BLYTHEWOOD – Unmanaged water runoff from the Richland County Penny Tax funded Blythewood Road widening project between I-77 and Syrup Mill Road is causing worrisome changes to neighboring property, says Byron Dinkins, who says his two-acre pond has been fouled with silt, has turned brown, and may be permanently ruined as highway drainage from the […]
Fairfield County Interim Admin’s husband accused of threatening two Fairfield elected officials
January 17, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Two Fairfield County elected officials have filed incident reports against the Fairfield County Interim Administrator’s husband for posting what the two officials called threats against them and others. Fairfield County Treasurer Norma Branham and Fairfield County Councilwoman Peggy Swearingen both filed incident reports on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, against Otis Johnson, 53, the […]
After 13 months, Pauley calls surprise meeting to hire permanent administrator
January 17, 2024 By
Just minutes before press time Wednesday night during a special called meeting, Fairfield County Council failed to elect a new administrator. After two tie (failed) votes, one for Matt DeWitt, and the second for Laura Johnson, Johnson will continue to be the interim administrator, and a new search should begin, according to Councilwoman Shirley Greene. […]
Teacher Village nears construction
January 11, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Five years after Fairfield County school officials announced the goal of building a new, rent-controlled housing development for teachers, site infrastructure is nearing completion, and construction of the first homes will start in a few weeks, says Sue Rex, Chair of the Fairfield County School District Education Foundation. “We just feel like we’re […]
Fairfield native Tyler Thigpen heads for SC Hall of Fame
January 11, 2024 By
These days, Tyler Thigpen spends his time getting good people into good houses in the Chapin area. “My wife and I have been doing it together for six years now,” he said. “I definitely enjoy it. You can work as hard as you want. It’s always fun to see smiling faces of first-time home buyers […]
Council facing financial emergencies: penalties, fines, late audit and more
January 11, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council held off on hiring a new administrator Monday night as the county continues to grapple with fallout from IRS fines and penalties totaling about $1.4 million, and Interim Administrator Laura Johnson’s unauthorized payment of those penalties without informing council until more than six months later. The criticism continued Monday night, […]
Tricia’s Trunk moves to new location
January 11, 2024 By
BLYTHEWOOD – As Tricia’s Trunk clothing charity reaches the decade mark, it’s moving from a difficult-to-access second story space in the sanctuary of Blythewood’s Sandy Level Baptist Church to a former classroom building at the front of the church complex. “Our new location is more spacious and more accessible,” says Amy Wrightsman, one of the […]
Fairfield NAACP hosts 2nd MLK, Jr. celebration
January 11, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – The Fairfield County Branch of the NAACP will host its second annual Martin Luther King Day celebration on Monday, Jan. 15, at 3 p.m., at Blackjack Baptist Church in Winnsboro. This year’s program, inspired by Dr. King’s life and legacy, provides opportunities for learning, for reflection, and for hope, according to Jennifer Jenkins, […]
Court to hear two motions on MPA/Town lawsuits
January 11, 2024 By
Brock: A Lawyer Arguing in Court on Behalf of a Client Who Fired Him Just Doesn’t Make Any Sense BLYTHEWOOD – The Town’s outside attorneys were fired on Dec. 11, 2023, and the Town’s new government signed a settlement agreement with MPA Strategies’ owner and CEO Ashley Hunter on Dec. 29, 2023. However, the almost […]
PC approves preliminary plat for 108 homes
January 4, 2024 By
BLYTHEWOOD – With the approval of a preliminary plat by the Blythewood Planning Commission, Pulte Homes is on track to develop 108 single-family lots on approximately 91 acres located at 11017 Wilson Boulevard. But that approval didn’t come without considerable restrictions tacked on by the commissioners, including rezoning, the requirement for a detailed landscaping plan, […]
