As the high winds howled across the county, the emergency response crews nestled deep in the Barnwell County Emergency Operation Center in the courthouse basement lept into action.

A tornado had touched down in the Heathwood neigborhood and electrical fires were breaking out along with reports of people missing.

Barnwell Rural, Hilda and Friendship fire departments are called to respond to fires.

Barnwell County Sheriff's deputies are asked to keep non-emergency people out of Heathwood while two medics from two shelters are placed on standby.

Sanctuary is another term for a safe haven.

That's what a group of Barnwell County residents want to establish in the county for its youth.

"A lot of times, children have nothing to do once they are out of school," said James Wallace, the board chairman for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Carolina.

Transitions - it's what the Rev. Dr. Stephen Burnette has seen occur at First Baptist Church of Barnwell during his tenure there.

The church will undergo more transition as it searches for a new pastor.

Burnette has accepted the senior pastor's position at First Baptist Church of Sumter. He will begin there the first week of August.

Burnette's last Sunday service in Barnwell will be June 28. He came to Barnwell December 1995 from Millbrook Baptist Church in Aiken.