Public invited to KCSO town hall meeting

Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews invites the public to the first in a series of town hall meetings to be held across the county. Matthews said the public gatherings are intended to update citizens on the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) and to provide time to answer questions from the public.

Newt in Wonderland

WASHINGTON -- When it comes to Newt Gingrich's post-speaker activities on the Hill, it all depends on what your definition of "lobbying" is.

Showing our appreciation to those who keep us safe

Several recent incidents in the Palmetto State have underscored the dangers facing the men and women of law enforcement:

Robert Ariail -- Feb. 1, 2012

Healing the community

County Councilman Stephen Smoak is to be commended for his comments, on recreation facilities, at the Jan. 24th council meeting. Based on what he and the chairman of council said, I believe Councilman Smoak understands both the recreational and economic needs of the community. I believe that the members of the County Council Recreation Committee will also support a cooperative effort with the City of Camden to provide new and improved recreation facilities.

RIP, Joe Paterno

I enjoyed reading Tom Didato's article on the late Penn State coach, Joe Paterno. When we met with him on a warm August morning in 2008 I was impressed by his genuine interest in Henry DuRant and myself and the compliments he had for Steve Spurrier. I also learned that PSU and South Carolina administrators had collaborated on the lettermen's lounges at both schools' stadiums and had a very cordial relationship. He greeted Paul Hrabovsky with the type of warmth a father greets a son.

Take aim

It's ladies first at Blaney Elementary School's (BES) Archery Club practice. BES physical education teacher Scott Lewis, the club and team's director, said he not only teaches students the art of archery, but life-long social skills as well.

Wilson King

Funeral service to honor the life of Wilson Leroy King, 84, of Camden will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 31, 2012 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with burial to follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 1:00 PM. Memorials may be made in Mr. King's memory to Kershaw Health Hospice, 1315 Roberts Street, Camden, SC 29020

Civil lawsuits

When Gov. Nikki Haley delivered her State of the State address recently, she promised to try to create more jobs in South Carolina, block unions from expanding and a few other things. As you might expect, her speech was generally met with approval from fellow Republicans (though there's no love lost between Haley and many GOP legislators) and criticism from Democrats. But of all the things she mentioned, the one with the most potential for improving the climate in this state was her proposal for a "loser pays" system of civil lawsuits.

Isiah Council

Funeral service for Isaiah Pollard "Ike" Council, 65, of Rembert, will be held Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The Rev. Freddie Thomas will officiate. Memorials may be made to Mt. bethel Baptist Church.

Engram to oversee Pitt's receiving corps

PITTSBURGH – Camden native and former Camden High Parade football All-American Bobby Engram has been named the wide receivers coach at the University of Pittsburgh.

McBee edges Knights

McBee junior Rashad Reed outscored North Central junior Jeremy Fowler, 34-31 in the points battle, as Reed and visiting McBee escaped from The Castle in Boonetown with a 69-67 victory on Friday night.

Helen Emmajean Miller Mills

Ms. Helen Emmajean Miller Mills, 66, of 1717 Kennedy Dr., Camden, SC, passed on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Funeral Services will be conducted Monday, January 30, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Camden, SC. Burial is to follow at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery Camden, SC.

Robin Sims

Ms. Robin Sims, 53, of Atlanta, GA, passed on Friday, January 20, 2012. Memorial services were conducted Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 3:00 PM at Haile's Funeral Home Chapel, Camden, SC.

1947 train derailment at Cassatt revisited

Several mishaps at railroad crossings or elsewhere in eastern Kershaw County occurred during my youth. The derailment at Cassatt occurred in 1947 while I was away from the community serving Uncle Sam in Italy.

Camden Royals holding charity hoops tourney

The Camden Royals AAU basketball organization is sponsoring a basketball tournament open to all youth organization teams which will benefit Relay for Life.

Chance to drive exotic sports cars awaits at CMP

Xtreme Xperience, the country's premier supercar driving experience, is heading full-throttle for Carolina Motorsports Park in Westville, with event dates set for Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3.

KC East All-Stars makes a good first impression

A disturbing trend

We wrote recently of the disturbing trend in the White House of spinning every issue through press spokesmen rather than engaging in open questioning about issues of interest to Americans. A lack of transparency isn't limited to the federal government, as the S.C. Supreme Court has recently issued two troubling rulings which limit public access in the Palmetto State.

Clemson Extension announces contest, workshop

The Kershaw County Clemson Extension Service is assisting with a tomato contest coming up Saturday, and is sponsoring a pesticide calibration and safety workshop on August 15.

Cub Scouts enjoy day camp

Local Boy Scouts of America spent the last week of June volunteering at a Cub Scout Day Camp.

Ariail for July 23, 2014

Camden Bulldog Club kicking off its 2014-15 membership drive

The Camden High School Bulldog Club membership drive is in full swing for the 2014-2015 school year. The organization, founded in 1952, provides financial assistance to all athletic programs at the school through the membership drive and various fundraising activities.

Thomas, Marlow earn interim titles at L-E

The leadership of the Lugoff-Elgin High School football and athletic departments stayed within the Demon family for the 2014-15 school year as Dave Thomas was named the school's interim head football coach and Craig Marlow as interim activities director Monday.