, said there’s no legitimate reason to redact the names of elected officials in any incident report, especially if they’re involved in an altercation following a school board or other public meeting.
“Taking the names out doesn’t mean it didn’t happen,” Bender said. “The law is very clear, when you’re involved in a matter of public interest and at a public meeting getting into a fracas, there is no right of privacy.”
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Capt. Maria Yturria said the names were redacted because the investigation is ongoing. Yturria said no arrests have been made.
Bill Rogers, executive director of the S.C. Press Association, disputed the sheriff office’s interpretation of state law.
“I think this is an example of over-redaction. This is not something that’s going to hinder an investigation, it’s just covering up,” Rogers said. “These are public officials and the public has a right to know what they’re doing.”
Board members react
Things turned chippy shortly after last Tuesday’s meeting in which the board discussed proposed changes in board policy that would allow for the removal of the chairman, vice-chairman and secretary with cause.
The policy change comes in response to investigative reports by The Voice into board member ethics violations.
In June 2018, the S.C. Ethics Commission fined McKie $41,000 for failing to file several ethics reports. The fine jumped to $51,750 on Dec. 31 when she failed to pay the first $21,000 in fines.
Several other board members also failed to file various ethics reports on time during the 2018 election cycle, public records show.
At last week’s board meeting, but before the filing of police reports and restraining order petitions, board member Lindsay Agostini publicly called for McKie to step down as the board’s chairman, but not from her board post.
“After being informed by media of missing documents which took over a month for the chair to complete, she has taken no ownership of any wrongdoing,” Agostini said from the dais. “As you try to straighten things up for you and your family, I at a minimum ask that you step down as chair. A premier district deserves a premier board.”
Reached by phone Monday, Agostini declined to comment on the altercation described in the two police reports, or whether the proposed board policy changes should apply to last Tuesday’s incident as well.
Agostini would only say she’s saddened by the attention that’s being drawn to board member conduct.
“It saddens me that we are going through this experience,” she said. “I’m grateful that our administration is continuing to focus on our students and our teachers.”
Board member James Manning, who said he had no knowledge of the altercation beyond media reports, said the proposed board policy changes aren’t aimed at a specific individual or type of conduct.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s an ethics issue or some sort of police report,” he said. “The issue is when does one of our officers become ineffective in carrying out their roles and responsibilities?”
Documents detail drama
According to one incident report, as McLeod and her sister were leaving last week’s board meeting, the subject had an altercation with McKie’s spouse.
The subject, the report said, then aggressively approached one of the sisters whose name is redacted, while the other (also redacted) moved between them, the report continues.
The subject then pushed one of the sisters and cursed at McLeod and others according to the incident report. There were no injuries, but McLeod said she was in fear for her safety, and security had to restrain the subject, the report stated.
In the parking lot after the meeting, The Voice observed board member Monica Elkins-Johnson and at least one other board member near a car. Two security guards stood nearby.
Superintendent Dr. Baron Davis was present too, though he is not named in any of the police reports or court documents obtained by The Voice.
A second police report filed by a man who sources say is McKie’s spouse stated that the subject called him several “offensive words” and threatened to kill him. He said in the report that the subject also punched another person.
The altercation continued into the parking lot. When the subject approached McKie’s spouse a second time, she had to be restrained, the report continued.
“[Complainant/Victim] is concerned about the subject possibly approaching him again in a volatile and confrontational manner,” the report states.
On the following day, Elkins-Johnson sought a restraining order against Stacy McKie, saying in court records that the two were involved in a confrontation following the Jan. 22 school board meeting.
The confrontation occurred around 9:30 p.m. at the Richland Two Institute for Innovation, where board meetings are held.
“The defendant’s wife has been accused of ethics violations,” Elkins-Johnson wrote in the complaint. “Therefore, she invited her allies (about 30) to attend the meeting.”
Elkins-Johnson goes on to say in the complaint that she was speaking with some church members when she noticed Stacy McKie standing off to her left.
“I spoke to him. He loudly said to me, [expletive], don’t speak to me. I don’t [expletive] with you like that,” the document states. “The discussion continued and then he came closer to me and asked ‘what do I want to do?’”
Council Chair Neil Robinson listens during economic development presentation. | Michael Smith
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County kicked off 2019 by finalizing a major economic development project and leasing the rehabilitation center on the Fairfield Memorial Hospital campus.
County Council members voted unanimously Monday night on final approval of a fee-in-lieu of taxes, or FILOT, agreement for MLily, a Chinese-owned mattress company set to launch operations this year in the old Mack Truck Building.
Healthcare Co. Ltd., parent company of MLily, plans to invest $45 million in Fairfield County and is expected to create 250 jobs.
Located at 1 Guardian Way in Winnsboro, the operation will specialize in the production of memory-foam mattresses. The company also produces pillows and sofas.
Through the FILOT, new industries see their taxes drop from 10.5 percent to roughly 6 percent. Depending on the company, special source revenue credits may may also apply.
County Administrator Jason Taylor said the FILOT deals like the one reached with MLily have become commonplace as competition to land new industry has grown increasingly stiff.
“You have to compete against a number of other counties, a number of other countries,” Taylor said.
Ty Davenport, the county’s economic development director, said MLily’s economic impact on Fairfield County is significant. He estimated it will take eight to 10 months before MLily begins operation.
“Two hundred fifty jobs is a great lick for any community, and it’s a huge one for ours, so we’re very thankful for that.” Davenport said. “It’s a great way to start the year off. I think it’ll be a good place to work.”
Megasite Update
Also at Monday’s meeting, Davenport updated council members on the megasite, a 1,500-acre parcel off I-77 at Highway 34 in Ridgeway, that county leaders hope will be a hub for more industry.
Davenport said there’s been activity at the site, mainly surveying potential roads and water and sewer lines.
“Really they’re just gathering data that will be used in the design process,” he said. “No pipe is being laid and no roads are being built until we get all this information together.”
Councilman Jimmy Ray Douglas said he thinks a new sewer plant is needed to help market the mega site. He said the plant could be done in conjunction with the proposed one-cent sales tax.
“At the next meeting I’ll reveal what I’m talking about,” Douglas said.
County leases Rehab Center
In related business, the council also approved a lease agreement with Palmetto Health to operate the rehab center.
County Administrator Jason Taylor said part of the deal includes granting Palmetto Health six months of free lease. If the rehab center meets certain benchmarks, another six months of free lease would be awarded.
“We knew the rehab center that was there was the bright, shining star. We wanted to find a way to save it,” Taylor said. “In the end, we decided Palmetto was the best fit for what we were looking for.”
Ridgeway resident Randy Bright commended the county for striking a deal to save the rehab center.
“Keeping rehab within the county, believe me, it took a lot of work to make this happen. It is so beneficial,” Bright said. “It fills a need not only for residents, but also for growth.”
Gilbert on Providence Board
It was announced Monday night that County Councilman Clarence Gilbert has been appointed to the board of Providence Health.
“In our contract with Providence Health, County Council is allowed to recommend a council member to be placed on Providence Health’s board which, in turn, confirms that nomination. Gilbert will serve a two-year term.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve on Providence’s board,” Gilbert said. “And I’m looking forward to working hard to be of service to the hospital, our new ER and the county.
The County provides $1 million a year to Providence Health’s new ER facility in Winnsboro.
BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood residents got their first look at two choices for the planned improvements on McNulty Drive Thursday night at a public informational meeting held at Doko Manor.
From 5 to 7 p.m. residents poured into the manor to view two concept plans for the area being considered by the Richland County Transportation Penny Program.
The purpose of the meeting was to gather public input on the two plans currently being offered for improvements to McNulty Drive that include roadway resurfacing, on-street parking, bike and pedestrian accommodations, lighting and landscaping.
The first option presented from the program included a 75 foot roadway that would then have sidewalks and bike lanes to be lined with detailed landscaping. The plans also allowed space for on-street parking along the roadway and a roundabout to be installed at the street’s intersection with Boney Road.
In the second and more recent option conceived for consideration, the roadways would take up less space with no on-street parking and a far less detailed landscaping plan. The second concept also did away with the on-street parking, but kept the potential plan for a roundabout t Boney Road.
Residents George and Dorothy Wilson said they favored the second option, and while they were not certain that a roundabout was the appropriate measure to take, believed that intervention at the Boney Road intersection was long overdue.
“The traffic in the morning and afternoon is horrible with the school traffic through there,” George Wilson stated.
“It gets all backed up and then cross traffic from McNulty pull out past the stop sign and then make it even more congested. It’s a real problem and I’m glad they are addressing it.”
The vast majority of those attending the meeting shared the Wilson’s opinion that the more recent “Alternative B” was the best fit for the town of Blythewood.
Longtime resident and chair of the Architectural Review Board Jim McLean said he felt that the first alternative, with its elaborate landscaping and on-street parking, was both unnecessary and overreaching.
“It’s taking away too much property; there is no need for on-street parking when there is already parking in place for these businesses along the street. It’s just not needed,” McLean stated.
Resident Bob Haynes agreed that the on-street parking was “unnecessary” and said that he had no problem with a roundabout if that is what the program saw best fit the Boney Road intersection, but he questioned how much property would be taken up by it. He also said he felt that the upcoming construction of a new Bethel-Hanberry school might remove its need.
Current plans for the new school call for the demolition of the present building, and construction of a new facility just behind its present location. The Blythewood ballfield would remain in its location and the curve (around the school) on Boney Road past the McNulty intersection will be straightened out.
“You might not even need (the traffic circle) after that,” Haynes stated.
Blythewood Mayor J. Michael Ross said that he was pleased with both the turn out and the constructive comments he was hearing from residents during the meeting.
“I am very pleased to see the public coming out to view these plans and to let us know what they think. We always have a big turnout for these type of meetings and I’m glad to see it,” Ross stated.
In regards to the overwhelming approval of the “Alternate B” drawings, Ross said that he agreed with the things he was hearing and that he could see further potential with that preference. Referencing a parcel of land located between the library and the Richland County Magistrate’s Office, Ross offered that the city could explore purchasing the land from its private owner and offer additional parking for the ball field.
“It’s just one idea that I thought might have potential, but with the money that we are saving from not going with the first concept, we could use that to purchase these land and develop it as a parking lot with direct access to the ballfield behind it.
The public comment period for residents to submit their recommendations or concerns will end on Feb. 8. After that date, the project team will review and consider all comments received in their further development of the project.
A second public meeting is expected to be held later this year to display the final conceptual plan to the public for final discussion.
WINNSBORO – A previously dismissed lawsuit alleging sexual harassment at Fairfield Memorial Hospital is once again active.
On Dec. 28, an attorney for Tabitha Williams, a former employee of the hospital, refiled the suit in circuit court. It was removed to federal court on Jan. 22.
In May 2017 it had been dismissed without prejudice, which allows plaintiffs to refile an identical lawsuit at a later date, according to the U.S. Judicial Department website.
Williams is seeking damages for back and front pay, embarrassment and humiliation, punitive damages, legal fees and other unspecified damages, according to the litigation. No court date has been set.
“He (the employee) began a period of inappropriate and aggressive communications with Plaintiff in and out of the work place,” the suit states. “Plaintiff is informed and believes that her termination resulted from her refusal to engage in sexual activity with Defendant.”
The federal court database had the listed case’s disposition as “settled,” though no details of any settlement were ever released. Fairfield Memorial Hospital and the employee, individually, are named as codefendants in the litigation.
Columbia attorney Jeff Goodwyn, who’s representing Williams, couldn’t be reached for comment.
Charles Thompson, who is listed in court papers as an attorney for the defendants, also couldn’t be reached.
In a response filed prior to dismissal, the hospital said the plaintiff was dismissed for poor job performance and attendance issues.
The hospital also said the plaintiff refused to cooperate in an investigation into her complaint, court records state.
Initially filed Feb. 22 in Kershaw County Circuit Court, the suit says Williams, a former certified nursing assistant, was harassed by a human resources employee.
The lawsuit said the employee made several unwanted sexual comments beginning in October 2016.
Calling the employee a “sexual predator,” the lawsuit states the unwanted advances came during conversations at work, on the phone and via text message.
Williams further says the employee tried to “lure Plaintiff” into a sexual relationship, which she declined. Williams said the employee fired her the following August, “ostensibly for reasons related to job performance,” the suit continues.
Richland Two board member Monica Elkins-Johnson, right, was denied a restraining order against Board chair’s husband. | Barbara Ball
COLUMBIA – An altercation involving a state senator, the spouse of the Richland Two school board chair and a second board member, erupted following a recent board meeting, according to public records obtained by The Voice.
The skirmish resulted in two separate police reports being filed against the subject (the reported school board member), whose name is redacted in the report, and a petition for a restraining order against Stacy McKie, spouse of board chair Amelia McKie.
A heavily redacted Richland County Sheriff’s Office report lists the incident type as “simple assault” in one report and “all other offenses” in the other. One report states the subject “was threatening to kill” McKie’s husband.
Although the police report contained significant redactions, Richland Two board member Monica Elkins-Johnson is named in the restraining order petition.
Elkins-Johnson sought a restraining order against Stacy McKie, alleging harassment, court documents state.
“I felt threatened and would ask that he not be allowed to come near me,” Elkins-Johnson wrote.
Daniel Coble, associate chief magistrate for Richland County, sided with Stacy McKie, and denied Elkins-Johnson’s petition.
Elkins-Johnson couldn’t be reached for comment. Amelia McKie, board chair, also couldn’t be reached.
In one of the police reports, McLeod and her sister are identified as saying they wish to prosecute. Attempts to reach McLeod have been unsuccessful.
Reports redacted
Sen. McLeod’s name is unredacted in the narrative. McKie, the school board chair, is also identified in the report by her elected post.
All other names of subjects, victims and witnesses were blackened. The only redactions in the restraining order petition were the plaintiff’s (Elkins-Johnson) and defendant’s (Stacy McKie) addresses and contact information.
Jay Bender, an attorney with the S.C. Press Association, of which The Voice is a member, said there’s no legitimate reason to redact the names of elected officials in any incident report, especially if they’re involved in an altercation following a school board or other public meeting.
“Taking the names out doesn’t mean it didn’t happen,” Bender said. “The law is very clear, when you’re involved in a matter of public interest and at a public meeting getting into a fracas, there is no right of privacy.”
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Capt. Maria Yturria said the names were redacted because the investigation is ongoing. Yturria said no arrests have been made.
Bill Rogers, executive director of the S.C. Press Association, disputed the sheriff office’s interpretation of state law.
“I think this is an example of over-redaction. This is not something that’s going to hinder an investigation, it’s just covering up,” Rogers said. “These are public officials and the public has a right to know what they’re doing.”
Board members react
Things turned chippy shortly after last Tuesday’s meeting in which the board discussed proposed changes in board policy that would allow for the removal of the chairman, vice-chairman and secretary with cause.
The policy change comes in response to investigative reports by The Voice into board member ethics violations.
In June 2018, the S.C. Ethics Commission fined McKie $41,000 for failing to file several ethics reports. The fine jumped to $51,750 on Dec. 31 when she failed to pay the first $21,000 in fines.
Several other board members also failed to file various ethics reports on time during the 2018 election cycle, public records show.
At last week’s board meeting, but before the filing of police reports and restraining order petitions, board member Lindsay Agostini publicly called for McKie to step down as the board’s chairman, but not from her board post.
“After being informed by media of missing documents which took over a month for the chair to complete, she has taken no ownership of any wrongdoing,” Agostini said from the dais. “As you try to straighten things up for you and your family, I at a minimum ask that you step down as chair. A premier district deserves a premier board.”
Reached by phone Monday, Agostini declined to comment on the altercation described in the two police reports, or whether the proposed board policy changes should apply to last Tuesday’s incident as well.
Agostini would only say she’s saddened by the attention that’s being drawn to board member conduct.
“It saddens me that we are going through this experience,” she said. “I’m grateful that our administration is continuing to focus on our students and our teachers.”
Board member James Manning, who said he had no knowledge of the altercation beyond media reports, said the proposed board policy changes aren’t aimed at a specific individual or type of conduct.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s an ethics issue or some sort of police report,” he said. “The issue is when does one of our officers become ineffective in carrying out their roles and responsibilities?”
Documents detail drama
According to one incident report, as McLeod and her sister were leaving last week’s board meeting, the subject had an altercation with McKie’s spouse.
The subject, the report said, then aggressively approached one of the sisters whose name is redacted, while the other (also redacted) moved between them, the report continues.
The subject then pushed one of the sisters and cursed at McLeod and others according to the incident report. There were no injuries, but McLeod said she was in fear for her safety, and security had to restrain the subject, the report stated.
In the parking lot after the meeting, The Voice observed board member Monica Elkins-Johnson and at least one other board member near a car. Two security guards stood nearby.
Superintendent Dr. Baron Davis was present too, though he is not named in any of the police reports or court documents obtained by The Voice.
A second police report filed by a man who sources say is McKie’s spouse stated that the subject called him several “offensive words” and threatened to kill him. He said in the report that the subject also punched another person.
The altercation continued into the parking lot. When the subject approached McKie’s spouse a second time, she had to be restrained, the report continued.
“[Complainant/Victim] is concerned about the subject possibly approaching him again in a volatile and confrontational manner,” the report states.
On the following day, Elkins-Johnson sought a restraining order against Stacy McKie, saying in court records that the two were involved in a confrontation following the Jan. 22 school board meeting.
The confrontation occurred around 9:30 p.m. at the Richland Two Institute for Innovation, where board meetings are held.
“The defendant’s wife has been accused of ethics violations,” Elkins-Johnson wrote in the complaint. “Therefore, she invited her allies (about 30) to attend the meeting.”
Elkins-Johnson goes on to say in the complaint that she was speaking with some church members when she noticed Stacy McKie standing off to her left.
“I spoke to him. He loudly said to me, [expletive], don’t speak to me. I don’t [expletive] with you like that,” the document states. “The discussion continued and then he came closer to me and asked ‘what do I want to do?’”
WINNSBORO – A detainee at the Fairfield County Detention Center was found deceased in his cell on Sunday from an apparent suicide, Deputy County Administrator Davis Anderson reported.
The detainee, 28-year-old Brent Ray Croxton of Great Falls, was found at 11:30 a.m., according to Anderson.
FCDC is conducting an internal investigation. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has also launched an investigation into the matter. As these investigations are completed more information will be provided with a full report.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – The Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on a burglary and an armed robbery at convenience stores in Fairfield County last week.
Burglary at Lebanon Mart
Three suspects used a pry bar to force entry into Lebanon Mart convenience store, located at 6058 Newberry Road, according to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s department. The break-in occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
Upon gaining entry, the suspects used a chain attached to their vehicle to remove the ATM that was bolted to the floor. They also stole a safe containing two cash register drawers, money, and miscellaneous documents, along with approximately 200 packs of Newport cigarettes.
The suspects were of medium build and had their faces and hands covered according to the report. They were using a dark colored 2002-2006 Chevrolet Suburban. This burglary may also be associated with a burglary that occurred in Union County on the same date, Sheriff Will Montgomery said.
Armed Robbery at Grand Central Station
Surveillance video of suspect in Grand Central Station armed robbery on Jan. 24.
In a separate incident at about 2:16 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24, a black male entered Grand Central Station, a convenience store located at exit 48 off of I-77 in Fairfield County. He presented a silver semi-automatic handgun covered in a thin black sock, and demanded money from two clerks. The suspect stated repeatedly, “Give me the money,” “I’m not playing” and “Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up,” according to the report.
After stealing approximately $600, the suspect left in a silver or grey Acura with tinted windows, driven by a second suspect. The suspect had short black hair and was wearing grey sweat pants, a black shirt, a dark grey wool type coat, and a black ski-type mask, the report stated.
To provide information about either crime anonymously through Midlands Crime Stoppers, call 1-888-CRIME-SC or visit www.midlandscrimestoppers.com and click Submit a Tip. Information can also be provided directly to Investigator Karen Castles with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office at 803-718-4102 of 803-635-4141 if anonymity and a reward is not desired.
COLUMBIA – An altercation involving a state senator, the spouse of the Richland Two school board chair and a person who sources have told The Voice is a Richland Two School Board member, erupted following Tuesday night’s Richland Two school board meeting, according to police records obtained by The Voice.
The skirmish ended with two separate police reports being filed against the subject (the reported school board member).
The incident type is listed as “simple assault” in one report and “all other offenses” in the other. One report states the subject “was threatening to kill” board chair Amelia McKie’s husband.
Names of elected officials and two relatives are redacted in the report, though Sen. Mia McLeod’s name is unredacted in the narrative. McKie, the school board chair, is also identified in the report by her elected post.
In one of the reports, McLeod and her sister are identified as saying they wish to prosecute.
Jay Bender, an attorney with the S.C. Press Association, of which The Voice is a member, said there’s no legitimate reason to redact the names of elected officials in any incident report, especially if they’re involved in an altercation following a school board meeting.
“Taking the names out doesn’t mean it didn’t happen,” Bender said. “The law is very clear, when you’re involved in a matter of public interest and at a public meeting getting into a fracas, there is no right of privacy.”
Things turned chippy shortly after Tuesday night’s meeting in which the board discussed proposed changes in board policy that would allow for the removal of the chairman, vice-chairman and secretary with cause.
The policy change comes in response to investigative reports by The Voice into board member ethics violations.
In June 2018, the S.C. Ethics Commission fined McKie $41,000 for failing to file several ethics reports. The fine jumped to $51,750 on Dec. 31 when she failed to pay the first $21,000 in fines.
Five other board members have had missing ethics forms as well, according to the ethics commission.
According to the incident report from Tuesday night, McLeod and her sister were leaving Tuesday night’s board meeting after the subject had an altercation with McKie’s spouse.
The subject, the report said, aggressively approached one of the sisters whose name is redacted, while the other (also redacted) moved between them, the report continues.
The subject then pushed one of the sisters and cursed at McLeod and others according to the incident report. There were no injuries, but McLeod said she was in fear for her safety, and security had to restrain the subject, the report stated.
A second report filed by a man who sources say is McKie’s spouse stated that the subject called him several “offensive words” and threatened to kill him. He said in the report that the subject also punched another person.
The altercation continued into the parking lot. When the subject approached McKie’s spouse a second time, she had to be restrained, the report continued.
“[Complainant/Victim] is concerned about the subject possibly approaching him again in a volatile and confrontational manner,” the report states.
The subject couldn’t be reached for comment Friday evening.
In the parking lot after the meeting, The Voice observed two board members waiting near a car, with two security guards standing close by. Superintendent Dr. Baron Davis was present too, though he is not named in any of the police reports obtained by The Voice.
This story will be updated as more information is available.
BLYTHEWOOD – Improvements along McNulty Street in downtown Blythewood are on the horizon according to a statement issued by John Thompson, Director of the Richland County Department of Transportation.
Those improvements, funded by the Richland County Transportation Penny Tax program, will be the subject of a public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 24, to review conceptual plans for the street.
During the meeting, residents, property owners and project stakeholders will be given an opportunity to learn about the proposed project and provide input.
The format for the meeting will be a drop-in for interested parties to attend at their convenience between 5 and 7 p.m., to view maps and drawings of the proposed improvements and to discuss the project with project managers and the design team.
“Richland County values your suggestions and concerns, and carefully considers all feedback before any final project decisions are made,” Thompson wrote in the invitation to the drop-in.
Anyone unable to attend the meeting or has further questions, may contact Ben Lewis at 803-726-3614 or by email at blewis@richlandpenny.com.
The meeting will be held from 5 – 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24, at Doko Manor, located at 100 Alvina Hagood Circle across Doko Park from Town Hall.
