2020 DCSD WINNERS OF ART 2 OPINION 4 OBITUARIES 5 PUZZLES 6 CLASSIFIEDS 7 LEGALS COMPETITION ... PG. 5 QUOTE ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.’ EDMUND BURKE Vol. 146, No.19 NewONE SECTION • 8 PAGES s&PressESTABLISHED 1874 75¢ MAY 6, 2020 Darlington, S.C. WWW.NEWSANDPRESS.NET CORONAVIRUS BRIEFS Herald Group to chart News & Press’ future EMERGENCY ORDER From Staff Reports ing been established in 1894. newspaper to read about their ing director/graphic designer before the public. EXTENDED: The Jordans have a unique local government, education, and Samantha Lyles will con- “We’re excited about the Gov. Henry The Herald Group has McMaster has extended his understanding of the impor- events and news about their tinue as reporter. Nancy opportunity to help continue assumed ownership of The State of Emergency order. This tance of having a local, family- friends and neighbors that Shepherd will serve as office the tradition of providing the is the fourth state of emergency News & Press effective May 1 owned newspaper in a com- they can’t get anywhere else manager. best local news and advertis- McMaster has issued for the to continue delivering quality munity, rather than a cookie- from a staff who knows, In addition to the services ing to the county as the local news and trusted adver- COVID-19 pandemic. cutter newspaper owned by a understands and cares about they have been providing, the Thomas family has done for 65 “South Carolina continues tising to the people of large group based in another the community.” office will soon offer copying Darlington County. state. Daily operations will be services and serve as a UPS years,” said Jordan. to fight this deadly virus with “We will appreciate the every asset and resource avail- The acquisition was the “Local news matters,” said overseen by Johnnie Daniels, drop-off location. able,” said McMaster. “While perfect fit for The Herald Thomas Jordan, president of the General Manager of The There will be a greater support from the readers, we are making progress, we Group and the Jordan family, The Herald Group, “and we Dillon Herald. social media presence and advertisers and the communi- must remain vigilant with who own The Dillon Herald, wanted to ensure that the peo- Bobby Bryant will continue expanded advertising oppor- ty as we move forward in this expanding prevention and test- Dillon County’s oldest continu- ple of Darlington County will to serve as editor. Stephan tunities to help support local new venture.” ing efforts. ously operating business, hav- continue to have a true local Drew will continue as advertis- businesses and get their names “Our state is also facing an economic disruption and emer- gency the likes of which we’ve never seen, and we are working Thomas Family stewardship of News & Press ends after 64 years tirelessly to get our businesses back up and running and our By Samantha Lyles took the reins at The Lancaster immediately, settling into a her sister, Susie Green. Thanks people back to work as soon [email protected] News, becoming South small house on Orange Street to a thriving tobacco market, and as safely as possible.” Carolina's youngest newspa- and starting a family. He and business all over Darlington The governor’s “stay home May 1 marks the end of an per editor and winning numer- wife Margaret Ann had was booming and advertising or be at work” order is separate era in Darlington County as ous awards. already welcomed son Morrell dollars flowed in steadily. The from the State of Emergency, The News & Press leaves the A stint in politics followed, III (aka Morrey, then only 2 News & Press became a key- and it has now been lifted. hands of the Thomas family and Thomas’ duties as execu- months old), and daughter stone of the community. for the first time in 64 years. DMV UPDATE: Starting tive secretary for Lancaster Ann Boyd would soon follow. “Back then, the newspaper As ownership moves to The district Congressman James P. As he guided The News & industry was so vibrant, it was this week, the S.C. Department Herald Group (another family- of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) Richards took him to the Press into a new era, Morrell electrified,” says Morrey will expand operations by owned newspaper business), House floor in Washington became known for his bound- Thomas. “If somebody had an reopening all 66 branch offices we take a moment to appreci- and the United Nations in New less energy. A typical day event or if an announcement to increase convenience for ate the steady hand on the till York City. But the newspaper might involve writing and edit- was made, The News & Press customers. The additional provided by the Thomas fami- business soon called him back. ing reams of copy, sweeping was the first place they called.” office openings will allow the ly. In 1956, Sara Coffee, then the building from stem to Thomas did not take that SCDMV to service more cus- The patriarch of local jour- publisher of The News & Press, stern, lunching with a civic responsibility lightly, and the tomers on a daily basis while nalism, Morrell Thomas Jr., asked Thomas if he’d be inter- club or taking a meal in the paper won scores of awards still adhering to social distanc- ran The News & Press for half a ested in a move to Darlington. boisterous dining room at The from the South Carolina Press ing recommendations. All century. Born in Spartanburg, offices will operate by appoint- He thoughtfully accepted the Lunch Box, attending a Association. That commitment he served in the Army during offer, viewing the move as a Carolina Bank board meeting, to excellence was shared by ment only, which can be sched- Morrey Thomas uled on the SCDMV website at World War II, then earned sort of homecoming. Thomas’ then covering a local govern- Margaret Ann, who won a SCDMVonline.com. English and Journalism grandfather, A.P. Turner, was planting tobacco and honing ment assembly to cap things number of writing awards All SCDMV branch offices, degrees at Wofford College minister of Mt. Elon Baptist his entrepreneurial spirit by off. from the SCPA. with the exception of Allendale and received his master's Church in Lydia, and Morrell selling hard candy to fellow By 1966, Thomas had Over the decades as and McCormick locations, will degree from Emory University. Jr. had spent childhood sum- field workers. bought full ownership of the be open Monday, Wednesday Thomas was just 23 when he mers in Darlington County Thomas took to Darlington newspaper from Coffee and THOMAS FAMILY ON PAGE 7 and Friday. The Allendale and McCormick locations will con- tinue to be open only on Wednesdays during this shift in operations. TRINITY-BYRNES TO 3 NASCAR races! But fans must stay home REMAIN CLOSED: Trinity- By Bobby Bryant virus. All three races will be television, radio and online.” week by NASCAR: 90. Byrnes Collegiate School in Editor run amid empty stands and an Raceway President Kerry Sunday, May 17: NASCAR Four other races are Darlington County is following [email protected] empty infield. (The races will Tharp said in a statement: “It’s Cup Series race, 400 miles, planned at Charlotte this Gov. McMaster’s mandate that be televised on FOX and FS1, a an honor for Darlington starting at 3:30 p.m., televised month, one each day from May schools remain closed for the The coronavirus crisis is 24-27. A total of seven races academic year. giving local NASCAR fans both FOX-owned cable sports net- Raceway to resume the 2020 by FOX, also broadcast by FOX are planned for this month as Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate, a dream and a disappoint- work, and can also be followed NASCAR season in just a few Deportes, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR makes up for time which transitioned to Distant ment. online and by radio.) short weeks with three races in NASCAR Channel 90. lost to the virus shutdown. Learning in March, will contin- The dream: Three NASCAR “As our nation restarts, I four days. Darlington is one of Tuesday, May 19: Xfinity “NASCAR and its teams are ue to conduct classes virtually races are to be held at the can think of no better place for the most iconic and historic Series race, 200 miles, starting through the end of the spring eager and excited to return to Darlington Raceway in a four- NASCAR to drop the green tracks in the sport and will be at 8 p.m., televised by FS1, semester. racing, and have great respect day period between May 17 flag than at Darlington a tremendous backdrop when also broadcast by MRN and Families have found the for the responsibility that and May 20 as NASCAR Raceway in South Carolina,” NASCAR returns to racing. We SiriusXM NASCAR Channel transition to online learning comes with a return to compe- relaunches its season, which Gov. Henry McMaster said. certainly appreciate the sup- 90. has not diminished the stan- “Team South Carolina stands port from our state’s leader- Wednesday, May 20: tition,” Steve O’Donnell, dard or quality of instruction had been shut down by the NASCAR executive vice presi- students are receiving, the virus pandemic. ready to help NASCAR restart ship in working with NASCAR NASCAR Cup Series race, 500 dent and chief racing develop- school says. Students have con- The disappointment: Fans the season at Darlington to allow us to host these kilometers, starting at 7:30 tinued to attend class lectures, won’t be allowed at any of Raceway with three races events.” p.m., televised by FS1, also complete homework and proj- (this) month that can be Here’s the lineup for broadcast by MRN and those races to protect them NASCAR ON PAGE 8 ects electronically while at from possible exposure to the enjoyed by fans from home on Darlington, confirmed last SiriusXM NASCAR Channel home through Google Classroom.