B-E Class of 2009

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Writer

Commencement exercise for 109 graduating seniors of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School was held Friday, May 29, 2009 in the Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School Gymnasium.

The theme for the graduation was, “The Future is not Something You Enter… It is Something You Create.” The 109 graduates entered the standing room only gymnasium dressed in black caps and gowns while the traditional music, “Pomp and Circumstances” Edgar-Wind Ensemble Class of 2009 was being played by the BEHS Concert Band under the direction of Michael Miller.

‘Business after Hours’

Joyce M. Searson, Publisher

Home Federal Savings and Loan was host to the Chamber’s ‘Business after Hours’ on Thursday evening. The event was well attended by representatives of businesses from all over the city and county along with citizens of Bamberg County.

Co-Presidents of Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce, William ‘Billy’ Meyer and Jerry Bell opened the ceremony with a welcome speech and chamber board member Nancy Foster presented the Bamberg County Salkehatchie Leadership Institute graduates with their certificates.

Denmark Health Department

Public Health Region 5 has taken a series of cuts in state funding over the past six months. Due to these cuts, the region’s state budget has been reduced 23.5 percent or 1.4 million dollars. The decision to close sites is a direct impact of these budget cuts. With the reduction of staff and loss of funding, the region is unable to maintain coverage and service in the following area:

Denmark Health Department,
1239 Solomon Blatt Boulevard
(On Voorhees College Campus in the RBC Building)
Denmark, SC 29142.

This site will close to the public effective June 1, 2009. We are working with local partners and media contacts to assure information is available regarding other health department sites located within a 20-mile radius for continued services.

Tragedy strikes: Rattlesnake

Monday afternoon a rattlesnake bit a six year-old Jack Russell dog in the backyard of Gene and Joyce Searson’s home in Bamberg. Unfortunately, the dog did not survive and it was very tragic to the dog’s owner and to the neighborhood. Petey, a Jack Russell, that belonged to Dan and Jennifer Reynolds was loved by most everyone that knew her and will be missed by all. The snake was almost five feet long and had 7 rattlers and a button. Let this be a warning to everyone about how deadly snakes can be and please take precautions when you are in your yard.