BLYTHEWOOD – With a turnout of 700 voters, the answer to what kind of government Blythewood residents will have going forward is settled. In a vote of 381 – 319, with 50 early votes and two provisional votes, electors chose to change Blythewood’s form of government from a mayor-council form of government to a council-manager […]
Town investigating comping for Doko Manor events
July 24, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – After a story was published in the July 17 edition of The Voice regarding the comping (partially or completely) of events scheduled at the Manor, an investigation is unfolding in town hall as Blythewood town officials try to determine who is authorizing certain events at the Manor to be comped, which events are […]
Fairfield clinics to close Aug 22
July 24, 2025 By
WINNSBORO – Two clinics in Fairfield County are scheduled to close this summer. The John Spratt Primary Care Center in Ridgeway and the Lake Monticello Family Practice in Jenkinsville will close effective Friday, Aug. 22, according to Dr. Jaeson Fournier, president and CEO of the non-profit Cooperative Health Care, one of the larger health care […]
Fairfield Chamber gives annual awards to best of its best
July 24, 2025 By
WINNSBORO – The Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 80th anniversary with a Gala on July 16, presenting awards to the best of its best. With 164 in attendance, Chamber President Dillon Pullen welcomed members and friends to the dinner/dance at The Barn at South Winns that featured music by Sherri Caffaro and catering […]
Charter school to open in Ridgeway in fall 2027
July 24, 2025 By
RIDGEWAY – A new charter high school focused on trade skills will be opening in Ridgeway in the fall of 2027, according to the school’s Development Director Phil Frye. The Academy for Skill Technologies will offer all the academics that are required for a traditional high school diploma – math, science, English, social studies – […]
Brock, McKenrick, Fripp to hold Q&A on July 21
July 17, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Mayor Pro Tem Donald Brock, Councilman Rich McKenrick, and Councilwoman Andrea Fripp will host a meeting for Blythewood voters on Monday, July 21, to answer questions regarding the upcoming July 29 referendum. Councilwoman Erica Page will be out of town, but may be available to answer questions remotely. “Bring your questions about the […]
Fairfield County fails to install industrial site conduit
July 17, 2025 By
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – For the second time in about a year, Fairfield County has sold county industrial sites that they later found out lack utility services. After calling for the approval of the agenda at Monday night’s regular council meeting, Chairman Clarence Gilbert passed a document to Councilman Oren Gadson who read it aloud. It […]
Fairfield ad hoc committee sends animal ordinance recommendations to council
July 17, 2025 By
AIRFIELD COUNTY – After more than three months of deliberation, the Fairfield County Animal Control Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee voted unanimously on July 15 to approve its draft of recommended changes to the existing animal ordinance. The 7–0 vote marks the conclusion of an 18-hour public meeting series that began on April 9 and resulted […]
Are comped events hurting Doko Manor’s bottom line?
July 17, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – The Town of Blythewood’s event venue, Doko Manor, struggles financially, and town hall records indicate that comping and discounting rental rates for the facility may be contributing to that struggle. In a listing of Manor event bookings for the month of May, 2025, obtained by The Voice, one entry states: “The Manor Reserved […]
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 […]
