roofer in Holly Hill, SC

Residents urge those who want to preserve the golf course to show their support at the next council meeting on September 6.

HOLLY HILL, S.C. — Orangeburg County Council is advancing a request to rezone the Holly Hill golf course into a residential subdivision. Some residents are in opposition to this proposed development.

“This whole community plays golf there and we have members from across the state. I hate to see that gone just for the sake of building houses," said resident Sam Chance.

The council had its second reading of the rezoning ordinance at its August 15 meeting.

RELATED: Orangeburg County considering request to rezone Holly Hill Golf Course

Chance has been golfing at the Holly Hill Golf Course for more than 15 years. He says the course has a long-standing history in Holly Hill. According to Chance, it was built in 1957 by local farmers. Over the years, it became a local landmark for recreation and community.

“We had a group of 25-30 people show up twice a week to play golf on the golf course and we had a great time," said Chance.

Chance says he was golfing at the course the day it unexpectedly closed in July.

“They fired the workers, the employees of the golf course at the same time with no notice and as far as I know today nobody has been reimbursed for dues and the employees who had been fired had not been paid," he said.

Some residents say the request to build 106 homes on the property is something that could create traffic issues along Old State Road and deprive the town of a major tourist attraction.

RELATED: New annexation in Holly Hill to bring 74 homes to town limits

“There’s subdivisions being built all over so why take away the one draw that those people would have that would be moving into that subdivision, why take away the only draw in recreation that’s here for them," said Sam's wife Susie Chance.

They encourage residents who want to preserve the golf course to show their support at the next Orangeburg County council meeting on September 6.

“The people who have been in Holly Hill all of their lives. I would hope would show up and help support the golf course. That’s out of our hands. Could only ask," said Chance.

The September 6 meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Orangeburg County Council Chambers. People who would like to take part in the public input are encouraged to arrive early.

The town of Eutawville currently does not have its own sewage and uses a septic tank system.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — The town of Holly Hill is entering into a shared agreement with the town of Eutawville to share sewage costs.

The plan would allow Holly Hill to run sewage pipes from Eutawville along Eutaw Road into the town of Holly Hill and treat its sewer system.

“It’s a game changer for eastern Orangeburg County," said Holly Hill Mayor Billy Chavis.

Chavis says this partnership will help prepare both towns for growth coming to Eastern Orangeburg County, by increasing its sewage capacity.

RELATED: New annexation in Holly Hill to bring 74 homes to town limits

“It made sense for us to at least reach out and get down to the bare bones of this agreement see if its once again financially feasible for us to give sewer to them so that Eutawville can express the same growth that Holly Hill’s gonna have," said Chavis.

The town of Eutawville currently does not have its own sewage and uses a septic tank system. Eutawville resident Melissa Garing says she would prefer to keep things how they are.

“I’m against it simply because we live in a small town. I like the small town feel, I like my well water. Septic tank is kind of a pain when you have to pump it out but it’s a small price to pay for not having so much growth and so much city life around us," said Garing.

It will be equally funded by both towns' general funds. Currently, the town of Holly Hill is under a one-year short term utility agreement with Envirolink. By the first quarter of next year, Mayor Chavis is hoping the town will receive South Carolina Infrastructure Improvement Funding to decide their next steps.

RELATED: SC town looks to make agreement with NC based utility company

Eutawville resident Jerry Robertson says he moved from Charleston seven years ago to escape urban development.

“The cost of a sewer plant is gonna take our valuable farmland which is currently growing food, textiles, lumber, soy products, it’s gonna take that farmland and it’s gonna turn it into subdivisions, it’s gonna get paved over, and built over," said Robertson.

American Engineering Consultants, LLC will conduct a feasibility study by the end of the month. This will determine how both towns will proceed with this partnership.

The Mayor says he's confident the company will help guide the town in the right direction as it takes steps to improve its infrastructure.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — The town of Holly Hill has signed a partnership with American Engineering Consultants, LLC.

This Columbia-based group will be designing the town's sewer system.

Earlier this year, the town entered into an agreement with North Carolina-based utility company Envirolink to start treating its water and sewage systems.

“With us bringing another professional to the table, they will help guide Holly Hill, and I can only speak for Holly Hill and make sure that we know the best route with Envirolink to take us to the future," said Mayor Billy Chavis.

Mayor Chavis says this is a part of the town's plans to push for receiving more federal COVID recovery funds for rural infrastructure projects.

RELATED: Free food boxes for individuals and families coming to Santee in August

“We’re trying to be on the cutting edge so that we put ourselves on the front of that list so when the state of South Carolina hands down money we’ll be one of the first ones in line to get it," said Chavis.

RELATED: New annexation in Holly Hill to bring 74 homes to town limits

He says he is confident the company will help guide the town of Holly Hill in the right direction as it takes the necessary steps to improve its infrastructure.

"We're putting the best people at the table who can direct us on what's our best next move. Everything we're doing right now is about the next move to go get this ARPA money," he said, “Help us build our foundation on solid rock instead of sand so that this time around Holly Hill will endure for many many years and be a viable option for industries and developments in the future," said Chavis.

A Holly Hill man pleaded guilty to a drug charge during a recent term of court at the Orangeburg County Courthouse.

Jordan Tyrek David Walters, 25, of 739 Gabby Hall Court, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession with intent to distribute a scheduled drug.

Circuit Judge R. Ferrell Cothran Jr. sentenced Walters to three years in prison, suspended to two years of probation.

He also ordered Walters to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.

In other pleas:

• Breuna Valencia Davene, 26, of 1144 Toney Bay Road, Holly Hill, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery.

She was originally charged with second-degree assault and battery by mob but pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery instead.

Cothran sentenced her to three years in prison, suspended to five years of probation and restitution.

• Billy Jo Williams, 60, of 1517 Silversprings Road, Neeses, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of one gram or less of methamphetamine or cocaine base.

Williams was originally charged with first-offense distribution of methamphetamine but pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of one gram or less of methamphetamine or cocaine base instead.

Cothran sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended to one year of probation. He gave him credit for having already served three days in prison.

Prosecutors dismissed Williams’ charges of temporary license plate time limit to replace, first-offense DUS license not suspended for DUI, first-offense uninsured motor vehicle fee violation and use of license plate other than for vehicle which issued.

• Jordan Malik Williams, 24, of 126 Oakmont Drive, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense failure to stop for blue lights and grand larceny valued at $10,000 or more.

Cothran sentenced Williams under the Youthful Offender Act to six years in prison, suspended to two years of probation.

He also ordered Williams to take medications as prescribed.

Prosecutors dismissed the following charges: breaking into motor vehicle, first-offense possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and grand larceny valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000.

• Kendrell Demontra Williams, 24, of 105 Durham Street, Cordova, pleaded guilty to unlawful carrying of a pistol.

Cothran sentenced Williams under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed one year, suspended to six months of probation.

Prosecutors dismissed Williams’ charge of possession with intent to distribute drugs within proximity of a school.

• Jamarris Dyquan Benjamin, 21, of 110 Big Phils Court, Santee, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession with intent to distribute a scheduled drug.

Cothran sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended to three years of probation.

• Justin Lamar Berry, 34, of 796 Edisto Avenue Apt. A, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to unlawful carrying of a pistol, identity fraud to obtain employment or avoid detection by law enforcement and first-offense possession of a controlled substance.

Cothran sentenced him to six months in prison. He was given credit for having already served 80 days at the Orangeburg County Detention Center.

Prosecutors dismissed Berry’s charge of second-degree DUS license not suspended for DUI.

• Kelly Wertz Blume, 50, of 3770 Bochette Boulevard, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to injury to real property to obtain nonferrous metals with damage valued less than $5,000.

Cothran sentenced him to 18 months in prison and gave him credit for having already served 338 days in jail.

• Brandon Shaquan Bradley, 33, of 940 Chitwood Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to trafficking in heroin, morphine etc. more than 14 grams but less than 28 grams, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance near a school and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent felony.

Cothran sentenced him to prison for five years, suspended to four years of probation.

He gave Bradley credit for having already served two days in jail.

He also ordered Bradley to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.

Prosecutors dismissed his charges of first-offense possession of a controlled substance, possession of a stolen pistol, first-offense possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and first-offense distribution of methamphetamine.

A tree stump still sits in front of a church in Holly Hill, the scene of a huge downed tree during storm winds. On Sunday church members gather to give thanks.

HOLLY HILL, S.C. — When a large tree fell in front of the Holly Hill Methodist Church during strong winds, the Rev. John Elmore wasn't sure if Sunday's church service would go on; however, with the community's help, the church is fully functional and giving back to others.

A song of praise and thanksgiving was sung inside Holly Hill United Methodist Church on Sunday. The view is a stark difference from the one on Thursday after Tropical Storm Idalia ripped through the area. Elmore said he was cleaning up some flooding inside the church when his week changed instantly.

"My wife actually heard something. She said, 'What was that?' I said, 'I don't know, come on, let's move some chairs.' When we walked outside, the mayor and city workers were here and the tree was laying across the street," Elmore said. "We got it to where they could use a tractor, and of course, they pushed it and blocked about two-thirds of the front of the church."

A News19 crew was in Holly Hill Thursday to see the tree completely turned over in the street, with church members using chainsaws to break it down.

On Sunday, no tree remained in front of the church, and the road was open to normal traffic. The Rev. Elmore said the trials of the storm were a key part of the message of his sermon.

"Some of the illustrations that we used in the sermon were tied to the tree and tied to the storm because we all had lived it," he said. "And so, we can speak into that reality of the scriptures and how they relate to us."

A small crowd gathered inside for the church on Sunday. According to Elmore, many helped get the church operating that day. He said that, in the coming week, his church will have the opportunity to help others in worse situations through the Methodist church's emergency response team.

"We have 10 to 12 trailers that are fully stocked to do tarping, muck-outs from flooding homes, [and] tree removal equipment," he said. "We've received an invitation to go to Ray City, Georgia."

Elmore said he's seen God work through people locally and nationally during the storm, giving more opportunities to spread the gospel.

"It's always people trying to help us in the time of storms, and we should always be willing to be that," he said. "Because when we do, people get to see our love for other people, and I think the scripture is always about loving other people."