GOP primaries

Less than four weeks remain before Kershaw County Republicans will join their counterparts across the state in casting their ballots to help determine which of the GOP candidates will advance to challenge President Obama in November. While national publicity concerning South Carolina too often centers on unpleasant things, the state takes center stage in the political circus that used to come once every four years but now seems to be with us nearly all the time.

Robert Ariail -- Dec. 28, 2011

Sidewalk Survey -- Dec. 28, 2011

O’Brien passes away in Ireland

Michael O'Brien, 68, whose career as a steeplechase jockey ended following a fall in the 1974 Carolina Cup steeplechase, passed away last Friday afternoon at Tallaght Hospital in his native Dublin, Ireland, following an illness.

S.C. troops not forgotten by CCRA and Colonial Cup patrons

The Carolina Cup Racing Association's "Salute to the Military" at last month's running of the Marion duPont Scott Colonial Cup Steeplechase proved to be a flag-waving event in more ways than one with the unveiling of a mural of "Old Glory" sponsored by McDonald's. It was sent to a unit from McEntire Air Force Base which is currently based in the Middle East.

A depressing Christmas tree

After reading T. Cameron's article about our local tree I had to go see for myself. I have to agree with him about this tree. What has happened when the City's tree would depress Charlie Brown if he saw it? I was torn between laughing and crying when I saw this tree. If you want to get into the Christmas spirit there is a resident on Cureton Street who goes all out for the holiday and will make up for what the city lacked.

Extremism in pursuit of judges is a vice

(Columnist Kathleen Parker is on vacation. In her absence, Ruth Marcus, a columnist with the Washington Post Writers Group, is featured today.)

A natural hat trick

For the third time in as many years, Lackey Surveying won its league title in the Kershaw County Recreation Department youth soccer league. This past season, the team captured the midget division (12-to-14-year-old) championship. Pictured here kneelong, from left, are Nicholas Butler, Benjamin Schnese, Christopher Butler, Robert Lackey and Mikeal Nelson. The back row is made up of Coach Scott Jordan, Cameron Jenkins, Kimberly Rozier, Ryan Kelly, Gray Batten, Campbell Jordan and Coach Robbie Lackey. Missing from the team photo were Shaw Wilgis, Chloe Butcher, Fin Butcher, Joseph McCarley and Coach Randy Wilgis.

K of C free throw contest set for Jan. 7

All Kershaw County boys and girls, ages 10 to 14, are invited to participate in the 2012 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Shootout.

It's tourney time for county teams

After a break prior to Christmas, Kershaw County's basketball and wrestling teams will head back to the hardwood and the mat, respectively, for pre-New Year's Day events this week.

Noted and passed -- Dec. 26, 2011

• We've watched with interest the controversy over the city of Camden's proposed YMCA, and the attendant give and take on both sides. City officials certainly could have been more receptive to those disagreeing with their positions, and some of the opponents could have been more circumspect with their jeers and boos at meetings. But the ongoing debate has been a healthy exercise in democracy and the right of both governing and dissenting. However, we were disappointed to see Y opponent Herb Farber characterize Mayor Jeffrey Graham in a recent news story as a "29-year-old boy." The statement came ...

Requiem for a master contrarian

Only once since my foolish adolescence do I recall actually feeling fortunate to be a smoker, a truly insidious addiction that I have since kicked. It was the slightly chilly Washington evening on which I was joined during a smoke break at a friend's birthday party by Christopher Hitchens, one of the few people who can be called a journalist-intellectual without it sounding like a punch line.

Our energy potential

Imagine a place where jobs are plentiful, and the housing market is thriving. A place where even low-playing service jobs come with signing bonuses and other benefits.

Rodney F. Waller

Funeral service for Rodney Fitzgibbons Waller, 45, of West Columbia, will be held Monday at 2:00 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home, Lugoff, with burial to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The Rev. David Robinson will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association.

Cassatt man dies in collision

A 49-year-old Cassatt man on a motorcycle was struck and killed by another vehicle Friday night between Bethune and Kershaw.

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.