Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Williston’s recreational football program began in late September without the guidance of a longtime mentor and coach.
John L. Depew coached recreational sports in Williston for nearly 20 years before his death shortly before the program’s 2024 season kicked off. Depew was a USC Gamecocks fan who carried his love of the sport into coaching Williston’s youth.
John Depew
“Mr. Depew was a great man. He did a lot for Williston, for the youth. He knew the kids, and the kids knew him,” said Mayor Brett Williams at the Oct. 14 meeting. “The Town of Williston is very appreciative of what Mr. Depew has done and what he meant to the community over these last 20 years.”
Williston recreation director Ronnie Tobin described Depew as a “great man,” who stayed involved long after his own children aged out of the program.
“When the kid leaves, the parent leaves, but not John,” said Tobin. “You don’t stick with something like this unless you love it.”
The season is carrying on in Depew’s legacy with 64 kids participating in the five team league comprising Barnwell, Williston, Blackville, Branchville, and Orangeburg teams.
Water project updates
Administrator Michael Beasley updated the council on the ongoing water and wastewater related grants currently underway in the town.
-Community Block Development Grant (CBDG) & Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) Grant for a new filtration system: Contractor has installed a sewer line for filtration system backwash and testing has been completed. The filtration system itself will arrive in January 2025 and be installed, tested, and online by March 2025.
-S.C. Infrastructure Investment Program (SCIIP) for a new pond liner, wastewater treatment facility upgrades, and well upgrades: Waiting to obtain certain permits to continue with this project, specifically the sludge and liner disposal permit to replace the pond liner.
With these grant-funded upgrades, the town is also looking into conducting a detailed assessment of the water and sewer infrastructure to create a Capital Improvements Plan (CIP).
This plan includes targeting and assessing areas of improvement within the water systems as well as generating potential costs.
Hurricane clean-up
According to Beasley, state contracted cleanup crews will be picking up debris throughout the early weeks of October.
Efforts are still underway at the Town Park and Academy Street Park to clean up and fix damages done by Hurricane Helene. Multiple lights are out at both locations.
Police presence
Seven officers with the Williston Police Department (WPD) were present at the council meeting as Chief James Gainey provided an update.
Chief Gainey and the council officially welcomed Officer Stephen Munze, who graduated from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy in September.
“I’m very happy to be employed by this town, it’s been awesome since I got here,” said Officer Munze.
According to Chief Gainey, the department was in need of new bulletproof vests which he has since purchased for all officers, in addition to new Class A uniforms to be used for general sessions court matters, academy graduations, and more.
Other updates
