Some Hampton County students may be more prepared for college than others, according to recent ACT college entrance exams.
Students in Hampton One made improvements on the 2010 ACT (American College Testing) as compared to the Class of 2009, while seniors taking the test in Hampton Two actually posted lower scores than the year before.
Hampton One graduates scored an overall composite of 17.8, which tops their 2009 score of 16.6. The statewide composite was 19.7 (the same as last year), while the national average for public school seniors was 21.0, down a tenth of a point.

The Hampton County egg supply appears to be all in a safe basket.
Local grocers say that last week's nationwide Food and Drug Administration recall of eggs linked to an outbreak of salmonella poisoning did not affect their egg supply.
"It doesn't affect us," said Piggly Wiggly Manager Eric Harriott. "I have signs posted on our egg case saying it didn't affect us, but I did have some concerns."

The Hampton County jail may become a little less crowded, and more bad guys may get sent home or face alternative punishments, thanks to a new county fee.
With the county planning to charge municipalities $25 per inmate per day to house certain municipal prisoners beginning in January, towns are already looking for a cheaper way to deal with crime and punishment.

According to the most recent forecasts from the National Weather Service, Hurricane Earl is not expected to be a threat to Hampton County or the Lowcountry. 

The following message was sent Tuesday afternoon from Susanne Peeples, Hampton County Emergency Preparedness Director:

HAMPTON - Alcohol may have been a factor in a Friday night crash that sent a Varnville teenager to a Georgia hospital with serious injuries.
Michael Folk, of 145 Kinard Lane, Hampton, was charged with Felony DUI after a two-vehicle collision about 1.8 miles south of Hampton near the local radio station on Friday night,  says the S.C. Highway Patrol.

LEN Conducts DUI Safety Checkpoints In Hampton, Allendale Counties
The 14th Judicial Circuit Law Enforcement Network held DUI Safety Checkpoints on Aug. 13 and 14 in Hampton and Allendale counties. Law enforcement agencies from throughout the circuit participated in the event. A total of 30 warnings were issued during the LEN checkpoints in Hampton County. There were a total of 49 traffic cases and 1 criminal case during the event. The following are the results from the Hampton County LEN checkpoints:

Driving Under The Influence: 2

Driving Under Suspension: 2

In the wake of deep budget cuts at every corner, Hampton County schools have managed to claim small victories for student achievement.
Both Hampton School Districts One and Two made steady improvements in the recently released 2010 PASS tests.

A plea hearing date has been set for the last of two Hampton County women recently charged with allowing students they were chaperoning to drink alcohol during a school trip.
According to the Osceola County Clerk of Court's website, a "plea certain" date for Phyllis Harvey, 62, of Hampton, has been set for Sept. 10 at 10 a.m.
Harvey was charged April 23 with hosting an open house party and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Osceola County, Fla. during a Patrick Henry Academy senior trip. The incident drew national publicity.

Car vs. moped crash

Hampton County EMS and the Varnville Fire Department responded to a report of a car striking a moped at the Varnville Post Office around 6:18 p.m. Tuesday.

According to reports from the scene, a patient was suffering from leg and shoulder injuries and chest pain after being struck by a vehicle traveling about 10-15 miles per hour and was transported to Hampton Regional for evaluation. 

More details may be posted if they become available.  

More than 60 parents - some angry, many concerned - huddled into a crowded Hampton District One office meeting room Monday night to protest a new school bus policy during a 6 p.m. Board Listens session.

Parents say that a recent policy that prohibits bus stops if your home or daycare is within a mile and a half of a school is not only unfair, but puts kids at risk for accidents, predators, and other harm.