With heat indices at more than 110 degrees Fahrenheit along most of the South Carolina coast this weekend, it’s a good thing that we don’t face global warming. That was sarcasm, if you …

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 …

As the pace of life slows a bit for many families during the summer months, it's easy to assume that our schools do the same. But behind the scenes, summer is one of the most important times in …

As Superintendent of Barnwell County School District, one of the greatest privileges I have is sharing exciting milestones and important updates with our community. Back in January, I shared that we …

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 …

Dear Editor, The family of the late Sgt. Orenthial J. “O.J.” Smith would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make the dedication of Sgt. Orenthial J. “O.J.” Smith …

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 …

I run a small mail-order nursery in South Carolina. I also run a garden design firm, and I’ve spent decades helping create two of the largest botanical gardens in the state — institutions that …

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 …

To the citizens of Blackville,  As a town councilman, I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the exciting progress taking place throughout the Town of Blackville. While we know …

Dear Community, It’s that important. Yes, you need to make it a point to get out and vote in the run-off elections. There’s a heck of a lot at stake for South Carolina. It’s …

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 …

Dear Community, As we prepare for the Mauri 4 The Win 4th Annual Teen Wellness Bash on June 20, 2026, we wanted to send a gentle reminder that there is still time to support this meaningful …

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 …

As another successful school year comes to a close, summer offers our students time to explore, create, discover, read, play, and grow. While summer should absolutely be a season of fun and family …

A “free” vacation may sound like the perfect escape, but it’s important to slow down before saying yes to offers that seem too good to be true.  Vacation promotions promising …

Dear Editor, To all of the firefighters of Elko, Williston and Long Branch fire departments, I would like to apologize for taking so long to thank you.  I was a firefighter myself for …

Dear Editor, Thank you to Mayor Ron Still, Barnwell City Council, and The City of Barnwell employees for assisting us with the grounds keeping at The Veterans Memorial Park. The removal of 14 …

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, …

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way businesses and consumers interact every day. While AI technology can be helpful and innovative, scammers are increasingly using it to deceive …

Dearest Gentle Reader, Whenever the wind of change blows through Allendale, someone is bound to start fretting about the "price tag." They’ll tell you we can’t afford a professional, while they …