Some thoughts on merit pay

I've been doing this work for almost 36 years. Having been around public education for that long, I've seen just about every solution to increasing student academic performance that has ever been thought up, usually more than once. In the case of merit pay, this is about the third time around for me. Déjà vu all over again, as Yogi Berra once said. Legislation pending in the South Carolina General Assembly would freeze teacher ...

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers boating safety class

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will hold a safe boating class on May 7 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The boating class will be held at the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office training room in Lugoff. The address is 821 Ridgeway Road, Lugoff.

Ms. Jeffers, Mr. Bell set date

Mr. Andrew Jeffers of Cassatt and Ms. Denise Jeffers of Camden announce the engagement of their daughter, Ms. Jessica Marie Jeffers of Camden, to Thomas Michael Bell of Camden. He is the son of Mr. Ronald Bell of Camden and Ms. Nancy Shuler of Garden City.

Miss Allen, Mr. Sweet plan spring wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Danny B. Allen, Jr. of Lugoff announce the engagement of their daughter, Kelli Elizabeth Allen to Nathan Andrew Sweet of Lugoff. He is the son of Rev. and Mrs. Gregory Sweet, Sr. of Lugoff.

Miss Bowers, Mr. Carbery engaged

Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. Ross, Jr. of Camden, and Mr. and Mrs. Ward O. Bowers, Jr. of Camden, announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Jennifer Sheheen Bowers, to Mr. Kacey Hugh Osborne Carbery of Camden. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Revelle Stackhouse of Columbia, S. C. and Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Hugh Carbery of Victoria, B.C. Canada.

Happy 60th Anniversary!

Fred and Gloria Clements were married 60 years ago today on March 14, 1951. Fred is originally from Vesuvius, Va., and Gloria was born in Fort Lawn, S.C. They have lived in Camden their entire 60 years and their children are Diane (Danny) Robinson of Camden, Andy (Dian) Clements of Huntsville, Ala., Phyllis Clements of Columbia, and the late Bobby Clements. They have 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and a cherished and sweet dog named ...

Tumble into fun with gymnastics class

Gymnastics classes are offered by the Kershaw County Recreation Department and Wateree Gymnastics of Camden.

Light weekend on tap for county teams

Following a long list of Thursday night contests, it will be a relatively mild weekend for Kershaw County athletic teams.

Bulldogs blanked by Bearcats in opener

Camden limited host Brookland-Cayce, the 12th ranked AAA team in the state's pre-season rankings, to just two goals, but that was more than enough as the Bearcats downed CHS, 2-0, in Tuesday's regular season opener.

Lady Demons throttle RNE and Lakewood

So, what's the big deal about moving from the AAA ranks to the 4A level?

Six illegal gaming machines seized

Six gambling machines – illegal under state law -- were seized from three locations Wednesday in a sweep by the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office and S.C. Law Enforcement Division.

School menus - March 14-18

The following are menus for Kershaw County schools for the week of March 14-18:

All dressed up and ready to play

The Camden-based S.C. Ballers, an 11-and-under AAU basketball team, is preparing to kick off its season with tournament contests set beginning this month. Pictured here, on the front row from left, are Markel Portee, Ronil Patel, Devin Martin and Jalyn DuBose. The second row includes Donovan Belton, Brandon Stevenson, Malik Green, Marquis Wood and Brice Jeffcoat. The third row has coach Willie DuBose and coach Cliff Stevenson. Missing from the photo are Kayjon Robertson and ...

USC football player makes Camden mother proud

Last month, Kenny Davis (left) made his mother, teammates and community proud. Davis, a defensive tackle for the USC Gamecocks, is a former student of North Central High School and a graduate of Newberry High School. He is the son of Thomasenia Robinson of Camden, a property manager of Palmer Place Apartments. He is the grandson of Louella Outten of Camden and Audree A. Clark of Cassatt. Davis, along with his roommate, running back Kenny ...

Sister-in-law cuts brother off before heart surgery

Dear Annie: My brother was scheduled for open-heart surgery involving three different procedures. I hadn't seen him for several months and wanted to visit before the operation, as I feared he might not make it through.

What was the IRS thinking?

Well, this is a fine mess.

Hayes Creek Skateboarding Competition

There will be a skateboarding competition Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the Hayes Creek Subdivision in Elgin. The event is sponsored by Salty's Board Shop in Columbia. The proceeds from the competition will go towards purchasing skateboarding gear for the park in an effort to keep kids off of drugs and keep them off of the streets.

Dog’s human mom experiences drama at local dog park

Dear Annie: I have an 8-month-old puppy, and I take her to a local dog park so she can run off leash and play with the other dogs, which she loves. In the three months I have been taking her, "Phoebe" has never been attacked or fought with another dog. That was until last night, when Phoebe approached another dog that was on a leash and that dog attacked her.

Ariail for May 17, 2013

Yesteryear - May 15, 2013

Camden High Graduates Busch Twins Parting After Earning Degrees

Are we willing to pay for increased public safety?

Kershaw County public safety is at a crossroads. The sheriff's office is greatly understaffed and deputies are compensated for their mandatory overtime work by an antiquated and grossly unfair payment system. The solicitor's office is working with half the staff it needs to properly prosecute the cases it receives every month and the jail is barely able to keep sufficient staff to meet state standards. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: ...

Two arrested after meth lab discovered

Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) narcotics agents arrested two men Monday after discovering a fully assembled methamphetamine lab in an outbuilding on Cricket Hill Drive in Lugoff.

Mother unsure how to handle ex’s girlfriend

Jane G. Brady

Ariail for May 15, 2013

Benghazi redacted

Boyd Outlaw

Carl I. Grandon

Funeral service for Carl Isaiah Grandon, 84, will be held Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The Rev. Jimmy Atkerson will officiate. The family will receive friends Tuesday 6-8 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the American Kidney Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

Joseph Ruffing

Funeral services for Joseph Louis Ruffing, 75, will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Rowan Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Phil McCoy will officiate. The family will receive friends Thursday 6-8 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rowan Presbyterian Church.

Lewis E. Keyes, Jr.

A graveside service to celebrate the life of Lewis Edward. Keyes, Jr. 74, of Camden will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 15, 2013 in Quaker Cemetery. Rev. Dr. William F. Summers will officiate. Memorials may be made in Mr. Keyes memory to Sam A. Karesh Wing, 1315 Roberts Street, Camden, SC 29020 or Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 502 DeKalb Street, Camden, SC 29020.