By Michael M. DeWitt Jr.

Published on Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 10:23am |

• Community

ESTILL - If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a drum major for justice, then Dezial Taylor is a drum major for determination and perseverance.
In his 32nd year as Hampton School District 2 band director, Taylor has seen his share of ups and downs and overcome his share of challenges - and then some.

By Michael M. DeWitt Jr.

Published on Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 10:21am |

• Community

Two amazing women celebrated milestone birthdays this week in Hampton County and both centurions shared their secret to a long and happy life.
Mamie Jones, 104 years old on Tuesday, was still "in her right mind," said family members, and didn't mind sharing her secret to life.
"Life?" Her deeply wrinkled face bore a toothy smile and just a little bit of birthday cake. "Do right. Live right. And serve Jesus. He is the light of this world."

By Michael M. DeWitt Jr.

Published on Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 10:13am |

• Community

Pause. Stop. Rewind. The last movie rental store in Hampton County is ejecting.
Dock-7 at 916 Elm St. West, Hampton, quite possibly the last video rental joint in the county, is going out of business after 26 years.
"I want to thank the people of Hampton County for supporting me all these years and we hope to see Hampton County continue to grow," Dock-7 owner Arthur Williams said. "I have no regrets; I'm just a victim of changing technology. That happens in a lot of industries."

Dressed in the spirit of Valentine's Day, and to promote a worthy cause, former Wade Hampton cross country "great" Mary Elizabeth Johns will be running in the Sweetheart Sprint 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Feb. 4.
And here's the kicker - Mary has decided to run the entire race wearing one of these two colorful yet ridiculous outfits.
But she needs your help to decide which outfit to wear, so to cast your vote scroll down to our online poll below and click on the option you like best. The deadline to vote is Friday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m.

By Michael M. DeWitt Jr.

Published on Thursday, January 12, 2012 - 9:52am |

• Community

Hampton County has not forgotten slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His dream - and another generation of his dreamers - will march along U.S. Highway 278 from Varnville to Hampton on Sunday afternoon like it has for over two decades.
Hampton County's 2012 MLK Parade will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday.
"This is our 25th anniversary parade and we want to encourage everyone to come out and participate," parade coordinator Gloria Hudson said. "We are looking forward to a large crowd."

By Mary Elizabeth Johns

Published on Thursday, January 5, 2012 - 10:22am |

• Community

If your New Year's resolution involves being healthy in 2012, you are in good company. Several organizations in Hampton County are making strides towards improving health and quality of life in the new year.

Eat Smart, Move More
Ethel Denmark, Hampton County Healthcare Consortium Coordinator, is proud of Hampton for opening a chapter of Eat Smart Move More, a nation-wide movement.
"We're the last county in the Lowcountry - that's significant," said Denmark.

By Michael M. DeWitt Jr.

Published on Thursday, December 29, 2011 - 8:45am |

• Community

FURMAN - You can't count your chickens before they're hatched. And, if you're Connor Causey, owner of the KCT Supply, you can't count your baby chicks until they are delivered to your local post office.
Businesses like KCT rely on local outlets like the Furman Post Office for more than routine mail. If not for the Furman P.O., Causey's frail baby chicks would sit and wait - and some would likely die - in post offices in more distant towns. Homebound elderly residents could be forced to drive to Estill to pick up their Social Security checks.

By Michael M. DeWitt Jr.

Published on Thursday, December 8, 2011 - 9:06am |

• Community

Slight of build and 5'9," Danielle Tison can sprint 40 yards with a three-inch fire hose wearing 40 pounds of gear. She can mount an interior attack on a structure fire. She can even read the smoke from outside a burning building and tell you where the fire is headed.
And she is the first female in Hampton County Fire Department history certified to do all that and more.

By Michael M. DeWitt Jr.

Published on Thursday, December 1, 2011 - 9:22am |

• Community

Even Mr. Scrooge and the Grinch should be able to get into that holiday spirit this weekend with all the holiday events on the horizon in Hampton County.
Holiday parades, concerts, and other events kick off this week and include:

Christmas Parades

By Michael M. DeWitt, Jr.

Published on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - 2:28pm |

• Community

Dr. Glenn Welcker's patients - all 10,000 of them - are going to miss him.
After much soul searching - and thousands of hours away from his growing children -Welcker has decided to discontinue his primary care practice, Hampton Family Practice, effective Dec. 1.