The Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association (DDRA) is asking for YOU to be a hero for our local restaurants this summer. Eat at 20 locally owned restaurants, collect a stamp at each, and mail in your entry for a chance to win one of three $250 cash prizes! Eating at DDRA Member businesses counts twice!

• You must be age 18 and older to enter.
• You may make multiple entries to increase your odds of winning
• Entries from one month will roll into the next month's pot.
• Purchases at DDRA-member businesses count twice towards the 20 required stops.

Download a brochure here.

WELCOME BACK TO THE LIBRARY! Before you enter, please be aware that have instituted some restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID 19. A face covering or mask is required while in the Library. Non-medical masks, bandannas, scarves, and cloth can be used. If you do not have a mask, please contact the staff for a mask. While in the Library practice a minimum of 6 feet of social distancing. Do not enter the Library if you have a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms. We are limiting the number of customers and staff in our buildings at all times. The only seating available is at our public computers. Public restrooms and meeting rooms are closed. Call ahead if you need one-on-one assistance or more information on our customer and staff safety precautions.

The Darlington County School District will be offering a free summer nutrition program for children. Hot meals will be available for pickup between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Both breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup at the same time. The meals are free to anyone 18 years old or younger. The child must be present to receive the meal.

Curbside pickup will be available at the following locations:

• Rosenwald Elementary/ Middle School
• Lamar High School
• Darlington High School
• Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
• Hartsville Middle School
• Thornwell School of the Arts

For more information, please contact 843-398-2315.

Darlington County Courthouse will be restricted to appointment only to maintain social distancing requirements. Call 843-398-4100

City of Darlington Offices will be restricted to appointment only to maintain social distancing requirements. Call 843-398-4000

Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center is accepting donations of unused, handmade face masks for staff in non-patient care areas and patients without COVID-19 symptoms to wear. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Miranda Peavy at miranda.peavy@cprmc.com or 843-339-4563 to arrange for delivery.

Palmetto Disaster Recovery Offices are opened in Marion and Conway with limitations. To apply, applicants must contact one of these two offices to schedule an appointment. For residents of Darlington County, applicants would need to contact the Marion Office at 803-609-1164 or 843-731-3550.

 

Today

The City of Darlington will hold a bid packet opening at 2 p.m. Monday, July 20, at City Hall, 400 Pearl St., Darlington. The City is accepting Requests for Proposals to lease property for billboards. All developer packets must be submitted in sealed envelopes by 12 noon on Monday, July 20, to City Hall, C/O Planning, 400 Pearl St., Darlington, SC 29532.

The Board of Directors of Darlington County Water & Sewer Authority will meet in the conference room at 131 Industrial Way, Darlington, at 5 p.m. on the third Monday of the month. Remaining dates for 2020 are July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, and Dec. 21.

Darlington County Council will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, July 20, 2020, at 6 p.m., at the Courthouse Annex/EMS Building, 1625 Harry Byrd Highway (Hwy. 151), Darlington, SC. Please note that the Darlington County Council Meeting Room is restricted to Darlington County Council Members and required staff only. Due to the COVID-19 threat, public and media access to Darlington County Council meetings will be accomplished by live video stream. Darlington County Council meetings will be live-streamed on Darlington County Council Live Meetings Facebook page and archived on Darlington County website at www.darcosc.com. To access the live stream, go to the County website at www.darcosc.com, scroll to the middle of the page to Feature, and click on the live stream link. To access the archived videos of Council meetings, go to the County website at www.darcosc.com, from the Government tab, click on County Council, then scroll to the Council Meeting Video tab on the left of the page. Citizens' comments are accepted in writing via email to the Clerk to Council at jbishop@darcosc.net or mailed to the County Administrator's Office, 1 Public Square, Room 210, Darlington, SC 29532. Written comments must include your contact information and received by noon on Monday, July 20. Citizens' comments will also be accepted during the meeting via telephone at 843-398-4469 beginning at 5:45 p.m. to be placed on the Citizens' Comments roster.

 

Tuesday

Darlington City Council will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, at Harmon Baldwin Recreation Center, 300 Sanders St., Darlington. The meeting will be held for an executive session regarding a Police Department, City Council, and Personnel matter. A vote of Council may or may not take place following this executive session.

The Darlington County Council on Aging will be providing emergency meals to seniors age 60+ during the Covid-19 crisis. Meals will be available for drive-thru pick up at the Council on Aging locations throughout Darlington County from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. each Tuesday. Seniors will be provided a box of free meals, on a first come, first serve basis, at the senior center located in Hartsville, Darlington, Lamar, and Society Hill. Drive-thru service will be offered while supplies last.  Check out FACEBOOK or call 843-393-8521. Rain cancels and will be rescheduled. Seniors, family member or caregiver may pick up by providing the senior's ID and required information.

• Must be a senior citizen (60+) or taking the meal to a senior citizen
• Must be a resident of Darlington County
• Must provide name, address, phone number, and a nutrition survey at time of pickup
• Only 2 meal boxes per car
• Individuals are only permitted one pick-up per week. Each eligible senior must provide a state issued ID to receive a box

Locations:

• Darlington, Brunson-Dargan Elementary School, 400 Wells St.
• Hartsville Senior Center, 1103 S. Sixth Street, Butler Building
• Lamar Nutrition Center, 628 Carterville Hwy., Robert L Grooms Building
• Society Hill Nutrition Community Center, 223 Hall Street

PHOTO

Darlington Country Club will continue to have takeout Tuesday dinner specials from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 125 Country Club Road. Call before noon Tuesday to order. 843-393-2196

 

Wednesday

Darlington Country Club will continue to serve lunch Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for its Members at 125 Country Club Road.

Enjoy Wine Down Wednesdays at Chianti's Wings & Things, 124 Cashua St., Darlington, from 4 to 9 p.m. with wine and wing specials.

PHOTO

Wednesday Night Dogfight begins each week at 5:30 p.m. at Darlington Country Club. Register at the Pro Shop by 5 o'clock.

 

Thursday

Junior Golf Academy Operation 36 concludes at 5 p.m. July 23 at Darlington Country Club with an Award Ceremony and a Pizza/Pool Party.

Darlington County Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, July 23, at 6 p.m., at the Courthouse Annex/EMS Building, 1625 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington. Due to the COVID-19 threat and in compliance with social distancing, the meeting room is restricted to Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee members and required staff only. Public and media access will be accomplished by live video stream on Darlington County Council Live Meetings Facebook page and archived on Darlington County website at www.darcosc.com. To access the live stream, go to the County website at www.darcosc.com, scroll to the middle of the page to Feature, and click on the live stream link. To access the archived video of the meeting, go to the County website at www.darcosc.com, from the Government tab, click on County Council, then scroll to the Council Meeting Video tab on the left of the page and select Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee Meeting.

Fahrenheit 225 will have Isolation Trivia Night on Thursdays with four rounds 30-minute rounds beginning at 6 p.m. Each round will consist of 6 questions worth one point each. Each question will be asked as a separate Facebook post. Submit your answer as a reply. The point will go to the first correct answer. Please reply only once with your answer, and do not add any additional replies to that particular post. Any edited answers will not be scored. Each round's winner will be given a $5 credit at the restaurant. Pick up to-go orders at 26 Public Square, Darlington. Call in take-out orders at (843) 944-0321.

 

Friday

The James Hudson Campaign will be selling tickets for our chicken bog fundraiser. The Chicken bog is prepared by Oliver Segars. See one of our team members for tickets or message the page if you want one! It will take place on July 24, at our headquarters 311 W. Carolina Ave. Tickets are $8.

Each Friday, Excel Gymnastics and Tumble Academy will be having Fun Gym from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the academy, 102 Lamar St., Hartsville. Games, prizes, fun and more. Cost is $15. Pizza and drinks can be added for an additional $2.50. Open to the public. For ages 3 and up. Info: (843)-917-0022

 

Saturday

Pickleball at Darlington Country Club every Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m.

The Soup Kitchen is open from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday mornings at 586 W. West Broad St.

Guided meditation & mindfulness practice for all ages at 8 a.m. Saturdays in Hartsville. No experience necessary. Ongoing weekly. Message for address. This is an outdoor event. Please bring a chair. If you don't have one, we will have some available. We will be socially distanced. You may wish to bring bug spray.  When you arrive, please find a seat quietly and bring your awareness to your breath. Provided by Hartsville Mindfulness Community.

Columbia Car Meets is hosting a Street Car Shoot Out on July 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Darlington Dragway, 2056 E. Bobo Newsom Hwy., Hartsville, includes Best of 3 drag race, classes, and Test and Tune. Cost: Free for children ages 12 and younger, $20 for spectators, $30 for Test and Tune driver, and $50 for each class entry. (843) 383-0008

 

Sunday

Parking Lot Church in the grassy area behind the ball field at 10:30 a.m. at Mechanicsville Baptist Church. There will be ushers directing you where to park your vehicle. Once parked, please tune your radio to 102.5FM. All are welcome.

Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Lamar will hold services at 11 a.m. in person or online. Masks required in person. (843) 332-1188.

Central Baptist Church VBS July 26-29

 

Mark Your Calendar

Please join The News and Press and the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce for a BUSINESS AFTER HOURS from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at The News and Press, 117 S. Main Street, Darlington. Come and meet and welcome the new owners to our community and meet the staff. Refreshments will be served. 

Join us on August 1 for the August for Sheriff Campaign Chicken Bog fundraiser. Tickets are only $8 in advance and $10 at the door. To purchase tickets, email us at: augustforsheriff@gmail.com or Visit this site and complete the form.

Miss Darlington County USA/Miss Raceway City USA, Miss Darlington County Teen USA and Miss Raceway City Teen USA will crown four winners on August 1 at the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum, winners will advance to the Miss South Carolina USA and Miss South Carolina Teen USA pageants in November at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Visit the website at missdarlingtonsc.wixsite.com/darlingtonpageant encouraging all local young women to step outside the box and try something new!

Darlington Area Recreation will hold an outdoor movie night at dark on August 7 at Virgil Wells Stadium. Social distancing rules will apply. Details to follow. Info: 843-398-4030

South Carolina will hold its Annual Sales Tax-Free Weekend Aug. 7-9 for school supplies, computers, etc. Info: Tax Free Weekend

Faith Plus Ministry Community Outreach will be held Aug. 8 and every 2nd Saturday of the month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., to help those that are in need of food, clothing and household goods. Event begins at 1 p.m. Hosted by Kingdom of Gods Children at 811 N. Governor Williams Highway, Darlington. Everyone in the surrounding Darlington County are All welcome to attend. Food and Refreshments will be served. If anyone has any barely used clothing and household items they will like to donate, please contact Sis Laura Byrd (843) 420-9150 for more detail and information.

Affordable Preventative Vet Clinics visit Tractor Supply, 1527 S. Main St., Darlington, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 16 and Sept. 13.

SPC Credit Union's 79th Annual Meeting is going virtual. Follow along as we take a look back at 2019 and review the financial state of the Credit Union.  You'll also hear a special message from our President & CEO Linda Weatherford, about where YOUR credit union is headed. Prize drawings. You can join us at 5:30 pm on Thursday, August 20, on ZOOM. Members can also listen by phone, but not participate by this method. For more information on SPC's 79th Annual Meeting, as well as instructions for using ZOOM, please visit us online at spccu.org/register.

Part 1 is scheduled for August 21 from 8 am to 5 pm. Part 2 is scheduled August 28 from 8 am to 5 pm. The cost for each course (part) is $115. Call 843-413-2715 or e-mail CERegistration@fdtc.edu to register today.

On Saturday, August 22nd, the Long Bluff Historical Society will sponsor the annual Taste of Society Hill at the historic Adam Marshall House. If you would like to participate as a sponsor or vendor, please call (813) 323-1445. The Taste of Society Hill is $20 per person at the door. Ages 21 and older only. Proceeds benefit historic preservation in the Society Hill area with on-going projects in the community.

The Southern 500 Golf Tournament will be held August 28-30 at Darlington Country Club, 125 Country Club Road. Contact the ProShop at (843) 393-0236 ext. 101 or by email at proshop@darlingtoncountryclub.com for details.

 

BUSINESS OPERATIONS & CAPACITY

Click here for a list of what businesses are operating and at what capacity. Please send information to info@buildupdarlington.org or text 843-992-1561 to update a listing. We will continue to update this link, www.buildupdarlington.org/covid19, as we get information.

 

GENERAL COVID-19 INFORMATION

For general information about COVID-19, the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control are trusted sources of information. We encourage you to visit their websites for the most current and correct information.

• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control
• S.C. Department of Health & Environmental Control

DHEC Careline 855-472-3432: Get answers to common questions about the Corona Virus from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

If you are sick, MUSC Health offers a Virtual Visit to determine if you should leave home to seek medical attention if you think you may have been exposed to the Corona Virus. Use promo code "COVID19" at this link.

 

CITY SERVICES

While City Offices will be restricted to staff and appointments until further notice, individuals are encouraged to do all business by phone or email during this event. City staff will be available by phone and email, and essential services will not be interrupted. You can find updates here.

All City offices are restricted to essential personnel only.

You may call the following numbers with service-related issues

• Emergencies, call 911
• Business Licenses - 843-398-4000 ext. 101
• Permits - 843-398-4029
• Water/Sewer, Normal Business Hours,  - 843-398-4040
• Water/Sewer, After 5 p.m.,  -  843-758-1127
• Fire, Non-emergency - 843-398-4013
• Police, Non-emergency - 843-398-4026
• Municipal Court - 843-398-4004
• Streets & Sanitation - 843-398-4035
• Media Inquiries - 843-992-1561

You may still pay your utility bill or traffic citation online here. City staff will disinfect public areas more frequently and have hand sanitizer available in public buildings. Garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection will remain on regular schedule.

Download the DDRA Membership Application here. Download a Map Location Form for your business. Return to info@buildupdarlington.org or DDRA, P.O. Pox 57, Darlington, SC 29540.

To have your event listed on our websites, please email info@buildupdarlington.org or call 843-398-4000 x 103 by the week prior to your event.