The event is the Southeast Area Qualifier for the AMA Amateur National
Motocross Championship which is held in August at the Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN.

The event will bring riders from 10 states trying to qualify for the coveted
“Top 8” spots which guarantees them a spot at the regional. Youth riders from the young age of 4 up to the 50+ Super Senior riders will be racing Saturday and Sunday. There are classes for everyone from beginners to amateurs to vets, and up  to the “Topgun Pros.”.

At this race last year 13 - time national champion Kevin Walker won the 250 pro class over Matt Bell. In the 450 pro class it was New York’s Ray Leybovich winning,  with defending Ultra Series champion Brad Modjewski finishing second.
The weekend gets started on Friday with a “Test and Tune” practice day, then Saturday is youth and amateur racing in the stock classes. Sunday’s racing will feature the pros, quads, and modified classes.

In addition the event will also be the opening round of the 2010 Parts Unlimited Ultra Series sponsored by FMF.  Racing is rain or shine and gets started at 9:30 a.m.

For the rest of the story, see this weeks issue of the Blackburg Times.

Lacee Dillingham, a senior, came in second place by doing a tap dance routine to “They Don’t Want Music” by the Black Eyed Peas.
Sophomore Lindsay Wright placed third by mixing things up with a covering Linkin Park’s “New Divide” on the piano.
With so many artistic performances, there was a three-way tie for in the honorable mention category.

Senior Will Raines sang and played the piano to Ron Pope’s “A Drop In the Ocean”.
Lauren Roberts, a junior, entertained the audience by playing “Mary Did You Know” on the piano and “Walking With the Elders” on the Indian Flute.
Freshman Johnny Deal performed an original piece that he wrote FOR the electric guitar.

The other competitors, who include freshmen Amelia Pittman and Abby Pruitt; sophomores Cody Knight, Joseph Cooper, Michael Lee, Lashaunda Steadman, and Angel Martin; junior Dyllan Adkins; and seniors Avery Townsend and Chasidy Nix, were also strong performers.
Talent Show Coordinator Lynn Sisk wanted to extend a special thanks to sound technician Mike Grigg and senior Britiany McCallister, who served as the evening’s emcee.

Proceeds from the event went to the school’s Fine Arts Department.

Superintendent Bill James ended weeks of confusion and controversy surrounding the Cherokee County School Board on Monday evening by asking for permission to retire early.

James made the request after members of the board failed to reach an agreement on his evaluation after several attempts.

Discussion about James’ evaluation and future contract with the school district began on Feb. 8, but trustees were unable to come to a consensus during that meeting or two additional called meetings. The board accepted the offer from James, and will allow him to retire on June 30. His previous contract went through the end of the 2010 – 2011 school year.

For the rest of the story, see this week’s Blacksburg Times.

Ron Long, Athletic Director of the Shrine Bowl Of The Carolina’s announced Monday the Coaches selections for the 2010 South Carolina Sandlappers. 

Leading the South Carolina squad this year will be Head Coach Michael “Mickey” Moss of Blacksburg High.  Assisting him will be Carlos Cave of Battery Creek, Scott Earley of Chapin, Scott Jones of Lugoff-Elgin, Ken Kirkland of Irmo, Lee Sawyer of Strom Thurmond and Dwayne  Garrick of Williston-Elko.

These Coaches have been selected and approved to coach their respective teams in the 74th Shrine Bowl Game to be played on Saturday, December 18th at beautiful Gibbs Stadium on the campus of Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Long added, “All respective North and South Carolina Coaches Associations and governing bodies have approved their coaching selections for participation in this Carolina’s Football Classic affectionately known as America’s Original All Star High School Football Game –  where strong legs run, so crippled legs might walk. “

After serving as Cherokee County Sheriff for almost two decades, Bill Blanton announced Monday that he is ready to hang up his badge.

He told his staff that he would not be seeking re-election, before releasing a brief statement to area media. 

“After careful thought and prayer with my wife,  Pam, I have decided not to seek re-election,” he said.

For the rest of the story, see this week’s Blacksburg Times.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce has announced this year’s winners of the Hall of Fame Award and the Duke Energy Award for Public Service.

James Batchler will be posthumously inducted into the Chamber’s Hall of Fame at their Annual Meeting. His family will be presented the Hall of Fame plaque in his memory.

Batchler, who served Cherokee County as a councilman for more than 40 years, passed away in August of last year. He will be honored by Chamber members and guests during the Feb. 4 event at the Broad River Electric Auditorium. Boyd Meetze will also be honored as he receives the Duke Energy Award for Public Service.

For the rest of the story, see this week’s Blacksburg Times.

The Employment Security Commission reported last week that Cherokee County’s unemployment rate remained at 16.8 percent during December 2009, giving the county the 16th highest ranking in South Carolina. But the bad news came with a bit of good news.

A local textile plant has announced a $6.5 million investment in the area that will create 50 new jobs.

Suminoe Textile of America is expanding operations at its Meadow Creek Industrial Park location. In addition to opening a new building, the company will turn its existing building into a carpet facility.

Hiring for the positions is expected to begin towards the end of February. For information about job openings, contact the Gaffney Workforce Center at (864) 489-3112. Applications are available at the center, which is located at 133 Wilmac Road. 

For the rest of the story, see this week’s Blacksburg Times.

South Carolina experienced 881 traffic fatalities during 2009, the lowest amount since 1995.

In light of that, the Cherokee County Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse honored four local men last week for making the state’s streets safer. 

Top officials from the Blacksburg Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Gaffney Police Department, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol presented awards to the officer in their department with the most DUI arrests.

Sgt. Pete McBride presented Blacksburg’s top cop award to Officer Shane Childers.

Sheriff Bill Blanton honored Deputy Brian Mullinax for his work with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Capt. Rick Turner of the Gaffney Police Department gave the honors to Master Police Officer Michael Scruggs for his department.
Sgt. Steven Mueller recognized Sr. Trooper J. H. White, of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, for his efforts.

For the rest of the story, see this week’s Blacksburg Times.

As a coalition of charitable organizations committed to improving the community, United Way of the Piedmont likes to make things happen.

When group learned that local non-profits were using old computers and office equipment, or even going without, so that more money could be spent fulfilling their mission of helping others, they decided to do something about it.

On behalf of charitable organizations in Cherokee and Union Counties, United Way submitted a grant to the Timken Foundation, requesting money for technology, an often-forgotten area at non-profit organizations.

Timken responded to the appeal with a grant for $75,000 as part of the company’s philosophy of corporate philanthropy.

For the rest of the story, see this week’s Blacksburg Times.

The Cherokee County Council conducted its first meeting of the New Year on Monday night with a range of emotions. The group took the opportunity to embrace the future, while also reflecting on the past, as a new member was welcomed, and another was remembered. 
A special ceremony was held to swear in Tracy McDaniel, the organization’s newest member.

“I know Tracy McDaniel and I know he will do a fine job serving on Cherokee County Council,” said State Sen. Harvey Peeler, who administered the oath of office. “How do I know this? I served on County Council and I know he is up to the job.”

McDaniel earned a spot on County Council after winning a special election on Dec. 29.

For the rest of the story, see this week’s Blacksburg Times.