Urgent Care in Bamberg opens

Joyce M. Searson, Publisher

As one door closes a new one opens said Bamberg County Council Vice Chair Alzena Robinson at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Urgent Care Center of SouthernCarolina Health Systems in Bamberg Tuesday, May 1, 2012.

"We, Bamberg County Council, support healthcare in Bamberg County. Something better is coming. Welcome to the new clinic in Bamberg," said Robinson.

Bamberg County Councilman Larry Haynes told the audience that the senior citizens want to know they have urgent care in the county. "The seniors were worried about no healthcare, but now they have something to look forward to."

This day has been one and a half years coming said John Dobbs, Jr., President of Dobbs Equity, Inc.

He said in some ways it is sad but happy in other ways.

"We want to bring greater and more healthcare along with more physicians to the citizens of the county. Let us all work together to make this work for the community."

Dobbs thanked everyone involved in making this happen saying everyone wanted to do the right thing.

According to Rick Greene, Executive Vice President of Dobbs Equity Inc., the Urgent Care Center is here in Bamberg and the Barnwell County Hospital is open for Bamberg County citizens as well. Greene said they will be expanding their services as the volume of the need increases.

There will be a shuttle bus to transport citizens to the Barnwell County Hospital, but there are no emergency room services available in Bamberg, only urgent care.

If you have an emergency call 911.

The Urgent Care Center of Bamberg hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 2pm until 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am until 4pm. The number is 803-245-6700.

The Radiology Services hours of operation will be Monday through Friday 9am until 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 4pm. The number is 803-245-6223.

The Physical and Occupational Therapy Services hours are Monday through Thursday from 8am until 5pm. The number is 803-245-6679.

Olar man arrested

On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, Tony O'Neal Daniels, 36 of Olar was arrested for Assault and Battery 3rd degree, Pointing and Presenting a firearm and Felon in Possession of a firearm. At this time Daniels was also read a warrant from Probation for violating conditions of a 2009 General Sessions Court charge of Assault and Battery of a high and Aggravated Nature in which he received three years probation with court ordered restitution. Mr. Daniels also has a 1998 Murder conviction in which he was sentenced to 10 years in Dept. of Corrections and 5 years probation.

First Steps

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

The Bamberg County First Steps Program located at 3788 Faust Street in Bamberg hosted the Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce Business after Hours meeting on April 24.

“First Steps does so much to support our children,” Pauletta Plowden, Executive Director of the First Steps Program, said, noting that 48 percent of our children in the state dropout of school. “When a child feels loved, they will learn.”

“The program with First Steps early intervention is so important to our children,” Ricky Kearse, a teacher for over 38-years said. “Every teacher may not be a parent, but every parent may be a teacher,” Kearse added.

B-E Baseball team advances in playoffs

Jerry E. Halmon, Sports Editor

The number one seeded Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School Red Raider Baseball team (21-1), opened the 2012 South Carolina High School League Class-A Division V State Playoffs, with a 13-0 win over fourth-seeded Cross, in five innings, on Thursday evening at David Horton Field.

The Red Raiders jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the second inning and never looked back to record their first win of the playoffs.

B-E’s Kodi Jamison, who started the game and recorded nine strikeouts combined with closer Lan Hiers to record a no-hitter against Cross. In Saturday’s second playoff game with Latta, Will Priester’s lead off second inning triple provided the winning run when he came home on a two out single by Will Medlin, as the Red Raiders defeated Latta 6-1.

Chris Sweatman (6-0) picked up the win for B-E, while Travis Powers took the loss for Latta.

Ehrhardt Town Council asked to consider setting up rescue service

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

In the wake of major healthcare changes coming to Bamberg County, one Ehrhardt resident is proposing that the Town of Ehrhardt start its own rescue service. “It’s time to do something to protect ourselves here in Ehrhardt,” Frank Broadman, told Ehrhardt Town Council members at their April meeting. “My level of disbelief when it comes to the Bamberg Rescue Squad is off the charts, they just don’t care,” Broadman said, noting that “call volume” has nothing to do with safety.

Broadman stated that it was his understanding that at the first of the month when the Bamberg County Hospital closes its doors all 911 calls would be going out of the county to Hampton, Walterboro, Barnwell and TRMC in Orangeburg. He said it was his understanding that no policy was in place to keep an ambulance in the County and at sometimes all ambulances “could be out of the County.”

“It’s time for us to make a decision,” Broadman said. Mayor Bill Stanley assigned a committee of Council members consisting of Bennie Hughes, Freddie Copeland and Amy Lee to sit down with Broadman and study the matter. Mayor Stanley noted that a major issue for the town in starting its own rescue service would be funding. It was noted that insurance would cost approximately $2,000 per year, but it was noted that grants could be applied for.

“I’ve given you 110 percent up until now and will continue to give 110 percent,” Broadman said.

Also during the meeting:

• Town Administrator Kathy Stroman reported the town was at about 75 percent of budget. “That’s not that bad, that’s pretty good.”

• Ehrhardt Chief of Public Safety Chad Dilling reported the police department made five case files during the period. He reported the department would be collecting old medicines on April 28 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at city hall.

• Town Council members approved $100 to Mrs. Mikki Murden to the garden club for town beautification.

• In the public works department report it was reported the town collected $13,637.20 in March and $10,846.22 in April with 15 or 20 people being cost off last month.

During the public comments portion of the meeting:

Residents Sue Ellen Clark and Charlotte Varn stated that their water meters have be recording excessive amounts of water. With Varn noting her meter had been recording she used on average 77.7 gallons of water per day. Clark noted her meter showed her using 1,810 gallons in three days. Mayor Stanley said the meters needed to be pulled and sent off to be checked for accuracy.