CATAWBA INDIAN RESERVATION - Catawba Indian Nation Chief Gilbert Blue has purchased full-page ads in two S.C. newspapers to let those in the Orangeburg and Rock Hill areas know he plans to pursue a bingo operation near Santee despite opposition to the plans.

Blue sent letters to to The (Orangeburg) Times and Democrat and The (Rock Hill) Herald explaining the Catawbas' position, tribe spokesman Jason Snyder said.

"This is an attempt to let the people of York County and Santee know what the tribe is really trying to do," Snyder said. "This is not an attempt to try to pressure anyone."

The tribe said it needs additional revenue because it has lost money since the S.C. Educational Lottery began two years ago.