Latest News
Council Chairman handpicked attorney for council vote
WINNSBORO – Charles Boykin helped elect, and then re-elect, a state lawmaker who later wrote him a glowing letter of recommendation for the Fairfield County attorney position, according to documents obtained by The Voice. In 2018 and 2020, Boykin donated to the campaign of state Rep. Annie McDaniel, who represents Fairfield County. Boykin contributed $100 […]
Bender: Fairfield ad hoc committee meeting likely illegal on 3 levels
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council likely violated several provisions of state law when it shut out the public in hiring a new county attorney, according to an opposing council member and a media law attorney. In doing so, council members risk costly litigation challenging the process and nullifying related votes, observers say. At a special […]
Town Council hires MPA Strategies to market, brand Blythewood
BLYTHEWOOD – After months of contentious wrangling over who should receive 30 percent of the Town’s SAT (state accommodation tax) funds to market and brand the Town of Blythewood, town council voted 3-2 in favor of a Columbia firm, MPA Strategies. The Greater Blythewood Chamber of Commerce and MPA were the two finalists out of […]
Fairfield County Rec. Department opens fitness center
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Parks and Recreation has opened a state-of-the-art Community Fitness Center located adjacent to the athletic fields at Drawdy Park at 795 5th Street behind the County building in Winnsboro. The facility covers 5,000 square feet with an exercise room that features over a dozen machines that help with cardio training, weight […]
Business license dates to change
BLYTHEWOOD – Council voted Monday night to pass the first of two readings required to amend the town’s business license ordinance. The amendment, if passed on the second reading, would change the expiration date for the current 2021 business license from Dec. 30, 2021 to April 30, 2022. The payment is still due on April […]
Richland County rejects Rimer Pond Rd. rezoning request
COLUMBIA – In a unanimous vote Tuesday evening, the Richland County Council rejected the zoning requested for a planned 55-home subdivision on Rimer Pond Road. The vote came after numerous citizens expressed their frustration with the traffic and pace of development along Rimer Pond, which connects Wilson Boulevard in Blythewood to Hardscrabble Road and is […]
Food Lion opens in former Bi-Lo store
WINNSBORO – A new Food Lion opened in Winnsboro Wednesday morning in the former Bi-Lo store on the Bypass where Highway 34 intersects with Highway 321. After a brief early morning ribbon cutting and soft opening, shoppers began checking out the store’s offerings. “I’m super excited to open this new location in the Fairfield community,” […]
Alexis Thompson honored with S.C. Palmetto Award by Council
WINNSBORO – Alexis Thompson, a telecommunicator with Fairfield County Emergency Management/911, thought she had been invited to Monday night’s county council meeting to answer questions about her department’s budget. When she entered the council chambers, however, her supervisor, Brad Douglas, Director of the county’s Emergency Management, awarded Alexis the S. C. Palmetto Award for her […]
BH month program set for Feb. 26
BLYTHEWOOD – In celebration of Black History Month, the Blythewood Historical Society and Museum will host a virtual black history program, “And Still We Rise.” “Due to COVID-19 restrictions and concern for the health and safety of our community, we will not have an in-person event this year,” program director Doris Coleman said. We will […]
BW okays July 3 fireworks, awaiting Commerce approval
BLYTHEWOOD – Council voted Monday night to go forward with the July 3rd Fireworks in Doko Park. Due to COVID restrictions, the popular event, which draws as many as 5,000 to the park every July 3, was not held last year. Because it was cancelled after it was scheduled, the Town was obligated per contract […]
