BLYTHEWOOD – Town Councilman Donald Brock announced almost three months ago, during the Nov. 24 town council meeting, that, “$20,000 from last year’s Juneteenth event funding walked away, and it can’t be accounted for.” He was referring to H-tax (hospitality tax) funds that were appropriated in the FY 2024-25 town budget for Blythewood’s 2025 Juneteenth […]
Blythewood Town Council kicks the $500 FOI can down the road
February 5, 2026 By
BLYTHEWOOD – After The Voice was charged $500 by Blythewood town hall for a response to an FOI (Freedom of Information) request last month, the following item appeared on the Jan. 28 town council meeting agenda for discussion; “A Review of the Town’s current FOIA policy and possible recommendations for changes to the Town’s IT […]
Blythewood Council calls for new policy on Town Hall weather closures
February 5, 2026 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood Town Hall has long followed Richland County government’s inclement weather policy. After Interim Manager Ed Driggers authorized an announcement on Sunday, Jan. 25, that town hall would be closed on Monday, Jan. 26, and that the Monday night town council meeting would be cancelled, Councilman Donald Brock asked that the town hall’s […]
Council discusses demolition of Wilson building during executive session
January 29, 2026 By
BLYTHEWOOD – An executive session item on the Jan. 20 agenda for the Blythewood Board of Architectural Review caught the eye of a number of Blythewood old-timers. The meeting agenda item stated: “Receipt of legal advice for matters covered by the attorney-client privilege (300 Main Street application for certificate of appropriateness for demolition.)” That discussion […]
Czentye challenges McDaniel for Dist. 41 House seat
January 29, 2026 By
The following statements were provided by the candidates. Annie McDaniel Representative Annie E. McDaniel is a respected public servant serving District 41 (Chester, Fairfield, and Richland Counties) in the South Carolina House of Representatives since 2019. She made history as both the first African American woman and the first African American since Reconstruction to hold […]
Majority 4 amend ad hoc committee’s animal ordinance recommendation
January 29, 2026 By
WINNSBORO — A new majority of four on Fairfield County Council carried the vote during council’s Jan. 12 meeting to adopt several amendments to an ad hoc committee’s recommended changes to the county’s current Animal Ordinance 737. Councilman Don Goldbach made the motion to adopt the amendments and was joined in the 4-3 vote by […]
Fairfield County seeks input for strategic plan
January 22, 2026 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County is creating a strategic plan to guide county government’s efforts and investments over the next five to ten years. “Our plan is to set clear priorities, align resources and create a shared vision for growth, economic development and quality of life,” said County Administrator Vic Carpenter. “By engaging community members, local […]
Blythewood Town Council conducts 7-hour strategic planning workshop
January 15, 2026 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Town council held its annual strategic planning/priority-setting meeting on Monday at Doko Manor. During the seven-hour session, Interim Town Manager Ed Driggers served as the facilitator, incorporating SWOT- an acronym used to identify the town’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Council has used the SWOT method in past years to guide their strategic […]
Fines, terminations follow Fairfield County Detention Center issues
January 15, 2026 By
WINNSBORO – In late December, County Administrator Vic Carpenter announced that the county had been verbally notified it would be fined $55,000 by the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy for staffing violations at the Fairfield County Detention Center. During Monday night’s county council meeting, Carpenter announced other consequences for the violations, including the termination of key […]
Volunteers sought for Town of Blythewood’s boards
January 15, 2026 By
BLYTHEWOOD – The Town of Blythewood is now accepting applications for several vacant or expiring seats on the Planning Commission, Board of Architectural Review, and the Board of Zoning Appeals. Those interested in applying, are asked to fill out an application and email it to Sharon Durst, town clerk, at [email protected]. The application is on […]
