Rock Hill Herald week in review
Winthrop University cornhole team wins national titles
Winthrop University’s cornhole program successfully defended both its doubles and team national championships at the American Cornhole League regional event in Myrtle Beach. Eagles Gavin Hamann and Jaxson Remmick captured the doubles title, while the team championship was secured by Hayden Gonzales, Dylan Graham, Sal Sandoval and Mikayla Calvey. The victories mark back-to-back championships for the program, which competed in its second year. Hamann and Remmick are believed to be the first Division 1 athletes signed to scholarships specifically for cornhole. Rock Hill serves as headquarters for the American Cornhole League, and the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center hosts the Eagles’ home competitions.
Reported by John Marks, published Jan. 12
Buddhist monks’ Walk for Peace reaches Rock Hill
A group of Buddhist monks from Fort Worth, Texas, who began a 2,300-mile walk in October to promote peace, arrived in the Rock Hill region, drawing crowds of supporters. The monks, accompanied by their companion Aloka the Peace Dog, are traveling through nine state capitals before reaching Washington, D.C., next month, and have gained more than 1 million followers on Facebook and Instagram. After setting out from Great Falls, they planned to continue through Fort Mill and Charlotte.
Reported by John Marks, published Jan. 13
Charlotte man charged in Indian Land shooting
A Charlotte man has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a 74-year-old man found outside a South Carolina business, authorities say. Calvin Lamarr Allen, 44, was taken into custody in Charlotte four days after Gary Herendeen’s body was discovered outside an Indian Land business where he worked part-time. According to Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile, Allen and Herendeen knew each other from a Mecklenburg County boarding house where both previously lived and had apparently “fell out” at some point. Officials believe Herendeen was sleeping in his van on the night of Jan. 1 into Jan. 2 when he was shot, and his body was found Jan. 5 partially inside the vehicle. Allen faces charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in South Carolina.
Reported by Andrew Dys, published Jan. 9
McMaster proposes free breakfast for all students
Gov. Henry McMaster has proposed providing free breakfast to every South Carolina public school student regardless of family income, a plan that would cost the state approximately $8.7 million annually. The governor said eating breakfast improves cognitive performance, attention, memory and behavior, thereby enhancing academic performance. The state funding, combined with federal dollars, would provide 4.1 million meals annually in South Carolina. About 1 in 6 South Carolina children face hunger, according to Feeding America. McMaster said he would support universal free lunch in the future, stating the cost is minimal compared to the positive impact. The proposal is included in McMaster’s proposed budget.
Reported by Lucy Valeski, published Jan. 12
Former York County officer gets 40 years total
A former South Carolina police officer who worked at York County departments has been sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison for child sex crimes. Charles Eugene “Chuck” Price, 53, received an additional 10 years after pleading guilty to two counts of child sex offenses, adding to the 30 years he was sentenced to in 2023 following a jury conviction. Price entered an Alford plea, meaning he pleaded guilty without admitting guilt due to the substantial likelihood of conviction at trial. Prosecutors dropped more than 50 remaining charges as part of the plea deal. Price worked at Winthrop University in Rock Hill and previously in Fort Mill and Clover before his 2020 arrest. The offenses occurred while he was off duty, dating back to 2004, authorities say.
Reported by Andrew Dys, published Jan. 9
Man accused in school break-in remains jailed
A South Carolina man accused of breaking into a Chester school on Halloween will remain jailed without bail as authorities await toxicology results and a mental health evaluation. D’arrius Tyrese Edwards, 21, allegedly shattered a school window by diving through headfirst, fought with a teacher, then grabbed a non-verbal 3-year-old boy before deputies subdued him, authorities say. His lawyer told the judge that Edwards may have been under the influence of a synthetic drug after smoking a substance bought from a smoke shop earlier that day. The judge denied bail but called it a qualified denial, noting Edwards has no criminal record and comes from a well-established family. Edwards can request another bail hearing after test results return.
Reported by Andrew Dys, published Jan. 12
This story was originally published January 15, 2026 at 4:05 PM with the headline "Rock Hill Herald week in review."