We need a weekly review of the check register. It was revealed in December that a little over a year ago, a $386,000 check – written back in May, 2024 – was listed in the county’s online payment register. And what was that check? It was for IRS fines. By not reviewing it in May, […]
Guest Editorial: No Single Person Should Wield Unchecked Power
July 17, 2025 By
The mayor-council form of government is inherently susceptible to corruption due to the concentration of power in the mayor’s office. When one individual holds the authority to appoint key officials, make big decisions unilaterally, and prepare the budget, the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse increases dramatically. Without sufficient checks and balances, the door is […]
Scout Motors hiring skilled maintenance technicians at new production center
July 16, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Scout Motors is now hiring maintenance technicians to join the team at its Production Center that’s under construction in Blythewood. Starting range for maintenance technicians is $30.00-$34.00 and $33.50-$37.50 for senior maintenance technicians. For initial hourly manufacturing roles, Scout is seeking skilled maintenance technicians with at least 3+ years of experience in the […]
License of Ridgeway assisted living community suspended by DPH
July 16, 2025 By
RIDGEWAY — On Tuesday, July 15, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) took immediate action to issue an emergency license suspension of J C Laraes Southwinds Assisted Living Community, a Community Residential Care Facility (assisted living) in Ridgeway, South Carolina. DPH determined this action was necessary to protect the health and well-being of the facility’s residents, and with the timely assistance of the S.C. Ombudsman’s Office, the S.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services and the S.C. Dept. of Social Services, all residents have successfully been relocated at this time. Upon the arrival of DPH inspectors Tuesday, no […]
MASC informs Blythewood community on forms of government before the July 29 vote
July 10, 2025 By
Next Information Session set for 6 p.m. on July 14 at Doko Manor BLYTHEWOOD – “While one form of government may describe, specifically, what our [council’s and mayor’s] individual roles are, it’s like a marriage. If I cannot on a daily basis communicate effectively with my wife, our marriage is not going to be successful. […]
Blythewood Town Council passes $3.7M budget, clips Griffin’s unauthorized spending
July 10, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – During the June 23 regular council meeting, Blythewood town council voted 3-2 to pass a $3,760,905 FY 2025-26 budget, taking measures aimed at clipping unauthorized spending. To that end, council targeted several line items they said Mayor Sloan Griffin had overspent in last fiscal year’s 2024-25 budget without authorization. They also looked at […]
Fairfield animal ad hoc committee spars over issues
July 10, 2025 By
Stray Holds, Mandatory Registration & Breeder Permits WINNSBORO – In a divisive discussion at the July 2 Animal Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee meeting regarding returning unsterilized animals to owners, the committee revisited their earlier 5-2 vote to alter existing Animal Ordinance 737, Section 4-16, which requires that dogs picked up by Animal Control and reclaimed […]
Breaking Down the Forms of Government
July 10, 2025 By
South Carolina law allows municipalities to organize under one of three forms of government. It also allows municipalities to change the form of government by referendum. Although each of the three forms have unique structures, some things remain the same in all instances. For example, in all three forms of municipal government in South Carolina, […]
A Champion on the March
July 10, 2025 By
Fairfield County Boxer Breaks in with First Professional Fight on July 19 FAIRFIELD COUNTY – Emanuel March has led a life of activity in Fairfield County, whether working on his family’s farm in Blair or playing football and basketball at Fairfield Central High School. For the past two years he’s kept busy with amateur boxing […]
Twisters considers preschool program
July 10, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Following Trinity Learning Center’s recent closure announcement, Twister Nation, which houses The Tumble Tree and Twisters, is exploring interest for a potential preschool program in their Blythewood facility. The new 20,000 square foot gym, which officially opened in March 2025, has five large gym floors with trampolines and indoor preschool play equipment. “If […]
