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P.O.Box 1255 • 10481 Dunbarton Boulevard • Barnwell, S.C. 29812 (803) 259-3501 • Fax (803) 259-2703 Email: news@thepeoplesentinel.com • Website: www.thepeoplesentinel.com Publisher: Laura J. McKenzie • Managing Editor: Jonathan Vickery Sales Representative: Shawn Roundtree • Bookkeeper: Linda Collins Delivery Drivers: Rodney Creech & Angie Crosby *Editor Jonathan Vickery took the cover photo at the annual fishing rodeo in May 2016 at the Barnwell Fish Hatchery sponsored by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
What’s Inside History of Barnwell County........................................5 Barnwell County Government....................................5 Municipalities of Barnwell County.........................6-10 Barnwell, Blackville, Elko, Hilda, Kline, Snelling & Williston
Businesses & Industries.....................................11-14 New jobs, agriculture, Barnwell Regional Airport
Emergency Services...........................................15-16 Health Care, Law Enforcement, Fire Departments
Community Events..................................................17 Community Arts......................................................18 Community Libraries...............................................19 Community History.............................................20-21 Museums of Barnwell County
Community Recreation......................................22-23 Hunting, fishing & boating; Parks; Sports
Community Involvement..........................................24 Civic groups in Barnwell County
Community of Faith.................................................25 Education..........................................................26-29 The People-Sentinel.................................................30 Please support the local advertisers who support this magazine. About this magazine
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is an annual publication of The People.Sentinel For additional copies, please call (803) 259-3501 or stop by our office at 10481 Dunbarton Blvd., Barnwell
A note from the editor There’s a saying, “You never know what you have until it’s gone.” That was true for me as I grew up not truly appreciating the wonderful community of Barnwell County. It wasn’t until years later after I had moved away for college and then returned here to work at the newspaper that I truly realized what a great place this is to live, work, worship and raise a family. I’m proud to call Barnwell County home. If you are new to the area or contemplating a move here, please peruse the pages of this magazine to get a glimpse into what our community has to offer. We may be small, but we have a lot to offer. Like any community, we have challenges, but the people of Barnwell County are the best you’ll find anywhere. Being a small community means there are tighter bonds between the people who live here. From raising funds for cancer research at Relay for Life to banding together during the 2014 ice storm that crippled our community but not our spirit of helping, many in our community give sacrificially by volunteering their time, talents and money. Just last year we came together to make coastal evacuees feel at home during Hurricane Matthew. As you’ll see in this magazine, Barnwell County has plenty to do. A church, school, organization, business or town is almost always hosting a community event, which are great opportunities to meet new people. If you love the outdoors, we have several options for you. From the abundant opportunities at the State Park to the walking trail at Lake Brown, there’s no excuse not to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. I recommend filling up bottles with the refreshing water from Healing Springs in Blackville. That’s where I get my drinking water. I would be remiss if I did not mention our businesses both large and small. Last year brought some promising economic news, which we hope will continue into 2017. We have many locally owned small businesses that offer unique goods, some of which are made right here in Barnwell County. Welcome home! Sincerely,
General inquiries or news tips: (803) 259-3501 Send comments and suggestions to Managing Editor Jonathan Vickery at jonathan.vickery@morris.com 4 • Information Please 2017 • The People-Sentinel
Jonathan Vickery, Managing Editor of The People-Sentinel