John Marks
Verified- Community News Reporter, Rock Hill Herald
- Community News Reporter, The Herald - Fort Mill Times
Fort Mill
Articles by John Marks
LOOKING BACK: Plank roads enjoyed brief spell of popularity
In the mid-1800s, New York state had more than 3,500 miles of plank roads. Why were they built, and why did they disappear, except for mentions on historical markers? Most early roads evolved from footpaths, widening over time for horses and wagons. Unimproved dirt roads were dusty in summer and muddy in rainy seasons. Maintenance fell to landowners along the road who were supposed to work together. Like any assigned group project, the system didn’t work.
Rock Hill region’s million-dollar home sales fall behind last year’s record pace
Despite two home sales at more than $2 million and another just shy of it last month, it’ll take a strong holiday home shopping season for the Rock Hill region to keep its record streak alive by year’s end. Since the COVID pandemic sent home prices soaring, the three-county area has set a new record each year for the number of home sales topping $1 million. Last year, there were 266 such sales, which was 44% higher than the year before, and nearly double 2023.
450 new homes are proposed around Rock Hill, Fort Mill & Lake Wylie: What to know
The area in red shows where new townhomes are proposed in Fort Mill, part of the 450 homes and townhomes being developed across the Rock Hill region. Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Lake Wylie have more homes proposed. So do Clover and Lancaster. They range from typical subdivisions to lakefront living beside a nuclear station. Here’s a look at plans for 450 new homes and townhomes pitched across the Rock Hill region. Details are still pending on a 309-home subdivision proposal in Lancaster County.
450 new homes are proposed around Rock Hill, Fort Mill & Lake Wylie: What to know
Follow 450 new homes are proposed around Rock Hill, Fort Mill & Lake Wylie: What to know Sat, November 7, 2026 at 5:05 AM EST The area in red shows where new townhomes are proposed in Fort Mill, part of the 450 homes and townhomes being developed across the Rock Hill region. Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Lake Wylie have more homes proposed. So do Clover and Lancaster. They range from typical subdivisions to lakefront living beside a nuclear station.
Silfab gives SC regulators notice that it’s ready to use chemicals in Fort Mill
Silfab Solar could start up part of its solar panel manufacturing that involve industrial chemicals early next week. The company on Friday gave 72-hour notice to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. That notice was required in an agreement with state regulators after two chemical releases in March halted Silfab’s plans at its Fort Mill site.
Here’s what you may have missed across the Rock Hill region on election day
School board races and other local contests were decided across the Rock Hill region on election day. With an historic midterm vote that put the Rock Hill region on the national stage and saw a U.S. Senate seat flip from red to blue in South Carolina, there were also plenty of local decisions that will impact communities for years to come. Visit heraldonline.com for information on state legislators, school board races and unusual county council races.
How many people voted early in Beaufort County this election? We broke a record
Early voting was introduced in 2022, and Beaufort County voters are taking advantage of the opportunity. John Marks Early votes made up more than half the votes cast in Beaufort County, a midterm election record. The midterm election wrapped up Tuesday evening with polls closing at 7 p.m. across the state. Since the implementation of early voting in South Carolina during the 2022 midterm election, voters now have more than two weeks to cast their ballots.
These 4 big companies set to bring $232.6M in investments and 415 jobs to York County
Companies looking to invest nearly a quarter billion dollars in York County and create more than 400 jobs are beginning to introduce themselves. A Dutch retail company and German chemical company made their cases for county economic incentives to bring in large projects. Two unnamed companies are right behind them. All four will be made public by the end of the month.
Gov. McMaster suspended a county councilman. Chester County just reelected him
Chester County Councilman John Agee has been suspended following indictments related to misuse of public funds. Suspended, indicted Chester County Councilman John Agee just won another term in office. Agee, a Republican, defeated Democrat Felicia “Fe-Fe” Stevenson for the county’s Dist. 1 seat, according to unofficial results from the South Carolina Election Commission. Agee won more than 52% of the vote in the two-way race. Election day comes less than three months after Gov.
Three Rock Hill school board seats will go to new members after crowded race
Rock Hill school district voters picked three new board members on election day. Rock Hill will welcome three new school board members, after no incumbents ran for the seats on the Tuesday’s ballot. Still, voters had plenty of options. Zach Oxendine, Lamont Ratchford and Holly Shook ran for Seat 2. Tyler Williams, Jason Wilson and Sally Young filed for Seat 4. Matt Hiers and Seberina Barber Myles faced off for an at-large seat.
The Rock Hill region decided 14 state legislature seats. See the latest results
Rock Hill region voters picked 14 state legislators on Tuesday to represent the region in Columbia. Rock Hill region voters picked 14 state legislators on election day to represent their parts of the three-county area in Columbia. New and returning officials will serve everything from bustling parts of Rock Hill and Fort Mill to the rural stretches of Lancaster and Chester counties. With polls closed, The Herald will update the results for those races using the table below.
Fort Mill and Tega Cay voters pick school board members. Check here for results
The voting precinct at Catawba Ridge High School had a line at lunchtime on Tuesday. Voters in Fort Mill and Tega Cay picked from seven school board candidates. Polls are closed on the election for four seats to the Fort Mill school board. Now families await the results. The Herald will update the vote tally as it comes in, using the table below. Check back often for the latest information.
Fort Mill and Tega Cay voters pick school board members. Check here for results
Follow Fort Mill and Tega Cay voters pick school board members. Check here for results Tue, November 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST Fort Mill and Tega Cay voters pick school board members. Check here for results The voting precinct at Catawba Ridge High School had a line at lunchtime on Tuesday. Voters in Fort Mill and Tega Cay picked from seven school board candidates.
County officials face tough calls in the Rock Hill region. Just not on the ballot
An election day sign in Fort Mill shows voters where to go. County council races in York and Lancaster counties are unopposed this fall. The easiest races to call on election night are for seats that handle some of the most contentious public issues across the Rock Hill region. Yet most of those races were all but decided before polls closed. Residents have poured into York County Council meetings each month for years now to debate data centers and solar panel manufacturing.
How to find your polling place, voting hours & what’s on the ballot in the Rock Hill area
An election big enough to bring a sitting president to Rock Hill and local enough to determine school board members and local judges arrives on Tuesday. Or, given the surge of early voting this fall, the decisions will wrap up on election day. kAm'@E6CD 24C@DD E96 #@4< w:== C68:@? H:== 96=A 56E6C>:?6 E96 ?6IE 8@G6C?@C[ 65F42E:@?
How to find your polling place, voting hours & what’s on the ballot in the Rock Hill area
An election big enough to bring a sitting president to Rock Hill and local enough to determine school board members and local judges arrives on Tuesday. Or, given the surge of early voting this fall, the decisions will wrap up on election day. Voters across the Rock Hill region will help determine the next governor, education superintendent and a host more statewide offices as well as a U.S. Senate and U.S. House representative.
Clover is the SC marching band champ again, beating out this 5-time state winner
The Clover High marching band won a state title on Saturday, continuing a proud tradition for area bands. For the first time in nearly 20 years, Clover High is a South Carolina high school marching band champion. Clover won its third overall title on Saturday, beating out five-time state champ York. Clover took home the title in its first year after its district split into two high schools due to the opening of Lake Wylie High. Clover won the class 4A title just as the school did in 2007.
Man who called a Trump rally 'a cult' on Fox News says he's 'a bully to the bullies'
Tom Hoyle hadn't yet been escorted out of President Donald Trump's rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Thursday before the internet went abuzz calling him a hero without a cape and a comedy legend . Then came the flood of rush orders to his print shop for Death metal band shirts and hats from people who want to be Hoyle for Halloween.
NC man who called a Trump rally 'a cult' on Fox News says he's 'a bully to the bullies'
Tom Hoyle hadn't yet been escorted out of President Donald Trump's rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Thursday before the internet went abuzz calling him a hero without a cape and a comedy legend. Then came the flood of rush orders to his print shop for Death metal band shirts and hats from people who want to be Hoyle for Halloween. "It's a little offputting that they would want to dress up as me," the Charlotte, North Carolina, resident said, "but that's all right."
Man who called a Trump rally ‘a cult' on Fox News says he's ‘a bully to the bullies'
Tom Hoyle hadn't yet been escorted out of President Donald Trump's rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Thursday before the internet went abuzz calling him a hero without a cape and a comedy legend . Then came the flood of rush orders to his print shop for Death metal band shirts and hats from people who want to be Hoyle for Halloween.
Why Trump pointed to Rock Hill’s success as proof that his policies are working
President Donald Trump comes out to applause Thursday during a rally in downtown Rock Hill. Two massive investments in Rock Hill are proof that federal policies are working for South Carolina, President Donald Trump told supporters at a downtown rally Thursday afternoon. Trump touted his record on manufacturing, tariffs and economic policies that is bringing unprecedented investment from companies relocating to this country, he said. Rock Hill is experiencing it with Octapharma and Re:Build.
Why Trump pointed to Rock Hill’s success as proof that his policies are working
President Donald Trump comes out to applause Thursday during a rally in downtown Rock Hill. Two massive investments in Rock Hill are proof that federal policies are working for South Carolina, President Donald Trump told supporters at a downtown rally Thursday afternoon. Trump touted his record on manufacturing, tariffs and economic policies that is bringing unprecedented investment from companies relocating to this country, he said. Rock Hill is experiencing it with Octapharma and Re:Build.
How much do you know about York County high school football titles? Take our quiz
All-time high school football records are fascinating and filled with unexpected trivia tidbits, but sharing them here would spoil the fun. How much do you know? Take the quiz below on historic York County titles that’s filled with details on area teams. This story was originally published October 29, 2026 at 1:49 PM with the headline "How much do you know about York County high school football titles? Take our quiz."
Rock Hill vs. Northwestern puts a new kind of football title on the line Friday night
Generational rivals Rock Hill and Northwestern will take the field Friday night with an opportunity to claim one of high school football’s most prestigious titles that doesn’t exist, but ought to. And across the river, Fort Mill just might have a say in it, too. One of those three schools will end the season with the area’s best record against York County opponents. Call it a York County title.
Rock Hill isn’t the same city Trump visited a decade ago. Just look at the venue
A decade ago, President Donald Trump never would’ve headlined a political event at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center. He hadn’t been elected president yet, and the arena wasn’t built. Both have come a long way since. On Thursday, Trump will rally voters at a city-owned site that represents revitalization, grit and a new era of prosperity for downtown Rock Hill. Regardless of political leanings, anyone can see that it’s a big deal for the city to host a sitting president.
Mayor John Gettys talks about Rock Hill hosting President Trump tomorrow.
Rock Hill Mayor Gettys humbled by growth he sees in the city over the past decade.
Here’s what York County said after 500,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Lake Wylie
A York County lift station, on property shown in blue here, spilled 500,000 gallons of sewage into Little Allison Creek that feeds into Lake Wylie. A massive sewage spill into Lake Wylie shouldn’t cause alarm for the entire lake, according to York County. But some residents near it have been notified as repair and environmental work continue. York County is investigating why its regional pump station overflowed Monday into Little Allison Creek, near Allison Creek Park.
Half a million gallons of sewage spilled into Lake Wylie. Heres what we know
We and our 78 IAB TCF partners store and access information on your device for the following purposes: store and/or access information on a device, advertising and content measurement, audience research, and services development, personalised advertising, and personalised content. Personal data may be processed to do the following: use precise geolocation data and identify devices based on information actively requested.
Half a million gallons of sewage has spilled into Lake Wylie. Here’s what we know
York County estimates half a million gallons of sewage spilled into Lake Wylie after a pump station lost power. York County estimates half a million gallons of sewage spilled into Lake Wylie after a pump station lost power. The Little Allison Creek pump station lost power Monday evening causing the overflow, according to a message from the county. An estimated 500,000 gallons of sewage went into Little Allison Creek. The spill is not ongoing.
Clover schools pick a new superintendent. What to know about this former principal
The Clover School District named Rod Ruth as its new superintendent, completing a countywide turnover of top school officials and setting a course for a new educational era within the district. The school board finalized a contract with Ruth on Monday. Ruth will replace Sheila Quinn, who announced in August that she intended to retire. Ruth has been the district’s Chief Student Services and Secondary Education Officer the past three years. Ruth was principal at Clover High from 2015 to 2023.
John Marks on The Voyager Spacecraft's Golden Records, 1977
why now? Anything to take your mind away from: (you name it) The Voyager spacecrafts’ Golden Records have been a fascination of mine since they were announced in 1977. When, years later, I was guest-lecturing on Music Perception in a Neural Science “Perception” course at Brown University, I recommended that the students scan the lists and take quick listens to as many tracks as they could. Just for the cause of Cultural Literacy in (World) Music.
Nation Ford and Catawba Ridge bands marched for a three-peat. One is a new SC champ Original
The Nation Ford High School band won the South Carolina 5A state marching band championship on Saturday night, narrowly defeating Catawba Ridge High School. By the narrowest of margins, Nation Ford topped crosstown rival Catawba Ridge to win yet another South Carolina marching band title. The win is No. 12 for Nation Ford and its third straight in the 5A classification. Nation Ford topped Catawba Ridge by 0.2 points, while no other school in 5A came within three points of them.
Moratorium on building new churches or mosques is proposed in Lancaster County
Lancaster County Council heard cases for and against a new mosque in Indian Land this spring. The county is considering a two-month moratorium on places of assembly, including places of worship. Lancaster County officials are proposing a two-month moratorium on construction of churches, mosques, temples and other sites where people worship. The 60-day moratorium would apply to places of assembly.
What Indian Land voters need to know before casting Nov. 3 ballots in Lancaster County
Lancaster County voters have seats on the ballot from federal offices to local school board. Lancaster County’s panhandle is already outvoting its neighbors. Through the first three days of early voting, 10.7% of the county’s registered voters had cast ballots for the Nov. 3 general election — a higher turnout rate than either York (8.3%) or Chester counties (7.3%), The Herald has reported. Across the three-county Rock Hill region, more than 25,000 voters have already gone to the polls.
Here are 5 things Fort Mill parents should know before voting in the Nov. 3 election
Signs along Dobys Bridge Road near Fort Mill point to a polling location during the 2024 election. Early voting is underway across York, Lancaster and Chester counties. Four Fort Mill school board seats are on the Nov. 3 ballot, and the race arrives as parents weigh teacher pay, growth-related pressure on classrooms and ongoing safety questions about Silfab Solar’s location near Flint Hill schools.
Area of Fort Mill under a boil advisory after E. coli found in drinking water
A boil water advisory was issued Tuesday for the shaded area after E. coli and coliform were found in drinking water. A boil water notice is in place for an area of unincorporated Fort Mill near Tega Cay after elevated levels of E. coli and total coliform were found in drinking water. York County Utilities issued the notice Thursday afternoon for the Hawks Creek and Waterstone neighborhoods, along with areas off Stockbridge and Coralstone drives. That area includes more than 600 residences.
How a $3.5M downtown Rock Hill property sale could be tied to a Charlotte hospital
A new medical site near downtown Rock Hill could be coming, after a $3.5 million property sale. Telecommunications company Comporium sold eight properties on Oct. 13 to Charlotte-based AH South Carolina, Inc., according to York County land records. That entity appears to be affiliated with nonprofit hospital system Atrium Health. Both share a mailing address. A message left for Atrium Health wasn’t immediately returned.
Fort Mill neighbors protest Silfab lawsuits. How did York County respond?
Dozens of residents marched, waved flags, held signs and chanted in protest of Silfab Solar being allowed to use industrial chemicals in Fort Mill, and increasingly at York County for its role in allowing it. Lawsuits filed both by Silfab and the county on Friday aim to have a judge determine how a years-long zoning controversy should be resolved.
Poll: Which Rock Hill-area marching band are you ready to see in the SC finals?
Eighth grade students at Fort Mill Middle School play during a recent class. Half a dozen students at the school will march for rival high school bands this fall, some at Nation Ford and some at Catawba Ridge. Which high school band are you most excited to see march for a state title? Use the poll below to vote for your favorite. Refresh as often as you like to vote for more area bands, too. Get unlimited digital access Try 1 month for $1
It’s state title season for marching bands. Which Rock Hill region schools can win?
Drum majors for Fort Mill, Catawba Ridge and Nation Ford high schools celebrated top placements last fall in the Bands of America Southeastern Regional near Atlanta. The three schools are among 15 from the Rock Hill region that will compete for state titles in the coming weeks. High school marching bands across the Rock Hill region are ready to put on a show, and see if they can add to haul of state titles they already have.
2 mystery companies looking at York County for new US headquarters with 280+ jobs
Two new headquarters projects in York County could add more than 280 jobs and nearly $40 million of investment. Neither company has been named, except as code names Project Pear and Project Utopia. Both involve economic incentive deals under negotiation that would have the companies pay fees rather than taxes. Deals also involve lower rates and additional discounts compared to standard tax rates. One project would reuse a large Fort Mill manufacturing site near Carowinds.
Silfab and York County file suits wanting the same thing: an answer from a judge
Silfab Solar and York County filed civil lawsuits late Friday afternoon seeking a judge to issue a ruling about the zoning controversy over the Fort Mill plant that has been going on for years, according to court records and a statement from the company.
Silfab and York County file suits wanting the same thing: an answer from a judge
Silfab Solar and York County filed civil lawsuits late Friday afternoon seeking a judge to issue a ruling about the zoning controversy over the Fort Mill plant that has been going on for years, according to court records and a statement from the company.
Indian Land could get the first luxury gym of its kind in SC. Here’s the plan
A new luxury gym could open its next location in Indian Land, just south of Ballantyne. Life Time Fitness has plans for a two-story facility filled with pools, pickleball courts and cafes. The Indian Land site would be the company’s second in the region, following Life Time Charlotte on Golf Links Drive in that city’s Waverly area. Minnesota-based Life Time and Indian Land owner Red Ventures applied to rezone nearly 13 acres for the facility at Charlotte Highway and Red Ventures Drive.
Who should get Fort Mill school board seats? Candidates make their cases to serve
Seven candidates are running for four seats on the Fort Mill school board. Seven community members vying for four seats on the Fort Mill school board made their cases Thursday night, just weeks before the Nov. 3 election. School board seats are nonpartisan, and in Fort Mill are entirely at-large. So all voters across the district that includes Fort Mill, Tega Cay and the unincorporated areas between them will get a vote for each seat.
A Rock Hill shopping center in a busy area just sold for more than $32 million
A Florida company bought Rock Hill’s Manchester Village shopping center for more than $32 million, the second most expensive property deal in the region this year. Core Power Manchester Village is the new owner, affiliated with West Palm Beach, Florida-based private equity firm Sterling Organization. The $32.5 million deal on Oct. 9 includes more than 150,000 square feet of big box and small strip center retail space.
Taste the Carolinas’ best chili at the biggest champion cookoff in the Charlotte region Original
The Carolinas Chili Championship is returning to Indian Land, with an expanded lineup. Some folks will drive from counties or even states away to season their recipes for a chance to compete for a chili world championship. Others will show up to eat. Indian Land, with an expanded site and lineup this year, will have plenty of space for all of them. The Carolinas Chili Championship — the largest chili event in the Charlotte region — returns to Lancaster County on Oct. 24.
Same classroom, rival bands: Fort Mill middle schoolers vie for high school state title
As a middle school band director, Jocquin Fuller’s job is a daily challenge that would break lesser souls. And with recent growth across Fort Mill, it just got a lot more interesting. Fuller’s students are on a collision course. It’s unique even in a region known for heated school rivalries. Middle school students who compete in two of the top high school marching bands in the country sit beside one another in Fuller’s class each day at Fort Mill Middle School.
Same classroom, rival bands: Fort Mill middle schoolers vie for high school state title
As a middle school band director, Jocquin Fuller's job is a daily challenge that would break lesser souls. And with recent growth across Fort Mill, it just got a lot more interesting. Fuller's students are on a collision course. It's unique even in a region known for heated school rivalries. Middle school students who compete in two of the top high school marching bands in the country sit beside one another in Fuller's class each day at Fort Mill Middle School.
Fort Mill Middle School band director on teaching kids from rival marching bands
Middle school band director Jocquin Fuller teaches students who are marching this year in two top South Carolina high school bands, Catawba Ridge and Nation Ford.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with John
Contact John, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack