The charging T-Rex of truth

You think you're on top of your game. Then out of the blue comes that stray freight train, that looming bomb, that guided missile that annihilates all those illusions.

Coming to terms with 'The Help'

Mother used to tell this story.

Noted and passed

• "Spin" has become an inexorable part of the political process, and if you hear President Obama tell it, his bus tour through Iowa isn't a campaign trip, saying instead that it's a way to take the pulse of the country. But it has all the trappings of a political hoorah, and of course that's what it is. We're not blaming the president for that, only noticing that when it comes to spin, the White House is as accomplished at it as any politician at any level.

Cassatt man held on child molestation charges

Kershaw County Sheriff's investigators have arrested Russell Wayne Redick, 53, of Cassatt, on multiple charges after it was determined that he repeatedly molested two young girls under the age of 11. Redick is charged with two counts each of lewd act on a minor, criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 11 years old and sexual exploitation of a minor (third degree).

GAL updates

Mary Fuller Everhart (third from left) with the Children's Law Center at the University of South Carolina was the guest speaker at a Lunch & Learn Aug. 11 sponsored by the Kershaw County Volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program. Everhart spoke about guardians ad litem as mandated reporters. While S.C. law encourages all people to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect, the law requires that certain professionals report it. In June 2010, Section 63-7-310 was amended to include school truancy/attendance officers, GALs, foster parents and juvenile justice officers. Everhart is travelling throughout the state training volunteer ...

Nuisance calls are scams in the making

Recently I have been receiving many calls wishing to sell me something or begging for contributions. For example, a state university has called me and my husband to ask to be included in wills and have a donation given. A salesman, ostensibly from a local cemetery, has called to have me buy a plot and/or have his group put flowers on my mother-in-law's grave. Is such a behavior not illegal if certainly reprehensible?

Camden Rotary honors award recipients, welcomes new president

The Camden Rotary Club vocational award winners, announced in July, were past club President Donny Supplee; Business recipient George Sensor; Community Service recipient Heather Matthews; Professional recipient Dr. Paul Joseph Sr.; and Awards Chairman Thoyd Warren. On right, Supplee passes the gravel to President Bruce Little.

Fine Arts Follies are back

Have you ever wanted to be a part of the Fine Arts Follies? Always wondered what really happens "behind the scenes" or "on stage," but were afraid to ask? Well now is your chance! In September the Fine Arts Follies returns to the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County (FAC) where an all male revue featuring Kershaw County businessmen will strut their stuff on stage! All interested, curious, or otherwise tempted men are encouraged to attend the first meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Wood Auditorium at the FAC.

Driving for charity

The Hospital Auxiliary of Kershaw County will host its 22nd annual golf tournament on Friday, September 16 at White Pines Golf Course in Camden. Entry fee for the captain's choice tournament is $50 per person or $200 for a four-person team. Fees include cart, greens fee, mulligan and souvenir.

Rec Notes -- Aug. 19, 2011

Rosters are still being accepted for teams that wish to enter the 2011 Fall Adult Softball League.

Amtrak station an embarrassment

I was in my hometown -- the fair city of Camden -- June 30-July 12. It is always nice to be home, where I spent the first 18 years of my life. I attended and graduated from Jackson Elementary, Jackson Junior High and Jackson High schools.

School menus -- Aug. 19, 2011

The following are menus for Kershaw County schools for the week of Aug. 22-26:

Robert Ariail -- Aug. 19, 2011

Island family

Most of the people who lived there and felt an allegiance to the crown left the area around 230 years ago. Many of the loyalists or Tories voluntarily left before the American Revolution, but those who sided and fought with the British eventually lost their homes and fled.

Decline of Tea Party a hopeful sign

Cheer up. Not everything went down over the last two weeks.

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.

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.

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.

Camden Community Concert Band to perform Sunday

The Camden Community Concert Band (CCCB) will present its winter concert on Sunday at the Performing Arts Center at Camden High School. Start time is 3 p.m. and admission is free. The CCCB is under direction of founding conductor Pat Wylie. This concert season ia Wylie's last as conductor. After more than 30 years as the band's leader, he ia stepping down as the conductor. "We are dedicating this season to Pat," said Johnny Deal, the band's business manager. "Pat is the reason the CCCB has been in our community for over 30 years."

Species statistics are good news for South Carolina’s standings

By Austin Jenkins