Local

After two years of contentious debate, voters in Indian Land soundly rejected a ballot referendum Tuesday that would have incorporated most of the Panhandle.
The vote was 1,853 in favor and 9,086 against incorporation, which would have created a town of about 50 square miles with 25,000-plus residents.

The “No” vote was 83 percent and the “Yes” vote was 17 percent, a more than 4-to-1 margin.

Lancaster Mayor John Howard’s condition continues to improve after more than two months at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, according to his family.
“Dad is still in Progressive Care at CMC Main but is getting stronger each day,” said Shelley Robinson, Howard’s daughter. “The care team is pretty amazed at how well he’s doing compared to how sick he was a few weeks ago.
“I’m so happy to be able to post a positive update!” she said.  

KERSHAW – Friday’s mail contained a delightful surprise for Frances Moreland, administrator of the Kershaw Community Parks Council.
A letter from OceanaGold notified KCPC that Haile Gold Mine was upping its financial pledge for the playground replacement at Stevens Park from $50,000 to $75,000.
That, in turn, will result in an additional $25,000 match from the J. Marion Sims Foundation to help pay for the $375,000 project.

After more than two years of public discussion and often contentious debate, Panhandle residents this week will voice their opinions on Indian Land incorporation in the only way that really matters – at the ballot box.
The Indian Land incorporation referendum is scheduled for Tuesday. All Panhandle polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voting is open to all registered voters living within the proposed town of Indian Land incorporation area, nearly the entire Lancaster County Panhandle – except residents of the new town of Van Wyck.