Mobile Vet Center visits Bamberg and Denmark

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

“Reaching out to combat veterans and their families” is the mission of the Mobile Vet Center that paid a visit to Bamberg and Denmark on Thursday of last week.

“Our goal is to educate veterans and their dependents,” said Anthony Hodges, Readjustment Counseling Technician with Mobile Vet Center 28. “We provide confidential counseling where the family members can take part in the discussion,” Hodges noted. “Veterans do not have to be enrolled to take advantage of the services provided; they just need to be a combat veteran.”

Bamberg County Director of Veterans Affairs Officer Craig Walker stated that the Mobile Vet Unit that came to the county is a way for veterans in rural areas to access some of the some of the services they have rightfully earned.

The Mobile Vet Center that came to Bamberg County is one of 50 vehicles across the country. The mobile office on wheels is equipped with satellite communications and the internet to pass on real time information for Vets and their families.

Hodges stated that the mobile unit, which he described as “a small part of the Department of Veterans Affairs” has appeared at over 150 events including; health fairs, job fairs and golf classics. He also noted that the unit which travels throughout South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia seeks to target woman and minority vets.

For more information on the Mobile Vet Center go to www.vetcenter.gov

Red Raider baseball team to compete for District 5 Championship

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

It’s amazing what a successful trip to the beach can do for a baseball team. After capturing the Ashby Ward Division Championship of the Mingo Bay Baseball Classic in Myrtle Beach last week the Red Raider Baseball team’s hitters have been on a tear.

On Friday, in the first game of the District 5 Playoffs at David Horton Field ,the Red Raiders defeated Burke 22-0. Chris Sweatman picked up the win for the Raiders, facing six batters and recording six strikeouts. Leaders for B-E at the plate were: Mitch Whetstone and Randon Sandifer, who each were 2-2, and a homerun apiece. Brandon Whetstone was 2-3, with a double and Joe Crosby was 2-3, with two triples.

After spotting the Johnsonville Flashes a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the second game of the District 5 Playoffs Saturday, at David Horton Field, the Red Raiders (22-4) would come back to take a 13-2 lead at the end of the second in cruising to a 18-3 win. Randon Sandifer (8-0) on the season picked up the win on the mound for the Raiders. Wes McCutcheon took the loss for the Flashes.

Leading B-E at the plate was: Brandon Whetstone 2-2, double, HR and 4 RBIs; Michael Johnson 3-3; Mitch Whetstone, Randon Sandifer and Joe Crosby had 2 hits each, one being a double.

Johnsonville was lead at the plate by Adam Venters who was 2-2 with a double. The Red Raiders will now play Lamar on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at David Horton Field for the District 5 Championship. Lamar was a 4-2 winner over Johnsonville Monday.

Bamberg School District One Board members sworn-in

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

Two incumbent members of the Bamberg School District One Board of Trustees and one new member, who were each victorious in the April 12, District One school board election, were administered the oath of office at the district’s April 25, meeting in the media center at the high school Monday night.

Rita Sease Seat 1, who defeated Paulette Bamberg-Jamison 156-83 was administered the oath of office by Peggy Tyler as Vergie Bamberg held the Bible. Christopher Wallace Seat 2 (Ehrhardt), who defeated Latasha Smart 167 to 63 to fill the vacant seat of Gill Hackney, who elected not to run was administered the oath of office by Devon Furr as wife Lynn Wallace held the Bible and daughter Campbell looked on. And, Tony Duncan, Seat 5, who defeated Lisa Peay 144-96 was administered the oath of office by Peggy Tyler as Willette Williams held the Bible.

Also during the meeting:

• Dale Collier of Brownstone Construction Group gave an overview of the ongoing building and renovation projects in the district. Collier said progress was being made at the Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School site, the Bamberg- Ehrhardt High School site and the site of the new elementary school. Collier noted that Department of Transportation Improvements on Highway 301 at the new elementary school are estimated to cost $63,000 and improvement to the Binnicker Bridge entrance to the new school are estimated to cost $235,200. The District is hoping to use $70,000 in CFund money to offset some of the highway construction cost.

Collier noted that in total the district was looking at $3.5 million in work at BEMS so far, a $10 million window for BEMS and BEHS and a $15 million budget for the building project at the new elementary school. “We’re spending a few dollars,” Collier said.

• The Board gave approval for Eva Manigault and her family to use the playground at the RCES for the Aaron Manigault Scholarship Cook-off.

• May 12th at 10:00 a.m. was set as the date for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new elementary school.

• Superintendent Schwarting reported that “without any manipulations” the district’s 2011-12 budget was $582,000 “out” at this point. She noted that the budget will probably be based on a per pupil cost of $1,788. The Superintendent stated the district is hoping not to use any of the $83,000 budgeted fund balance for the year or the $2.6 million fund balance in reserve and not looking at losing any personnel.”

“We see no windfall,” Superintendent Schwarting said. “We will have the most efficient budget possible. We will look at every scenario we can bring to you.” A budget workshop was scheduled for Wednesday, May 11.