Today's News

When it comes to the Great Wagon Road, Jim Riley knows there had to be more than one shallow ford along the Catawba River where 18th-century traders crossed and branched out into the Carolina Backcountry.

Now he’s trying to find them.

Riley, an author and retired history professor at Indiana University, was in Lancaster this week on a “personal quest of a retired man with too much time on his hands.”

First-year Lancaster High School soccer coach Bo Sylvia said the Bruins are starting from scratch, but are shooting to make their mark in time.“We know we’re in a complete rebuilding mode,” said Sylvia who will be guiding a team which won only two matches last season. “We’re facing a challenge, but we look forward to the challenge. We hope to have a surprise or two this season.”Sylvia, a Panama native, has coached high school soccer in Missouri, N.C. and S.C.

February is Black History Month, a time for us to celebrate the contributions of African Americans throughout our history.

Many pivotal African Americans have exemplified through their lives the power of advocacy and volunteerism, from Frederick Douglass to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Black History Month is a time to reflect on how we can help change the lives of others less fortunate by speaking out on their behalf.

Everyone can be great because everyone can serve, King said.

When you look at a map of the Heritage Tract, you see slivers of property cut out on both sides of the Catawba River in Lancaster and Chester counties and dipping into Fairfield County. The state of South Carolina bought the 1,540-acre tract last fall for $5.4 million.

The Katawba Valley Land Trust bought 200 acres in the same vicinity from Crescent Resources earlier this year. The nonprofit land trust has received donated conservation easements from Crescent for 161 acres with water frontage on Fishing Creek in Chester County and Camp Creek in Lancaster County.