http://www.gtowntimes.com/ en-us http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Firefighters-battling-blaze-in-Rose-Hill-area Sparks from a vehicle pulling a utility trailer are being blamed for a series of fires in Choppee this afternoon. According to fire officials, the trailer being pulled was only on rims causing sparks to fly. A deputy reportedly found the car and identified the owner. There were multiple fire caused by the vehicle. So far, no reports of charges being filed. The South Carolina Forestry Commission responded with plows and a plane to help  with the firefighting efforts. The fire was "moving fast" because of the winds according to firefighters on the scene. By 6:30 p.m., an estimated 50-60 acres had burned. The main goal was to keep the flames off of structures. At 4:40 p.m, a firefighter on the scene said the houses along Choppee Road wer ... 2/11/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Firefighters-battling-blaze-in-Rose-Hill-area http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Residents-to-weigh-in-on-penny-sales-tax GEORGETOWN S.C. — Georgetown County Council will consider a resolution this month that could put a 1-cent sales tax referendum before voters in November. First, however, the county must pass the resolution in favor of the 1-cent sales tax, then appoint a six-person commission to take the matter to the public. Residents will then be allowed to say what they want to build with the money. This time, the money can only be used for capital projects, said County Council Chairman Johnny Morant. In 2004, a proposed 1-cent sales tax would have been used for propertytax roll back. The measure failed by a narrow margin and did not win the approval of voters in Georgetown County. “From a practical standpoint, counties m ... 2/10/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Residents-to-weigh-in-on-penny-sales-tax http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Police-Blotter--Dead-cows-prompts-911-call A man from Nesmith who owns property on Connecticut Ave. in rural Georgetown County called 911 after being told two of his cows were dead in the field and he had no idea if they had been poisoned or shot. Because the man was unable to get to the property, a deputy agreed to check it out. He arrived and saw one cow was dead and another was “about to expire,” the report states. The cows had not been shot and did not look as if they had been abused. There was also nothing in the field to indicate they had been poisoned. The deputy said he could not determine the cause of death. He told the owner he would call USDA to see if they could assist the man in determining what happened. The ‘moon’ on Bluegill Street A Bluegil ... 2/10/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Police-Blotter--Dead-cows-prompts-911-call http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Some-polling-places-too-crowded Casting a ballot in Georgetown County is becoming a big problem for many voters because many of the precincts — especially on the Waccamaw Neck — are overcrowded. That was a concern Georgetown County Republican Party Chairman Jim Jerow expressed to the County Board of Elections at a meeting Wednesday. Jerow said the board made a wise decision when it moved Pawleys Island Precinct 2 to All Saints Church but other changes are needed. He said there are 2,077 registered voters in Pawleys Island District 4 where votes are cast at St. Mary’s AME Church. The church is located on Highway 17 and has limited parking which means many voters have to park beside the busy highway. There is also nowhere inside for people to wait to vote. ... 2/10/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Some-polling-places-too-crowded http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Residents-to-weigh-in-about-penny-sales-tax GEORGETOWN S.C. — Georgetown County Council will consider a resolution this month that could put a 1-cent sales tax referendum before voters in November. First, however, the county must pass the resolution in favor of the 1-cent sales tax, then appoint a six-person commission to take the matter to the public. Residents will then be allowed to say what they want to build with the money. This time, the money can only be used for capital projects, said County Council Chairman Johnny Morant. In 2004, a proposed 1-cent sales tax would have been used for property tax roll back. The measure failed by a narrow margin to win the approval of voters in Georgetown County. “From a practical standpoint, counties must do more on their own,&rd ... 2/10/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Residents-to-weigh-in-about-penny-sales-tax http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Appeals-court-drops-Georgetown-City-Council--staff-from--15-3-million-lawsuit GEORGETOWN S.C. – A man and his sister who filed a $15.3 million lawsuit against the City of Georgetown as well as members of City Council and others have lost their appeal to keep the individuals named in the suit. In 2009, Georgetown residents Willie Singleton and his sister Julia Thomas filed the lawsuit claiming their house was torn down illegally. Named as defendants were members of city council as well as former City Planner Sabrina Morris, former City Administrator Steve Thomas and former planner Steve Stack. In August 2009 Judge Larry Hyman signed an order removing all individuals from the lawsuit leaving only the City of Georgetown as a defendant. Singleton and Thomas appealed that decision and, last week, the S.C. Court of A ... 2/10/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Appeals-court-drops-Georgetown-City-Council--staff-from--15-3-million-lawsuit http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/S-C--Hall-of-Fame-to-induct-two-men-Monday2012-02-10T09-23-05 One of America’s Founding Fathers will join his son and the first African American state Chief Justice in the South Carolina Hall of Fame on Monday. Thomas Lynch Sr. helped secure the infant military — Army and Navy — that helped George Washington lead the fight to form the United States of America. He and his son Thomas Lynch Jr. owned land in what is today Georgetown County and northern Charleston County. The older Lynch built Hopsewee Plantation on the banks of the North Santee River. Contemporary inductee Ernest A. Finney Jr. was Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court from 1994 to 2000. His previous service included time as a justice from 1985. He was  elected to the South Carolina House of Represent ... 2/10/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/S-C--Hall-of-Fame-to-induct-two-men-Monday2012-02-10T09-23-05 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Local-Catholics-protest-health-care-law Update: After this story was published, President Obama announced a compromise in the dispute over whether to require full contraception insurance coverage for female employees at religiously affiliated institutions. CNN reports under the new plan, religiously affiliated universities and hospitals will not be forced to offer contraception coverage to their employees. Insurers will be required, however, to offer complete coverage free of charge to any women who work at such institutions. Female employees at churches themselves will have no guarantee of any contraception coverage -- a continuation of current law. There will be a one-year transition period for religious organizations after the policy formally takes effect on August 1. Previo ... 2/10/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Local-Catholics-protest-health-care-law http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Andrews-soldier-honored ANDREWS S.C. — An Andrews native who has served in the U.S. Army has received the Honor of Service award for helping children and  their teachers receive toys, candy and gift baskets at Christmas. Sgt. Ciderick Cumbee, who was written about in the February edition of Fort Gordon Magazine, displays the handmade cards and letters he received from the children at Deer Chase Elementary School in Augusta, Ga. “Soldiers, we love you,” said one card. “Thank you troops, for all you do for our school,” said another colorful card from a Deer Chase student. The award for Service Member of the Quarter came from the WTU, the Warrior in Transition program that assists soldiers with traumatic brain injuries. Cumbee, wh ... 2/10/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Andrews-soldier-honored http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/A-Government-of-Men-Episode-10--Wolf-by-the-ears EDITOR’S NOTE: This article may include historical materials that could contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials must be viewed in the context of the relevant time period. The Georgetown Times does not endorse the views expressed in such materials. By Tom Rubillo People make mistakes all the time. That includes potentates, popes, prelates, priests, pastors, preachers, pundits and political hoi polloi. That characteristic of the human condition explains why pencils come with erasers on one end. It also explains why societies and their governments keep changing and evolving over time and why mankind’s laws are always being revised, reinterpreted or repealed. In fact, this process of evolutionary chang ... 2/9/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/A-Government-of-Men-Episode-10--Wolf-by-the-ears http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Robbin-Bruce--Is-it-hot--is-it-cold--I-m-so-confused Years ago there was a comedian whose catch phrase was “I’m so confused.” To be honest I know how he feels. Sunday morning I got up to go to church to cook breakfast at 6:30, I could have worn shorts if I wanted to. Then Monday morning I had to go to Florence, left around nine, thinking it was about the same, so I had on shorts, guess what, I like to froze to death! I’ve heard of “Global Warming” but this is getting ridiculous. Didn’t winter start about the middle of December? I think it was cold for a few days, but even Christmas, really wasn’t Christmas this year, I mean it was a little chilly but nothing to brag about. Nowadays if we think about snow, we’re really thinking about late ... 2/9/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Robbin-Bruce--Is-it-hot--is-it-cold--I-m-so-confused http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Guest-Column--The-Octogenarian By Peggy Carter Harrell My, what a long word and what a long and wonderful life I have been given. During several nights lately I have found myself lying in bed and wondering why I love Georgetown so much and why we are living in a society that is divided by a digital line unseen. It differentiates up and down, day and night, right and wrong, yes and no, young and old. Well, I was born a long time ago in the city of Georgetown on Highmarket Street in the early 1930s. My father was a foreman for the late Mr. Archer M. Huntington during the erection and building of Brookgreen Gardens and the beautiful statues at the entrance. My maternal grandfather, who was an author and artist and taxidermist, developed a very close relationship with Mr. ... 2/9/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Guest-Column--The-Octogenarian http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Editorial--Boy-Scouts-celebrate Boy Scouts of America are celebrating their 102nd anniversary this week. The youth organization was incorporated on February 8, 1910. In many churches in Georgetown County and around the United States of America, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture and Varsity Scouts will celebrate the beginning of the movement. Chicago businessman William D. Boyce was on a business trip to London and was lost in the pea soup-like fog. A young boy came up to him, offered to lead him to his destination and refused a tip, saying “I can’t accept it. I’m a Boy Scout.” Boyce was so intrigued he asked the boy to take him to Scout headquarters. There he met Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, a retired British Army general who started the mov ... 2/9/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Editorial--Boy-Scouts-celebrate http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Obituaries--February-10--2012 DEATH NOTICES LaShonda Generette, 32, Johnsonville Pearline Virginia Skinner, 74, Johnsonville FUNERAL SERVICES Tony Cribb Anthony "Tony" Carl Cribb, 39, passed away February 3, 2012, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center. Born on September 20, 1972, in Georgetown, he was a son of John Wayne Cribb and Shirley Harter Cribb. Tony was employed by McAllister Painting. He was a fun loving person to be around and enjoyed working, singing and spending time with his nieces and nephews. Survivors include his parents of Georgetown; paternal grandmother, Beatrice Cribb of Andrews; companion, Lynn Driggers of Georgetown; a daughter, Cameron Mae Cribb of Andrews; a son, Justin Carl Cribb of Kentucky; a stepson, Christopher Driggers of Georgetown ... 2/9/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Obituaries--February-10--2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Highway-Patrol-initiates-new-program-to-stop-pedestrian-traffic-deaths Stop. Educate. Enforce. That is the motto of the new SEE program that has been launched by the South Carolina Highway Patrol in an effort to help reduce the number of pedestrians getting killed across the state. Although there was only one person walking who died after being hit by a vehicle in Georgetown County, statewide it was the deadliest year since 2006. More than 100 people pedestrians were killed last year, up from 84 in 2010. At a meeting with local law enforcement officials this week, S.C. Highway Patrol Capt. Joe Nell said the main problem has been with walkers being in the roadway. Of the 18 pedestrian deaths in the Highway Patrol District 5 area — which includes Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro, and ... 2/9/2012 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Highway-Patrol-initiates-new-program-to-stop-pedestrian-traffic-deaths