Sports complex plan raises concerns on many fronts

As Chair of the local Let's Move Cities & Towns, the White House initiative targeting our national epidemic of childhood obesity, I have tried to educate myself about how to best serve the well being of the next generation. To this end, Let's Move, partnering with KershawHealth and Eat Smart Move More, with Councilwoman Alfred Mae Drakeford as our presiding muse, recently held the first Mini Olympics of Kershaw County at Camden's Doby Complex; we plan a student garden for the spring, and other programs not yet announced.

Pets of the week -- Nov. 25, 2011

Among the animals available for adoption at the Walter M. Crowe Animal Shelter are Cyrus, a 4-month-old male Great Dane who's leash-trained with a harness, and a 6-week-old Siamese kitten. The adoption donation includes spaying or neutering. The shelter, located at the south end of Fair Street and managed by the Kershaw County Humane Society, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday. For information on the shelter or to check for a missing pet, call 425-6016 or e-mail ...

City’s petition stance not final chapter

I appreciate this opportunity to inform the thousands of Camdenites who are interested in the progress with the referendum, what occurred at the Council meeting Tuesday morning. As expected, the plan for the Camden Sports Complex was the grandiose reveal on the agenda. But another great surprise came in a revelation from Mr. Cushman (city attorney) advising Mayor Graham and Council Members that the initiative petition calling for a referendum had not been presented according to State Code. Well, I should say his interpretation of State Code.

Rec notes -- Nov. 25, 2011

Final registration for the youth basketball program will be accepted at the Kershaw County Recreation Department.

Fickling joins McKay Firm

James E.L. "Eddie" Fickling has joined the Columbia-based firm of McKay, Cauthen, Settana, & Stubley, P.A. as an associate. He practices in the areas of workers' compensation defense, civil litigation, and subrogation and workers' compensation appeals.

Another failure in Washington

Of all the nauseating things about the Super Committee's inability to reach a deficit-cutting deal, perhaps the worst is that the leaders of both parties have apparently spent months anticipating such an impasse and trying to lay groundwork to use the committee's failure to advance their own causes in the 2012 election. It proves once more -- how many times does this make? -- that most of the elected officials in Washington are interested not in advancing common-sense proposals but in trying to get re-elected and trying to make sure their own party dominates.

'Horses, History, Heritage'

Camden's "horse history" in a nutshell.

Why we need a Y

To those of you who don't know me, I am an Internal Medicine physician who has practiced at the hospital here in Camden for the past four years. I am the mother of three young children, and I live here in downtown Camden. I have followed the debate about the YMCA closely, and for many reasons, I support this project because I care about my patients, my family, and our community.

My thanks for this day and more

During this holiday season, I'm thankful for:

North Central Middle names honor students

North Central Middle School has announced its honor rolls for the first nine-week period.

Santa to visit Lugoff Dec. 2

Santa is coming to town Dec. 2 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Lugoff-Elgin High School on U.S. 1 in Lugoff. Santa will be giving out stockings full of goodies to the kids, refreshments for everyone, and kids can have their picture made with him. Parents can take their own picture or professional photos will be available for purchase. Admission is free and kids can tour the fire trucks and get fire prevention materials. For questions concerning Santa's visit, contact a firefighter at 438-2553 or email contactlfd@lugofffire.com. All department events are also posted on ...

L-EWA meets the challenge

Lugoff-Elgin Water Authority (L-EWA) Assistant Superintendent of Water Treatment Randy Watts, (second from left) recently accepted the 2011 Area-Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) award from representatives of the the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the Environment Protection Agency. "This award basically guarantees that there is nothing wrong with our water," L-EWA General Manager Mike Hancock said. "It encourages facilities to reach a higher standard." DHEC initiated the program in 1997 in an effort to optimize the performance of existing surface water treatment facilities. The goals of AWOP are to reduce the risk of a waterborne disease ...

Why Gingrich is back -- for now

And now it's Newt?

Remember your family, both blood and surrogate, this holiday

"It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons." ~Johann Schiller

Lugoff-Elgin Girl Scout Troop looks back on achievements in 2011, plans for 2012

Once again your Lugoff-Elgin Girl Scout Troop No. 968 is reporting on our activities. We have had a very good year and a wonderful summer with four of our girls, Amber Mitchell, Jessica Black, MacKenzie Saverance, and Olivia Lamphere, all earning their Bronze Award. These girls worked hard over the summer making and painting birdhouses, wind chimes, and a bird bath for the residents of Springdale Nursing Home. The girls did a wonderful job and all the people are really enjoying their endeavors.

Medical marijuana

Both Democrats and Republicans in South Carolina will have advisory questions on their June primary ballots -- votes that will not be binding but are intended simply to provide some feeling for what Palmetto State residents are thinking about particular issues. As you would guess, such questions often revolve around issues particularly important to one party or another, and they're sometimes done to help provide leverage for the parties to push certain projects.

American Legion accepting Palmetto Boys State applications

James Leroy Belk American Legion Post No. 17 is seeking applications for Palmetto Boys State to be held June 8-14 at Anderson University. Applicants should be motivated students interested in learning about citzenship and government, rising seniors of good character and in the top 25 percent of their class. Applications are available from guidance counselors at high schools or may be obtained from Richard Lackey at 432-9527. Above, Palmetto Boys State chairman Lackey dines and chats with Girls State delegate Margeaux Laschanzky and Boys State delegate Riley Kohn when the two youths visited Post 17 to share their experiences from ...

Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Hopkins celebrate 50th anniversary

Alvin and Joanne Hopkins recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. The couple was married on March 21, 1964, at the home of the Rev. Joe Hood. They have two children, Wesley (BK) Hopkins and Lynn (Jackie) Hopkins; two grandchildren, William Hopkins and Justin Hopkins, two step-grandchildren, Lauren Langford and Josh Napper; and one step-greatgrandchild, Vance Langford.

David Lawerence Kelly Jr

A Funeral Mass for David Lawerence Kelly Jr., 43, will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Camden, S.C. The Rev. Father Paul Brenninkmeijer will officiate. Final Commendation and Farewell Prayers will be in Quaker Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Walter M. Crowe Animal Shelter, 460 Fair Street, Camden, SC 29020.

Demons give Cavaliers the boot

Now this is how you end a drought.

Demons netters rip RNE twice

With their head coach missing the match due to a knee injury, the Lugoff-Elgin tennis team tried to help in Edward Rickwood's recovery by dousing visiting Richland Northeast, 7-0, in a Region 4-4A match played on Tuesday.

Sandy Heyward Boykin, Sr.

A celebration of life service for Sandy Heyward Boykin, Sr., 55, will be held Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Powers funeral home. The Rev. Reece Byrd and the Rev. Ann Byrd will officiate.

Gators take a bite out of Dogs

First-year schools and their athletic teams are not supposed to be this good.

Lady Demons sweep RNE

Lugoff-Elgin tuned up for its Thursday night battle with conference-leading Blythewood by handing visiting Richland Northeast a pair of losses in a Tuesday night Region 4-4A doubleheader.

Thanks from Historic Camden

The governing board of Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site would like to express its sincerest appreciation to Mayor Tony Scully and the members of Camden City Council for approving recommended changes to a much needed sewer project that crosses portions of our historic site. City Manager Mel Pearson, Public Works Director Tom Couch and Deputy Director Sam Davis are to be commended for working tirelessly with numerous individuals to find a solution to installing the sewer lines in a timely manner while protecting parts of the archaeologically rare and nationally significant colonial site of early Camden.

Gullible and guilty

Those of us who jump for joy when we hear that Governor Haley is deeply concerned about education and is planning to dedicate $160 million in new spending for education might consider, as we bow heads in hope and tenuous gratitude, that such concern on her part is coming awfully late but just in time for her possible re-election. Better late than never? Perhaps! But better earlier, for sure. The S.C. education budget has been reduced for the last three years by more than the proposed budget raises -- $110 million in her first year and $140 million stimulus money ...

Ariail for April 11, 2014

Southern charm

WASHINGTON -- After writing close to 3,000 columns, I've learned that people sometimes read what they're looking for, often as a result of a headline, rather than what I wrote.

Among the state's elite

Elliott feature speaker at KC Gamecock Club celebration

The Kershaw County Gamecock Club will hold its annual "Great to be a Gamecock Gathering" on Tuesday, April 29 at the Old South Restaurant in Camden at 6:30 p.m.