Herald-Advocate News

The Bennettsville Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a vehicle seen near where a Bennettsville woman was murdered.
According to Larry Turner, the vehicle was seen in the vicinity of 224 Windham Street where 23-year-old Vernika Townsend was murdered on Sunday. 
He said anyone with information is asked to contact the Bennettsville Police Department at 843-479-3620 or Marlboro County Dispatch at 843-479-3620. Individuals may remain anonymous.
"It is an ongoing investigation," Turner said.
Police were dispatched  at 11 p.m. Sunday night to Windham Street.
Once there, they discovered Townsend inside the residence with a gunshot wound.

Band students from the School of Discovery and Marlboro County High School had a chance to receive tips from bassist and band leader John Brown and other musicians in the John Brown "Little" Big Band Tuesday.
The workshop was held earlier in the day before the John Brown "Little" Big Band performed at the Marlboro Civic Center that night.
Each school's band had a chance to spend an hour with the musicians by performing for them and listening to feedback.

Last Saturday, 850 people signed up to help clean up Marlboro County as part of the County-wide Community Clean-up Day.
Officials said 24 tons of garbage was picked up.
"There was an assortment of garbage from tin cans to dead possums," said Ron Munnerlyn, county administrator.
Volunteers could be found on the side of roads and in ditches picking up various trash ranging from tires to Styrofoam cups.
Beth Flowers noticed this as she drove from her home in McColl to volunteer with her church, Blenheim Community Church.
"It is a great first step for the community," she said. "It was well organized with great supplies."
Munnerlyn said county officials were amazed at the turnout.
"It far exceeded what we hoped for," he said.

Bennettsville Police Chief Kevin Miller feels a lot was accomplished by the department during his first year but didn't want to take credit for it.
"It is what have 'we' accomplished. I don't like to use 'I,'" he said. "It is a group effort."
His first day as chief was April 10, 2017.
Miller feels that the department changed its play book on community policing and combating crime. 
Property crimes drastically dropped, he said.
He remembered when he first started that there was a huge rash of car and house break-ins. 
Miller said he increased patrols after restructuring the department. 

As of Monday morning, Bennettsville Police were still investigating a Sunday night shooting.
Lt. Larry Turner of the BPD said police were called around 11 p.m. Sunday night to 224 Windham St. in Bennettsville.
Once there, they discovered a female shot to death at the residence.