Robert Ariail -- Feb. 22, 2012

County fortunate to have Matthews

I recently watched the YouTube video rant by a member of Elgin Town Council and a friend of his who criticized Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews and his department for "doing their job." To compare modern law enforcement to Nazis during World War II is an affront to the men and women who put their lives on the line for Kershaw County citizens.

Yesteryear -- Feb. 22, 2012

Photo cutline -- DEA Agent James McGivney presented awards in Columbia Friday to Kershaw County law enforcement personnel who were involved in several successful drug busts. Receiving awards were Bethune Police Chief Richard De Vors, Cpt. Jack Cobb of the Camden Police Department and Tom Leach with the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office. Seated is Officer Selina Hansen of the Camden Police Department.

Pre-season tourneys open spring campaign

While the start of the regular season for Kershaw County high school spring sports teams does not begin until the first week of March, that will not stop at least four programs from getting a head start to their respective campaigns by playing in pre-season tournaments.

Palmetto Dance Center qualifies for national dance championships

During the weekend of Feb. 10-12, dancers from Palmetto Dance Center competed at Encore Dance Competition for the Stars and qualified all 34 of their routines for the National Dance Championships to be held this July in Savannah, Ga. The solos, duos, and teams brought home twenty-three first place trophies, seven second place trophies, three third place trophies, and one fourth place trophy. In addition to these age division winnings, the group brought home additional trophies for 10 First Place Overall winnings, two Second Place Overall Winnings, and one third Place Overall Trophies. The awards didn't stop there because ...

Miss Smith, Mr. Hudson engaged

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Clyburn Smith, Jr of Camden, S.C. are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Marie Smith to Phillip Edward Hudson, Jr. of Camden, S.C. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Edward Hudson, Sr of Camden, S.C.

Herndon to seek State House seat

Saying he wants to help reform state government, Kershaw County businessman David Herndon has announced his candidacy for State House District 52.

Weeks elected to state hospital association board

KershawHealth President and CEO Donnie J. Weeks was elected to the South Carolina Hospital Association Board of Trustees (SCHA) at the association's annual meeting Jan. 30. Weeks previously served on the SCHA board and was chairman in 1994.

Grants and savings equal city improvements

Just recently, I was talking with a group of local citizens when someone mentioned the new street lights. In the past three years, the City of Camden has received and utilized grants in excess of $3 million for several improvements. A combination of grant funds and some tax dollars has been spent to move many electrical lines underground:

Quality education has cost

A community member asked me recently why I place so much emphasis on the budget. The exact words were, "I think that's all you ever talk about." I guess I have to plead guilty to keeping the budget as a front burner issue. When I think about the discussions I have about our schools with parents, staff, students and community members, most of these discussions revolve around smaller class sizes, additional academic and extracurricular programs, competitive compensation, materials and supplies, technology and additional staff in areas such as nursing, maintenance, classroom assistants and clerical. All of these are areas ...

America in ‘decline’ denial

Is America in decline? No way, says President Obama, proudly speaking of our standing overseas. But some grim new reports on our educational gaps remind us that decline is like charity -- it begins at home.

Robert Ariail -- Feb. 20, 2012

Teen killed in single-car crash

A Camden High School student died in a single-car accident on Haile Street just outside Camden early Sunday morning.

Grace Holiday Wilson

Mrs. Grace Holiday Wilson, 88, of 175 Lewis Circle, Rembert, died Wednesday, February 15, 2012. Friends may call at the residence. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at later date by Brown's Funeral Home, Camden who is serving the Wilson Family.

Maxie Webster

Services for Maxie Evon "Bud" Webster, 74, were held on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NTAF, in honor of Andy Crowson, 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120, Radnor, PA 19087.

Time to start thinking about the Cup

Even though the calendar just turned to January and cold weather is on the way, it is not too early to be thinking about the warmer days of spring.