Criminal investigation is ongoing WINNSBORO – In an update on a story that broke in February 2023 by The Voice on a criminal investigation of chemicals found buried on a property in downtown Winnsboro, the Department of Health and Environment Control (DHEC) reports that at no time was anyone at risk of negative health impacts […]
Blythewood town administrator resigns, takes position with Richland County
April 6, 2023 By
BLYTHEWOOD – The Voice has learned that the Blythewood Town Administrator Carroll Williamson has submitted his resignation, effective June 1, 2023, and will be taking a position with Richland County as Community Planning and Development Director. Williamson signed a two-year contract with Blythewood in January, 2021 after serving as the Planning and Development Director for […]
Ridgeway revises business license rules
April 6, 2023 By
RIDGEWAY – Business license rates will be increasing by 50 percent for out of town owners of in-town Ridgeway businesses, according to a newly revised business license ordinance that was adopted by the Ridgeway Town Council last week. Applicants for business licenses will now be required to submit copies of portions of their state and […]
Winnsboro Town Hall focused on revitalization
April 6, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – More than 80 residents attended what Winnsboro town government officials say is the first of several town hall type meetings to be held to talk with citizens about ways to revitalize the town by harnessing new opportunities and new funding coming Winnsboro’s way. Mayor John McMeekin, Mayor Pro Tem Demetrius Chatman, Town Manager […]
Ashley Oaks neighbors push back against rail yard rezoning
April 6, 2023 By
BLYTHEWOOD – About 80 Ashley Oaks residents attended Monday night’s town council meeting, and a number of them spoke out against a rezoning request for a property that borders many of their back yards and that will be used as an industrial rail yard. The Blythewood Planning Commission ultimately and unanimously recommended the zoning change […]
County, town councils break ground for road widening
April 6, 2023 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Richland County announced details of its plan to upgrade and widen Blythewood Road during a news conference last Thursday at the Richland County Public Works entrance at 437 Blythewood Road, in Blythewood. The road widening is part of a $15.6 million Penny Tax project and will extend west from the I-77 interchange to […]
Franklin wants ordinance to govern absences
April 6, 2023 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Some Blythewood leaders want it entered into the record whenever a council member misses a meeting, leading one councilman to call the request “tacky.” As the March 27 meeting was concluding, the present voting majority of council voiced support for differentiating between excused and unexcused absences in the minutes. The discussion occurred after […]
Did town receive valid ethics opinion concerning Councilman Donald Brock?
April 6, 2023 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Councilman Rich McKenrick stated during the March 27 town council meeting that, “we received some legal advice in the executive session that was an ethics opinion.” Mayor Bryan Franklin added, “We were advised that Councilman Donald Brock apparently has breached his ethical duty to the Town.” And the Country Chronicle put it in […]
Chatman, Miller returned to Town Council
April 6, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – With a total of only 32 votes cast, two unopposed candidates for Winnsboro Town Council are headed back to their seats for four more years. Demetrius Chatman, who represents the District 3 seat on council will begin his second term, while Danny Miller, District 1, will be looking at his eighth term. Voter […]
For this reporter, SC is a Front Row Seat to Presidential Politics
April 6, 2023 By
South Carolina offers a perfect perch from which to watch the national political process, says Meg Kinnard, national politics reporter for the Associated Press, who lives in Blythewood. “I like that my job gives me the opportunity to have a front-row seat to some of the most important things that are happening in our country,” […]
