Two Midlands schools named Palmetto’s Finest
Two Midlands schools, Camden High School and Fairfield Magnet School for Math and Science, have been named 2014 Palmetto’s Finest award winners, according to WIS-TV.
Five schools were honored Wednesday by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators after being chosen during an intensive application process that judged student achievement and required on-site examinations, peer reviews and self-evaluations.
“We see this as a validation of all the great things that happen at Camden High School and across the Kershaw County School District on a daily basis,” Camden High School Principal Dan Matthews said. “It is with great pride that I accept this on behalf of the hardest working faculty and staff anywhere.”
In the past, Lugoff-Elgin Middle School, of which Matthews was principal, and Doby’s Mill Elementary have received the award.
Charlotte mayor arrested on corruption charges
Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon resigned Wednesday after he was arrested and charged with theft and bribery after a four-year investigation, according to The Charlotte Observer.
Cannon was released on bond of an undisclosed amount.
Cannon allegedly took bribes from undercover FBI agents five times, authorities say. The most recent incident was on Feb. 21 when he took $20,000 in cash and a trip to Las Vegas.
Additionally, Cannon allegedly accepted more than $48,000 in cash, a hotel room, airline tickets and the use of a luxury apartment in exchange for “the use of his official position,” according to Anne Tompkins, U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Cannon was elected five months ago after working in Charlotte politics for years. Cannon could face up to 50 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines if he is found guilty on all charges.
Broad waters low as river awaits dam repair
Columbia has seen lower waters in the stretch of Broad River nearest the city, as its flow has been cut off in order to repair a valve in the Columbia Canal diversion dam, according to The State.
Lockhart Power Company had planned to repair the valve two weeks ago, but due to heavy rains, work was delayed for two weeks. Now, the work is to be finished by this weekend.
According to Congaree Riverkeeper Bill Stangler, the Columbia section of the Broad River now looks worse than it has in the nine years he has studied it.
The valve being repaired is planned to allow a minimum flow downstream to support the river’s wildlife at times when the river’s water is especially low.