Examining the NYT’s Chicago gun story

Several weeks ago, we ran a column by Chicago-based Clarence Page about the "virus" of Chicago violence in relation to the national gun control debate. He noted that there were 506 murders in Chicago in 2012 compared to only 418 in New York City. He didn't mention how many were committed by using a gun or other firearm.

100 days/100 years

They walked, they ran, sometimes they fell down, but -- despite low, gray clouds and high winds -- they were all smiles.

Gill, Christenberry to join new KH surgical practice

Kershaw County's only two general surgeons, doctors Edward A. Gill and Paul Christenberry, are joining forces as part of an agreement to form KershawHealth General Surgery. Dr. Gill will leave Sentinel Health Partners while Dr. Christenberry will end his solo practice to join the healthcare organization. Following a two-hour executive session during a special called meeting Monday of the KershawHealth Board of Trustees, members voted 5-3-1 to approve ...

From father to son

In the 96 years since it opened, Home Furnishing Co. Inc. on downtown Camden's Broad Street has only had two generations of owners.

The Wheel of Time never really ends

Since last October, I've spent part of my time in another world. For about three months, I reread the massive fantasy series The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. The final book, A Memory of Light, came out Jan. 8 and I was smart -- and loyal -- enough to pre-order it from our local bookstore in order to take advantage of a pretty great sale price.

KershawHealth left out of DSH expansion

During her recent State of the State address, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced that, beginning with the 2013-14 fiscal year, the state's Medicaid-designated rural hospitals would be fully compensated for their otherwise uncompensated costs through what is known as the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program.

DCG reorganizes as Camden Business Alliance

With the new year, the Downtown Camden Guild (DCG) is renaming itself the Camden Business Alliance (CBA) and will no longer limit membership to downtown business owners or even to just merchants. The original DCG formed in September 2009 with the purpose of giving downtown merchants a stronger voice in local matters.

Camden City Council drops CLG, BAR plans

Camden City Council decided Tuesday to stop pursuing Certified Local Government (CLG) status and, therefore, dropped plans to transform the Camden Historic Landmarks Commission (CHLC) into a board of architectural review (BAR). The linked decisions came during a lengthy work session Tuesday afternoon ahead of council's much shorter regular meeting that evening.

‘Urbanized’ Camden now part of Columbia planning org

The city of Camden -- along with the town of Elgin and a portion of Kershaw County -- could find funding for its transportation projects controlled by an organization with a heavy focus on Lexington and Richland counties, according to city officials. During Camden City Council's work session Tuesday, Councilwoman Alfred Mae Drakeford and Camden Economic Development Director Wade Luther said an ...

CSX has history of poor relations

A lot of Camden residents and others who pass through Camden had a rough time of it last week when CSX Railroad closed not one, but two crossings in Dusty Bend to replace a 2,000-foot section of track.

BAR to again be topic at Camden work session

Camden City Council will once again tackle the prospect of transforming the Camden Historic Landmarks Commission (CHLC) into a board of architectural review (BAR) during a 4 p.m. work session Tuesday.

Cushman’s law license reinstated

The South Carolina Supreme Court reinstated former Camden City Attorney Charles Cushman's law license in an order filed Wednesday. The lifting of Cushman's law license suspension comes two months after 5th Circuit Solicitor Dan Johnson dropped a felony charge of misconduct in office in exchange for Cushman pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of contempt of court.

2012-13 worst season for flu in Kershaw County

The 2012-13 flu season has already become the worst of the last seven years, according to KershawHealth Infection and Prevention Control Director Paula Guild. The good news could be, however, that the number of flu cases peaked earlier in the season.

The sound of (mostly) silence

Last April, I wrote an article called "Switching frequencies" about how local agencies were on track to meet federal emergency communication mandates. In short -- and this is a somewhat complex issue -- local agencies all across the country needed to meet "interoperability" and "narrowbanding" requirements by Dec. 31.

Weeks ‘takes stock’ as KH’s centennial begins

KershawHealth has entered its centennial year, and President and CEO Donnie Weeks took time during the KershawHealth Board of Trustee's first meeting of the year Jan. 8 to "take stock and focus for the future." Weeks also briefly touched on the healthcare system's bond ratings and worker's compensation benefit for employees.

Game of Thrones is good, but tough TV

Back in March 2012, I wrote about my newfound love of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series. I mentioned -- almost as a side note -- the brilliant HBO television series based on the books (and named after the first novel) Game of Thrones.

Game of Thrones is good, but tough TV

Back in March 2012, I wrote about my newfound love of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series. I mentioned -- almost as a side note -- the brilliant HBO television series based on the books (and named after the first novel) Game of Thrones.

New shopping center may be built on West DeKalb