Our View

O ne in eight. That’s the likelihood of a woman in the United States getting invasive breast cancer in her lifetime, according to BreastCancer.org. That is an alarming statistic. All of us know someone who has breast cancer – be it a family member, friend or acquaintance.
On Sunday, we introduced you to Jan Hicks – a two-time breast cancer survivor. As a registered nurse and case manager for Springs Memorial Hospital, Hicks is all too familiar with cancer’s impact on those diagnosed with the devastating disease and their loved ones.

It has been a whale of a season for Lancaster High School junior swimmer Jory Pettit.
Pettit capped the 2011 swim campaign with an individual state crown in the 50-yard  freestyle at the recent Class AAAA state swim meet.
Pettit brilliantly topped a tough field, edging Byrnes High School’s Alex Wood by a slim margin.
Pettit’s winning 21.47 was the result of a fast finish. Wood, who won the 100-yard freestyle state crown, was a close second in 21.61.

Chronic and increasing unemployment. Home foreclosures. Loss of health insurance. More homeless families. All of these factors paint a bleak economic picture. But this is not a startling revelation. We’re all fully aware of our economic conditions. But some recently released data does reveal some startling statistics.
According to the 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the U.S. Census, the economy is having a negative impact on the most vulnerable of society – children.

The town of Kershaw has taken the first step on the trail.
The trail, in this case, is the Carolina Thread Trail, which will feature greenways and other natural sites throughout 15 counties in the Carolinas.
Kershaw and other area entities have pledged their support in theory, but Kershaw’s latest backing of the master plan means the chance for funding that will go for the creation, or enhancement of pathways here.
In this day of “going green,” it’s a natural move now and for our future.