Planning a vacation should be exciting, whether you’re heading to the beach, taking a cruise, or booking a quick weekend getaway. Unfortunately, scammers know that travelers are often eager to lock …

In Barnwell County School District, we often talk about the importance of partnerships and love to highlight those throughout the school year. Recently, we were reminded just how powerful those …

Managing money wisely is one of the most important skills a person can have, yet many Americans struggle with financial literacy. April is Financial Literacy Month, a time dedicated to helping …

Dear Editor, When you talk about Keyshawn Jenkins, you aren’t just talking about a coach; you’re talking about a young man who led by example through the power of his presence. He wasn't …

Dear Editor, There’s an important election looming and the people of South Carolina need to pay attention.  2026 will be the first year, in over 20 years, that South Carolinians will …

Dearest Gentle Reader, They say the best time to plant a live oak was twenty years ago, and the second-best time is right now. In Allendale, we’ve spent a lot of seasons just trying to keep …

Dearest Gentle Reader, If there is one thing we know in the Lowcountry, it’s that you can’t rush a good bog, and you certainly can’t make it with five different cooks arguing over the …

Dear Editor, During Covid, Local Motion required prepayment by debit card with various amounts charged with regard to the actual charge. (For example, a prepayment for $25 could be made but the …

“You better keep running, boy!” If that line sounds familiar, it should. You’ve likely heard it a hundred times in a hundred B movies, invariably shouted by the racist White guy who just …

She was beautiful. She had a round face, big blue eyes and a warm, easy smile. Her name was Bonelle Stevens. She had moved into a little house on the other side of the railroad tracks, across …

Spring brings more than warmer weather—it marks the start of prom nights and wedding celebrations. For many, that also means the search for the perfect dress. While the experience should be …

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 …

Dearest Gentle Reader, There is a particular kind of hum in the air these days, isn't there? The sort of low-level chatter you usually only hear when the humidity breaks or the high school …

If you own a small business that depends on equipment, supplies, and sheer hustle, you’ve probably faced this dilemma: swipe the credit card or hold off and wait on that next big purchase. As …

Better Business Bureau (BBB) is again noticing an increase in calls related to door-to-door pine straw schemes, particularly targeting elderly homeowners. Consumers report aggressive tactics by …

Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, and one of the most persistent schemes involves fake government grants offering “free money” for personal expenses. These scams often sound …

It is hard to believe we have officially entered the final quarter of the 2025-2026 school year. This time of year always brings a renewed sense of energy as we experience longer days, warmer …

In Barnwell County, love is often felt most clearly around a shared table. One place where this happens every weekday is the  Barnwell Community Soup Kitchen , where hospitality, dignity, and …

Across Barnwell County School District, our middle school students have recently been busy testing ideas and exploring the world around them through their school science fairs. Each of our middle …

In the aftermath of our recent storms, the BBB urges the public to exercise caution when hiring a contractor to repair damages. Natural disasters can bring out the best in people; unfortunately, it …

to know how decisions are made that affect their lives. For most Americans, that doesn’t start in Washington. It starts much closer to home. It’s the zoning decision about what gets built …

Your body. Your choice. That’s not about what you might be thinking. Your “body” or, in this case, bodies refers to those we elect and those we appoint via those we elect to do the …

As we move into the spring and the final months of the 2025–2026 school year, we also move into what many people refer to as “assessment season.” I am often asked what assessments our students …

Friends about my age always need to check their calendars when I ask about getting together for lunch. They have appointments. Not appointments for a new job. Heck, they’re all retired and …

South Carolina’s economy is growing, evolving, and becoming more competitive every year. As businesses expand and new industries take root, one question determines whether South Carolina …