BENNETTSVILLE — The town of Bennettsville held its annual Christmas Tree lighting on Tuesday, December 9 at the Municipal Building. Outdoing themselves, Main Street Bennettsville had the area around the tree completely decked out in holiday cheer. Santa’s sleigh, light up decorations, and even a couple of nutcrackers to protect the Big Man’s chair and his bag of goodies were on display. In addition to Santa, the Grinch was sighted slinking into the gathering.

As a president, James Monroe is often forgotten in the mix of battlefield heroes like George Washington, or great philosophical minds the likes of Thomas Jefferson or Benjamin Franklin. Our fifth president, Monroe inherited a nation like today, in that it was bitterly fractured and divided. Elected following the end of the War of 1812, the nation’s leaders were at each other’s throats on the best way forward, the economy was in ruins, and Washington D.C. lay in ashes as a result of yet another unwelcome British invasion. Left to pick up the pieces, Monroe reflected on a long-ago day from a battlefield in his youth to decide how best to heal the nation.

Since its inception, there have been few days in the nation’s history to be declared infamous; the assassination of President JFK, the assassination of MLK, or September 11, 2001, to name a few. America’s first declared day of infamy was made on December 8, 1941, in response to Japan’s sneak attack on Pearl Harbor the day prior, Sunday, December 7, 1941.

BENNETTSVILLE — As Bennettsville Police chief, Sammy Crosland is always busy, but since he is dedicated to community safety in Bennettsville and beyond, he took the time to talk with the Herald-Advocate to advocate for some travel and general all-around safety tips for residents to consider during the holiday season.

BENNETTSVILLE — Officials with the Marlboro County Museum recently announced that they’ve been selected to host another Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit.

MARLBORO COUNTY — This past week the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office announced they are currently searching for three dangerous criminals in the Marlboro community and are seeking the public’s help.

Most Americans picture the first Thanksgiving as a long table piled high with the land’s bounty and seated around it are the Pilgrims and the Native Americans- one big happy turkey loving family. But is this really the case? What was the first American Thanksgiving really like, anyway?

BENNETTSVILLE — Continuing his push to keep families in Bennettsville safe, Bennettsville Fire Chief Chris Burks and his fellow dedicated firefighters have been touring schools and daycares across the city.

CLIO — Acknowledging the recent government shutdown and loss of SNAP benefits has caused unnecessary hardship for Marlboro County residents, the Omegas of Bennettsville stepped in to fill the food gap for the community of Clio Saturday, serving a mini buffet of delicious eats for those in need.

BENNETTSVILLE — The City of Bennettsville held its annual Trunk-Or-Treat extravaganza on Saturday afternoon between 3 and 5:30 p.m. outside City Hall. The creepy candy crawl was followed by an outdoor community showing of Hocus Pocus 2 at 7 p.m.