Mobile Home Sales in Kingstree, SC

Georgetown author, historian and former Hemingway educator Steve Williams hopes his latest book inspires people to overcome any obstacles they are faced with in life.

The book titled, “The Overcomers,” is a collection of 32 columns Williams previously penned for the Georgetown Times and digital media outlet Georgetown and Beyond News — highlighting those who have conquered abuse, sickness, blindness, discrimination, death, disease and more.

Williams has written many books over the years, including “As I Travel Along: The Story of Harriet Tubman and James Bowley,” “Ebony Effects: 150 Unknown Facts about Blacks in Georgetown, S.C.” and “24 Extraordinary People Who Made a Difference.” His recent book, “The Lost History of the Howard School,” sheds light on the historic Georgetown school and many of its alumni.

The S.C. Press Association award-winning columnist said the idea for his ninth book came to mind as he kept tabs on the nation’s current events like the Feb. 13 mass shooting on the campus of Michigan State University. Williams said he hopes this book becomes an inspiration for others like the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series.

“I’ve always cherished many of the articles that I’ve written because they are so poignant and inspirational,” Williams said. “I figured if these pieces moved me, and they did even while I was writing them, they would move others.”

Williams said readers who pick up the book will learn the stories of those who were at their lowest point in life but did not let their circumstances define their future. He included both local and national figures in the 202-page book.

He noted the book highlights stories such as a woman who was born with a rare eye disease and is now a musical prodigy who travels with gospel legend John P. Kee, as well as a man who was born with cerebral palsy and worked at a local McDonald’s but did not let his disability hinder him.

“All he wanted to do was to be able to work,” Williams said. “Dr. Martin Luther King once said, ‘If it falls into your lap to be a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper that you can be.’”

Williams also included national figures like singer Sam Cooke and Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

“One writer said when you get to your wit’s end, that’s where God is and that’s why I call the book The Overcomers because it’s not just something I’m theorizing, I have to practice these principles in my own life and I teach that to my daughters,” Williams said. “Anybody can feel good about themselves when the bills are paid, the kids are acting normally and the car note is done, but what happens when those things are not there?”

To purchase the book locally, contact Williams at 864-346-0749. The book may also be purchased on Amazon.

HOUSE FLOOR REVIEW

January 17-19, 2023

The House of Representatives amended and gave second reading approval to H. 3604, a joint resolution authorizing Contingency Reserve Fund and American Rescue Plan Act appropriations. The legislation provides for the appropriation of $500 million from the Contingency Reserve Fund for infrastructure funding related to economic development projects that have been authorized by the Joint Bond Review Committee and the State Fiscal Accountability Authority so that the state can finance these projects without issuing additional debt. For remaining funds available, the Department of Commerce shall identify and recommend potential projects for review and comment by the Joint Bond Review Committee before any funds may be awarded or expended (with carry forward authority).

From the funds disbursed to the state under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, the legislation appropriates $586 million to the Rural Infrastructure Authority ARPA Water and Sewer Infrastructure Account to be used towards fulfilling existing grant applications. $86 million of this amount must be available for projects designated by the Secretary of Commerce as being significant to economic development. American Rescue Plan Act funds may not be disbursed to any company owned by a member of the General Assembly; however, a member of the General Assembly may own public shares of a company offered to the general public.

The legislation adds clarification language to Act 244, specifically to the ARPA Resilience Account, to expand eligible expenditures to projects that mitigate the impacts from potential releases of contamination associate with natural hazards.

HOUSE FLOOR REVIEW

(January 24 - 26, 2023)

House of Representatives approved and sent to the Senate H. 3604, a joint resolution authorizing Contingency Reserve Fund and American Rescue Plan Act appropriations. The legislation provides for the appropriation of $500 million from the Contingency Reserve Fund for infrastructure funding related to economic development projects that have been authorized by the Joint Bond Review Committee and the State Fiscal Accountability Authority so that the state can finance these projects without issuing additional debt. For remaining funds available, the Department of Commerce shall identify and recommend potential projects for review and comment by the Joint Bond Review Committee before any funds may be awarded or expended.

From the funds disbursed to the state under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, the legislation appropriates $586 million to the Rural Infrastructure Authority ARPA Water and Sewer Infrastructure Account to be used towards fulfilling existing grant applications. $86 million of this amount must be available for projects designated by the Secretary of Commerce as being significant to economic development. American Rescue Plan Act funds may not be disbursed to any company owned by a member of the General Assembly; however, a member of the General Assembly may own public shares of a company offered to the general public.

The legislation adds clarification language to Act 244, specifically to the ARPA Resilience Account, to expand eligible expenditures to projects that mitigate the impacts from potential releases of contamination associated with natural hazards.

The House approved and sent to the Senate H. 3783. This joint resolution waives a statutory requirement temporarily so that the Department of Employment and Workforce Review Committee “may submit less than three applicants to the Governor to serve as Executive Director of the Department of Employment and Workforce until that position is filled or July 1, 2023, whichever occurs first.”

If you have a comment or opinion concerning the issues discussed in this report, or if I may be of assistance to you at any time, please feel free to call your legislative office in Columbia (803) 212-6947; my office in Florence (843) 374-7653 or write 1690 Johnsonville Highway, Lake City, SC 29560. If you would like any additional information on these bills, or any other legislation under consideration by the General Assembly, feel free to visit our website at www.scstatehouse.gov. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the House of Representatives.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation by the Williamsburg County Board of Disabilities and Special needs, according to a statement by the state Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SC DDSN) officials initiated an administrative review at the Williamsburg County Disabilities and Special Needs Board (WCDSN) July 26 in response to “allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation which were reported to the SC State Law Enforcement Division. Those allegations are currently being investigated by local law enforcement.”

“Disability and special needs provides a vital service to some of our most disadvantaged citizens, the most vulnerable ones we have,” Rep. Cezar McKnight said. “And this is yet another agency that this county sorely needs that we’ve lost because lack of oversight and it is tragic.”

McKnight mentioned the Williamsburg County Disabilities and Special Needs Board’s situation in a Facebook post on August 2 which stated “Yet another county agency taken over by the State.”

However, the state Department of Disabilities and Special Needs said it has not taken over the Williamsburg board.

“While SC DDSN is continuing to review and provide technical assistance to the WCDSN Board to ensure the health and safety of those supported, SC DDSN has not assumed control of the WCDSN Board,” according to the statement.

“SC DDSN has been, and remains, in communication with the chairperson of the WCDSN Board regarding necessary oversight and administration of the agency. Technical assistance has been provided by SC DDSN to WCDSN Board as requested. SC DDSN confirms that it has required WCDSN Board to submit a corrective action plan to address material deficiencies in compliance with DDSN Policies and Standards which have been identified through the administrative review,” according to the statement.

The executive director of the county board, Mary Burgess, said she was “not at liberty to discuss” the situation when reached by phone August 3. Burgess did not answer whether or not she had been placed on administrative leave. A spokesman for the state department confirmed to The News that Burgess had been placed on administrative leave. Burgess did not return calls August 9.

Linwood Cooper, the chair of the Williamsburg County Disabilities and Special Needs Board, did not return a message August 9.

“The mission of the Department of disabilities and special needs is to enhance the quality of life, for those persons who have those kinds of challenges in their lives,” Sen. Ronnie Sabb said. “We have an obligation to those constituents to make certain that we in Williamsburg County to provide the best care and the best educational opportunities that we can.”

Emails sent August 9 requesting more information on the investigation from South Carolina Law Enforcement Division went unanswered.

On July 22, the Williamsburg County Disabilities and Special Needs Board, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, said that only one “grievance” had been filed in the last year with the board and that was about “an employee or former employee appealing certain enumerated job actions specifically as to that employee” and therefore was exempt from the FOIA request.

On January 24, a team of educators and community members met in the Dr. Rose H. Wilder Multipurpose Room to discuss the graduation rate of Williamsburg County high schools.

Hemingway High School and High School graduation rate data was the focus of the presentations. It is important to note that C.E. Murray High School and Hemingway High School traditionally produced graduation rates of 80% or better, while Kingstree High School lagged behind historically.

Having all students graduate from high school prepared for college and career is the goal of any school system; the good news is that after decades of decline and stagnation, high school graduation rates are rising nationally.

This recent stakeholder meeting represents a critical step in showing a comprehensive review and accounting of high school graduation rates for students in Williamsburg County School District. The meeting also highlighted how high schools have varied in their expectations for these students and the measures they use to gauge progress.

Together, this makes the case that the way to move forward is to hold students, parents, and school staff to the same high standards across the board. Schools must provide the support high school students need in order to meet these graduation standards. School personnel from both high schools presented their current and past high school graduation rate data, and the contributing factors used to calculate these rates.

The projected graduation rate for the 2023 SC State School and District Report Card, was also shared with the group.

Dr. Tara Richardson of Williamsburg County School District, reflected on where WCSD is now: “Hemingway High School projected graduation rate is 88.4%, Kingstree High School projected graduation rate is 74.6%, and the Williamsburg County School District’s projected graduation rate is 77.5%, the recent meeting was a success, Imagine Greatness!”

Reflections from a few in attendance...

“As educators, we provide students with a chance and a choice to succeed. The secret to their success is being intentional in the chances and choices that we provide. Secondary leaders in Williamsburg County School District came together to show what happens when we are intentional. Although we are focused on the graduation rate; we are in the process of expanding more opportunities for success through the K-12 schools. Intentionality will be our focus in establishing the foundation needed for the whole child academically, behaviorally, and socially.” Dr. Robert Smalls of the Transformative Educational Solutions, LLC

“I was thrilled to be in attendance to witness the camaraderie, collaboration, and leadership displayed by the Williamsburg County School District team. The Graduation Rate meeting was very informative and the presentations were executed with great professionalism. We are definitely headed for greatness!” Marva Cannion, WCSD School Board Chair

“The collaboration between the schools and district personnel in analyzing the data and using the information to develop strategies that will yield positive outcomes for our children, are definitely steps in the right direction.” Dr. Janice Gamble, WCSD Board Member

“It was great to see forward progress. Williamsburg County, as a whole, has to come together to start the process of making sure the future is bright. What better place to start than education? Forward movement will take effort from everyone: the superintendent, principals, teachers, coaches, students, supervisors, mayors, council members, town managers, and the citizens. All will need to hold people accountable and show they will not settle for mediocrity. Williamsburg County has the ability to succeed, and we saw that first hand at the meeting on Thursday.” William Freeman, Hemingway Town Administrator

“At Kingstree High School, meeting student needs is our top priority. As we continue to progress through the remainder of this school year, we will make sure students have what they need to graduate on time and to become successful. Kingstree High School has several different programs to make this happen. Those programs include Star Academy, After-School Tutoring Programs, Credit Recovery and Flex Academy. Upon successful completion of these programs, Kingstree High School projects a graduation rate between 75%-80% for the 2022 - 2023 school term.” Kingstree High School Team, consisting of Principal Bonita Glover and School Counselor Ms. Cynthia Cooper

“Hemingway High School has detailed the purpose, planning, and processes used to facilitate active, at-success seniors toward on-time graduation in June during the past 6 months. As the team endeavors to increase its rate, all identified students are provided with one-on-one assistance for academics and/or attendance. The school’s projected Graduation Rate for 2022-23 is 88.4% .” Hemingway High School Team consisting of Mr. Myron Frieson, Asst. Principal, Ms. Donna Palmer, Instructional Coach, and Ms. Roberta Cumbee, Instructional Coach.

The secret to becoming the king of the 2022 Kingstree Pig Pickin’ Festival was simple.

“It’s the sauce,” said Phillip Miles, whose Tail-Gater Hater team from Lake City won $3,000 and the first-place trophy Saturday in the Chris Osborne BBQ Cook-off, the signature event of the festival.

“I’ve got it at home in my safe, and nobody – my wife, kids, nobody – knows it, so I’ve got it written down,” Miles said. “She’s got the code and says she knows where it’s at.”

The secret to success for the festival itself was the venue. After 20 years at the wide-open Kingstree Recreation Center – and two years with no festival at all because of COVID-19 – the festival returned to downtown Kingstree, where it was when it was known as the Old-Fashioned Festival.

The old/new recipe for fun drew hundreds of people to the heart of town. From the parade down Main Street to the grand-finale fireworks and all of the dancing, tumbling, vending, eating, shopping, Hula Hooping and hoops shooting in-between, a good time was had by all.

Well, almost all. The only complaints were from youngsters who missed the carnival on the rec center grounds. But there’s good news for that demographic.

“We’re going to try to get one next year,” festival director Katie Wheeler said.

But she was delighted with this year’s event.

“It’s been a really great weekend,” said Wheeler, who also is the director of Main Street Kingstree. “We are so thankful for the good weather, and we had a big turnout last night and today, and our cookers had a good time.

“Our vendors have all done really well, and our food trucks have had long lines all day long. The entertainment has been great, and the fireworks show was fantastic.”

Kingstree Mayor Darren Tisdale beamed as he watched some of the festivities.

“This went past expectations for me,” he said. “Katie raised almost $40,000 in sponsorships. We had 22 cookers, and the biggest thing I’ve heard is that I’ve heard no complaints. The business people downtown have been busy since Friday night, and that’s what our main goal was.”

Michaele Duke, the director of the Williamsburg Hometown Chamber of Commerce, called the festivities “amazing.”

“I’ve never seen so many vendors line the street like this before, and the parade was just phenomenal with that huge turnout,” she said.

“I think the business owners really embraced it. They’re the ones that probably motivated it to be moved down here, because now they’ve got so much exposure today. I’m sure that people have done a lot of shopping.”

A handful of contests were held. Hula Hoop was among them. The winner was Gretta Hearon, 9, a KFA dancer from Kershaw. She won a trophy and a $100 check.

“I thought about giving it to the girl over there because she tried the hardest,” Gretta said.

But back to the main event: the meat events.

The second-place winner in the BBQ Cook-off was The Notorious P.I.G., led by Justin Osean of Kingstree. He also won first place in the Anything Goes competition, first place in the chicken competition and second place in the rib competition.

Quintin Ganes with Nonna & Five Guys BBQ was the third-place winner in the BBQ Cook-off.

Wayne Owens with The Gold Tops won fourth place in the cook-off. Terry Prosser with Jimmy Dogs BBQ won fifth place.

Gene Culbertson with Backwoods BBQ won second place in the Anything Goes competition.

George Ray won first place in the rib competition and second place in the chicken competition.

And back to Miles’ vinegar-based sauce. He said when he was young, he asked tons of people for recipes. Nobody shared.

“I started tinkering around,” Miles said, “and I made some so hot you had to throw the food away. I made some so sweet that it wasn’t worth eating, and I made some that was too salty. Then I came up with one for the church, and I called it the church recipe … because it wasn’t as hot as what I normally make. Pretty much that’s what this is.”

Miles tints windows for a living. On the side, he now has a bottling business and sells Tail-Gater Hater Barbecue Sauce in stores such as IGA in Kingstree.

Back to the venue. The downtown merchants were happy.

“It’s been a great weekend,” said Sarah Hoff, a co-owner of Mia and Beau’s on Academy Street. “I’ve heard a lot of people say this was the best one in a long time. It’s kind of like a holiday kickoff for us, because of lot of people have been buying for Christmas.”

Grace Dail is Hoff’s business partner.

“I think everybody on this street has benefited commerce-wise,” Dail said.

The mayor would second a motion to keep the festival downtown in the future.

“This is where it should have been the whole time,” Tisdale said.

Duke is already looking ahead.

“I can’t wait till next year,” she said. “I guess they’re probably going to start planning that tomorrow.”