Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Sports

Hawks fly high at track meets

The Hawks Track and Field team had a great showing and earned several medals at the Marwin Kline Invitational.
The Blackville-Hilda Hawks boys and girls track and field teams both have tough acts to follow after last year’s great season. Head coach Rushani Burke’s girls team is the defending 4-A …
Coach Luke Catoe has been coaching soccer in Barnwell for 20 years.
Luke Catoe leads Barnwell JV soccer into 2025 season
For those of you unfamiliar with Barnwell soccer, there is one name who has been a part of Barnwell High School soccer for the last 20 years. That name is Luke Catoe. Coach Catoe has served as junior …
The Barnwell 4x100-meter relay team of Tavion Williams, Jordan Peeples, Kahzeer Wesley, and Jayden Peeples took the first-place gold medals at the Edisto track meet.
Barnwell track and field looks strong at Edisto meet
The 2025 Barnwell Warhorse track and field team had a good showing at the Edisto meet this past week. Barnwell has been a good team for years, but their showing is even more impressive this year when …
AJ Miller battles for possession here and later scored his first goal for the Horses.
Warhorse soccer earns 2-1 win over Red Raiders
There is a new sheriff in town for Barnwell boys soccer.  Former Warhorse soccer player Jay Harvey has taken over the head coaching duties for the Barnwell Warhorses, and there is a new …
Troy Brown, who played five positions with the Patriots, is their all-time punt return leader, member of the Patriots Hall of Fame, and now has been named to the S.C. Football Hall of Fame.
Troy Brown named to S.C. Football Hall of Fame
On March 11, the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame announced former Blackville-Hilda and New England Patriots star Troy Brown as one of five inductees for the class of 2025.  The Hall of …
Obituaries
Angela Marie Long
Angela Marie Long
BARNWELL - Angela (Angie) Marie Long, 57, of Barnwell, S.C. entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on March 19th, 2025. Angie was born in Barnwell, S.C. on September 20th, 1967 to Clifford Allen …
Janie Oglesby Boyles
Janie Oglesby Boyles
BARNWELL - Janie Oglesby Boyles, 76, of Barnwell, S.C. passed away on March 14th, 2025. She was born on January 4th, 1949 and was the daughter of Sarah Inez Oglesby. She graduated from Bells …
Caleb Hartzog Sr.
Caleb Hartzog Sr.
BAMBERG - Caleb Elias Hartzog Sr., 85, of Bamberg, S.C. passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Born in Bamberg County, S.C., he was a son of the late …
Elizabeth “Lib” Gibson
Elizabeth “Lib” Gibson
BLACKVILLE - Mary Elizabeth “Lib” Martin Gibson, 93, of Blackville, S.C. passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025. Born in Barnwell County, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Miledge …
Jake Elbert Creech
Jake Elbert Creech
SLEYTOWN - Jake Elbert Creech, 81, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Elbert was born on January 30, 1944 at his family home in Barnwell, S.C. to the late Clyde Samuel Creech and …
Education

Audits show 'strong financial position' for school district

The Barnwell County School District can now complete the merger of fi- nancial systems after recei- ving final audit reports for the three former districts. The BCSD board was …
Members of the Design & Development Committee review renderings for how a new high school could look.

Design & development process underway for countywide high school

Work continues on p l a n n i n g a n e w county-wide high school. The Barnwell County School District is actively working on plans for a new CTE-focused high school, which highlights career and …

USC Salkehatchie student receives travel scholarship

Walterboro, S.C.  – USC Salkehatchie is proud to announce that Sydney Kashner has been awarded a $500 scholarship from the John Winthrop Endowed History Fund. This generous scholarship …

Savannah River Mission Completion donates $30,000 to elementary schools’ STEM Education

AIKEN, S.C. (October 15, 2024 ) — Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) donated $30,000 to two local elementary schools for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. …
DTC Graduates

Denmark Technical College celebrates eighth cohort of electrical lineworker graduates

Denmark - Denmark Technical College proudly hosted the graduation ceremony for its eighth cohort of electrical lineworkers on December 12 at the James W. Bowden Sr. Lineworker Range. The …

WEHS students reach into community

The Student Government at Williston-Elko High School has stayed busy this year! They pride themselves on working hard to create a fun environment and positive culture for the students. They …
Dr. Crissie Stapleton

Superintendent's Column

Agriculture has long been the backbone of South Carolina, and in Barnwell County, it is more than just an industry—it is an opportunity for education, leadership, and career development. …

Winfield Heights Christian School crowns Valentine court

Winfield Heights Christian School’s 2025 Valentine Princess Willow-May Johnson (1st grade) and Prince Aiden Moore (K-3).

Winter guard, drumline to perform for community March 13

The community is invited to a community performance of the Bands of Barnwell County’s drumline and winter guard. The performance will take place this Thursday, March 13 at 5:45 p.m. on the …

DIG Williston Future City team competes on national level

After months of dedication and hard work, the DIG team from Williston-Elko Middle School emerged victorious in the prestigious Future City competition held in Washington, D.C. The team of sixth …
2024 Grads

Opinion
Tax Season

Protect yourself from tax identity theft this season

Tax season is here, and while consumers and businesses are preparing their returns, so are scammers. Tax identity theft is a growing concern, and understanding how it works can help you take steps to …
Sunshine Week 2025

Sunshine Week: Focusing on transparency

Journalism aims to part the clouds on otherwise shaded parts of our federal, state, and local government. During Sunshine Week, an annual nonpartisan celebration of transparency and accountability, a …
Dr. Crissie Stapleton is superintendent of the Barnwell County School District.

Strategic Planning: A key to effective school district operations

Effective school districts don’t succeed by chance—they thrive through careful planning, collaboration, and a shared vision for the future. Strategic planning is the cornerstone of this …
Information coming from our county Alcohol and Drug agency Axis I is important to make sure Barnwell County citizens have the information, so here is some of it. Synthetic THC, the lab-made …
Tom Junod is living proof of the old saw that “good things come to those who wait.” He wrote a piece for Esquire magazine in 1998 and, 21 years later, that story became a movie. …
Entertainment

Barnwell County dog claims 'Best of Breed' title at Westminster Dog Show

After years of competing at the highest levels, champion show boxer Ginny has finally claimed the coveted Best of Breed title at Westminster, solidifying her place among the top boxers in the sport. …

New play bakes up laughs at Circle Theatre

Circle Theatre’s new Southern comedy is a recipe for laughter. “The Red Velvet Cake War” focuses on the three Verdeen cousins – Gaynelle, Peaches and Jimmie Yyvette …

Free classes promote better choices, better health

Healthy eating and active living were celebrated December 11 at the Black- ville Community Center. Barnwell County Heal- ing Partners held a reunion for participants of their weekly …
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Web extras
A brief history of the s'more, America’s favorite campfire snack
Every summer, millions of marshmallows will be toasted over fires across America. Many will be used as an ingredient in the quintessential summer snack: the s’more. Eating gooey marshmallows …
Summer Camps Guide: Helping Parents Choose the Right Fit for Their Child
Summer Camps Guide: Helping Parents Choose the Right Fit for Their Child
Spring break often reminds families of the approach of summer and the need to find the best summer camp experiences for their children. Whether a child is entering kindergarten or transitioning ...
Thrilling Spring Adventures in Myrtle Beach
(BPT) - Looking for the perfect spring getaway? Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is one of America's most beloved family beach destinations, delivering a perfect mix of adventure, entertainment and …
From catfishing to catphishing: The evolution of a romance scam
Spokeo explains how catfishing + phishing leads to catphishing, which happens when the grift goes from messing with your heart to messing with your identity, and maybe even your bank account.
Healthy Foods, Redefined – The Power of Salmon
(BPT) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated the nutrition requirements on the claim of using the word "healthy" on food packaging. This updated definition helps consumers cut …