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From coroner to sheriff, Kiser in charge
“Things are running smoothly,” said Chesterfield County Acting Sheriff Kip Kiser. “We have a knowledgeable and professional staff of deputies who know what they’re doing, and things are going well.” Kiser was appointed by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley a couple of weeks ago to take Sam Parker’s place when Parker was indicted on four counts of misconduct in office and two felony counts of furnishing contraband to inmates. Kiser, who w...
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Whispers In the Stacks for April 2013
April 14 – 20, 2013, our library joins other public libraries, libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating National Library Week, a time to highlight the value of libraries, librarians and library workers. Libraries today are more than repositories for books and other resources. Often the heart of their communities, campuses or schools, libraries are deeply committed to the places where their patrons live, work ...
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Chesterfield General Hospital named to Becker’s ‘100 great hospitals’
Becker’s Hospital Review has included Chesterfield General Hospital on the 2013 list of “100 Great Hospitals in America.” According to the article, the editorial team at Becker’s Hospital Review accepted nominations, conducted research and considered other reputable hospital ranking sources such as U.S. News & World Report, Truven Health Analytics’ 100 Top Hospitals, HealthGrades, Magnet Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center...
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Members of the Kiwanis Club recently kicked off a campaign to provide teddy bears to children of Chesterfield County facing difficult family situations when law enforcement, or fire fighters are involved. Chief Deputy James Dixon of the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Department said he has witnessed the comfort these stuffed animals can be for children on many occasions. "It really helps to calm them," he said.

Providing a little TLC
Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle Members of the Kiwanis Club recently kicked off a campaign to provide teddy bears to children of Chesterfield County facing difficult family situations when law enforcement or firefighters are involved. Chief Deputy James Dixon of the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office said he has witnessed the comfort these stuffed animals can be for children on many occasions. “It really helps to calm them,” he said.
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Approximately 60 people donned their hats or bonnets and participated in the first annual Easter Hat Parade last Sunday afternoon. Prizes for the best hat were awarded in several categories, and cupcakes were enjoyed by all. The Easter Bunny was there too. He, and several others, promise to make next year's parade just as much fun.

At the Easter Parade …
Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle Approximately 60 people donned their hats or bonnets and participated in the first annual Easter Hat Parade last Sunday afternoon. Prizes for the best hat were awarded in several categories, and cupcakes were enjoyed by all. The Easter Bunny was there too. He, and several others, promise to make next year’s parade just as much fun.
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Area students named to Coker College Dean’s List
HARTSVILLE, S.C. — The following area students have been named to the Fall 2012 Dean’s List at Coker College for earning a 3.75 or higher grade point average (on a 4.0 scale): Dorin Costea of Cheraw, S.C. Lindsay Davis of Chesterfield, S.C. Taylor Demby of Chesterfield, S.C. Amber Gainey of Patrick, S.C. Anna Hendrix of Pageland, S.C. John Hicks of Jefferson, S.C. Rebecca Jones of Cheraw, S.C. Samantha Joyner of Cheraw, S.C. ...
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Are Advisory Councils still needed?
Local Advisory Councils for the Chesterfield County School District may soon be a thing of the past. According to Chesterfield County Superintendent Harrison Goodwin, this county is one of only six school districts in the state still using Advisory Councils to deal with disciplinary issues. Basically, the Advisory Councils determine whether or not a student is permanently expelled from the school district. Goodwin told board members earlier...
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Victim of fire not yet identified
A positive identification is needed before officials can release the name of the victim burned to death when a truck caught fire just off Scott Road, seven miles south of Chesterfield Thursday night, March 28. “We have a general idea, but we’re not positive,” said Chesterfield County Deputy Coroner Craig Walker. “We won’t know for sure until we have DNA and chest X-ray results.” South Carolina Highway Patrol Officer Tony Keller, who respo...
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Family determined not to lose battle to blindness
Sherell Brown of Cheraw, 27, has been told she needs surgery to prevent a rare eye disease called keratoconus from taking her vision. Insurance won’t help pick up the bill until her sight is completely gone. Then it will cover a cornea transplant, if she’s lucky enough to find a matching donor. Family members and friends have decided they’ll find a way to raise the $13,000 necessary for the surgery. This Saturday, March 30, they will be sel...
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Cheraw Police Department - arrests for March 28, 2013
The following arrests were recently made by the Cheraw Police Department: • Ricky Bridges, 50, of 1542 Soon Circle, Cheraw, was arrested for trespassing and pedestrian drunk. • Howard Brown, 56, of 229 Pecan Drive, Cheraw, was arrested for pedestrian drunk. • Daniel Jake Keith, 25, of 400 Four Mile Loop Apt. 1, Cheraw, was arrested for simple possession of marijuana. • Braxton Eugene Starnes Jr., 31, of 300 Moffat Dr. Apt 1H, Cheraw, ...
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Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office - arrests for March 28, 2013
The following arrests were recently made by the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office: • Albert Andrew Seegars, 30, of 124 Blackmon Circle, Kershaw, was arrested for driving under suspension III. • Amy Harkey Hammonds, 38, of 1570 Beaver Road, Morven, N.C., was arrested for petit larceny. • Kasey Bozie Jackson, 24, of 5618 Hickory Grove Road, Charlotte, N.C., was arrested for driving under suspension. He was also charged with speeding. ...
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Indictment against Parker reaches back a decade
Lots of county residents say they’d heard rumors Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker was being investigated before news of his indictment by the State Grand Jury hit the headlines last week. Others were shocked by the March 19 indictment. County employees and elected officials were still shaking their heads in disbelief the following morning when calls from South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley were on the line to appoint an interim sheriff....
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Rezoning answers prayers
Members of Chesterfield Town Council, and the owner of the building where Chesterfield Manufacturing once operated at the corner of Highway Nine and Zoar Road, had hoped to “keep that property on the tax rolls,” said Chesterfield Town Administrator David Huntley. But, for more than a year, the only interested buyers are church affiliated. If the church purchases the property, it will, by law, become tax exempt. But in order for the church t...
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Electing women in South Carolina
Project XX is a new initiative whose mission is to increase the number of progressive women elected or appointed to office in South Carolina. Two organizations have been created to accomplish this: a 501(c) 3 non-profit and a Federal Super PAC. The short-term goal of Project XX is to move the percentage of women on Boards and Commissions from the current mean of 27 percent women serving to the legally mandated goal of 51 percent, thus refle...
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School District campaigns for United Way
Chesterfield County United Way Director Margaret Mitchell, and Harrison Goodwin, Superintendent of the Chesterfield County School System, kicked off the 2013 United Way Campaign at the principals’ meeting Feb. 19. Goodwin opened by offering a challenge to all schools to reach 100 percent participation level. He stated he is not asking for lots and lots of dollars, but would like to see the school system attain a 100 percent giving rate. Goo...
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Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle
The re-paving project for the parking lot at Laney Landing has been waiting on the rain to clear since the initial work began last week. "The project is scheduled to be finished before Spring Festival," said Cheraw Town Administrator Mike Smith.

Waiting on the rain
Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle The re-paving project for the parking lot at Laney Landing has been waiting on the rain to clear since the initial work began last week. “The project is scheduled to be finished before Spring Festival,” said Cheraw Town Administrator Mike Smith.
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Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle
Residents from Deerfield and Country Club Acres spoke with Cheraw Town Council members Tuesday evening concerning contract negotiations with the county.

Better fire protection desired
Residents from Deerfield and Country Club Acres say they been working on securing better fire protection for their neighborhoods for a couple of years now. They’ve not exactly been told no, but their quest, for newly established fire district lines, has opened communication between members of Cheraw Town Council and Chesterfield County Council. Those conversations have caused both councils to re-consider the current 10-year contract that call...
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Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle

Why did the turkey cross the road? Who knows? Maybe he didn't realize spring marks the opening of turkey season. These gobblers, and about a dozen more, were spotted making their way across the road in the Teal's Mill community last Thursday. Turkey season in South Carolina runs from April 1 until May 1, with a limit of five gobblers per season statewide, and no more than two per day, except two total gobblers for Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Marlboro, Richland and Sumter counties. The season for private lands opened March 15.n, Dillon, Florence, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Marlboro, Richland and Sumter counties. The season for private lands opened Mar. 15.

Why did the turkey … ?
Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle Why did the turkey cross the road? Who knows? Maybe he didn’t realize spring marks the opening of turkey season. These gobblers, and about a dozen more, were spotted making their way across the road in the Teal’s Mill community last Thursday. Turkey season in South Carolina runs from April 1 until May 1, with a limit of five gobblers per season statewide, and no more than two per day, except two total gobble...
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Taste tickets available
The Taste of Cheraw has been one of Cheraw’s signature events since 1994. “Each year it gets bigger and better; this year will be no exception,” said Phil Powell, executive director for the Chamber. This year’s event is scheduled for Thursday, April 25, and tickets are limited. “The Taste” is sponsored by the Greater Cheraw Chamber of Commerce, as well as businesses and industries in the area, and is greatly anticipated by the community at ...
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Cheraw Police Department arrests for March 21, 2013
The following arrests were recently made by the Cheraw Police Department: • Alicia Louise James, 35, of 800 Oakwood St., Apt. 22C, Bennettsville, was arrested for breech of trust. • Lloyd William Epps, 50, of 4121 Kollock Road, Wallace, was arrested for public intoxication. • Donna Kay Faulkenberry, 42, of 106 Dogwood Circle, Cheraw, was arrested for driving under the influence. • Richard Maurice Thomas III, 30, of 9648 Highway 1, Pat...
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Today, Thursday, March 21, marks the second day of spring, making Cheraw’s annual Spring Festival just two weeks away. Events will begin Thursday evening, April 4, and continue through the weekend. This photo shows a typical scene from the Civil War Re-enactment that takes place each year along the banks of the Great Pee Dee River at Laney Landing. The Taste of Cheraw is scheduled for April 25.

Spring Festival is around the corner
Today, Thursday, March 21, marks the first day of spring, making Cheraw’s annual Spring Festival just two weeks away. Events will begin Thursday evening, April 4, and continue through the weekend. The Taste of Cheraw is scheduled for April 25.
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Chesterfield County Sheriff arrest reports for March 21, 2013
The following people were arrested on these charges by the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office: • Beulah Marie Steen, 25, of 1884 Tadlock Road, Pageland, was arrested for use of a vehicle without permission. • Robert Doy Louallen, 35, of 996 South Arant, apartment C, Pageland, was arrested for criminal domestic violence and no S.C. drivers license. • Robert Michael Wefler, 44, of 727 East 11th Street, Chattanooga, Tenn., was arrested f...
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Hello Zoey
Denny and Lisa Venier of Chesterfield are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Zoey Denise Venier. Zoey was born on Feb. 20, 2013, at 2:45 p.m. at Chesterfield General Hospital. She weighed 6 lbs 5.8 ounces and was 19 inches long. She is the granddaughter of Mary Miller of Chesterfield and the late Bobby L. Miller; and Nancy and William Welch of Hollywood, Fla.
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"Hadley's Tree," as it is affectionately called by faculty and staff members at Cheraw Primary School, is in full bloom this week as spring arrives. This Bradford Pear tree was planted by Mrs. Walter's second grade class in May 1998 in memory of their classmate Hadley Aaron Jordan, 1990 - 1998.

Hadley’s Tree in bloom
Karen Kissiah | Cheraw Chronicle “Hadley’s Tree,” as it is affectionately called by faculty and staff members at Cheraw Primary School, is in full bloom this week as spring arrives. This Bradford Pear tree was planted by Mrs. Walter’s second grade class in May 1998 in memory of their classmate Hadley Aaron Jordan, 1990 - 1998.
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