A new chapter for the Kershaw County Current

Kershaw County has always been home for me. Life has taken me down many paths — working in journalism, communications, training, and consulting — but somehow those paths always seem to lead me back to Camden. And now, they’ve led me here: to carry forward the legacy of The Kershaw County Current.

I first worked in community news right here at the Chronicle-Independent, where I served as a reporter and eventually managing editor. Since then, I’ve built a career helping organizations — from nonprofits to government agencies to small businesses — share their stories in clear and meaningful ways. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to serve Kershaw County directly, whether through the Community Medical Clinic, the Kershaw County Library, or the LiveWell Kershaw Coalition. This community is woven into my personal and professional life, and I’m honored to now shepherd its local paper.

I’m not doing it alone. I’m thrilled to introduce my partner in this venture, Patty Rose. Many of you know Patty from her work with Kool 102.7 and Carolina Country Classics 98.7 FM, or through her company PR Biz Marketing. With more than 30 years of experience in corporate, nonprofit, and small business marketing, she brings unmatched expertise and a heart for service. Patty is also deeply involved in our community through her church and local nonprofits. I couldn’t ask for a better teammate to relaunch The KC Current.

We would not be here without the vision and dedication of Bill Rozier and Deb Bailey, who started this paper back in 1990. What began as Mall in Your Mailbox grew into the Kershaw County Current, a true community newspaper that reached more than 21,000 households while in print. Through decades of change, Bill and Deb held fast to their mission: to keep local businesses thriving and local stories alive. Patty and I are humbled by their trust in us to continue what they began.

As we move forward, we want to be clear about our commitment to you. The Kershaw County Current will be guided by four principles:

• Factual reporting. We will uphold accuracy and journalistic integrity in every issue.
  
• Positive engagement. We will serve as a platform for constructive, community-focused dialogue.
  
• Election cycle integrity. Our political reporting will remain balanced, informative, and free of inflammatory rhetoric.
  
• Avoidance of negative sensationalism. Instead of amplifying division, we will prioritize stories that inform, connect, and uplift.
  

It’s especially meaningful to launch this first edition during National Newspaper Week. While we won’t be delivered to your mailbox in print, we hold fast to the same values of integrity, accountability, and community service that have defined newspapers for generations. Our digital format gives us the ability to be more nimble, more immediate, and more accessible — but at our core, we’re carrying forward the proud tradition of local journalism.

This is your newspaper. Our hope is that you’ll see yourself, your neighbors, and your community reflected in these pages. We want to hear your stories, share your events, celebrate your milestones, and explore your ideas. Please reach out and let us know what you’d like to see covered. 

Thank you for welcoming us into your inboxes and we’ll see you around town!