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From left, Camp Happy Days Director of Development Mikaela Nichols, incoming Manning Rotary Club Sergeant-at-Arms Melissa Foust-McCoy, and Executive Director Cindy Hay Johnson pose for a photo after the club presented a donation to support Camp Happy Days’ year-round programming for children with cancer and their families.

Rotary roundup: Camp Happy Days leaders share impact on children with cancer

The Manning Rotary Club welcomed Cindy Hay Johnson, Executive Director, and Mikaela Nichols, Director of Development for Camp Happy Days, as guest speakers at its June 4 meeting. Their presentation …
From left, Manning Mayor Julia Nelson, Sen. Jeff Zell, Rep. Fawn Pedalino, Homanit President Fritz Homann, Clarendon County Development Board Executive Director George Kosinski, and Clarendon County Council Chairman Jay Johnson, join other officials for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Homanit’s new $250 million facility in Alcolu on June 4. The project is expected to bring 300 jobs to Clarendon County.

Homanit breaks ground on $250 million manufacturing facility

Homanit, a Germany-based manufacturer of wood-based materials, officially broke ground Wednesday, June 4, on its first U.S. manufacturing facility, a $250 million investment set to bring 300 jobs to …

Swamp Fox RWC to host Charleston GOP chair at June 17 meeting

The Swamp Fox Republican Women of Clarendon will hold their next meeting Tuesday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church, located at 2116 Greeleyville Highway in …

 

Clarendon County to host multiple Juneteenth celebrations

Clarendon County will commemorate Juneteenth with two family-friendly events celebrating freedom, faith, and community. On Tuesday, June 18, Inspire Me presents the “Gospel in the Park …

Allard Brogdon III

Allard Memminger Brogdon III (Sonny), 83, passed away peacefully Monday, May 26, at his home in Alcolu. Born on March 10, 1942, Sonny was the son of the late Allard M. Brogdon, Jr. and Dorothy …

Letter from the Editor

Dear Valued Readers, Summer is officially upon us, and June is here! The last few months have been busy ones at The Manning Times, and I’m excited to share some of our recent highlights …

Clarendon County Administrator Lynden Anthony announces retirement

Clarendon County Administrator Lynden Anthony announced his retirement Monday night following an executive session at the June 9 Clarendon County Council meeting. Council reconvened in open …
Two riders wearing life jackets operate a personal watercraft. SCDNR reminds all jet ski operators to follow safety regulations, including using a kill switch lanyard and operating only during daylight hours.

UPDATE: Jet ski operator injured in Taw Caw Creek boating incident

Authorities are continuing to investigate a boating incident that left one person injured Wednesday evening in the Taw Caw Creek area of Lake Marion. According to Captain Charlotte McKee with …
Announcements
Fresh produce vouchers available for seniors
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program will distribute fresh produce vouchers at four Clarendon County locations from June 9–12. The program, aimed at helping seniors access fresh, locally …
Clarendon County School District sales tax to expire June 30
The 1% School District Sales and Use Tax in Clarendon County is set to expire on June 30, 2025, according to the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR). Beginning July 1, retailers making sales …
Clarendon County launches online permitting system through Cloudpermit
Clarendon County’s Planning and Zoning and Building Department is proud to announce the official launch of a new online permitting system in partnership with Cloudpermit, a leading provider of …
Global manufacturer selects Clarendon County for first U.S. production facility
   In a major win for the heart of South Carolina,  Homanit , a leading European manufacturer of wood-based materials, has announced plans to establish its first U.S. …
CCSD school board special called meeting agenda
CLARENDON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Special Called Board Meeting Thursday, May 22, 2025 – 10:00AM Clarendon School District Offices AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. …
Clarendon Voter Board meeting rescheduled due to holiday
Due to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 26, the Clarendon County Voter Registration Board has rescheduled its regular May meeting. The board will now meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at the …

Clarendon's People and Places
Residents gathered at two heartfelt Memorial Day events to honor the lives of military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Memorial Day events honor sacrifice in Clarendon County
Residents gathered at two heartfelt Memorial Day events to honor the lives of military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. In Turbeville, the Turbeville Ruritan …
International Gospel recording artist Dr. James L. Patterson of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Patterson is also the band director at Kingstree High School and a nominee for America’s Favorite Teacher.
Teaching, touring, and trusting God: James Patterson’s life in music
For Dr. James L. Patterson, music has never been just a career — it’s a calling. The Orangeburg native, internationally known Gospel recording artist, and Kingstree High School band …
Graham retires after two decades leading Clarendon GOP, reflects on legacy
After more than 20 years at the helm of the Clarendon County Republican Party, Chairman Moye Graham presided over his final meeting on April 10, stepping down ahead of the county’s GOP …
One of Clarey’s paintings, featuring three furry friends in Clarey’s unique art style.
Air Force veteran featured as April Artist of the Month
After a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force and a lifetime of service in the medical field, Beryl Clarey never expected to find herself in front of a canvas. But when grief from the loss of her …
Dr. Marva D. Williams: A champion for community health
This article is the third in a series celebrating influential women in our community for Women’s History Month. Each feature highlights the remarkable contributions of local women whose …
Education
Lainey Baggette, center, of Laurence Manning Academy, is presented the Dotty McFadden Memorial Scholarship by Pilot Club members Neel Lesesne, left, and Marsha Thompson, right. The scholarship honors students entering the medical field and recognizes academic achievement and community service.

Pilot Club awards $4,000 in scholarships to local seniors

The Clarendon County Pilot Club has awarded $4,000 in scholarships to four high school seniors pursuing careers in the medical field, continuing a tradition of honoring the legacy of Dotty McFadden, …
Winners of the Group Project category in the Clarendon Soil and Water Conservation District Poster Contest pose with their certificates. Representing 7th-9th- Manning High are Gracey Cooley, Cierra Utterback, and Jania Scammell.

Students recognized in Clarendon Soil and Water’s annual poster contest

More than 200 students from across the county participated in this year’s Clarendon Soil and Water Conservation District Poster Contest, showcasing their creativity and environmental awareness …

CCSD launches 2025 Summer Feeding Program to promote community health and well-being

Clarendon County, SC — The Clarendon County School District (CCSD) is proud to announce the return of its Summer Feeding Program, an essential initiative designed to ensure that our students …
Mayor Julia Nelson stands with Cecil Williams, a renowned civil rights photographer whose work has documented pivotal moments in South Carolina’s history. Williams attended the grand opening of the Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Foundation’s new Education Center.

Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Foundation opens new education center in Summerton

The Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Foundation celebrated the grand opening of its new Education Center on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in its decades-long mission to support underserved students …
Police & Crime

AAA launches new campaign targeting preventable traffic fatalities

As summer travel season heats up, AAA – The Auto Club Group is urging motorists to take a closer look at dangerous driving behaviors that contribute to thousands of preventable traffic deaths …

Traffic fatalities down slightly during Memorial Day weekend

Five people were killed on South Carolina roadways over the 2025 Memorial Day weekend, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. The …

Boating incident on Lake Marion under investigation

Authorities are investigating a boating accident that left one person injured Wednesday evening on the Clarendon County side of Lake Marion. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural …
Sports
East Clarendon seniors Jasmyne Lloyd and Syrus Brown smile during their college signing ceremony. Lloyd will continue her basketball career at Newberry College, while Brown will wrestle for Allen University.
Two standout student-athletes from East Clarendon Middle/High School will continue their athletic journeys at the collegiate level. Jasmyne Lloyd has signed to play basketball at Newberry …
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David Ardis of Sumter holds the three-pound tagged bass he caught in Taw Caw Creek during a night fishing trip, earning a $4,400 payout as the final registered winner in the 2024 Bonus Bass tournament.
Bonus Bass wraps with $4,400 payout to Sumter angler
The inaugural Bonus Bass tournament wrapped up its final weekend with a splash, awarding a $4,400 prize to Sumter native David Ardis after he landed a three-pound tagged bass in Taw Caw Creek on May …
Dozens of former players from American Legion Post 68 and local high schools gathered on stage with Coach Bill Brewer during a tribute evening in his honor.
Bill Brewer Night: Community honors coach, mentor, friend
In a heartfelt evening filled with laughter, memories, and deep appreciation, the Clarendon County community gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of William Jackson “Bill” …
Lady Wolverines take down Marion in first round of lower state playoffs
East Clarendon kept its postseason momentum alive with a 9-5 victory over Marion on Friday night, advancing in the Class A Lower State softball tournament. The Lady Wolverines struck early with …

Obituaries
Naomi Blair
Naomi Thames Blair, 76, wife of William Blair died Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Prisma Health Tuomey, Sumter, SC. She was born October 28, 1948, in Manning, SC. A daughter of the late Luther and …
Henrietta Blackwell
Henrietta Burgess Blackwell, the daughter of the late William Jasper “Coot” Burgess and the late Carrie B. Burgess was born December 9, 1933 in Gable, South Carolina. She was the widower …
Letida Langston
Letida Eunice Langston, 86, widow of Cecil Chessley Langston, Jr., died Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at her home. Born March 11, 1939, in Florence, she was the daughter of the late Clyde Strickland …
Opinion
Letter to the editor
Dear Editor, The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a budget bill that quite frankly will devastate residents of Clarendon County. The House is proposing cuts that will gut Medicaid …
Mt. Hope Scrolls: Poetry can be harder than it looks
The brain trust met again and got on the subject of poetry. Poetry wasn’t the beginning of this meeting. It seems that one of the members of the brain trust has decided to take up song writing. …
Mt. Hope Scrolls: Building buildings
Have you ever built something? House, model, clubhouse, hunting lodge, restore an old car, re-model existing house, or any other type of building or such that might need work: anything could count as …