WEB UPDATE: Names back on ballot Posted - 05-11-2012 Late Thursday, state election officials sent word that the three local candidates whose names were removed, then added back, then removed again from election ballots should be put back on. As it stands now, the names of Johnny Sellers, Charles English and Ryan Mackey are on absentee ballots here in Marlboro County. Whether that will continue to be the case is anyone’s guess at this point. Click here for more

WEB UPDATE: Local candidates removed from ballot Posted - 05-10-2012 The drama surrounding the June 12 primaries is not over, as it now seems three local candidates whose names were removed, then added back to, election ballots are once again being removed. The Herald-Advocate reported earlier today (Thursday, May 10) that the ballots did include the names of Johnny Sellers, Charles English and Ryan Mackey. Click here for more

School district recognizes students, staff, community for successes in 2011-12 Posted - 05-10-2012 Hundreds of Marlboro County School District employees, students and proud family members came together last week at the Bennettsville Community Center to celebrate their accomplishments during the 2011-12 school year. The occasion was the school district’s annual “Celebrating Our Success” banquet, which recognized schools, teachers, students, support staff and community members for their outstanding achievements. Click here for more

County Council discusses swimming program, awards bids, holds public hearing on budget for FY 2012-13 Posted - 05-10-2012 Summer is fast approaching, but it still isn’t clear whether county residents will be able to cool off with supervised swimming at Lake Paul Wallace. County officials have been looking into the possibility. So far, they have gotten a commitment from the city of Bennettsville to contribute $7,500 toward the swimming program, and they have advertised for and received applications for lifeguards. But there is still a financial question, in that the building that once housed concessions and... Click here for more

Board hears update on Blenheim school construction Posted - 05-10-2012 The Marlboro County Board of Education received an update on the new Blenheim School construction during Monday’s regular monthly meeting. Project Manager Tim Brown told the board that the general contractor, Edcon, Inc., has submitted a revised schedule with a new estimated substantial completion date of June 27. Once substantial completion happens, the S.C. Department of Education’s Office of School Facilities must give its approval before furnishings can be moved in and the facility... Click here for more

Friends of Edelman Library , board present successful Evening With Authors and Artists Posted - 04-26-2012 More than 200 enjoyed the Evening with Authors and Artists at Bennettsville Community Center Thursday night. Sponsored by Friends of the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library and the library’s board members, guests were treated to a wine and cheese social hour, steak dinner, art sale, silent auction, and dinner music by James Barnhill, vocalist; and Dennis Hardison and the New Creation Jazz Band. Linda Cardenas, president of the Friends of the Library, and Pat Henegan, chairman of the... Click here for more

Board looks into referendum for new school in Wallace Posted - 04-26-2012 It isn’t official, but it’s possible that the Marlboro County School District could include a referendum on the general election ballots in November asking for support to build a new school in Wallace. School board members heard a report from Wes Park, the district’s chief finance officer, at a special called meeting Monday, about the potential funding of a new school. According to Park, it would be possible to build a school without the need to increase millage over the next 25 years to... Click here for more

County remains in moderate drought status Posted - 04-26-2012 This week, members of the state’s Drought Response Committee decided to maintain the existing drought status statewide, with the exception of one county in the Savannah River Basin. This means Marlboro County, along with most of the state, remains at moderate drought status. This decision was made via tele-conference on Wednesday, April 25. Click here for more

Organizers hope Relay day change will increase support Posted - 04-26-2012 This year’s Relay For Life event will take place on the afternoon and evening of Saturday, May 19, as opposed to past years when it took place on a Friday. Members of the Marlboro Relay for Life Committee said they felt this change was necessary to help create a better, more family-oriented event. Click here for more

Police seize poker machines, cash from six stores in city Posted - 04-20-2012 Bennettsville police seized 41 video poker machines and approximately $22,000 cash this week in a raid targeting illegal gambling in the city. The raid happened on Monday, April 16, following a month-long undercover investigation, Lt. Larry Turner said. Officers with the Bennettsville Police Department, S.C. Law Enforcement Division and Cheraw Police Department worked together on the raid. In the end, six stores were targeted and the owners were arrested, charged with keeping a gaming... Click here for more