Last April I sat on a bench, crying my eyes out. I was in a museum. It was the Flight 93 Memorial site where 40 souls lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in a field near Shanksville, …

As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, one of our priorities in Barnwell County School District is making sure families have access to clear information about what their children are expected to …

BBB Tip: Think Before You Scan — That QR Code Could Be a Scam QR codes have become part of everyday life. We scan them to view restaurant menus, pay for parking, get event tickets, download …

I begin by a story I think best illustrates why God’s tests seem so difficult to us believers in this life.   “There was a man born of an average American middle-class family. He …

Riding along in the rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains is a lot like traveling in Oconee and Pickens counties.  Soothing, curvy highways slide across the dense, verdant landscape.  The …

If you have a college student heading to campus soon, their mind is most likely on classes, tuition, and the endless list of school supplies. But amidst the excitement of a new semester, it’s easy …

August marks back-to-school season in South Carolina. It’s a season filled with anticipation for new coursework and academic progress, but also a time for students and families to reflect on the …

It is hard to believe the 2026–2027 school year is already here! This week, we officially welcome our faculty and staff back to Barnwell County School District, and there is always something …

It started in 2013 with little things. She would repeat herself, commenting, for example, on a particular store, using the same words every time she and her husband passed the place on the …

If you want  solar panels , be very careful when evaluating installation offers. Con artists use misleading sales tactics and lie to trick homeowners out of money and personal information. If …

Two hundred fifty years ago, the Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia. But America did not become a country only in that room. It became a country as the news moved from community …

Starting July 1, federal student loan programs will undergo significant changes impacting new borrowers and those already repaying their federal loans. The new …

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, communities across our country will gather for cookouts, parades, fireworks, and time spent with family and friends. While these traditions are a …

Utility scams are nothing new, but scammers are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to make their schemes more believable than ever. From cloned voices and realistic text messages to fake customer …

As the country song goes, it was too hot to fish, but I was thinking of fishing as I sat in the waiting room of an oral surgeon’s office, watching expensive, tropical creatures swim back and forth …

If you think hackers are only after the social media accounts of large companies, think again. Small businesses are  three times more likely  to be targeted by cybercriminals than larger …

As Father’s Day approaches, we reflect on the many lessons children learn long before they ever open a textbook or sit down at a desk. Some of the most important lessons in life are learned while …

Many people are looking forward to fun festivals this summer. As usual, scammers are taking advantage of the building excitement. This time, they are cashing in with phony tickets—and even fake …

June 15th is designated each year as  World Elder Abuse Awareness Day  (WEAAD). In recognition of this extremely important day, Better Business Bureau (BBB) and many other organizations …

America is once again engaged in a national debate over congressional redistricting. While redistricting has always been a constitutional responsibility carried out by the states, recent years have …

Several weeks ago, I was invited to a luncheon inside the University of Georgia’s impressive athletic facilities, complete with a full-size football field under a high roof.  Among those …

Few weeks capture the heart of education quite like graduation week. Last week, Barnwell County School District had the honor of celebrating the graduating classes of Williston-Elko High School, …

Hello friends. I hope all is well for you and yours. You may notice this month's column looks a little different. Normally we ask and feature the perspective of four adults. But this month …

Last week, I shared how important this time of year is for our students in Barnwell County School District and how finishing the school year on a strong note can make a lasting difference. As we move …

B arnwell County School District has reached an exciting milestone in the development of our new Barnwell County High School. The Design and Development phase of the project is now complete—a …