Archive

Fire With Purpose: Controlled Burn Clears Way for Historic Restoration

Smoke rose over the Camden Battlefield last week — not from battle, but from a carefully planned prescribed burn. The South Carolina Forestry Commission conducted the operation as part of a long-term effort to restore the landscape to its 1780 appearance, when open longleaf pine savannas defined the terrain. The burn also improves wildlife habitat and reduces wildfire risk. The South Carolina Forestry Commission conducted a prescribed burn at the Camden Battlefield as part of a long-term effort by the Historic Camden Foundation, the American Battlefield Trust and Liberty Trail partners to gradually restore the landscape to what historians believe it looked like in 1780. The foundation now preserves roughly 800 acres — a dramatic expansion from just six acres in 1942 — and leaders say the goal is to convert much of that land from dense secondary growth into open pine savanna consistent with the Revolutionary War-era battlefield. Forestry

Run With Heart: 19th Annual Clinic Classic Powers Up for Kershaw County

Get ready to hit the pavement with purpose! The Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County is proud to present the 19th Annual Clinic Classic Walk/Run – where every stride supports healthcare access for our neighbors who need it most. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 25, 2026, as we transform Historic Camden into a celebration of community, wellness, and compassion. Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church (1206 Lyttleton Street) serves as race headquarters, with runners and walkers launching into the scenic streets of our historic district at 8 a.m. sharp. Rain or shine, we’re running! “Nineteen years strong and we’re just getting started,” said Clinic Classic Coordinator Lynn Matthews. “This isn’t just a race—it’s our community saying ‘we’ve got each other’s backs.’ Whether you’re chasing a PR or strolling with your kids, you’re making healthcare possible for families right here in Kershaw County.” Pick Your Path: Cross the finish line to

Laurie’s “Current” Valentine’s Watch List

By Laurie Parks Romantic Comedies – they have been around as long as movies themselves. I don’t want to go that far back, but I still love “The Philadelphia Story” from 1940 with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. It’s an oldie but goody, but it really didn’t age well. The same could be said for 1990’s “Pretty Woman”; it’s a classic but dated. So many of the movies that we either grew up with or enjoyed as adults would never be made today. Every generation has their go-to rom coms. I’m thinking of “Sixteen Candles” and “Pretty In Pink”; they were never MY rom coms. I have tried my best to compile a list that appeals to just about everyone, and hopefully a couple that that you haven’t seen yet! So here’s my list of MY top 10 Valentines movies (in chronological order, not preference):

“Gas station drugs” in plain sight: ALPHA Center raises awareness about fast-changing products

Products marketed as “mood,” “focus” or “energy” boosters — capable of producing intoxicating and addictive effects — are being sold in gas stations and retail stores across Kershaw County, ALPHA Behavioral Health Center staff told county leaders in January, prompting council discussion about regulation, public safety and youth exposure. Kershaw County Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 to adopt an ordinance regulating the sale of so-called “gas station drugs,” including nitrous oxide and kratom. The measure restricts purchases to those 21 and older and requires retailers to keep the products behind counters or in locked areas, with violations carrying fines of up to $500, 30 days in jail or both. Councilman Russell Brazell said the action adds needed “guardrails” to protect youth, while prevention specialists warned the substances carry addiction and overdose risks, especially when mixed with opioids. The ordinance took effect immediately. Previous Discussion: January County Council

Kershaw County’s Eve Carlin announces bid for S.C. House District 70

Eve Carlin, a resident of Kershaw County, has announced she is running for the South Carolina House of Representatives, House District 70. The constituency for SC House District 70 takes in parts of Kershaw County (Camden and Lugoff) and parts of Lower Richland County (part of Hopkins, all of Gadsden and Eastover.) Eve Carlin is a community advocate in Kershaw County. She is a active member of the Kershaw County Democratic Party, the Kershaw County Democratic Women, the Camden Junior Welfare League, the Kershaw County NAACP and other organizations. Last year she was recognized as one of three outstanding women community service leaders for Kershaw County! Eve’s platform issues include the following: Eve will be running in a Democratic primary for this seat. The primary election is Tuesday, June 9th with early voting beginning on May 26th. Eves website for her campaign is http://www.evecarlinschouse.com. Her email address is evelyncarlin@yahoo.com and her cell is

Jonathan Proctor Announces Run For County Council

After careful thought, prayer, and consideration, I am honored and excited to announce that I am running for Kershaw County Council, District 4. The Republican Primary will be held on June 9, and District 4 deserves strong, conservative leadership. I am committed to being that candidate. My life’s work has been rooted in service. I began by bagging groceries at the Piggly Wiggly in Lugoff, waited tables while earning my business degree from Coastal Carolina University, and later had the privilege of serving families during their most difficult moments as a Funeral Director at Powers Funeral Home. In 2021, I opened Peaceful Paws Mortuary & Crematory here in Lugoff, continuing my commitment to serve our community as a small business owner. I look forward to extending this record of service to the Kershaw County Council. My passion for public service began in 2005 when I attended Palmetto Boys State, where I developed

Come cook with Melissa

Brought to you by Every Day Gourmet, Camden’s local lunch spot since 1985. Mexican Street Corn Hi! My name is Melissa Saavedra and I love everything there is about food! Join me as I share some of my favorite recipes. Let’s talk about corn, specifically about street corn! If you haven’t tried street corn, you are missing out. This salad is perfect as a side dish or as an add-on to tacos. In fact, I’ll be making it at The Every Day Gourmet’s BBQ night on February 19 from 5:30 to 8pm. Come see us for pulled pork, smoked chicken and of course, tasty side dishes like my Mexican street corn! Enjoy! Mexican Street Corn INGREDIENTS INSTRUCTIONS Grab a frying pan preferably a 10-12 in one and melt the butter on medium high heat. Once the butter is sizzling add the corn and spread out evenly in the pan. Stir occasionally and cook the

Camden Mayor Vincent Sheheen authors book explaining how South Carolina government really works

Camden Mayor Vincent Sheheen says most South Carolinians can name the president and argue about Washington, but few can explain how the government in Columbia actually works, even though state decisions shape daily life far more directly. That gap is what pushed Sheheen, a former state senator and state representative, to write The Concise Guide to South Carolina State Government, a new reference-style book published by the University of South Carolina Press. Sheheen discussed the book Tuesday, Jan. 27, during a public talk and Q&A hosted by Books on Broad at the Sheheen Colonial Artisan Center at Historic Camden. “I taught a class on South Carolina government and politics and there was no book,” Sheheen told the audience, recalling his years teaching in the University of South Carolina Honors College. The only text available, he said, dated to the early 1990s and required extensive workarounds because so much of state

Irish Fest Camden Celebrates 10 Years of Celtic Culture & Community

What began as a one-block street festival sparked by her Irish-Italian husband’s idea has grown into one of South Carolina’s premier Irish celebrations. Becki O’Hara, founder of Irish Fest Camden, says the festival’s 10th anniversary is “a testament to the people of Kershaw County, our priceless volunteers, generous sponsors, and talented performers who believed in this festival and helped it grow.” Irish Fest Camden has transformed into a multi-day destination that draws more than 8,000 visitors to Kershaw County each spring. “Reaching ten years is an amazing milestone,” O’Hara said, “the anniversary feels both surprising and meaningful.” The first festival welcomed about 400 attendees to one block of Rutledge Street in downtown Camden. As crowds multiplied, organizers relocated first to Historic Camden and, most recently, to the Kershaw County airport, the only venue large enough to handle the event’s growth. The multi-day celebration has turned into a tourism driver for

Kids in Parks Expansion Coming to Kershaw County After Community Planning Session

Local leaders and residents gathered in January to help shape how children in Kershaw County will experience the outdoors for years to come, as the LiveWell Kershaw Coalition hosted a planning session with the national nonprofit Kids in Parks to identify sites for three new TRACK Trails. Educators, health care providers, nonprofit representatives and community members met at Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center to discuss potential locations and vote on preferred sites. The expansion builds on an existing TRACK Trail at Wateree Veterans Park and is funded through a grant through the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation aimed at growing the program across South Carolina. Kids in Parks, a program of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, creates self-guided outdoor adventures designed to encourage children and families to explore nature together. Participants follow activity brochures along a trail, identify plants and animals and log visits online to earn prizes

Kershaw County Housing Authority awards $60,000 grant to support transitional housing at Food for the Soul

The Kershaw County Housing Authority recently awarded a $60,000 grant to Food for the Soul, supporting the nonprofit’s plans to expand and upgrade its emergency shelter with new transitional housing designed to provide greater privacy, safety and stability for residents working toward permanent housing. Archie Todd, chairman of the Kershaw County Housing Authority, said the funding reflects the Authority’s mission to support organizations addressing housing needs across the county. “We saw the work Food for the Soul is already doing and wanted to be part of it,” Todd said during a check presentation and site visit at the shelter. “This is about improving the quality of transitional housing and helping meet needs that make a real difference for people.” The grant will fund the construction of four transitional rooms inside Food for the Soul’s existing shelter — two designated for men and two for women — along with related safety

Camden Planning Commission to consider annexation policy, zoning changes and proposed apartment complex

The Camden Planning Commission will meet Tuesday, Jan. 27, to consider a series of zoning and land-use matters, including proposed annexations tied to city utility service and a rezoning request for a 50-unit apartment development on York Street. The meeting is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. at Camden City Hall and is open to the public. One of the primary items on the agenda involves properties located outside the city limits that currently receive City of Camden water and/or sewer service. City planning staff will present recommended zoning classifications for multiple parcels as part of the city’s long-standing policy that properties receiving municipal utilities ultimately be annexed into the city once they become contiguous with city limits. Under the policy, property owners are expected to sign annexation covenants agreeing to petition for annexation at a future date. The commission will hold a public hearing before considering zoning recommendations for the following

McMaster declares state of emergency; Kershaw schools cancel weekend activities, shift to e-learning

Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Tuesday as South Carolina prepares for a winter storm system expected to impact the state beginning Saturday and continuing through the weekend, possibly into Monday. The executive order activates the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan, allowing state agencies to mobilize resources, authorizing the National Guard to prepare for deployment, and enabling state and local emergency officials to coordinate response efforts. The order also temporarily suspends certain regulations for commercial vehicles to expedite the transportation of emergency response resources. “South Carolinians should remain aware of local forecasts and take appropriate precautions ahead of this weekend’s storm,” McMaster said. “Preparations are already underway by state agencies, and this state of emergency ensures Team South Carolina is ready to respond as conditions develop.” In response to the anticipated weather, the Kershaw County School District announced it is canceling all weekend activities scheduled for Saturday and

Kershaw County Council recognizes partners for Lynches River logjam removal

Kershaw County Council members recognize the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, SCDNR LCpl. Tommy Buckhannon, Global Eco Adventures, the South Carolina Office of Resilience, and J.A. Still and Robert Collins Construction Co. during a January 2026 meeting for their successful, collaborative efforts to remove a four-year-old logjam from the Lynches River in Kershaw County.

City of Camden appoints Tori Smith as director of finance

The City of Camden announced the appointment of Tori Smith as its new director of finance, bringing more than two decades of governmental and public-school finance experience to the city’s leadership team. Smith has extensive experience overseeing governmental financial operations in public education. She holds a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of South Carolina, with a major in accounting and a minor in human resources. Most recently, Smith served as finance director for South Carolina Virtual Charter School, where she led the transition of accounting functions from an external management organization to in-house staff. Her work included implementing financial systems, developing policies and procedures, preparing budgets, and coordinating audits to ensure transparency and compliance. Smith previously spent more than 20 years with Kershaw County School District, serving as finance director, accounting supervisor and payroll bookkeeper. Her experience included supervising staff, managing audits and financial systems, supporting