Organizers were pleased after the first of three drive-through COVID 19 vaccination clinics was held on Wednesday.
Medical University of South Carolina was the provider for Wednesday's clinic.
"Today was an indicator of how successful we were in planning," said Steve Akers, emergency management director. "The biggest issue was getting the word out to folks, getting folks to sign up and trust the vaccine." 
Officials were pleased with how well things went.
The drive-through was set up with two large tents, which allowed for three cars in each tent. Cars were serviced from both sides. Once done, those vaccinated were routed to an observation area where they sat for 15 minutes. EMS was on site in case of any side effects or negative reactions to the dose.

Although not an item on the meeting agenda, discussion of the flooding along Crooked Creek dominated the Bennettsville City Council meeting Tuesday.
Due to recent heavy rains water had begun flowing over the bridge on Marlboro Street as of Tuesday afternoon, causing that road to be temporarily closed.  When Crooked Creek overflows its banks, homes in the Shady Rest area and the Richardson Park community are subject to flood damage.
Council member Gregory Scott said that several families in Richardson Park are expecting to be forced to evacuate at some point this week.
Mayor Carolyn Prince reported that the fire department and police are constantly monitoring the situation.  Fire Chief Chris Burks said that no one has been forced out at this time but one elderly person has relocated voluntarily.

For the second year in a row, the Marlboro County High varsity boys' basketball team are region champs.
Last season, their final one in Class AAAA, the Bulldogs claimed the title with an 8-2 conference record, one game ahead of Myrtle Beach.  The team went on to the third round of the state playoffs, where they fell to A.C. Flora.
This year's championship required a little help from Lakewood High School.  The Gators defeated their cross-Sumter rival Crestwood Friday night in the season finale.  That game secured the title for the Bulldogs.

CSX Railroad has scheduled closing the crossing listed below for repair. This will necessitate rerouting traffic.

Gov. Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced Wednesday that beginning Monday, Feb. 8, any South Carolina resident aged 65 or older, regardless of health status or preexisting conditions, can begin scheduling their appointment to receive COVID-19 vaccine.  
Residents will be asked to provide a driver’s license or other form of ID at their appointment that confirms their age and, therefore, their eligibility to receive vaccine.
South Carolinians eligible to receive vaccine can schedule an appointment at a location accepting COVID-19 vaccine appointments. The scdhec.gov/vaxlocator can be used to find those locations and get contact information for scheduling appointments at those locations. People can also call DHEC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Information Line at 1-866-365-8110 for help finding vaccine providers and their contact information to schedule an appointment.