The Cheraw Chronicle - Your source for local news, classifieds, business listings and events.

News

These photos were taken for The Chronicle during the annual Memorial Day celebration in 2011.

Memorial Day event is set
Memorial Day, celebrated this year on the 27th, is the first national holiday of the summer season. For many, this day, or this weekend, is associated with picnics and trips to the lake or beach. But this day, designated following the American Civil War, was established to honor those in military service who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Memorial Day recognizes and honors the dead, while Veterans Day, celebrated in November, honors the service...
full story

Accomplishment reached
Sgt. Jesse R. Chapman, of Cheraw, recently completed the Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment (F.O.R.C.E.) Training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas and is currently on tour in Bishek, Krygzstan at Manas Air Force Base. Chapman, a 10 year veteran of the Air Force, is a fuels apprentice. His home base has been Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, N.C. He is a son of Bobby R. (Rusty) Chapman Jr. and Jennie Chapman of Cheraw.
full story

Chesterfield_County_Sheriff’s_Office_arrests_for_May_23_20130_1369187579.jpg

Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office - arrests for May 23, 2013
The following arrests were recently made by the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office: • Michael Melton, 39, of 63 Hillian Edwards Road, Cheraw, was arrested for distribution of marijuana. • Debra Dianne Leak, 49, of 621 Second Street, Cheraw, was arrested for distribution of marijuana. • Milton Lee Kimrey Jr., 49, of 392 Becker Road, Cheraw, was arrested for pointing and presenting a firearm. • Shineka Latrice Merriman, 35, of 562 Che...
full story

Wheelchair turkey hunt held in Upstate
The first S.C. Department of Natural Resources wild turkey hunt for persons permanently confined to a wheelchair was held on Saturday, April 13. This special hunt was conducted in Newberry County at a private hunting lease and is another example of the ongoing partnership among various private landowners in the Upstate and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The hunt was a tremendous success overall, but it was especially so for...
full story

Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle
At first glance this pileated woodpecker may look a bit like an over achiever, having finally toppled an old pine. Actually this tall stump continues to sustain life, not only for the woodpecker, but it is a perfect nesting spot for a morning dove. If you look closely, you'll see the dove is camoflagued in the center of the stump, undisturbed by the woodpecker's search for breakfast.

Over achiever
At first glance this pileated woodpecker may look a bit like an over achiever, having finally toppled an old pine. Actually this tall stump continues to sustain life, not only for the woodpecker, but it is a perfect nesting spot for a morning dove. If you look closely, you’ll see the dove is camouflaged in the center of the stump, undisturbed by the woodpecker’s search for breakfast.
full story

Council_to_discuss_neighborhood_planning_grant0_1369257248.jpg

Council to discuss neighborhood planning grant
The next meeting of Cheraw Town Council will take place at Pee Dee Union Baptist Church for a public hearing in that neighborhood to discuss how the $25,000 neighborhood planning grant from the S.C. Department of Commerce will be used. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 28. The public is invited to attend. Residents of the ACL neighborhood are urged to join council at this public hearing to discuss issues such as drainage, lan...
full story

Cheraw_Police_Department_arrests_for_May_23_20130_1369187898.jpg

Cheraw Police Department - arrests for May 23, 2013
These arrests were made recently by the Cheraw Police Department: • Shawn Wesley Isaac, 31, of 171 Holly St., Cheraw, was arrested for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. • Monte Jerome Jacobs, 35, of 120 Frank David Road, Bennettsville, was arrested for possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving under the influence. • Deana Joyce Price, 39, of 107 Polson Road, Patrick, was arrested for shoplifting....
full story

Chesterfield_General_named_one_of_‘100_Great_Places_to_Work_in_Healthcare’0_1369185468.jpg

Chesterfield General named one of ‘100 Great Places to Work in Healthcare’
Chesterfield General Hospital in Cheraw is one of the 2013 “100 Great Places to Work in Healthcare” according to Becker’s Hospital Review, which publishes the annual list. The hospital was chosen through a nomination and editorial research process that evaluated such areas as benefits, wellness initiatives, professional development opportunities, and employee collaboration and satisfaction. “Our people are our most important resource — they...
full story

Southeastern Piano Festival in June
A piano gala concert launches the University of South Carolina’s 11th annual Southeastern Piano Festival June 9 through 15. The extravaganza is hosted by the School of Music in Columbia. The festival’s opening performance is set for 6 p.m. in the School of Music recital hall, and will feature performances by Marina Lomazov, festival artistic director, Joseph Rackers, festival program director, and festival faculty members Charles Fugo and P...
full story

The first-grade students at W.B. Goodwin couldn’t hold their cross-legged rows after a special reader, Cocky, came to the front of the library to act out each of the picture books. Photo by Chloe Gould.

Book mission: S.C.’s rising childhood literacy rate means it’s not just words
Rows of first-graders sat cross-legged in their elementary school’s library, chattering to kids in other classes in fits of nervous excitement. They pulled on the laces in their sneakers and were reminded, time and time again, to keep their bottoms on the ground. “If I see Cocky, I’m going to pee my pants,” said one student at W.B. Goodwin Elementary School in North Charleston. Their teachers — who clutched digital cameras and beamed wi...
full story

Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle
Tired of seeing your dollars go up in gas fumes? Perhaps you'd be happier on a three-wheeled moped, like Anne Duncan and Princess, her very proud chihuahua. Duncan said she and Princess can ride as much as they like for about $2 a week.

Gas prices … no worries!
Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle Tired of seeing your dollars go up in gas fumes? Perhaps you’d be happier on a three-wheeled moped, like Anne Duncan, of Cheraw, and Princess, her very proud chihuahua. Duncan said she and Princess can ride as much as they like for about $2 a week.
full story

S.C. Representative Ted Vick, arrested again for DUI in Columbia.

State lawmaker arrested again
Anytime a lawmaker breaks the law, his or her mistakes are plastered across every media source available. But South Carolina Representative Ted Vick, of Chesterfield, has made the same headline two years in a row. Tuesday, May 14, 2013, in downtown Columbia, Vick was arrested for driving under the influence, according to police. This time Vick was arrested on Statehouse grounds by an officer of the Bureau of Protective Services, said Sherri...
full story

Sheriff’s_Office_suspended_from_military_surplus_program0_1368571817.jpg

Sheriff’s Office suspended from military surplus program
Many Chesterfield County residents may remember seeing former Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker hanging out the door of the county’s helicopter, looking for suspects on the ground. However, since Parker’s grand jury indictment on misconduct in office charges, the county’s new sheriff, Robert Lee, has requested a complete inventory of military equipment provided to Chesterfield County through the 1033 Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO)...
full story

Energy_Department_awards_200_000_to_Clemson0_1368586734.jpg

Energy Department awards $200,000 to Clemson
WASHINGTON — The Energy Department has selected Clemson University for a $200,000 award to support the development of curricula and training that will help researchers and students gain a better understanding of the complex conditions of a modern electric grid, focusing on synchrophasor technology. Washington State received one of seven awards totaling $1.4 million to help colleges and universities better prepare the electricity workforce of ...
full story

Cheraw_Police_Department_arrests_for_May_16_20130_1368585346.jpg

Cheraw Police Department arrests for May 16, 2013
Jeremy Keith Killian, 26, of 2781 Rosser Road, in Wallace, was arrested in the Walmart parking lot in Cheraw for possession of methamphetamines and possession of a controlled substance, according to booking reports from the Cheraw Police Department. Officer Clayton Anderson, who had a courtesy summons for Killian, said he recognized Killian in the parking lot. According to the incident report, as Anderson approached the car to deliver the s...
full story

12_SC_counties_certified_Work_Ready_Community_In_Progress0_1368623160.jpg

12 SC counties certified Work Ready Community In Progress
The South Carolina Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) approved the applications of 12 counties to be designated as South Carolina Work Ready Community In Progress. All 46 South Carolina counties are now designated Work Ready Community In Progress. To earn the South Carolina Work Ready Community In Progress designation, counties had to demonstrate a commitment in meeting their two year criteria, which includes improving high school graduation...
full story

Contributed photos
Two Chesterfield County residents were pinned as registered nurses May 9 at a ceremony at the Cole Auditorium on Richmond Community College's campus in Hamlet, N.C. Newly pinned nurses from Chesterfield County are Latoya Johnson (left) of Pageland and Linda Bouie of Cheraw.

Nursing students earn pins
After two years of study, 29 graduates of the Lillian Duer James School of Nursing at Richmond Community College celebrated completion of their Associates Degree Nursing (ADN) program at a pinning ceremony Thursday night, May 9, at the Cole Auditorium in Hamlet, N.C. Ernest Grant, Outreach Coordinator for the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center and Professor at UNC School of Nursing, challenged the newly pinned nurses to be agents of change. ...
full story

Chesterfield_County_Sheriff’s_Office_arrests_for_May_16_20130_1368585148.jpg

Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office arrests for May 16, 2013
The following arrests were recently made by the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office: • Colen Akbar Jones, 28, of 614 Isabella, Laurinburg, N.C., was arrested for possession of marijuana. • Harvey Lavern Watson, 43, of 284 Rolling Hill Lane, Cheraw, was arrested for simple assault/assault and battery third degree. • Edwin Minchez, 35, of 1503 Stateline Road, Pageland, was arrested for assault and battery third degree. • Ralph Jones Jr...
full story

Contributed photo
The McBee Elementary School Chorus.

McBee Elementary chorus performs at Disney
Members of the McBee Elementary School Chorus performed on The Waterside Stage at Downtown Disney earlier this year. This is the fourth time that the MES chorus has been chosen to perform in the Disney Performing Arts program. Music teacher Stephanie Tiller submitted a DVD audition of the group performing two songs from their May 2012 Dinner Theatre. The chorus along with 55 parents, family members, and well wishing supporters departed Di...
full story

5th_Annual_American_Legion_Golf_Tournament0_1368634382.jpg

5th Annual American Legion Golf Tournament
The Chesterfield American Legion Post 74 is sponsoring its 5th Annual Golf Tournament Friday, May 17, at the Green River Country Club in Chesterfield. Proceeds will benefit the group’s Annual Scholarships Fund. The event is Captain’s Choice and registration is $50 per golfer. Lunch will be included and door prizes will be awarded. There also will be a hole in one contest. Lunch and starting tee assignments are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. un...
full story

NETC_employees_give_back_by_making_United_Way_pledges0_1368572332.jpg

NETC employees give back by making United Way pledges
Northeastern Technical College employees contributed $3,356 to the United Way of Chesterfield County, which is more than triple the amount the college raised when it joined the United Way campaign eight years ago. “This is a true testimony to how a little can go a long way,” said Margaret Plettinger Mitchell, United Way of Chesterfield County director. “We ask people to give what they can. Whether it is $1 or $10, your contribution is makin...
full story

Spring into 4-H
Are you interested in learning more about 4-H? Do you want to learn about animals, how to garden, science and technology, food and nutrition or how to be a better leader? Then 4-H might be for you. Chesterfield County 4-H will be holding a meeting for parents and youth on Tuesday, May 21, at 6 p.m. at the Chesterfield County Library, 119 W. Main St. in Chesterfield. Persons are asked to come through the side door located on the right side o...
full story

Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle
Chesterfield County Administrator Denise Douglas, left, presents Rose Gainey with the trophy for the Recycler of the Year Award.

Gainey named Recycler of the Year
Rose Gainey, representing the efforts of Chesterfield County, was honored by the Carolina Recycling Association with the Recycler of the Year Award. Gainey was recognized during the annual conference and trade show in Myrtle Beach April 10, and again by members of Chesterfield County Council May 1. The award is given each year to an individual in the field who has made a significant contribution to the “advancement of integrated solid waste...
full story

Accepting_grant_money_causes_controversy0_1368122676.jpg

Accepting grant money causes controversy
Chesterfield County Council agreed May 1 to be the legal authority for what is known as a “grant pass-through,” enabling the Alligator Rural Water & Sewer Co., Inc., to receive a $350,000 grant awarded by the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority in March of this year. But if two councilmen, and the Mayor of McBee had their way, the money would have been turned down. Voting against the Alligator pass-through grant were Chesterfield ...
full story