2017: The Year In Review

It’s been a big year in Dillon County. Here are some of the highlights:

JANUARY
JANUARY 3: McLeod Dillon purchases new lifesaving equipment… Pee Dee Land Trust receives $45,000 grant to initiate landowner education program… 2016 Year In Review presented.
JANUARY 5: Owen Lane Wallace home place designated as Century Farm… Deputies seeking suspects in strong arm robbery at Lil Bill’s convenience store… Sheriff’s office investigating burglary and ATM theft at Roger’s Convenience store… Angela Coward named Program Director of Dillon County First Steps… Archie Scott elected 2017 Dillon County Council Chairman; Stevie Grice elected vice-chairman… Charles Bethea, born January 3rd, is the first baby of the new year at McLeod Dillon… Clear of Court Gwen Hyatt, Coroner Donnie Grimsley, Sheriff Major Hulon and officers, Councilman James “Hoghead” Campbell, Councilman Jack Scott, Councilman Archie Scott, and Councilman T.F. “Buzzy” Finklea, Jr., all take oaths of office.
JANUARY 10: Coach Jackie Hayes completes 25 years as head coach in Dillon… Filing to open for three council seats in the City of Dillon… County Council Chairman Archie Scott and Interim County Administrator Rodney Berry speak about new leadership and inland port.
JANUARY 12: Medal ceremony held for state champion Lake View Wild gators football team… McLeod Medical Center staff officers announced… Locals celebrate Clemson Tigers national championship win.
JANUARY 17: Lake View man, Daevon Hezzie Williams, charged in Clio bank robbery… NETC President, Dr. Kyle Wagner, to speak at Dillon County Chamber of Commerce banquet… Local churches plan marriage retreat.
JANUARY 19: Vehicle break-ins occurring in Latta… Dillon County Station Three fire chief, John Smith, takes part in mission to help firefighter with cancer… Margaret Desser, a local cadet at the Citadel, participating in Presidential inauguration… Student Athlete Day held at Lake View First Baptist Church… Dillon mayor makes good on bet with mayor of Inman.
JANUARY 24: S.C. Inland Port will bring good jobs to the Pee Dee… Reedy Creek Presbyterian Church hosts Pee Dee Presbytery meeting… John Kirby, a member of Latta Rotary Club, recognized as major foundation donor.
JANUARY 26: Dillon County Sheriff’s Office investigating two shootings… Shannon Berry named East Elementary School principal… Matthew Adams installed as new pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Dillon.
JANUARY 31: Almonzo Vecente Lowery charged with carjacking, kidnapping, and attempted murder of woman he asked for a ride… Body found on Highway 38 in Sellers… Rodney Berry hired as Dillon County Administrator… Dr. Daniel Blue retires from Dillon County First Steps… Former Dillon High School band director Helen Culp passes away.

FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY 2: No water in Lake Norton at Little Pee Dee State Park due to Hurricane Matthew in October; Park Rangers says it could be six months to one year before it is repaired… Dillon Historic School Foundation makes plans for 2017… Bishop Michael Goings to be keynote speaker at Freedom Fund Banquet.
FEBRUARY 7: Richard Schafer named Dillon County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the year; several other awards presented… Dr. Kyle Wagner speaks about the future of NETC and the Dillon campus at the annual Chamber banquet… Joe Kenneth McGirt receives the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
FEBRUARY 9: Several plead in Federal Court… Lake View election to be held April 4th… Dillon County Council holds called meeting to deal with matters related to the inland port… National School Counseling Week being observed.
FEBRUARY 14: SCEBG warns customers of phone scams… Cullen Bryant receives S.C. Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service Award.
FEBRUARY 16: John R. Braddy of Dillon assumes chairmanship of McLeod Health Board of Trustees… Local farmers attend state conference… Community partners team up to prevent teen pregnancy.
FEBRUARY 21: Dogs at Dillon County Animal Shelter given second chance at life… CSX to close some crossings for repair… Dillon County Health Initiative giving away free vegetables for spring planting; hosting workshops on good health.
FEBRUARY 23: Sheriff’s Office investigation suspicious fire at Maxway… Hurricane Matthew Long Term Recovery Group forming here… Local UDC hosts Pee Dee District Conference.
FEBRUARY 28: Dillon Wildcats win 3A Boys Basketball Lower State Title… Groundbreaking for Inland Port Dillon set for March 10th.

MARCH
MARCH 2: Police warn public of sweepstakes scam… Jimmy Sweat recognized for 10 years of school board service… Betty Jo Johnson recognized for 20 years of school board service.
MARCH 7: Florwer Carlin Lizano of Dillon enters guilty plea in Federal Court on gun charges… Dillon County Council proclaims American Red Cross month… National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Pfaff speaks to Dillon County LEPC group… Latta School Board renews superintendent John Kirby’s contract… Residents of West Countryside Drive do not want railroad crossing closed.
MARCH 9: Golf Course discussed by Dillon City Council; councilman Johnny Eller says city has lost $800,000 on golf course… Papers signed to transfer property for Inland Port Dillon… Downtown improvement, façade grant taken up at Dillon City Council meeting… City of Dillon gets positive audit… City of Dillon proclaims American Red Cross Month.
MARCH 14: Ground breaking held for Inland Port Dillon… Light snow coats county.
MARCH 16: Dillon County Employee Appreciation Dinner held… S.C. Ports container volume up nine percent; First phase of Inland Port Dillon to open during first quarter of 2018… Dr. John Kirby among Francis Marion University Alumni Award winners.
MARCH 21: James Washington resigns from Dillon City Council… Main Street, Golf Course among topics at Dillon City Council meeting… County Council gives youth center $5,000.
MARCH 23: Josh Caulder elected new chief of Dillon County Station Nine (Oak Grove)… Sheriff’s office investigation larceny of tree equipment… Sheriff’s office investigating burglary at Arnette Motors… Summer courses, school wellness policy, and more taken up at Dillon District Four board meeting.
MARCH 28: Lake View State Football Championship Team honored with ring ceremony… County Council passes resolution expressing concern over House Bill 3726… Rep. Hayes gives state budget overview.
MARCH 30: Ninety Latta School District students benefit from Happy Feet Program… Municipal elections to be held in Dillon and Lake View on Tuesday… Town hall meetings planned for Hurricane Matthew recovery.

APRIL
APRIL 4: Ryan Lee Memorial Tournament held… State and county unemployment rate decreases.
APRIL 6: Johnny Eller runs another term on Dillon City Council… Matthew Elvington elected mayor of Lake View; David Kitchens, Tony Hayes elected to Lake View Town Council… Brandon Lee named S.C. Highway Patrol Telecommunications Operator of the year.
APRIL 15: Audit report, Fund 45 among issues taken up by Dillon City Council at meeting… Tree falls on home in Latta and injures child… Dillon Pentecostal Holiness Church holds annual Sportsman Day.
APRIL 13: Jan Powers- Penuel named principal at South Elementary School… Local fund set up to assist Miles family… 2017 Dixie Youth Baseball season underway.
APRIL 18: Michelle Groper of Florida killed in hit and run… Latta Springfest is big success.
APRIL 20: Mechatronics course at Dillon County Technology Center preparing students for high- tech workforce changes… Councils hold joint meeting.
APRIL 25: Main Street Methodist men raise $20,000+ with golf tournament to benefit Red Cross… County and state’s unemployment rates fall.
APRIL 27: Celebrate Main Street is April 29th… Relay For Life Feature: Cancer- The Ultimate Rollercoaster… Dr. Henry N. Tisdale to be keynote speaker at Harnethea B. Manning Scholarship Fund Musical.

MAY
MAY 2: New Lake View mayor, Council members take oath… Dillon woman wins $125,000 in lottery… National Day of Prayer service is May 4th.
MAY 4: Dillon County Relay For Life is Saturday… “Be Kind To Animals” week observed… Dillon High School 1940’s Reunion held.
MAY 9: Sheriff’s office investigating shooting on Freddie Loop… Local car dealer, Brandon Davis, charged with several counts of breach of trust… Stamp Out Hunger food drive set for May 13th.
MAY 11: First responders honored by two local churches… Portion of U.S. 301 North to be closed May 27 through August 14… Dillon mayor proclaims Nurses Week… Dillon High School class of 1960 holds reunion.
MAY 16: Latta Rescue Squad celebrating 50th anniversary with drop-in… Shirleen Lewis hired as Dillon County First Steps new director… Dillon County Library holding summer reading program.
MAY 18: Lake View and Latta Baseball teams finish season as Lower State Champions… The Dillon Herald holds successful drive to collect blankets and stuffed animals for Latta Rescue Squad.
MAY 23: Three people – David Berry, Phillip Berry, and Jessica Brooks – killed in wreck on Highway 38… Dillon District Four School Board decides not to allow public access to field behind Stewart Heights Elementary School… Latta Softball Team wins state title… Sheriff’s office investigating shooting on Kinon Street.
MAY 25: Dillon man, Wille Eagle, charged with attempted murder in Kinon Street shooting… Deputy Ashley Washington involved in two wrecks in five days… Flags placed in cemeteries in honor of veterans… Flags on display, improvements being made at veterans park in Latta.
MAY 30: Judge Paul Burch appears before Dillon County Council to give sage advice… Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus train passes through Dillon… Campfires now prohibited during State Forester’s Burning Ban… New South Carolina child restraint law effective immediately… Cooker trailer stolen from Shuler’s Barbecue… Above normal Atlantic Hurricane Season most likely this year.

JUNE
JUNE 1: Dillon County holding special clean-up day on June 3rd… Memorial Day Ceremony held… Fork Presbyterian Church holds special Memorial Day service and cookout… Graduates recognized in special section.
JUNE 6: Highway 301 in Latta to close temporarily on June 6 through approximately mid-July… Two people shot at Rosewood Apartments; Dameon Dion Dorale Rogers charged… McLeod Dillon nurses hold food drive for “Love Feeds”… Dillon County Fire Station Three improves ISO rating.
JUNE 8: Little Pee Dee State Park holding various programs this summer… Amy Roberts named Dillon Middle School Teacher of the Year… Wildcats participating in seven-on-seven football… The Dillon Herald prints annual emergency guide.
JUNE 13: Henry Street Park re-dedicated… S.C. Ports reports Record Volume… Dillon County eligible for SBA working capital loans by July 12.
JUNE 15: Schools will not receive local Option Sales Tax money in current version of Dillon County budget… Latta town employee, Curt Miller, charged with assault and battery third degree… Hishawn Tyron Blue arrested in armed robbery at truck stop… Dillon County Sheriff’s Office investigating vandalism at Believer’s Worship Center… James Washington wins Dillon County Council seat… Dr. Kievers Cunningham named Medical Director of Emergency Department at McLeod Dillon… Infrastrcture grants awarded to Dillon and Latta.
JUNE 20: Parents of infant charged after child is diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome… NETC board chair appears before Dillon County Council to discuss funds college has been receiving… Councilman Jack Scott says that “We Don’t Need This Conflict Interest Going In The Newspaper”… NETC, S.C. Ports Highlighted at Industrial Appreciation luncheon… Lorene Arnette wins three ribbons in quilt challenge.
JUNE 22: Finances and budgets discussed by Dillon County Board of Education… Permit issued to begin construction on I-13 by Army Corps of Engineers.
JUNE 27: Public hearing on county budget is Wednesday… Historical marker unveiled at Antioch Baptist Church… Pit bulls in the City of Dillon must be registered by June 30th… City of Dillon awarded Community Development Block Grant.
JUNE 29: Changes at the pump and other road funding initiates coming July 1st… Dillon City Council passes final reading of budget… Exxon Station demolished… Rice and Graham make for I-13.

JULY
JULY 4: Pine Gate Renewables launching new Dillon County Solar Project; Company to construct $7.5 million utility-scale solar farm… Public hearing held on county budget… First reading of maintenance and appearance ordinance for historic downtown business district passes… Thai professors visit Dillon County.
JULY 6: Octavius Richardson, age 21, killed in shooting at local apartment complex… Dillon County Council approves third reading of budget in 4-3 vote… City of Dillon to host State Softball Championship.
JULY 11: Machale Olando Bethea, age 22, charged with murder in shooting death of Octavius Richardson… Complaint filed in Court of Common Pleas regarding Local Option Sales Tax, validity of the Dillon County budget, two mills… Summer Food Service Tour to stop in Dillon… Dixie State Softball Tournament underway.
JULY 13: Officer-involved shooting occurs in Lake View area… County Board of Education responds to complaint… Dillon 10U and 12U win State Softball Titles… James “Bobie” Washington takes oath of office for Dillon City Council.
JULY 18: Attorney General’s Office opinion supports school and treasurer’s position on the Local Option Sales Tax funds… Police seeking identity of suspect in burglary at Turner Auto Mart… 44- year- old Raul Perez killed in accident… Coroner identifies deceased in officer-involved shooting as 40- year- old, James Gerald Davis.
JULY 20: Dillon 18U Debs win state title… $100,000 bond set on murder suspect, Machale Bethea… Petition filed in complaint by treasurer… Grant to improve area transportation awarded… DHS Student, Jacorie McCall, speaks at Board of Education meeting… Rev. Henry Altman is new pastor at Main Street United Methodist Church… Graffiti sprayed on Latta Church of God.
JULY 25: Judge holds hearing on petition in Local Option Sales Tax case… Deadly mosquito-borne horse disease found in Dillon County.
JULY 27: Police investigating shooting on West Calhoun Street… County library offering exciting new programs… Henry Brunson wins Dillon County Tomato Contest… More details given in officer-involved shooting in Lake View… Three hundred attend multi-racial, multi-congregational Vacation Bible School held in Latta.

AUGUST
AUGUST 1: Group seeking to restore and preserve Oakey point Cemetery… Lake View’s Mallory Carter places fifth in the National High School Championship rodeo.
AUGUST 3: Deputies treating death of a man found behind a club as a homicide… Valerie graves named new Dillon County Veterans Affairs Officer.
AUGUST 8: Anthony Barney Dickerson found dead in home on Apple Jack Loop… Woman bound, robbed in home invasion… Five teens earn Eagle Scout honors. Dillon 10U wins World Series.
AUGUST 10: Love Feeds seeks to address hunger among county’s school-age children… People posing as law enforcement officers, making calls in the area asking for money.
AUGUST 15: Total solar eclipse to pass through state on August 21… School Board files amended answer in treasurer’s complaint.
AUGUST 17: City of Dillon’s Cookout for Cops held… Judge issues order granting Dillon County administrator’s attorney’s file motion in treasurer’s complaint.
AUGUST 22: Oriental Band wins trophy. Philip Miles, age 40, killed on Melon Drive. County School board chairman calls on council to honor the voice of the people..Coroner rules in the death of man on Beaufort Street.
AUGUST 24: Solar eclipse passes through… Judge Nettles denies motion to remove treasurer from court case. Dillon County Council chairman says he wants to make sure that no one is taking advantage of the citizens.
AUGUST 29: Inland Port Dillon is a major cooperative effort. American Red Cross assisting with Latta home fire. Dillon Christian School earns accreditation from SACS CASI.
AUGUST 31: New Public-Private Partnership chairman Mike Tyler wants board to play key role in economic development. Ashleigh Paige Baxley selected as East Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 5: Erika Roberts named Dillon District Three Teacher of the Year. Twin brothers charged with murder… Dillon fisherman catches $200,000 Powerball prize.
SEPTEMBER 7: Downtown Dillon is a work in progress, Mayor says… Governor declares state of emergency due to hurricane.
SEPTEMBER 12: Christopher John Flowers, age 30, of Laurinburg charged in murder at Reflexxions…Curry allowed to remain legal counsel in Treasurer’s complaint…Latta officials make plans to prepare for hurricane.
SEPTEMBER 14: Patriot Day ceremony held… County spared from Hurricane Irma damage.
SEPTEMBER 19: Judge hears treasurer’s complaint… Thursday Nite Live in DC held… Pump prices slowly falling.
SEPTEMBER 21: Ashleigh Baxley named Dillon District Four Teacher of the Year… Luis Delauz is the only student in South Carolina to pass all ten areas of automotive test… St. John Missionary Baptist Church damaged during Hurricane Matthew to be re-
dedicated.
SEPTEMBER 26: Earl Gene Johnson of Hamer turns in on attempted murder charge… Ninth annual Shrimp Net Casters Contest held.
SEPTEMBER 28: Dillon County Theatre’s new season announced… State’s cotton crop looks promising.

OCTOBER
OCTOBER 3: Judge rules in favor of Board of Education… State of the Ports given.
OCTOBER 5: Nichols is still a town in recovery nearly one year after hurricane… Marlboro Electric reduces rates again.
OCTOBER 10: The East Nile Farms (American Scrappers) establishing operations in Lake View… Third graders who do not prove their ability on standardized testing to be held back.
OCTOBER 12: Challissah L-Ecole J. Mills, age 26, killed in fatal crash… Frank Oliver receives Francis Marion University Biology Alumni Award.
OCTOBER 17: Johnny Dew selected for Shrine Bowl coaching event… City offering UPFIT grants.
OCTOBER 19: Latta Softball team gets state championship rings… South Carolina Ports handles 10 percent container growth in record September.
OCTOBER 24: Help for Veterans holds first anual Health Fair…Coach Jackie Hayes gets 300th win with victory over Georgetown.
OCTOBER 26: Mayor says I-73 would threaten Dillon’s progress…Dillon County Junior Charity League full festival held. American Red Cross receives donations.
OCTOBER 31: Student caries gun to Dillon Middle School… Jamie Callahan’s baseball jersey retired… KB BioTech Solutions to make $12 million investment in manufacturing operations in Dillon County.

NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 2: Several hand out Halloween treats… Taste of Dillon County held.
NOVEMBER 7: Dillon Redskins reunite at 1960s reunion… General Carroll Allen to receive first Veteran of the Year pin at musical. Veterans Day ceremony to be held.
NOVEMBER 9: Harbor Freight Tools announces one million square foot expansion, 500+ more jobs in Dillon County.
NOVEMBER 14: Tommy Thompson named Dillon County Veteran of the Year… Governor Henry McMaster visits Dillon District Four.
NOVEMBER 16: Groundbreaking held for the East Nile Farms… Local write Carley Wiggins receives tow awards at the North Carolina Society of Historians ceremony.
NOVEMBER 21: Lake View Student charged with carrying weapon on school grounds. David Earl Shelley named Latta Rotary Club Citizen of the Year. Smithsoruan’s traveling exhibition about rural America coming to county… Karen Cook named Lake View Club Woman of the Year.
NOVEMBER 23: New industrial spec building coming to Dillon County… Dillon Christian School wins state championship.
NOVEMBER 28: Inland Port Dillon progressing. Suspect in custody in shooting death of 17-year-old… Felicia Harris of E-911 receives Palmetto award.
NOVEMBER 30: 21-year-old charged in murder of 17-year-old… Historic event to replace cornerstone at courthouse to be held… Anderson Brothers Bank to open Dillon office in 2018.

DECEMBER:
DECEMBER 5: Wildcats win state title… New motor fuel income tax credit to take effect in 2018.
DECEMBER 7: Dillon County receives SAFER grant to Fire Departments… Items being collected for new time capsule… Nancy G. Brigman wins mayor; Jarett Taylor, Brian Mason, and Trudy Drawhorn win council seats.
DECEMBER 12: Time capsule ceremony to be held Thursday. Michael Jiron of Lake View High School awarded free ride to Duke.. Lake View High School math team is Pee Dee Regional math champs.
DECEMBER 16: Robbie Coward resigns from Dillon County Council seat… CareSouth Carolina and DHEC break ground on new facility.
DECEMBER 21: Robbie Coward accepts position as County Deputy Administrator. ..Time capsule ceremony, tree lighting held at court house.
DECEMBER 26: The Dillon Herald and East Dillon Baptist Church’s toy and food drive and The Dillon Herald’s Dillon County Animal Shelter drives are big successes.
DECEMBER 28: See today’s issue.

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