Noted and passed

• We're glad to see Kershaw County Council moving toward a ban on smoking in county-owned vehicles. Employees have the right to smoke if they wish, of course, but the prohibition on puffing in vehicles merely extends the present policy which bans smoking in county buildings. Cigarette smoke odor lingers in vehicles, and non-smoking employees shouldn't have to put up with it.

Knights Hill community recognized for academic achievements

For 11 of the 18 years between 1952 and 1970, the first- or second-ranked students at Jackson High School came from the Knights Hill Community, and this is not counting other students ranked among the top five in the class. This is unique and historic, having this many top-ranked students from one community. Two additional years have now been added, 1958 and 1970. Those recognized are as follows:

Earnestine Hunter

Haile's Funeral Home announces services for Ms. Ernestine Hunter, 66, of 354 Bristol Street, Brooklyn, NY, formerly of Bethune, SC, who passed on Wednesday, February 23, 2011.

Henry Thomas

Haile's Funeral Home announces the death of Mr. Henry Thomas, 68, of 1300 Campbell Street, Camden, SC, who passed on Thursday, February 24, 2011.

Theda Brown Brunson

Haile's Funeral Home announces the death of Mrs. Theda Brown Brunson, 54, of 6445 S. Maple Ave., Tempe, AZ, who passed on Wednesday, February 23, 2011.

Carolina Cup tickets ready to be sent to patrons

Tickets and reserved parking spaces for the 79th running of the Carolina Cup Steeplechase Races on Saturday, April 2 at Camden's Springdale Race Courase are expected to be mailed out this week.

5k run/walk to benefit injured jockey, Jorge Torres

The inaugural "A Run for Jorge" 5k run and walk will be held on Sunday, April 10 over the Springdale Race Course in Camden.

SCSDB students SWING! into action in musical stage production

Students at the S.C. School for the Deaf and Blind (SCSDB) hit the stage earlier this week for a swingin' good time! SCSDB students' production of "SWING" was held Thurday. The musical whisked audience members back in time to the Swing Era of the 1930s and '40s in Harlem, NY.

Honor rolls announced at North Central High School

North Central High School has reported its honor rolls for the second nine-week period.

Lugoff native shines in law school competition

Lugoff native Mandy Pittman, a second-year law student at the University of South Carolina School of Law, tied for fourth place out of 50 students during a recent mock trial competition. Because of her high ranking, Pittman was one of only a few second-year students chosen to participate in a mock trial competition to be held this spring in Montgomery, Ala.

Commercial vegetable growers meeting Thursday

Clemson Extension Agent Tony Melton reminds local vegetable growers of the upcoming commercial vegetable meeting Thursday at the Compass Restaurant near Turbeville. The meeting begins at 10 a.m., includes lunch, and adjourns at 1 p.m. Clemson Extension vegetable specialists Drs. Richard Hassell, Tony Kienath and Powell Smith will be presenters in addition to Melton. If you are considering growing commercial vegetables or small fruits in 2011, this will be an informative event for you.

Area students named to Order of Purple Seal

Four Columbia College students from Kershaw County were recently named for members in the Order of the Purple Seal, a national honor society fostering the ideals of solid scholarship.

Kardack named to USC-Sumter Dean's List

Candace "Brooke" Kardack, daughter of Candy Kardack and Bobby Kardack, has been named to the Dean's List at the University of South Carolina Sumter for the 2010 fall semester.

Stoney tapped for Golden Key

Camden native Gertrude Stoney has accepted membership in Golden Key International Honour Society and was honored during a recent new member recognition event at the University of South Carolina.

Wayne Keith Andrews

Wayne Keith Andrews, 39, of Elgin, passed away at his home February 23, 2011. Friends and family will celebrate his life at a memorial service.

Sarah Presley Drakeford

Mrs. Sarah Presley Drakeford, 88, of 2208 Pickett Street, Camden died Monday. Family Friends may call at 1310 Old River Road, Camden. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at a later date by Brown's Funeral Home, Camden, who is serving the Drakeford Family.

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."