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Sheriff Parker indicted, removed from office
The State Grand Jury issued indictments against Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker Tuesday evening that have put him out of office — and awaiting trial. Parker has been charged by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson with four counts of misconduct in office and two counts of furnishing contraband to inmates. According to a statement from the Attorney General’s Office, “ … the indictment alleges Parker allowed convicted Department...
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American Cancer Society sets Relay for Life
The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Chesterfield County will hold its annual cancer walk on May 3 and May 4, 2013, at Chesterfield High School Football Stadium. This is a time when Chesterfield County comes together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who have lost the battle, and fight for a world with less cancer and more birthdays. The overnight event, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., symbolizes the journey a cancer patient...
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Free success skills classes start April 1 at NETC
Free classes designed to help individuals assess their career skills and to explore relevant career pathways through an education at Northeastern Technical College will be offered April 1 through April 4 from 6 to to 9 p.m. at the main campus in Cheraw in room 220. Success Skills classes are open to single parents, homemakers and individuals who are interested in nontraditional careers. Single parents must be unmarried, or legally separated...
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Clemson Extension introduces Starnes as new Extension Agent
The Chesterfield County Clemson Extension Service has welcomed Amber Starnes as the new area livestock agent. Starnes is a native to Chesterfield and graduated from Chesterfield High School. She and her husband, Scotty, reside in Chesterfield along with their son, Tanner. Starnes received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Coker College and a master’s in Animal Science from the University of Arkansas. Starnes is currently pursuing her Ph...
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The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at the University of South Carolina distributed about $400 million last year to students. Photo by Erin Shaw.

South Carolina colleges beginning to feel sting of federal financial aid cuts
As across-the-board cuts to government agencies are set in motion, South Carolina university administrators, students and parents are bracing for the effects of impending reductions to financial aid and work-study programs. The automatic federal cuts, totaling $1.2 trillion over 10 years, call for an annual reduction of roughly 5 percent for non-defense programs. In South Carolina higher education, this means around 830 fewer low-income s...
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Contributed photo
Each year, Richmond Community College Foundation hosts a reception where scholarship recipients have the opportunity to meet donors to thank them for their generosity in helping defray the cost of tuition and textbooks. Tuesday, Feb. 26, Cheraw Councilman John Melton and his wife, Cherryl, presented the Kimberly C. Melton Memorial Scholarship to nursing degree majors Ryan Bass and Amanda Young. Pictured, left to right, are RCC President Dale McInnis, the Meltons, Bass, Young and the RCC Foundation Vice President Patrick Chappell.

Scholarship awarded
Contributed photo Each year, Richmond Community College Foundation hosts a reception where scholarship recipients have the opportunity to meet donors to thank them for their generosity in helping defray the cost of tuition and textbooks. Tuesday, Feb. 26, Cheraw Councilman John Melton and his wife, Cherryl, presented the Kimberly C. Melton Memorial Scholarship to nursing degree majors Ryan Bass and Amanda Young. Pictured, left to right, are...
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Irene and Kieara Foster, arrested for accessory after the fact of murder, according to police.

Police link Cheraw mother and daughter to Hartsville murder
Two Cheraw women — mother and daughter — have been arrested in connection with the murder of a Hartsville man, said Public Relations Officer Russell Cox with the City of Hartsville. Their arrest brings the total to three people authorities believe to be involved with this crime. Irene Foster, 37, and Kieara Laquahia Foster, 17, of 77 Inglish Road in Cheraw, were arrested in Darlington County by members of the Hartsville Police Department la...
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Contributed photo
Chuck Lingard, left, the Cheraw Knights of Columbus representative, with Jonathan Gordon, Jajavy Toney, and Xabian Johnson.

Competitors from Cheraw win
The Knights of Columbus, State of South Carolina, Free Throw Shooting Championship was held this past Saturday in Columbia, S.C. Three competitors from Cheraw won the local and district rounds to qualify for a trip to the State Finals. Those winners were Jonathan Gordon, 10 year-old division; Jajavy Toney, 11 year-old division, and Xabian Johnson, 13 year-old division. Jajavy Toney, last year’s winner in the 10 year-old division, finished 3...
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Cheraw Police Department - arrests for March 14, 2013
The following arrests were recently made by the Cheraw Police Department: • Kimberly Ann Gatewood, 39, of 1986 Sandy Ridge Church Road, Morven, N.C., was arrested for trespassing. • James Christopher Gatewood, 46, of 1986 Sandy Ridge Church Road, Morven, N.C., was arrested for trespassing. • Ronnie Wayne Polson, 36, of 348 Huger St., Cheraw, was arrested for driving under suspension. • Marion Duwaine Brown, 35, of 123 J. L. Branch Roa...
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Cheraw to spend extra on concert series
Cheraw Town Council members agreed Tuesday evening to spend an extra $5,000 for the 2013 Summer Concert Series, allowing Jay Bennett, director of the Cheraw Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services, to bring in bands like The Catalinas and The Fantastic Shakers. Each of these two concerts will cater to adult audiences, said Bennett, and will “offer us an opportunity to re-coup some of the money spent, as these will be ticketed events.” Coun...
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It’s an Easter Parade
An Easter Hat Parade will be held at 2 p.m. Easter Sunday, March 31, at Centennial Park. All men, women and children are invited to participate in this parade. Come wearing your hat or bonnet for a downtown walking parade that starts at Centennial Park, at the corner of Market and Second Street, and ends at Kevin Lear’s on Main, also on Second Street. For more information call 843-910-1099.
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County Council to borrow big money
Chesterfield County Council voted March 6, in a third and final hearing, to adopt the Building Projects GO Bond Ordinance allowing council to borrow approximately $7 million for various building projects. Not everyone was happy about it. Councilman Al Johnson, the only council member to vote against it, said, “I cannot vote to put the people of this county nearly $8 million in debt.” The approved motion includes a cap of $8 million. The con...
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Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office - arrest reports for March 14, 2013
The following people were recently arrested on these charges by the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office: • Johnny Junior Bittle, 42, of 1754 Old Ridge Road, Chesterfield, was arrested for selling pills. • Kadarius Lowery, 18, of 1008 Curtis St., Monroe, N.C., was arrested for no S.C. drivers license. • Heather Marie Driggers, 21, of 14935 Highway 102, Chesterfield, was arrested for simple assault. • James Lee Johnson, 56, of 2836 Hig...
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Motorcycle crash kills 59 year old man
Amid the bustle of Friday afternoon school traffic, coupled with additional traffic at the temporary carnival in town last Friday, was an accident involving a motorcyclist and a utility trailer truck that resulted in the death of the motorcyclist. Gary Freeman, 59, was turning on to West Greene Street, toward Long Middle School, from the small road that runs behind the Exxon and over to Carolina Bank, when he collided with the utility trail...
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Chesterfield County School Superintendent Harrison Goodwin spoke Tuesday evening at Charity Community Church about the possibilities of creating "released time Bible education" for the county's public schools.

School Board considers Bible education
Chesterfield County School Board Superintendent Harrison Goodwin told members of the board Monday evening he was planning to meet with several of the county’s pastors, and a few others, to talk about the possibilities of a community-based program that would allow public school students to take off campus Bible study courses without getting in trouble with the American Civil Liberties Union, or violating the current consent order the district ...
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Vacations are among the many items up for bid at the Cheraw Rotary Club Barbecue and Auction at Cheraw Intermediate School Thursday, March 21, at 6 p.m.

Rotary Club hosts 46th annual Barbecue and Auction
The Cheraw Rotary Club will host its 46th annual Barbecue and Auction Thursday, March 21, at Cheraw Intermediate School. Chicken and pork barbecue plates will be on sale from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Intermediate School, with the option to eat in or take out. Plates will also be available, for pick up only, at the Chesterfield Family YMCA from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Cheraw Rotary Club and its scholarship fund...
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Photo by Mark Moore
Kate Thomas, front and center, has been crowned Miss Brave 2013! She is surrounded here by previous Miss Brave pageant winners. From left to right, they are Choles Roddy (2012), Kimberly Villafranca (2011), Georgia Harpe (2010), Liz Jones (2008), Lynsee Caulder (2007), Jessica Ellis (2006). Meagan Hunter was first runner up.

Miss Brave 2013 and past winners
Photo by Mark Moore Kate Thomas, front and center, has been crowned Miss Brave 2013. She is surrounded here by previous Miss Brave pageant winners. From left to right, they are Choles Roddy (2012), Kimberly Villafranca (2011), Georgia Harpe (2010), Liz Jones (2008), Lynsee Caulder (2007), Jessica Ellis (2006). Meagan Hunter was first runner up.
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USC’s ‘Promise of Education’ Forum to be held at NETC
The University of South Carolina will hold an open forum March 19 at Northeastern Technical College to discuss the educational needs of the community and ways to eliminate obstacles that prevent people from pursuing an education. Lemuel Watson, College of Education dean at USC, will lead the forum titled “The Promise of Education: Transforming Individuals, Families and Communities.” Several educational partners, including Sen. Gerald Malloy...
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Daylight Saving Time
Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed tonight.
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Legal lessons program to be held at NETC
Understanding the laws and your legal rights can be frustrating, which is why the South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program is offering a public workshop series to help you with your legal issues. The Legal Lessons program will be held at Northeastern Technical College in Cheraw on Tuesdays from April 9 through May 21. Learn from lawyers about family law, real estate, juvenile justice, bankruptcy law and other South Carolina laws that are affecti...
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City Roots, a sustainable farm in Columbia, will be one of 11 stops on the upcoming Midlands Farm Tour. Photo by Kristin Winch.

Where do baby carrots come from? Farm tour offers visit to food nursery
If you like what you see in the stands at the farmers market, now you can get up close and personal with that head of lettuce’s first home: the farm. The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association is sponsoring a sustainable farm tour in the Midlands this spring. The tour features stops at 11 local fields across two days, with participants trekking through Blythewood, Hopkins, Leesville, Columbia, Irmo, Lugoff and Elgin. The self-guided tour w...
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Once again the Easter Bunny will be on hand at Cheraw's annual Easter Egg Hunt at Caston Park Thursday, March 21. The hunt begins promptly at 6 p.m.

Annual Egg Hunt set for Mar. 21
On your mark, get set, hunt! The annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Cheraw Recreation and Leisure Services Department will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at Caston Park. According to Lisa O’Neal, assistant director for the recreation department, more than 1,000 eggs will be hidden in the park that day. Participants should have baskets in hand and be ready to begin hunting at “6 p.m. SHARP!” O’Neal recommends egg hunters...
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Multiple death threats put two schools on lock-down
Two Chesterfield schools were placed on lock-down Wednesday afternoon, and officers were waiting when a North Carolina woman, who had threaten to kill her ex-husband, his girlfriend, and herself, pulled into the parking lot of Edwards Elementary School, police said. According to Chesterfield Police Chief Eric Hewitt, Lt. David Lisenby spotted the suspect’s vehicle when it turned in to the school lot. Within minutes, and without further in...
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Contributed photo
Bennettsville Police Chief Larry McNeil is an avid supporter of education. The associate degree he earned from Northeastern Technical College gave him the foundation to go on to earn a master’s degree and advance his career in law enforcement.

NETC was springboard for police chief’s career
Bennettsville Police Chief Larry McNeil knows the value of an education. It has helped him move up through the ranks during his nearly 25-year career in law enforcement and handle the operations of a department of 34 officers with a $2 million budget. “Had I not started at Northeastern Technical College, I would never have gotten here,” said McNeil, seated in his office overlooking Main Street in Bennettsville. McNeil earned an Associate ...
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