kitchen countertopsNear Cottageville, SC

Colleton County residents who live in Districts 2, 4, and 6 have a choice to make in who will they vote onto the Colleton County School Board.

These three seats – 2, 4, and 6 – are up for re-election on the school board. They mostly represent the greater parts of Walterboro.

These three school board seats will be on the ballot in the upcoming November 8th election.

Anyone wanting to run for these open school board has had about two weeks to file. That filing period closed at noon on Friday, August 10th.

Now, there are five new people and one incumbent who have chosen to run in this election.

They are: Wayne Shider, who is running for District 6; Lynn Carter Stroble, who is running for District 6; Anna Bright, who is running for District 4; Craig Stivender, who is running for District 4; incumbent William Bowman, who is running for District 4; and Daryl Erwin, who is running for District 2.

Shider and Stroble will face each other for District 6. The current District 6 school board member, Harry Jenkins, is not running again for this seat, citing health reasons.

Bright will face Stivender and current District 4 school board member William Bowman: Bowman is a longtime school board member and is also the current chairman of the school board.

Erwin has no competition for District 2. The current school board member for District 2 is Tim Mabry. However, Mabry cannot run again for this district because he no longer lives in District 2. According to Mabry, the new school board lines released earlier this year changed District 2’s geography and Mabry’s current address is outside of those new lines for District 2. Based on the new lines, Mabry now lives in District 3.

Meet the Candidates

Daryl Erwin – District 2

Daryl Erwin is running for District 2 on the Colleton County School Board.

He is a 45-year-old Walterboro native who currently works as a computer technician for the Dorchester District Four School District, in St. George. He is also the pastor of Cottageville Baptist Church. Previously, he worked in the local technology department at the Colleton County School District.

“We have to have something better for Colleton County than what we have now,” he said. “Our kids, our parents, our staff … everybody deserves better than what is happening now in our schools and within our district.”

If elected, Erwin said he wants to focus on improving staff morale. He also wants to focus on improving the work atmosphere within the district, including the district’s administrative office.

Anna Bright – District 4

Anna Bright is running for District Four on the Colleton County School Board.

Bright, 66, is a Walterboro resident and a Colleton County native. She is also a retired educator: Bright served as a school teacher more than 40 years in Colleton County and in nearby Dorchester District Four.

She came out of retirement last year, in 2021, to be a part-time teacher at the Colleton Academy for Success. This is the alternative school program for the Colleton County School District. Bright is returning this year to the alternative school, where she will teach part-time.

“Having had 40 years of experience, I feel I know what students and teachers need,” she said. “This is something I have always wanted to do. It’s a lifelong goal.”

If elected, Bright said she wants to focus on retention of teachers.

Craig Stivender – District 4

Craig Stivender is running for District 4 on the Colleton County School Board.

Stivender, 39, is a certified law enforcement officer and fireman. He is currently an arson investigator with the Walterboro Fire Department. Stivender is also a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Cottageville Baptist Church.

“Over the past few years, I have been attending the school board meetings and I don’t like the direction our district is taking on behavioral issues and the level of education that our kids are getting. I also see the issues that our leadership has,” he said.

Stivender has two children who are in the local public school system. Their third child was removed from the Colleton County School system because of their lack of satisfaction with Colleton County Middle School, he said.

“We need good people to step up to the plate and change this board. It’s time for some new ideas and new blood,” said Stivender.

William Bowman – District 4

William Bowman is currently representing District 4 on the school board. Bowman has represented District 4 on the school board since 2018. He is a local small business owner and a professional volleyball officiant and referee.

As an incumbent, Bowman said he decided to run again because he wants to continue in his original campaign promises. “I want to be a representative of all people in District 4,” he said. “I believe I’ve done that so far, and I want to continue on the promises I made in 2018 and make sure our students grow … I want to create a school system that is actually going to help our students. There is an old saying, ‘The progression of every state is in the education of its youth.’ That’s one of the reasons I chose to run for school board again, to make sure all students rise to educational proficiency.”

Bowman also said that the school board has also already made progress academically to help boost the economy and to educate the local work force. “I want to show the community that I can be a representative to all people, especially the people of District 4,” he said.

Wayne Shider – District 6

Wayne Shider is running for District 6 on the Colleton County School Board. He is a former elected member of the Colleton County School Board, and served for more than 30 years for District 6 before being defeated by current District 6 incumbent Harry Jenkins. At 62 years old, Shider is now a retired government service worker. He is also currently self-employed as a realtor and tax-repair specialist. When asked why he is running again for the school board, Shider said he wants to run again because of the “current climate” within the school district.

“With my experience, and skill set, it was time for me to seek the board again,” he said. “It’s also my strong desire to assist in the transformation of our school district, from the front lines. I don’t want to hear about this second-hand. I want to assist the district into transforming into something where student achievement goes up, where our schools are safe and to reassure the stakeholders that it’s important for us to all be a part of the decision-making in the district. We must all work together.

“All of our students should be able to move to a higher level. We also need to build trust upon the public again, having a positive relationship with everyone,” he said.

Lynn C. Stroble – District 6

Lynn Stroble is running for District 6 on the Colleton County School Board.

Stroble, 59, is a retired Colleton County school teacher and a retired administrator from the local school district. Since her retirement, she has continued to serve as a voluntarily supporting teacher for many different schools in Colleton County. She has also helped with POLARIS, a charter school in the Lowcountry. As a former teacher and administrator, Stroble says she decided to run for the Colleton County School Board because her grandchildren are going to be future students in our public schools.

“I should be able to see my grandchildren receive a positive public-school education,” she said, adding that the school board should have elected leaders on it who are educators.

“Our country should be a place where we want to see our children go to school,” she said. “Our schools should be a family, a place where we want to go to work and where we know we have a family support. “I’ve been on my knees praying a lot, and this is something I am being led to do.”

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Cottageville residents have seen change in their community in the last few years, and now the Greater Cottageville Chamber of Commerce is ready to encourage more improvements.

Frank Santorella, a resident of Cottageville, said he is proud of the small town and wants to showcase its beauty, friendly people, and excellent location.

“We want to create a chamber of commerce here. We already have a 501-3C non-profit status, Maryann Blake is serving as our attorney, and we are ready to roll,” said Santorella. “We have ‘Friends of the Park’ which is comprised of people who helped develop the park into what it is now.” He says there are also plans at the park to install a memorial with engraved bricks to honor veterans. This will be accomplished by applying for grants and accepting donations.

Santorella, who plans to initiate the chamber, will serve as a temporary director. He says he already has seven merchants who are interested in joining.

“We want to make Cottageville a destination. Red Brick Pizza and Beer Garden is the anchor store for starting the chamber,” said Santorella. “It’s a one-of-a-kind business in the entire region. Once the chamber officially opens, we want to pick a member of the chamber and promote that business each week, and once a month promote everyone. There will be a rotation, and this will be good for everybody.”

He went on to say that the brick-and-mortar stores are the life of Cottageville, not the transient businesses. He feels that transient businesses will not want to invest their funds in the chamber, but the stationary businesses are here to stay.

“I think the people of Cottageville will be positively affected by the chamber and will accept it with open arms. Hopefully, this will bring even more businesses our way. Our only option now is to travel to Summerville or Walterboro to purchase some items. That’s between 15 to 20 miles away. Cottageville has a lot of people in the rural areas, and though our local gas stations try hard to serve the needs of the community, it would be nice to have boutique shops here. We already have a new vape store that has a coffee bar. So we are starting off well,” said Santorella.

He is hoping to have the new chamber up and running by the end of the first quarter of 2022.

“There will be a fee for stores to become part of the chamber,” said Santorella, who gathered ideas and patterned the Cottageville chamber after the City of Walteboro’s. “I received ideas on how to structure the fees. They won’t be impressive because social media provides a lot of free advertising. We will have a website and newsletter for the community. We will be out there,” he added.

Anyone interested in joining the new chamber can write to: Greater Cottageville Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 464, Cottageville, SC, 29435. Businesses can also contact Santorella on Facebook at Friends of the Park or call The Vape Stop at 843-701-4262.

A few years ago David Stanfield, with the help of many other people, converted his old horse barn into a church. “I love people,” said Stanfield, “Now I finally have something that draws people.” Stanfield holds the service every Sunday at 6pm at Horseshoe lake in Cottageville.

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Frankalina Marie signs the hymns during the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. "When the group is singing they are singing with all their heart,” said Marie. “Its real stuff, there's no pretend, there's no show, we're so glad that everybody is here." Michael Pronzato/Staff

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Members of the Cowboy Church play during their Sunday service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. David Stanfield, center, with the help of many other people, converted the old barn into a church. "God gave me cheap lumber," said Stanfield. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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Sofi Moore, 6, with her mom Kristina Harris during the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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Mama Sue sings during the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. "This is like my second family, said Mama Sue, "It is my home away from home." Michael Pronzato/Staff

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Brenda Smith sings the hymns during the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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Members of the Cowboy Church play during their Sunday service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. David Stanfield, center, with the help of many other people, converted the old barn into a church. "God gave me cheap lumber," said Stanfield. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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Lyla Youmans, 4, sits with her mom Chelsea Mixson during the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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Rose Marie Fender sings the songs that are played during the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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Lyla Youmans, 4, sits with her mom Chelsea Mixson during the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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Hymnals are placed in the hand made pews during the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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David Stanfield laughs with James Poole and Joan Newberger after Poole questioned him for not liking greens before the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. "You live in the south and you don't like greens?" said Poole. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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John France, left, plays pool with a friend outside the church before the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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Kristina Harris digs in to the large spread of food prepared by Derrick Edwards after the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. "Were all family here," said Chef Edwards. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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Sofi Moore, 6, dances after eating dinner at the Cowboy Church service in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. Behind the church is a lake and a small beach that the attendees can fish from or take a boat out on the lake. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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David Stanfield runs the Cowboy Church service and other amenities around the property in Cottageville on Sunday, June 4, 2017. "I love people," said Stanfield, "Now I finally have something that draws people." Stanfield takes pride in his way of having church. Michael Pronzato/Staff

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COTTAGEVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – A problem with a septic tank may force a small business in Colleton County to close its doors for good.

David Stanfield and his wife opened Red Brick Pizza in Cottageville a few years ago. But they may have to close their business after South Carolina’s lead health agency, the Department of Health and Environmental Control, said their septic system is not fit for the job.

“Almost two years ago we started, and almost immediately DHEC jumped on my back,” said Stanfield. “In March of last year, we started takeout only, but in March I contacted them about opening a 12-person dining room. They said yes, you can open it.”

A month later, Stanfield said he was told that could not have a dining room.

“I asked them about the tables out front – I had four picnic tables out front – they said you can have all the picnic tables you want, so we built a patio which has a bunch of outside tables. And then five months later, during another inspection, and we’ve gone through eight in one year, during another inspection they said you can’t have these outside tables. I said, well, you told us we could.”

DHEC told Stanfield that his septic tank was too small, and he was given a ‘shut door’ order.

“Two months ago, I went before the council- I begged them, I said my septic system has never overflowed, it’s never had a problem, and they said you have 60 days to put this monstrosity in back here.”

His customers were outside protesting on Tuesday while raising money to help keep them in business.

Stanfield began installing the large septic system. He says he has now spent $51,000 on the project. But his business only makes about $800-$1,000 on a good week. So, he believes he will now have to just shut down.

Stanfield eventually put a water meter on his property after a suggestion from a neighbor to see how much water was being used each day.

“Our water meter shows that we use 350 gallons per night, my existing system will do 450 gallons and they’ve got me putting in the system it will do 1,500 gallons per night which is just crazy. They’ve bankrupted me. They’ve taken every dime that we have, and we don’t even have money to open for food this week.”

DHEC sent News 2 a statement saying Stanfield was not in compliance with his DHEC permit when he moved from take-out only to restaurant seating.

“Mr. Stanfield did not dispute the grounds for suspension but requested the suspension be rescinded because he was diligently working on gaining compliance with DHEC regulations,” the statement said. “Failure to install the upgraded system would not lead to closure of the facility but would result in the return to the original food service operation as approved and permitted by DHEC.”

“I don’t understand this because, you know, America is known for if you put everything into – whatever your dream is – you can get it accomplished and they are burying us alive,” said Heike Stanfield, Co-Owner, Red Brick Pizza.

Stanfield said they were last open on Saturday. But unless a miracle happens, he believes they may not be able to re-open again.

The matter was discussed during a DHEC board meeting on May 5, 2022 with the restaurant’s owner in attendance – a motion was made about two hours and thirty-three minutes into the meeting, following an executive session. You can watch that hearing by clicking here.

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Officials confirmed about 10 brush fires in the Lowcountry Thursday. The largest -- a 100-acre fire in Cottageville.

Several roads in Cottageville were blocked in the area of Bazzle Road as crews responded.

State Fire officials issued a red flag fire alert for 7.a.m Friday morning. There were at least 50 wildfires across South Carolina Thursday, many of those in the Lowcountry. Some of the worst areas were in Colleton and Berkeley counties.

Colleton County Fire and Rescue was called to one home twice Thursday. A hotspot reignited behind a home off Sidney Road. The blaze caught the attention of those nearby, including Kenya Campbell.

"I'm just trying to figure out what to do. It stopped and then it came back, it's scary,” said Campbell. “I ain't never see nothing like this and I've been here my whole life. It's really scary."

The property owner called officials back for safe measure. Despite the smoke and embers, crews are confident the fire is contained.

"I worry about my dad's house and my house catching fire,” Campbell said. “That's scary and being able to get my mom out of the house out in time in case something happens because my mom is disabled and is on oxygen and medication so it's hard to move her quickly."

Roughly 10 miles away, others were also preparing for the worst. Bob Szepek and his family live off Bazzle Road. Their 12 acres of land were up in smoke.

"Well, I have me and my wife, my daughter and stepson, five grandkids, three dogs and seven cats,” Szepek said.

While getting out of harm's way might not be easy, he said they're prepared, but not worried.

"We got some stuff together and gathered up the dogs, got them loaded up in vehicles,” Szepek said. “If they would have told us to leave, we would have left."

As for Campbell, she wasn’t willing to play with fire.

"I think I'm going to go home and pack my mom up,” she said. “I think that's the best thing we're going to do is pack mom up and get out of here for the night at least."

Berkeley County fires

In Berkeley County, there were fires reported in Moncks Corner, St. Stephen and Jamestown.

Berkeley County spokeswoman Hannah Moseley said a fire on Old Mill Road in St. Stephen destroyed a shed and mobile home.

The largest of the Berkeley fires was a 50-acre brush fire off Stevensridge Lane. In Jamestown, a woods fire off French Santee Road burned several acres.

“Today was one of the busiest fire days we’ve seen in a while – [more than 50 active fires statewide] – and it’s because the conditions that led us to issue a Red Flag alert last weekend haven’t changed much,” said Darryl Jones, SC Forestry Commission Chief. “We’re asking that people voluntarily postpone any burning they’ve planned because the wind speeds and relative humidity over much of the state through the weekend will create an elevated potential for fire danger.”

The statewide Red Flag Fire Alert does not prohibit outdoor burning, provided that all other state and local regulations are followed.

Moncks Corner officials went a step further and announced a burn ban for the town.

State fire officials said dry conditions, low humidity and winds are fanning the flames.

The Whitesville Rural Volunteer Fire Department posted the video below.

Their post read:"Great job by Moncks Corner Rural Fire Department, Pine Ridge Fire Rescue, The South Carolina Forestry Commission, Berkeley County Central Dispatch as well we your Whitesville Rural Volunteer Fire Department for a great job on what ended up being a 50 acre brush fire in the area of Stevensridge Lane off or Old Whitesville Rd. Please ensure that you check to see if there is a Red Flag Warning or Burn Ban in place prior to burning anything, and when you do burn it can only be organic materials that have not been chemically treated in any way."