WEB UPDATE: Jury convicts Bright Posted - 03-11-2010 A Bennettsville man will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted Thursday of murder in the first degree. A jury deliberated about an hour before returning a guilty verdict around 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon, March 11, against Kenwood Bright, in connection with the July 22, 2008, shooting death of Christopher Dease, also of Bennettsville. Click here for more

2008 murder trial is underway Posted - 03-11-2010 Testimony was expected to conclude today in the trial of a Bennettsville man accused of shooting another man to death on Hudson Street nearly two years ago. Kenwood Bright, of 307 North Everett Street, is the defendant in the case being heard this week at the Marlboro County Courthouse. He is accused of firing a single shot at Christopher Antonio Dease from a vehicle on the evening of July 22, 2008, hitting him in the chest. Dease, 22, also of Bennettsville, died as a result. Click here for more

County Council considers hospitality tax Posted - 03-11-2010 Marlboro County Council took the first step this week toward the possible implementation of a local hospitality tax. At their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, the council voted 5-1, with one abstention and one absence, to approve first reading of an ordinance establishing a two-percent hospitality tax. According to County Administrator Cecil Kimrey, the tax would “bring the county another revenue stream to help with the general fund.” Click here for more

Library, Sheriff-Magistrate building projects winding down Posted - 03-11-2010 Marlboro County Council began a new tradition this week by meeting for the first time in the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library. The new library officially opened on February 22. On Tuesday, the council held the majority of its regular monthly meeting in the library’s large conference room. The meeting actually began in the county administration building because public hearings on two ordinances had been scheduled and advertised for that location. Click here for more

Filing begins next week Posted - 03-11-2010 The books open next week for candidates in the upcoming primary elections, which will take place on June 8. Filing begins next Tuesday, March 16, at noon, and continues through noon on March 30. Locally, candidates will file for the Democratic primary at the offices of Ohanesian and Ohanesian on South Marlboro Street in Bennettsville. Possibly the most watched local election this year will be that of S.C. House of Representatives District 54, which includes all of Marlboro County and a... Click here for more

‘A good place to talk and reminisce’ Posted - 03-05-2010 If you happen to find yourself on South Liberty Street in Bennettsville some weekday morning, you can follow the rich smell of coffee and the sound of raucous laughter to Third Base. Part debate club and part comedy club, Third Base is an informal gathering spot for mostly retired men who come together most days for a run-down of current events, local happenings and walks down memory lane. “We talk, and tell lies, and settle the world’s problems,” said founder Gordon Quick. Click here for more

Bulldogs off to 2-1 start Posted - 03-11-2010 Marlboro County opened the baseball season by winning two of three non-region games this week. Wednesday night the Bulldogs exploded to thrash Lee Central High of Bishopville, 19-0. The game was stopped after five innings due to the 10 run mercy rule. “We got a great pitching performance from Tyler Nolan. Our offense was much improved tonight with the bats really coming to life,” said coach Phillip Blue. Click here for more

Lady Bulldogs open the season with two wins Posted - 03-11-2010 The softball season got off to a positive start for the Marlboro County Lady Bulldogs. The team came from behind to defeat Purnell Sweatt Monday, then thrashed Cheraw on Tuesday. “We showed a lot of poise in the game Monday, to come from behind on the road. We played better Tuesday and we are pleased with the strong start,” said head coach Kelvin Roller. Click here for more

Spring sports begin Monday at MCHS as baseball and softball kick-off season Posted - 03-05-2010 The spring sports season will kick off next Monday at Marlboro County High, as both the varsity baseball and varsity softball teams will take to the diamond. Both teams start with road contests but will be in action at home on Tuesday. Here is a brief preview of both squads: Baseball The Bulldogs return a veteran roster from a squad that posted the second best record in school history last season. The team finished with an 11-11 mark, 5-5 in Region 6-AAA games. They also won a... Click here for more

New website to help Bulldog fans and players alike Posted - 03-05-2010 The Marlboro County Bulldogs have a new home on the internet. The athletic department recently launched a new website that will feature all of the school's sports teams. It can be found at www.marlboroathletics.org. “Through the years, we have tested several products that would allow us to have a sports website. The new site has the features that we had been looking to find and at a very affordable price,” said MCHS athletic director Dean Boyd. The website is a product of BigTeams.com,... Click here for more