The latest chapter in the Doug McKown saga unfolded this week.

Even before his trial, folks close to this situation thought York County's coroner would seek back pay if he was found not guilty of felony drug charges.

So it’s not too surprising that McKown is finally asking to be paid for the nearly two years he was suspended from office.

McKown’s claim is that he was suspended for charges he was acquitted of. Therefore, he said Wednesday, he should be paid for the time he missed.

You'll notice my byline when you check heraldonline.com in the mornings before work and on videos.

That’s because I started as The Herald’s online reporter this week. It involves an earlier shift and an emphasis on updating news stories on our Web site.

York County government and issues will be primarily covered by the talented Charles Perry.

It’s lawsuit week in York County.

Greeneagle filed two lawsuits against York County this week relating to a proposed construction and debris landfill in York.

One lawsuit says the county blocked plans for the landfill on Quarry Road by changing the solid waste plan and asks for at least $5 million in damages in addition to allowing the landfill under the old solid waste plan.

The other suit requests an answer to a zoning question related to the property.

Look for a story about these suits in an upcoming story in The Herald.

It looks like the county’s going to have money problems with the 2003 Pennies for Progress program, too.

Upfitting S.C. 160, from Springfield Parkway to Lancaster County, to include a turn lane, sidewalks and a bike path was estimated to cost $1.6 million in 2003. This project is halfway down the priority list on the county’s second 1-cent sales tax programs for road improvements.

The less than a mile project would now cost $3.45 million if completed as originally designed. Yes math majors, this .9 of a mile project has doubled.

For the fourth year in a row, no York County resident brought a suggestion or complaint about county leaders’ plan to spend their tax dollars at the public hearing Tuesday night.

That’s not too surprising because this budget year doesn’t come with an increase on overall property taxes. There’s a slight increase in a couple of the fire districts.

County agencies like Keystone and the York County Council on Aging expressed gratitude for the support the county has given them.

Roy Blake’s plan for discount prescriptions gained no support from his fellow York County Council members.

County staff didn’t recommend pursuing a discount prescription program offered through the National Association of Counties because the contract couldn’t be tailored to the county’s needs. County Manager Jim Baker said county staff was uncomfortable with some of the wording in the contract.

The program, offered free to counties belonging to association, would allow people to receive about 15 to 30 percent discounts on retail medication costs, Blake said.

Marty Taylor, president of Greeneagle Co., stopped by The Herald this morning to talk about lawsuits he plans on filing related to his proposed construction and debris landfill on Quarry Road in York.

He says his attorneys are sorting out how many lawsuits to file and who to name in them.

Taylor said he was notified by the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control Monday that his landfill permit application was denied. The same day he stood before the York County Council and declared intentions to sue the county.

It’s a good thing the county’s proposed budget includes another assistant county attorney because they could need more legal assistance if another landfill lawsuit it filed.

Marty Taylor, president of Greeneagle Co., told the York County Council during Monday’s meeting that he plans on suing the county over his proposed construction and debris landfill on Quarry Road.

“I’m here to apologize to citizens of York County,” Taylor said before informing the county of his company plans to file a suit.

An ordinance recently proposed by County Councilman Tom Smith caught the eye of many, including the state’s Forestry Commission.

But Smith’s proposed burn ban isn’t supposed to limit what residents burn in their backyards. Instead, it’s aimed at stopping large businesses from blowing smoke across Lake Wylie.

Smith wants to limit new business’ ability to burn items that could be turned into mulch.

“We don’t want to take away farmers ability to burn leaves,” Smith said. “We’re looking more at developments.”

Councilman Roy Blake wants to help citizens pay for prescriptions.

He proposed staff takes a look at a discount prescription program offered through the National Association of Counties.

The program, offered free to counties belonging to association, would allow people to receive about 15 to 30 percent discounts on retail medication costs, Blake said.

“With rising medical care costs, a large percentage of population is having a hard time getting medications they need,” he said.