Chronicle-Independent

07/26/2024

C-I NEWS UPDATE: SCDOT crew works at sinkhole site

An S.C. Department of Transportation crew cuts into the asphalt on DeKalb Street between Broad Street and Commerce Ally as part of its work on a sinkhole further to the left of this picture at the corner of Broad and DeKalb streets. The right-hand lane is blocked off to just after Church Street, which is causing the occasional back-up, so be prepared as you cross through Campbell Street at the top of the hill coming into downtown Camden.

07/25/2024

C-I TRAFFIC ALERT: 1200 block of Spring Creek Road closed due to washout

Please see the shared post from the Kershaw County Fire Service for information about this road closure.

⚠️⚠️TRAFFIC ADVISORY SPRING CREEK ROAD⚠️⚠️

Spring Creek Road in the Doby's Mill area is currently closed in the 1200 block due to a washout caused by flooding. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes of travel.

07/22/2024

C-I POWER ALERT: Power outage due to storm

According to a notification sent to the city of Camden's "Connect Camden" app about 30 minutes ago, today's storm disrupted an electric distribution line, causing a power outage in the Mill and York streets area. City crews are currently working to restore power, with an anticipated completion time of 7 p.m. Those experiencing a power outage should report it by calling either (803) 432-2421 or (803) 432-0009.

07/20/2024

SINKHOLE PICTURES

1. "Eastbound" (or "northbound") right-hand lane of U.S. 1/DeKalb Street approaching U.S. 521/Broad Street blocked off due to sinkhole.

2. A closer view near the southwest corner of the U.S. 1/ intersection.

3. The sinkhole in the right-hand eastbound/northbound lane of U.S. 1/DeKalb Street at the Dibble building. Doesn't look like much, but imagine the bump vehicles would get going over it and that it would probably make the hole worse causing it to widen and deepen, making it worse than it already is at this point.

4. Looking back from the corner of U.S. 1/DeKalb Street and U.S. 521/Broad Street.

There is no timetable as of yet concerning when it will be repaired or how long that will take. The C-I will post updates as they become available and publish a story in Tuesday's edition and on our website.

07/19/2024

C-I BREAKING NEWS: Sinkhole at main Camden intersection

About 45 minutes ago, the city of Camden notified users of its Connection Camden app that the S.C. Department of Transportation has closed one eastbound lane of U.S. 1/DeKalb Street at its main intersection with U.S. 521/Broad Street due to a sinkhole. No timeline has been established for when the sinkhole will be fixed or when the lane will be reopened. The C-I will provide updates as they become available and have a story in Tuesday’s issue and on our website.

07/19/2024

C-I BREAKING NEWS: Deceased fisherman identified

A few moments ago, Kershaw County Coroner David West sent the following message to the media regarding the deceased fisherman whose body was recovered from the Wateree River earlier this morning:

"911 received a call at 4:31 p.m. on July 18 of a drowning. The deceased was from Richland County. He was at the Tail Race (Wateree River behind the dam) on the Lugoff side of the river. His name is Antonio Hernandez and he was 38 years of age. The body was recovered this morning around 8 a.m. There will be an Autopsy Monday.""

The C-I will have a full story in Tuesday's edition and on our website.

07/19/2024

C-I NEWS UPDATE: The missing fisherman’s body has been recovered

07/19/2024

C-I WATEREE RIVER SEARCH UPDATE

As of 7:30 a.m. today, Kershaw County Fire Service personnel and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources resumed searching the Wateree River just below the Lake Wateree Dam for a fisherman who went missing at approximately 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The C-I will continue providing updates as they become available.

07/18/2024

C-I NEWS BRIEF: Divers searching for possible drowning victim on Wateree River

Please see the shared post from the Kershaw County Fire Service about a possible drowning incident on the river. We will try to provide updates as more information becomes available.

⚠️⚠️WATER RESCUE⚠️⚠️

KCFS, Lugoff Fire Department, and KCEMS are responding to 1600 Tail Race Rd., Lugoff, for a possible drowning incident. This will be the area behind the Lake Wateree dam on the Wateree River. Camden/Kershaw County Rescue Squad requested for divers.

Update: 10:28pm Search called off for the night. Crews will return in the morning at approximately 07:30am.

Update: 8:53pm Divers pulled due to low visibility/nightfall. Boat crews continue to patrol the area.

Update: 7:52pm Crews back on the water and divers resuming the search.

Update: 6:59pm Crews pulled from the water due to heavy storms.

Update: 5:30pm Divers in the water searching.

07/17/2024

C-I BREAKING NEWS: Firefighters dealing with KC landfill fire

Please see the shared post from the Kershaw County Fire service...

UPDATE: 7:08pm All fire units have cleared the scene.

🔥LANDFILL FIRE🔥

KCFS units are on scene at 860 Park Rd., Cassatt, with a large fire at the Kershaw County Landfill. Fire units are working with staff onsite to extinguish the fire and cover the area with dirt.

07/16/2024

C-I BREAKING NEWS: City planning commission denies alternative CTC sketch plan

In a unanimous 6-0 vote (with one member absent), the Camden Planning Commission denied an alternative sketch plan for 152 residential lots at the Camden Training Center (CTC). The alternative plan had been offered a month ago after commissioners rejected an original plan for more houses, all of which were to be patio homes. Commissioners tabled a vote on the second sketch plan -- which would have offered 141 single-family detached homes and 11 patio homes. CTC owner Stuart Grant, who was at the meeting, has previously threatened litigation if his plans were blocked. He did not speak at tonight's meeting and it is not known if he will go through with filing legal action. The C-I will have a complete story on the meeting in next Tuesday's edition and on our website.

07/16/2024

Early voting will start next Monday, July 22, for the special election for Kershaw County Council Chair and will take place at the voter registration office, NOT Camden City Arena. (https://www.pmg-sc.com/camden/article_f24bb9a8-c119-50da-9f5c-8b1203b1c643.html)

07/16/2024

Cutting the grand opening ribbon for MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center’s (KMC) newly updated mammography unit at the Elgin Medical Pavilion are (from left) KMC Board Chairman Col. Claude Eichelberger, CEO Matt Littleton, Wendy Welch, Wanda Milliski, Midland Division Director of Radiology Andrea Miller, Dawn Garrett, and MUSC Vice President of Radiology Chad Wiggins. Learn more about the revamped unit in today's C-I and on our website.

MUSC Health recently announced the addition of Genius 3D Mammography exams to its comprehensive range of women’s health services. Developed by Hologic Inc., the cutting-edge technology is now available at

07/16/2024

C-I NEWS ALERT: KCFS, Camden FD fighting Cassatt mobile home fire

Please see the shared post for information...

UPDATE: 2:45pm All units have cleared the scene.

🔥🔥STRUCTURE FIRE🔥🔥

KCFS units are on scene in the 1400 block of Mt Zion Rd, Cassatt with a mobile home fire. Camden FD and KCEMS are responding to the incident. Please use caution in the area.

07/16/2024

During a meeting on July 9 that saw council vote, 5-1, to enact a development moratorium in the county's airport overlay district, Kershaw County Council also passed a proclamation honoring the William "Shorty" Williams family (pictured here with council) and a resolution recognizing Camden native and Memphis Grizzlies basketball star GG Jackson. Get a full recap of the meeting in today's C-I and on our website.

During its July 9 meeting and on a 5-1 vote, with District 1 Councilman Russell Brazell voting against, Kershaw County Council passed first reading of an ordinance that would place

07/16/2024

Christie L. Alexander (pictured) is out on a nearly $7,600 personal recognizance bond after being charged with third-degree burglary, trespassing and larceny for allegedly breaking into -- and living in -- two houses, one in Lugoff and another in Elgin between mid-May and early this month. Get the story in today's C-I and on our website.

Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) deputies arrested a for third-degree burglary, trespassing and larceny after they determined she had “squatted” at two homes.

07/16/2024

Proctor Hall staff member Amanda Outen (in black and white striped top), and (from left) Proctor Hall trustees Jim McGuirt and Jim Burns accept a monetary donation from Camden High School Class of 1959 graduate Gene Watts during its 65th and final in-person reunion on June 19 as other classmates and their spouses look on. It's today's top story from the C-I and our website.

The Camden High School Class of 1959 celebrated its 65th reunion at Louise C. Proctor Hall in Camden on June 19. Surviving graduates did so by giving away a gift

07/12/2024

07/09/2024

C-I UPDATE: 911 mobile issue resolved

Kershaw County officials have just alerted the media that the temporary issue with certain mobile carriers being able to connect with 911 has been resolved.

C-I NEWS ALERT: 911 issues for mobile callers

A short time ago, the Kershaw County government shared the following information on its page:

"Our Kershaw County 911 Dispatch is currently facing temporary difficulties with certain mobile network providers connecting to 911 services. If you encounter any problems while trying to reach 911, please contact us at 803.572.2492, 803.572.2490, 803.572.2491, 803.572.2493, or 803.572.2494. We will inform the community once the issue has been resolved."

07/09/2024

C-I NEWS ALERT: 911 issues for mobile callers

A short time ago, the Kershaw County government shared the following information on its page:

"Our Kershaw County 911 Dispatch is currently facing temporary difficulties with certain mobile network providers connecting to 911 services. If you encounter any problems while trying to reach 911, please contact us at 803.572.2492, 803.572.2490, 803.572.2491, 803.572.2493, or 803.572.2494. We will inform the community once the issue has been resolved."

07/05/2024

C-I NEWS ALERT: Camden cancels city council meeting

Due to a lack of agenda items, Camden City Council has canceled its meeting for Tuesday (July 9). The next regularly scheduled meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on July 23.

07/02/2024

Post 17’s Amare Counts slides safely into home plate Kershaw County’s first run in Thursday’s 9-5 loss to visiting Fort Mill in eighth innings at American Legion Park in Camden. Get this story and all your local sports coverage staring on Page B1 of today's C-I and on our website.

Just when Post 17 thought it had gotten over the hump and was primed to complete the job, disaster struck.

07/02/2024

Michael Anthony Tavaris Helm (pictured) is now charged with murder in an April 26 stabbing case after the victim -- now identified as Kaliq Parker, 33, of Lugoff -- died on May 8. Kershaw County deputies only served the warrant recently as he was already being held at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center due to renovations taking place at the Kershaw County Detention Center. Get the update in today's C-I and on our website.

The Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) is now charging a man already being held in connection with an April 26 stabbing case with murder following the death of the victim.

07/02/2024

Kirim Gaskins (pictured), the 27-year-old man who claimed his 84-year-old aunt stabbed him during an argument over some land is currently being held at the Kershaw County Detention Center on charges of first-degree assault and battery as well as kidnapping after investigators concluded his aunt had acted in self-defense. Get the full story in today's C-I and on our website.

The 27-year-old man who suffered a number of stab wounds inflicted by his 84-year-old aunt on June 19 is now in jail, being held on charges of kidnapping and assault

07/02/2024

Camden City Council passed final reading of an ordinance prohibiting patio homes and zero-lot line homes from R-15 zones throughout the city during its June 25 meeting. Read a recap in today's C-I and on our website.

Despite the threat of legal action by Camden Training Center owner Stuart Grant and the Carlyle Development Group, Camden City Council approved second/final reading of an ordinance during its June

07/02/2024

In this YouTube screenshot, Kershaw County District 6 resident Ashley Hough (bottom center) addresses Kershaw County Council during its June 25 meeting, about her concerns regarding solar farms in the rural part of the county. Later in the meeting District 6 Councilman Danny Catoe (seated, center right) made a motion to send suggested revisions of the county’s solar farm ordinance to the county’s planning commission, which passed unanimously. Get a recap of the meeting in today's C-I and on our website.

Kershaw County Council unanimously passed a motion offered by District 6 Councilman Danny Catoe during its June 25 meeting to send a request that the Kershaw County Planning Commission look