– Three new Bennettsville City Council members were selected in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, an election marked by low voter turnout. Not quite seven percent of the registered voters in City Council Districts 1, 3, and 5 turned out to select nominees for the city’s general election on April 8. James Fleming, Freddie Hodges, and Bill Jennings received the most votes in their districts. None of the candidates are expected to face competition in April.
– Recycling efforts in Marlboro County resulted in a 63% reduction in solid waste disposed of in 1996, this according to the 1996 Solid Waste Management Annual report issued by SC DHEC. Due to this reduction, Marlboro County’s recycling efforts ranked fifth in the state for 1996.
– With just two months left in the fiscal year, Bennettsville City Council on Tuesday night will consider a budget amendment to cover expenditures related to Leisure Center arbitrations. On the agenda for the 7 p.m. council meeting is first reading of an ordinance amending the budget for the current fiscal year to cover a $150,000 shortfall in the General Fund balance brought about by arbitrations.
– The Very Great Grandson of Sherlock Holmes opens at the Civic Center this week with Mahlon Padgett playing Sherwood Holmes and Sonny Fields as Dr. Watson.
– Plans for a $5 million building program at Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical College were given to Bennettsville Rotarians Tuesday. Dr. Ron Hampton, CMTC president and guest speaker, said the college hopes to get $3.7 million in state funds this year to add additional classrooms and enlarge its library.