Legislators honored

Two York County legislators are being recognized by the S.C. School Boards Association for their commitment to public schools.

The association gave state Sen. Wes Hayes, (R-Rock Hill), and state Rep. Carl Gullick, (R-Lake Wylie), the Champions for Public Education Award on Monday for their efforts to support public schools and their local school districts.

The legislators were nominated by the four York County school boards, which commended Hayes and Gullick for their accessibility, openness and responsiveness.

Gullick is fighting to hold his seat in the House. In the June primary, he will face Republican Kyle Boyd, headmaster of Walnut Grove Christian School in south Charlotte and a supporter of offering parents vouchers or tax credits to pay for private school tuition.

Gullick, who opposes vouchers, characterized them as one of the most emotional issues in the Legislature.

On Hayes' to-do list is a plan to push through legislation overhauling Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests. A proposal to scrap PACT and replace it with a new test that would give teachers more information about where students struggled is on the Senate's contested calendar. That means two-thirds of the Senate must vote to discuss it in order for the proposal to have a chance of passing. Hayes said he hoped that would happen Tuesday.

- The Herald

Veterans committee meets tonight

The newly formed Fort Mill Veterans Committee will hold its second meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday at Fort Mill Town Hall on Confederate Street. The meeting is open to the public.

Committee members are scheduled to speak with an architect to discuss possibilities for the planned Veterans' Memorial Park to be located on North White Street. Two weeks ago, during the committee's first meeting, members toured the proposed site for the memorial with Town Manager David Hudspeth. Hudspeth said the town does not have a firm budget for the project yet, because the planning for the memorial has yet to begin in detail.

'Baby shower' at Humane society

A drop-in from 1 to 4 p.m. will be held Saturday May 17, at the Humane society of York County, at 2036 Carolina Place, off Hwy. 160 West in Fort Mill.

The HSYC is overwhelmed by litters of kittens and puppies every spring. Many are brought in at such a young age that they require bottle feeding, which is required every four hours, including at night. The HSYC said it has an urgent need of special items, including KMR Kitten or Puppy Milk Replacement, disposable washcloths with built-in baby wash, cloth baby towels, fleece to make small blankets, soft baby blankets, cloth diapers, moist towelettes or wipes, plush toys, heating pads and any monetary donations.

For more information, call 802-0902.

Goodwill has need

Goodwill is partnering with Dell Computers to provide a free computer recycling option. Residents can drop off their unwanted computers, printers, monitors at any Goodwill store or donation center free of charge. All brands and conditions of equipment are accepted and are tax deductible.

- By staff reports