County seeking new assessor after Roberts’ exit

KCC to discuss tourism committee appointments

Kershaw County Council will consider making appointments Tuesday to the county's tourism committee, a group tasked with advising council and Kershaw County Tourism Director Darron Kirkley with matters pertaining to local tourism efforts.

Historic Camden presses for larger tourism role

Representatives from Historic Camden Revolutionary War Park are seeking feedback from Kershaw County and city of Camden officials in pursuit of a plan to have greater involvement in local tourism. As part of its push, Historic Camden has proposed transitioning towards more of an official tourism role by having a hand in the operation of the county's visitor center.

Jones targets KershawHealth at Tuesday KCC meeting

A proposal to purchase two ambulances for KershawHealth escalated into a strong rebuke of the healthcare organization by Kershaw County Councilman Jimmy Jones during a council meeting Tuesday despite joining a unanimous vote to approve the measure.

KCC to discuss ambulance bids for KershawHealth

Kershaw County Council will consider the awarding of bids for two KershawHealth ambulances during Tuesday's meeting. Kershaw County Administrator Vic Carpenter said the costs of the ambulances were already incorporated in the county's 2012-2013 fiscal year budget. "KershawHealth had requested that the county provide some ambulances and council approved them when we had our budget discussions. The budget that was ...

County searching for new planning/zoning head

Kershaw County Administrator Vic Carpenter is currently looking for someone new to lead the county's Planning and Zoning Department. Former director John Newman left the position in December after serving since June 2006. Carpenter didn't clarify the cause of Newman's exit, simply categorizing it as a "personnel matter." Assistant County Planner Carolyn Hammond will head the department on an interim basis. No time frame ...

Tourism director projects increased rural support

Kershaw County Tourism Director Darron Kirkley anticipates a greater push to attract tourists to more rural parts of the state after hearing tourism trend updates during last week's Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism.

Safety commission seeks answers after meeting

What triggers someone to bully, steal, use drugs or even commit such a violent act as a mass shooting?

Horton named to county economic development board

Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Liz Horton will be adding a new element to her role in the business community after being appointed Tuesday to the Kershaw County Economic Advisory Council.

Jobless rate edges up in county, state

Although remaining slightly below the state's average, Kershaw County's unemployment rate ticked upward at the end of 2012, reaching 8.1 percent in December compared with 7.9 percent the previous month.

KCC set to name Horton to economic growth group

Kershaw County Council will consider appointing Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Liz Horton to the Kershaw County Economic Advisory Council as a replacement for outgoing member Karen Eckford during Tuesday's meeting.

Commission to use SS/HS grant as guide

As plans develop with the Safe Communities Commission (SCC) recently created by Kershaw County Council, a federal grant focusing on safety in schools will serve as a template according to local officials.

KCC launches new public safety commission

Looking to examine ways to protect the community, Kershaw County Council unanimously agreed Tuesday to support the creation of a county wide commission tasked with identifying public safety needs.

New safe schools commission may be created

Kershaw County School District (KCSD) Superintendent Dr. Frank Morgan and Kershaw County Board of School Trustees Chair Mara Jones are set to address Kershaw County Council Tuesday concerning the establishment of a county-wide safe schools commission. Morgan said discussions concerning the commission's establishment were tied to December's mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.

SCDOT funds could provide aid

Recently authorized funds under the Federal Transportation Act could generate a significant impact in the community according to state and local officials.

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 ...

Bethune mayor addresses PD, budget rumors

At a public hearing and regular Bethune Town Council meeting Thursday, council invited citizens to voice their thoughts and opinions regarding its proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget. During the public hearing, Mayor Carlisle Davis said that the budget had been available to the public the week before but that "not a single person" obtained a copy.

KCC hears feedback on budget appropriations

Tuesday's Kershaw County Council meeting kicked off with a public hearing in which Billy Smith, the Santee Wateree Transit Authority Board Representative for the area, took the opportunity to remind council of how important funding is to keep transportation in parts of the county intact. Smith that said "$18,000-plus" may be cut for the 2013-14 fiscal year and that if there is no money, there may be no routes.