The Dillon Herald

02/14/2025

'Boys to Men' and 'Girls with A Purpose' Celebrate Dillon High Honor Roll Students

'Boys to Men' and 'Girls with A Purpose' mentoring program treated 301 Dillon High School students today for making the honor roll, providing them with hot dogs, chips, and drinks during lunch. Each student also received a certificate in recognition of their achievement.

Bobby Porter, with 'Boys to Men' and 'Girls with Purpose', emphasized that the event was a way to show students that their hard work and dedication are recognized and appreciated. "We want these students to know that their efforts don’t go unnoticed and that we are all incredibly proud of them," Porter said.

02/14/2025

Remember to shop local! Dillon County has some wonderful florists and shops to make this Valentine's Day special for your loved ones!

02/13/2025

In Honor of notable African-American trailblazers in Dillon County for National African-American History Month, The Dillon Herald is proud to highlight Dillon County residents, Johnny & Vermell McRae.
https://www.dillonheraldonline.com/2025/02/13/a-legacy-of-love…nd-vermell-mcrae/

02/13/2025

THE DILLON HERALD'S PET OF THE WEEK
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION AT THE DILLON ANIMAL SHELTER

Skye is a beautiful Husky mix who was found as a stray in the LIttle Rock area right before Christmas. She spent all Christmas at the lonely Dillon County Animal Shelter, and she is still waiting for someone to come adopt her. She is about 1-2 years old, active, loving, and gets along well with people and other dogs. She has been spayed and has received all her vaccinations.
The characteristics of her breed are loyalty, affection, and active.
The adoption fee is $125 and covers all of her vetting. Please consider making a place in your heart and your home for this beautiful, blue-eyed Skye. Skye, along with other pets are available for adoption at the Dillon Animal Shelter, 1020 Old Latta Highway, Dillon, SC.

02/13/2025

02/13/2025

Dillon County Coroner Donnie Grimsley has confirmed the death of a juvenile at Latta Arms Apartments in Latta, located at 229 Sardis Road. The juvenile will be sent for an autopsy. No further details are available at this time. The Dillon Herald extends its thoughts and prayers to the loved ones.

02/12/2025

02/12/2025

We are being told of a motor vehicle accident on I-95 on the North bound exit ramp at mile marker 190. Please be cautious when traveling in that area.

02/11/2025

Terrific Tuesday!!

Today we celebrate Mr Moses Heyward and his hard work and dedication to our Dillon County Citizens. The Are-You-Okay program is growing daily.

The program is an integral part of the Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Moses calls our senior citizens weekly and checks up on them. The program helps make sure our senior citizens are not forgotten about.

I am often contacted by family members saying how much they enjoy the program.

The program is open for any senior citizen in Dillon County so please contact Mr. Moses. I am sure his powerful voice puts a smile on our seniors faces.

The contact information for Mr Moses is 843-774-1432. Sign up today! We are up to 161 seniors!

02/11/2025

The Carolinas Art Guild recently celebrated Valentine's Day with the students enrolled in The Village Educational Services LLC After-School program. Members of the Guild brought home-made Valentine sugar cookies and icings in various colors for the children to decorate their own cookies. A goal of the Carolinas Art Guild is to bring the excitement of art and creativity to the children of Dillon County. Using icing in the primary colors, the children learned how to mix and blend these colors to create their own pieces of edible art.
Carolinas Art Guild members also provided materials for the students to create a large Valentine's poster to be displayed at the Visitors' Center in Downtown Dillon.
The Village Educational Center is located at 1131 Highway 57 South, Dillon, and is under the direction of Rashawn Aaron. Its mission is to encourage personal growth in each child by providing an excellent program by nurturing and highly-trained staff. Another goal is to allow the children a chance to create fun memories and have incredible experiences learning AND having fun. Hopefully, this collaboration with the Carolinas Art Guild members provided that for the children.

02/11/2025

Dillon City Manager Glen Wagner Is Honored At City Council Meeting After 29 Years of Service

Dillon’s City Council gathered for an emotional meeting tonight as City Manager Glen Wagner marked his final City Council meeting after an impressive 29 years at the helm as City Manager, as he is retiring. Wagner, who has been instrumental in shaping the city's growth, was honored with heartfelt tributes from city leaders, colleagues, and friends.

Mayor Tally McColl spoke warmly of Wagner’s contributions, emphasizing the visionary projects he spearheaded, including the development of a new Visitor Center and a state-of-the-art Police Department downtown. "What Glen has achieved for Dillon is incredible," Mayor McColl said. "But perhaps his greatest legacy is the dedicated team of employees he brought together to bring his vision for the city to life."

Former Mayor Todd Davis, who attended the meeting, echoed these sentiments, praising Wagner for leaving the city in capable hands. “Glen has done tremendous work, and his legacy will continue long after his retirement,” Davis said.

In a heartfelt gesture, Former Mayor Sally McIntyre sent a letter of thanks, which was read aloud by Mayor McColl. The letter expressed appreciation for Wagner’s friendship and contributions to the community.

Throughout the meeting, all City Council members took a moment to express their gratitude to Wagner for his leadership and dedication. Each council member shared personal words of thanks, congratulating him on his well-deserved retirement.

In a poignant moment, Wagner himself addressed the council and the audience, expressing deep gratitude for the support he received throughout his career. "I can't take credit for all the good that’s been done," he said, his voice emotional. "It’s been a team effort, and I’m proud of all the people I’ve worked with." He also took the opportunity to thank Janet Bethea for her tireless work and acknowledged the unwavering support of his family. "Dillon is my home, and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve this community alongside my family, children, and grandchildren."

To cap off the meeting, Mayor McColl and the City Council presented Wagner with a plaque in recognition of his years of service and his lasting impact on the city. It was a fitting tribute to a man whose leadership will continue to be felt in Dillon for years to come.
Burt Rogers has been named the new City Manager upon Wagner leaving.
See more of this story and photos in this Thursday’s issue of The Dillon Herald.

02/10/2025

IN HONOR OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
Dillon County has many African-American trailblazers who have paved the way for progress in Dillon County.

Here are just a few of them:
• Neal Bethea was the first African-American Alderman (Councilman) in the City of Dillon. Due to his service a the time of formation in the City of Dillon, Bethea is often a forgotten part of history; however, he was said to be one of the most respected African-American citizens of this time. When Dillon's charter was granted on December 22, 1888, there were not enough white citizens to make up the town council. Duncan McLaurin, the first mayor suggested that Neal Bethea be appointed. Bethea's service was noted to be "admirable.”

• Floyd Davis, the first African-American Police Officer in the City of Dillon, paved the way for many other African-Americans to serve in law enforcement in the City of Dillon.

• Earlia Ray Vanderhall, the first African-American Deputy to serve the Dillon County Sheriff's Office, was know to be a popular and effective officer who enforced law and order.

• Casey Manning, a graduate of Dillon High School, was the first recruited African-American to play basketball at the University of South Carolina. Manning played the position of guard under Coach Frank McGuire. He also served as a circuit court judge.
Manning received the Order of the Palmetto personally given to him by Governor Henry McMaster.

• Elwood McQueen was the first African-American to hold the office of Dillon County Councilman.

• Lutherine Williams is the first African-American and first female to hold the position of Chief Magistrate in Dillon County.

• Detrice McCollum Dawkins is the first African-American woman, elected to serve on Dillon County Council and is the first woman and the first African-American woman to serve as chairperson of Dillon County Council.

• Douglas Pernell was the first African-American elected as Sheriff of Dillon County and the first African-American elected to a countywide position. He died during his first term in office.

• The Reverend Joseph Benjamin Bethea, born in Dillon on September 9, 1932, was the first African-American Bishop in the South Carolina United Methodist Conference.

• Marquita Britton is the first African-American Clerk of Court elected in Dillon County. She is also the first African-American woman elected to a countywide position in Dillon County.

• Sterling Lee is the first African-American elected in Dillon County as mayor. Lee is the mayor of the town of Lake View. He also works with Man2Man, a fatherhood initiative, at their Dillon location.

There are many others who are not named here, who made significant contributions to the community and state.

02/10/2025

Congratulations to the Latta Middle School Academic Challenge Team for qualifying for the championship match and finishing in 2nd place in the region Academic Challenge Team tournament!
Mr. Jordan Williams is the advisor and has done an amazing job leading this group of students.

02/10/2025

02/09/2025

🏈🏆SUPER BOWL SUNDAY🏈🏆
We want to hear from you! Who are you rooting for? The Chiefs or the Eagles?? 🏈