A Bennettsville man was arrested Dec. 30 by the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office following an investigation into a nightclub shooting on Dec. 26.
According to Lt. Trevor Murphy,  the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to Da Spot nightclub about shots fired during the early morning hours of Dec. 26. 
Upon arrival, deputies confirmed that a fight occurred inside the club, which led to a gun being fired. Two patrons inside the club were shot during this incident and received immediate medical attention. Both victims were airlifted to an area hospital for additional treatment.

It was almost two months since playing their only previous game (a preseason scrimmage) but the Marlboro Academy varsity girls basketball team finally got into action Tuesday night.
The result was worth the wait, as the Lady Dragons cruised to a region road victory over Carolina Academy, 45-32.
Marlboro got off to a solid start in the first quarter, building an 11-7.  Senior guard Anna Smith led the attack, scoring 7 points in the period.
Both teams were sluggish in the second period.  Carolina was able to take a one-point lead to the locker room at halftime.

Happy New Year from the staff of the Herald-Advocate and Pee Dee Life magazine.  Our office will be closed on Jan. 1 and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 4.

Staff at New Beginnings Transitional Shelter in Wallace had a vision for the clients there — to make sure they felt like they were home and not in a shelter.
With a mobile unit donation from Marlboro County School District and help from various volunteers and partners, staff moved into their resident services building earlier this month.
"We have our space," said Shelter Services Coordinator Janice Hamlin. "They have their space. They can move around the house without all of our business taking place in the office."
Hamlin along with Janice Rozier, vice-chair of Pee Dee Coalition regional board and chairman of the Marlboro County Pee Dee Coalition Board, and Christy Moore,  volunteer coordinator, shared an update about the shelter with school district officials at the December Board of Education Meeting.

Santa Claus is taking precautions to deliver gifts safely.
Santa Claus shared his plans for delivering gifts to children on Christmas Eve in an exclusive interview with the Herald-Advocate. 
He was inside a giant snow globe in order to maintain social distancing.
HA: Are you ready to deliver gifts to kids this year?
Santa: Yes, I am. Ho-ho-ho!
HA: Are you being safe during the pandemic?
Santa: Yes, I have used a snow globe to meet, greet and take photos with the children.
HA: Will the current travel bans affect you and the reindeer?
Santa: The current travel bans do not apply to Santa and the reindeer.