he Editor:
We encourage your letters to the editor. Please include your name, complete mailing address, and phone number for verification. Mail to: 117 South Main St., Darlington, SC 29532 or email to: [email protected]
Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinions of the News & Press, and content may be edited prior to printing. Letters containing overtly malicious comments, or personal attacks on your fellow citizens, letters of political endorsement, or letters regarding current campaigns will not be printed. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Subscriptions:
In state subscriptions: One year $30 + free online access
Out of state subscriptions: One year $40 + free online access
Online only: $20
Sorry, but we cannot give refunds for canceled subscriptions. Press release and event submissions:
All press releases are welcome and will be considered, but the News & Press reserves the right to edit as necessary for space or other requirements or to refuse to publish at our discretion. Please contact us by phone at 843-393-3811 or by email at [email protected] with your area news. The quote: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke has been on our front page as a reminder of the strength of a community newspaper that is committed to being of service to our readers.
10/06/2025
Hartsville’s biggest holiday tradition is back! The Heart of the Holidays Festival 2025 is bringing the magic of the season to the heart of our community. From our annual Tree Lighting and live music to the Christmas Parade, Santa visits, and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Mark your calendars:
• Nov 20 – Downtown Open House & Centennial Tree Lighting
• Nov 21 – Family Jingle Jam - this will be a family Block Party featuring Analog Saints and Santa!
• Nov 22 – FREE Kids Carnival & Craft Show
• Dec 6 – Pictures with Santa (Hartsville Museum) & Hartsville Christmas Parade at 5:30 PM
• Dec 18 – Santa’s Last Call
Celebrate the season with us in Downtown Hartsville at the Heart of the Holidays Festival. Craft Show (Nov. 22) Vendor Applications will open this week and Parade (December 6) Applications will be available soon! Stay tuned for more details.
Visit Hartsville, SC Main Street Hartsville Hartsville Museum Tonya Brown News & Press Discover South Carolina
10/04/2025
10/03/2025
10/03/2025
Homecoming weekend began on a high note with Gospel in the Park, a powerful afternoon of music and fellowship. Nearly 150 guests gathered in the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center to enjoy uplifting performances from the Coker University Community Choir, the S&E Choir of Florence, Pastor Ron Gaines and the Greater Charity Choir of Lancaster, the Francis Marion YGB Gospel Choir, and Ms. Joan L. Hicks. The spirit-filled event was a wonderful way to bring alumni, students, and community together to celebrate the start of Homecoming.
10/02/2025
VEHICLE STOLEN IN HARTSVILLE
Darlington County Sheriff Michael August is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a stolen vehicle.
On October 1, 2025, Deputies responded to a car dealership on Bobo Newsom Highway in the Hartsville area of Darlington County in reference to a suspicious person.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered an unknown individual stole a 2022 Dodge Challenger S**t Pack. The vehicle is red/burgundy in color.
Please review the footage.
If you have any information in regards to this incident, please contact the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office at 843-398-4501.
10/02/2025
Welcome home, ! This weekend Coker University celebrates Homecoming, and we can’t wait to see alumni, family, and friends exploring all that Downtown Hartsville has to offer. No one makes them feel more welcome than our Main Street businesses!
Main Street SC Main Street America City of Hartsville, SC, Government VisitHartsvillesc News & Press
10/02/2025
Here is a quick reminder of City of Hartsville sponsored meetings and events for October 2025. We hope to see you soon!
VisitHartsvillesc News & Press
10/02/2025
10/02/2025
DICKEY HOLDS MEET & GREET
Anne Dickey, candidate for Darlington City Council Ward 1, hosted a Meet and Greet on Monday evening, September 29th, at Papa B's and MaMa T's on South Main Street, drawing approximately 25 attendees. The current City Employee with the Streets and Sanitation Department shared her vision for "a stronger, safer, more peaceful and welcoming community," while calling for calm professionalism and respect in city governance.
Though she did not address the ongoing trash collection crisis specifically, Dickey emphasized what she believes the City and City Council need most: "Respect. Respect for themselves and respect for others." Her message focused on fostering a more collaborative and dignified approach to local government.
The News & Press is extremely happy that Genesis Healthcare Inc. is sponsoring our sports coverage this season! We sincerely thank them for their generous support and for allowing us to provide even more athletic news to our readers each week.
Here are some pictures from last week's sports events!
10/02/2025
SWEET POTATO FESTIVAL
COMING OCTOBER 11TH!
The 2025 South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival will transform downtown Darlington's Public Square and Pearl Street on Saturday, October 11, bringing together food, crafts, and community for the beloved annual event.
The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with opening ceremonies scheduled for 10 a.m. This year's ceremony will honor the 2025 Caregiver Award winner, along with recognition of the Pilot of the Year and Pilot Ambassador. Gracie Smith will perform the National Anthem.
A total of 151 vendors will fill the downtown area, offering everything from traditional festival favorites to new culinary adventures. Food options include fish, turkey, and chicken prepared in various styles, along with flavored lemonade, candied apples, popcorn, and an array of sweet treats. The Pilot Club of Darlington will sell their signature funnel cakes and sweet potato pies—organizers advise arriving early, as baked goods typically sell out quickly.
Merchandise vendors will showcase boutique and casual clothing, toys, resin crafts, candles, wreaths, handcrafted jewelry, and home décor items.
The festival features live entertainment on the main stage throughout the day. Families can enjoy a dedicated Kids' Zone with games, pony rides, face painting, and appearances by The Balloon Guy. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will bring simulation vans, and a "Touch a Truck" area will give children hands-on experiences with various vehicles.
A car show will be held on Cashua Street and in the Wilson Senior Care parking lot. Attendees can capture memories at a family photo booth, as well as free 360-degree and digital stationary photo booths located south of Pearl Street.
Multiple information booths will be staffed by organizations including The Gideons, Lion's Club, Rubicon Counseling Center, Florence Regional Airport, SC State National Guard, SC Legal Services Legal Van, Regional Homes, SC Clean Air, and Darlington County Environmental Services and Recycling.
Hoffmeyer Baptist Church of Florence will provide a baby changing station south of Pearl Street.
The festival is made possible through support from major sponsors including Genesis-P*e Dee Healthcare, Wilson Senior Care, Duke Energy, Raceway Ford Chevrolet, Darlington Raceway, Dedicated Community Bank, Florence Regional Airport, Domtar, DSi Metals, The Pub on the Square/Sweet Spot/Doughlicious, Bristow Oil, Timmons Waste Service Inc., Delta Building Systems, Hanniford's Used Cars and Parts, State Farm, Arbor One Farm Credit, Nucor, Dumpster Pros, and Belk Funeral Home.
For more information about the 2025 SC Sweet Potato Festival, contact the Darlington community office or visit downtown Darlington on October 11.
10/02/2025
DCSD FLEX360 DESIGNATED
APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL
Darlington County School District’s (DCSD) Flex 360 virtual schooling program is pleased to announce it has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2025-26 program term.
Schools apply and are selected for this distinction based on their commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning.
Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals. In Apple Distinguished Schools, forward-thinking leaders and their communities work to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning, and they have documented results of academic accomplishments.
Schools all over the world are using iPad and Mac to transform learning. As teachers incorporate technology into their lessons, they empower students to lead, learn, and thrive, to discover new opportunities, and to make their world a better place.
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The News & Press
117 S. Main St., Darlington, SC 29532
The News & Press is the P*e Dee Region's oldest independent weekly newspaper, serving Darlington County, SC, since 1874. The Herald Group has assumed ownership of The News and Press effective May 1, 2020, to continue delivering quality local news and advertising.
We can be reached by phone at 843-393-3811 fax: 843-393-6811
or by email at: for news at [email protected] and for advertising at [email protected].
Staff:
General Manager: Johnnie Daniels, [email protected]
Editor: Bobby Bryant, [email protected]
Advertising/Sales/Graphic Design: Dawson Jordan
Advertising/Graphic Design: Stephan Drew, [email protected]
Letters to the Editor:
We encourage your letters to the editor on any subject. Please include your name, complete mailing address, and phone number for verification. Mail to P.O. Box 513 Darlington, SC 29540 or email to: [email protected]
Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinions of the News & Press, and content may be edited prior to printing. Letters containing overtly malicious comments or personal attacks on your fellow citizens, letters of political endorsements, or upcoming political campaigns will not be printed. Anonymous letters will not be printed.
Subscriptions:
In-state subscriptions: One year $30 + free online access
Out-of-state subscriptions: One year $40 + free online access
Online only: $20
Sorry, but we cannot give refunds for canceled subscriptions.
Press release and event submissions:
All press releases are welcome and will be considered, but the News & Press reserves the right to edit as necessary for space or other requirements. Please contact us by phone at 843-393-3811, by fax at 843-393-6811 or by email at [email protected] with your area news.
Facebook Policy
We welcome you and your comments to the The News and Press page. We encourage you to submit your questions, comments, and concerns, but please note this is a moderated online discussion site and not a public forum. We want to model open and respectful dialogue. To help us accomplish this goal we ask that you abide by the following guidelines: Please...
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Abuse of the above guidelines can lead to removal of a specific posting or the blocking/removal from our page. These rules may be modified by the News and Press at any time.
The quote: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke has been on our front page as a reminder of the strength of a community newspaper that is committed to being of service to our readers.
