Mobile Home Sales in Marion, SC

FLORENCE, S.C. – The Francis Marion University baseball team will open its 2023 season with a non-conference series against the Newberry College Wolves this weekend.

The series will consist of two road games and one home contest.

The first pitch is set for 4 p.m. on Friday followed by Saturday at 2 p.m., both at the Smith Road Complex in Newberry. The series caps off with the Patriots’ home opener Sunday at 2 p.m. on Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium in the Griffin Athletic Complex.

Single-day tickets for FMU home games are $10 for adults, $5 for students, or free with an FMU student ID.

Francis Marion coach Art Inabinet is entering his 23rd season at the helm of Patriot baseball and his 25th season overall at FMU. As coach at Francis Marion University, he has compiled a 657-423-2 record. He owns an overall career mark of 741-477-2 in 24 seasons as a head coach. Inabinet welcomes back 21 lettermen from last year’s 29-19 squad, and has added 14 newcomers. Among the returnees are four position starters and five starting pitchers.

Returnee and fifth-year senior outfielder Will Hardee will have a major impact on the Patriots’ offensive identity this season. Hardee, the former South Florence High standout, batted .405 in 2022 to become only the 11th Patriot to reach the .400 mark. He led the team in runs with 60, while compiling 22 doubles, 40 runs batted in, and ended the season with a 26-game hitting streak (third-longest in program history). He was recently named to the NCBWA preseason All-Southeast Region Team.

Other key returnees include fifth-year middle infielder and outfielder Tanner Wakefield of Gainesville, Ga. (.398, 17 doubles, 38 RBI); senior infielder Naphis Llanos of Sanford, Fla. (.374); senior catcher Isaac Schuck of Reno, Nev. (.262); sophomore infielder Tyler Reynolds of Evans, Ga. (.333); and senior outfielder Jack Hegan of Bluffton (.268).

“We expect Naphis, Tanner, and Will to hit in the first three slots of the lineup with those being our three best hitters back from last year,” Inabinet said. “This year’s team is going to be a little bit different. Last year, we had five all-conference position players and only two of those guys (Hardee and Wakefield) are back. In this year’s group, we want to focus on making our pitching staff and our defensive unit better, and we feel like we are doing that. The runs and hits will come naturally, but we want to make these other areas a priority this season.”

Inabinet gave a lot of praise when it came to the newcomers, specifically pointing out the transfer from Florence-Darlington Technical College and what we can expect from junior right-handed pitcher Landon Mills. With the Stingers, he was named the Region 10 Pitcher of the Year for 2022 with a 10-1 mark and a 2.69 earned run average.

“Landon has pitched extremely well in this offseason and will be an important piece to our pitching staff,” Inabinet said. “He has a good arsenal of pitches and we expect him to make an immediate impact on the mound.”

Among the returning hurlers are sophomore right-hander and former Florence Christian School standout Robbie Jordan (8-3 record, 4.93 ERA); senior righty Matt Dooley of Lexington (5-0, 3.94); fifth-year righty Nick Palumbo of Wayne, N.J. (2-2, 5 saves, 1.93); and junior southpaw Chas DeBruhl of Kershaw (0-1).

Other newcomers who could make an immediate impact are freshmen infielder Charlie Bussey III of Graniteville; junior outfielder Zack Summerville of Gastonia, N.C.; junior infielder Blake Falor of St. Augustine, Fla.; graduate student southpaw Luke Allain of Pottstown, Pa.; and junior righty Danny Leo of Centreville, Va.

Inabinet also mentioned the new mold of their bullpen and what to expect from those arms.

“We have several guys in the bullpen that we are going to use as piggyback guys,” he said. “Specifically, players that can go two-to-four innings and try and close the game out. The guys in this piggyback unit will be used this way instead of having a more traditional closer.”

According to Inabinet, the probable starters for the opening series are Mills for game one on Friday, Jordan on Saturday and likely Palumbo on Sunday.

“I just want us to compete and play at a high level,” Inabinet said of what he expects from the opening series. “I want to see our pitchers show some toughness because we will be faced with some adversity this weekend against a Newberry team who won 38 games last year. I’m just looking for us to play at a high intensity in all areas and if we do that we will put ourselves in a position to be successful.”

The 2023 schedule includes 21 home playing dates and a 30-game Conference Carolinas schedule. This will be Francis Marion’s second year as a Conference Carolinas member. The 2023 Conference Carolinas Tournament is slated for May 3-7 at CaroMont Health Park in Gastonia, N.C.

Francis Marion was picked to finish fifth according to the 2023 Conference Carolinas Coaches’ Preseason poll.

FMU leads the all-time series with Newberry 50-40. The Patriot program boasts an all-time winning percentage of .603 with 1,312 wins over the previous 50 seasons.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – DMA Sales, LLC, an automotive body parts supplier, today announced plans to expand operations in Marion County. The company’s $5 million investment will create 30 new jobs.

Founded in 2008, DMA Sales, LLC serves original equipment suppliers (OES), big box retailers, and wholesale and e-retail sales channels. The company assists the North American sales and distribution arm for overseas manufacturing facilities and is responsible for sales, marketing, logistics and product development.

Located at Marion County Industrial Park, DMA Sales, LLC has purchased three additional buildings that will accommodate quality testing, receive inbound ocean containers and house excess inventory.

Operations are expected to be online by early September. Individuals interested in joining the DMA Sales, LLC team should email resumes to the company.

QUOTES

“In business, you cannot always control the challenges that are put in your path, but with dedicated employees who are willing to adapt, innovate and ultimately execute, there is very little that can keep you from succeeding. The people of Marion County are great examples of doing this over the years. It is one of the primary drivers in expanding our operations here in Marion County.”-DMA Sales, LLC President & CEO John Treece

“We are proud to see that DMA Sales, LLC is growing their footprint in one of our state’s rural counties. Their continued success is a testament to our state’s booming automotive industry and business climate. Congratulations to DMA Sales, LLC on their expansion in Marion County.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“Today’s announcement shows that Marion County is a place where businesses can find continued success. We are excited for these additional job opportunities in the community and look forward to a long-lasting partnership with DMA Sales, LLC.”-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“With the third expansion over recent years, DMA Sales, LLC has proven to be an advocate of Marion County. We hope that this will send a message to any industries looking to expand in the future: Marion County is not only a place to go, but more importantly a place to grow.”-Marion County Council Chairman John Q. Atkinson

MULLINS, S.C. –Mullins Auctioneers senior guard Johnell “L.J.” Sindab scored a game-high 33 points to lead his squad to a 97-68 win over rival Marion at home Tuesday night.

Mullins broke out the gate fast and was off to a faster start with a 17-2 run in the first five minutes of the game. Sindab dropped 16 points in the first half while the Auctioneers held a 44-30 lead. Teammates D.J. Sanders and J.J. Davis each added eight points before halftime.

Mullins head coach Eric Troy said his team fought hard on the boards to take the advantage in front of a packed-house.

“That’s what we’re talking about and that’s controlling that emotion,” he said. “Play with you’re heart but also execute.”

The Auctioneers lead continued to grow in the third quarter, highlighted by a three-point jumper from Sindab to put the team ahead 54-33 at the 4:55 mark.

Davis added 20 points while Sanders finished with 17 points.

Jamarius Williams led Marion with 16 points.

Troy said his team has been playing consistent.

“You just got to be consistent, play hard and play with a lot of energy,” Troy said. “See where you go from there and let the chips fall where they may.”

Mullins improves to 11-4 and unbeaten through four games against region opponents. The team is also on a six-game winning streak.

“They want to win every battle,” Troy said.

In girls action, Sheteria Bethea scored a game-high 18 points to lead Marion to a 40-33 win over Mullins. Bethea was recently promoted from the team’s junior varsity squad and helped the Lady Swamp Foxes clinch an important region victory.

Marion girls basketball coach Camilla Jones said it felt good for a group mainly of reserve players getting experience in a key game.

“They’re learning and this is getting them experience for the next level,” Jones said. “They’re a little nervous about playing varsity games but they’re making it through. So far it’s going pretty good. The junior varsity players have stepped-in. We’re all one team and committed.”

Jones said the team continues to develop but are playing together to finish the season.

“Trust the process, be committed and give it all we got,” she said.

Marion improves to 7-10 and 2-2 in region play.

Rykah Barr added six points for Marion while Jada Davis led Mullins with 12 points along with eight points from Jazmyne Rowell.

Mullins head coach Myron Gerald said his young squad has been approaching the season learning from experience.

“We’re young so we’re just taking it game-by-game and week-by-week,” he said. “I’m pleased with what these young ladies are doing. We’re just trying to show some patience. I’m pleased with their effort tonight.”

Gerald said he liked his team’s start and finish in the game.

“I saw some bright spots there,” he said. “I want to see them continue to grow and kind of ignite things for us. There are some that I know that are going to be an offensive plus for us.”

MARION, S.C. -- Performing Arts and Science Academy Director Justine Roberts extends her gratitude to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a grant totaling $158,800 and to the No Kids Hungry $16,700 grant. Roberts said PASA is thankful to area director George Hicks, Jr., state director Dr. Saundra Glover and the Emergency Rural Health Grant (ERHG) for helping to target and reach rural areas that haven’t been served before.

“These foundations collectively allowed us to expand our food service program and provide over 70,000 nutritional meals to the youth throughout South Carolina this summer,” Roberts said. “Not only did these two grants help with food and supplies but it also helped with transportation and fuel expenses for our food service program. A special thank you to the Department of Education and the Summer Break Café (SBC), along with Joann Minder, Monica Mazone and Amber Harrell for helping us make sure no child goes hungry and ensuring equal opportunity and justice for all. This opportunity has also allowed us to create more jobs for our community and partnership with local businesses as well.”

Roberts said she was grateful for Marion Mayor Ashley Brady allowing the use of the Grice’s Recreational Center to provide healthy nutritional meals through SBC. “We also want to thank 21st Century for the grant we were awarded in 2018 for our third, fourth and fifth graders to attend our program for free,” she said. The award will be coming to an end the summer of 2023. PASA is actively seeking funding to continue the STEM and afterschool program free for the youth.

Roberts said vendors and storage providers like Irvin Blackmon IGA of Marion, SYSCO, Performance Foods and sales representative Kevin Williamson, Little Caesar’s Pizza of Marion, Subway in Wal-Mart of Mullins along with Kevin and Stephanie Jenkins and Industrial Solutions Supply helped to make the food service program a success.

“Thank you again to Cheryl Lewis, of the South Carolina Department of Commerce for the STEM bus and we greatly appreciate Brewton Transportation for providing all the vehicles used to transport meals throughout Marion County and surrounding areas this summer,” she said. “And last but certainly not least, we would like to show our appreciation to our PASA Food Service staff for their wonderful efforts to maintain a successful program.”

Roberts said supporters like Marion County Healthcare Foundation, the Duke Energy Foundation, and Department of Juvenile Justice D.J.J. has been able to utilize the funding for its Teen TASC program. The program allowed youth to have another summer program in 2022.

“Thank you to the Marion County Council for allowing us to implement our program in the Zion Community Center directed by Hattie Purnell,” she said. “We would like to give a special thanks to site coordinator Sandra Coombs and to Marion County School District teachers for providing their expertise and instruction in our afterschool program, summer program and tutoring program.”

Roberts said PASA was also provided t-shirts from Sen. Kent Williams. The program’s highlights included the work from the dedicated PASA staff, offering Science, Technology, ELA/Reading, Mathematics and tutoring. The performing arts curriculum includes dance, music and cosmetology.

“Our mission is to enrich lives, providing positive characteristics and love for self and others, in a sense of community outreach using arts and education; improve the health and well-being of our community via access to advocacy and nutritious meals,” Robert said. “Our vision is to provide a safe and fun learning environment, where children can reach their full potential through enriching opportunities.”

Roberts said PASA’s goal is to come together by partnering and collaborating with non-profit and for-profit businesses which allows our community to thrive.

Fans of Buc-ee’s Brisket and Beaver Nuggets celebrated a milestone Tuesday.

Marion County Commissioners unanimously approved a zoning change to allow for the construction of a Buc-ee’s gas station on a 32.83-acre portion of Baldwin Angus Ranch in Ocala.

County commissioners approved a plan to build an 80,000-square-foot store with three fuel centers, 120 fuel stations, and a 125-foot sign.

Buc-ee’s is not your ordinary gas station. In addition to the usual convenience store snacks, the travel centers serve hot food, including breakfast, brisket and deli sandwiches and its signature sweet corn puff snacks called Beaver Nuggets, 24 hours a day.

It also has electric car charging stations, and the stores are known for their award-winning clean bathrooms.

The company has stores in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri. Each store location is massive. The New Braunfels, Texas, store currently holds the world record for the largest convenience store at 66,335 square feet.

Buc-ee’s is also known for its distinguished mascot: Buc-ee the Beaver.

All five Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted to change the zoning from agriculture to planned urban development for 32.83 acres of the 574-acre Baldwin Angus Ranch near County Road 326 and I-75. Each commissioner expressed their desire to be first in line for a brisket sandwich.

“Every time we go out in the community, we have too many car washes, too many gas stations being built.[There’s] not much we can do about it,” District 4 Commissioner Carl Zalak III said. “But everybody we talk to can’t wait for Buc-ee’s to be there.”

This is the third Buc-ee’s to open in Florida. The first store opened in St. Augustine in February 2021, and the second in Daytona Beach the following month.

Buc-ee’s fanatics across the state of Florida are rejoicing following the zoning change approval.

Ever since it was founded in 1982, the gas station brand has developed a large following. Customers show their passion for the stores by sporting clothing, cups and other merchandise with the Buc-ee’s logo.

Sammy Vaserstein, a University of Florida student and a loyal supporter of the Texas-based gas station said he considers the commission’s approval to be a dream come true.

“I feel like it’s the Disneyworld of gas stations,” Vaserstein says. “Usually, you stop at a gas station, and it’s part of a trip you don’t enjoy. But with Buc-ee’s, it becomes a highlight of your trip as opposed to the worst part.”

A South Florida resident, Vaserstein said he will be able to stop at the gas station while traveling throughout Florida.

While there are already two Buc-ee’s in Florida, this station will be opened in the middle of the state in a densely populated transportation location.

The newly approved Buc-ee’s will not open until construction for the I-75 interchange project at State Road 951 in Collier County, tentatively set for late 2025, is completed.