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Catawba Ridge and Nation Ford opened their cross country seasons Saturday at the South Mecklenburg Cross Country Invitational, running the Larry McAfee Course at McAlpine Park in Charlotte alongside more than 40 schools from the Carolinas. Nation Ford boys run in a tight group Nation Ford placed fifth of 20 teams in the boys Touranjoe race with 171 points, moving five scorers across the line inside 45 seconds. Sparsh Vaghani led the group in 23rd at 17 minutes, 0.40 seconds, followed by Robert Saddler in 26th at 17:06.10 and Alex Royall in 27th at 17:06.60. Eighth grader Richard Bailey took…

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI and MEG KINNARD Associated Press ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — The last time Pete Buttigieg was giving a political speech in South Carolina, it was to mark a distant finish in the state’s primary that effectively ended his campaign for president. Returning this weekend as he mulls a second run for the White House, Buttigieg set out to reintroduce himself to the state and the Black voters he struggled to win in 2020. The results were encouraging. There was a standing ovation in a Black church in South Carolina when Buttigieg was credited for helping bring millions of federal dollars to…

Rob Tucker and Thomas Hyslip posted a net 102 on Saturday to take the Flight 1 lead after the opening round of the Tega Cay Men’s Golf Association Member Member tournament at Tega Cay Golf Club. Forty six teams are entered in the two day event, split evenly between two flights of 23. Saturday sent every team through two different nine hole formats, one on the Carolina Pines nine and one on the Grand View nine, with a net triple bogey maximum on every hole in both. The day opened on Carolina Pines with alternate shot, played at 50 percent…

It’s hard to go through life on your own. As someone who despises asking for help, it’s difficult to swallow my pride and give in when someone offers their assistance. Pride can be a barrier to a great many things, this is one example of many where it can get in the way of happiness and comfort.  Once pride is set aside, I’ve found that not only am I benefiting from someone’s help, they’re benefiting as well. It feels good to help someone, in fact, I’d argue it’s a basic human instinct.  Finding a community of people that can help…

Two Rock Hill residents were killed Aug. 5 in a motorcycle crash in Houghton County, Michigan, after a vehicle crossed into their lane, according to investigators and as reported by WSOC. Kimberley Wooldridge, 36, and Raymond Miller, 65, were traveling together on US 41 near Golf Course Road when the crash occurred. Investigators said Sze Wenn Tiang entered oncoming traffic while attempting to avoid a stopped truck, striking Wooldridge and Miller. Tiang has been charged with a moving violation and driving without a license. Wooldridge and Miller were best friends who had traveled to Michigan together earlier this month. Miller…

The Fort Mill Town Council will gather for a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 205 N. White Street. Council members are set to navigate a comprehensive agenda that spans annual budget presentations, local development agreements, zoning revisions, and public hearings. The meeting will open with three featured presentations. Joseph Berry with Palmetto Pride/Keep South Carolina Beautiful will present an Official Affiliate Certificate to the town, followed by a 2026 recap from Mina MacDonald on behalf of Keep Fort Mill Beautiful. Parks and Recreation Director Brown Simpson will then outline the…

By The Sweat of Our Brows, a living history event being held on September 12th at Historic Brattonsville, will explore the experiences of enslaved people of African descent during the American Revolution as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. The event will examine the many ways the pursuit of liberty took root within the Brattonsville community and how that history continues through generations of descendants. Visitors can meet descendants of the Bratton family and people enslaved on the Bratton Plantation. Other activities include an 18th-century house tour from Polly’s perspective, cooking and blacksmithing demonstrations, corn shelling and a British Army…

Teacher Recruitment and Retention Update Mrs. Darleen Romenick presented an update on Fort Mill School District’s evolving approach to teacher recruitment and the continued growth of the Teach Fort Mill initiative. With South Carolina continuing to experience a significant teacher shortage, the district has expanded its recruitment efforts beyond traditional hiring practices to build relationships with future educators throughout the year. Those efforts include a growing national recruitment footprint, targeted university partnerships, personalized candidate tours and experiences, digital outreach, and opportunities for current Fort Mill educators to serve as guest recruiters and share their own stories with prospective teachers. The…

A Fort Mill area citizens group has asked a York County judge to bar Silfab Solar from running any chemical manufacturing process at its plant on Logistics Lane and to order York County to enforce the zoning ruling a circuit judge upheld last month. Citizens Alliance for Government Integrity, the nonprofit behind the Move Silfab campaign, filed a motion for injunctive relief on Aug. 14 and a supporting memorandum with four exhibits on Aug. 17 in the Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2024CP4603532. Attorney J. Cameron Halford of Barnwell signed the filing. The named defendants are Silfab Solar Inc.,…

The York County Planning Commission voted on Monday, August 10, 2026, to reject a proposed rezoning request for a vacant, 24-acre Walmart-owned tract at the corner of U.S. Route 21 and Flint Hill Road. The developer, SDP Charlotte, LLC, had petitioned to change the property’s classification from General Commercial (GC) to Light Industrial (LI) to build a warehousing and wholesale distribution complex totaling roughly 270,500 square feet. The commission’s vote followed a recommendation from county staff to deny the application. Planning officials noted that placing a high-intensity logistics operation on the site is inconsistent with the York Forward 2035 Comprehensive…

South Carolina’s infrastructure investments could have a $66 billion economic impact between fiscal years 2021 and 2028, according to findings discussed Tuesday by infrastructure leaders in Columbia. The projects are also projected to create approximately 140,000 permanent jobs across the state over the next decade. Infrastructure-related positions currently provide average annual pay about 15% higher than the state average. The South Carolina Office of Resilience has invested nearly $200 million in infrastructure projects designed to help communities prepare for and recover from severe storms. Major transportation projects are also moving forward. The South Carolina Department of Transportation plans to continue…

Carolina Classical Academy (CCA) was notified today that former Acting Headmaster Jennifer Mognett was arrested on August 18, 2026, by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office following charges of felony embezzlement and felony exploitation of an elder during this individual’s time of employment at Carolina Classical Academy. As the Board(CCA) was conducting its monthly financial reviews in June 2026, an unauthorized charge on the employee’s credit card was discovered. Upon discovering the unauthorized activity, Carolina Classical Academy immediately reported the matter to law enforcement and has cooperated fully throughout the investigation. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Rock Hill Police…

During a meeting that ran past 11 p.m., including nearly two hours in executive session at the York County government headquarters on Monday night, the county council postponed the second reading of its mixed-use zoning ordinance, approved $1,055,000 in spending for farmland preservation in the City of York, and authorized the state to study the development of a public shooting range at Worth Mountain Park. The council also held a first reading on a zoning amendment to allow commercial and service activities in general commercial and industrial zones, rezoned 367 parcels across four townhouse developments in Fort Mill, initiated the…

In the fast-moving world of construction, skilled tradespeople want more than just a paycheck, they want steady work, competitive pay, safety on the job, and a clear path forward. That’s exactly what HardHat Workforce Solutions delivers from its Charlotte office. Founded in 2002, HardHat has spent more than two decades connecting reliable, experienced craftsmen with contractors across the Carolinas and beyond. The company focuses on high-quality construction staffing rather than simply filling orders. Recruiters themselves started in the field in some cases, so they understand the realities of the jobsite and what it takes to succeed. Why Choose HardHat? HardHat…

By MEG KINNARD and MATTHEW JUNKROSKI Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Sen. Darline Graham stumbled in a Tuesday night debate over an elementary question about foreign policy, a signature issue of her late brother. It was a high-profile misstep a week before she faces a runoff election in her bid to hold onto the South Carolina seat to which she was appointed last month. Graham, a political novice, was asked whether the U.S. has a national security interest in Taiwan and the South China Sea — a longstanding contention of both Democratic and Republican administrations. She struggled to answer before admitting “national security…

Lancaster County will officially host a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Regional Athletic Complex at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Located at 3434 Roselyn Avenue—off Charlotte Highway in the Roselyn neighborhood development—the $36.9 million facility is designed to serve local residents while drawing competitive sports tourism to the region. Designed as a premier sports hub, the complex will feature three turf baseball fields complete with batting cages and bullpens, alongside three grass soccer fields sized for collegiate competition. Both sports zones will include dedicated concession stands. Once finished, the University of South Carolina – Lancaster baseball team will host its…

All three Fort Mill School District high schools placed among the top 20 in South Carolina in the U.S. News and World Report Best High Schools rankings released Tuesday, with Fort Mill High School rising to No. 8 statewide. Nation Ford High School ranked No. 12 in South Carolina and Catawba Ridge High School ranked No. 18. Nationally, Fort Mill High placed 1,006th, Nation Ford 1,368th and Catawba Ridge 1,768th out of nearly 18,000 ranked public high schools, putting all three inside roughly the top 10 percent in the country. The rankings carry weight in a town where school quality…

Two North Carolina men face multiple animal cruelty and dogfighting charges following a joint law enforcement operation that resulted in the rescue of 40 dogs in upstate South Carolina. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) arrested Dennis Ray Williams, 69, and Samuel Garen Mobley, 49, on Aug. 13. Both men are charged with two counts each of criminal conspiracy, ill treatment of animals, and animal fighting or baiting. The arrests stem from a collaborative investigation involving SLED, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Williams and Mobley were booked into the Cherokee County…

An investigation is underway after a Sunday evening disturbance at a Fort Mill residential complex left one person dead and another hospitalized as reported by WBTV. Fort Mill Police officers responded to the Cascades condominium complex on Delta Drive around 6:20 p.m. Aug. 16. Upon arrival, officers discovered one individual deceased at the scene and a second person suffering from injuries. Emergency medical services transported the injured individual to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities have not yet released an update on their condition. Police have shared minimal details regarding the exact nature of the disturbance, and the identities of…

Winthrop University has completed the initiatives outlined in its 2025-26 Winthrop: United in Excellence strategic plan, President Edward Serna announced Monday during a welcome-back event for faculty and staff. Nine initiatives were identified to strengthen academic programs, student success, enrollment, alumni engagement, employee development and campus space utilization. Among the academic achievements was progress toward an advanced manufacturing engineering program, which has received significant external financial pledges and is on track for approval ahead of a potential fall 2027 launch. Winthrop’s new bachelor’s degree in health sciences has received approval from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and will…

South Carolina residents who own utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) will have to wait until Nov. 18 before the vehicles can legally operate on public roads under newly enacted Senate Bill S.222. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles is encouraging UTV owners to use the time before the law takes effect to ensure their vehicles meet the state’s requirements for registration and road use. To qualify, UTVs must be four-wheel drive, have an engine displacement of at least 450cc, reach a top speed greater than 55 mph, be no more than 80 inches wide and have a gross vehicle weight…

Seven candidates had filed for four at large seats on the Fort Mill School District Board of Trustees as of Monday morning, hours before the noon filing deadline. Three of the four incumbents whose terms expire this year appear on the county candidate filing list. Michele Branning, Joe Helms and Lipi Pratt have all filed to keep their seats. Wayne Bouldin, who holds the fourth seat on the ballot, did to file. Four candidates who do not currently serve on the board have filed. They are Larry Barnett, Keith Griffin, Brandon Langford and Melissa M Maynard. The seven member board…

Early voting for the Aug. 25 Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate opens Wednesday and runs three days, with two centers open in York County and two in Lancaster County. Sen. Darline Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman are on the ballot. The winner faces Democrat Annie Andrews in November for the seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham in July. Centers are open Wednesday, Aug. 19 through Friday, Aug. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voters may go to any early voting center in the county where they are registered. There is no application…

On the corner of Caldwell St. in Rock Hill, S.C., lies Ramble On Records, the city’s only standalone record store.  Originally located in the Hickory Post, an art gallery and boutique on Rock Hill’s East Main St., Ramble on Records moved to its permanent, standalone location in June 2025.   “We’ve been around for four years,” said Sara Simpson, owner of Ramble on Records, recounting her and her husband Jay Simpson’s time at the Hickory Post. “We just started by renting a small space and seeing what would happen, and it grew from there to the point that we had three…

By MEG KINNARD Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Russell Fry endorsed Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary runoff, saying on Friday that she should replace her late brother on general election ballots because of her ability to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda and her understanding of everyday people’s struggles. Fry finished third in a special primary held Tuesday, when Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman advanced to the Aug. 25 runoff. His backing follows that of other powerful Republicans who have supported Graham, including Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Trump, whose early endorsement helped propel his…

FORT MILL, S.C. The Humane Society of York County is featuring a 1-year-old stray cat and an 8-month-old dog who came in from Animal Control as a medical case as its pets of the week. Both animals are neutered, vaccinated, tested and microchipped, and both are available now at the shelter at 8177 Regent Parkway in Fort Mill. The shelter has placed 454 animals so far in 2026, including 105 dogs and 349 cats, according to figures released by the rescue. Don Julio waits in the big cat room Don Julio, a mostly white and black cat with amber eyes,…

Tega Cay resident Scott Grant has opened Patriot Lawn Care Services, a residential lawn maintenance company offering mowing, mulch and pine needle installation, hedge trimming, sod installation and pressure washing to homeowners in Tega Cay and surrounding communities. The company is promoting its launch through door hangers distributed in local neighborhoods and is offering free estimates to prospective customers. Grant is listed as the point of contact for the business. What the company offers Patriot Lawn Care Services advertises eight services: lawn mowing, trimming and edging, mulch installation, pine needle installation, hedge trimming, leaf cleanup, new sod installation and pressure…

Early voting in the special primary for South Carolina Senate District 15 opens Monday, Aug. 17, and runs through Friday, Aug. 28, with only two early voting centers open in York County. The centers are the Fire Training Center of York County at 2500 McFarland Road in York and Staybridge Suites at Galleria Mall at 493 Galleria Blvd. in Rock Hill. Both are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both are closed weekends, legal holidays and the Monday before the primary. The primary will decide which Democrat faces Republican James Burns in the Nov. 3 special…

The Sonic Drive In at 3039 Highway 160 in Fort Mill, just outside the Tega Cay city limits, has closed, and the property has been sealed off and listed for sale. Plywood covered the windows along the front of the building Sunday. Orange plastic fencing ran across the parking lot, and a No Trespassing sign hung from the fencing near the accessible parking space. A vinyl banner mounted above the boarded windows carries the Sonic logo and reads, “Thank you for your patronage. Unfortunately we are closed.” The banner directs customers to other Sonic restaurants in Rock Hill, York and…

There may be nothing worse as a child than having a nightmare. All the good in the world is sucked away and replaced with a night of restless sleep and anxiety. In order to stave off the demons swimming around in a young mind, children often turn to their parents for safety. This is certainly what happened in my case. Whenever I had a nightmare, I’d crawl into my parents room and ask my Mom if I could stay with her for a little while so I could fall asleep.  Immediately at ease, I’d drift off to sleep with nothing…

The Fort Mill High School cross country team will hold its third annual Buzz, Sweat & Tears 5K on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Bob Jones Stadium, and organizers are recruiting sponsors, vendors and food trucks ahead of the race. The event is the program’s signature fundraiser. Money raised keeps the team free of mandatory participation fees, according to the team’s sponsorship packet, and covers uniforms, travel, race entry fees, water coolers and sun shelters. The program draws athletes from Fort Mill High School and three feeder schools, Gold Hill Middle, Pleasant Knoll Middle and Banks Trail Middle. Race day schedule…

Following the Winthrop Byrnes Auditorium’s reopening last spring, the Rock Hill Symphony announces plans for five concerts over the next school year. Spearheaded by musical director and conductor Christopher James Lees, the 65-member orchestra plans to collaborate with Winthrop’s Department of Music throughout its performances, said Lorrie Crochet, the chair of the department.  Lees will hold a master class each semester for the music department, allowing students to attend rehearsals and learn performance firsthand, the university said in a press release.  “This will impact students on a fundamental level,” Lees said. “Each instrument may speak to students on an individual…

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – The opening of Winthrop University’s 141st academic year will kick off with the annual Convocation ceremony that also contains a history lesson on the university’s treasures and traditions. Convocation, which serves as the welcoming ceremony for new and transfer students, will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 24. Incoming students will be given a Garnet and Gold book which recounts many of the honored customs that help make Winthrop the institution it is. They’ll also receive an LED candle to light during the “Lighting the Winthrop Way” portion of Convocation. This symbolic act…

Jennifer Lewis, previously Winthrop’s associate vice president for fiscal services/controller, has been promoted to vice president for finance and business affairs/chief financial officer (CFO), effective Oct. 1.  As vice president, Lewis oversaw roughly 25 employees in various budgeting positions at the university. Her enthusiasm for the position influenced her promotion, said President Edward Serna.  “In the last two years, Jenni has worked incredibly hard to learn public higher education,” Serna explained.  “She has built an effective team of seasoned and new to Winthrop professionals, joined the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), realigned the service areas within…

Winthrop University baseball head coach Mike McGuire has announced the promotions of Mike Napolitano to Recruiting Coordinator alongside being the Hitting Coach and Catching Instructor and Mike Bello to a Full-Time role as an assistant coach.

Miracle Park, Rock Hill’s accessible park for people of all abilities, debuted “Sponsor Trees,” two sculptures by Winthrop students, this June.  Spearheaded by Shaun Cassidy, a fine arts professor at the university, several students were tasked with designing a public art piece that thanked the park’s donors.  “The challenge for us was thinking of how we could make an interesting 3D object while it could also function as donor recognition,” Cassidy said.  The sculptures took two semesters to develop and demonstrated the average public art process to students, including brainstorming, budgeting, meeting with clients and more.  Participating fine arts students…

South Carolina is sending emergency response personnel to Hawaii as the state prepares for potential impacts from Tropical Storm Lala. Gov. Henry McMaster announced that South Carolina State Fire’s Palmetto Incident Support Team has deployed to Hawaii to assist with emergency preparedness efforts ahead of the storm. Lala formed Thursday in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before approaching Hawaii’s Big Island. Forecasters are warning of potentially dangerous conditions, including heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and hazardous surf over the weekend. Members of South Carolina’s Incident Support Team will assist the Honolulu Department of Emergency…

The McConnells living history site was one of seven recipients honored for preserving and interpreting South Carolina’s cultural heritage. Historic Brattonsville has been named a recipient of the 2026 Governor’s Award in the Humanities, according to York County. The award recognizes the McConnells site’s work preserving, interpreting and sharing South Carolina’s history and cultural heritage. The 2026 Governor’s Awards were announced Aug. 11 at a press conference at the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia. Historic Brattonsville was among seven individuals and organizations recognized as part of the 35th Annual Humanities Awards, which honor contributions to South Carolina foodways, historic…

An estimated 153 York County students a year and 40 in Lancaster County will become eligible for a college scholarship worth up to $10,000 annually under a statewide expansion of the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund announced this month. The scholarship, available since 2021 to students in 14 South Carolina counties through private donations, will now reach graduating seniors in all 46 counties. The change is funded by a $18.7 million recurring state investment approved by the General Assembly and included in Gov. Henry McMaster’s executive budget. For local families, the money is aimed squarely at the gap that remains after…

The York County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding a man wanted in connection with two vehicle break ins at Fort Mill apartment complexes this summer. Deputies identified the suspect as Eric Lamonte Johnson, 49, whose last known address is on Sabal Park Drive in Pineville, North Carolina, according to a wanted bulletin released by the sheriff’s office and Crime Stoppers of York County. The bulletin describes Johnson as bald with brown eyes, 5 feet 11 inches tall and about 200 pounds. Two break ins at apartment complexes A 2014 Honda Civic was broken into at The…

FORT MILL, S.C. – September 12, 2026 – The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) South Carolina Chapter invites residents of Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and surrounding communities to come together for the 2026 York County Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at The Print Shop by Amor Artis, located at 113 Railroad Avenue, Fort Mill, SC. The annual event brings together families, friends, survivors, advocates, businesses, and community members to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention while honoring those whose lives have been affected by suicide. Suicide continues to impact individuals and families in every…

Winthrop University lacrosse head coach Hannah Potter has been named to the inaugural class of the IWLCA Spark program of 2026-27, announced by the IWLCA on Thursday.

Margaret Anne (née McCool) Lidz, affectionately known as Peggy, was born on February 3, 1943, to John and Emily (née Pue) McCool. Peggy attended Pelham Memorial High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a teachers certification from the University of Michigan. She taught in both public and private schools in Michigan, Connecticut, and Maryland. Education was an important part of Peggy’s life, as were her interests in design and the French language. She loved decorating and designing homes and had a natural talent for envisioning spaces, despite having no formal architectural training. She also studied…

Led by a dominant individual performance from Addie Lupton, the Fort Mill High School Girls Varsity Golf team secured a 161–179 victory over cross-town rival Nation Ford on Wednesday at Tega Cay’s The Cove course. Lupton stole the show over the nine-hole competition, firing an exceptional score of 29 to set the pace for the Yellow Jackets. Fort Mill’s team total was rounded out by steady contributions from Lauren Venino (40), Claire Collins (46), and Skylar Sartwell (46). Nation Ford put up a solid team effort, anchored by Campbell Reiking, who posted a team-best score of 40. Piper Sabino added…

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver issued a joint warning to school districts statewide, highlighting pressing threats to student safety as the new academic year begins. The joint letter draws attention to online risks, particularly digital platforms used by predators to exploit children. Officials specifically raised alarms over the rise of artificial intelligence used to generate child sexual abuse material, as well as the ongoing danger of counterfeit prescription pills containing lethal illicit substances. State leaders emphasized that academic progress depends heavily on establishing secure school environments. In response to growing digital threats,…

Fort Mill’s SUMP’N SUMP’N is racking up the hardware, and scorching the competition. Following a string of recent Scovie Awards, SUMP’N SUMP’N Carolina Reaper can add a pair of highly coveted Golden Chili Awards to the bio. 1st place, Best Table Seasoning 1st place, Best Seasoned Salt Announced this summer at the 2026 Fiery Food Challenge — the longest-running, most acclaimed professional hot sauce and spicy product competition in the world. The 25th anniversary competition, hosted annually during ZestFest in Fort Worth, TX, attracts entries from around the globe. Of the seven spice categories, SUMP’N SUMP’N Carolina Reaper won the…

Rock Hill, S.C. — Winthrop women’s soccer kicks off the 2026 season on Thursday night as they to Cullowhee, N.C. for a meeting with Western Carolina.

On Aug. 10, a Delta flight left Las Vegas for Atlanta carrying 199 passengers, six crew members and, apparently, at least one person who thought it would be funny to run a scam at 35,000 feet. Somewhere along the way, a Wi-Fi network named Delta WiFi Fast showed up on the list of available networks. It was not Delta’s. The airline says it did not provide, operate or supply that network. The crew shut down the airplane’s real Wi-Fi for about 30 minutes as a precaution. Delta says no aircraft system was hacked and the safety of the flight was…

By MEG KINNARD and JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press; THOMAS HYSLIP, Tega Cay Sun Sen. Darline Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman advanced Tuesday to an Aug. 25 runoff in South Carolina’s Republican special primary for the U.S. Senate, sending the race to fill the seat of the late Lindsey Graham into two more weeks of campaigning. Graham led the field of 10 with 109,604 votes, or 32.7 percent, according to unofficial results from the South Carolina Election Commission. Norman, the Rock Hill Republican who has represented York and Lancaster counties in Congress since 2017, finished second with 82,529 votes, or…

Republican state senators passed a tailored appropriations bill Tuesday aimed at funding core state operations, delivering targeted tax relief to seniors, and allocating millions for infrastructure upgrades. The legislative measure was drafted following the conclusion of the regular legislative session in May. Under the newly approved budget plan, state agencies will receive funding to maintain essential public services while state leaders address critical regional infrastructure needs. A central component of the legislation expands South Carolina’s homestead exemption, offering increased property tax relief for senior citizens across the state. Additionally, the funding package directs significant state dollars toward repairing and modernizing…

Palmetto Mornings Grows AGAIN! Weekdays • 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. • WRHI AM-1340, FM-100.1, CN2, youtube & on-line @ wrhi.com For more than eight decades, WRHI has been the trusted voice that starts the day for residents across the tri-county area of York, Lancaster and Chester. What began in 1944 as a pioneering one-person morning show with a blend of news and music has grown into Palmetto Mornings. OTS Media Managing Partner Allan Miller describes the show as “a dynamic, fast-paced morning program reflecting today’s media landscape. We felt it was important to follow the successful entertainment format of many…

Rock Hill, S.C. – The Big South Conference announced the 2026 Men’s Soccer Preseason Players To Watch as five Eagles made the list.

Five candidates have filed for four at large seats on the Fort Mill School District Board of Trustees, setting up a contested race with one week remaining in the candidate filing period. Filing opened at noon Monday, Aug. 3, and closes at noon Monday, Aug. 17. Candidates file with the York County Voter Registration and Elections office, which posts names and filing documents in a public candidate tracker as they arrive. Fort Mill trustees are elected districtwide. There are no wards or single member seats, so every voter in the district votes on every candidate and the four highest vote…

By: John Truluck, SCCED, SCEDA President By: Will Williams, SCCED, SCEDA Legislative Chair You have no doubt heard that the rising cost of energy is being driven by data centers. But the truth is data centers done right can share the costs of modernizing South Carolina’s energy infrastructure and help lower rates for all customers, tap into existing resources, play a critical role in our nation’s defense, place the state at the forefront of the modern technology revolution, and bring critical capital investments and high-skilled, well-paid jobs without causing additional traffic or strains on our roadways. In reality, South Carolina’s…

Joint Base Charleston has officially been renamed Joint Base Lindsey Graham during a ceremony on Monday, honoring the late South Carolina senator’s 33 years of military service and public legacy. Federal, state, and military leaders gathered at the Lowcountry installation to unveil new signage marking the transition. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke at the event, recognizing Graham’s career as a judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force, National Guard, and Air Force Reserve, where he reached the rank of colonel and deployed to active war zones during his tenure in Congress. The installation hosts the Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster…

We are excited to announce, that as part of the AP Fund for Journalism’s 2026 Elections Program we will be sharing live AP election results for the 2026 S.C. GOP Senate Special Primary on our website. Thomas Hyslip Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place…

Statewide results mark the strongest ELA results and significant gains in math since inception of SC READY CHARLESTON, S.C. – The South Carolina Surge continues as students achieved their strongest performance ever on SC READY, earning the highest percentage of Meets and Exceeds scores in the assessment’s history and moving the state closer to its goal of having 75% of students performing at or above grade level by 2030. Released today by State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver, the 2025-26 SC READY results show substantial gains in both English language arts (ELA) and math across grades 3-8, marking another year…

FORT MILL, SC — The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has released the latest test scores, and Fort Mill students once again performed at very high levels, highlighting our commitment to academic excellence and to providing a high-quality education for all students. The SC Ready and End-of-Course (EOC) tests measure how students are performing. Our district not only far exceeded state averages but also outperformed nearly every other district in South Carolina. The district was recognized as one of the top-performing districts in the state, achieving or surpassing the 75% proficiency mark in multiple grade levels: SC Ready ELA…

(Rock Hill, SC) York Preparatory Academy, a National Blue Ribbon Award-winning public charter school located in Rock Hill, is excited to announce how our school continues to excel academically. We believe that every student deserves a meaningful, purpose-driven education – one that prepares them not just for graduation, but for the future they choose. Our Pathways-Focused K–12 model is designed to guide students through a thoughtful, developmentally aligned process that helps them discover their strengths, explore their interests, and graduate with confidence, direction, and real-world readiness. Rather than waiting until high school to make major decisions about college and career,…

South Carolina stargazers are in for a celestial treat this week as the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak, offering one of the year’s best chances to view shooting stars. The 2026 Perseids will be most active during the early morning hours of Aug. 11, 12, and 13. Active since July 17 and continuing through Aug. 24, the shower is expected to feature peak viewing conditions thanks to a new moon, which will leave night skies dark and free of moonlight interference. Under ideal, dark-sky conditions, the Perseids can produce up to 100 meteors per hour. The shower is…

A 6 year old buff tabby named Kierstin and a 4 1/2 year old dog named Gigi are the Humane Society of York County’s pets of the week, and both came to the Fort Mill shelter as owner surrenders through no fault of their own. The two are available now at a time when the shelter says it is working through an over capacity problem, a stretch when adoptions and foster placements matter most to the organization at 8177 Regent Parkway. Kierstin waits in the big cat room Kierstin is described by shelter volunteers as sweet, sassy, friendly, playful and…

When most people think about cyberattacks, they imagine stolen credit card numbers, locked computer screens, or hacked social media accounts. Few people imagine turning on their kitchen tap and wondering whether what comes out is safe to drink. That scenario is no longer hypothetical. This week, federal authorities confirmed that a wave of cyberattacks targeting municipal water systems across the United States has spread to at least 12 states, and intelligence sources are pointing toward Iran as the likely culprit. The water coming out of your tap is now a national cybersecurity issue, and it is worth understanding exactly how…

Voters across York County go to the polls Tuesday in a special Republican primary that will decide who carries the party’s line for U.S. Senate on the November ballot, and county election officials are warning that some voters will not cast ballots where they did in June. Ten Republicans are running, according to The Associated Press. The field includes two sitting members of Congress, a former governor and the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister, who now holds the seat by appointment. Polls are open until 7 p.m. Some York County polling places have moved The Board of Voter Registration and…

Rich Reggero of Tega Cay has earned a place on Team USA for the 2026 Simpson Cup, the annual Ryder Cup style competition between injured service members and veterans from the United States and Great Britain. Reggero qualified by finishing sixth at the national qualifier, played July 20 to 24 at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The same course hosts the Simpson Cup itself from Nov. 1 to Nov. 4, which means Reggero has already seen the ground where the matches will be decided. The tournament is run by the On Course Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in…

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Rock Hill Schools will partner with the Less Than Three Foundation and South Carolina Representative Brandon Guffey to host a series of student assemblies and a community parent forum focused on online safety, sextortion awareness, and the importance of protecting young people in today’s digital world. As required by South Carolina’s Gavin’s Law (H.3583), Rock Hill Schools provides education to students and families about the dangers of sexual extortion and online exploitation. Rep. Guffey founded the Less Than Three Foundation after the tragic loss of his 17-year-old son, Gavin, to sextortion in 2022. Gavin was a…

My Mom is in the process of moving out of her house and into a retirement community. Although this may sound depressing to some, she’s in the throes of excited bliss at the prospect of reduced daily responsibilities while being around people her own age. We still have a ways to go but we’re getting close to having her settled in her new life.  As we were touring the retirement community last week, my Mom said something that I thought was interesting. She mentioned feeling like she was entering a new stage in her life. Given that she’s nearly 81…

South Carolina bar and restaurant owners will not receive a temporary break from state liquor liability insurance requirements after lawmakers removed a proposed suspension from the 2026-27 state budget. The Senate’s version of the budget included a provision to suspend the law for one year, providing interim relief while legislators weighed potential updates. However, a six-member budget conference committee stripped the measure after finding it violated House budget rules. Updated in 2025, South Carolina law requires alcohol-serving establishments to carry at least $1 million in liquor liability insurance. Businesses can lower that threshold to $300,000 by meeting key safety criteria,…

If you’ve driven through Fort Mill lately, you may have noticed something unusual along Gold Hill Road. Within a few hundred feet of one another sit three gas stations—John’s Place, Murphy USA and QuikTrip—that have quietly created what could be called the “Bermuda Triangle” of cheap gas. Fortunately, the only thing you’ll lose there is less money at the pump. For those of us who regularly travel across South Carolina, the difference is striking. While larger cities like Rock Hill, Greenville and Spartanburg typically post gas prices near the state average, even smaller communities such as Chester, Lancaster and Union…

COLUMBIA, S.C. – OTS Media delivered a historic performance Saturday evening at the annual South Carolina Broadcasters Association STAR Awards, capturing a state-leading 17 STAR Awards and once again setting the standard for broadcasting excellence across South Carolina. The evening was highlighted by WRHI earning Radio Station of the Year for an unprecedented 11th time, further solidifying its reputation as one of South Carolina’s most honored and respected radio stations. In another milestone achievement, Interstate 107 was named Music Radio Station of the Year for the first time in the station’s history, recognizing its outstanding programming, audience growth, and commitment to country music listeners throughout the Carolinas. One of the night’s most…

Country music fans will gather at the Fort Mill Amphitheater at Walter Elisha Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, for Tribute Fest 2026, a free evening festival featuring live performances, local food vendors, and family entertainment. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 345 N. White St., with gates opening ahead of an opening set by a regional country cover band perform from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Headlining the festival from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. is Kenny & Luke’s Country Beach Party, a tribute act celebrating the music of Kenny Chesney and Luke Bryan. The performance…

Acquisition marks the national platform’s first location in its headquarters market of Charlotte and launches a new regional network across North and South Carolina CHARLOTTE, NC — July 28, 2026 — Straightaway, a leading independent automotive repair platform, today announced the acquisition of The Shop @ 160, a trusted full-service automotive repair shop located in Fort Mill, South Carolina, just south of Charlotte. The acquisition marks Straightaway’s official entry into the North and South Carolina market and, notably, its first shop in the greater Charlotte region, where the company is headquartered. For Straightaway, the milestone carries special significance. While the company…

Justin Ryan Meenaghan, 18, of Fort Mill, passed away unexpectedly on August 1, 2026, from injuries sustained in a tragic motor vehicle accident. He entered this world on May 12, 2008, in Charlotte, born to Kevin and Michelle Meenaghan. Justin recently graduated from Catawba Ridge High School, with York Technical college credits on May 29, 2026. He was eager to go to Indiana for a mechanic internship with Dukes Outdoor World. He was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle, and friend. Everyone who was in Justin’s life had their own special name for him. Though his life was…

As students across South Carolina head back to school, the South Carolina Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to use extra caution around school buses and school zones to help keep children safe. State law requires drivers traveling behind a school bus to stop when the bus displays flashing red lights and extends its stop arm. Motorists must remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the bus begins moving again. Drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus can face penalties of approximately $1,000 and six points on their driver’s license. The Highway Patrol also reminded drivers of the state’s…

Early voting in the U.S. Senate special Republican primary opened Wednesday at four locations across York and Lancaster Counties and closes at 5 p.m. Friday, according to the South Carolina Election Commission. The primary itself is Tuesday, Aug. 11. Voters who miss the early voting window will need to report to their assigned election day polling place. Where to vote in York County York County has two early voting centers. The Fire Training Center of York County is at 2500 McFarland Road in York. The second site is the Holiday Inn Rock Hill, at 503 Galleria Blvd. in Rock Hill,…

South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce (SCMC) has launched a new Energy Council aimed at bringing together business leaders and industry experts to help shape the state’s energy future and support policies focused on reliable and affordable power. The announcement came during SCMC’s inaugural South Carolina Energy Summit, where business executives, policymakers and energy professionals gathered to discuss the state’s growing energy needs. Topics included energy generation, grid reliability, infrastructure, workforce development and emerging technologies. SCMC officials said the council is part of the organization’s effort to engage employers and stakeholders in discussions about energy policy and its impact on South…

Volunteers from across South Carolina will train together, then knock 5,000 doors in a single afternoon COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Johnson/Skardon campaign for Governor and Lieutenant Governor will host its largest grassroots event to date on Saturday, August 8, when more than 400 volunteers, county captains, and community leaders gather at New Laurel Street Baptist Church for a statewide Day of Action. After a morning of hands-on organizing training, volunteers will fan out across the surrounding community with a goal of knocking 5,000 doors in a single afternoon. The Day of Action pairs voter outreach with volunteer development. Participants will…

Dozens of Fort Mill High School track and field athletes were named to the 2026 South Carolina All State teams, an honor MileSplit South Carolina announced in July based on the results of the spring outdoor season. The selections cover the boys and girls programs across every event on the schedule, from the 100 meter dash to the pole vault, and place Fort Mill among the most represented schools in Class 5A. MileSplit organized the honors into four merit tiers, First Team, Second Team, Third Team and Honorable Mention, along with separate teams recognizing the top performers in each grade,…

Rotary E-Club of the Carolinas Hosts Family-Friendly River Adventure Benefiting Catawba Riverkeeper and Community Service Projects FORT MILL, SC – August 2026 – Grab your innertube, gather your friends, and get ready for one of the most enjoyable community events of the summer! The Rotary E-Club of the Carolinas invites the public to the 2026 Catawba Innertube Regatta on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Catawba River Access, 2541 New Gray Rock Road, Fort Mill, SC 29708. Participants are encouraged to bring an innertube or build a creative floating raft and enjoy a relaxing float down the beautiful Catawba River—all while…

Candidate filing for 14 seats across York County’s four school boards opens at noon Monday, August 3rd  and closes at noon Monday, Aug. 17th. None of the races carry a filing fee. The seats are nonpartisan, meaning no party label appears beside a candidate’s name on the ballot and there is no primary. Every candidate who qualifies goes straight to the Nov. 3 general election. School boards hire and evaluate superintendents, adopt the annual budgets that drive the school portion of local property tax bills, approve construction and attendance zone changes, and set district policy. Trustees serve terms of four…

The York County Council met in a nearly four-hour executive session Thursday night to consult with legal counsel following a judge’s ruling that Silfab Solar’s manufacturing facility in Fort Mill fails local zoning rules. Despite Circuit Court Judge William McKinnon issuing an order affirming the York County Board of Zoning Appeals’ (BZA) May 2024 decision — which determined that solar cell manufacturing is not a permitted use in light-industrial zones — the council returned to open session without taking action. York County Council Chairwoman Christi Cox announced following the closed-door meeting that the council had been gathered solely to receive…

Searching and posting for a new job is perhaps easier today than it’s ever been before. Gone are the newspaper want ads and 25 word descriptions in eight point font. They’ve been replaced with Linked In, Indeed, Glassdoor and corporate job boards of the specific company you may want to work for. The level of convenience and accessibility is hard to deny; however, one other feature has crept in making it more difficult to get past the gate: AI or Artificial Intelligence.  No matter which job you apply for, you’re most likely going to be asked whether you’re comfortable having…

LEXINGTON, S.C. — All nine Republicans running to fill the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham spoke to more than 400 voters Saturday at River Bluff High School in Lexington, four days before early voting opens in the special primary. The Aug. 11 primary will narrow a field that includes two sitting congressmen, a former governor and Graham’s sister, who was appointed to the seat last month. Among them is U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman of Rock Hill, who has represented the 5th District since 2017. The district is anchored in York County and takes in Tega…

The best $25 I have spent on dinner in York County was on a Sunday evening at a wine bar in the Stonecrest shopping center. Velvet Coupe Wine Bar at 1177 Stonecrest Blvd. in Tega Cay runs a Sunday Supper Club from 5 to 7 p.m. that puts five plates in front of every guest for a flat $25. Three of those are full courses. The other two, an amuse bouche to open and a dessert to close, are smaller but not throwaways. Suggested wine pairings are offered for an additional charge and are worth taking. I went on July…

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI and MEG KINNARD Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — South Carolina was selected Friday to once again lead off the Democratic Party’s 2028 presidential nominating schedule, cementing a dramatic break from decades of tradition by leaving Iowa out of the early-state lineup altogether and elevating more racially diverse states. The decision by the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee will need to be approved by the full organization, which is scheduled to meet in August. Nevada is expected to follow South Carolina, with New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia rounding out the early-state calendar. Those states will…

The Federal Communications Commission updated its list of restricted equipment Tuesday to ban new foreign-produced advanced robotics and connected power inverters, citing heightened national security and critical infrastructure risks. The decision adds two emerging technology sectors to the agency’s Covered List: mobile advanced robotic devices—including humanoid and quadruped “robot dog” models — and foreign-manufactured power inverters, which are widely used to convert direct current from renewable energy sources like solar panels into grid-ready electricity. The restrictions apply strictly to new device models seeking entry into the U.S. market. Under federal law, most electronic equipment must receive FCC authorization before it…

Two Lancaster County food establishments were posting C grades and five were posting B grades at some point during July, according to inspection reports from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. The agency conducted 86 inspections in the county during the month, counting routine visits and follow-ups. One establishment, a Lancaster convenience store operating as Shreeji Management 2023 Inc., accounted for both a B and a C before finishing the month back at an A. The Department of Agriculture scores retail food establishments on a 100-point scale and posts a letter grade decal at each site after every inspection. A…

Three York County restaurants received B grades from state inspectors during July, and two of them had climbed back to an A before the month ended, according to inspection reports from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. The agency logged 186 inspections in the county in July, counting routine visits and follow-ups. No establishment received a C. The Department of Agriculture scores retail food establishments on a 100-point scale and posts a letter grade decal at each site after every inspection. A score of 88 or higher earns an A. A score of 78 to 87 earns a B, which…

Solar panel manufacturer Silfab Solar announced it will temporarily pause production at its Fort Mill facility beginning next week, attributing the stoppage to supply delays and scheduling routine maintenance. The temporary shutdown is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Aug. 5, with plans to resume full manufacturing operations on Tuesday, Aug. 11. According to a company statement, the idling will affect module and solar cell production lines. Non-manufacturing operations — including customer service, shipping, and logistics — will remain active throughout the period. Silfab said it plans to utilize the brief operational pause to complete facility maintenance and system upgrades. Planned work…

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University now offers financial aid for its degree-completion programs designed for adults in the region who started college but weren’t able to finish their four-year bachelor’s degree. The university’s degree-completion programs use a new online model called Competency-based education (CBE), which is a self-directed, self-paced learning structure that provides maximum flexibility for adult learners at an affordable cost. The addition of federal financial aid starting in August marks an important milestone for the Winthrop Elevate program, said Melissa McCartney, dean of the School of Graduate, Continuing, and Online Education. “Combined with our affordable subscription-based tuition model, generous…

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will close the two right southbound lanes of Interstate 77 near Exit 82 beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday, August 2, for bridge repair work in York County. The closure runs from mile marker 81.5 to mile marker 83 and will stay in place until 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 5. Crews will work continuously in shifts that run 24 hours a day for the duration of the project. That stretch of I-77 carries commuters between Rock Hill and Charlotte and feeds the retail and hospital corridor along Dave Lyle Boulevard. Drivers heading south on a…

Written by Cameron Runyan, CEO and Superintendent at the Charter Institute at Erskine “I will learn the True, I will do the Good, and I will love the Beautiful.” These are the goals written in every classroom at Carolina Classical Academy (CCA) in Rock Hill, SC. These aspirations encapsulate the heart of the classical education model. Classically educated children are taught the virtues and values that are time-proven to produce excellence and human flourishing in all aspects of life – both in and beyond the classroom. The story of CCA is not only one of the flourishing of children, but…

State Superintendent Ellen Weaver Names South Carolina Hero and Medal of Honor Recipient Major James Capers Jr. as Newest Palmetto Pioneer “This is the greatest country in the world. I fought for that flag; I believed in it.” – Major James Capers Jr. BISHOPVILLE, S.C. – South Carolina State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver unveiled a new Palmetto Pioneer honoring Major James Capers Jr., a native of Bishopville and one of South Carolina’s most distinguished military heroes, as part of the South Carolina Department of Education’s Palmetto Civics initiative.   Why It Matters  The unveiling took place on Saturday, July 25,…

(Pictured: Mark Sanford via Facebook) Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has entered the Republican primary race for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant following the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham. Sanford officially launched his campaign Thursday with a visit to the Bluffton Farmers Market, where he met with voters and spoke with members of the media. His campaign is centered on addressing affordability by reducing federal spending and shrinking the size of government. Sanford said rising costs facing families and businesses are tied to excessive government spending and argued that the federal government should operate within its means,…

(pictured: Scott Slawter and family) For Tega Cay homeowner Scott Slawter, remodeling isn’t just about updating a home—it’s about creating a space that homeowners will enjoy for years to come. As the owner of Exceptional Exteriors and Renovations, LLC, Slawter has spent decades honing his skills and building a reputation for quality workmanship. A Charlotte native, he moved to Tega Cay about five years ago and says he immediately appreciated the area’s slower pace and close-knit community. “Charlotte’s great, but everybody seems to be in a hurry,” Slawter said. “I like where I’m at better now than I did in…

The Threat You Never See Coming Most people worry about hackers sitting in foreign countries breaking into computer systems from thousands of miles away. But some of the most damaging cybercrimes happen much closer to home, carried out not by shadowy outsiders but by trusted insiders who already have the keys to the kingdom. On July 28, 2026, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division charged a former employee of the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles with crimes that strike at the heart of that insider threat. The case is a reminder that your personal information is only as safe…

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Jermaine Johnson, the Democratic nominee for Governor of South Carolina, today announced that Sam Skardon will join him on the ticket as the candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Skardon, a Charleston area small business and clean energy lender, former congressional aide to Congressman John Lewis, and past chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party, will campaign alongside Johnson on a shared vision for a new South Carolina, one built on opportunity, homegrown leadership, and a clean break from Washington politics. Why Sam Skardon “I wanted a partner who has spent his career doing the work, not just talking…

Silfab Solar President and CEO Paolo Maccario wrote to York County Council on July 29 to say that a recent circuit court zoning ruling does not affect operations at the company’s Fort Mill plant and that, in his words, “there is no legal or public safety basis for any action that would limit our ability to operate.” The four page letter, sent to the council at its York post office box, is the company’s most detailed public response to the pressure it has faced since Circuit Judge William A. McKinnon issued his July 21 order affirming the York County Board…

By MEG KINNARD Associated Press and Thomas Hyslip WASHINGTON — Twelve Republican candidates filed their paperwork by Tuesday to compete in a special primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, launching a two-week sprint toward the Aug. 11 contest for one of South Carolina’s most closely held Senate seats. Graham won his June primary outright before his sudden death this month at age 71, cutting short what had been expected to be a smooth path to a fifth term. No Democrat has won a statewide-elected office in South Carolina in two decades, making the Republican nomination the prize in…

DOCKET NO: HHDCV266217425S           SUPERIOR COURT JEWISH STUDENT ENRICHMENT             JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF HARTFORD CENTER, INC. V. WADSWORTH, BURTON R, IF LIVING       AT HARTFORD AND WIDOW HEIRS BEN Et Al                 7/10/26 ORDER    443524   ORDER REGARDING: 05/11/2026 108.00 MOTION FOR ORDER OF NOTICE The foregoing, having been considered by the Court, is hereby: ORDER: GRANTED NOTICE TO: (1) Burton R. Wadsworth, if living and widow, heirs, beneficiaries and/or creditors, if not living; (2) Michael Koczera, if living and widow, heirs, beneficiaries and/or creditors, if not living; (3) Wilson Wadsworth, if living and widow, heirs, beneficiaries and/or creditors, if not living; (4) Beatrice Wadsworth…

The Tega Cay Sun has joined the Associated Press Fund for Journalism’s 2026 Elections Program, which will supply live race results, vote counts and political reporting from the Associated Press to this publication and its sister papers, the Fort Mill Sun and YoCo News, through Dec. 31. Filling in the rest of the ballot Local election coverage has been a strength of this newspaper. The Tega Cay Sun’s election reporting took third place among all weekly newspapers in South Carolina in the 2024 South Carolina Press Association awards. Adding Associated Press content rounds out that coverage, taking readers from local…

Swiss biopharmaceutical manufacturer Octapharma has officially received final state approvals to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility and an administrative campus in York County. The massive $1.5 billion investment is projected to create more than 1,500 local jobs. The project will be located at Palmetto Research Park in Rock Hill. Beyond its core manufacturing operations, the site will also house an administrative campus for Octapharma Plasma, Inc., the company’s plasma donation division. Facility operations are slated to begin in the mid-2030s. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Lachen, Switzerland, Octapharma specializes in developing medicines derived from human plasma and human…

The city says regional drought conditions have not improved enough to lift water conservation rules, even after recent rainfall. Stage 2 drought restrictions remain in effect in the City of Tega Cay despite recent rainfall in the area, according to the city. The city said the rain has helped but regional drought conditions have not improved enough to lift the current restrictions. Because Tega Cay buys its water from the Town of Fort Mill, it continues to follow the regional drought response, according to the city. The city asked residents and businesses to keep practicing water conservation, including limiting outdoor…

South Carolina has the sixth best early education system in the country, according to a report released this week by the personal finance company WalletHub. The ranking carries weight for families in Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Rock Hill, York and across York and Lancaster Counties, where access to state funded prekindergarten shapes how ready children are for kindergarten. WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 metrics, from the share of school districts that offer a state prekindergarten program to spending per child enrolled. Where South Carolina stands out The state’s strongest mark came in access….

Eric Tipton, 48, of Fort Mill was found dead in the water at Lake Wylie on Sunday, July 26, the York County Coroner’s Office confirmed. Boaters near a sandbar off Little Allison Creek found Tipton unresponsive in the water and called 911. The boaters pulled Tipton to a nearby dock and began CPR, but responding emergency medical crews pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigation continues The York County Sheriff’s Office dive team searched the water around the sandbar following the recovery. The York County Coroner’s Office and the York County Sheriff’s Office are both investigating. An autopsy and toxicology…

A compromise state budget approved by South Carolina lawmakers is headed to the House and Senate for final approval, bringing teacher pay increases, expanded property tax relief for seniors and other funding priorities closer to becoming law. The proposed budget includes a $2,000 pay raise for teachers, increasing the state’s starting teacher salary to $50,000 annually ahead of the new school year. Lawmakers also agreed to increase the senior Homestead Exemption from $55,000 to $75,000, providing additional property tax relief for eligible homeowners. Legislators worked through legal and technical issues to ensure the exemption could be implemented. The spending plan…

The next generation of community leaders is making a big impact in Tega Cay. The Tega Cay LEO Club recently completed a successful service project benefiting the Fort Mill Care Center, demonstrating the power of youth-led volunteerism and community service. On June 15, the Tega Cay LEO Club presented the Fort Mill Care Center with more than 16 pounds of teen hygiene products and a $1,500 donation to support the organization’s free store, which provides essential resources to families in need throughout York County. The project was made possible through the dedication of LEO members and the generosity of the…

Ten golfers from York and Lancaster counties played in the 95th South Carolina Amateur Championship at the Quixote Club in Sumter, with Indian Land’s Mason Kucia turning in the best area result at a tie for 21st. The championship ran July 23 to 26 over 72 holes of stroke play and drew many of the state’s top amateurs. Austin Langdale of Easley won the title at 8 under par, carding rounds of 70, 66, 65 and 71 for a 272 total and a $1,000 payout. Sam Jackson of West Columbia, the defending champion, finished second at 6 under. How the…

(Harold Schoepflin seated. Picture provided courtesy of Erin Freel) Retired Marine Master Sergeant and World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veteran Harold Schoepflin recently turned 100. His birthday celebration was held on July 25th, 2026 in Rock Hill.  Organized by the Marine Corps League detachment in Rock Hill, otherwise known as the Olde English Leathernecks detachment, Schoepflin was joined by friends, family and fellow Marines on his big day.  “He’s actually one of our oldest Marine Corps League members,” said Stephen Sprague, retired Marine Corps First Sergeant and current commandant of the Olde English Leathernecks. “We had heard that…

York County Council has scheduled a special called meeting for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at 6 Congress St. in York, days after a circuit judge upheld a zoning board decision against the Silfab Solar manufacturing plant in Fort Mill. The meeting was announced by York County Councilwoman Debi Cloninger, who represents District 7, in a post on her Facebook page. Cloninger tied the session to the recent order from Circuit Judge William A. McKinnon and encouraged residents to turn out. “I urge you to attend,” she wrote. As of this writing, the county had not posted an agenda for…

Dr. Jermaine Johnson, the Democratic nominee for South Carolina governor, will announce his choice for lieutenant governor on Thursday, July 30, at public events in Columbia and Charleston, according to his campaign. The Columbia announcement is scheduled for 11 a.m. on the steps of the South Carolina State House, 1100 Gervais St. Press check in begins at 10:30 a.m., and a gaggle with the candidates is expected to follow the remarks for roughly 15 minutes. Johnson’s campaign then moves to North Charleston for an evening rally at Commonhouse Aleworks, 4831 O’Hear Ave., with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. The pick…

The 2026 Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program highlights new initiatives under Commissioner Bisignano Baltimore, MD – The Social Security Administration (SSA) today transmitted the 2026 Annual Report of the Supplemental Security Income Program to the President and Congress. Highlighted in this year’s report are significant service improvements for the SSI program under the leadership of Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. New initiatives under Commissioner Bisignano have led to a reduction in improper payments, higher levels of accuracy, and better, faster, and higher-quality service for America’s most vulnerable populations. The significant improvements include: Streamlining SSI policy instructions for increased transparency. Deploying…

Two animals that have already weathered more than their share of setbacks are the featured pets of the week at the Humane Society of York County, and both are waiting at the Fort Mill shelter for permanent homes. The rescue on Regent Parkway is asking the community for help placing animals as it manages an ongoing capacity problem. The shelter says it remains closed for intake and is urging residents to work with staff on owner surrenders and strays because space and resources are limited. Luca Luca is an orange tabby the shelter estimates to be 5 years and 9…

By Kirsten Gordon Tega Cay, S.C. — Local show ski standout and member of the Carolina Show Ski Team in Tega Cay, Liam Klotzbach, has earned another prestigious opportunity to represent the nation’s best after being selected from a competitive national application pool to attend the 2027 Team USA Show Ski Training Camp and Tryouts, taking place August 9–11, 2026, in Evansdale, Iowa. Attendance at the training camp is a vital step toward making the final Team USA roster that will compete at the 2027 IWWF World Show Ski Championships in Warsaw, Indiana, September 15–19, 2027. Athletes will be evaluated on…

Model A Brewing Company of Tega Cay brought home three medals from the 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship, winning gold for its UK Crusher ordinary bitter and silver for two additional beers. The results add to the brewery’s national record, which now stands at 12 U.S. Open medals since it opened, keeping a Tega Cay taproom in the running against breweries from across the country. UK Crusher won gold in the Ordinary Bitter category. Model A also earned silver for Dolcita IPA, entered as a Single Hop Pale Ale, and silver for Amber Hearth, a Barrel Aged Dark Beer. All…

Tega Cay Baptist Church announced a Founder’s Day party on August 2 at 10:45 a.m., honoring the Church’s history and over four decades of worship. The church invites current and former members, partners, neighbors, and friends of the church to celebrate during service at 1875 Gold Hill Road in Tega Cay. “Rooted & Reaching: From an office lobby to 40 years of kingdom and community impact,” is the celebration’s theme, reflecting both the church’s early years and continued commitment to serving its community, the church said in a press release.  Under the York Baptist Association, Tega Cay Baptist Church began…

Carly Messer, a Fort Mill native, graduated from Nichols College in Massachusetts, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration on May 2.  Messer received her diploma at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., following a commencement speech by Delcie D. Bean IV, founder of Paragus IT, a highly successful IT firm in the region.  Founded in 1815, Nichols College is a university accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the longest-running accrediting body for business education. Kyan Feser Kyan is a Senior @ Winthrop University majoring in Mass Communications. Be sure to reach out…

The seeds of despair that we experience in life don’t just go away. Thankfully, the same can be said for moments of pure joy; however, somehow the ugly parts tend to scar a bit deeper. If this is altogether depressing, it shouldn’t be. Consider it a part of life. Similar to death and taxes, our emotions are unavoidable, so it’s best to embrace both the good and the bad parts that present themselves.  Those little despair seedlings can be especially useful when it comes to our relationship with money. I’m sure you’ve heard of more than one person who grew…

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is seeking public input on the practice of hunting deer with dogs, inviting hunters, landowners, and residents across the state to share their perspectives, identify areas of conflict, and discuss potential solutions. The initiative stems from a request by the SCDNR Board following feedback regarding the long-standing regional tradition. State wildlife officials emphasized that there is currently no pending legislation and that SCDNR is not proposing or recommending any changes to existing laws or regulations governing dog-hunting for deer. Key Takeaway: SCDNR’s role during this process is strictly to listen, document public…

Democratic nominee for governor says the decision honors the voters who anchor the party – and puts South Carolina at the center of American democracy COLUMBIA, S.C. – Dr. Jermaine Johnson, Democratic nominee for Governor of South Carolina released a statement today thanking the DNC for selecting South Carolina as the first Democratic primary in 2028. “South Carolina being named as the first Democratic presidential primary is good news for the Palmetto state and its citizens. We will proudly play a key role in deciding our next President. This is a great opportunity for South Carolina and its citizens who…

State Sen. Michael Johnson has asked the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services and York County Council to move immediately against manufacturing at the Silfab Solar plant in Fort Mill, telling both that a recent court ruling leaves no legitimate dispute over whether the operation is allowed. Johnson, who represents Senate District 16 covering Lancaster and York counties, sent the letter July 24. It is addressed to Myra Reese, director of the state Department of Environmental Services, and to York County Council Chairwoman Christi Cox and the members of the council. The letter follows a July 21 order in which…

The South Carolina Department of Commerce announced a major step forward in regional energy technology, as the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas received up to $15 million for its first two years from the U.S. National Science Foundation. The initiative could secure up to $160 million over the next decade. The program, known as the Carolinas Grid Engine, was chosen from nearly 300 national applicants. Led by UNC Charlotte alongside more than 100 partners—including the South Carolina Research Authority—the effort spans 36 counties across both North and South Carolina to advance clean energy research, manufacturing, and workforce training….

The Fort Mill School District has asked Gov. Henry McMaster, the South Carolina General Assembly, Attorney General Alan Wilson and York County Council to move quickly on enforcement at the Silfab Solar plant on Logistics Lane, three days after a circuit judge upheld a county ruling that solar panel manufacturing is not permitted at the site. Board Chairwoman Kristy Spears and Superintendent Grey Young signed the letter, dated July 24. It asks all governing agencies to take “immediate and decisive action” to restrict activity at 7149 Logistics Lane to uses permitted in a Light Industrial district. The facility sits next…

The Number That Should Surprise Nobody You open your email and there it is: 4,847 unread messages. Maybe it is more. Maybe you stopped counting. You tell yourself you will deal with it later, but later never comes, and the number just keeps climbing. You are not alone and you are not disorganized. You are simply the target of an industry that has spent decades perfecting the art of filling your inbox faster than you can empty it. The average professional receives more than 120 emails per day. That is roughly one every four minutes during a standard workday, before…

A sweetgrass basket sitting in a Columbia gallery is now the largest one on the planet, and the South Carolina State Museum will throw a free public party next month to mark the title. Guinness World Records confirmed this month that “Big Percy,” woven by Mount Pleasant artisan Corey Alston, holds the record for largest sweetgrass basket. The museum will host a celebration and plaque presentation Friday, Aug. 7, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at 301 Gervais St. in Columbia. The event is free, open to the public and suitable for all ages. For South Carolinians, the record puts an…

Rock Hill City Council approved the rezoning, land sale, zoning map amendment and restated incentive resolution for the Octapharma plasma manufacturing plant Thursday morning, passing all four items by unanimous 7-0 votes at an 8 a.m. special session in Council Chambers at City Hall. The votes ended a public dispute between the city and York County over how much of the project’s fee-in-lieu-of-taxes revenue would be redirected to Rock Hill Schools, a fight that played out over the county’s second and third readings and drew sharp language from the dais Thursday. Council members spent roughly 45 minutes on the final…

A Fort Mill man is facing multiple felony charges following a joint investigation into the online exploitation of children, state law enforcement officials announced. George Alexander Toulas, 36, was arrested on July 22, 2026, by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the York County Sheriff’s Office. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest, noting that the investigation involved joint support from investigators with the Attorney General’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, both of which serve as members of the state’s ICAC Task Force. The case against Toulas began after authorities received a CyberTipline report from…

The U.S. Department of Justice and the State of South Carolina have reached an agreement to ensure military personnel, their families and U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to vote in the upcoming special Republican primary and any runoff election to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. The agreement addresses potential concerns under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), which guarantees voting rights for military and overseas citizens in federal elections. Under the agreement, South Carolina will send absentee ballots by Aug. 1 to eligible military and overseas voters…

The Yips and Sips Golf League will hold its first Boston butt barbecue drive to benefit Emily’s Dream on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Tega Cay Pro Shop. Pickup runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the side of the pro shop at 15083 Molokai Drive. Boston butts cost $50 each and must be reserved in advance. Organizers say a few extra butts will be on the grill the day of the event for anyone who did not order ahead. Proceeds support Emily’s Dream, a charitable effort tied to the memory of Emily Elkins, a Rock Hill teenager who…

U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., is calling on all candidates seeking South Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat to participate in a televised debate ahead of next month’s Republican special primary. Fry announced Tuesday that he believes voters should have the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates before casting their ballots. Per a press release: “This U.S. Senate race matters too much for voters to only hear from candidates through ads and press releases,” Fry said. “They deserve to hear directly from the people asking for their vote. I’m calling on all candidates to commit to a televised debate before…

Rock Hill City Council will hold a special session Thursday morning to take final action on the rezoning, land sale and tax incentives tied to Project Palmetto Rock, the code name for the Octapharma plasma manufacturing facility planned on Palmetto Parkway. The 8 a.m. meeting comes after York County approved an amended version of the incentive agreement that has divided the two governments. The session hands the council its last procedural steps to keep the project moving. Members are scheduled to consider a Planning Commission recommendation on the rezoning, second reading and adoption of two related ordinances, and a restated…

Carowinds’ signature roller coaster, Fury 325, has reopened after completing repairs and passing a state safety inspection following a two-week closure. The coaster was taken out of service on July 7 after routine maintenance inspections identified a foundation issue near one of the ride’s support columns. Carowinds officials said the problem involved a slight change in the foundation surrounding the support structure. State inspectors conducted a comprehensive reinspection before issuing a new certificate of operation. Carowinds confirmed the ride reopened after Tuesday’s inspection and resumed service to guests. Park officials noted that foundation structures can shift over time due to…

The city’s parks and recreation team will offer 20% off coupons at the Rock Hill store on Aug. 1 as part of a fundraising shop day. The City of Tega Cay’s Parks and Recreation team, known as TCPR, will hold a Shop Day event Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods, 2321 Dave Lyle Blvd., Suite 101, in Rock Hill, according to the city. Coupons are available at this link 20% off coupons or in person at the TCPR table from 10:00-2:00 on Saturday. The coupon can go towards your total purchase and is valid in-store…

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University achieved a record-level year of giving during the 2025-26 fiscal year. Vice President Kevin Hughes said the university raised $11,707,016, which represents a nearly 43 percent increase over last year’s fundraising total of $8.2 million. Hughes also noted that the institution has raised more than five times what it raised five years ago. “This year’s fundraising total represents the largest fundraising year in the university’s history,” Hughes said, adding that the previous largest year of fundraising was in fiscal year 2010 during Distinction: The Campaign for Winthrop when $8,799,489 was raised. “We appreciate the…

A South Carolina circuit judge has upheld a York County zoning board decision in a case involving Silfab Solar’s planned manufacturing operation in Fort Mill, denying Silfab and the property owner’s appeal over whether the use is permitted on the Light Industrial site. Circuit Judge William A. McKinnon of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit electronically signed and filed the order Tuesday, July 21, affirming a May 30, 2024 decision by the York County Board of Zoning Appeals. The board had voted 5 to 0 to reverse a county zoning administrator who concluded that solar panel manufacturing was allowed on the property….

A bat found in a Fort Mill neighborhood has tested positive for rabies, and four people who came in contact with it have been referred to their healthcare providers, the South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed Monday. The bat was found near Bailiwyck Green Boulevard and Cranborne Chase, a residential area in Fort Mill. No pets are known to have been exposed, according to the agency. It marks the fourth animal to test positive for rabies in York County this year. The case is one of three the state announced together. Raccoons in Charleston County and Saluda County also…

Twenty days into the new fiscal year, South Carolina still does not have a finalized state budget, delaying millions of dollars in funding for state programs and prompting concerns about future support for SNAP and Medicaid. Lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement on a final spending plan, leaving agencies operating under a continuing resolution that funds government at last year’s levels. New appropriations cannot be distributed until both the House and Senate approve a final budget. The delay could jeopardize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves more than 200,000 households statewide. Beginning in October, changes under the…

York County Council unanimously approved a revised tax incentive package Monday night for Octapharma’s planned facility in Rock Hill, steering more of the project’s revenue to the Rock Hill School District and giving the city of Rock Hill until August to sign on. The 6-0 vote at a special meeting at the York County Heckle Complex on Heckle Boulevard capped weeks of disagreement over how to divide the money the project would generate.  The council spent about an hour and a half in executive session before emerging to take the votes. The revised incentive ordinance The main action came on…

Money Did Not Win Every York County Primary Race Justin Bennett won the Democratic nomination for South Carolina House District 47 on June 9 without raising or spending a single dollar through his campaign account. In the same election, incumbent Rep. David W. Martin reported spending more than $73,000 to hold his District 26 House seat, the most any York County primary candidate spent this cycle. The gap between those two campaigns frames a wider picture drawn from the candidates’ latest campaign disclosure reports. Across the six local and legislative primaries decided June 9, the 13 candidates on the ballot…

U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman said Saturday he will run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Lindsey Graham, announcing his candidacy during a live interview on Fox News. Norman, a Republican from Rock Hill who represents South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, told host Kayleigh McEnany he intends to enter the special election for the seat. “I’m here to announce that I will be a candidate for the Senate,” Norman said. “I’ll be throwing my hat in the ring.” The 5th District covers much of York County, including Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie, Clover and York. What Norman…

U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., announced Monday that he will seek the Republican nomination for South Carolina’s vacant U.S. Senate seat following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Fry, who represents South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District, said he is entering the special election to continue advancing conservative priorities and support President Donald Trump’s America First agenda. He also cited rising costs for everyday necessities and pledged to advocate for South Carolina families in the U.S. Senate. In announcing his campaign, Fry paid tribute to Graham’s decades of public service, describing the late senator as a strong conservative leader and close…

Rock Hill School Board member James Burns became the Republican nominee for South Carolina Senate District 15 on Saturday after finishing as the only Republican to file for the seat before the filing deadline passed. Burns advances to the Nov. 3 special election without a primary contest. His Democratic opponent will not be settled until Sept. 1, when former York County Councilman Chad Williams and York County Democratic Party Secretary Monika White meet in a Democratic primary. The seat covers a York County based district and became vacant when former Sen. Wes Climer resigned. Democrats Face A September Primary Williams…

York County Council meets in special session at 8 p.m. Monday to consider undoing the tax incentive package for Octapharma’s proposed $1.5 billion plasma manufacturing campus in Rock Hill, according to the agenda posted for the meeting at the York County Heckle Complex, 1070 Heckle Blvd. in Rock Hill. The agenda carries two items, both tied to the fee-in-lieu of ad valorem tax and incentive agreement for the project the county identifies as Project Palmetto Rock. The first asks council to reconsider the amendment and third reading of the ordinance authorizing that agreement. The second asks council to take first…

Columbia, S.C. (July 20, 2026) – The South Carolina Department of Transportation will temporarily close Kingsburry Road at SC 557 in York County to facilitate a new intersection alignment on July 27. The estimated duration of the closure is 15 days, depending on weather. During the closure, crews will realign Kingsburry Road in preparation for the future connection to Ridge Road. This intersection will include a traffic signal in its final configuration. The entire project is expected to be completed by late spring 2027. SCDOT asks that drivers slow down and pay attention to crews when driving through the area….

My ten year old daughter has a hard time sleeping at night. Like me, her head spins with a mixture of outstanding tasks to be completed, general life issues or past regrets. Let’s just say that being alone with our thoughts is a dangerous cocktail better left unserved; however, there’s no escaping it at night. A nightly battle of our minds versus potential insomnia ensues.  To calm her down, she almost always needs an extra hug or two from me. My wife has been asleep for the better part of an hour at this point but we’re still wide awake…

As the 2026-27 school year approaches, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is encouraging parents to ensure their children are up to date on required vaccinations and review the state’s updated School and Childcare Exclusion List. State law requires students enrolled in public and private schools, as well as children attending childcare, to receive certain immunizations or qualify for an approved exemption before classes begin. Required vaccines include those protecting against hepatitis A and B, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, with a Tdap booster required before seventh grade. The reminder follows South Carolina’s…

(Stanley Brucker, via Facebook) The Fort Mill School District has agreed to pay $200,000 to settle a claim brought by the family of a school crossing guard who was fatally struck while directing traffic more than two years ago. Stanley Brucker was working at the entrance to Fort Mill Elementary School on Springfield Parkway on March 21, 2024, when he was hit by a vehicle while assisting with school traffic. According to the York County Coroner’s Office, Brucker was transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The settlement resolves the family’s claim against the school district…

Carowinds’ signature roller coaster, Fury 325, remains closed after a routine maintenance inspection identified a foundation issue earlier this month. The amusement park said the coaster has been out of operation since July 7 while crews assess and repair the affected area. Temporary walls have been installed around part of the ride during the work. Since opening in 2015, Fury 325 has become one of Carowinds’ most popular attractions. The coaster is recognized as the world’s tallest and fastest traditional chain-lift giga coaster. The closure comes three years after Fury 325 was temporarily shut down when a park guest spotted…

State officials marked the opening of a 140,000-square-foot lab that will handle newborn screening, disease testing, water analysis and other services for the Department of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Services. Based on a release from S.C. Dept. of Public Health. COLUMBIA, S.C. — The S.C. Department of Public Health (DPH) and the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) celebrated the opening of the state’s new Public Health and Environmental Laboratory on July 14, according to DPH. The 140,000-square-foot facility replaces a laboratory that was nearly 50 years old and provides expanded capacity, advanced technology and enhanced flexibility…

South Carolina law enforcement agencies are stepping up speed enforcement as part of Operation Southern Slow Down, a weeklong campaign (July 13th – 18th) aimed at reducing speeding-related crashes during the “100 Deadly Days of Summer.” The annual initiative is a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and law enforcement agencies in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Throughout the campaign, South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers, State Transport Police officers and local law enforcement agencies will increase patrols on interstates and state highways, focusing on drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit. Officials say excessive speed remains…

Fort Mill, SC — High school theater students across the Fort Mill School District have a chance to sharpen their audition skills alongside working Broadway and regional theater professionals this month, thanks to a free workshop hosted by the Nation Ford Theater Club. The Audition Workshop will take place Thursday, July 24, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym at Nation Ford High School, 1400 AO Jones Blvd, Fort Mill. The event is free and open to theater students from any high school in the district. Snacks and water will be provided, and students should plan to wear…

Mia Williams of Tega Cay qualified for the 2026 AAU Junior Olympic Games in both the long jump and the triple jump at the AAU Club Nationals track and field meet in Jacksonville, Florida, last weekend. Williams, who competes for the Charlotte Flights track club, placed sixth in the women’s 17 and 18 triple jump with a mark of 11.49 meters, or 37 feet, 8.5 inches. In the long jump she finished eighth at 5.29 meters, or 17 feet, 4.25 inches. Both marks qualified her for the Junior Olympic Games, according to the meet results. The AAU Junior Olympic Games…

Matthew Tillman won the boys 14 shot put at the AAU Club Nationals track and field meet in Jacksonville, Florida, last weekend, throwing 14.78 meters, or 48 feet, 6 inches, to finish first in his age division. Tillman, who attended Gold Hill Middle School and will enroll at Fort Mill High School in the fall, qualified with the win for the 2026 AAU Junior Olympic Games, the largest youth multisport event in the country. The track and field portion of the Games takes place at Drake Stadium on the Drake University campus in Des Moines, Iowa, during the first week…

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Tuesday to make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the country, passing a bill that would end the twice a year practice of changing clocks and sending the question to the Senate. Lawmakers approved the Sunshine Protection Act by a vote of 308 to 117. The measure would establish Daylight Saving Time, the schedule the country follows from March to November, as the year round standard. A state could remain on standard time only if it put an exemption in place before the law took effect. Hawaii and most of Arizona already stay on standard…

Businessman Mark Lynch has announced his candidacy in the South Carolina Republican special primary for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Lynch made the announcement Monday on social media, confirming he will seek the Republican nomination in the Aug. 11 special primary. Lynch first launched his Senate campaign in February 2025 and challenged Graham in the June 9 Republican primary. He received just under 29% of the vote but was defeated by the longtime incumbent. Throughout his previous campaign, Lynch positioned himself as a conservative alternative to Graham, criticizing the senator’s record and…

On July 13, York Preparatory Academy, a charter school in Rock Hill, announced Zach Stahl as its new Athletic Director.  Stahl served as a special education teacher at the academy for eight years. Prior to this role, he operated and coached a high school hockey program in Wheeling, West Virginia.  “York Prep is excited to have Coach Stahl as our new Athletic Director,” Brian Myrup, Managing Director, said in a press release.  “His passion for athletics and student success combined with his experience as a program builder is exactly what our school needs to help our teams take the next…

York County Council gave final approval Monday night to a nine month moratorium on new data center development in the county’s unincorporated areas, voting 6-0 after about an hour of public comment at the York County Government Center on South Congress Street in York. Council member William “Bump” Roddey, who represents District 4, was not present. The ordinance took effect immediately on adoption. It bars the county from accepting site plans or issuing special exceptions, conditional use permits or any other land use or development approval for new data centers while staff studies how the facilities affect water, power and…

Rock Hill, SC – Chad Williams, longtime community servant, county councilmember, planning commission member, and business owner, was the first to file for the SC unexpired Senate District 15 seat on July 10. Williams announced his intent to run for the seat June 15, and a week later, the incumbent Senator transmitted his resignation to Senate leadership, with an effective date of November 3. Senate District 15 represents approximately 87,200 residents in York County, including York, Rock Hill and McConnells. Filing for the seat closes July 18, per the South Carolina Election Commission. Williams released the following statement about his…

Monika White filed on Friday, July 10, to run for South Carolina Senate District 15, entering the special election to fill the York County seat held by Republican Sen. Wes Climer. White announced the filing in a social media post describing the run as a special election alert and urging supporters to check their voter registration, review early voting windows and mark the primary date. She asked residents to consult a campaign flyer for registration and voting information and said she looked forward to earning voters’ support. Filing for the seat opened at noon on July 10 and closes at…

Two Fort Mill golfers earned spots in the 95th South Carolina Golf Association Amateur Championship on Monday, finishing among the 16 players who shot one under par or better in the final qualifier at The Fort Club in Ninety Six. Carter Smith posted a 69, three under par, to tie for fourth. Harrison Lapointe shot 70, two under par, and tied for sixth in a group of five players. Both advanced to the championship, which will be played July 23 to 26 at The Quixote Club in Sumter. Six players from York and Lancaster counties teed off in the qualifier….

Gov. Henry McMaster has appointed Darline Graham to the United States Senate, filling the vacancy created by the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham. The appointment makes her the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate. A native of Central, South Carolina, Graham has served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind since 2019, overseeing programs that promote employment and independence for residents who are blind or have low vision. She previously held positions with Clemson University, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce and the South Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, giving…

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Today, James Burns, a dedicated Rock Hill School Board member and proven conservative leader, officially filed to run for South Carolina State Senate District 15. With six years of frontline experience fighting for accountability in public education, Burns is running to deliver bold, results-driven conservative leadership for families, taxpayers, and businesses in York County “During my six years on the Rock Hill School Board, I’ve stood up for real accountability in our classrooms, championed a strong, competitive education that works for every child, and defended the hardworking taxpayers who foot the bill,” said Burns. “That drive…

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is scheduled to hold a press conference Monday afternoon at the State House to reflect on the life and public service of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and announce an appointment to fill the vacancy created by the senator’s passing. The press conference is set for 4 p.m. in the Governor’s Office at the South Carolina State House, located at 1100 Gervais St. in Columbia. McMaster is expected to honor Graham’s decades of service to South Carolina and the nation before naming his choice to temporarily fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat. Under South Carolina law,…

The Rock Hill Schools Board of Trustees voted on Monday morning to adopt a resolution on the Octapharma Plasma project. The resolution thanks York County Council, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, York County Economic Development and the City of Rock Hill for their work on the project, welcomes Octapharma to the city, and asks that the school district be treated as a stakeholder in future economic development talks. It also asks the City of Rock Hill to accept the allocations York County Council passed at third reading on July 8. What the tax agreement means for the district At…

Supporters and opponents of the Confederate flag gathered at the South Carolina State House on Saturday as the state marked 11 years since the flag’s removal from the Capitol grounds. The event, organized by supporters of the Confederate flag, took place at the Confederate Soldier Monument in front of the State House, where participants waved Confederate flags and called for the flag to be returned to its former location near the monument. Organizers said the flag serves as a tribute to Confederate soldiers and their military service. Across the grounds, protesters gathered behind barricades to oppose the rally, arguing the…

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, the Ohio Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, will appear in Tega Cay on July 31 at a luncheon hosted by state Sen. Wes Climer, the Republican nominee for South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District. The event, billed by the campaign as The Fight for America’s Future Leadership Luncheon, is scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Glennon Center in Tega Cay. Tickets are being sold through Climer’s campaign website, and the campaign said seating is limited. Climer announced the appearance in a post on his campaign Facebook page, calling Jordan one of the strongest…

WASHINGTON — Young Democratic and Republican state lawmakers from across the country found common ground Friday on the need to regulate artificial intelligence and kids’ online safety. Legislators at an annual conference hosted by Future Caucus, an organization that aims to strengthen bipartisan dialogue among Gen Z and millennial leaders, engaged in tech-related policy discussions and agreed states should impose some guardrails on online activity, especially for kids. South Carolina state Rep. Brandon Guffey urged lawmakers to pursue policy that would hold Big Tech companies accountable for exposing kids to harmful online content. He said he champions “guardrails” over device…

Low water levels from drought conditions have led to boat trailers getting stuck, prompting a temporary restriction. York County has temporarily restricted pontoon boats from launching at the boat ramps at Allison Creek Park, according to York County. The county said ongoing low water levels caused by drought conditions led to incidents where a tow truck was required to remove boat trailers from the water. The restriction is meant to keep park visitors safe and protect their property, according to York County. The county did not say how long the restriction will remain in place. Source: York County original release….

Gov. Henry McMaster will name an interim United States senator to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, and York and Lancaster County voters will head back to the polls next month to help pick the Republican who runs for the job in November. Graham died Saturday night at 71 after what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. He had served in the Senate since 2003, chaired the Senate Budget Committee and had won the June 9 Republican primary for a fifth term with roughly 57 percent of the vote. His death…

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a defining voice in Republican foreign policy, judicial confirmations, and conservative politics for three decades, died Saturday night at his Capitol Hill home. He was 71. His office announced the death Sunday morning, citing a “brief and sudden illness.” Emergency dispatch records from Saturday evening indicated medical personnel responded to a call for cardiac arrest at his Washington residence. Graham, who had just returned from a diplomatic trip to Ukraine on Friday, was a central figure on the national stage. He built a reputation as a fierce military hawk, a key architect in…

The United States’ run in the World Cup recently ended unceremoniously in the Round of 16 with a loss to Belgium. Although I’m not an everyday soccer fan, I’ve been glued to the TV watching as many games as I could. Following the US team was fun, but to my surprise, my fandom stretched much further than our national team. I found myself invested in games involving Portugal, Spain, Argentina, Morocco and a host of countries I wouldn’t otherwise think about.  In the blink of an eye, the US men’s soccer team fell flat against a more talented team and…

The commission approved a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at Winthrop University and a Master of Science in Cancer Biology at the Medical University of South Carolina during its June 2026 meeting. Based on a release from S.C. Commission on Higher Education. The S.C. Commission on Higher Education approved two new academic programs at two institutions during its June 2026 business meeting, according to the commission. Winthrop University will offer a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences beginning in Fall 2026, according to the commission. The interdisciplinary program will provide students with a foundation in the biological, psychological and…

FORT MILL, SC — The York County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a serial fraud suspect who struck a local bank branch earlier this month. On July 6, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., an unidentified older male entered the First National Bank located at 1738 Gold Hill Rd. Authorities state the man successfully cashed a fraudulent check for $7,100. To pull off the transaction, the suspect presented a fake driver’s license containing the compromised personal information of out-of-state victims. Investigators have identified a clear pattern in the suspect’s methodology. He has actively targeted other First…

In collaboration with YouGov, an international research firm, Winthrop polled residents across the country about politics, marking its first nationwide Winthrop Poll.  Released on Winthrop’s website on July 10, the poll covers Trump’s approval, economics, foreign policy, American identity, the Epstein Files and more, surveying 2,150 individual respondents over the age of 18. Dr. Huffmon, a political science professor and director of the Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research, provided analysis of the dataset, viewable above the poll’s raw data.  Going forward, Winthrop plans to further collaborate with YouGov, allowing nationwide results to “contextualize the opinions of South Carolinians…

A federal appeals court has ruled that part of a lawsuit challenging South Carolina’s restrictions on certain classroom instruction can move forward. The lawsuit, filed in early 2025 by the South Carolina NAACP, several high school students and author Ibram X. Kendi, challenges a state budget proviso that prohibits the use of state funds to teach that one race or sex is inherently superior to another. Defendants in the case include State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver and school districts in Lexington and Richland counties. Plaintiffs argue the proviso is overly broad and has had a chilling effect on classroom…

An attorney for the city of Rock Hill warned York County in writing that the tax incentive deal for the Octapharma plant, as the county has amended it, would cancel the city’s consent to the deal and could strip the county of the authority to grant the tax breaks at the heart of the package. The warning came in a July 8 letter to York County Attorney Laura Dover from Paul W. Dillingham of Spencer & Spencer, the Rock Hill firm representing the city. It landed the same day County Council took up third and final reading of the fee-in-lieu-of-taxes…

Clemson University athletics staff and Gov. Henry McMaster accounted for roughly three of every four flights on South Carolina state aircraft during the first half of 2026, according to passenger manifests filed with the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission. The manifests cover 40 separate missions flown between January 5 and July 9. Clemson football recruiters and athletics fundraisers took 15 of them. The governor and his staff took 14. State legislators, the Department of Education, the Department of Agriculture and the College of Charleston made up the rest. The flights matter to York and Lancaster County taxpayers because the planes belong…

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined attorneys general from 48 other states and territories in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen regulations aimed at reducing illegal robocalls. The coalition is asking the FCC to adopt rules that would make it more difficult for scammers to obtain and use legitimate telephone numbers to place fraudulent robocalls and text messages. The request builds on recommendations first made by the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force in 2021 and comes in response to the FCC’s proposed rule changes. According to the coalition, Americans received an estimated 29.6 billion scam robocalls…

The South Carolina Republican Party has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to end the state’s open primary election system, arguing that it violates the party’s constitutional rights. South Carolina is one of several states with an open primary system, allowing registered voters to participate in either the Republican or Democratic primary regardless of party affiliation. However, voters may only cast a ballot in one party’s primary during an election cycle and, if a runoff is required, must vote in the same party’s runoff. In its complaint, the South Carolina Republican Party contends that allowing voters who are not affiliated with…

York County Council gave final approval Wednesday night to a tax incentive package for Octapharma’s first United States plant, but only after adopting an amendment that steers most of Rock Hill’s share of the project’s revenue, along with a slice of the county’s, to the Rock Hill School District. The 4-3 vote on third and final reading, at a special called meeting at the York County Heckle Complex in Rock Hill, clears the county’s side of the roughly $1.5 billion plasma manufacturing project. It now returns to Rock Hill City Council, which must decide whether to accept a structure that…

The Rock Hill Planning Commission voted 4-0 on Tuesday to recommend that City Council rezone about 50 acres near Interstate 77 and Palmetto Parkway, advancing a proposed biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant that its backers say could bring roughly 1,500 jobs and an investment approaching $1.5 billion. The recommendation covers petition M-2026-06, filed by Bolton & Menk, Inc. of Charlotte to change the property at 3286 Palmetto Parkway from Industry General to Master Planned Business/Industrial Park. The staff report identifies the master plan as Project Palmetto Rock and the end user as Octapharma, which it describes as a human plasma fractionation facility…

A goat found near Stallion Spirit and Rocky Hollow trails in Clover has tested positive for rabies, and four people who were exposed have been referred to their healthcare providers, the South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed. The department said the goat was submitted to its laboratory for testing on July 2 and confirmed positive for rabies on July 6. The case is one of two the state announced across separate counties. In Saluda County, a fox found near Country Pond and Cockrell roads in the town of Saluda also tested positive. One person there was exposed and referred…

South Carolina shoppers will have the opportunity to save on back-to-school purchases during the state’s annual Tax-Free Weekend, scheduled for Aug. 7-9. During the three-day event, eligible purchases can be made without paying state or local sales tax, whether shopping in stores or online. All South Carolina retailers selling qualifying items are required to participate and may not collect sales tax on eligible purchases. The tax exemption covers a wide range of back-to-school and household essentials. Eligible items include school supplies used in the classroom or for homework, such as calculators, musical instruments and headphones. Computers, printers and software also…

The cost of mailing a first-class letter will increase this weekend as the U.S. Postal Service raises the price of a Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents, effective Sunday, July 12. The increase is part of the USPS’s ongoing effort to address persistent financial losses. Since 2021, the price of a Forever stamp has climbed six times, rising 34% from 58 cents. Additional postage rates will also increase. Domestic postcards will cost 65 cents, up from 61 cents, while international postcards and one-ounce letters will increase from $1.70 to $1.75. The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the latest rate…

South Carolina restaurants will soon be required to tell customers whether the shrimp they serve is locally caught or imported under a new state law aimed at increasing transparency and supporting the state’s commercial shrimping industry. Gov. Henry McMaster recently signed the Truth in Shrimp Labeling Act into law after it received overwhelming approval during the 2026 legislative session. The law requires restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks, food stands and other food service establishments serving imported shrimp to post a notice at their entrance and identify the shrimp’s country of origin on their menus. Restaurants serving both domestic and imported shrimp…

More than 500 Schweinitz’s sunflowers, an endangered plant species native to the Piedmont, are now protected at the Catawba Bend Preserve, according to a press release. In collaboration with York County staff, the Catawba Nation, the York County Natural Gas Authority, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the flowers were transplanted from the site of a future gas line into their new home, the release said.  In August 2025, Melissa Chaplin, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist, was emailed by Marvin Bouknight, the natural resources program manager of the Catawba Nation. He explained the presence of survey flags…

On July 6, the University of Mississippi issued a release congratulating graduates from the York County area.  Graduates, both undergraduate and graduate, were among the roughly 3,800 students who received their diplomas in May, according to a press release.  Fort Mill: Carter Hendrick – Bachelor of Arts from the College of Liberal Arts  Rock Hill: Kathleen Peddy – Bachelor of Science from the School of Applied Sciences  “Our May 2026 graduates are distinguished by their commitment to academic excellence and are prepared to build legacies that began here at Ole Miss,” said University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce.  Kyan Feser…

On July 6, Georgia Southern announced its 2026 Dean’s List, featuring several students from Fort Mill. To be honored, students must retain a 3.5 grade point average and a minimum of 12 credit hours during the semester, according to a press release.  Georgia Southern is classified as an R2 university in the United States (Carnegie-designated high research university) and awarded 4,020 of its roughly 29,000 students a spot on the Dean’s List, the release added. The following students were named: Fort Mill Autumn Boyd (29715) Carter Blankinship (29708) Christian Dickinson (29708)   Kyan Feser Kyan is a Senior @ Winthrop…

A Lancaster man has been charged after a Fourth of July crash in Rock Hill left a moped rider dead. According to the Rock Hill Police Department, 35-year-old Jeremy Durham was arrested and charged with failure to yield the right of way while turning left and driving under suspension. The collision occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. on July 4 along Finley Road near West Main Street. Investigators said Durham was driving a Ford Fusion when he attempted to turn left into a residence and failed to yield to an oncoming moped, resulting in a collision. The moped rider, identified as…

South Carolina families navigating the complex process of settling heirs’ property claims are getting a much-needed financial shield against sudden property tax spikes. The Heirs’ Property Tax Relief Act, passed this spring, is designed to protect families from unexpected tax increases tied to property reassessments. This relief is especially crucial during the legal process of subdividing or splitting land that has been passed down through generations without a clear will or updated title. Heirs’ property typically arises when land is inherited by multiple family members over time without formal estate planning. This lack of clarity often leaves families unaware of…

The Humane Society of York County is featuring two adoptable animals this week, a young cat named Kallima and a dog named Ryker, both waiting at the shelter in Fort Mill for permanent homes. Kallima, estimated to be just over 1 year old, is the shelter’s cat of the week. Staff describe her as loving, playful and talkative, with distinctive markings and coloring. She came to the Humane Society as an owner surrender and has already settled into the shelter’s Cat Lounge, a shared space where she lives comfortably alongside other cats. Staff said her smooth transition into the group…

On my drive home from a fourth of July weekend spent with friends in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, I began to unwind many of the conversations that were bandied about. My memory was a bit foggy given all the beers and grilled meats but I was able to clearly recollect one of our late night talks.  The topic was freedom and what it meant to us. As each of us has a true love for our country, freedom and liberty were bound to be brought up at some point on the 250th year of our nations independence.  In this…

2025-2026 Legislative Session Wrap-Up Dear Neighbor, When I first ran for State House two years ago, I promised to speak truth, ask tough questions, and remember the people who sent me to Columbia to represent them. I have held true to those commitments. This legislative session had some wins worth celebrating. We advanced parental rights, protected children, stood up for families, and continued pushing back against government overreach. But we also saw plenty of examples of why South Carolinians are frustrated with politics. Too many people in government have forgotten who they work for. There is an inherent elitism and…

York County Council unanimously approved second reading of a $1.5 billion fee-in-lieu of tax agreement with Octapharma on June 29, but not before a contentious 5-2 vote to restructure who absorbs the cost of the tax break. The amendment, introduced by Councilman William “Bump” Roddey, cuts Rock Hill Schools’ share of the tax sacrifice from 50 percent to 31.9 percent and shifts the difference entirely onto the city of Rock Hill, requiring the city to give up 100 percent of its potential property tax revenue from the project. The change does not alter the incentive Octapharma receives. What changed is…

Dotting the surrounding roads of Carowinds Boulevard, an array of fireworks stores serve the greater Charlotte area and South Carolinians within the Piedmont.  Benefiting from the state border, these stores see pilgrimage from pyrotechnic-hungry North Carolinians, watching as they smuggle fireworks banned in their state.  While July is always a business boom, this year is extra special, as this Fourth marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. With a bombastic celebration ready to go, how are these stores holding up?  Regarding the anniversary, “We’ve had people come in specifically and tell us that they’re going to buy more this…

Beginning at 9 a.m. on July 4, Mallory Dittmer, Democratic nominee for the 5th congressional district, will ride in the annual Tega Cay parade.   Dittmer, a former corporate retail executive of fifteen years, has managed Democratic and Independent campaigns since 2022. Currently running for Congress, she plans to “bring honest leadership and accountability back to SC-05,” according to a press release.  The parade, themed to “250 Years of Hometown Heroes,” starts at Tega Cay City Hall, continuing down to Tega Cay Dr. and Windward Dr.    Kyan Feser Kyan is a Senior @ Winthrop University majoring in Mass Communications. Be…

This year, our country turns 250. And whether you’re firing up the grill this Fourth of July or just enjoying a long weekend, I want to share something that ties Model A Brewing to that anniversary in a way you might not expect. Yes, it involves beer. Stick with me here. It turns out one of our Founding Fathers wrote down a beer recipe. In 1757, a 25-year-old colonel named George Washington was leading the Virginia militia during the French and Indian War, and in the military journal he carried around, tucked among his notes on officers and orders, he…

The Catawba Nation, headquartered in York County, cut a ceremonial ribbon Wednesday to mark the opening of the first phase of its Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and to celebrate five years since the tribe opened a temporary gaming facility on the same site. Chief Brian Harris led the July 1 ceremony, which drew more than 500 tribal members along with construction crews, gaming partners and other guests. The date carried weight for the Nation. On July 1, 2021, the tribe opened a temporary casino built from prefabricated modular buildings, giving the Charlotte region its first look…

As families across York and Lancaster Counties prepare for the Fourth of July, one of the nation’s founders left behind a prediction that came remarkably close to reality, with one notable exception. He picked the wrong day. Writing to his wife, Abigail Adams, from Philadelphia on July 3, 1776, John Adams forecast almost exactly how future generations would mark American independence. He simply believed they would do it two days earlier than they eventually did. His letter has become one of the most quoted pieces of correspondence from the Revolutionary era, and it carries added weight this year as the…

The Fort Mill High School Athletic Booster Club will hold its sixth annual Booster Classic golf tournament on Thursday, Sept. 3, at Tega Cay Golf Club, one of the club’s largest fundraising events of the year. The tournament supports athletic programs that serve more than 950 student athletes across 39 teams at Fort Mill High School. Proceeds help the booster club provide team stipends, gear, special requests, and facility upgrades that reach every program at the school. Registration opens at 8 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The event will use a captain’s choice format at Tega Cay…

A Switzerland-based biopharmaceutical company that has quietly operated out of Charlotte for years stepped into the spotlight Monday night in York, revealing itself as the company behind Project Palmetto Rock and laying out plans to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility on the former Carolina Panthers practice site in Rock Hill. Octapharma, founded in 1983 and still privately owned by the Margger family, presented its case to York County Council and a standing-room crowd at the York County Government Center during a special called meeting June 29. York County Council voted 7-0 to approve second reading of a fee-in-lieu of…