Remembering Michael

Michael Joseph Smith was more than a young adult killed in a "gang-related" shooting five years ago on Dec. 7, 2007. He was a son and a brother. As the Chronicle-Independent concluded its three-part series "Michael's Legacy, 2007-2012" Friday, Michael's mother, Jody Hancock, said she wanted to make sure those impacted by Michael's death and the community's response to it didn't forget Michael himself. The ...

Michael’s legacy: a commitment to change

I've heard that one of the hardest things to do in life is to bury your own child. I can't imagine, but don't think I'm too far off in thinking that it would be especially hard when a young son or daughter has lost their life to other young sons and daughters.

Grant programs working, but will they last?

Michael Joseph Smith died exactly five years ago tonight, Dec. 7, 2007, in a gang-related shooting at the McDonald's near the U.S. 521/I-20 interchange. His death spurred a conversation about how Kershaw County would handle gang-affiliation and prevention. Since his death, many Kershaw County entities have come together to apply for and implement Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SS/HS), a five year, $6 million federally funded program. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: ...

Arrests sent message as teen’s death inspired community

Kershaw County Sheriff's Office Lt. Danny Templar said the night of Dec. 7, 2007, was "a jagged pill of reality." Michael Smith, 17, had been fatally wounded by a gunshot at the McDonald's/TigerShop near U.S. 521/I-20.

Crime Report - Dec. 5, 2012

An Elgin man living on Roberts Drive told Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) deputies that he returned home after a month to find someone leaving out his backdoor.

Michael's Legacy, 2007-2012, Part I of III

Michael Joshua Smith -- described as a Camden High School student on the brink of learning what it meant to be a man -- died from a gunshot to the chest on Dec. 7, 2007, at the age of 17. This week, the Chronicle-Independent looks back at the events of five years ago and how his death brought about changes in Camden and Kershaw County. Information for this series is taken from C-I accounts ...

Candlelight Tour returns Dec. 8

Break out your mittens and winter jackets and experience the "the historic charm of South Carolina's oldest inland city" at the 36th annual Candlelight Tour of Homes on Dec. 8 from 3 to 8 p.m.

Cyber Monday, Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is the new Black Friday.

Crime Report - Nov. 28, 2012

A Camden woman claimed she was assaulted after leaving a Kershaw Highway, Westville, home after another woman noticed a bottle of liquor was missing from the home.

FRC to host dinner, silent auction

The Family Resource Center, a children's advocacy and rape crisis center, will host a dinner and silent auction to inform citizens in Kershaw and Lee counties about the effects of abuse and raise money to support its prevention and counseling programs.

KCSD nurses offer more than ‘Band-Aids’

Kershaw County School District (KCSD) nurses showed the Kershaw County Board of School of Trustees that they do more than "put on Band-Aids" at the board's meeting Monday night.

Expressing gratitude is healthy for you

Yesterday, people all over the country gave thanks for the various people and opportunities they have in their lives. In a moment of humility and love, some people probably even recognized that they have all they could ever really need in the present moment.

Crime Report - Nov. 21, 2012

A Lugoff woman told the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) her neighbor was shooting at her horses.

Chamber to vote on state competitiveness agenda

The Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce will vote on the state chamber's 2013 Competitiveness Agenda at its Dec. 20 meeting. The S.C. State Chamber of Commerce presented the new agenda at the chamber's Nov. 15 meeting.

KCSO holds third town hall meeting

The Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) held its third town hall meeting at Camden Middle School Thursday night. Sheriff Jim Matthews and his command staff were available to answer questions about the state of the KCSO.

Crime Report - June 19, 2013

An Elgin woman allegedly pointed a shotgun at her foster son.

Near drowning averted at Kendall Lake

One day before an Elgin homeowner found 15-year-old Daven Williams dead in their swimming pool, a Camden man was transported -- alive -- to the hospital after nearly drowning in Kendall Lake. Camden Police Department (CPD) Chief Joe Floyd said the 35-year-old man had to be taken to the hospital after he tried to rescue his fianc&eacute;'s flotation device.

Pine Grove Residential student found dead in swimming pool

A 15-year-old teen with a developmental disorder was found dead on Friday after he walked away from the school he attended in Elgin for the second time, according to authorities.

McCaskill settles lawsuit against KCSO for $75,000

Kershaw County's insurance carrier will pay former Kershaw County Sheriff Steve McCaskill $75,000 to settle his defamation lawsuit against the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office (KCSO). The lawsuit and four others were originally directed against current Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews as an individual over comments he made soon after taking office in 2011. However, Matthews has maintained he was speaking as a county official, so all the lawsuits were redirected against the KCSO. <p ...

KCSD helps parents to lead by example