FLORENCE – Around this time three years ago, the Blythewood girls basketball team finished the season 0-19. On Friday night at the Florence Center, the Bengals won the 5A Division I state championship with a 62-56 victory over lower-state champion Summerville. “Their hard work has definitely paid off,” second-year head coach Emily McElveen-Schaeffer said. “That […]
Review of budget allocation reveals $18K Christmas party, new line item
March 13, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – During a special called budget workshop meeting on March 5, council first reviewed the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, then heard from department heads regarding what their budget needs are looking like for the coming year. As that wrapped up, Councilman Donald Brock asked about items on a separate, loose spreadsheet that included budgeted […]
Ruff, Pauley block Goldbach’s amendment to bylaws
March 13, 2025 By
WINNSBORO – After Fairfield County Council Chairman Clarence Gilbert refused after three weeks to appoint council’s only female member, Peggy Swearingen (Dist. 3), to any one of five council standing committees, Councilman Don Goldbach offered an amendment to the bylaws at Monday night’s county council meeting that would guarantee that all members of the council […]
Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office seeks information, suspect in armed robbery of Monticello EZ Mart
March 13, 2025 By
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – At approximately 8:50 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a robbery at 3888 State Highway 215 South in Jenkinsville, a rural gas station known as Monticello EZ Mart, nicknamed “the tackle-box.” According to a news release from the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect wearing all […]
Three arrested in abandonment of puppies
March 13, 2025 By
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – Three people have been arrested for the death of two puppies who were left with another surviving puppy in a locked crate with no food and water. Jeremy Allen Cook, 35, and Anne Marie Whitaker, 32, both of Winnsboro, and Jessica Ann Broom, 19. of Ridgeway have been charged with Ill Treatment […]
Bengal girls and boys to play for 5A state titles
March 6, 2025 By
Girls break through for first semifinal victory in history FLORENCE – The Blythewood girls’ basketball team faced a difficult third quarter Saturday afternoon—until Sherron Waters launched a near-midcourt three-point shot that fell through the net at the buzzer. The senior point guard’s shot came seconds after Annie Gillam drained a 3 to give the Patriots […]
Court ruling grants Blythewood town council’s motion for injunction against mayor’s hiring practices
March 6, 2025 By
COLUMBIA – A court ruling handed down March 2 granted Town of Blythewood council members a temporary and permanent injunction that prohibits Blythewood Mayor Sloan Griffin from enforcing an executive order issued by him that would allow him to hire town hall employees without town council authorizing funding for those positions. The injunction was filed […]
Ruff, Gilbert accuse newspaper of not reporting standing committee changes
March 6, 2025 By
Gilbert Says Two Councilmembers are Trying to Undermine Him WINNSBORO – Fairfield Council Chairman Clarence Gilbert and Councilman Dan Ruff tried to put a pretty face on Gilbert’s selection last month of only certain councilmen to the council’s five standing committee, shutting out three council district representatives: Ruff (Dist. 1), Don Goldbach (Dist. 2), and […]
Sherman named 5A Principal of Year
March 6, 2025 By
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Matt Sherman, Principal of Blythewood High School has been selected as the 2025 SCAAA 5A Principal of the Year, announced by The South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association (SCAAA). This prestigious honor recognizes Sherman’s outstanding leadership, commitment, and service to both the academic and athletic programs within his school and the broader South […]
Update: IRS refunding or waiving $1.4M in penalties, fines for Fairfield County
March 6, 2025 By
WINNSBORO – It was announced in December, 2023, by former Interim Administrator Laura Johnson that Fairfield County had been assessed IRS tax penalties and interest in the amount of $1.4 million and that she had paid most of that amount. The charges were tied to the Affordable Care Act and the requirement to provide proof […]
