Content about Law

July 14, 2010

The Christian Prayer Riders and Smokehouse Restaurant in Turbeville will be hosting a benefit ride for B.J. Wilkes this Saturday, July 17. Wilkes was born with only one pumping chamber in his heart. Doctors told his parents that they would have to operate once he got older.

The Christian Prayer Riders and Smokehouse Restaurant in Turbeville will be hosting a benefit ride for B.J. Wilkes this Saturday, July 17. Wilkes was born with only one pumping chamber in his heart. Doctors told his parents that they would have to operate once he got older.

As of May, Wilkes has had surgery twice to correct his condition. He is only four-years-old.

June 30, 2010

County Council concluded their last meeting with a balanced budget. In their previous meeting on May 10, the budget had reflected a deficit condition for the 2010/11 fiscal year.

County Council concluded their last meeting with a balanced budget. In their previous meeting on May 10, the budget had reflected a deficit condition for the 2010/11 fiscal year. 

Total appropriations made for next year will be about $23 million. About $17.9 million will go to the county’s general operational budget and the rest will go towards special service districts such as the Clarendon County Fire Department, F.E. DuBose Career Center, Harvin Clarendon County Library and Clarendon Memorial Hospital.

June 30, 2010

It’s so hot outside, it feels like the sky is about to explode. You’re on Brooks Street, and have just passed the courthouse. Nothing seems to be amiss except for the fact that a Southern Belle in a big hoop dress is sitting next to you, glistening with perspiration, and what you’re holding in your hand is not a steering wheel, but two leather reigns. You unconsciously yell “giddyup!” and the two horses convert into Hwy. 260, and you are back in your car with the air conditioner blowing and the radio blaring.

It’s so hot outside, it feels like the sky is about to explode. You’re on Brooks Street, and have just passed the courthouse. Nothing seems to be amiss except for the fact that a Southern Belle in a big hoop dress is sitting next to you, glistening with perspiration, and what you’re holding in your hand is not a steering wheel, but two leather reigns. You unconsciously yell “giddyup!” and the two horses convert into Hwy. 260, and you are back in your car with the air conditioner blowing and the radio blaring.

June 16, 2010

“There was a lot of comfort in the fact that you could leave your children with her and know that they were in good hands,” said Brenda Keels, who had two kids who were raised by “Aunt Pete.”

Emma Marshall “Aunt Pete” Boyce

“There was a lot of comfort in the fact that you could leave your children with her and know that they were in good hands,” said Brenda Keels, who had two kids who were raised by “Aunt Pete.”

On Monday, June 7, 2010, Emma Marshall “Aunt Pete” Boyce, 82, wife of Hazel Ethredge Boyce, died at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence.

June 9, 2010

Both the Manning and Summerton Rotary Clubs have awarded scholarships to deserving, college-bound high school seniors.

Both the Manning and Summerton Rotary Clubs have awarded scholarships to deserving, college-bound high school seniors.

The Summerton Rotary Club awarded $1,000 grants to Briana Bennett of Scott’s Branch High School and Kathryn Masincupp of Clarendon Hall.
Bennett is the daughter of Davie and Sebrena Wells of Summerton. Bennett intends to attend South Carolina State University and study biology education.

June 2, 2010

It was uplifting news all around as Clarendon officials received word that Georgia-Pacific, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tissue, pulp, paper, packaging, building products and related chemicals, had acquired the Grant Forest Products facilities in Englehart and Earlton, Ontario, as well as its South Carolina plants in Allendale and Clarendon.

It was uplifting news all around as Clarendon officials received word that Georgia-Pacific, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tissue, pulp, paper, packaging, building products and related chemicals, had acquired the Grant Forest Products facilities in Englehart and Earlton, Ontario, as well as its South Carolina plants in Allendale and Clarendon.

June 2, 2010

Although he will never admit it, Corporal Carlos Rangel is a hero. He can’t fly and he doesn’t have any super powers, but he does have a gift that he uses to help others.

Although he will never admit it, Corporal Carlos Rangel is a hero. He can’t fly and he doesn’t have any super powers, but he does have a gift that he uses to help others.

Rangel is the only law enforcement officer in Clarendon County who is fluent in Spanish. And he doesn’t take his gift for granted.

Besides being a regular man-in-blue for the Manning City Police Department, he serves as translator and essentially mediator between law enforcement officers and non-English speaking Hispanics.

May 12, 2010

Members of Clarendon County Council faced a full agenda Monday night as the second reading of the 2010-2011 budget and presentations by each of the three school districts could easily have made for a lengthy meeting.

Members of Clarendon County Council faced a full agenda Monday night as the second reading of the 2010-2011 budget and presentations by each of the three school districts could easily have made for a lengthy meeting.

Add to that public hearings on the budget and the proposed animal control ordinance and council members probably needed to have packed a lunch.

May 12, 2010

The Clarendon County Development Board is the extension of the Clarendon County Council, which has been designated to devote its full time efforts to economic development. John Truluck, our Economic Development Director and his staff have a volunteer advisory board that is appointed by the Clarendon County Council, both to assist him and to make recommendations to the County Council. Each council district is represented on the advisory board.

The Clarendon County Development Board is the extension of the Clarendon County Council, which has been designated to devote its full time efforts to economic development. John Truluck, our Economic Development Director and his staff have a volunteer advisory board that is appointed by the Clarendon County Council, both to assist him and to make recommendations to the County Council. Each council district is represented on the advisory board.

May 12, 2010

At its meeting on May 3, the Clarendon School District 2 Board of Trustees voted to accept Superintendent John Tindal’s recommendation that the District eliminate a total of eight elementary teaching positions at Manning Elementary School, Manning Primary School and Manning Early Childhood Center, according to a press release issued by CSD2 Board Chair Ceth Land.

At its meeting on May 3, the Clarendon School District 2 Board of Trustees voted to accept Superintendent John Tindal’s recommendation that the District eliminate a total of eight elementary teaching positions at Manning Elementary School, Manning Primary School and Manning Early Childhood Center, according to a press release issued by CSD2 Board Chair Ceth Land.

May 12, 2010

There is perhaps no more precious natural resource in Clarendon County than Lake Marion.

There is perhaps no more precious natural resource in Clarendon County than Lake Marion.

It brings visitors (and their money) to our county for fishing, swimming, boating and other water recreation.

It has created some of the most prized real estate in the entire state for those relocating who want to be near its shores.

It is home for dozens of species that make up the lush flora and fauna that beautifies our area.

And if we are not careful, it could all go away.

May 7, 2010

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Nettie Davidson Hurt, 94, of Lynchburg, Va, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, died May 7, 2010, at Avante’ of Lynchburg surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Walker Joseph Hurt.

May 5, 2010

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Santee Cooper’s Vector Management department will spray at locations around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion at various times during the prime mosquito season.

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Santee Cooper’s Vector Management department will spray at locations around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion at various times during the prime mosquito season.

In Clarendon County, the following Santee Cooper subdivisions will be serviced: Cantey Bay, Prince sections I-III, Francis Marion, Taw Caw, W.B. Davis, Gin Pond, West Wyboo, Rowland, White Oak sections I-III, Frierson, Clark, Davis, Church Branch and Wyboo.

May 5, 2010

Clarendon County residents looking for something to do this weekend did not have to look far and it was all for a good cause.

Clarendon County residents looking for something to do this weekend did not have to look far and it was all for a good cause.


Friday night kicked off the fun with Clarendon Memorial Hospital’s Relay for Life team and “Clarendon’s Got Heart,” talent extravaganza.


Dancers from Carolina Dance Academy and vocal talents by the dozens entertained the audience while they munched on delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres and sipped on beverages, adult and otherwise.

April 28, 2010

Rumors have been swirling around the counties served by the Santee Electric Cooperative regarding salaries paid to board members.

Rumors have been swirling around the counties served by the Santee Electric Cooperative regarding salaries paid to board members.

According to an IRS 990 filing in 2008, some board members were paid as much as $187,071, bringing many questions as to compensation for SEC board members.

According to SEC CEO Floyd Keels, the reported compensation was due to the termination of a non-qualified, self-funded retirement program that was offered to employees and board members in 1989.

April 21, 2010

The dream of having a full-fledged cultural arts venue that can seat almost 1,100 audience members moved another step closer with the hiring of Sandi Tucker as events administrator.

The dream of having a full-fledged cultural arts venue that can seat almost 1,100 audience members moved another step closer with the hiring of Sandi Tucker as events administrator.

The Denver-native has made her home in Clarendon County since 1997. She joined the Get Weldon Going Committee in 2007 and has served as secretary of the organization ever since.

She came on board as a county employee on March 16 and is temporarily housed at the Recreation Dept. off Raccoon Road.

April 7, 2010

Ernest “Chip” Finney III has announced his candidacy for Solicitor for the Third Judicial Circuit primary to be held June 8.

Ernest “Chip” Finney III has announced his candidacy for Solicitor for the Third Judicial Circuit primary to be held June 8.

The Third Circuit covers Sumter, Clarendon, Lee and Williamsburg counties.

Finney, 53, is running for the position currently held by Kelly Jackson, who has announced that he will not be running for re-election this year.

Finney is a 1973 graduate of Sumter High School. He earned his B.A. from Wofford in 1977, and his law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1980.

March 26, 2010

Carrie Sharpe died Friday, March 26, 2010, at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Carrie Sharpe died Friday, March 26, 2010, at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Born Oct. 26, 1910, in Alcolu, she was a daughter of the late Janie Sharpe McFadden. Her education was obtained in the public schools of Fairfield County. She was a longtime employee of Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Co. in Fairfield County and retired after numerous years of service. She was a lifelong member of Calvary Presbyterian Church in Winnsboro and was active with the United Presbyterian Women’s Organization. In 1999, shortly after her retirement, she returned to Clarendon County.

March 24, 2010

Budget week is a very difficult time for legislators. It is a time when it becomes agonizingly clear that we are a body of drastically different viewpoints on where we should be focusing our time and energy.

Budget week is a very difficult time for legislators. It is a time when it becomes agonizingly clear that we are a body of drastically different viewpoints on where we should be focusing our time and energy.

It is a time when I am grateful that the structure of our government provides for two legislative bodies that each go through the budget process providing a check and balance. I am optimistic that the Senate, who will take up the budget the last week of March, may add an element of levity to the work done by the House.

March 17, 2010

It took a lot of work from a lot of people but the day was finally here.

It took a lot of work from a lot of people but the day was finally here.


Clarendon Memorial Hospital broke ground Monday on a $22.5 million, 60,000 sq. ft. expansion that will be the biggest project at the local healthcare facility since the major renovation in 1992.


A standing room only crowd from across Clarendon County gathered at an area between the cafeteria and the EMS headquarters that was already cleared and leveled to ceremoniously “turn some dirt” on the project that will change healthcare in the region.