Darlington Walmart Ready to Open May 11 “Because We Took Something Where Copia
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SILVER FOXES 1B 2A OPINION 4A OBITUARIES 7A SPORTS 2B PUZZLES 3B BOOKINGS 5B CLASSIFIEDS QUOTE ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.’ EDMUND BURKE Vol. 142, No. 18 NTWO SECTIONS e• 14 PAGwES s&PreESTAs BLISHsED 1874 75¢ MAY 4, 2016 Darlington, S.C. WWW.NEWSANDPRESS.NET Darlington Walmart ready to open May 11 “Because we took something where copia. He says all those new Walmart employee curating has resulted in an navigation is easy thanks to large and By Samantha Lyles Staff Writer there was nothing and we created all associates are proud of themselves, excellent retention rate; corporate very clear signage suspended above [email protected] this. We did all this in five days.” too, and more than ready for opening estimates said Lane might lose 50 the aisles. For the tech savvy, finding With the clock ticking down to the Lane gestures beyond the entry day. employees in the early stages, and he that singular thing you seek is faster May 11 grand opening of the area, where rows of checkout registers “They are fired up,” says Lane. has only lost six associates in the than ever. Lane says the store invento - Darlington Walmart, store manager sit silent and produce coolers rest “They keep saying they can't wait until entire build-out process. ry is computerized and accessible Kevin Lane took a moment last week - empty, towards the heart of the store we open.” The store is fairly large, with about through the website and smartphone end to give us a tour of the new store where neatly organized rows of every - That positive attitude is perhaps 60,000 square-feet dedicated to gro - apps. Just type in what you're looking and reflect on the effort he and his 220 thing from barbecue sauce to partly due to the careful hiring process cery and the remainder plaited out for for, select the particular Walmart employees have given to turn an bare flatscreen televisions are arrayed, Lane and the corporate office exer - lawn and garden, pharmacy, clothing, you're shopping in (Darlington!) and 122,000 square-foot warehouse into a ready for shoppers to discover. cised when sifting through thousands electronics, hunting, automotive, the app will guide you to the precise buzzing beehive of retail activity. So proud was Lane of his people of applications, seeking employees housewares, toys, and all the other aisle, shelf, and slot to find just what “It's been amazing,” Lane says of that he documented their progress in who really wanted to work and could, nifty products found in a well- you needed. the build-out and stocking process. a series of photos, tracking the store's perhaps, work their way up the com - appointed superstore. growth from empty shell to cornu - pany ladder as Lane himself did. This But you needn't fear getting lost; WALMART ON 3A Saving Grace Courthouse Committee talks financing via penny tax structures are all gone, lost to By Samantha Lyles Staff Writer fire or age or progress, and the [email protected] current '64 courthouse has The Darlington County deteriorated to the point where Courthouse Construction repairs have become futile. Advisory Committee held their At this first Committee first meeting April 29 at the meeting, Malloy brought up Hartsville law offices of Sen. the idea to talk with the Gerald Malloy. Though the Darlington County School main purpose of the meeting District about ending the was to introduce committee county's current penny sales members to the courthouse tax for education and replac - project team from engineering ing it with a penny tax for the firm Michael Baker courthouse project. He noted International (MBI) and out - that the DCSD tax was passed line some of their work to date, around 2003-2004 and the discussion repeatedly returned school district is now very to one salient point: how, exact - close to paying off their bond ly, the county might pay for a debt. Malloy suggested that new courthouse. two members of the Last year, Darlington Committee – Darlington County Council contracted County Council chair Bobby with MBI to conduct a study on Hudson and Darlington City the feasibility of building a Council member John Milling modern, secure court and – parlay with DCSD and assess administrative facility near the their willingness to use some The volunteer crew from the National Baptist Laymen's Movement at Grace Temple Apostolic Church of Darlington. current courthouse on the of their fund balance to pay off PHOTO BY SAMANTHA LYLES Darlington Public Square. that bond debt early and free Since its founding, Darlington up the penny sales tax for County has built five court - other county projects. Darlington Church gets helping hand houses: in 1785, 1825, 1873, 1904, and 1964. The early “We look for the most vulner - COURTHOUSE ON 3A By Samantha Lyles Staff Writer “It's good relationships, good fellowship, and you're able people, the ones that [email protected] really need help the most, and working to help people. The benefit is when you see we heard that this church was When the massive rains and the countenance of the person you've helped.” in need.” lingering floodwaters struck The volunteers set to work South Carolina in October of on the roof and flooring last 2015, many homes and busi - Harold Simmons, president emeritus of the National Baptist Laymen's Movement Tuesday, and Fulmore said it nesses suffered damage, and should take about two weeks houses of God were not didn't have the money to hire Kansas and Mississippi. to get the church ship-shape exempt from these troubles. contractors to fix the damages. “We bring our national and again. Two weeks might seem Grace Temple Apostolic When the call for help went state laymen in to remodel like a long time to be away Church on Jordan Street in out from Grace Temple, the and rebuild, and help people from work and family, but vol - Darlington took a hard hit, Internet responded, and the that were affected by the unteers say the good spirits with the water penetration National Baptist Laymen's flood,” says Rev. Samuel and fellowship of these causing roof leaks and floor - Movement sent with a volun - Fulmore, Disaster Relief Laymen's mission trips make it ing damage. Though church teer labor crew comprised of Coordinator for the Baptist well worth the effort. Representatives of engineering firm Michael Baker International members raised funds to pur - skilled tradesmen and willing Educational and Missionary met with the Darlington County Courthouse Advisory Committee chase repair materials, they helpers from as far away as Convention of South Carolina. CHURCH ON 6A on April 29. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA LYLES One more NFL Diva Den aims to help young mothers By Samantha Lyles player for Lamar! Staff Writer [email protected] B.J. Goodson drafted by New York Giants Darlington County First Steps hosted a ribbon cutting and open house By Jana E. Pye celebration for their newest community Editor [email protected] outreach project, the Diva Den, located Lamar, the little Darlington at 437 W. Carolina Ave in Hartsville. County town celebrated for The Diva Den aims to become a safe their legendary professional haven for pregnant and parenting moth - football legacy has another ers by providing support, counseling, Silver Fox in the NFL, as B.J. and resources in a welcoming environ - Goodson was drafted to play ment. for the New York Giants. With financial support from The Goodson and his Clemson Byerly Foundation, DCFS outfitted two Tigers teammates played in former classrooms on the first floor of the National Championship Building 1 of the old Hartsville Junior game this year, and fans have High School. Both spaces were donated wondered where he would BJ Goodson with his parents. for this purpose by Darlington County Adult Education. place in the NFL draft. PHOTOS BY JANA E. PYE (Left to Right) Brenda Ayres, project director for the Pregnancy Assistance Fund Grant, Ashley The Diva Den is an elegant, cozy The humble athlete flew Holman, program specialist for Parents Are First, Dick Puffer of the Byerly Foundation, and by the Greater Darlington space where clients can engage in a vari - home just for the night in Darnell Byrd McPherson, executive director of Darlington County First Steps. Chamber of Commerce, yet - ety of enriching activities, like the fami - February during the pre-draft PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA LYLES was surprised to be named the ly literacy Mother Read program, and workouts because he thought Future Business Leader award Tracy Talks, a structured peer support / tion, and community collaboration. past two years, and we hope to see it his mother was being honored winner. group discussion led each Tuesday by Across the hall is the Child Care continue to grow,” said Chuck Miller, At the banquet, Goodson therapist Tracy Redfearn of the Child Center, where parents can entrust their director of Darlington County Adult shared the following: and Family Resource Center. young ones (age 5 and under) to care - Education, adding that future plans “I want to thank God for Ashley Holman, program specialist givers while they take part in Diva Den could expand classroom space and com - this award. Without him none for DCFS' Parents Are First program, activities, or utilize the Adult Education munity programs to the now-closed of this would be possible,” says the Diva Den fits well into PAF's and S.C. Works Employment Center third floor. mission to improve parenting, educa - facilities located on the second floor. “This facility has grown a lot over the GOODSON ON 3A tional attainment, pregnancy preven - DIVA DEN ON 6A Word of the Week belvedere: a structure (such as a cupola or The Pee Dee’s Oldest summerhouse) designed to command a view Independently Owned Newspaper Merriam-Webster.com MAY 4, 2016 | PAGE 2A the NeWS ANd PreSS, dArliNGtoN, S.C.