Pee Dee Wins 3-1 Over Loris
April 16, 2025 1:54 pm
The 6-1 Pee Dee Lady Golden Eagles edged the visiting 9-8-1 Loris Lady Lions 3-1 in a non-conference varsity softball game played in Mullins on Monday, April 14. Loris took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Pee Dee responded with a run in the bottom of the third inning and added a run in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings. Loris did not commit an error while Pee Dee committed 1 error. Loris connected for 3 hits including a double by Peyton Cannon who also garnered a rbi. and a single by J. Cartrette and Bellamie Gore. Pee Dee connected for 4 hits in the game. Pee Dee’s pitcher struck out 14 batters and one batter was hit by a pitch. No Loris player garnered a walk. Loris’ sophomore Bellamie Gore pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 hits, 3 runs of which 2 were earned, walked 2, and struck out 6. Pee Dee Academy will travel to Dillon to face the Dillon Christian School Lady Warriors on Friday, May 2, at 5:30 p.m. Loris will host Ironton at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, at 3:45. Support your team.
Read More >Guardian ad Litem Training Offers a Critical Opportunity to Make a Difference In Marion County
April 16, 2025 12:20 am
Marion County, SC – In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month this April the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy, is offering FREE ONLINE TRAINING to those interested in becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in Marion County. The training will provide participants with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to advocate for children’s best interests in the courtroom and throughout their journey through the Family Court system. There’s no better time to get involved and make a lasting impact on the lives of children in need of advocacy. Child Abuse Prevention Month serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to protect vulnerable children and provide them with safe, loving environments. By becoming a GAL volunteer, individuals can directly contribute to ensuring that children involved in Family Court legal proceedings through the Department of Social Services have a voice through some of the most difficult times of their lives. So, take a stand for children who need someone to speak up on their behalf. Join a dedicated group of volunteers who are making a difference every day by advocating for children in the Family Court system. There is no better time than now to get involved and take action. “We are thrilled to offer this training during Child Abuse Prevention Month,” said Jennifer Burch, Director of the SC GAL Program. “It’s a powerful reminder of the critical role we all play in ensuring that children grow up in safe and nurturing environments. By becoming a GAL, volunteers can truly make a difference in the lives of children, helping to ensure they find safe permanent homes as quickly as possible.” Details of the Volunteer GAL Training: · Date & Time: Begins April 29th, Morning and Evening Sessions offered · Location: Virtual Training · Registration Deadline: Application Deadline April 15, 2025 · Requirements: Volunteers should be at least 21 years old, have a clean criminal record, no previous DSS case history, and be able to contribute four to five hours a month of your time for a child. Visit gal.sc.gov for more information and to download an application. Follow @Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program on Facebook or contact communications@childadvocate.sc.gov to be added to the newsletter for updates and local events in your area. Contact Brandi Johnson, Regional Recruiter and Trainer for the GAL program, at (843) 731-7622 or brandi.johnson@childadvocate.sc.gov for more information. Together, we can create safer, brighter futures for children.
Read More >Several Activities Coming Up In Mullins
April 9, 2025 10:24 pm
Several activities are coming up in Mullins this month. <
Read More >Denim Day To Be Observed
April 9, 2025 10:02 pm
Denim Day will be observed on April 23 in Marion County.
Read More >Pee Dee Outscores DCS 12-2 In Softball
April 9, 2025 3:12 pm
The 4-1 Pee Dee Academy outscored the 12-5 Dillon Christian School 12-2 in varsity softball played in Mullins on Tuesday, April 8, in the run-ruled 6-inning game. Pee Dee Academy scored a run in the bottom of the first inning, added 3 runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 4-0 lead over the visiting Lady Warriors. Neither team scored in the third inning. DCS placed 2 runs onto the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Pee Dee Academy added a run to go up 5-2. The Lady Golden Eagles added 2 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and 5 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Pee Dee connected for 14 hits and 12 runs. The Lady Golden Eagles did not commit an error. Dillon Christian School committed 3 errors in the game. Dillon Christian School’s Molly Andrews connected for a home run, 2 rbi, and scored a run in her 3 at-bats. P. McKenzie had a hit in 2 at-bats. Lilli Shooter had a hit and scored a run in her 2 at-bats. Lilli Shooter was tagged with the loss. She pitched 5 innings and allowed 14 hits, 12 runs of which 9 were earned, walked 2, and struck out 9. Dillon Christian School will travel to Lake View on Friday, April 25, for a 6:00 p.m. game. Pee Dee Academy will travel to Dillon Christian School on Friday, May 2, for a 5:30 p.m. game. Support your team.
Read More >Pee Dee Academy Defeats DCS 10-0
April 9, 2025 3:12 pm
The Pee Dee Academy Golden Eagles defeated the Dillon Christian School Warriors 10-0 in a no-hit conference varsity baseball in the run-ruled 6-inning game played in Mullins on Tuesday, April 8. Pee Dee Academy scored a run in the bottom of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Golden Eagles placed 2 runs onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning and added 2 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and 5 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning while holding Dillon Christian School hitless and scoreless. Pee Dee Academy connected for 7 hits, and the Golden Eagles did not commit an error. Dillon Christian School committed 5 errors in the game. The Golden Eagles faced only 20 batters in the game while striking out 13 batters. Dillon Christian School Avery Sherman allowed 2 hits, 4 runs of which2 were earned, walked one, and struck out no one. Jackson Outlar pitched 5.1 innings and allowed 5 hits, 6 runs of which 2 were earned, walked 4, and struck out 6. Dillon Christian School’s next game will be in Lake View against the Wild Gators on Friday, April 25, at 5:30 p.m. Support your team.
Read More >“A Survivor’s Guide to Safety” Lunch and Learn To Be Held April 10th
April 8, 2025 3:24 pm
“A Survivor’s Guide to Safety” Lunch and Learn kicks off at 11:00 a.m. on April 10, 2025. RSVP by April 9th.
Read More >Marion County To Start Mosquito Spraying On May 5th
April 8, 2025 3:21 pm
Marion County wi11 perform mosquito spraying on May 5, 2025, and several days after this date. We will do spraying between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The chemicals used for mosquito control spraying are approved by the EPA and pose minimal risk to humans or animals. Individuals with asthma or other respiratory illnesses may wish to stay indoors and close windows and doors during spraying. In addition, homegrown fruits and vegetables should be washed, scrubbed, and/ or peeled before eating. Residents are reminded of the most effective ways to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile Virus: • Repellents help keep mosquitoes from biting. Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions. • Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. • Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flowerpots, buckets, pool covers, birdbaths, old car tires, rain gutters, and pet bowls. • Wearing light-colored clothing to cover the skin reduces the risk of bites. We ask beekeepers to contact Charles Taylor at (843) 423-8265 or ctaylor@marionsc.org to give us the exact location of your bee hives, even if you notified our department last year. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me on the number listed above.
Read More >Rabid Bat Confirmed in Marion County; One Pet Exposed
April 7, 2025 7:06 pm
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a bat found near Chance Court and Ratley Drive in Marion, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act. The bat was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing April 3, 2025, and was confirmed to have rabies April 4, 2025. If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this bat or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DPH’s Conway office at (843) 915-8801 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2). Never handle a bat or any wild or stray animal, alive or dead, with your bare hands. Any bat that could have had potential contact with people, pets, or livestock should be safely trapped in a sealed container and not touched. Never release a bat that has potentially exposed a person or pet. Once a bat is released, it cannot be tested for rabies. “Rabid bats have been known to transmit the rabies virus,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program manager. “People don’t always realize they or a pet have been bitten since bat teeth are tiny and bites are easy to overlook.” Because of this, you should always assume a person or pet has potentially been bitten when: They wake up to find a bat in a room or tent; A bat is found where children, pets, or persons with impaired mental capacity (intoxicated or mentally disabled) have been left unattended; or They have been in direct contact with a bat. “Although bats can carry rabies, not every bat is infected with the virus. Bats are an important part of South Carolina’s ecosystems and deserve a healthy degree of respect just like all wild animals,” McCollister said. You cannot tell if a bat, or any other animal, has rabies by simply looking at it. Rabies must be confirmed in a laboratory. Unusual behavior in bats that might indicate the animal has rabies includes daytime activity, inability to fly, and being found in places they are not usually seen, like in your home or on your lawn. An exposure is defined as direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) with saliva or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal. Be sure to immediately wash any part of your body that may have come in contact with saliva or neural tissue with plenty of soap and water and seek medical attention. It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease. This bat is the first animal in Marion County to test positive for rabies in 2025. There have been 17 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 144 positive cases a year. In 2024, none of the 81 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Marion County. Contact information for your local Public Health offices is available at dph.sc.gov/RabiesContacts. For more information on rabies, visit dph.sc.gov/rabies or cdc.gov/rabies.
Read More >SLED Charges 11 Men In Dillon and Marion Counties Following Dogfighting Investigation
April 7, 2025 5:04 pm
SLED charged 11 men in Dillon and Marion Counties following a dogfighting investigation. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charged the following subjects on Wednesday, April 2, 2025: – Robert Kendale Adams, 41, was charged with Animal Fighting, Criminal Conspiracy, Ill Treatment of Animals, Trafficking Marijuana, and Possession of Less Than One Gram of Meth – 1st offense. -Gavin Mandell Miles, 44, was charged with Unlawfully Placing a Child at Risk, Animal Fighting, Ill Treatment of Animals, Possession of Cocaine Base – 2nd offense, Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance – 1st offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance – 1st Offense, and Criminal Conspiracy. -James Maurice Bethea, 50, was charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Ill Treatment of Animals, and Animal Fighting. – Jonathon Ja’Teil Lester, 22, was charged with 3 counts of Animal Fighting, and 3 counts of Ill Treatment of Animals. The following subjects were charged by SLED on Thursday, April 3, 2025: – Larry Darnel Mack, Jr., 49, was charged with Animal Fighting and Ill Treatment of Animals. – Christopher Terrell Jordan, 32, was charged with Animal Fighting, Ill Treatment of Animals, Criminal Conspiracy, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Crimes – 1st offense, Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime, Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Ketamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Oxycodone, Possession of Alprazolam, Possession of a Stolen Pistol, Trafficking Cocaine, Trafficking Fentanyl, and Trafficking 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). – Anthony Dante Gause, 44, was charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Animal Fighting, and Ill Treatment of Animals. – Wade Rodeon Shipman, 61, was charged with Criminal Conspiracy. – Sammy Junior McCormick, 45, was charged with Animal Fighting and Ill Treatment of Animals. – Blake Alexander Rogers, 29, was charged with Animal Fighting and Ill Treatment of Animals. -Tyquan Tymore Rogers, 24, was charged in Dillon County on Friday, April 4, 2025, with Criminal Conspiracy. Details can be found in the attached warrants. Adams, Miles, Bethea, and Lester were booked into the Dillon County Detention Center on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Mack, Jr., Jordan, Gause, McCormick, and Blake Alexander Rogers were booked into the Marion County Detention Center on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Tyquan Tymore Rogers was booked into the Dillon County Detention Center on Friday, April 4, 2025. SLED was assisted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, the Summerville Police Department, the Marion Police Department, the Mullins Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, the South Carolina National Guard Governor’s Counterdrug Task Force, the South Carolina National Guard Readiness Center, the Mullins Fire Department, as well as several local fire departments in Dillon County. The operation resulted in the rescue of 160 dogs, as well as the seizure of $69,700 in cash, approximately 55 firearms, 17 pounds of marijuana, 11 grams of crack cocaine, 1 kilogram of cocaine, 2 grams of ketamine, 990 round blue fentanyl pills, and 2,266 ecstasy (MDMA) pills. The case will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. If you have information regarding suspected dog fighting in South Carolina, report it to the SLED Dogfighting Unit at tips@sled.sc.gov. See the warrants in the pdf by clicking below: SLED CHARGES 11 MEN IN DILLON AND MARION COUNTIES FOLLOWING DOGFIGHTING INVESTIGATION DOGFIGHTING UNIT ACTIVITY MAP 2024 AND 2025 Dogfighting Unit Activity Map 2024 and 2025 PHOTO GALLERY
Read More >Marion County Sheriff’s Office Charges N.C. Man With Criminal Sexual Conducts With A Minor
April 3, 2025 6:28 pm
Evan Antwane Wheeler, 18 years old of Monroe, North Carolina, was arrested this week by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, victim 11 to 14 years of age, second degree. It is alleged that during the month of December, in Marion County, Wheeler committed sexual battery on a 12-year-old victim. Wheeler has been released from the Marion County Detention Center on bond. **All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Read More >Mullins Woman Charged With Assault and Battery First Degree
April 3, 2025 6:25 pm
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division has arrested Marie Davis Adams, 59 years old of Mullins. Adams is charged with Assault and Battery 1st Degree. It is alleged that on March 26, 2025, Adams intentionally committed battery upon the victim by choking as well as cutting the victim with a box cutter. The victim received medical care for their injuries at a local hospital and has since been released. Adams was subsequently released from the Marion County Detention Center on bond. **All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
Read More >Marion Defeats ACA 11-1
March 26, 2025 12:14 pm
The Marion Lady Swamp Foxes defeated the Atlantic Collegiate Academy Lady Armada 11-1 in varsity basketball game played in Conway, S.C., on Tuesday, March 25. Marion scored a run in the first inning, added 6 runs in the top of the third inning, 3 runs in the top of the fourth inning, and a run in the top of the fifth inning. Marion connected for 14 hits while holding Atlantic Collegiate Academy to only 1 hit by freshman A. Senecal. Freshmen B. Hrinkovich scored the only run for the Armada. Marion committed 2 errors in the game, and Atlantic Collegiate Academy committed 5 errors. Marion’s Jaeda Horne and Nevaeh Shaw each had a home run while M. Williams had a double, a triple, and a rbi. Ayoni Malloy, Payten Sawyer, and Nevaeh Shaw each had 2 hits. kynnedi Jenkins, Sheteira Bethea, and Jashaya Page each had a hit. Marion is 3-3 for the season. Marion is 3-0 in AA Region 8. Atlantic Collegiate Academy is 0-8. Marion will host Atlantic Collegiate Academy on Friday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. Support your team.
Read More >Marion Defeats Mullins In Varsity Baseball
March 20, 2025 7:34 pm
The Marion Swamp Foxes defeated the visiting Mullins Auctioneers 15-0 in the run-ruled varsity baseball game played in Mullins on Tuesday, March 18. The 4-3 Marion Swamp Foxes will travel to Mullins on Friday, March 21, for a 7:00 p.m. game. The Pee Dee Academy Golden Eagles Baseball State Champions for 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2023 will host the Lee Academy Cavaliers on Thursday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m. in varsity baseball. The Pee Dee Academy Golden Eagles Junior Varsity baseball team will travel to Christian Academy Saints of Myrtle Beach on Friday, March 21, for a 4:00 p.m. game. The Pee Dee Academy Golden Eagles Varsity Softball State Champions for 2018, 2022, 2023, and 2024 will host the Wilson Hall Barons on Friday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m. The Pee Dee Academy Junior Varsity softball team will host the Florence Christian Eagles on Thursday, March 20, at 4;00 p.m. and will host the Wilson Hall Barons on Friday, March 21, at 4:00 p.m. Support your team.
Read More >Marion County Sheriff’s Office Charges Man With Stalking
March 18, 2025 4:35 pm
James Brian Blanchett, 27 years old of Marion, has been arrested and charged by the Marion County Criminal Investigation Division. Blanchett is charged with Stalking. It is alleged that between November 1, 2024, and March 5, 2025, Blanchett unlawfully contacted the victim numerous times by numerous fake email accounts, after being told not to have any contact with the victim. The ongoing, threatening contact made the victim fear for their safety as well as the safety of their family. Blanchett is currently held at the Marion County Detention Center. All individuals are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Read More >VIDEO: Marion County Council Meeting, 3-11-2025
March 18, 2025 4:12 pm
Marion County Council Meeting held on 3-11-2025 https://youtu.be/biQGnV65jEM?si=uIgAHtXuzI9Ye3Za
Read More >Pee Dee Academy Hands Dillon Christian A Loss
March 5, 2025 3:28 pm
The visiting Pee Dee Academy Golden Eagles returned home to Mullins on Tuesday, March 4, with a 14-2 run-ruled shortened game. The Warriors found themselves trailing 13-0 after one and one-half innings of play and could not catch up with the visitors. Dillon Christian’s #3 led off the bottom of the third inning with a stand-up double once the baseball bounced over the fence in center. In the top of the third inning, Pee Dee Academy’s #6 hit one to left field for a double. In the bottom of the third inning, the Warriors’ #11 hit one to left for a lead-off double. Dillon Christian School’s #5 hit one to right center for a stand-up double as the ball bounced over the fence, and he also picked up the first rbi of the game for the Warriors. Dillon Christian School’s #5 crossed home plate on a passed ball for the second and final score of the game for the Warriors. In the top of the fifth inning, Pee Dee Academy’s #4 hit a fly ball to center for a lead-off double. #5 scored the final run of the game on a grounder to second by Pee Dee Academy’s #45. Four Dillon Christian School players managed at least a hit in the game including Gray Easterling who was 3 for 3. Dillon Christian School will travel to Fairmont, N.C., on Thursday, March 6, for a 6:00 p.m. game. Pee Dee Academy will travel to Loris on Friday, March 14, for a 6:30 p.m. game. Support your team. PHOTO GALLERY Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
Read More >VIDEO: Marion County Council Meeting-February 27, 2025
March 5, 2025 12:21 pm
Marion County Council Meeting held on 2-27-2025 at 7 p.m. https://youtu.be/SO3zs6ce500
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Connecting All of Dillon County and Beyond
