Noted and passed - Feb. 24, 2014

• We commented just last week on the wise decision by Volkswagen workers in Tennessee to turn down unionization with the UAW. But Gov. Nikki Haley's statement that unionized plants aren't welcome at all in South Carolina is off the mark. Sen. Vincent Sheheen of Camden, who's running against Haley, said South Carolina should remain a right-to-work state, where workers have the right to decide whether to join unions. That's a more reasonable position.

Should S.C. pay for surveillance?

Gov. Nikki Haley's executive budget grabbed a few headlines for its items on education, transportation and Medicaid waiver programs. One component of the budget was almost completely ignored, however, and it shouldn't be. The governor's proposed spending plan includes $8.5 million in total funds -- $5.3 million from the federal government -- for a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Fusion Center.

Few today remember The Orangeburg Massacre

If you're now a 60-year-old native South Carolinian, you're unlikely to have any personal memory of the events known as the Orangeburg Massacre. You would have been 14 when it happened on Feb. 8, 1968 -- two years before the deaths of four white students at Kent State University in Ohio.

Greenville knocks Dogs from tourney

Greenville outscored visiting Camden, 27-8, over the final 11 minutes of play to advance to the third round of the AAA state basketball playoffs with a 41-34 win over the Bulldogs on Saturday.

Camden Baseball Jamboree looks for better weather

Baseball coaches like to talk about how the baseball gods have either shine or, turn their backs on their teams following a win or a loss.

State wrestling qualifiers begin tonight

For the second time in as many years, Camden High School will host the AAA Upper State Individual Wrestling Championships.

Food for the Soul announces new board members, service numbers

Food for the Soul soup kitchen and temporary shelter recently added five new Kershaw County residents to its board of directors. The organization also announced its food and shelter service numbers for 2013.

Frances Justice Glenn Kirby

Justice Kirby, 79, of Camden, South Carolina, passed away on February 18, 2014. Born February 14, 1935 in North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Roy "Pap" Glenn and Frances Collins Glenn of Rock Hill, SC.

The Mills Courthouse -- not!

Long before I came to work in Camden, my husband and I would drive up here from Sumter to have a lunch date some Saturdays. As we passed the Robert Mills Courthouse, the historic preservationist part of me would smile in satisfaction that the people of Camden preserved this landmark. Sumter's oldest courthouse, which Mills modified, was torn down in the name of "progress" years ago -- and they built a Maxway in its place! Really!

UAW defeat

The recent union defeat at a Tennessee Volkswagen plant is yet another sign that the United Auto Workers, once an indomitable force in this country, is merely a shell of its former shelf. Where the American economy is concerned, that's a good thing. Employees at the Chattanooga plant turned thumbs down on the union despite a protracted lobbying effort by UAW officials; in fact, Volkswagen itself had been in favor of the union and had allowed organizers nearly unlimited access to its plant while denying that same right to opponents.

Carmon attending Padres' top prospects minicamp

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Camden native and former Camden High and Kershaw County Post 17 American Legion baseball standout Stephen Carmon is one of 41 players in the San Diego Padres' minor league system currently attending the organization's minicamp for top prospects in Peoria, Ariz.

Ariail for Feb. 21, 2014

Republicans getting to yes

WASHINGTON -- Republicans have excelled at concealing their brilliance in recent years and Democrats have exalted in their own good fortune.

Olando Jamell Jenkins

Olando Jamell Jenkins, 26, of 1045 Spaulding Ave., Sumter, South Carolina, passed on Monday, February 17, 2014. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the New Haven United Methodist Church in Bishopville, SC. Burial will be at New Haven United Methodist Church Cemetery Bishopville, SC.

Edward David Moser

Edward David Moser, 60, died Monday, February 17, 2014 at McLeod Seacoast Medical Center. He loved sports & was a true Buckeye fan, born & breed, just ask Brutus.

Margie Horton

Funeral service for Margie Phyllis Flynn Horton, 78, will be held Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church, Lancaster, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The Rev. Ricki Phipps and the Rev. Danny Johnson will officiate. The family received friends Tuesday 6-8 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home, Lugoff. Memorials may be made to KershawHealth Hospice.

Military Briefs: Army Pfc. McKenzie graduates from basic combat training

Army Pfc. Cameron J. McKenzie has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Yesteryear for March 5, 2014

Polo, barbecue will benefit Montessori Learning Center

Obama’s best hope for change

WASHINGTON -- President Obama's new outreach initiative to help at-risk boys of color -- "My Brother's Keeper" -- is cause for cheer.

Why are we abusing our children in South Carolina?

This is a simple question, and the answer is not simple, but there is something that we can all do to help, and we can do it right now -- today.

Ariail for March 5, 2014

Reid’s hypocrisy

We aren't very keen on so-called super PACS, those political organizations which spend limitless money promoting one viewpoint or another. They buy huge blocks of television and radio time, along with newspaper ads, to launch attack ads against candidates, with much of the material in the ads questionable at best. Super PACS are a sad sign of what our political process has become.

Weekend festival celebrates all things outdoors

The inaugural Wateree Outdoor Life Festival (WOLF),a celebration of the outdoors in Kershaw County, will be held on the campus of the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County on Saturday, March 8.

NC’s Gomez, L-E’s Jackson finish third in state

A pair of Kershaw County wrestlers recorded top three finishes while another came home in fourth from last weekend's South Carolina High School League state championships held at the Anderson Civic Center.

CHS holding father-son baseball camp; KCPRD hosts umpiring clinic

The Camden High School baseball coaching staff will host its annual Father-Son Baseball Camp on Saturday, March 8 at American Legion Park in Camden.

L-E strands dozen runners in 4-2 loss to Rebels

Randy Stokes was fine with the 11 hits which his Lugoff-Elgin baseball team piled up in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Mid-Carolina at River Bluff High School.

Camden Coin club to host Spring Coin Show

On Saturday, March 22, the Camden Coin club will hold its annual Spring Coin Show at the Camden Recreation Department on Hwy. #1 South in Camden.

LF-R chief gets prepared for disasters

Emergency managers from across South Carolina are meeting this week at the annual S.C. Emergency Management Association Conference in Myrtle Beach. Among those training for disaster preparedness is Lugoff Fire-Rescue (LF-R) Chief Dennis Ray, who also serves as the public information officer for Kershaw County Emergency Mangement.

Christmas sentenced to 18 years for sexually assaulting girls

An Elgin man arrested twice for separate instances of sexually assaulting young girls will spent the next 18 years behind bars.

Friday to be regular KCSD school day

Due to recent inclement weather, Friday will be a regular school day for Kershaw County School District (KCSD) students. The 2013-14 KCSD calendar approved in December of 2012 originally indicated that Friday would be a professional development day for teachers unless needed as an inclement weather make up day.