Archive By Author - Gary Phillips
The quest for independence
Sometimes, the most challenging thing about writing this weekly column is coming up with a topic, but that's not at all the case this week. My columns run on Friday and even if July 4 wasn't on Friday this year I would still have written my column about the holiday.
The Fourth of July
What are your plans for the Fourth of July?
Fire chiefs urge caution with fireworks
July 4 is celebrated in many ways, with cookouts, patriotic concerts and parades. But one fun thing about the holiday that carries the potential for danger is fireworks. Kershaw County fire chiefs want everyone to have fun on the 4th, but to also use caution and common sense when dealing with fireworks.
KCSO Lt. graduates FBI academy
Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) Lt. Steve Knafelc graduated from the 255th Session of the FBI (FBI) National Academy on June 13. In a ceremony held at the FBI academy in Quantico, Va., Knafelc graduated along with law enforcement officials from the District of Columbia, 17 countries, six military organizations and five federal civilian organizations.
LF-R recognizes Lugoff resident
Members of Lugoff Fire-Rescue (LF-R) members and the Lugoff Fire District Board of Commissioners recognized Lugoff citizen Sidney Butler at the board's monthly meeting June 23. Chief Dennis Ray said Butler was recognized and presented a plaque for his service to the Lugoff community and the fire department by providing support and input for community and county growth projects.
Elderly man leads deputies on low-speed chase
Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) deputies stopped an elderly man in Lee County after a low-speed chase on I-20 following an alert for a reckless driver without headlights on I-20 in Kershaw County.
Hewitt is first KCSO drug recognition expert deputy
Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) Deputy Kyle Hewitt recently received Drug Recognition Expert certification (DRE) following completion of a training, evaluation and testing program. Hewitt is the first law enforcement officer from the KCSO to receive this certification.
KH to team with orthopedic experts
Kershaw County area residents who need joint replacement may soon be able to have their procedures done at KershawHealth under a plan its board of trustees is working toward.
Camden jewel thief arrested in Charlotte
The Camden Police Department (CPD) charged an Indiana man who recently relocated to Charlotte, N.C., for allegedly stealing three rings from two Camden jewelry stores this month. CPD Chief Joe Floyd identified the man as Justin Charles Tarpley, 32, whose official address is in Porter, Ind. Floyd said diligent investigation by Det. Dallas Rabon resulted in Tarpley's capture.
Burns wins Republican nomination for KCC chair
Retired U.S. Army General Julian Burns will represent the Republican party for Kershaw County Council Chairman in the November 4 general election after winning a runoff Tuesday against Ben Connell. Burns, Connell and Gene Hartis ran on the Republican ballot in the June 10 primary. Burns received the most votes, but less than 50 percent, so a runoff was required with Hartis, who received the second highest number of votes. Hartis, however, decided to withdraw from the race, which allowed Connell to face Burns in the runoff.
KCC approves 2 percent raise for employees
Calling it "a good night for Kershaw County citizens," County Councilman Jimmy Jones successfully introduced several new amendments, including a 2 percent pay raise for county employees, to the Fiscal Year 2015 budget at council's meeting Tuesday. Council passed third and final reading of the budget at its June 17 meeting, but several members made a request to reconsider the budget Tuesday night.
Common sense isn’t so common any more
Early this week I had an interesting conversation with a downtown Camden businessman. I was walking the area doing our weekly "Sidewalk Survey" feature for Wednesday's paper and I went into this gentleman's store to see if I might find a survey participant. I did find one.
KCSO arrests heroin dealer
Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) narcotics agents arrested a Cassatt man on June 20, and charged him with trafficking heroin.
Summer time treats
What is your favorite summer food?
Runoff election sees light voter traffic
Voters headed back to the polls Tuesday for a runoff election to decide one Kershaw County race and others statewide. Kershaw County Voter Registration Director Rosalind Watson said at 12:30 p.m. voter turnout had been steady, but light. She said light turnout is common for runoff elections.
Articles By Author - Gary Phillips
KCC to hear text to 911 presentation
Kershaw County Council will hear a presentation Tuesday night by Kirk Stropes, the county's E911 deputy director, on a new system where people can text emergencies to 911. It is one of three presentations on council's agenda for the evening.
Phillips: When duty calls
Last week, I wrote about some of the many cultural and recreational opportunities we have here in Camden and Kershaw County. It's impressive we have so many offerings and they are thanks to the vision, effort and hard work of those involved, be it the Fine Arts Center, the Kershaw County Parks and Recreation Department, the equine industry and so many more.
Walter M. Crowe Animal Shelter celebrates 16 years
The Walter M. Crowe Animal Shelter, at 460 Fair St. in Camden will have been in operation for 16 years as of Feb. 1 and they are celebrating the occasion the entire week with special offers for pet lovers. Feb. 1 is a Sunday and the facility is closed Sunday and Monday each week, so the festivities are slated to begin Tuesday, Feb. 3 and continue through Saturday, Feb. 7.
Teen leads deputies on chase in stolen car
Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) deputies apprehended a 14-year-old Richland County boy early Monday after he reportedly stole a car and led authorities on a chase. According to a KCSO press release, a motorist called 911 around 7:15 a.m. Monday to report the driver of a yellow Ford Mustang was headed east and swerving in and out of traffic on U.S. 1 between Elgin and Lugoff.
Crime Report - Jan. 21, 2015
The Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) responded to separate calls involving the theft of a four-wheeler from Elgin, copper wiring from a cell phone tower near Camden and a horse near the Kershaw County airport.
Multiple fire departments protect RV park from fire
Dozens of firefighters responded to a yard fire on the 1300 block of Fort Jackson Road around 2 p.m. Monday in an effort to keep the fire from spreading into an RV park near I-20. Crews from Doby's Mill and Blaney fire departments, as well as other firefighters from the Kershaw County Fire Service and Columbia-Richland fire departments, joined Lugoff Fire-Rescue (LF-R) units in battling the blaze. LF-R crews arrived to find a large open field area on fire quickly spreading into the woods thanks to high gusts of wind. LF-R's incident commander requested the additional crews ...
Bethune approves water system study during special meeting
Bethune Town Council took the first step Monday toward repairing and upgrading the town's aging water system when it approved spending $5,000 on an engineering study. The study is expected to find what condition the system is in and determine the estimated cost of the upgrade. Council voted on the matter during a special meeting called at 10 a.m. at Bethune Town Hall. Council hopes to secure grant money to help fund the massive project.
Keeping ‘the dream’ alive
People packed into Camden's Mt. Moriah Baptist Church on Monday evening for the community's annual remembrance of the life and legacy of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The NAACP's Camden-Kershaw County branch sponsored the event, presided over by 1st Vice President Rev. Kenneth Carter.
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