2018 Weekly Awards Luncheon Digital Presentation by S.C. Press Association

WEEKLY AWARDS

LUNCHEON RECOGNIZING THE BEST IN S.C. JOURNALISM

SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

PLATINUM

GOLD Harrison Radeker Smith

P.A.

AT TOR N E YS AT LAW

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SPECIAL THANKS TO AT&T!

PRESENTING SPONSOR OF THE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING

MEET THE DEAN

Tom Reichert

College of Information and Communications

S.C. JOURNALISM HALL OF FAME

South Carolina Press Association

Hall of

Fame

LEWIS TIMOTHYLewis | 1699-1738 Timothy

In memory of those weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lost over the past year Ollie T. Moye | SCPA President, 1992 | Former editor and general manager, The Newberry Observer | Former sports editor, Anderson Daily Mail John Lewis Heath Sr. | SCPA President, 1993 | Former publisher, The Beaufort Gazette and The Island Packet David Ernest | SCPA President, 2002 | Former publisher, The Lancaster News Gary Phillips | Freelance columnist and photographer, The Sun News Fender Brown | Former managing editor, The Gaffney Ledger Joe Willard Collins | Pressroom manager, The People-Sentinel and The Advertizer Herald John Frampton McGee | Former executive and comptroller, The News and Courier and The Charleston Evening Post | Former secretary, general manager, president and associate publisher, State-Record Co. | Former general executive of Knight Newspapers Inc. Gail Lamberth Mathis | Advertising manager, The Sumter Item | Bureau manager, Clarendon Sun Max Ford | Former reporter, The State | Former staff writer, United Press International | Former editor, North Charleston Banner Mary Pringle Manigault Gilbreth | Board of Directors, Evening Post Industries | Granddaughter of The Evening Postâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founder Arthur M. Manigault Randy Laney | Former Motor Sports Editor and News Editor, The State Jim McKeown | Publisher, Kershaw News-Era | Former Sports Editor, The News and Reporter

Full necrology on page 8 of program

LAST CALL FOR RAFFLE TICKETS 100% OF PROCEEDS will help fund SCPA Foundation internships and scholarships

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JUDSON CHAPMAN AWARD OPEN DIVISION

THIRD PLACE SECOND PLACE Will be presented at Daily Awards Dinner

FIRST PLACE

David Travis Bland Free Times

CARTOON

THIRD PLACE

OPEN DIVISION

Steve Stegelin Charleston City Paper

SECOND PLACE FIRST PLACE Will be presented at Daily Awards Dinner

ILLUSTRATION

THIRD PLACE

OPEN DIVISION

Scott Suchy Charleston City Paper

SECOND PLACE FIRST PLACE Will be presented at Daily Awards Dinner

EVENT MARKETING ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

SECOND PLACE

Amy Stevens, Mark Roberts, Margaret Lamb, Carl Lindquist, Kevin Pontiff and Jane Arthur Tidelands Health

On. Aug. 21, the United States will experience a total solar eclipse – and our region is in the “path of totality.” That means people in our community will see daylight fade to twilight as the sun briefly disappears behind the moon. A total solar eclipse is an incredible natural phenomenon and is not to be missed. This is the first total eclipse on the U.S. mainland since 1979! But it’s important to view the eclipse safely. That’s why Tidelands Health is offering free eclipse glasses to people in Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties. Visit tidelandshealth.org/eclipse to order up to four free pairs of eclipse glasses for your family. At Tidelands Health, we help people live better lives through better health – on Great American Eclipse Day and every day.

tidelandshealth.org • 1-866-TIDELANDS

EVENT MARKETING ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

LA 0C

FORTY UN DE R4

FIRST PLACE

F SS O

2017

Jane James Charleston Regional Business Journal

PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Bill Johns S.C. Farm Bureau Federation

SECOND PLACE

Amy Stevens and Kevin Pontiff Tidelands Health

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Call (877) 670-7088 and use discount ID number 1000000510 or go to www.wyndhamhotelgroup.com

TripBeat Endless Vacations

Go to www.tripbeat.com/scfb or call your County Farm Bureau

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PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

Risk Management Services Resources The South Carolina Municipal Insurance Trust and the South Carolina Municipal Insurance Risk Financing Fund were founded more than thirty years ago as a result of limited choices for workers’ compensation and property and liability coverage for cities. In addition to insurance coverage, RMS provides member cities with additional resources to help lower claims. LocalGovU SCMIT and SCMIRF member employees have access to more than 90 free online training courses designed specifically for government staff through LocalGovU. Many courses are eligible for continuing education credits for fire, police, and public utilities staff. The course listing is updated each year.

Legal Liability Risk Management Institute The Legal Liability Risk Management Institute provides model policies for police and fire departments. Consultants are available to review police and fire policies and procedures. The costs of these services from LLRMI are paid for by SCMIT and SCMIRF.

Grants RMS offers grant programs to aid in funding essential risk reduction initiatives and to reduce claims. Funds become available each January and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year until funds are depleted. Members can request reimbursement of up to 50 percent of costs expended for allowable purchases.

Printed Resources Printed resources include training calendars and toolkits for crisis communications, sewer back-ups, public officials’ liability, workers’ compensation, special events, and parks and recreation. Hotlines SCMIRF members have access to the labor hotline and the general liability. Each member receives ten free hours of consultation with a designated law firm from each hotline per calendar year.

• Soft Body Armor — helps law enforcement agencies equip their officers with soft body armor vests. • Fire Service Grant — helps fire departments purchase personal protective equipment.

• Employment Liability Hotline 1.866.800.0118 • General Liability Hotline 1.855.979.1040

• Public Works Safety Grant — helps public works departments purchase equipment designed to improve worker safety in and around work zones.

eRisk Hub by NetDiligence The eRisk Hub is a private web-based portal containing information and technical resources to assist members in the prevention of network, cyber and privacy losses. This portal also supports members’ recovery of losses if a cyberattack occurs.

• Law Enforcement Liability Reduction Grant — helps law enforcement departments purchase products or equipment to reduce the frequency and severity of law enforcement claims. RiskLetter Employees receive free quarterly newsletters tailored to address municipal risk management and workplace safety concerns.

SC Municipal Insurance Trust and SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund

January 1

National Blood Donor Month

Risk management monthly tips Establish procedure for checking motor vehicle records. Ensure documentation of motor vehicle record reviews is on file for all drivers.

New Year’s Day

Submit SCMIT and SCMIRF grant applications for the current year.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

FIRST PLACE

Staff Municipal Association of South Carolina

EDITORIAL OR COLUMN IN SUPPORT OF FOI/OPEN GOVERNMENT ISSUES ALL WEEKLY DIVISION EDITORIAL PAGE 4A MYRTLE BEACH HERALD

THIRD PLACE 4A • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2017 • The News & Reporter

How does a ‘brand new day’ smell?

Our View

On executive sessions

t is impossible to know how any body will vote on any issue, with one notable exception. If Chester City Council votes to go into executive session, it is virtual certainty that the vote will not be unanimous because Mayor George W. Caldwell, without fail, will vote no. Depending on the issue to be discussed, one or two council members may join him, but we think he has a perfect record of not voting to go into closed-door discussion. He has explained to us that he believes all the publicÕ s business should be done in public. We certainly appreciate anyone who is willing to consistently stand for the peopleÕ s right to know. The stateÕ s Freedom of Information Act does allow for bodies to go into executive session for some specific purposes, a fact we donÕ t protest or argue. We do feel the need, though, to point out that a particular protocol has to be followed to get behind those closed doors and in many instances locally, it isnÕ t. First, some good news. Local government bodies have made tremendous strides in terms of openness and freedom of information recently. We have not been rebuffed in efforts to obtain any documents through the FOIA in recent memory. The days of some government officials literally phoning in important votes and bodies refusing to release lists of finalists for positions by claiming they didnÕ t pick any finalists, just the person who ultimately got the job, seem long behind us. Chester County Council is now streaming all its meetings online and archiving them. The City of Chester is posting its full check registry online, allowing anyone quick access to the specifics on how every tax dollar is spent. ThatÕ s real progress. Executive sessions have improved too, with fewer being held and those that are being shorter. WeÕ ve also moved past agenda listings for executive sessions simply saying Ò executive session.Ó The problem weÕ ve seen, though, is that we havenÕ t gotten far enough past that. WeÕ re not picking on the City of Chester here (because the problem isnÕ t exclusive to the city) but they are just the most recent body to have a meeting where weÕ ve noticed a problem. At its meeting last Monday, the coun-

Society must be more supportive of police A

YOur Views Resident urges others to attend CMD meeting To the Editor: This letter is to the people living in the city limits of Chester and anyone else who gets their water bill from Chester Metropolitan District. By now most of you have received a bill for $14. Well, since my bill was paid already, I went to their office for an explanation. I was told that the charge was because they didnÕ t charge the right amount for the garbage part of the bill. In my case I was charged $10 instead of $21. That mistake was their fault, not mine. I shouldnÕ t have to pay it. The company should eat

that mistake. I was told that if I didnÕ t pay the $11, that $14 would be added on next monthÕ s bill. That is $11 for the bill, plus a $3 late charge. You know that isnÕ t right, but I paid it because I didnÕ t want to give them anything extra, even though I thought it was unfair. I asked the lady at the counter when the next meeting of the Chester Metropolitan District Commission would be, you know the meeting the public gets to speak at. She didnÕ t know so she called her supervisor, but she didnÕ t know either. I was told that if I would write down my concerns, she

would see that they were addressed. I donÕ t need anyone to speak for me; I want to ask my own questions and voice my own concerns. That being said, if you are unhappy or are also in need of more explanation, please join me at the next public meeting of the Chester Metropolitan District Commission, whenever that may be. Gloria Darby Chester (EditorÕ s note: The regular meetings of the Chester Metropolitan District Commission are posted on their website, cmdcsd.com.)

SECOND PLACE

s a 4-year-old, my granddaughter Carleigh had already decided a career path. She wanted to be a cop. She armed herself with a toy gun, shiny badge and plastic handcuffs. I did nothing to discourage her, as I believe law enforcement is a noble profession. I admire the men and women who form that “thin blue line” that separates society from anarchy. Yet, when Carleigh gets old enough to make an adult decision about her career, I can’t help but wonder if she will remain as ardent about a profession in law enforcement as she did as a child. Unfortunately, many young men and women shy away from police work nowaPUBLISHER’S days. As a result, police departments throughout the United States must scramNOTEBOOK ble to find good, qualified candidates to fill vacancies. The Horry County Police Department, for Steve example, had more than 40 vacancies on its force just a few months ago. The new Robertson police chief has been able to fill many of the gaps in his duty roster, but the department still isn’t fully staffed. So, why aren’t young people waiting in line to get into law enforcement? Why are police departments having trouble filling their ranks? Many theories exist. Some blame social media for giving police a black eye. We’ve all seen video on Facebook and other social media outlets showing policemen killing people suspected of a crime. Hardly a week goes by without a video showing poÒ Can I help you licefind brutality in its rawest form. The actions of these something, sir?Ó overzealous a very law officers cast a dark shadow over all law enhelpful employee of the forcement, even though the vast majority of police officers store I visited Monday do their jobs ethically and professionally. night asked me. As the number and quality of candidates decreases, poÒ Trash bags. I just want departments may be forced to lower their hiring stansome trash bags,ÓliceI said. salaries and benefits, and put a lot more Ò TheyÕ re rightdards, here,Ó increase he money into marketing for new hires. said, motioning to the right In recent years, it has become dangerous to be a policeside of the aisle I was standing on. man. Some Americans hate the color of blue, as evidenced gunman who killed five officers in Dallas, Texas, last I donÕ t think by thethe fellow, polite as he was,year. quite understood what IRacial was concerns, some well-justified, make it more diffithan ever before to be a policeman. A lot of people have saying. I wantedcult trash bagsÉ plain old,tried drawto make some problems with police a racial issue. An string trash officer attempting to make a routine traffic stop can find bags that himself accused of bigotry and his job put in jeopardy. arenÕ t While some demonize police, they will also be among the scented first to call 911 when something goes wrong in their lives. If with gardethey are involved in a traffic accident, a burglary or a fight, nias, arenÕ t they will seek police intervention. constructed Despite the drawbacks, law enforcement offers many atof flex-steal tractive advantages to those who want to serve and protect. technology, While the pay may not be great, it’s better than many do not tell entry level jobs. There’s plenty of opportunity to earn overEditor me when time money. When it comes to job security, police departthey are ments Travis rarely see staffing cuts. full and Being a policeman remains a rewarding and challenging donÕ t glow Jenkins career option. No two days are the same. in the dark. I hope I want, as the name indi-my granddaughter will remain interested in being cop. IWe cates, some bagsa that canneed good men and women who aren’t afraid to put trash in. enforce the law and keep our streets safe. But,that as a society we need to be more appreciative of those IÕ ve noticed before shopping is getting whoawfully serve, if we want to attract good people into this noble complicated because prodprofession. ucts donÕ t stay still anymore; they are constantly changing, evolving and adding new varieties. As a

Travis Jenkins The News &Viewpoint Reporter

July 28, 2017

Tom O’Dare Myrtle Beach Herald The Fifth Dimension had it right T

he 60s singing group The Fifth Dimension had a hit song from the Broadway musical “Hair” called Let the Sunshine In. I wish every elected body would take that song to heart. I get so tired of our elected officials thinking it’s okay to do things behind closed doors. There are some things that are legal to discuss in secret, but those are few and far between. And even when those are being legally discussed, councils or boards or whatever elected body you want to fill in there, are not allowed to take any action or votes or polls or make any formal agreements until they come back into the light, i.e. in public, where everybody can hear what they’re doing. Now this process has been going on forever. We’ve all read about the deals being worked out in the smoke-filled back rooms. Probably a lot of major decisions were made that way. But that doesn’t make it right. In South Carolina, we have the Freedom of Information Act that’s supposed to bring everything that elected officials do before the public and allows the public a great deal of access to the workings of government. The FOI deals with a host of issues and it’s not perfect. There are still plenty of loopholes that exist in the process, but some of them have been closed in recent years. Part of the FOI deals with governmental body meetings and what can and can’t be discussed in secret. These secret meetings are called executive sessions. There are times when they’re necessary—discussing specifics in contracts, security issues and, sometimes, delicate

council decides to go into one of these secret meetings, they have to be very specific about the subject or subjects to be discussed. Too many times, the council will vote to go | A DIFFERENT | into the secret meetings because of “personnel DRUM issues,” “to get legal adTOM vice,” or “for contractual O’DARE matters.” The “personnel” reason is the most abused one I’ve heard over the years, followed by the “legal advice.” Well, that doesn’t cut it legally. The body can’t use those generic terms. Some have resorted to just reading the part of the FOI law that gives all the reasons that are allowed. I’m not sure what legal mind said that was okay, but that doesn’t fly with the FOI either. A judge in Newberry County hopefully has put a stop to this skirting of the law. The Newberry council had resorted to using the generic way of going into executive session without giving specifics. One such incident there was challenged by a local attorney and the judge ruled in his favor, saying that the council wasn’t playing by the FOI rules. The judge ordered that the minutes of that specific secret meeting be made public and the council had to pay $13,000 in legal fees. I hope that this ruling has made other councils and boards across the state sit up and take notice. I have to give kudos to the Myrtle Beach

love secret meetings. I don’t know why they think that so much has to be done behind closed doors but… I will give them credit. They had been using the “read the law” excuse for going into their secret meetings and after the Newberry ruling, they were much more specific Monday night for going there. But it came out during the meeting, that they still don’t quite get the whole idea behind the FOI. One of the things discussed in secret was giving the town clerk a raise. During the open meeting later, the council voted to do that. But there were still some issues with it. One, when they voted in public, they didn’t tell how much the raise was—and it turned out to be a significant one using taxpayer money. And two, it was obvious they had made the decision in the secret meeting about giving the raise and how much it would be. A later discussion on a different topic brought out that another decision, made months ago, on spending taxpayer money was made behind closed doors and never discussed in public. I can’t for the life of me understand why folks elected by the people think that once they’re in office, they shouldn’t let the people know what they’re doing. Is there some Divine intervention that occurs once the votes are counted that gives elected officials a special insight that the Average Joe or Jane doesn’t have? If elected officials don’t want constant criticism or rumors abounding, then it’s pretty simple. Conduct the public’s business in public. Secrecy breeds suspicion.

n state: 3 mos., $22.00; 6 mos., 6 mos., $43.00; yearly, $85.00. ostmaster: Send address changes C. 29020.

icle-Independent ished 1981

UPSP-086-600 Vol. 35, No.27

EDITORIAL OR COLUMN IN SUPPORT OF FOI/OPEN GOVERNMENT ISSUES ALL WEEKLY DIVISION Executive sessions for ‘specific purpose’ Around the same time I learned that I had been named to the S.C. Press Association (SCPA) S.C. Freedom of Information Committee, a very important circuit court ruling came down concerning how public bodies -- city and county councils, school boards, commissions -- enter executive sessions. Public bodies, by definition, are supposed to conduct the public’s business in the light of day. However, the S.C. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) correctly identifies certain circumstances under which public bodies may cite exemptions in order to discuss certain things behind closed doors. As the “Public Official’s Guide to Compliance with South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act” explains, there are two “keys” to entering executive session. First, a vote to adjourn must be taken in public. Everyone seems to get this one right. It’s the second “key” that often gets misconstrued. According to the Guide’s plain language explanation, “The law says the presiding officer must state the specific purpose of the executive session. This statement of specific requirement is not satisfied by making a general statement

Martin L. Cahn Senior Writer

such as ‘personal matter’ or ‘contractual matter.’ However, the identity of individuals or firms otherwise shielded from release need not be disclosed.” On July 7, Circuit Court Judge Thomas A. Russo handed down his ruling in Desa Ballard vs. Newberry County. Russo heard the case in September 2016 regarding actions taken by the county government there in 2014. Parts of the case dealt with alleged violations of the FOIA and S.C. Public Records Act, during which it turned out Newberry County had inadvertently destroyed some public records Ballard had requested. Ballard, a Columbia attorney, also claimed Newberry County Council, on “numerous occasions,” went into executive sessions without properly announcing the specific purpose for the executive sessions. There are six exemptions, or reasons, public bodies may enter executive session (I’ve shortened them a bit for space): 1)

discussion of employment matters covering certain potential actions regarding employees; 2) discussion of negotiations about proposed contractual arrangements, legal advice about potential claims and other matters covered by attorney-client privilege; 3) discussion of security personnel or devices; 4) investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct; 5) discussion of the location, provision or expansion of services to a potential industry; and 6) certain actions of the S.C. Retirement System Investment Commission. What Ballard alleged is that Newberry County Council would vote to go into executive session by “merely reciting” the applicable section of the S.C. FOIA. Specific to the Newberry case, council often recited the part of the section concerning legal advice but never stated exactly what the issue was for which council was receiving that advice. Russo’s ruling ordered Newberry County to not only disclose what was discussed in those executive sessions, but provide unredacted documentation to Ballard of what was discussed. He is also requiring that, going

forward, the council properly announce the specific purpose of executive sessions and not just recite statutory language. An example of properly entering executive session could be something like, “I move that we enter into executive session to discuss the purchase of real property as a possible location for a new administration building.” Another could be, “I move to enter executive session to receive legal advice concerning the possible signing of a contract with an accounting firm.” Or, “I motion to go into executive session to discuss possible disciplinary action against Employee A.” My point to our own public bodies is don’t simply read out the exemption from the law. Be as specific as possible about exactly what you plan on discussing behind closed doors. This will keep you from ending up in court and give the public information that’s rightfully theirs by law. (Martin L. Cahn is the senior writer of the Chronicle-Independent, Camden, S.C. Email responses to mcahn@chronicleindependent.com. Follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ martin.l.cahn.)

FIRST PLACE

Martin L. Cahn Chronicle-Independent

EDITORIAL WRITING ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Bruce Bailey and Margaret Lamb Tidelands Health LETTER FROM THE CEO BRUCE BAILEY

Being well-rounded, having hobbies and taking times for ourselves and family makes us better employee partners.

the trap of making a living instead of building a life. Technology that encourages us to stay connected to work 24/7, the demands of two-career families and children and working in a profession that requires round-the-clock staffing can make prioritizing the most important pieces of our lives seem impossible. Factor in that many of us feel compelled to respond to that email or text in minutes, if not seconds, or to take that extra shift so another employee partner can spend a holiday with loved ones, and before we know it, we’re feeling stressed, guilty or overwhelmed.

2 l PARTNERS

Fortunately, we’re surrounded by natural beauty and recreational opportunities that can help us recharge mentally and physically. Relaxing at the beach, biking and walking along the nature trails or taking in the many family-oriented festivals and sporting events are a few of the ways we can unwind, reconnect and recharge. Tidelands Health’s award-winning wellness programs offer fitness and yoga classes. Walking paths and serenity rooms at our hospitals provide a space for meditation and contemplation, and the employee assistance program is available for those who need guidance managing more complex family issues. Being well-rounded, having hobbies and taking time for ourselves and family makes us better employee partners. That spark of creativity or eureka moment is more likely to occur when we’re energized than when we’re stressed. Establishing work/life balance isn’t selfish. Quite the opposite. Think of the flight attendant who demonstrates the oxygen mask on every flight before takeoff. The message is clear: Put the mask on first before helping a child or someone else. That’s not selfishness; it’s life-saving. The same message can be applied to health care. All of us directly and indirectly are involved in patient care. And we can’t be at our best if we don’t have a healthy work/life balance. Only through our own “better health” can we connect to our mission of helping people lead better lives through better health.

Rudy Gray The Baptist Courier THE LAST WORD

BY RUDY GRAY, Editor

ADDICTS AND DISCIPLESHIP

THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK/LIFE BALANCE “BETTER HEALTH BEGINS here.” How many times have we seen or heard those words and thought only about our patients? “Better health” also applies to us – our own physical, emotional and spiritual health. But in today’s fast-paced world, balancing the responsibilities of work with our obligations outside of work and finding time for ourselves isn’t easy. In fact, work/life balance in today’s fastpaced world can seem elusive. Most – if not all – of us have wrestled with keeping the scale from tipping too far and neglecting our families, ourselves and our lives outside work. Life is complicated. We can quickly fall into

SECOND PLACE

PERHAPS YOU REMEMBER THE TV

“Like” us on Facebook. Look for Tidelands Health. Follow us on Twitter Tidelandshealth. Find us on YouTube: tidelandshealth

To suggest ideas for upcoming issues, visit the marketing and communications department page on The Bridge and click on the Partners tab.

doctor “House,” who was depicted as being a Vicodin addict. While the show was fiction, it mirrors in many different ways the current crisis we face in America. Substance abuse is now the number one public health problem in the United States. Alcohol is still the leading drug of choice, but a new epidemic is sweeping our country: opioid abuse. Painkillers have been overprescribed for so long that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has directed physicians to reduce the amount of opioids they have been prescribing. Eighty percent of heroin users began their drug dependency by using prescription opioids. In fact, people who are addicted to prescription painkillers are 40 times more likely to become heroin addicts. This wave of opioid abuse covers our nation and does not stop at the doors of our churches. It is a serious problem with accompanying issues that affect many lives beyond the single addict. Families are often broken apart by this tragedy, and young lives too often are caught up in this destructive habit, creating multiple societal and personal tragedies. Can anything be done about this? There are approximately 14,000 treatment facilities and around 100,000 self-help groups, but only about 10 percent of substance abusers seek help each year. Twenty percent of prisoners in America are there because of drug or drug-related crimes. Further complicating the situation is the damage to people, the economy and relationships that, in too many cases, will never be repaired. Prolonged substance abuse leads to damage in the brain, especially the neural circuits of reward, memory, motivation, impulse control and judgment. If, however, an addict can live a life of abstinence, the brain can repair itself for the most part, even though some neurocognitive capacity is lost. But there is hope for a good life if that person can find a new life through abstinence living. I believe a new life is possible, especially if it is the result of the new birth. It can take an alcoholic or drug addict as long as two years to regain good thinking and decisionmaking abilities, but it does happen. I am convinced this is where the mission of the church in making disciples can be so vital. Former addicts need ongoing support, and genuine disciples of Jesus never stop learning or growing spiritually. Discipleship and recovery are not mutually exclusive, but may be strategically invaluable in helping people recover from an addiction and grow into the person God promises they can be in Christ Jesus. Some addicts may need specialized medical attention. All will need group support and counseling. Those in the church can lovingly and sacrificially be a powerful force in the change

process as disciples of Jesus who disciple others. I agree with the adage that if you never take the first drug or first drink, you will never become an addict or alcoholic. However, the epidemic in our country proves that we have too many people who are already there. Will we help them?

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” — JOHN 8:32 For the past 19 years I have served as a volunteer counselor and teacher at a residential campus for addicted men. A couple of years ago at the Pastors’ Conference of our state convention, I heard someone call my name. He was one of the men who had completed the eight-week course where I volunteer. He was excited to tell me, and I was overjoyed to hear, that he was serving as a pastor in our state! He is making a difference, and he is one whose life was turned completely around by the grace of God. There are many more who can be helped, discipled and equipped. Will the church help? How can we help? You can contact Celebrate Recovery and look into opening a ministry in your church or in conjunction with other churches. You could connect with a Christian rehab ministry and start a discipleship group for those coming out of rehab. There are so many possibilities. The epidemic is real, but so is the freedom that people are finding through faith in Jesus Christ. In John 8:32, Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The word addiction comes from the Latin word ad dicere, which means to be enslaved. We cannot make people free, but we can help show them the way to freedom.

www.baptistcourier.com • 23

EDITORIAL WRITING ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Robert Jackson The Baptist Courier

EDITORIAL WRITING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

David Kennard FORUM FORUM TheFORUM Berkeley Independent THE BERKELEY

Wednesday, May 31, 2017 www.berkeleyind.com/opinion

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Editorial

Elected officials should support gas tax increase

Graduates begin their paths to future learning

e call on our state’s legislators to form a united front and push for an increase to the state’s fuel user fees, known by many as the

gas tax. Governor Henry McMaster said last week that he would support an increase to the gas tax only as a last resort. “We must examine all sources, all facts and make a decision as to the best way to improve the roads. But raising taxes is the absolute last resort, only when we’re in desperate straits.” Our message to the governor is that our roads are in desperate straits now and we need a real sustainable solution that will fund road repair, construction and maintenance. The state’s motor fuel user fee has not seen an increase for 30 years, making that the obvious source for a longterm solution. To his credit McMaster is pushing for the federal government’s help, seeking $5.2 billion in infrastructure funding for safety improvements to state roads, bridges and interstate repair. That one-time payment may improve the governor’s image headed into an election year, but without a sensible, long-term plan, it’s insignificant. We’d like to see more support for Sen. Sean Bennett’s Senate Bill 54 which would increase the motor fuel user fee 12-cents over a three-year period. Assuming gas costs the average driver $2 per gallon now, that increase would translate into 80 cents more for a 20-gallon fill-up in the first year. After three years, drivers would be paying $2.40 more per fill-up. That small increase would still mean South Carolina has some of the cheapest gas rates in the nation. Bill Ross, executive director of S.C. Alliance to Fix Our Roads, spoke to a group of business leaders last week to reinforce the need for change during this year’s legislative session. “If we’re going to get anything done, it’s got to be this year,” Ross said, suggesting that many elected officials consider the topic of tax increases a loaded issue as they head into next year’s elections. By that same rationale, however, voters should hold our lawmakers accountable for solving this growing problem now, rather than kicking it down the road. McMaster has not yet said that he would veto legislation increasing the gas tax, but that’s a real possibility based on his “desperate straits” comment. It will take unified support by many legislators to override the governor if that’s the road he takes. That’s where voters come in. We encourage anyone who drives or buys fuel to contact their legislator and let them know that real, sustainable funding for our roads is needed. You can contact the governor at governor@govoepp. state.sc.us. When you write, tell him that our state’s roads are in “desperate straits” and that you support an increase of the vehicle fuel user fee as a sustainable source of funding. You may also want to remind him that you’ll be

Local harbor work to have significant impact on our economy

Three things to fix education in South Carolina

daVId KennaRd Executive editor

boards. Manual, authored and pubmassivety project to benefit South Carolina’s Model. The model of public lishedtook by the Southstep Carolina Lowcountry another forward last education we employ today Education Oversight Commitweek with the signing of a Project Partnerhas its roots in 1840 in the tee (EOC), mentions the word ship Agreement between the Army Corps of Enwork of Horace Mann. While “accountability” just seven and thetimes SouthinCarolina Authority. the trappings andgineers technology 51 pages. Ports Five times it theasofficial start ofofthe conof public educationThe havemove signals appears part of the title struction phasethe of the Charleston Harbor Deepenchanged over time, especially document, “Accountability project will, when in technology, theing model by thatManual.” Oncefinished, it appearsgive in us the deepest on title the East — 52Acfeet. which we organize publicharbor ed- the of theCoast Education Once59,comucation and the process by countability Act (Section which we deliver THe education Chapter 18 of the SC Code Charlesof pleted, IssUe: The Charleston has changed littleHarbor if at all Deepening in Laws project if you are curious). And ton Harbor’s the last 175 years.has And it is not once the word accountability navigationis begun its construction working. To fuel phase. your thinkuse in identifying some workwill be channel ing on this matter, make the EOC. Nowhere does itby 7 OUR TaKe: Weofcelebrate the lowered yourself a list of the institu- economic say how districts and schools feet allowing lopromised impact tions and processes in our will be held accountable for recal ports to of this massive project. country that areoressentially sultswewhere fewer than half our Instagram hundreds of years, the bigTaKe aCTIOn: Contact your the same as theyinwere 175 meet even handle our puny started Western societystudents have ger ships in elected officials to provide years ago. Thinkthought retail, medistandards (bottom 20%)cargo for 2010 has a about with nowinnavigating feedback onthings how you think cine, transportation. academic achievement the But the $37 billion a linealthis andwill increment the benefitmind our basic region. most subjects around of ELA and vast majority schools set.of Progress –are in society, comglobe. valuation still a collection roomsengineering, with Math. and Kodak merce,ofscience, “I’m pleased is Our system of public educaone teacher and 20 plus chilnow banketc., – was believed to be someHarbor Deepening project is tion does not meet our standren in desks. that the Charleston rupt. Facething that happens sequentially, for educating our chilThe Law of the Hole applies entering into a dards new and I think thatbook everybegan slowly, with step phase, because we, to yousee and here. If youusually find yourself in a one one involved isdren excited to start theI, fruits of and in 2004 leading to another. This minddon’t require it. said And we, you hole trying to gettheir out, put PhilU.S. labor be put action,” Rep.itsMark current set is embedded weinto I, don’t require ourofelected down the shovel. We need in tohowand Noble Sanford. “Once completed, the Port Charleston is think about things and leaders express and policy makers to valuation put down the shovel and will“steady offerpick the deepest harbor on the East Coast with $430 billion. ourselves as she goes… deliver it. to Until that changes, up new models -pluralfor the capability unrestricted handle post-Panamax And the ‘old digital oneour step at a time… tortoise you and I insist that pub-company’ education of children. If theuntil vessel It’s impressive toin seeSouth such an important Amazon started in 1994 and is wins the race,calls. etc.” lic education Carolina we always do what we’ve alproject sticking to itsthe rigorous schedule.” now worth $959 billion and Yes, there have alwaysmeets been standard implied in ways done, we’ll always get the is expected to be about Walmart’s valuation is $78 bilbreakthroughs thatofbrought big Vision, theproject 2020 we are going what we always got.The Wecost don’t $529 slightly the cost lion. change but they and less it than to continue to spend BIL-of the Ravneed another minute ofmillion, thewere rare OK, you say,a but do all tookBridge years the effect enel connects Charleston to what Mount LIONS for excuses and fiftyeducationalusually outcomes we areforthat these “gee whiz” have the breakthrough a Pleasant.now,to have plus percent scrap rate and numbers our getting forof most children tothe do with us in Carolina? widespread impact throughout Like the project, deepening project children will ultimately paySouth an especially but not limited to bridge The answer lot. Because the general population. But dighigher price. disadvantaged children and will take severaleven years, starting slowlyisatafirst and just as a society can make leapinnovation has now Making necessary imchildren ofital color. then quickly moving intothe something visible. frog jumps changed everything. Acutter-head few exprovements indredges all threeinwill ofits adoption Accountability. InEnormous school scrapeof and compaamples: thesefloor, focustechnology will require year 2015-2016, the schoolthe harbor through aareas collection of digital hard and nies can make leapfrog jumps Adoption: When significant investments. Notice year that produced the resultselectricity soft material beginning about 3 miles beyond Fort inisterms of size andtoward value – so was first harnessed 1873, that itmoney not one of those for South Carolina’s children Sumter. Theinchannel deepening will move cankey a country (or state) took yearsCarolifor it to reach 25 investments. But in those cited above, the46 South the peninsula then up the too Cooper and Wando rivinvestmentsmake is courage. we by focusna Department of of Education leapfrogDo jumps percent the U.S. population.

Charles Swenson Coastal Observer Opinion Opinion

THE BERKELEY

INDEPENDENT MICHaeL CHaUVIn Publisher

daVId KennaRd Executive editor

www.berkeleyind.com/opinion a7

Editorial

e congratulate the thousands of high school and college graduates receiving diplomas in recent weeks. To them, we offer this: You’ve concluded the first part of an educational journey that will pay dividends in the future. While many will look at Graduation Day as the end of years of hard work, it really is just the beginning of furthering your education. Wehas know you’ve and you deserve Let’shard focus on Butzon spent yearsworked congratulations. a degree means you simultaneousworking to improve and Earning done in something difficult, on threesomething that reformhave education South ly fundamental Carolina. He that not hasbelieves taken years to complete. In a world where talent, only should we have great immediate reward hasareas: become expected, you model, schools buthave we can have greatspent successfully yearsand working toward a accountabilischools forgoal. every child in ty. get back to work. South Carolina. Here is what Now, Congratulations. he thinks weEducation should do.on all levelsTalent. is the Of key to successful thewho three fo- up our Phil There is no in waltzing andpoint productive people, make thriving cus areas adaround it. communities. K-12 public educaOur community and its wonderfulNoble dressed tion in South Carolina is not ly diverse cities and towns arehere, full of leaders, all of this one is working. whom have relied on their training and education sure to The 2020toVision for South succeed. mostit,” ire those and fire. Carolina states allthose students Even that haveprompt alreadythe “made But itcareers, is, by far,will thetestify most imwill graduate that“with havethe found satisfying that portant factor improving knowledgethey and continue skills neceslearning through job in training, certhe education outcomes of our sary to compete successfully tificate renewal or some other formal education in the global economy, particrelated to their field. children. shows ipate in a democratic society High school graduatesAcademic who planresearch no further that therisk greatest determining and contribute positively asthe highest education are at of floundering. factorwill regarding a student’s members of families and And, unfortunately, many learn this too late academic success within them a communities.” Assuming ourof opportunities to take advantage presented school is teacher effectiveness. education now. and political leadEvery student deserves the ers were serious about these Students graduating this month will soon flood opportunity to learn from a goals, we are not even close, the job market. Manygreat will settle for jobs not necteacher. It is the teacher especially for disadvantaged essarily in their field of study. that makes programs, currichildren and children of color. goodVision news is there jobs teaching to be had cula, textare books, It turns out The our 2020 is that foratlow-skilled and bare-minimum-educated strategies and school and not a vision all but simply workers. According tograde the S.C. Department of configurations work. wishful thinking. Employment the state saw some An effective teacher makes Last Spring, our publicand edu-Workforce, of the highest job gains lastwork. month unskilled them Aninineffective cation system taught fewer industry jobs such as teacher leisure, cannot hospitality conmakeand them than half of all tested students struction. to the minimal state standard work. The data shows us they The bad news is thatare most these jobs are not notof working for most chilin English Language Arts in something you can live These are the dren inon. South Carolina. grades 3 through 8. Inthat Math, of jobs that mostThere peopleiswork at temporarily evidence that indiour publickinds education system until they can reallyofwant. cates that they a quarter South managed to teach 54% of land all something to 54% a booming economyteachers here inactually the LowCarolina’s 3rd graders Thanks – but only – low-skilled jobs are in high de-in take children backward to the statecountry, standardthese and fewmand as longinas tourists want to visitachieveour terms of academic er than half of all— students hotels. ment. Half of our teachers grades 4, 5,beaches 6, 7, andand 8 tosleep the in our requiring morestudents skilled any workers don’t make standard in Some Math.industries When also seendown recent gains. instance worse, For but no better governeither. these results arehave broken ment jobs asare well as private jobs Only aindustry quarter offinancial our teachers demographically, they such as accountants andkids auditors both sawthey acfrom wherever even more— shameful. Keep in take are and improve their level of mind thesetive arehiring not standards in the last month.

MICHaeL CHaUVIn Publisher

daVId KennaRd executive editor

www.berkeleyind.com/opinion Wednesday, July 26, 2017

THE BERKELEY

INDEPENDENT

MICHaeL CHaUVIn Publisher

SECOND PLACE a7

Thursday May 18, 2017

Sen. Goldﬁnch makes some noise A

Thursday July 20, 2017

Pawleys Island South Carolina

Opinion Pawleys Island South Carolina

The right to know Catch of the day: Don’tour sacrifi ceisoak Accepting history the way to move forward Senator fallows the indu facts about fishing Legislature to roadimproves project access to information I L A house divided

N ITS THIRST FOR EXPANDED ACCESS to resources, the congressional oil lobby will leave GOOD LAWYER doesn’t ask a question in no stone unthrown. So it was at last week’s hearthe courtroom unless he already knows the ing by a subcommittee of the House Natural answer. State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, a lawyerResources Committee that Rep. Garret Graves, legislator, has taken that advice to heart in his a Louisiana Republican, took a swipe at South Carolina’s hardworking commercial fishermen. proposal to ask primary voters next year for Rep. Graves entered into a lively debate with their opinion of offshore drilling for oil and gas. Peg Howell, a leader of Stop Offshore Drilling in He explained that the bill he introduced last the Atlantic, who was the only minority witness week to trigger an advisory referendum is a way at the hearing. He used data from the National to get the Republican gubernatorial candidates Marine Fisheries Service to try to refute claims to focus on the issue. It will only cloud the issue. that offshore oil and gas drilling are harmful to The strategy is flawed from the start. The the environment. Louisiana’s commercial fishquestion itself glosses over the complexity of ing catch in 2015 was nearly 1.1 billion pounds in spite of the huge oil and gas industry. South the issue and basically asks if people would like Carolina’s was just over 14 million pounds even to enjoy all the benefits and suffer none of the though our coast remains closed to drilling. threats posed by offshore drilling. Consider that “Certainly I would argue that while our fishSeattle Department of Transportation Sen. Goldfinch thinks drilling makes sense 50 ers are probably better than in South Carolina, miles offshore, but U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski even that factor would indicate that we have South Causeway of Alaska, who chairs the energy committee, substantial ecological productivity in south thinks it makes sense 3 miles from the shore. Louisiana,” Rep. Graves said. Ms. Howell later called the congressman out Which criteria would “vigilantly protect South on what she called half truths in geological data. Carolina’s precious natural resources, vital tourcould have done the withishis fish- 20 thesame vehicle traveling To theShe editor: ism industry, and unique quality of life,” as his ing in facts. commercial catch in50 Louisiana mph, while percent is die Many ourThe neighborreferendum question asks? at 30South mph and 90 percent hood are working on larger get- than certainly much Carolina’s. It In 2010, the last time both parties picked 40 mph. ting the speed limitpart on the is a valuable of theatstate’s economy — it was candidates for governor, only 24 percent of at these perSouth worth Causeway reduced over $373 million inLooking 2015. South Carolina’s tonian’s ambassador to the U.S., in less than 20 minutes. how can anyone to 25 mph. Over 100 apeoregistered voters went to the polls. If offshore In the business sector, their the European Union, Foreign was only worth little centages, over $21 million. ple have signed a petition justify a speed limit of Minister and from 2006 to 2016 crown jewel, so far, is Skype. energy is even an issue in the highly partisan But the value of the catch in Louisiana works over 25 mph for the South to that eff ect. During the Started in 2003 by a handful of he was president. justeff 35orts, centswe a pound. South Carolina’s campaigns, the candidates will know well ahead courseout Causeway, a residential of to our (Full Disclosure: firstonly metcon- smart Swedish and Estonian commercial is worth pound. No secretarywhere of education shouldare. After all, the ran across keynote speaker the republican playbook is. hange is Ithe street$1.48 witha no commercial a story catch and an of The the primary the votes kids, nine years later it at sold Ilves in the late in 1990s when he believe that thetoBlue Pal- republican playbook of voter stant life,” asserted wonder residents along our coast are vocal inused buildings, heavily accompanying graphic in expression “drill, baby, drill” emerged from the eBay for $2.6 billion and in 2011 was leader of a struggling little 3. We think the head of the EPA suppression is here to stay and metto dinner. Greek philosopher their opposition to the push for off shore drilling. by walkers, joggers, bikthe Greenville News. was bought by Microsoft for political party and I was runRepublican presidential campaign in 2008. we need to understand that.” He ought to believe in climate science. The annual Heraclitus. Few little groups experi- $8.5 billion. ers,forcrabbers and fisherThey are is called “graphThere too much at risk South Carolina to ning a struggling internet Not only is the result from an advisory refer- ics,” Itrysuppose, men. The present limits 4. When women succeed, event enced theindown sideand of politisuch because to emulate the Louisiana model. In 2010, theof In 2007, Russia launch a cy-is a fund- used Texas’ efforts to enact voter company the civic and 40 simply they get across 35 endum predictable, its meaning is predictably America succeeds ID laws (despite zero cases of raiser for, and thinking more than Democrats year aof point the Deepwater Horizon oilmph spill,are Louisiber-attack on Estonia (Estonian cal sector. We have worked tounsafe for a street with very eff ectively. This one, 5. Safe drinking water is a rightthe kind of voter fraud and 46 million votes The kickoff in the on wake of 2016’s election. vague. referendum is exactly ana’s commercial fishing catch fell by over 20 no and Russians have hated each of, the gether several projects over used with the permission sidewalks and sometimes everywhere cast in the last ten years) to drive Sen. SCDP’s elecSec. Hillary Clinton barely the years and I am huge fan and other for hundreds of years) percent. Although the catch recovered the next “noise” Goldfinch warned us about when skinny or nonexistent of the Seattle Department 6. Civil rights are the business his point home. He was just gettions, which prevailed over Sen. Bernie Sandand they were beaten back so I don’t pretend to be objective year, its value was down 14 percent. the current legislative session began in January. of Transportation, shoulders but with this illusof America ting started. ers in either a primary claim wascompletely that NATOmirrored turned the about him orsome the wonGregg Southrates Carolina, of the commerkindvalue of recreational traffic. trates the In survival for the He constituents to pay attention to three cemented a sense of com“His [Trump’s] executive ac-urged He now familiar underhanded, effectively portions of its cyber derful things that his countyinstall-over huge Bragg cial catch 11 percent during that troubled hit rose by cars at education, roadsMartin and pensions. The pedestrians mon ground by invoking tions have [in summary]:main issues: ing achieved.) a revolving door to the chairsecurity to Estonia. showdown behas time in the10Gulf even as size of the catch Tom inHudson varying speeds: percent King Jr.’s distillation; 1. Made it harder for first time Luther ofSecond the Democratic National And on and on it goestween Clinton the policy. Ilves conlegislature, to its credit, managed to deal with Pawleys Island of those struck die when creased. That mirrored the tourism industry through virtually every secvinced a small(DNC). group of young “The arc ofThe the moral universe is home buyers to buy a home and out Sander’s factions. Committee two of the three. offshore drilling referthat saw a boost in 2010 at the expense of Gulf growing politicians from across the polong, but it bends toward jus2. Rolled back protections for just want to seeEstoan open, The situation got worse for thetor of a“Irapidly endum is just the sort of meaningless bill that coast beaches. Rather than crow about their nian economy and society. Tolitical spectrum to focus everytice,” adding “but we have to student loan borrowers transparent, inclusive process,” party’s campaign arm when good fortune, South Carolinians rightly wondistracts from worthwhile accomplishments. economicHorne, growtharate thing they did on promoting it together, my friends.” 3. Made it harder for people to bend said Michele delegate Democrats were tagged out of day their Highway 17 highest theSanders Euthe internet and new technolodered, what if that was us? The votes were cast, and politifromthe Rock Hill in and sup- retire every race that wasn’t a walk-offis among Union, there unemploygy in every 4. Made it harder to start their cal strategist Trav Robertson porter. “The DNC did not rehome run.part of their econo- ropean ment rate among the lowest and my and society. They bet the was elected chairman of the SC Sec. Tom Perez drew the short main neutral during the prima- own businesses personal is farm and it paid off. The Trump era 5. Jeopardized any hopeWaccamaw of bet- Democratic I knowincome Berniegrowth volunteers straw–of restoring the brand in theirry. bandsParty with 60% of The wholeSouth country is totally on soaring. the vote. were turned away at county par- ter roads in SC [53% deadlier Columbia, Carolina Joan and Ed Sheldon (TraTo the editor: So why should South Carolina wired with super high-speed Carol Stoj Temple and George than the national average) with ties, and when there were joint April 28th 2017. Armed Forces Day, May dition); Memorial Day, May access; you can even connect in care? The parallels are obvious.

Leapfrog progress for S.C.? Focus on innovation/digital

Thursday June 1, 2017

Slower and safer traﬃc

Political drama played out on individuals voting

‘C

Showing the ﬂag

Environment

To the editor: a war to maintain story in pawns in “whales” where citizens move toward conquer’ is to be large ocea Toan theold editor: “Those who cannot the same goals, each coun- America. Dr.When slavery, in a banMartin Lugoing canoes. Another bl I first began hav- couched remember theET’S past are tryOUR ner of and up pa-from th King ing knew it. After his with needs to havebefore an overSHARPEN PENCILS we ther sharptantrights lie/cover conversations mystates’ condemned toen repeat it.” triotism. filthy and accident pron march from Selmastate to Montarching national narrative: the ax to clear the way for a roundabout friend Sen. Stephen electronic transmission By Billfamiliar, Rogersdoesn’t it? one historical Sounds R.H. Gruy then writes spoke of how memory that gomery, he Goldfinch about the pros- oil industry. at the ofofWaverly Road and Petigru public and says It also sounds quiteintersection dire. another letter (July 6) to segregation was created to everyone shares.records Until fairly In North Dakota, just pects of seismic blasting Drive. roundabout seemed likemay a good idea copy charges not be people been a The long time InIt’s light of recent events, highlight an ignorance anda pipelin keep recently, this overarching weeks back, and divided. offshore Indrilling off few comments by thecitizens current lack of understanding of stead wagesheforsuggested narrative has celebrated a quirky smooth the flow of traffi cfor through this made electronic re- of higher coming, to but of burst, where “the hig our coast, what trulyest built our nation.of safe administration andwill stateKing described story of white supremacy, cords. But the agency is Dr. standards South Carolina soon that I contact our senators intersection until the state Department ofworkers, quotesand a play written in ments how whites in the inHe terrorism and caste systems by fellow citizens, acmost advanced ava congressmen Washnotmanager required to create anpoorand have faster and cheaper Transportation project explained that excludes the ex- were, n fed Jim Crow, it1908 written South were it’s becoming apparent to overwhelmingly technology” ington, because was that a able electronic version when it cess to public documents. it of would require cutting oak treewhich on told any “races” (otha poor white istence ofdoubt, the down white, the male, conme that most us don’t un- from used by the indu federal issue. does not the exist. For our seven years, the theown corner. We’d rather have oak. in the respo matter quering patriots’ point of worker that,As‘No derstand nation’s try. The company time went er on,than we European) cams, Legislature has for one rea“melting pot.”that the sp how bad off he was, view. history. The mis-education claimed had manyat least other American discus- sible It isn’t because this As treetoispolice a prizedash specimen. es do thatheany the example, law specifi son the otherpeople not passed Perhaps if quantifi we underwas a white man, better For how of theorAmerican is was ed at abo sions on the subject: “How There is a much larger oak tree nearby, though stood our history, weInvestig Racial we teach Civil Warinvolving and Re- than aan petFOI peeve of mine. recording reform bill. AlThey anthe black 100,000 gallons. couldman.’ you not be supportis partly hidden by vines. The oak that is in wasivepart wouldn’t be so inclinedrevealed to hatred of industry keeping that construction? story has death, though isit really no fault reporting th of an will tive did soiton the last day of incidentThe involving jeopardy wouldn’t much attention if itpowerful the on top.” through time. Deof our own, we take the spillinto was races more than s bring 35,000 localdivide jobs?”ourselves the session thismust year, and changed it attract injury, property damage Human beings all entitled pending onthe where you wereon a In a letter responsibility for allowing greater. he asked. Of“Hiscourse,ora tribes. very times wasn’t 6 feet from pavement offers some realsitting improveor the use of deadly torical force reminders” want the same basic thing: (June born, you is either learned which things to get to this point. Fact is that the “hig small amount of research major local road. Location everything, ments in our state’s open be released. Howevrespect, and no fear. 8), R.H. Gruy writes exemthe Union fought to Despite what our K-12 his- that must est standards/advance revealed that this was “fake dignity is why this oak veneer of staples and government law. er, ita allows to go be- this need to end the beliefare of alwa plifying division. This Weclose technology” free has slaves or youpolice learned tory textbooks teach us, tree news.” Not remotely tacks on bark from generations of signsjudge an- is a perfect The House, ledits bylies Reps. fore a Circuit fought Court country” that used by the oil industry, letter to fact. display of “party over that the Confederacy America’s foundation believe what th My friend also prevails inyou the can United States how history taught from a adopted Newton and Bill to maintain rights. fiWeston rmly in white supremacy, toshargue thatjust withholding nouncing lost pets, fi friesstates’ and about say. But every month, an the oil industry claim that today. Parties change. Peowealthy, white, Eurocentric No matter where you were terrorism and caste systems Taylor, pushed hard forof function. the recording more every other kind It’s anisoak thatimhas sometimes weekly, new seismic blasting harmchange. Technologies perspective enables indi- isple bornportant you probably learned disguised as and rugged indi-end the reform in the than the public ingrown old and gnarled in the service of the comreports document rationalize their change. Countries change. the a vidualism, patriotism and that Reconstruction was a viduals toless. concurred in a last-minute terest in disclosure. munity. cidents: transport tra The government Envithing that oildoesn’t and One free markets. If we are to horrible time of poverty, lack of understanding Senate amendment doing FOI suitstrengthen has or far truck acc ronmental State- isderailments that there are divisions. Impact Con- change disarray, scalawags and carmove forward It as isn’t a unifi edoak the that’sFiling at risk.an It’s Pawleys away we with establishment been a slow process, of- monuments dents with fires and spil ment prepared to calculate more similarities between federate were none ofa place nation, must accept and petbaggers. Island. To protect this tree In is fact, to protect of an FOIA this hearing collisions oil freigh draggingare ontrue. for anot year to wildlife from poor white people,ofpoor put indamage place to discourtheseten perspectives acknowledge fact. officer. where streets always meet at right angles. at sea working and inshore an seismic blasting the At- oferscolor, But thehistory good of lawdon’t far agereAmericans from killingin people orwere more. The new There no “good guys”law Our of the slavery, That suit but there are plenty lantic spillsand of millions class people middleof gallo Americans as hepredicted suggests.hundreds or everyone, “bad guys”an in initial the Civil terrorism and the near outweighs themay loss not of easiquires Circuit in the last 50 years of thousandswere of serious other Ameriplaces more exacthearing in their streetscapes. classinpeople than there are – wi These monuments War.Court People and organizagenocide ofofNative er enforcement. be set withimprovement juries and death tosimilarities ocean no with the top 1 in safe putlein place by the wealthy, tionshave positions power cansPerhaps has made ed, Someathe ofunifi them even oaks streets. most inin10 dayson ofoftheir service of records at all. mammals and millions historical memory diffi- used various methods to white, former slaveholders percent (who now earn 52 Butpart things here. People learn to meaningful of are the diff re- erent gal papers on the parties Oil refi nery explosio of similar scenarios with cult to achieve. We must rewrite the facts. Freedmen to brainwash poor whites percent of the country’s form deals with response involved. make allowances. That’s makes it special. fires, other into sea life. Seventy ve and At newfiincome). thiswell pointblowou and freedmen thinkwere freedwhat in name only. accept and acknowledge etc., numerous of fellow the world’s time.facts. The new lawtruly changThea roundabout law augments the Cut down the oak to build oring align our history, parties mayinciden 600,000 humantopinocean The wealthy slaveholders these Until we years with hu in over es the and amount of time an criminal violation provimorethe harm than beings lostscientists their livescollaborated for a be doing quickly returned to elected address come to some the ragged strands of Petigru Drive and you of textbooks millions of gallo acause: letter maintainto the government good. Ourdreds history cesion andgoing maintained most sort of reconciliation with offi agency has to and sets a civilrighteous fine won’t get respond where you are anyup sooner, but spilled. this The up. Iare would definitely doing more white backing supremacy. of their property. In fact, ing our nation’s horrible past, from 15 you days to have 10 days. of $500 for arbitrary and will lost something along the way. The best technolo venture toSouthsay thatharm these than good. majority of white freedmen and poor Ameriinstead of coloring it as That’s a pretty good com- capricious violations of the becomes Mulligan old technology statements DOT will hold a public next week to who erners lost their are livesjust a tad Maureen cans paid aforum disproportion“states rights”Note or “that’s promise. thatjust Georlaw. environmen credible Willbrook and were merelythan the unforgiving ately high price both in lives the way it was” the its United explain plan for the roundabout. The fiwere rst poormore gia requires a three-day senator’s oil industry line. very quickly. And huma Tothe deal improper lostWhat during Civilwith War and States will never be united. question to ask is: problem are you trying error is never out of th Seismic blasting has response, but they have requests, the law allows a History is messy. People in the aftermath of the Civil equation. The Bureau been made illegal in many to fi x? Data from the state Department of Pubexemptions. body request a Meanwhile, the to powerare messy. This is due in no War.public foreign countries and off Safety and Environme lic Safety shows 29 in or around the also sets up ful, a collisions wealthy, males of Diversity smallThe partlaw to the fact that, hearingwhite on requests that the West Coast of our coun- tal Enforcement doc both sides (who started the as human beings, intersection from 2005 through 2015. During specifi c time forweanall FOI are unduly burdensome, try because, unlike some ments 66 “human erro war and never fought in it) or struggle asame number of In requestwith to be fulfiperiod, lled. the there were 22 collisions at the overly broad, vague re“industry influenced,” pol- incidents (of major propo weaknesses: sh- lost little. the past,four-way agreed, few selfi agencies petitive. stop at Waverly and Kings River. 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Agencies may also transparency in our rich, their thoseoff who think discrimithese divisions effectively is an outrage Passages shore oil rigs ha mic to blasting had the begun. require up to a 25 percent ■ men not ought to use the any man be- that to maintain control. As a nate against been affected. Fa However, a quick on-site deposit before beginningresult, a Bill is executive and Concause of creed, birthplace we areRogers more divided news again. investigation found“men’s these room”

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EDITORIAL WRITING Black Cyan Magenta Yellow

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OPINION

The Laurens County Advertiser

September 13, 2017

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ALL WEEKLYOPINION DIVISION OPINION

In our view

There are no B-movie villains in this debate

Time for Tollison, county council to address issue of missed meetings

The votes are in but District 55’s needs still remain

The signs are coming out and the lines are being drawn between voters facing a $109 million decision this fall in Laurens County School District 55. Already, as we approach the Sept. 5 bond referendum to decide the fate of the district’s plan to construct a new high school and improve facilities, there is a palpable tension between those who want the referendum to succeed and those who do not. And while we may hope that this proposal can be weighed without the added burden of raw emotion, we can be equally certain that it probably will not. Laurens County electors have proven on more than one occasion that when it comes to bond referendums, the vote will be close and the tempers will flare on both sides. Of course, it does not have to be this way. It is perfectly reasonable for people on both sides of this issue to make their respective cases without predicting an apocalypse if the opposition wins. But let’s face this fact if we face no other – we can expect both sides to make the most emotional pleas possible in order to sway votes in their favor because that tactic is an effective, if saddening, approach to politics. So, it is more likely that one side will predict economic doom for taxpayers if the referendum is passed and the other will foresee an utterly bleak educational future for children if it does not. The truth lies somewhere between the two sides. If the referendum is approved, District 55 taxpayers will pay more and few of us will be outright happy to make the sacrifice. But we probably can pay more in taxes for the sake of a better cause, although it continues to be the school district’s job to convince us that we should – based on facts about how new facilities will improve education and not just a plea to “do it for the children.” If the referendum fails, on the other hand, we should not be terribly surprised when the next generation of the best and brightest teachers pass on District 55 to work in newer, shinier facilities that offer the latest teaching tools and technology. No matter the outcome, though, many of us will suffer. Maybe not to the extremes that will be expressed publicly, but at least a little. Taxpayers may have to get by on less or teachers and their students will. It is that simple. What we hope to remove from the debate, though, is both paranoia and self-interest as we realize that people who are in favor of the referendum are not thieves and those who are against it are not stupid. There is a lot at stake already in a $109 million referendum. What we believe should not be staked to it is the kind of rhetoric that casts either side as B-movie villains. We can and should all agree that each side has its merits and its drawbacks and that we should weigh them all carefully and thoughtfully before casting our votes on Sept. 5.

Letters To the editor, I want to begin this discussion of the school referendum with crawling babies, shiny objects, and school district officials. It has been observed that if you put a crawling baby in reaching distance of a shiny silver dollar or a $100 bill, they are likely to choose the shiny dollar. They do so because they do not

To the editor, I had considered presenting this suggestion for many years but finally made the decision in hopes that years of stagnated population growth will finally open a dialogue which to my limited knowledge may have been summarily dismissed in the past. I first arrived in Laurens over 60

For the past seven meetings of the Laurens County Council, Keith Tollison has been councilman and vice-chairman in absentia. According to other council members and Laurens County Administrator Jon Caime, Tollison has missed these meetings because Tollison’s job has taken him out of state to Kentucky. And often, he’s been sorely missed. We certainly understand the pressures and requirements that come along with one’s career and believe without a doubt that Tollison would be in attendance at council meetings if the choice were his. Even so, his absence has left his constituents in the 5th District of Laurens County without a voice at the table, and that is unacceptable during the majority of the budgeting process and debate, as well as other vital county issues. Most recently, the council needed a super majority of five votes to pass a budget that would have included an unfunded mandate from the state regarding its pension fund. An affirmative vote by Tollison would have given the council the super majority it needed. Instead, the budget failed to pass, giving way to an amended budget that passed with a simple majority but includes a $140,000 deficit regarding the unfunded mandate. In early August, councilman Ted Nash caused a stir when it was announced that he wanted to reconsider his “yea” vote on a communications audit at an earlier council meeting. That motion originally passed 4-3. Again, an affirmative vote from Tollison would have given council a 5-3 majority, making Nash’s wish to reconsider moot. Nash ultimately decided not to changethan his vote, not before Less 10 but years ago, a furor erupted over the whole America’s incident.energy future looked VICTOR bleak.Caime said that Tollison continues to do all the work World oilofprices in 2008 had behind the scenes – DAVIS required his place on council he just spiked to vote. more than $100 per doesn’t barrelThat of crude. is problematic but the issue can be solved.HANSON We believe “Peak oil”to—bethe theory that tribune media Tollison’s a reasonable and needed voice on county counthe world had already extracted cil and do not himstill to resign if he still wants to serve. more crude oil wish thanfor was council quicklyproperties, if Tollison’sfinding curleftHowever, in thecounty ground — needs was to onactprivate rent work-related continues keep him America’s supposedsituation bleak fate. ever to cheaper andfrom moremeetefficient ings.years ago, rising gas ways to extract huge amounts Ten A soon as possible, council needs to address a policy allowprices, spiraling trade deficits of crude oil and natural gas and war oil-rich from rock. ingongoing members to in sitthe in on meetings andshale vote via video conferMiddle East only underscored In 2017, despite millions ence as a last resort. The current policy does not allow for suchof America’s square miles being off-limits because itprecarious predates thedependtechnology that makes such video con- to ence on foreign sources of oil. close to ferencing possible. Today, it is asdrillers, simple asAmerica Skype orisFacetime Despite news of a radically reaching 10 million barrels of on one’s tablet or smartphone. improved but relatively old crude oil production per day, The 21st-century business of county council can be aided by technology called “fracking” the highest level in the nation’s bit of technology common in this century, a problem —adrilling into shalealso rock and history. The U.S.and may soon surcan be solved quickly, resort to drastic measinjecting water, sandwithout and having pass toSaudi Arabia as the ures. chemicals at high pressure to world’s largest petroleum prohydraulically “fracture” the ducer. rock and create seams from When American natural gas whichContact petroleum and natural Representative (about 20 percent of the world Your gas are released — few saw total) and coal (the largest much reserves in the world) are facS.C.hope. Senate In 2012, when gas prices tored into the fossil fuel equaDistrict 9 (Greenville and Laurens cos.)the U.S. is already the were hitting $4 a gallon in tion, Daniel President B. “Danny” Verdin III (R) producer of energy in some areas, Obama largest 402 Gressette Building, Columbia, SC 29201 • (803) 212-6230 admonished the country that the world. Home: P.O. Box 272, Laurens, SC 29360 we “can’t just drill our way to While environmentalists lower prices.” That was a worry about polluting the water S.C.gas House of Representatives putdown of former Alaska gov- table and heightening seismic District 14 (Abbeville, Greenwood and Laurens cos.) ernor and vice presidential activity through hydraulic frac-

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FIRST PLACE

Voters in School District 55 spoke loudly at this past week’s referendum on a new Laurens District High School. With voter turnout at 38 percent, the proposal to fund a $109 million bond for a new high school was defeated by more than a three-to-one margin. In the moments after the votes were tallied, both sides in the too-often acrimonious called for civility and for time for the community to heal. Apparently, that time is up. Two of the most vocal opponents of the referendum and critics of the District 55 Board of Trustees are already calling for the resignation of members of the school board who supported the referendum. That support was near unanimous, discounting the conspicuous silence of board member Mike Fortune. While the referendum was a disappointment for the “Kids 1st - Laurens Future” supporters, we do not believe the vote to be a referendum on the board itself or the administration. There were sizable faults in the way the $109 million referendum was rolled out and there often seemed to be a disconnect in communicating essential elements of the proposed building plan. That said, any communication was very often falling on conveniently deaf ears on the other side. “Vote No” signs appeared in yards within 48 hours of the referendum being Clinton would not change the U.S. intelligence agencies announced, long before a price tag or building plan could reality that the Obama adminsaid Russia was responsible be discussed. Opponents of the referendum have made it VICTOR istration would probably drop for hacking Democratic clear2014 thatBard,” board members willprices face challenges in future and radically weakened National From to 2016, fracking neous targets to blame. And ple. “The William the inquiry anyway — so Committee email elections. DAVIS helped cut the price so attention turns to, for ESPNleading has long politicized Shakespeare, hadofagasoline healthy America’s rivals and enemies. accounts, Comey made the necessary to the publiAlsoofaclear, though, theDesperate demonstrated of oil needs exporters like cation bydistrust $1.50 gallon, Andalusian horse sportsof and to lose example, an HANSON the sort saving of are mob ethical adjustments. aboutcontinues 20,000 stolen District 55 – whether the a STEM to are emails Iran, of Russia and Center Venezuela American drivers anby average of form — as if changing the animal’s viewers over its adolescent hysteria typified ourin curComey was also less than on WikiLeaks. tribune media ready students jobs, short about halfsignificant the oil income more than $1,000 perstatue-bustyear.for 21st-century political correctness. Not long name is at least proof that rentbetter epidemics of truthful when he testified that But that finding was reportimprovements to middle schools upgrades expan-ago. edly that or they enjoyedand 10 years Due to the fracking of natuago,based the network tennis they care. ing and name-changing. there had been no internal FBI largely fired on the sionShakespeare’s to the current high school.The There still work to do lateis Hugo Chavez’s oilral In gas, the United States has Most revolutions eat their commentator Doug Adler. He tragedy beyond just the Russians. communications concerning DNC’s strange outsourcing of tribune media by this school administration for the students fed socialist utopia in the reduced itsCaesar” carbonboard emissions not much most left tofanatical the the infamous meeting between investigation to athe private own.isMonday’s had characterized aggres- There “Julius — aand story media myth of James Comey husband, former cybersecurity firm. Rarely of District 55, andPlutarch’s muchthe of that work will cost money. Venezuela is bankrupt. byadopted about 12 from percent over a sive play of tennis star Venus revolutionary becomes Clinton’s as dutiful FBI director, unjustPresident Bill Clinton, and forthe victim a crime first the No, notLives” all problems canthe be solved by the and care What so love far constrains last decade, (according to was too close to that of Robert does counterrevolutionary sellout Williams as ofemploying “Parallel — a frenzied ly fired by a partisan and vin- mer Attorney General Loretta a privateeffect.” investigator Energy Information E. Lee. President Vladimir hire of teachers andfuror a little discipline. by Tuesday. “guerrilla (”And Roman mob, in over the Russian dictiveOnce President Donald Lynch on an airport tarmac. In latermove form in theand iswithered as amuch a shortage of whose Administration) at Caesar, a zoning far Putin Nearly century a half left-wing activists you’llfindings see Venus assassination of — Julius Other issues such as have on theand vine Trump. A closer fact, there was a trail of FBI conclu- on, petrodollars as fear General of greater rate local than the environafter his death, forced citieslook and suggests states to pull put of thegovernment guerrilla effect encounters on theleaders street a poetunwilling because were to continue theNATO. dif- Lee basis that Comey may have been the discussion about that suppossions. Until recently, the combinamentally conscious European has gone from tragic figure to charging,” Adler had said.) down their politically incornamed innocent ficult Cinna. fight forThe what they believed was best. most politicized, duplicitous edly WikiLeaks founderwas Julian tion of sanctions (lifted by the Union. Public Enemy No. 1 of the rect statues in the dead of secret rendezvous. Adler’s reference drawn poet was not the conspiratoriIf this school board truly believes the $109 million and out of control FBI director Before he fired Comey, Assange is many things. But Obama administration) Fracking and cheaper are left. off the once-popular term night, and once they got Trump al assassin Cinna, butgas unforbond best addressed the needs of the students of Districtand sofrom drafted a letter outlinfar he has not been caught since J. Edgar Hoover. crashing oil prices hador nearly allowing critical breathing Lee the sportscaster, like lying scot-free in defacing “guerrilla tennis” tunately shared name with 55, it aneeds to acontinue its efforts to implement all During the 2016 election, and ing the source of his anger. But about the originthat of denotthe space forof strapped American Cinna the would-be poet,could wasnuclear destroying publicly was owned ed a tough, brawling, thepart killer. those plans, regardlessbankrupted of the fight that befound leaked quite improperly, it seemed to have little to do documents that take-nocame Comey, consumers, as energuiltyIran. on the basis of ignorant into was an easy prisoners The terrified poeton points out power waiting foralternative them election day. put monuments, into the role ofitprosecutor, with the obstruction of justice. his hands. style He has from insisted the The once-feared OPEC oilIf for1990s. gyto production and case transportawith his name. step to in thethe next level: wagthe mob this of mis- association andup jury investigaInstead, Trump’s anguished well over a year that the judge the long-time bane herd of Russians tion slowly become effi- cartel, the politically correct ing war against words The didword “guerilla,” taken identity: “I more am Cinna use ofthemletter complained about not provide him tion of Hillary Clinton’s the United now nearcient and competitive. could notStates, get its ishands on the with selves.email server while Comey’s private assurances remember, is a diminutive of the poet.” a private the DNCemails. Your lylong-dead impotent. Robert E. Lee, it the Fracking created a Representative Insecretary totalitarian Spanish word “guerra,” TheContact mobhas answers: “Tear of state. societies, That that the president was not When it was discovered that she was Friendsapparently such as Israel have national savings of about 5 milsettle for the cities change their names (”war”). “guerrilhim for his bad verses, tear would proved a disaster. Comey has regunder FBI investigation, which emails In hadSpanish, been comproS.C. admitted oath to then-DNCChairwoman energy independence by mised, lion imported anyone in the present who ularly.under Statues godeliberup and were are offered at about the same la” means “little war.” In himbarrels for Senate hisofbad verses!oil ...per It is gained ately leaking his own notes — time a winking-and-nodding Wasserman District (Greenville and Laurens cos.) nearly fracking. In contrast, day the9his last decade. That shared the same some name. Debbie English, “guerilla” is com- torn down. Words, as the hisno over matter, name’s Cinna!” which were likely government Comey would not confirm that refused atotype European allies a who have Schultzweirdly translates to roughly $100 bil- III Why would supposedly torian Thucydides warned monly used to describe Shakespeare certainly Daniel B. “Danny” Verdin (R) to theago, media to reality to the press, thus leavforensic detectives from property 402 Gressette Building, Columbia, SC 29201 • (803) 212-6230 fracking out of envilion in annual savings by like avoidcivilized country descend into allow 2,400—years habitually of unconventional fighting. would recognize that, the banned Home: .O. Box 272, Laurens, SC 29360 prompt the appointment of a ing FBI toAdler examineforgot the DNCthat worries are more the But ing foreign oil.PRoman such linguistic fascism? change their meanings to the apparently deliberate playwright’s mob, we ronmental special counsel. That ployorthoimpression that a comproserver to probeisthe evidence of the vulnerable to Russian, Iranian Fracking has allowed the Part of the problem is the reflect passing political “guerilla” pronounced have launched a war against S.C. House of Representatives worked like clockwork, and by mised president was in legal the theft. Why did the FBI Middle Eastern pressure U.S. to enjoy some of thetolowpresumption by elites that a same as its English homo- doxy — and thugs, commiswords in our frenzy find and a strange coincidence it soon jeopardy. refusal? Some ESPN District 14 (Abbeville, and Laurens cos.) ever before. est electricity andGreenwood gas supposedly illiterate public accept sars and brownshirts oversee phonethat “gorilla.” targets for ourrates politically cor- than resulted in the selection of his There is also a media fantaThat strange behavior was A. “Mike” Pitts (R) must Fracking is not from easy.itself. It prices inMichael the industrial world. be protected viewers did not understand the charade. rect madness. not as bizarre as Wasserman friend, former FBIDirector sy about the antifa street pro519B Blatt Building, Columbia, SC 29201 • (803) 734-3114 legally propTheRecently, result is that cheap energy But SC does anyone really Schultz’slater For an antidote to these statthe guerillafrenzied reference and there were proHome: 372 Bucks Point Road, requires Laurens, 29360 protected • (864)923-2925 testors. Few have criticized efforts Robert Mueller. and mineral rights, a people natu- tocharged costs are luring of believe that average ue-smashers was using Comey gressive callsall sorts at the erty earlier and had name-changassured their systematic use of vioprotect that herAdler information District 16 (Greenville and Laurens cos.) entrepreneurial envienergy-intensive industries — ralwill confuse spirit, an Asian“gorilla” as a racist smear. ers, Americans seek just one University of Southern

Staff Laurens County Advertiser

Beware of narratives and misinformation Fracking industry deserves our gratitude Innocent words (and names) are under attack VICTOR DAVIS HANSON

out any public or political support for their odious views, and they were condemned by both political parties. Yet anifa’s use of violence was compared perversely by some progressives to American soldiers storming the beaches on D-Day. Later, antifa thuggery in Boston and Berkeley against free speech and against conservative groups without ties to white supremacists confirmed that the movement was fascistic in nature. It was recently disclosed that the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security had warned the Obama administration in 2016 that antifa was a domestic terrorist organization that aimed to incite violence during street protests. That stark assessment and antifa’s subsequent violence make the recent nonchalance of local police departments with regard to antifa thuggery seem like an abject dereliction of duty. Doubts about official narratives of the DNC leaks and the errant behavior of James Comey, and misinformation about the violent extremists of antifa, illustrate media bias — not to mention entrenched government bureaucracies that are either incompetent, ethically compromised or com-

OPINION PAGE/SECTION ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Staff The Berkeley Independent

Steve Robertson The Horry Independent Thursday April 13, 2017

Editor: Kathy Ropp

HORRY

INDEPENDENT P.O. Box 740, Conway, S.C. 29528 843-248-6671 Fax: 843-248-6024 Email: info@myhorrynews.com Steve Robertson Publisher Cheryl Robertson Vice President Stephen Robertson Jr. Vice President Adrian Robertson Accounting

OPINION

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Mishandling of scandal gives CCU a black eye United Airlines made a billion dollar mistake earlier this week when it had a paying customer dragged from his seat kicking and screaming. Likewise, Coastal Carolina University may have made a costly public relations snafu when it suspended the entire cheerleading team over the alleged offenses of only a few members. Both situations demonstrate the importance of dealing responsibly with stressful situations, and what happens when public relation efforts fail miserably. The poor guy forcibly removed from his seat on a United Airlines flight epitomizes the terrible customer service Americans confront when flying nowadays. There was a time when I looked forward to flying on an airplane. Security didn’t exist in those days. Family and friends could even go to the gate to see you off. Once on board, pretty stewardesses tended to your every need. Short

flights from Myrtle Beach to Charlotte came with a beverage and a snack. Longer flights included a meal. I guess 9-11, followed by consolidation within the PUBLISHER’S airline industry, helped make flyNOTEBOOK ing a tortuous experience. Passengers, treatSteve ed like cattle, must conform to Robertson every demand of the airline and the government, or risk being thrown off the plane. I watched the video of the man being dragged from his seat and it made me angry. Even though he had paid for his seat and informed the airline he was a doctor who needed to be at a hospital, the airline literally

dragged him from his seat. The bad publicity could cost United Airlines more than a billion dollars by some accounts. I hope all airline operators learn a lesson from this intolerable instance. Coastal Carolina showed similar bad judgment in its handling of the cheerleading scandal that has been the butt of much discussion and distasteful jokes. Apparently, CCU administrators received five anonymous letters accusing some of the cheerleaders of prostitution, underage drinking and cheating. After an investigation, the university suspended all of the cheerleaders, which includes men and women. The four cheerleaders accused of improper conduct have not been identified. Therefore suspicion falls on all of the cheerleaders, regardless of whether or not they also participated in activities considered immoral by the university. Wouldn’t it have been better to sus-

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SOUND OFF! Horry County leaders want to ban firing a gun inside a subdivision. They also want to outlaw shooting into one. Some say the proposed ordinance could be improved by banning shooting around government buildings, particularly schools. Do you think an ordinance banning the firing of weapons in or into subdivisions is needed.What do you think? Choices are: 1. Yes, an ordinance banning firing weapons in or into subdivisions is needed. 2. No, people should exercise common sense.. 3. Undecided. Send your comments on this subject to: steve.robertson@myhorrynews.com Poll results will be reported in next week’s edition of the Horry Independent. To vote, log onto www.myhorrynews.com and go to the Opinion menu.

Letters to the Editor Kathy Ropp, P.O. Box 740, Conway S.C. 29528 Fax: 248-6024

my horry news

Last week’s poll This past week the Sound Off! poll asked if the Horry County School district should pay 90 percent of the costs of school resource officers. In the past, Horry County Council and the school district have split the costs of such officers. Twenty-nine people responding to the poll said the school district should pay 90 percent of the cost; 17 people said the district shouldn’t pay that much.

Horry County’s proposed shooting ordinance sounds so obvious, residents may wonder why such a policy doesn’t already exist. Simply put, county leaders want to ban firing a gun inside a subdivision. They also want to outlaw shooting into one. Yes, that’s an actual regulation being drafted to present to council members. Apparently some people didn’t realize firing a weapon inside--or into--a busy residential area was a terrible idea. Thus, this ordinance was drafted. To be fair, county officials say these types of calls aren’t constant. But they happen often enough that council members felt the need to codify what should be common sense. Although we support the proposal and hope it passes, the legislation could easily be improved. For example, council members should include government buildings, particularly schools, on the list of places that should not be used as targets. The ordinance also fails to address the problem of adjacent homeowners. What happens when someone living just outside a subdivision has a neighbor who is reckless with his home shooting range? Council members originally wanted to ban shooting within 900 feet around subdivisions, but they worried that doing so would be too difficult for police to enforce. That’s why they removed the distance restrictions and limited the shooting ban to subdivisions. We agree that including a specific distance would add a layer of difficulty for officers trying to determine whether a crime has been committed. But it may not be so easy for police to figure out where a shot was fired or who the shooter was. Despite these concerns, we support the council’s efforts in trying to address this problem. We just hope council members possess a willingness to amend this ordinance if the policy doesn’t achieve the desired result. This editorial appeared in the Carolina Forest Chronicle, a sister paper to the Horry Independent.

| IT’S BEEN SAID | “I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.” Lily Tomlin “When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That's relativity.” Albert Einstein

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pend the four cheerleaders accused of various offenses than to suspend the entire team? Perhaps CCU officials know more than they are saying. Maybe the cheerleading squad is corrupt from top to bottom. The cloak of silence surrounding this affair certainly portrays all of the cheerleaders in that kind of light. Some of the cheerleaders have retained a lawyer in hopes of clearing their names. They say they are innocent of the allegations. Coastal Carolina could help clear the air by identifying those members of the cheerleading squad who had nothing to do with the alleged conduct as quickly as possible. CCU can boast of many good accomplishments. The baseball team won the national championship, enrollment continues to expand at a brisk pace, and its academic standing improves every year. Sadly, mishandling the cheerleader scandal gives the school a black eye.

County’s gun ordinance imperfect, but good start

Kathy Ropp Editor Robert Anderson Reporter

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Thursday

The First Amendment

Let us know what you think about this issue by going to our website: www.myhorrynews.com

Editor: Kathy Ropp

HORRY

Ellen Platt They shouldn’t pull funding from the library. That’s terrible. That’s politics, and just a bunch of malarkey.

Mary Ann Hatfield I think it’s wrong. I don’t think they should charge that much for parking down there, and it’s ridiculous. I don’t think they should withhold the money, though. Both sides are wrong.

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Opening of tobacco market used to be big I’m not a smoker. Never have been. Yet, I like the smell of tobacco. I recently drove past a field of the lush, green weed, (a rather rare sight these days,) and memories flooded back to the days when Conway basked in the aromatic odor coming from four tobacco warehouses. Before the federal government declared war on tobacco and ended subsidies for the crop, tobacco provided a livelihood for thousands of farmers in the South. My grandfather, for example, had a small, five-acre tobacco farm but it generated enough income to provide a modest lifestyle for seven children. As a child, I spent a few summers working in my grandfather’s tobacco fields. The leaves had to be gathered by hand, a process called cropping. I remember crawling in 100 degree weather on hands and knees to get the “sand lugs,” the leaves closest to the ground. The tobacco had to be strung on

sticks and hung in a barn for curing. Once cured, the tobacco had to be graded, tied up in burlap sheets and taken to markets in Conway, Mullins and Lake City. PUBLISHER’S Opening day in Conway used to NOTEBOOK be quite an event. The Conway Chamber held a Steve big breakfast and invited farmers, Robertson auctioneers, warehousemen and dignitaries to attend. Merchants in Conway rolled out the red carpet for the farmers, too. Flush with money, the farmers and their families filled downtown Conway, turning the sleepy little town into a bustling market. After breakfast, everyone went to

one of the city’s four warehouses for the official opening of the tobacco marketing season. Collins Spivey, a banker and businessman, liked to extoll the virtues of tobacco. He maintained that the Bible had it wrong when it said Eve covered herself with a fig leaf in the Garden of Eden. “Everyone knows a fig leaf wouldn’t have covered the subject,” joked Collins. “It must have been a tobacco leaf she wore!” Then the auctioneer would break into a chant and lead a long train of buyers from the major tobacco companies down long lines of cured tobacco. Each pile of tobacco brought its own price. (I’ve been told my grandfather used to set his pretty daughters on his sheets of tobacco and yes, the bidding rose!) When I close my eyes, I still inhale the wonderful smell of the piles of golden leaves. I hear the rhythmic sound of the auctioneer, recall the taste of boiled peanuts sold by little

Path to citizenship needed

Shari Harms Advertising Director Guy Dozier T.J. Robertson Karie Barone Melanie Peek Sales

Subscriptions: $25 in county $20 seniors 65+ $45 out-of county $35 seniors out-of-state POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Horry Independent P.O.Box 740 Conway, S.C. 29528. Letters to the Editor Kathy Ropp, P.O. Box 740, Conway S.C. 29528 Fax: 248-6024

nnn I need to correct a statement I made in last week’s column about government spending in Horry County going out of control. Horry County Council did not recently increase the salaries of its members as noted. The last increase was more than 17 years ago. Nevertheless, my assertion that government spending has greatly outpaced the growth of most incomes remains unchanged.

To the Editor,

Becky Stevens Production Manager

boys, and remember the excitement that permeated the air. I guess it’s easy to romanticize my memories of the opening of the tobacco markets. And, yes, I realize smoking tobacco has been linked to cancer. Still, when I go by the remains of the old tobacco warehouses in Conway I can’t help but think fondly of those days when tobacco was king and the smell of the golden leaf delighted my nose.

| TO THE EDITOR |

SOUND OFF! Signs for department stores. Signs for politicians. Signs for mattresses. Signs everywhere. The small markers are often shredded by lawnmowers cutting the medians or along the roadsides, thus creating more work for the folks donating their time to collect litter in the summer heat. Horry County officials say only they have the authority to remove these signs, some of which have been abandoned. Do you think citizens should be allowed to remove signs that are located on public rights-of-way? Choices are: 1. Yes, any citizen should be allowed to remove temporary signs from rights-of-way. 2. Citizens should not be allowed to remove temporary signs from rights-of-way. Only county employees should do that. 3. Undecided Send your comments on this subject to: steve.robertson@myhorrynews.com Poll results will be reported in next week’s edition of the Horry Independent. To vote, log on to www.myhorrynews.com

hinews@sccoast.net

Cassie Gaskins I think if you’ve been living here you shouldn’t have to pay to park. I think a lot of it is the tourists coming down. As far as them withholding the money from them, I don’t think it’s right.

Sharon Rhoad Classified Manager

my horry news A’andreania Gaskins I do know the parking is bad and expensive. In Myrtle Beach, they actually need that money for the library. If Horry County is pulling money from Myrtle Beach’s funds, they can fix the roads in Downtown Conway and help open up businesses in Downtown Conway.

OPINION

Thursday

The First Amendment

Kathy Ropp Editor Robert Anderson Reporter

Please be sure to sign your letter, give your address and a daytime telephone number.

This week’s question: What do you think about Horry County withholding money for a new library and other purposes from Myrtle Beach because of the city’s parking policy?

June 15, 2017

The student earned the position of Valedictorian and deserved the honor. Failing to provide an education for children who live in our midst because of their parents is wrong. It was wrong when black children were denied an education because of their parents and it is wrong to deny any child an education. When will peoples realize that the immigrants among us also pay taxes. Have you ever heard a store clerk tell one that they did not have to pay sales taxes? Almost all immigrants - especially illegals - rent a place to stay. Property taxes - accessed at 6 percent and no homeowner exclusion for school taxes - are included in their rent. The only major tax not covered above is income tax and paying that is the responsibility of the employer. Let the kids get an education and they can become some of our most productive neighbors. And let them have a path to gaining citizenship. Our ancestors were "illegal" when they first came and they stole the land from the original inhabitants. Maybe we need to reread the story of the Good Samaritan to remind us of who is our neighbor. Jerry Branton Leesville Conway High Class of 67

Just say no to plastic bags To the Editor,

Last week’s poll Most people participating in last week’s Sound Off! poll said students in Horry County illegally should not be allowed to go to school at taxpayer expense. Forty-nine people voted for that option in the poll. Twentyseven pople said students without documented U.S. citizenship should be allowed to go to public schools at taxpayer expense. Three people remain undecided on the issue.

Start to notice the plastic bags. They're in the trees. They're on the ground. They litter our streets. They blow on our beaches. They fill up our landfills and never leave. They're here forever and ever unless... WE stop. Stop Using, Stop Buying. Stop ignoring the facts. Start becoming aware. Look up at the branches. You'll see the bags stuck up there. Blowing in the breeze. Look in the streets. You'll see the bags lying on the ground. Take a walk in the park. Take a walk on the beach. You'll see the bags left behind. They don't have to be used. There are other choices. Your children will thank you and their children will be glad. You can save the planet one step at a time. Share with your friends. Help spread the word. Say “no” to plastic. Say “yes” to the Earth. Catherine Tourloukis Myrtle Beach

| ON THE STREET |

Editor: Kathy Ropp

HORRY

James LePree I don’t agree with that. That can’t be good for anybody.

Gretchen Estridge I don’t think bad of it. I think people should be treated as humans. I know we have people who are hateful and ruin it for everybody, but I believe in treating people the way you want to be treated.

Paula Kenion I think all children deserve equal education, and it’s more important that we do not risk discriminating than making artificial boundaries for people.

Jeremy Killian I have two kids in Horry County Schools and I don’t think it’s a big problem for us. I want people to be here legally, but I don’t know that I regard it as a problem.

Society must be more supportive of police As a 4-year-old, my granddaughter Carleigh had already decided a career path. She wanted to be a cop. She armed herself with a toy gun, shiny badge and plastic handcuffs. I did nothing to discourage her, as I believe law enforcement is a noble profession. I admire the men and women who form that “thin blue line” that separates society from anarchy. Yet, when Carleigh gets old enough to make an adult decision about her career, I can’t hep but wonder if she will remain as ardent about a profession in law enforcement as she did as a child. Unfortunately, many young men and women shy away from police work nowadays. As a result, police departments throughout the United States must scramble to find good, qualified candidates to fill vacancies. The Horry County Police Department, for example, had more than 40 vacancies on its force just a few months ago. The new police chief

has been able to fill many of the gaps in his duty roster, but the department still isn’t fully staffed. So, why aren’t young people waiting in line to get into law PUBLISHER’S enforcement? Why are police NOTEBOOK departments having trouble filling their ranks? Steve Many theories exist. Robertson Some blame social media for giving police a black eye. We’ve all seen video on Facebook and other social media outlets showing policemen killing people suspected of a crime. Hardly a week goes by without a video showing police brutality in its rawest form. The actions of these overzeal-

ous law officers cast a dark shadow over all law enforcement, even though the vast majority of police officers do their jobs ethically and professionally. As the number and quality of candidates decreases, police departments may be forced to lower their hiring standards, increase salaries and benefits, and put a lot more money into marketing for new hires. In recent years, it has become dangerous to be a policemen. Some Americans hate the color of blue, as evidenced by the gunman who killed five officers in Houston, Texas last year. Racial concerns, some well-justified, make it more difficult than ever before to be a policeman. A lot of people have tried to make some problems with police a racial issue. An officer attempting to make a routine traffic stop can find himself accused of bigotry and his job put in jeopardy. While some demonize police, they

To the Editor,

Becky Stevens Production Manager Shari Harms Advertising Director Guy Dozier T.J. Robertson Karie Barone Melanie Peek Sales The Horry Independent (USPO 563990) is published every Thursday by Waccamaw Publishers, Inc., 2510 Main St., Conway, S.C. 29526. Periodical Postage paid at Conway Post Office and/or additional entries. Subscriptions: $25 in county $20 seniors 65+ $45 out-of county $35 seniors out-of-state POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Horry Independent P.O.Box 740 Conway, S.C. 29528. Letters to the Editor Kathy Ropp, P.O. Box 740, Conway S.C. 29528 Fax: 248-6024

will also be among the first to call 911 when something goes wrong in their life. If they are involved in a traffic accident, a burglary or a fight, they will seek police intervention. Despite the drawbacks, law enforcement offers many attractive advantages to those who want to serve and protect. While the pay may not be great, it’s better than many entry level jobs. There’s plenty of opportunity to earn overtime money. When it comes to job security, police departments rarely see staffing cuts. Being a policeman remains a rewarding and challenging career option. No two days are the same. I hope my granddaughter will remain interested in being a cop. We need good men and women who aren’t afraid to enforce the law and keep our streets safe. But, as a society we need to be more appreciative of those who serve, if we want to attract good people into this noble profession.

Teachers need support to keep schools safe

Sharon Rhoad Classified Manager

SOUND OFF! Police departments thoughout the United States, including those in Horry County, frequently struggle to find candidates to fill positions in law enforcement. Why do you think people are less likely now to pursue a career in law enforcement? Choices are: 1.Recorded instances of police brutality seen on social media have given policing a bad reputation. 2. Police don’t make enough money to make the job attractive to potential candidates. 3. Morale is low among police. 4. Law enforcement work is too hard. 5. Other. Send your comments on this subject to: steve.robertson@myhorrynews.com Poll results will be reported in next week’s edition of the Horry Independent. To vote, log on to www.myhorrynews.com and go to the Opinion menu.

Last week’s poll Horry County Council recently started charging citizens to use the county’s recreation centers even though they are already paying a special county tax to fund recreation. They also increased fees for recreation programs like baseball and soccer. Last week we asked readers if the county should charge residents of Horry County to use the recreation centers? Twenty-six people said those that use the recreation centers should pay a fee. Fifty-four people said those that use the recreation centers should not pay a fee in addition to the tax already being paid to fund county recreation. Three people were undecided. Be sure to participate in this week’s Sound Off! poll.

Okay, when is enough enough? For me, it was enough when I heard the news that Coach Jordan had been put under a cloud of question after doing exactly what any other teacher would have done including myself. I am not writing this because my high school football senior misses his coach, mentor and friend, or because we undoubtedly have one of the best, if not the most talented, football teams in school history I am reaching out to our community and more importantly parents of Conway High School to stand up and do something about the safety of our school. I can only imagine as this new year begins, how every teacher, coach and administrator will play this scenario out in their mind before handling a dangerous student that is out of control. Their job on the line should be the least of their concern as they contain a situation that has the potential to threaten our children. And let me just go one step further. While my four school aged children have never had a discipline problem (we take care of that at home), if it was mine causing a problem I would expect and I would hope people like Coach would step up and do exactly what was done with this student. Let's not wait until all is said and done for us to voice our complaints and disagreements over how this is being egregiously handled. I am asking all who deeply desire for our schools to be safe and our teachers to have the freedom to ensure that without tying their hands behind their backs to call our board. They are waiting and they will listen. John Poston, Janet Graham, Neil James, Shanda Allen and Rick Maxey at 843-488-6700 I am contacting them all. I hope you will too! And, to the reporters that have begged me for an on camera interview, this would be my personal statement. Amanda Benton Conway School Board Members: Joe DeFeo Board Chairman Phone: (843) 222-5912 Holly Heniford Phone: (843) 543-0301 Sherrie Todd Phone: (843) 997-1814 Ray Winters Phone: (843) 450-4384 David Cox Phone: (843)458-7345 Janice Morreale

Phone: (843) 241-4070 Pam Timms Phone: (843) 236-1629 Janet Graham Phone: (843) 349-5070 John Poston Phone: (843) 234-2013 Chris Hardwick Phone: (843) 283-7450 Neil James Phone: (843) 756-2500 Shanda Allen Phone: (843) 358-3583

| ON THE STREET |

hinews@sccoast.net

my horry news

Q. What do you think about illegal immigrants attending Horry County Schools?

OPINION

The First Amendment

Kathy Ropp Editor Robert Anderson Reporter

Please be sure to sign your letter, give your address and a daytime telephone number.

This week’s question:

Let us know what you think about this issue by going to our website: www.myhorrynews.com

July 20, 2017

This week’s question: Why do you think police departments are having a hard time hiring and retaining officers?

Let us know what you think about this issue by going to our website: www.myhorrynews.com

Anthony Turner I believe it could be a safety issue for the police officers. Maybe it’s about pay. I know we have some good officers here in Horry County.

Allen Hogan I think competitive pay has a lot to do with it, long hours and a lot of officers asked to do a lot of overtime, and I think most people who are in public service almost have to have a second job to supplement their income.

Nancy Park Salary is part of it. I think the lack of support from upper to lower is as well.

John DeLong I think pay is one of the main things. I think they, along with teachers, their salaries aren’t enough for what they do and the risks they take. I think pay is the number one issue.

FORUM Wednesday, November 1, 2017

THE BERKELEY

INDEPENDENT MICHaeL CHaUVIn Publisher

daVId KennaRd executive editor

www.berkeleyind.com/opinion

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Take time to vote for a quality community

david Kennard is the executive editor of Summerville Communications, which publishes the Berkeley Independent, Goose Creek Gazette and Summerville Journal Scene. Contact him at dkennard@journalscene.com or 843-873-9424. Follow him on Twitter @davidbkennard.

THE BERKELEY

INDEPENDENT MICHaeL CHaUVIn Publisher

daVId KennaRd Executive editor

www.berkeleyind.com/opinion

Letters to the Editor It makes sense to spend money to enhance tourism

These were the options discussed for the use of the funds, which will be between a half to a million dollars per year with the growth estimated in the county: To the Editor: 1. Don’t spend it because it’s too I attended the Berkeley County much of a problem; Give it back council meeting and one of the or don’t collect it. discussions last night was the use 2. Give it to a group to promote of the A-Tax money. local hotels and fish camps.

3. Hire a professional marketing firm to promote not only the hotels and camps, but tourism. We are rich in history, we are world known for our lakes and fishing, we have a great tennis complex on Daniel Island, one of the best ecotourism (Water Trail Programs) in the state. I think this does make our

county a tourist destination and with some good marketing it will only get better. I encourage each resident of Berkeley County to contact your council member and voice your choice. Archie Thompson Moncks Corner

Gangs a safety problem that can no longer be ignored

s I’ve traveled the state over the years, it hasn’t been uncommon for members of the law enforcement community to bring up issues that concern them. And gang activity is one subject that often comes up. No longer just a big city issue, gang activity is on the rise in even small communities across the state and nation. Sometimes you’ll read about it. However, authorities are regularly investigating gang-related crimes that don’t reach the public’s eye. Efforts to deal with the menace are frequently complicated by a number of factors – high among them a lack of candor. Politicians, neighborhood leaders and business groups tend to want to put forward the most flattering image possible of their community. Thus, they don’t want the kind of headlines that a focus on gangs might bring. But as those on the front lines will tell you, any successful gangfighting strategy hinges on public awareness. Citizens must know about the problem, understand the stakes, and participate in decisions to restore safety to their streets. Tip-toeing around the problem

will only make it worse. A recent shooting in Columbia reflects a familiar pattern. In midSeptember, gunmen opened fire outRichard side a nightclub Eckstrom in the middle of the city, injuring eight people. What was the motive? The curious citizen was left to guess, as the details came out at a snail’s pace. Initial media reports even omitted the normal details such as a description of the shooters, even after police had identified suspects. Citizens were kept in the dark and were nervous about the unknown threat. Public statements spoke of the “violence that grips our country,” as if to deflect attention from the violence here locally. And officials have still not outlined what steps they’ll take to avert a problem in the future. Most of the information made public came not from local officials but from the FBI, which released specifics about the incident – including

details captured on surveillance cameras – after a special agent filed a federal gun charge against one of the suspects. Ultimately, the shooting was labeled a “music industry” conflict. Whether that’s sugar-coating the issue I can’t say. But if there’s a difference between gang violence and “music industry” violence, it’s certainly a minor one. An all-too-frequent problem facing local governments is that meat-and-potatoes issues such as public safety take a back seat to big-ticket, headline-grabbing initiatives. Again, Columbia offers a cautionary tale. Four years ago, the capital city went more than six months without a permanent police chief. Yet officials were loath to publicly mention the police department’s woes. Instead, their focus at the time was on building a shiny new baseball stadium. Sadly, this period of instability for the police department came during a period of escalating gang activity and a rash of shootings — including the slaying of a mother of four by documented gang members, and a shooting that left a USC student paralyzed.

The city got its stadium – a nice one, to be sure — and a first-rate minor league team. To some residents, however, the ball park stands as a monument to misplaced priorities… a failing that put people’s safety at risk. My intent is not to denigrate the city but to encourage an important conversation. Keeping citizens safe is a core function of government, and citizens aren’t wellserved when their leaders neglect or gloss over serious challenges — especially violent crime. Certainly, a community’s sense of pride and image are important to its vitality. But that pride is beneficial when it’s harnessed to solve problems, not when it’s cause to sweep them under the rug. Gangs, in particular, are an uncomfortable reality statewide. I’ve spoken with multiple law enforcement professionals who have shared their thoughts on a range of possible solutions. But one sentiment they all share is that the first step toward solving this problem is acknowledging it. Richard eckstrom is a CPA and the state’s comptroller.

The South Carolina Senate’s plan to fund statewide road repair is a convoluted scheme that appears more like a pacifier than a real road funding bill. On Thursday, the Senate voted 30-9 to move forward its version of a long-term plan to fund South Carolina’s crumbling roads. It would increase fuel user fees by 12 cents per gallon, double the vehicle sales tax cap to $600, expand tax credits to low-income families and married couples filing jointly, increase tuition tax credits for college students, cut property taxes to businesses and allow residents to file for a rebate for extra taxes paid at the pump. Once fully phased in, it would raises barely what is needed to keep up with projected repairs. “It’s illogical,” said House Majority Leader Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill. “The point of this bill is to fix the roads.” We agree, why raise prices at the pump just to pay the profits back? This was supposed to be an effort to raise money to fix our dangerous roads. Instead the Senate is playing a shell game to fund a bunch of stuff that has nothing to do with roads. By comparison, the House Bill would increase user fees at the pump by 10 cents, increase the vehicle sales tax cap to $500 and raises vehicle registration fees. The South Carolina Alliance to Fix our Roads, a lobbying group that has been pushing for any legislation that advances road funding is praising the Senate’s action. “Finally. It’s been three years of debate, and we are now one step closer to safer, more efficient roads,” said SCFOR President Bill Ross. “We commend the House and Senate for making this issue a legislative priority and passing a plan with bipartisan support.” We’ve supported the alliance’s stance in the past, and we share their enthusiasm, to an extent, but we encourage legislators to work within the time left to polish this bill so that it actually accomplishes real road improvements. These half measures must be bolstered as the Senate’s plan heads back to conference committee. We need a bill that provides enough funds to repair and rebuild our most dangerous roads and bridges. It must provide long-term, ongoing funds that focus on improving our roads so that businesses that invest in South Carolina are willing to come here and stay here. It also should capitalize on the 30 percent of highway users that come from out of state to buy gas at South Carolina gas stations. Finally, anything that comes out of this season’s legislative session must be sensitive to Gov. Henry McMaster’s vow to kill an increase to the fuel user fee. The Senate’s complicated formula for tax increases and tax refunds appear to appeal to McMaster, but lawmakers should understand that it is the voters to whom they answer, not McMaster.

Pen on e o m uppo ed by Repub can Democ a

ast week “Southern Living” posted an article about southern aunts, and how they shape our lives. Amen. Auntie Mame’s got nothin’ on our aunties. (BTW, Southerners say “ant.” If you’re from off and say “ont,” that’s OK, we’ll still love you.) For the record, I have five aunts: Drucille, Allis, Gaylene, Perla and Eleanor. I’d love to say they taught me how to host teas or smock Easter dresses, but their lessons were earthier. Drucille, Allis and Gaylene are my father’s sisters. Dad was the youngest and the only boy, so he was called Sonny to the day he died. Anyway, Aunt Allis didn’t much like men after she was 30, which is when her husband was arrested for being the Pink Glove Bandit: He robbed banks wearing her Playtex dishwashing gloves. It was a scandal. The only saving grace was that he didn’t rob the bank in their hometown. He went to prison and she went to a lawyer for a quick divorce.

Sadder but wiser, Aunt Allis taught me a valuable lesson: Skepticism. “Smile but verify,” was her motto. Aunt Gaylene was a ball of Julie R. energy. She Smith grew up picking cotton, selling eggs and working in a textile mill. If she couldn’t sleep at night, she’d get up and paint the kitchen. “Hard work never hurt anybody!” she’d say cheerfully, and then go build a chicken coop. She had me shelling beans and scaling fish before I was six. Thanks for the work ethic, Aunt Gay. Aunt Drucille gave me a thirst for travel. She was always on the move because her husband, Clam (my hand to God), was in the military. She sent me postcards from all over the world. One Christmas she gave me a doll from Germany,

and I wish I could find it now. Drucille and Clam finally retired to a mountaintop in Virginia. She was dying the last time I saw her, but wanted to know where I’d been lately. When I left she winked and croaked, “It’s a big world, kid.” Aunt Perla and Aunt Eleanor were my mother’s sisters. I wouldn’t recognize Aunt Perla if she sat on my head. She was the youngest of Mom’s siblings; she married as a teen and left town on a Greyhound bus. Nobody saw her again for 20 years. She and Durwood lived in California and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I think I’ve seen Perla maybe four times in my life. She wasn’t big on letters or phone calls, either. She did send Mom a blackand-white Polaroid of her and Durwood on snowshoes in front of their cabin. By her absence Perla taught me—and this drives my husband nuts—that no news is good news, and that family ties can survive years without contact.

Widdle asks me, “How can you not see your sister in 15 years?” “Easy,” I reply. “We live on opposite coasts. Besides, we’re friends on Facebook.” Aunt Eleanor had dark hair, a flair for cooking and a sharp tongue. In her later years, she adopted a colony of feral cats that she fed and took to the vet. One day Mom and I dropped in as she prepared the cats’ daily meal: Ten pounds of fresh shrimp, shelled and soaked in two cans of Carnation cream. I thought Mom would faint. “Sister!!” she gasped. Aunt Eleanor gave her the stinkeye. “What?” she snapped. “Cats like seafood!” Eleanor gave me a cookbook when I got married the first time. In it, she wrote: “Beauty fades, but good biscuits are forever.” Thank you, aunts. You taught me well.

ver the 40 years that I have known her, I have come to have great respect for my wife’s political antenna. When she says something about a politician or a n issue, I have learned that it’s best to pay attention. My wife is not a political junkie in the traditional sense. And, just living with me all these years has forced her to hear a lot more about a lot of people and a lot of issues than any sane and reasonable person should ever have to endure. My apologies, dear. Like most normal people, she doesn’t follow this stuff on a daily basis. But, when she offers a strong and definitive opinion about someone or some issue, I’ve learned that she is usually right … even if it takes the rest of us a long time to see the wisdom of her judgement. Just one example: many years ago, I became friendly with an overly ambitious eager beaver that wanted to run for Congress. After just one shared dinner, my wife judged him as excessively selfish and the type of person that would cut corners to get where he wanted to go. Years later, this eager beaver had made his way up the slippery pole of politics and was running for President, and during a heated TV interview he revealed the corner cutting side of his personality.

y husband, Widdle Baby, likes TV shows about RVs — motorhomes and travel trailers. He also likes to browse online and compare brands, models and pr ices. He dreams about driving the back roads of America, one state at a time. “Maybe we’ll sell everything we own and just take off one day,” he says, swiping through a slideshow about Airstream trailers (which are, apparently, worth their insanely high prices). As a supportive wife, I don’t point out that: A) “Selling everything we own” would get us maybe to Arkansas; or B) He knows I’m afraid to drive anything larger than a Subaru. But I’m not a dream-killer; let him enjoy his fantasies.

Julie R. smith, who can still split and scale a spot in 20 seconds, can be reached at widdleswife@aol.com.

ND P ND NT

A C h m My wife just looked at me across the room and though she did not say a word, the message was loud and clear: “I told you so.” Recently, her antenna has gone up again. This time it’s plastic bags. As she said very succinctly the other day, “There is no good reason that they should not be banned. They are killing our oceans and it’s only the plastic bag industry that is keeping the ban from happening.” She is right. Plastic bags (and other plastics) are killing our oceans and the fish and wildlife that live there. Technically, they are called ‘single-use, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic bags’ — and support for banning these bags is growing not just in South Carolina or the U.S. but also globally. More on the global part later. One fact (not an alternative fact): the average plastic bag is used only once for an average of 20 minutes, but if it ends up in a landfill, it can be around for 1,000 years. We have all seen the pictures of seals, fish and other sea life with the plastic beverage six pack rings stuck around their necks or strangling them at the gills. As bad as this is, this is really just a tiny part of a bigger problem — it’s really about the trillions of pieces of plastic bottles, bags, toys, fishing nets and other plastic junk that is killing our oceans. These plastics don’t break down very fast (if at all) and when they do, they degenerate into small particles that get into the food chain — what you and I eat.

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Currently, we are dumping about 8 million tons of plastic a year in the oceans and there is now 110 million tons of this stuff floating around in the world’s oceans — and most of this stuff came from North America. A quick check of your atlas will tell you that South Carolina is in North America and on the coast — which brings us to the nitty gritty issue of home rule and the nitty gritty of South Carolina politics. Two ocean front municipalities, Folly Beach (aka The Edge of America) and Sullivan’s Island have passed a local ordinance banning plastic bags. Those in the Statehouse that opposed the ban (supported by the plastic bag industry, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and others), introduced a bill that would prohibit other municipalities from passing such a ban. Now if you jump to the conclusion that this was a traditional business vs the environment, left vs right, Democrats vs Republicans issue — you would be wrong. Many coastal Republicans supported the ban and it was also partially about ‘home rule.’ If a local government does something that a special interest group doesn’t like, they can run to the Statehouse (already corrupted by special interest money, see the local papers for details) and get the legislature to overrule the home folks. In a House of Representatives vote last month, this time the good guys won — by a single vote, 50-49. But make no mistake about it, the bag boys (with their bags of cash) will be back. But, they are on the wrong side of history … and my wife.

With a little research, I found out what my wife knew instinctively. This is an issue that is bigger than just two coastal South Carolina communities and issues of S.C. home rule. It’s bigger than the U.S. and even bigger than the oceans themselves. It’s an issue about what sort of world are we going to live in. What began in 2002 with a total ban on plastic bags enacted in Bangladesh (yes, Bangladesh) has grown into a global movement. A ban has now been enacted in many diverse countries such as Rwanda, China, Taiwan, Netherlands, Italy, Morocco, Uganda, Tanzania and Macedonia. Ironically, it seems to be the poorest countries of Africa and Asia that have been leading on this issue. Many other countries impose a fee per bag and in the U.S., dozens of cities in over 20 states have enacted either total bans, taxes or fees on the bags. So, back to my wife and her political antenna. She is right about how important this is and it’s good that the good guys have won in South Carolina (at least for now). For once, it’s good that South Carolina is on ‘the right side of history’… and we need to stay there. The ban needs to be extended to other coastal communities and then statewide. Remember this the next time someone asks you “paper or plastic?”

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Phil noble has a technology firm in Charleston, is Cofounder of EnvisionSC and writes a weekly column for the S.C. Press Association. Contact him at phil@philnoble.com and get his columns at www.PhilNoble.com.

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Hard work better than a thief in pink gloves

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ake time on Tuesday to go to the polls and vote. A slate of candidates will be elected to represent you in the town council, making this one of the most important Election Days around here. Local elections historically draw very few voters, which is a shame since local elections are those that have the greatest impact on your life. Your locally elected town officials make policy decisions on how much you will pay in taxes, what roads will be funded, how much of your money will be spent on public services and a host of other real life issues that may make your life easier or harder. We normally think of Election Day when we are picking a U.S. President, but there are many, many layers of politics and bureaucracy between you and the White House. On a local level, the layer between you and the people that impact your life on a regular basis is very thin, maybe a phone call or a visit to the town council meeting. Everything from flooding isDavid sues to neighborhood garbage Kennard pickup to traffic lights to local sales taxes are decided by the people you will vote for on Tuesday. Unlike in some past elections, we’ve seen more candidates seeking public office than there are seats available, meaning we have some passionate people who want to get some things done. We’ve put some effort into helping you decide who to vote for on Tuesday. You can find out detailed information at https://goo.gl/1c6TTX. We put this simple Q&A together to give you an idea of who may represent you at town council. Because they will represent you, you should understand what’s important to them. Here’s a quick list of the top issues that your candidates suggested they would work on in the next four years: Job growth: To thrive, every community needs a stable or growing economy. A diverse source of jobs of all skill levels is required. Your town council influences the types of jobs that may locate here; this is done through tax rates, incentives, zoning laws and annexation, among other things. Public safety: Effective, appropriately funded police and fire departments are critical to our town’s success. Low crime rates, and quick response times for emergency crews help lower our insurance rates. Town council members should be engaged in this area, providing the resources that enhance our public safety. Public safety also includes public health issues such as garbage collection, water and sewer service, as well as access to to quality health services. Transparency: Residents should feel confident that their elected officials and town employees are operating above board with full transparency. Budgets and other spending should be made available for easy public inspection. Regular audits should be published. The public’s business should be done in public, with opportunities made available for the community to speak or make comment on local issues. Your town council should be responsive to your requests and ensure confidence in the voting public. Population growth: As more residents flock to our area, we must demand a plan of smart growth from our town council. They must have vision and provide organization to what otherwise could turn into unorganized sprawl. Our town council must ensure that planned communities and housing projects be well thought out with a plan for sidewalks, lighting, sewers, schools and access to other public services. Annexation should be done to benefit our town. Preserving identity: One of the top priorities our new town council should be concerned with is preserving our identity as a community. We have a rich history here that we should promote as our town grows. Funds must be earmarked for community centers, parks, museums and other assets that help build our community identity. Regular festivals, concerts, parades and other events bring us together. Our town council should encourage this kind of community building. Finally, we should look for a candidate that demonstrates the ability to work together with others on the council to achieve these goals. Too often we see a candidate with their own agenda and little vision. A functional town council should comprise strong leaders who know how to work together for the benefit of our community. Likewise, your vote shows your commitment to our community as a resident. Please take a half hour on Tuesday and vote.

FORUM

That ended the day he came home and announced that he’d found an RV for sale in Ridgeville and had left a voicemail for the owner. I let him down gently. “Are you crazy? I thought this was just a pipe dream! We can’t buy an RV and hit the road!” “Why not?” he asked, reasonably. (Widdle is always reasonable, even when other people are kicking and screaming.) “Spotty internet service?” “No,” I said. “You’re afraid of laundromats?” “No.” “Worried we’ll be mur

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OPINION PAGE/SECTION ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

Thursday July 6, 2017 Charles D. Perry Editor

CAROLINA FOREST CHRONICLE P.O. Box 50308 Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 Phone: 843-236-4810 Fax: 843-448-4860 Website: www.myhorry news.com Facebook: Facebook.com/ pages/ MyHorryNews Twitter: twitter.com/ myhorrynews.com Steve Robertson Publisher Cheryl Robertson Vice-President Stephen Robertson Vice-President Shari Harms Advertising Director Adrian Robertson Accounting Charles D. Perry Editor Ettie Newlands Assistant Editor Kristyn Winch Visit! Local Editor Lindsay Hickman Contributing writer Nichole Gore Classified Manager Becky Stevens Production Manager Betty Moses Designer Guy Dozier Robin McGee Melanie Peek Sales

OPINION

Subscriptions (6/12 month rates): $12.50/$25 in-county $10/$20 senior rate, in-county $45 out-of county $35 out-of-county, senior rate POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Carolina Forest Chronicle, PO Box 50308, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579. Letters to the Editor Charles D. Perry, P.O. Box 50308, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29579 Fax: 448-4860 Please be sure to sign your letter, give your address and phone number.

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Today’s kids will never know

| EDITORIAL |

School board A should have paid for police officers

he Horry County Board of Education saved taxpayer money by hiring private security to police most of the district’s middle and high schools, but we question whether student safety is an area where leaders should take the cheapest option. Under the plan approved by the board last month, Horry became the first school district in the state to rely primarily on private security. If this decision had stemmed concerns about the effectiveness of the county’s school resource officers, we would be willing to consider other options. But the district’s decision was clearly a financial and political one, and that reasoning should raise eyebrows. This issue arose months ago when the district asked the county to hire three more resource officers to police new schools, including one in Carolina Forest. Traditionally, the district has split the cost of the officers’ salaries with the county, which has paid for the officers’ training, vehicles and equipment. The district’s request for more police led county officials to research the funding approaches of other counties and the requirements of state law. After studying the issue, county leaders concluded that the district should pay for all of the costs of the 180 days the officers are in the schools. That approach would have cost the district about $1.7 million more per year. School board members criticized the county for demanding more money and they ultimately balked at the offer. Instead, the opted to spend $550,000 on a contract with U.S. Security Associates for private security guards. While we are often critical of government inefficiencies and generally prefer to see private sector solutions to societal problems, maintaining a police force is a necessary public service, a primary function of government. There are other places where school board members could trim some of their $800 million budget, starting with the pointless raises board members awarded themselves just a few weeks ago. It’s important to remember that private security guards are not school resources officers. Along with being sworn law enforcement, SROs receive specialized training to prevent problems from arising. They understand how to calmly resolve conflicts and deal with social media threats. They prepare for gunmen, bomb threats and gang incidents. They aren’t there to simply make arrests. District officials claim the new approach will give them more control over what the security guards do, but we think that’s a minor advantage, certainly not worth losing highly trained officers, including many who have strong ties to the communities they serve. We hope these officers choose to stay with the department’s patrol division, especially since the schools may have to call police because of problems the guards can’t handle. District officials insist they will be monitoring this new program, and they must be willing to abandon it if the initiative fails. We hope the district’s decision to skimp on school security doesn’t come at an unexpected cost.

Jimmy Lee Distribution Manager The Chronicle is published every Thursday by Waccamaw Publishers, Inc., 2510 Main St., Conway

The First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

n article in a recent “Country Living” magazine talked about things today’s kids will never have to deal with, and it brought back a lot of good memories. They’ll never have to wait for film to develop. Remember dropping film off at the drug store, or more conve- COLUMN niently, mailing it away, and B then waiting impatiently for about a week to get the pictures back? Remember how frustrating it was when Ettie you forgot to buy flash Newlands cubes? Thanks to Caller ID, today’s kids will never be surprised by who’s calling them on the phone, will never have to actually “dial” a phone number, or get a busy signal when they do. They’ll never have to look for a phone booth, hoping they have the right amount of nickels and dimes and quarters to make a call. And they’ll never make a “collect” call in their lives. They’ll never get annoyed at the person who took the last ice cube and didn’t refill the ice cube tray. Today’s kids will never have to sit backwards in their parents’ station wagon, on the seat that faced out the back window. Even the Internet’s come a long way. Kids will never have to wait for it to “dial-up” and get cut off if someone picks up an extension phone in another room. They’ll never even

Catherine Tourloukis Myrtle Beach

The Carolina Forest Chronicle welcomes letters from its readers on a variety of topics of general interest. Include a telephone number for verification and address, though we only publish city or community names. Letters of a slanderous or libelous nature, unsigned letters, letters endorsing private businesses or containing other inappropriate material will not be published. The Chronicle reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar, brevity and relevance. Letters from the same writer will be limited to one 30-day period. Publication is at the discretion of the editor.

Ettie Newlands Assistant Editor Kristyn Winch Visit! Local Editor Lindsay Hickman Contributing writer Nichole Gore Classified Manager Becky Stevens Production Manager Betty Moses Designer Guy Dozier Robin McGee Debbie Crowe Melanie Peek Sales

| LETTER TO THE EDITOR |

I just completed a tour of the Horry County recycling center and landfill. I think it’s very important to address the issue of recycling. I think we as residents of Horry County must learn more about recycling to prolong the life of our landfills. I was told that our landfill can be prolonged by 40 or 50 more years if more people recycle. Do Horry County residents know that when our landfill is at capacity, our garbage will have to be shipped somewhere else? Then, our taxes will be going up since we’ll have to pay another county to take our trash. We as a community could and should be doing so much more, not only to save money, but to save the animals and birds and sea life that are being killed everyday by plastic products. It’s not a law here to recycle, but we should all care and voluntarily recycle our glass, plastic products and metal. We could and should all be doing more.

Charles D. Perry Editor

Will I ever again?

Recycling needs to be addressed To the editor:

know what an extension phone is. They also don’t have to know how to read a map, and they’ll probably never own an atlas. With a GPS and even with a Smartphone, they can find their way across town or across country. And what about looking something up in the encyclopedia for a research project? Or using the card catalogue at the library? Thanks to Google, they’ll never have to leave home to get all the information they need, and a lot they don’t. They’ll never know that a pencil was the perfect width to rewind the tape on a cassette that got stuck in the cassette player. Today’s kids will never have to get out of their chair, or out of their bed, or off the floor, to change the channel on the TV. Back in the day, “remote” meant far off. These days, that’s one thing the remote never is. Kids will never use carbon paper or white correction tape or even White-Out. And they certainly will never use a typewriter. Erased and deleted are generations apart. Would they even believe that when their grandparents grew up, cars had no AC? And that when their parents grew up, they had no seat belts? They’ll never remember a time when boys took Shop class and girls took Home Ec. And they won’t know anything about banging erasers together to get the chalk out of them before cleaning off the blackboard, which was actually black. I wonder if today’s kids are really better off because of technological inventions, improvements and innovations, or if they’re missing a whole lot.

Thursday March 23, 2017

o you ever play little imaginary games with yourself? Well, I do and I think I’m not the only one who does so. MY SENIOR Don’t tell me you have MOMENT never spent a little time Betty imagining what you Moses would do if you won the lottery — what kind of car you would buy and what kind of mansion you would move into. I never play the lottery now. I did it a few times when it first became legal, but as I always lost, I would also be reminded of the groceries — or shoes — that could be purchased with the money spent on losing tickets. I still remember my favorite numbers, and whenever I happen to see lottery drawings during the late night news, I check to see if my special numbers have won. It hasn’t happened yet, so I’m thankful for how much money I have saved by not

stopping by the local convenience store and buying a few tickets. The lottery mind game is not the mind game I have been playing lately. My latest game should be called “Will I ever again?” This is not a game that would appeal to the young ones or even the middleaged ones. It is one that should be played by those who are in their “golden” years. Having surpassed my allotted years of three score and 10 by 10 years — that’s being 80 years old and counting — I definitely qualify as a game player. And the game is best played on a rainy day when one’s joints are under attack from the ravages of arthritis. This is how I played the game yesterday. I was chatting with a friend and she mentioned that an artist we both like is going to be in concert in a local theater and she already has her tickets. My first thought was to go online and buy a ticket for this performance. My second thought was how would I get from the parking lot to the theater and how would I stand in line when everyone is leav-

ing after the show. My next thought was will I ever again attend a concert? A couple of weeks ago, I had an offer of tickets when NASCAR comes to Darlington in a few weeks. I’m a huge racing fan, but my excitement quickly faded when I thought about all the steps involved in climbing to the top of the grandstands. So I thought, “ Will I ever again go to a speedway and feel the excitement of the chase?” And I tell myself, “Probably not.” But wait a minute. Up until last month, St. Augustine, Florida, was on my “Will I ever again?” list. I’ve always loved that town and the thought of never returning to it at least one more time would make me sad. Then the first week in June, I found myself once again vacationing in this ancient and beautiful city and I was even happier than I was the last time I had been there. I think it’s time I put away my “Will I ever again?” game and order my tickets for the concert, changing my game plan to “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Now, about Darlington ...

Jimmy Lee Distribution Manager The Chronicle is published every Thursday by Waccamaw Publishers, Inc., 2510 Main St., Conway

OPINION

Residents must hold school board accountable Imagine being the leader of a large company, an important organization with thousands of employees and tens of thousands of customers. Now imagine you made a tremendous investment in a special project, one you personally guaranteed would turn a significant profit and be finished on deadline. What would happen if that project wasn’t profitable? If the costs skyrocketed and the deadlines were missed, where would that leave you? You would probably be looking for another job, and that’s exactly what Horry County’s school board members should be doing. In no other line of work could one fail as spectacularly as this group has in building new schools and remain employed. Let’s recap: • School officials promised to build five energy-efficient schools by May 1. • School leaders assured the public the solar-powered schools would save energy and even make money by generating more power than they would use. • At least two of the new schools (Myrtle Beach Middle School and Socastee Middle School) will not be finished by the start of the next school year, and the other three also might not be ready on time. • The new schools will cost $70 million more than originally projected.

• The schools will not generate the energy savings that were promised. As if these boondoggles weren’t enough, a majority of board members recently voted to raise their pay by 66 percent. Yes, after all these blunders, most board members believed they deserved, not just a raise, but to be the highest-paid school board in South Carolina. Let that sink in. Some residents spoke out against the recent raises at school board meetings, but most people were not motivated to object to this nonsense. Even school board chairman Joe DeFeo said he heard more positive comments about the raises that negative ones. If that’s true, Horry County taxpayers should be ashamed of themselves. They should also learn from this unfortunate experience. The board members who voted for this disaster do not deserve to be in office, let alone a raise that any reasonable person would be embarrassed to ask for. The county’s residents must remember how their school board members voted when their representatives will be up for reelection. When that day arrives, we would encourage them to follow a common refrain: treat government like a business. In this case, that means firing the representatives who failed you.

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Good advice is never bad A runner recently told me his secret for winning at races, and at life. “Stay in your lane,” he said. “Don’t try to get in somebody’s else’s space, it wastes precious seconds. Then you have to get your own bearings again, and in that amount of time, you could be getting ahead.” He went on to say not to even worry about keeping track of what the competition is doing. Just focus on your own race, he told me, plowing straight ahead… and always in your own lane. Another piece of advice came my way not too long ago from a successful restaurateur. He was a teenaged dishwasher in a European restaurant when the cook called in sick. “I jumped on the line and started cooking,” he said, relaxing comfortably in his own Myrtle Beach 5-star restaurant.

“Just jump on the line when there’s an opening. Watch what the others are doing, and do it better,” he said. Apparently COLUMN that worked B for him. And the best advice I Ettie ever heard was given to Newlands my niece, Laura, by her grandfather, the late Myrtle Beach icon Bill Neeves. She was 4 or 5 years old, and he’d built her a balance beam to help her practice her ballet dancing. Problem was, she kept falling off after just a couple of steps. Watching her, he identified the problem immediately. “Don’t look down at where you are,” he told her.

“Keep your eyes on the end of the beam, your destination, your goal.” It worked. She not only didn’t fall off any more, she now owns a dance studio in Myrtle Beach that has given fulltime jobs to several people. The common denominator in all this advice seems to be the importance of focusing. To borrow a page from Jack Palance in the movie, “City Slickers,” it’s finding that one thing and doing it well. I don’t remember all the advice I’ve been given, but I do remember the first. It was from my mother when I was leaving for my first date. She said the only thing she could tell me was on the lid of the Hellman’s mayonnaise jar. In those days, it said, “Keep cool, but do not freeze.” Some things don’t change. Good advice is one of them.

Sorry, but chickens don’t belong in backyards Cries of fowl filled Horry County Council chambers recently when efforts to regulate raising chickens in residential areas ruffled more than a few feathers. Advised by staff that chickens raised in heavilypopulated areas cause problems for neighbors, council adopted a resolution that seems appropriate to me. The new law requires anyone who wants to raise chickens in residential areas to go before the PUBLISHER’S county’s Zoning Board of Appeals. The application process involves putting a public notice in a NOTEBOOK newspaper, allowing public input from neighbors, and a vote by the board of appeals. The $200 application fee stuck in a few craws. Having spent many summers on my grandpar- Steve ents’ farm in Marion County, I’m quite familiar Robertson with chickens, which causes me to wonder why anyone would want to keep them in their backyard. As a young boy, my farm tasks included feeding the chickens and gathering eggs. I developed a dislike for chickens, especially roosters. One rooster, in particular, terrorized me. Standing nearly two feet tall, this Rhode Island Red rooster patrolled the chicken yard like a Doberman Pinscher, only meaner. Before opening the gate to the chicken yard, I scanned the area intently. Then, I made a dash for the henhouse, praying the rooster didn’t see me first. On more than one occasion that little red devil chased me around the yard, eyes blazing, neck feathers standing on end, until I jumped into the branches of a low hanging chinaberry tree and yelled for help. The two of us settled our differences one morning. Armed with a tobacco stick, I gingerly tiptoed into the chicken yard and clucked. The rooster, enraged by the sight of me, attacked. I waited, breathing hard with anticipation, and whacked the red ball streaking toward me, sending feathers flying. After that, the two of us got along much better. The term “cold cocked” took on new meaning. Nevertheless, the rooster and his successors performed like clockwork to announce the dawning of each new day, waking me from my slumber. I grew to hate them. Going barefoot in a chicken yard is like walking through a minefield. One wrong step and you regret it. Fortunately, the squishy stuff between your toes washes off easily under an outdoor faucet. Gathering eggs presents its own dangers. My skin still crawls remembering the time I reached above my head to get eggs out of a nest and wrapped my hands around the coils of a snake. It’s amazing how fast one can move when the need arises. Although they have a brain the size of a pea, chickens make great escape artists. If a way to get out of a chicken pen exists, they find it. Unfortunately, our chickens, once on the lam, made a beeline to the highway. I grew accustomed to the sound of a vehicle speeding down the road, a thud, and a shower of white feathers signaling the victim’s swift demise. As hens get older, egg production declines. For that reason, I did not develop friendships with the chickens I supervised, as they frequently ended up on the dinner table. Sorry, but that’s farm living, folks. I’m left with the belief that chickens belong on farms, not in backyards. The county has a good law regulating chickens in residential areas. Costly? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely.

Thursday February 2, 2017 Charles D. Perry Editor

Lindsay Hickman Contributing writer Nichole Gore Classified Manager Becky Stevens Production Manager Betty Moses Designer Guy Dozier Robin McGee Debbie Crowe Melanie Peek Sales

It gets lonely at the top People say that as we age, short term memory tends to lessen and events that happened many years ago are as fresh as if they happened yesterday. I don’t think I can agree with that hypothesis. Many a time during the middle of a long night when sleep is avoiding me like the plague, I find myself thinking of the past, digging up memories that don’t matter anymore. Recently, I did this in the wee hours between Sunday and Monday. For some reason, I was thinking of the different houses where my parents lived during a certain time of my life, and I couldn’t remember which place it had been. Now don’t tell me I’m getting old and losing even my longterm memory. The truth is my mother loved to move. At the drop of a hat, she was capable of telling my dad that she had found a new house she liked better and my adoring dad would make it happen for her. What was so frustrating about this search for the truth was the fact that there was no one in this world who could answer my question.

It only made me miss my parents more than ever. I may be an 81-year-old woman, but I still feel like an orphan, MY SENIOR which we all are after we MOMENT lose our parents, no matter how old Betty we are, especially if we Moses have continued to live near them and have been a major part of their lives. I live in the house where my parents spent their last years. I have made it my own during the years since they’ve been gone by redecorating and remodeling, but there are reminders of this beloved pair throughout the house. The decorated tin box where Mama kept her jewelry still sits on a chest in my bedroom and my dad’s favorite soft afghan lays atop a basket in my living room. I can still picture my dad sleeping in his recliner, long legs stretched in front of him. I have replaced his re-

cliner with one of my own and I guess my kids will remember me in my recliner after I’m gone just like I do him. The memory of Mama cooking in this very kitchen is especially strong when I use the cast iron pans she used for as long as I can remember. I wonder where she bought these pans or did she inherit them from her mother? I’d like to think she did, but there’s no one I can ask about this. I have a blue and white saltware ceramic pitcher that once belonged to my grandmother. I remember it sitting in a cool spring box with a white cloth tied over the top to cover the fresh milk it held. I hope the child of mine who inherits it will appreciate that he or she is at least the fifth generation in our family to own this piece of art. Maybe I had better tell my children about it now, because I won’t be able to do so after I’m gone. I can only hope they will want to hear what I will tell them about this simple blue and white object and anything else I might wish to pass on to them.

Jimmy Lee Distribution Manager The Chronicle is published every Thursday by Waccamaw Publishers, Inc., 2510 Main St., Conway

OPINION

Beach parking revisions are meaningless H

orry County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus gave the politically correct answer when asked about the City of Myrtle Beach’s revised parking policy. “It’s a good step forward,” he said last week, trying to be diplomatic. Some Carolina Forest residents offered a more accurate assessment: “It’s all about making the Golden Mile a private beach.” We agree with the frustrated residents. After months of urging the Myrtle Beach leaders to open more parking to local — although not city — residents, the city offered them a $100 per year decal that would allow them to park in any city paid lot or space between 21st Avenue North and Sixth Avenue South and in the street ends between 69th and 77th Avenues North. But the revised policy still doesn’t permit non-residents to park in the avenues. They must also pay to park at the beach accesses there. In other words, the parking decal doesn’t provide access to the prime spaces that, until last year, were available for free. We don’t begrudge Lazarus for withholding criticism of the city and we applaud his commitment to continue pressing the city for a more reasonable approach to beach parking. We disagree with the city’s refusal to offer a decal that would allow people living in outside the city to park in the places they once enjoyed for no charge. Although these residents do not pay city property taxes, they spend money on restaurants and shops in the city, supporting the local economy and city coffers. We hope city officials will be willing to revisit the issue and work with county leaders to come up with a true compromise that works for all local residents.

www.myhorrynews.com

Mary Tyler Moore…an accidental role model “But why cry about it?” my friend asked me when we learned that Mary Tyler Moore died. “It’s not like she was in your life before and now she isn’t.” Thing is, she was in my life. Like so many women of my generation, I spent years watching Mary and Lou and Murray and Ted on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” I don’t think she meant to be a role model for women but she was. She was in the first TV program that showed a woman in what was then a man’s world, asking for what was then a man’s salary and doing what was then a man’s job. She worked in a newsroom, lived in an amazing apartment and had Valerie Harper – Rhoda Morgenstern – as a neighbor. Life just didn’t get any better than that. Even before that, she was Laura Petrie, the TV wife of Dick Van Dyke and the per-

fect housewife and Mom. That was before being a housewife and Mom were old school, of course. She was a COLUMN role model B in real life too…her adult son Ettie died, she battled seriNewlands ous diabetes, she had brain surgery. And she did it all with an Audrey Hepburn kind of dignity and grace we don’t see a whole lot of any longer. She had class long after class went out of style. She also made some comments that went on to be considered “quotes.” The difference, I suppose, is that a comment becomes a quote when someone dies.

She commented that “Sometimes you have to get to know someone really well to realize you’re really strangers.” She also advised women to “Take chances, make mistakes. That’s how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.” And about being brave, which she surely was, she said, “You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.” And, “You truly have to make the very best of what you’ve got. We all do.” Her theme song said she “turned the world on with her smile.” And in response to my friend asking why I cried when Mary Tyler Moore died, I explained…she’s not in this world any longer. And that really does change the world in general, and mine in particular.

State’s highways are the deadliest

statement by a high ranking official within the S.C. Department of Transportation is chilling. A recent article in The State newspaper cited state engineer Ron Fallaw as saying it’s more dangerous to drive on South Carolina roads than it is to be in a war zone. “It would be safer for me to send my kids to war at the peak of conflict” than to drive on South Carolina roads, Fallaw said. Nearly 1,000 people died on the state’s highways in 2016. In comparison, 961 soldiers died in 2007 fighting in Afghanistan. DOT chief Christy Hall, testifying before a commission that oversees the state’s department of highways, went further. “Our roads are the deadliest in the nation by far,” said Hall. These grim statements provide ammunition to state legislators who are pushing for a gasoline tax increase to help improve the state’s highway infrastructure. The House GOP recently introduced legislation that raises the state’s 16.75-cents-a-gallon gas tax by 10 cents per gallon over the next five years. Supporters of the bill say a tax increase will generate about $600 million annually. Former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley blocked past attempts to raise the gasoline tax. Now that she is the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, a much better opportunity exists to get a gasoline tax increase passed. Although billions of dollars are needed to build new roads and bridges, the S.C. General Assembly must take better care of existing roads. Safe roads should be paramount in the thinking of legislators and transportation department leaders. DOT Chairman Hall told the commission that it will take $50 million annually to upgrade sections of the state’s highway system where a high proportion of road deaths occur. Some of the proposed improvements to make roads safer include installing updated guard rails and rumble strips, which give drivers an audible warning that they are drifting off of the road. However, it will take $943 million a year to make all of the state’s crumbling roads safer, said Hall. I’ve never seen a tax increase that I liked. Nevertheless, South Carolinians must accept higher prices at the pump to pay for desperately needed road improvements. How bad are South Carolina’s roads? Just drive across the border into North Carolina to see the difference. Motorists in that state pay about 20 cents more per gallon than those in the Palmetto state. The quality of North Carolina roads demonstrates the disparity between the highway systems of the two states. While I support an increase in gasoline taxes, important changes in how the revenue it generate is allocated are necessary, too. For far too long, Columbia, Charleston and Greenville have gotten the lion’s share of money for new roads. Horry County sends far more gasoline money to the state capital than it receives. As a result, we’ve been forced to pay a penny sales tax to pay for highway improvements and infrastructure here. A new funding mechanism should be put in place that assures counties like ours get a fair share of any new highway taxes. Meanwhile, fear for your life if you drive on South Carolina roads!

A new Soul I did it. After a week of wavering between the pros and cons, early Saturday morning I made my decision, had a cup of coffee, got dressed and headed to the Kia dealer. After signing my name numerous times on a touch computer screen, I became the proud owner of a brand new 2017 Kia Soul. I have wanted one of these cute cars ever since they first hit the showrooms. But being a very mature lady of 81, I figured my automobile purchasing days were over. Since reaching the ripe old age of 80, I have had the mindset that I’m at the bottom of the slippery slope, just biding my time. I’ve felt that all my adventures and challenges and “aha” moments were in the past. Buying a new car jolted me out of this state of mind. It’s like this. After reaching and passing 80, I felt that all anyone saw when they looked at me was a little old lady hobbling around on knees that were becoming troublesome. Not so to that young salesman at the Kia dealership who saw me as a customer – a live and capable customer.

And neither the salesman or the finance manager who filled out my paperwork asked what year I was born. That MY SENIOR alone was enough to MOMENT make me sign on the dotted line – Betty or rather the Moses computer screen. So now for five days I have been riding around in my little Titanium Soul, feeling like a million dollars. Sunday, I even cruised the boulevard all by myself, barely resisting the urge to beep the horn every time I saw another Soul. We have a kinship like Corvette owners do. You might suppose that I would have chosen a sedate Ford or Chevy sedan fitting for my age, but there would have been no excitement in such a choice. I have often gone for the unusual when purchasing autos. I was the owner of the first tiny car in my hometown

when I bought a used English Ford – only a bit larger than today’s little Smart car. This was not a good idea as local mechanics had neither the knowledge nor the tools to work on such a car. Then I had a Hudson Jet. You can Google that one because you will never see one on the road today. Later on, for some strange reason, I, as a mother of five children, decided I needed a Volkswagen bug. Often, we would see people counting heads when we stopped at traffic lights. Mickey, as the youngest of my brood, was forced to ride in the cubby hole behind the back seat. Later on, I truly wanted to buy an AMC Pacer, but thankfully that wish was never fulfilled. My eye was caught by the strange look of the Cube by Nissan, but when I first saw the Soul, it was love at first sight. Now I’m a happy camper when it’s time to hop in my car, turn the Sirius radio to KCountry and head out on the highway to work. And I’ll be taking deep breaths, savoring that new car smell.

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The Harris appeals vote-fraud ruling Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper

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Blackmon likely to take city council oath before judge hears case Gregory A. Summers << Arbor Day maple tree Lancaster City Council member Jackie Harris is taking her honors first vote-fraud allegations against Linda Blackmon to civil court, questioning the role of paper responders gsummers@thelancasternews.com

tends that S.C. law allowed the Fry All INSIDE TODAY >> Small commission too little time to

victory over her in the Nov. 8 election. Harris filed an appeal with the court of common pleas last Friday, four weeks after the Lancaster County Election Commission rejected her initial protest of the City Council District 3 results. Harris con-

More than $109 in coupon savings

Stars headed to Upper State Championship

consider her complaints and review evidence of voter fraud, bribery and coercion. Harris said Tuesday that her appeal is not about being a sore loser. “It’s to make sure as years go

forward, there is a raised Cloudy with a 60 awareness of how paper absenpercent tee ballots can be used to de- chance of afternoon rain. termine and influence the outcome of an election,” sheOvernight: said. Cloudy Harris won the polling site with light winds. vote 152 to 73 and the maHIGH LOW chine-absentee vote 59-54.

49 43 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2016 www.thelancasternews.com 75 CENTS Building the infrastructure to keep pace Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper with IL boom ‘I am positive that I will be cleared’ on drug, weapon charges

Blackmon

absentee ballots in Blackmon’s

NEWS, 2A

SPORTS, 5A

See APPEAL I Page 2

Harris

Brooks quits school board The

ewss ew Lancaster News

Hannah L. Strong

“It is with regret that I tender my resignation,” Brooks said in a letter to school board Chairman Bobby Parker. “Due to the negative publicity of the allegations against me, it is in the best interest of the students of Lancaster County and my fellow board members for me to step down.

“I am positive that I will be cleared of all allegations and my name will be cleared of any wrong doing,” the letter said. “Until then, I do not want to be the cause of any more distractions. “I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees for the past two

years, and I offer my best wishes for its continued success.” School Superintendent Gene Moore acknowledged that the letter was received. “His resignation allows the district to move forward,” Moore said. “In the coming weeks, we’ll determine the steps

Mandy Catoe

needed to fill the vacanmcatoe@thelancasternews.com cy.” of CompuCom SysThe districtThe willrelocation meet tems’ Texas headquarters and 1,500 jobs with the county Election to to Indian James M. Brooks reCommission planLand the is yet another sign of the remarkable economic pull. signed from the Lancastnext steps. Panhandle’s Under board But formust some residents, that growth er County school board policy, the vacancy comes with growing pains. Friday afternoon, effecbe filled by a special elec“Thegeneral first thing that tive immediately, a week tion if the next to mind after he was charged with election iscomes 90 days or is thank methamphetamine trafmore in thegoodness future. for the jobs. We allI Page need3A a job,” James said ficking. See BROOKS Brooks FOOD & FUN, 8 SPORTS, 5 Gary Holland, Indian Land community activFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016 www.thelancasternews.com 75 CENTS ist. “But I wonder why they all have to locate right in the same area, because with Movement Holland Mortgage and Keer Textile Group, it’s almost impossible to get to and from work on Highway 160.” Holland said the state’s zeal for ecophotos by DAVID KELLIN/For The Lancaster News Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper nomic development should be matched The city of Lancaster held its annual Christmas by the infrastructure improvements parade Saturday night on Main Street, this year needed it. have much to do in for the betterment of feelings as she accepts and was satisfied with what her to handle “We still Mandy Catoe with an ugly Christmas sweater theme. Above, “I thinkSouth the governor hasand done a great her state and our counthe challenge. administration has accomCarolina, my commcatoe@thelancasternews.com dancers from Dance Works Unlimited leap in job in promoting South try,” Trump said. “She “I always expected to plished for the state. mitment to the Carolina,” people of he our their ugly Christmas sweaters as they make their President-elect Donald said. “Jobsstate are good, but traffic is horriwill be a great leader finish the remaining “When the president believes will always remain unthe emcee stage. Atrepresenting right, Santa waves Trump way on past Wednesday nomible. It looks like the state theI county us on the two years of my second you have a major contribution breakable, bothand while continto the crowds his float down the street. nated S.C. Gov. NikkiasHaley to rolls theoffice, growth world stage.” term as governor,” Hal- to make to the welfare should of our beueahead to holdofthis andrather therebe U.S. See ambassador tomore the Unitpage 9 for photos. than playing catch-up.” Haley,Police 44, is the first ey said Wednesday. nation, and to our nation’s after,” she said. Lancaster ed Nations. Murphy are another part of the coun-as woman and first minor“Not doing so is diffi- standing in the world, thatSchools is a Reece Haley was elected in 2010 Chief Harlean ty’srmurphy@thelancasternews.com infrastructure by minority big job “Gov. Haley has a proven Carter ity appointed for a cabicult because I love calling that is important to the first impacted female and scrambles to Haley announcements. track record of bringing people net-level position in serving South Carolina heed.” Haley said. governor of the state. Shetois10 the A Lancaster man has been sentenced keep the chow line Gene Moore, superintendent the together regardless of back- Trump’s administration. more than anything.” Haley will remain governor daughter of Indian immigrants years inDr. prison after pleading guilty to of drug Lancaster County District, said ground or party affiliation to moving. Haley, in her second term as Haley said she accepted the until the U.S. Senate confirms grew School up in Bamberg. trafficking andand weapons charges. the full story it’s too early to predict the CompuCom move critical policies forward Read governor, said she has mixed position out of a sense of duty her nomination. Lepoleon Hall, 37, was one See HALEY I Page 3 project’s impact onsenthe district. Work is on page 3. NEWS, 3 SPORTS, 5 of three defendants about on a new high school tenced this ready week to instart Lancastand elementary school in the75 Panhandle, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016 www.thelancasternews.com CENTS er County’s General Sessions photos by MANDY CATOE paid for by this year’sJu$199 million bond Court, according to Sixth mcatoe@thelancasternews.com dicialissue. Circuit Solicitor Randy Ashley Sexton, 24, “Anyoffice. new business bringing that many Newman’s performs the Fancy high-tech, Hall, formerly high-paying of the 2300 jobs will offer of our schools great job opDance, intended to blockgraduates of Douglas Heights, portunities in the future,” Moore said. catch the eye of a pleaded guilty Monday to Hall “We’ll just have to wait to see how many young single brave. See SENTENCED I Page 2A of those employees choose to live in our hstrong @thelancasternews.com

<< Love your >> Volunteers’ Poston takes leftovers:

Holiday bird makeovers

pride in play

Drug, gun Haley picked for UN ambassador plea nets Trump’s selection means McMaster ascends to governor’s job

a decade ews ew Lancaster News insprison

The

BBQ fundraiser for Phillip Hall sells out early

>> Vols rely on Moore’s play, leadership

Prison guard in Kershaw with 48-hour limit in city races allows no due process,charged Howard fumes Christmas Basket conspiracy

Mayor: Protest timeline ‘ridiculous’ Gregory A. Summers

gsummers@thelancasternews.com

Lancaster Mayor John Howard calls South Carolina’s process for protesting municipal elections “ridiculous” and says the General Assembly needs to revamp the law, allowing more time to resolve contested elections. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that something needs to be done. It needs to be looked

county, and specifically in Indian Land, to predict how it will affect our district.” at,” said Howard, who cion in the nonpartisan State laws on municipal elec- Lancaster’s forI Page several Seeelections GROWTH 3 serves on the Municipal District 3 race. Black- tions leave candidates very little years. Association of South mon denied the charg- time to present their allega“At one time, we had our own Carolina Board of Dies. tions, or for that matter, to re- municipal election commisrectors. “That needs to After a hastily called fute those allegations. Candi- sion, but jumped on board with happen.” three-hour hearing Fri- dates have only a 48-hour win- the county as a cost-saving which dow had after asked for close $3 million resolutionHoward was made Howard was talking afternoon, the Lanpolls at 7 p.m.the measure,” said.by outMandyday Catoe and a on five-year guarantee, agreedpro-goingA Councilman Mcabout the election procaster County Election Election Day to enter different set ofLarry guidelines mcatoe@thelancasternews.com Murphy to accept Sun mandates City’sReece Cullough, whose district includes test filed last Thursday Howard Commission unanitests.the Therest lawofthen allow more time to resolve proHannah L. Strong The dispute between Lancaster rmurphy@thelancasternews.com roads into system. the much-debated roads. Another by defeated Lancaster mously denied Harris’ that the localcounty election officials have tests of county and elechstrong@thelancasternews.comstate County and the Sun City Carolina Panhandle councilman, City Councilwoman Jackie Har- protest. Howard said he’s con48 hours toItand hold tions, Howard there’s has abeen a busy twosaid, and Brian Pulteanother also agreed to repair Lakes’ developer over who is reThe Ward Faulkenberry Sr. Christmas quickly seconded theBasmoris. Harris alleged that her op- cerned that existing state codes hearing on the protest. reason municipal elections weekstoof Carnes, badnonews at Kersponsible for the community’s repave the major access route ket hascomreceived moreless than a dozen donation. ponent Linda Blackmon com- deny due process to municipal The county’s election deserve time. Bou-Correctional shaw Instituroads has been resolved with both the development, Del Webb tions so far with a goal of County $1,705, Attorney John Weaver mitted fraud, bribery and coer- candidates. has overseen all city of totaling See TIMELINE I Page 2 levard,mission even though the tion. county sides compromising. $10,000 thissaid year.he and Councilman Larry A guard and her husband The county council passed a had not requested that. “By this time we were hoping to have reHoneycutt have been negotiating were arrested Tuesday for Under the 2005 development unanimous resolution Monday ceived more donations,” said Bekah Clawthe developer the last few R. Rodriguez conspiring to director smuggle to with night, its final meeting of 2016, to agreement, Pulte was required MANDY CATOE son, executive ofconHOPE inagreement Lancastweeks and reached an traband into prison folconstruct the roads to meet counmcatoe@the settle the years-long dispute. er. “We are justthe hoping that the community hours before night’s lancasternews.com photos by ERIC ROWELL/For The Lancaster News lowing investigation byMonday ty standards, after which the anjust

Reluctant

has raised PlotSun to smuggle tobacco Pulte, county strike deal on City$1,705 roads to state prison toward $10Kinmates goal

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Reece Murphy

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ancasternews.com

to stabilize the state’s ina double whammy for local school district, as well as

ops up 31 s awards

er a dull moment year,’ judge says

reports

brought home 31 awards, spapers another 27, from ociation annual meeting in

r News staff’s first-place on and political coverage, ts Honoring Veterans secng-in-depth for coverage egacy of Mayor Joe Shaw. l moment in Lancaster this rote, “from the death of a ges of plagiarism against a nately for Lancaster resiews had exhaustive covera myriad of other local and ” ll congratulated the news ear. “I am extremely proud nity journalism we provide See AWARDS I Page 3A

BridgeMill residents filed out of Lancaster County Council chambers in grim silence Monday night following council’s final 5-2 vote to grant McClancy Seasoning’s rezoning request. In contrast to a Feb. 27 meeting

photos by TRAVIS BELL; courtesy of the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

From left, Justin McKie, Sindarius Thornwell and Chris Silva celebrate the Gamecocks’ 88-81 upset of the Duke Blue Devils.

Gamecocks shock Duke, going strong into Sweet 16 Robert Howey

rhowey@thelancasternews.com

See SWEET 16 I Page 2A

Sindarius Thornwell, center, looks for another long jumper in Carolina’s game against Duke Sunday.

Hannah L. Strong hstrong@thelancasternews.com

emic challenge team took top honors Thursday at the state ershaw County. Pictured are, front row from left, Olde English ke Fanning, Torie Johnson, Brayden Russell, Marilee Perez, z, Kristal Lopez and sponsor Danielle Payne; second row from ey Robertson and Tori Holland; third row, standing, from left, Laurie Hernandez-Garcia, Riya Patel, Emily Geraghty, Suemy

Sindarius Thornwell beamed for the cameras and got rowdy with his teammates Sunday afternoon, the net around his neck and a big trophy in his arms. The Lancaster native had just led his Gamecocks to a 77-70 win over Florida to take the NCAA Tournament East Regional title, earning USC’s first-ever bid to the Final Four. Thornwell, the regional’s Most Outstanding Player, scored 50 points in the weekend’s two wins at New York’s Madison Square Garden, in-

cluding 26 points and seven rebounds in the victory over Florida. “I just made plays,” Thornwell said later, recounting the game’s tight last few minutes. “I just felt like plays needed to be made down the stretch. I stepped up and was in a situation where I was able to make the plays.” He said the victory gave the Gamecocks a lot of confidence going into Saturday’s semifinal game against powerhouse Gonzaga, the No. 1 seed from the West Regional. “We’re still going into that See FINAL FOUR I Page 3A

How does it feel?

A.R. Rucker academic challenge team wins state championship

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Robert Howey

The last answer that won the 2017 state championship for A.R. Rucker Middle School’s academic challenge team was “herbivores.” Rucker’s team was named the Division II state champion for middle schools Thursday after a 32-22 victory over Lexington County’s Pine Ridge Middle School. The championship is the first for A.R. Rucker’s academic challenge team. Bringing in 17 points – the most points out of the five team members who competed – was eighth-grader Louie Prete. Louie, 14, said he was “a bit ner-

said. “When they announced it, it was a little bit of a surprise to me.” Louie answered the final question: In a food chain, what kind of consumers eat carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis? Herbivores, he said. Students and staff celebrated the championship Friday morning with a cake and a congratulations from school Principal Anita Watts. Robin Parker, the challenge team’s head coach and an A.R. Rucker math teacher, said she’s honored to have worked with the students on the team. “They have been noted for their good attitude and friendliness as they have met with other teams,” Parker said. “They truly understand the value of teamwork.”

OUT &

www.thelancasternews.com

Thornwell dominates as USC storms into its 1st Final Four rhowey@thelancasternews.com

REECE MURPHY/rmurphy @thelancasternews.com

when their anger boiled over enough to stop the meeting after a similar vote, residents of the Indian neighborhood Monday night instead huddled and simmered in the lobby and discussed taking the county to court. “We have to follow through with a lawsuit to make them listen,” said BridgeMill resident Dan Shoemaker. See REZONING I Page 2A

‘Why not go win it all?’

After a landmark comeback win over the Duke Blue Devils, the Gamecocks’ bandwagon is barreling toward Madison Square Garden this weekend for the third round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Led by Lancaster’s Sindarius Thornwell, the University of South Carolina men’s team is getting its first taste of March Madness in 13 years, and they’re into the Sweet 16 after beating Marquette and Duke last weekend in Greenville. “That’s a program-maker,” said Joe Grier, president of the Lancaster County Gamecock Club, after Sunday’s stunner. “Look at Duke’s rings, five national titles, six national runners-up and 16 Final Fours. If the Gamecocks keep playing like this, they can go as far as they want.” USC’s 93-73 victory over Marquette in Friday’s first round snapped a 44-year skid without a NCAA tournament win, and USC followed with an emotional 88-81 win Sunday over Duke, the ACC tournament champion and No. 2 East Regional seed. Duke was seeking its sixth national crown under the legendary “Coach K,” Mike Krzyzewski. “I’m super proud of the Gamecocks,” said USC graduate Garrett Hammond. “This is

Learning from the master

BridgeMill residents threaten to sue

mplains: ‘We in any of this’

percent of workers in the employees. The other 62 e more than 2,100 county, district employees in Lanor agencies that must pay mismanagement but have on system works. See PENSIONS I Page 10A

75 CENTS

McClancy rezoning gets final OK

n reform hreaten counties, districts

ell with at least two memve delegation. he House, local lawmakers and Richie Yow (R-53) votw it directly impacts local

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017

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Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper

Roger Lee The Summerville Journal Scene

>> Womanless pageant raises money for RelayLancaster for Life County’s triweekly newspaper

Nearly all of us will be listening at 6:05 p.m. Saturday when the Final Four announcer’s hyper-modulated voice says: “A 6-5 guard from Lancaster, South Carolina, Sin-DAR-ius THORN-well!” A moment like this electrifies a community. The divisions among us take a backseat to one overwhelming sentiment – Do it, Sindarius! Tell us what this weekend means to you, whether you’re a lifelong Gamecock fan or a Clemson fan jumping on the bandwagon. Tell us your Sindarius stories, whether you played with him in high school or are a friend of his family. Let us share your excitement with the rest of our readers this week. Send anything from one sentence to 200 words to editor@ thelancasternews.com. Be sure to include your name.

Kershaw courtesy of the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Sindarius Thornwell lets out a roar late in the Gamecocks’ Elite Eight matchup against Florida at Madison Square Garden Sunday.

County council saw red yet again at this week’s meeting when opponents of the McClancy Seasoning rezoning stood ABOUT, 9 firm in their signature color. MARCH 8, 2017 WEDNESDAY,

Dakota Barton named A-AA Wrestler of the Year

SPORTS, 6 75 CENTS

Southeastern Conference Player of the Year

Cemetery flower spat sparks new town rules

Thornwell rockets to top

The Summerville Journal Scene B2: Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Beyond the Boundaries

Hanna Beckman

Wave broadcaster Richie Altman

Gregory A. Summers

gsummers@thelancasternews.com

KERSHAW – A graveyard is supTIM DEATON/For The Lancaster News posed to be a quiet place of reflection, but Kershaw town leaders have Firefighters from Heath Springs, Kershaw and been struggling to keep it that way for Rich Hill Fire Departments battle a blaze on Flat the Rock Road in Heath Springs Saturday. Arthur Leon past few months. Facing emotional complaints and Southern was inside the house and died in the fire. even one police report, town officials have revamped the rules at the Kershaw City Cemetery to end confusion about flower removal. “It normally happens around every holiday season,” said photoMark courtesy of Kershaw Mayor UNIVERSITY OF Dorman, noting that SOUTH CAROLINA; flowers andinset arrangephoto supplied ments placed on USC’s Sindarius graves can be a sensiReece Murphy Thornwell tive, close-to the- goes rmurphy@thelancasternews.com for a dunk heart subject for in a HEATH SPRINGS – A fatal house fire that killedgrieving a game against families. Dorman Heath Springs man Saturday remains under inves-“Hopefully, the earlier Alabama policies we this adopted willBelow, clear up the tigation, public safety officials said Tuesday. month. issue,” Dorman said, referring to the The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office identified Thornwell and his council’s March 20 vote. the victim as Arthur Leon Southern of 6067 Flat mother,cemetery Sharicka,on EdThe town-owned Rock Road. share a moment wards Street has been the center of An initial release Saturday on the fire said Southsimmering anger months. after aforgame this ern was home alone. There wasseason. even a police report filed The 56-year-old Southern died of smoke inhalaafter some of the arrangements tion, according to a preliminary autopsy performed placed in a discarded pile showed up Monday. at a yard sale. Lancaster County Fire Marshal Stephen Black-It was time to put the matter to bed, welder said firefighters were called to the scene Dorman said. about 5:39 p.m. Saturday, where they found half ofThe trouble has involved seasonal flower arrangements, not the flowers Southern’s cinderblock-and-wood home already left after a funeral. Families have long engulfed in flames. been responsible for cleaning off Firefighters extinguished the fire quickly, Blackgravesites within seven days of a fuwelder said, and found Southern’s body in a “kitchneral. They can do it themselves or en/living room-type area” of the house. have Kershaw City Cemetery workers Blackwelder and Lancaster County Sheriff’s do it for them. spokesman Doug Barfield said investigators have In the past, cemetery workers also not yet pinpointed the exact cause of the fire since removed seasonal flower arrangethere were several potential ignition sources near ments placed on graves 45 days after where it started, including both a kitchen stove and the holiday, or whenever they a space heater. became unsightly. Barfield said the investigation is ongoing. See FLOWERS I Page 3A

Lancaster’s own is among college basketball’s best

Heath Springs man dies in fire

Robert Howey rhowey @thelancasternews.com

Lancaster native and Gamecocks leader Sindarius Thornwell ascended another rung on the ladder of basketball stardom Tuesday, honored as Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in his senior season at USC. “I hollered when I heard the big news,” said Thornwell’s mother, Sharicka, who still lives in Lancaster. “Me and my son Tay were in the car a little after noon on Tuesday when we got the news. Tay said, ‘I knew it!’ “I’m so happy for Sindarius,” she said. “I’m overwhelmed. That really made my day. I’ll remember this day for a long time. Our whole family is thrilled.” Thornwell, who honed his hardwood skills on Lancaster’s courts from recreation ball to high See THORNWELL I Page 2

3-vehicle wreck injures J.R. Wilt cast Let’s mosey on down to the beach 2 outside Buford High a long shadow KAYLA VAUGHN/ kvaughn@thelancasternews. com

Lancaster County paramedic Tim Kaylapushes Vaughn Clemmer a kvaughn@thelancasternews.com stretcher carrying Johnny rang Wayne The phones early and often in Knight, 49, of the newsroom Monday, with various versionsLancaster of “heyafter there’s a horseKnight was involved drawn covered wagon and two cowin a three-car boys riding down Bowater Road.” Monday If youaccident didn’t pull over and strike up morning. with them, which is a conversation

B4: Wednesday, September 6, 2017

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first article in a new Summerville Journal Scene series focusing on people who are involved with sports, but who are not necessarily athletes. They are the people who typically can be found beyond the boundary lines. BY ROGER LEE rlee@journalscene.com Richie Altman has brought the Green Wave back to the airwaves. For years Summerville High School fans wanting to follow the Green Wave Football team, but not wanting to get out in the weather or the Friday night crowd, could listen to games on the radio. But after broadcasters such as Bill Hallman and Bo Blanton gave up providing Green Wave coverage and comme nt a r y t he bro a d c a s t s stopped. Realizing this disappointed some faithful SHS fans, Altman decided to do something about it. “Summerville wasn’t on the radio and that bothered me,” Altman said. “I became part of the Green Wave family when Coach McKissick was chasing his 600th win so I felt obligated to fix that so I came back and brought my radio show with me.” Altman first moved to the Lowcountry after college. His passions include sports and broadcasting, so approximately five years ago he and a friend created their own digital broadcasting show, “Southern Sports Central.” He was also part of the WLCN television crew that aired Green Wave Football games back in 2012 when Coach John McKissick notched his 600th coaching win. After the television station stopped broadcasting football games, Altman moved back to his hometown of Socastee. However, af ter only nine months he returned to Summerville, where his ex-wife and

ROGER LEE/JOURNAL SCENE

Richie Altman interviews Green Wave Football coach Joe Call after a scrimmage.

“Summerville wasn’t on the radio and that bothered me. ... I felt obligated to fix that so I came back and brought my radio show with me.” Richie Altman Radio broadcaster

four kids live. He began broadcasting SHS athletic games through Southern Sports Central during the football playoffs last year and went on to broadcast basketball and baseball games. This school year, he leads a crew that is broadcasting all Green Wave varsity football games both through Southern Sports Central and ESPN Radio (98.9 FM). Former Green Wave coach Chris Digby has joined the crew to help Altman with commentary. Simultaneously, the crew sends out video and other digital content through the Southern Sports Central Twitter feed. Each week, Altman also does live shows that focus not just on

Green Wave athletics, but also on state and national sports topics. The shows air from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and from 7-9 a.m. Wednesday and Friday at southernsportscnetral.com. You can also find the show through Facebook, twitter and Blog Talk Radio. “It’s a good wholesome show and it’s all from the heart,” Altman said. “I’ll talk about anything from religion, to life, to sports, but we don’t talk politics. I’ll leave the politics to someone else. I believe I’m doing my show for the right reasons.” Wednesday morning shows focus primarily on high school sports. “I’m here as an entertainment opportunity but also an information highway for these young athletes so they can get their information out and their story told,” Altman said. “It puts a smile on your face when these kids look at you and you feel like you are making an impression and helping them achieve some of their goals. That’s why I do it.” Summerville, with its rich athletic traditions, is a good fit for a sportscaster.

“I’m just excited about being a part of all this,” he said. “I interview the players and the coaches and take a lot of pride in getting to know everyone from the guys on the chain gang, to the medical staff on the field, to people in the community. I’m excited to be back. I tell people as a child I grew up in Myrtle Beach and as an adult I grew up in Summerville. The lessons I’ve learned as an adult have all came through Summerville.” Altman was a record-setting pitcher for Socastee High School. He was looking to do big things for the Gamecocks’ Baseball team, but an injury ended his career on the hill. Today, he stays connected to the game by coaching youth baseball. He said his show has been pinged from as far away as Afghanistan and he feels fortunate to be living in the digital age. “I can open an opportunity for the grandfather in Tennessee whose grandson plays here,” Altman said. “Now that grandfather can listen to his grandson’s games. We are opening the door for college coaches to see players like Johnathan Bennett or Dakereon Joyner. All they have to do now is turn on their laptop and watch the film. Even if they don’t care about hearing me, they are able to see that game film.” His list of broadcasting influences include Keith Jackson and Bobby Hartin. Recently, Altman had the opportunity to be a part of Hartin’s show “Fan Talk.” “When I moved here, I started listening to Bobby Hartin and a lot of what I’m doing now is because I listened to him,” Altman said. “You can hear the passion in his voice and to sit beside the guy I enjoyed listening to so much means a lot to me. I’m a big fan of Keith Jackson who used to be on CBS Sports. His voice, attitude, everything across the board, was just A1A.”

BY ROGER LEE rlee@journalscene.com Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a new Summerville Journal Scene series focusing on people who are involved with sports, but ROGER LEE/JOURNAL SCENE who are notMilo necessarily athletes. From left, Gabby and Amani McArthur received AllThey are the people who typically tournament honors at the Orangeburg-Wilkerson Invitabe found beyond the boundary tional can tournament. lines. For Hanna Beckman, athletics have always been a family affair. As the daughter of former Summerville High School softball and football coach Tommy Waitt, she grew up playing on the local softball fields and hanging out on the football sidelines. As a high school BY ROGER junior,LEE she realized she hadPrep takenand Lowcountry Prep in rlee@journalscene.com ROGER LEE/JOURNAL SCENE competitive softball as far pool as sheplay to advance to the Gold there, AR defeated Ashley Ridge athletic trainer Hanna Beckman wraps a could so she turned to otherBracket. inter- Once semi-finals advance The Ashley injurytofor a Swamp Fox wrestler. ests. Ridge Volleyball Dreher inhead to team is sustaining the momen“It was a little disheartening the be- finals and face host Orangeburg-Wilkerson. tum it built during a tournament cause I grew up playing with all in Orangeburg. The Swamp Foxes earned a 26“Science and medicine come She also teaches sports medicine those girls, but I stayed on a 28,as25-20, 15-13 victory in the The Swamp Foxes improved me and Gabby I enjoy being in- and bio-med classes at the school. team in manager so I still fun easy to match. championship their record dual matches to had withwere athletics, “I was very nervous that first with it,” Beckman said. “It wasn’t Milo andvolved McArthur two ”ofshe said. “I 4-0 with a victory over visiting get the selected best seatfor in the the house for year,” she said. “There are so many like I thought I was going to get Berkeley Aug. 30. Ashley Ridge only a10 players all the events and I get to help the things that as a student you don’t scholarship or anything. ” won 25-15, 25-5, 25-12. If you fac- All-Tournament Team. athletes and see them grow. Seeing realize the teacher has to do. MakAs she finished high school, athtor in tournament play, the “Gabby is an amazing libero,” someone training became one Hurley of her said. “Whenwho shestarts makesout a on the JV ing sure the formalities and the Swampletic Foxes have won their last then the next main passions. Back then,mistake SHS and she corrects it andthing she you know paperwork are taken care of and 10 matches. theygreat are apasses.” varsity starter and get- the standards are being met was its student “Our hadn’t servingfully wasdeveloped excellent tomakes some ting Fox a scholarship is just great to challenging at first, but after that but she The Swamp returned home night,” trainer Ashleyprogram Ridge coach Chi-had taken defeat Colleton County 25-12, Chi Hurley said. “I haveclass a few see. Unfortunately injuries do hap- first year I got into a groove. After a sports medicine and to began 25-13 andpen Hanahan 25-16, playershelping who canout really and when they25-8 do we are there a couple of years it became smooth the put SHSthose trainers. onsaid. Aug. 29. had 9 kills serves where I want them to McArthur help them rebuild and regroup. sailing and those things are second “I just fell in love withto. it,” she andbe freshman Then that gets everyone Seeing them able to get back on nature now.” “I liked still beingexcited involvedagainst with Hanahan Amanda Blake had 8 kills. and they play off that. with Also,first we aid field and be successful again is Beckman is a co-advisor for the sports, helping and the have some really big hitters. Most Like lot ofBerkeley fun, too.”match, school’s Health Occupations Stuinjuries. I went to Clemson and ina the serving strong against thefocuses on dents of America: Future Health of our hitters youngtrainer but when Much of the time she was aare student there, but was we get our them, watch Hawks Cougars.injuries but sometimes Professionals Club. She is curpreventing theypasses don’t to have an accredited ath- and out. Amani can really “I’ve a team that she ishad the first to diagnose an in- rently the competitive events coletic McArthur training program and after a never blast the ball. That also excites the serves so well and keeps its serves year I realized this was what I jury, so her input can be vital. ordinator for the organization’s consistent,” Hurley said. “We rest of the team.” Whenofsevere injuries wanted do. Going to Clemson have a couple girls who can do occur, state leadership conference and Outside hittertoKaty Torgerson there often wassenior a dream figured Igive needa signal and theyisn’t are much going room for serves on the state Board of Direcis the only onbut the ISwamp error. tors Committee. edrow to transfer and did. ” to put it right where I asked them Fox front so it stands to rea“The most nerve-racking thing After earning her degree, she transferred to Charleston son that She the team will only get to.” Southern University, where she that comes to mind is when we considered looking for a job with better at the net as the younger Nicole Freeman, a transfer stuearned hervarsity degreeexperiin athleticdent trainto spine board one of our foot- a college athletic program. Now fromhad Connecticut, has made hitters gain more ballfor players, sheservice said. “It was just she is glad she ended up at AR big impact AR at”the ence. ing. Shortly after obtainingacertification South Carolina a precaution and he ended up be- instead. line this season. Ashley Ridgefrom beganthe building Athletic Trainers Association, she ing finetravels but itto was my first time “I love it,” she said. “It is fun Ridge Stratmomentum during a win over Ashley Cane Bay Aug. 22.to The then ford Sept.being 7 for ain 6 p.m. tri-match was hired beteam the associate athcharge of handling that hanging out with these young Knights and Fort traveledletic to Orangeburg, whereRidge it with trainer at Ashley Highthetype of injury. The training just people who are so inspiring and I won theSchool Orangeburg-Wilkerson Dorchester. and began the process of kicks in and you don’t think about feel like I’m helping them become The team host the for it until better young adults. I hope the Invitational tournament Aug.certificate. 26. getting her teaching howwill youthen were prepared The Swamp defeated Ai- with Swamp tournaShe isFoxes in her sixth year the Fox it isInvitational over. It’s almost instinctive; you students are enjoying what they 9. know you need to handle it get out of sports medicine (proken, Battery Creek, school, whereOrangeburg she works withment headSept. just athletic trainer Kenny Snider to the way that brings the most good. gram) and I hope parents know provide student athletes with in- CSU has a great program and we don’t just watch sports movies jury prevention measures, treat- Kenny is great so we know our all day. There is a curriculum and ment and rehab. training is very viable.” standards that we cover and I

Swamp Foxes win 10 straight

FIRST PLACE Will be presented at the Daily AwardsAggregate Dinner

Kayla Vaughn

kvaughn @thelancasternews.com

A three-car accident injured two drivers Monday during the morning traffic rush outside Buford High School. The wreck happened at 8:10 at the stoplight at North Rocky River and Tabernacle roads, according to Lance Cpl.

Gary Miller of the S.C. Highway Patrol. Miller said Johnny Wayne Knight, 49, was heading east on Rocky River and ran through the red light in his 2010 Chevrolet SUV. Knight’s vehicle hit a 2014 Honda sedan driven by Buford High School senior Sydney Elise Ribelin, 17, who with a juvenile passenger was traveling north on

Tabernacle. The impact pushed Ribelin’s car into a 2005 Chevrolet SUV carrying Pam Jean Catoe, 45, and Reece Murphy her 16-year-old daughter, rmurphy@theancasternews.com Hannah. Catoe was stopped at the red One light of Lancaster County’s most outspoken community advocates on westbound Rocky River Road. and government watchdogs, J.R. Catoe, who also hadWilt, died Saturday. “Jack” her dogs with her, Tim said Wilt said his father died at she “only owed one more his home of a heart-related issue See WRECK I Page after2Alying down for a nap on his

Van Wyck activist dies at 78

78th birthday.

what they were after, let us handle the howdy-dos. The cowboys were from up around Shelby, N.C. – Jeff Hoyle of Mooresboro and Randy Smith of Casar. They were headed from Casar to Myrtle Beach, a 10-day journey of about 250 miles, raising money all along the

holds horse shows and barrel races at his home. They stopped Monday to rest their horses for a spell at North Corner Grocery on U.S. 521 north of Lancaster. They had spent Sunday night on the other side of Resolute Forest Products in Catawba and planned to spend Monday night in Lancaster. While they were stopped – 85 miles into the trip – several folks walked up to chat. Hoyle and Smith asked them to write their names on the

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think it is great insight not just to athletic training but also to other health care professions. I’ve been on the student side, so to now be someone who is sharing their passion with students who then pursue athletic training is very fulfilling.” Her interest in athletic training was partially responsible for sparking another passion. She and the athlete she would eventually marry first became friends when he was a Green Wave football player and she was a student trainer. They also had a weight-training class together so they spent a lot of time with each other in high school. They stayed in touch and began dating when they were in college. She and Brandon now have a 2-year-old daughter, Audrey. He is the head baseball coach and an assistant football coach at Stratford High School. On any given day Beckman may have to switch roles frequently, going from being sort of an oldersister figure to athletes, to being a coach’s wife, to being a mother. Her father left SHS two summers ago to take over as the head football coach for Cathedral Academy so sometimes she still has to step into the role of a proud daughter. “That was a very huge deal for all of us,” she said. “We were so proud of him. We are very passionate about our faith so we were excited that he would be able to work somewhere he would be able to promote that in athletics. We were very excited for him to get his own program again and get to start fresh doing things his own way.” Sports remain a common topic of conversation in the family. “We have a house divided on many fronts,” she said. “Brandon went to USC. One good thing about our jobs is that we understand how busy it can get. During the season, we are going to be in the trenches so the hours are long. We are all dedicated to what we do so we know not to take it personal if someone can’t make it to a game. It can be frustrating to not be there for him all the time, but he knows I love what I’m doing and support him even if I’m not there. The same with my dad.”

The Summerville Journal Scene

Cobras win third straight BY ROB GANTT rgantt@ourgazette.com Cane Bay High School won its third football game in a row on Friday after dropping its season opener in Week 0. Cobras running back Kris Copeland carried 15 times for 144 yards and a touchdown and returned a kickoff 67 yards for another score to power Cane Bay to a 23-6 victory at Timberland High School in a non-region clash. Quarterback R.J. Roderick added 49 yards on the ground and also scored once for the Class 4A Cobras. “I feel like we’re continuing to get better each week,” Cane Bay coach Russell Zehr said. “I’ve been pleased with our defense. We played a little better on defense against them than I thought we would. I was concerned with Timberland’s athletic ability and speed. We made some mistakes on the first drive of the second half but we were fortunate we were able to handle them.” Cane Bay hosts Hanahan High School on Friday. The Cobras have won four of the last five meetings, including last year’s 64-39 shootout at HHS. “They’ve got a lot of speed and the quarterback (Jake Ward) throws a good ball,” Z ehr sa id of t he Hawk s. “They’ve got a lot of good wide receivers and some guys in the backfield that can move. I think our greatest asset on defense will be our offense. Hopefully they can stay on the field a lot and keep the ball away from (the Hawks).” C l a s s 3A T i m b e r l a n d dropped to 2-2 and travels to rival Berkeley High School on Friday. Wolves coach Art Craig will be vying for his 200th career win. “Timberland is a very good football team and they’re going to win their share of games,” Zehr said. The Cane Bay-Timberland game was scoreless after a quarter. The Cobras got on the

ROB GANTT/GAZETTE

Kris Copeland scored twice for the Cobras on Friday. board in the second quarter by tackling the Wolves punter in the end zone for a safety. Copeland upped Cane Bay’s lead to 9-0 with his kickoff return. Cobras kicker Ryder Wishart made the first of his three extra points. Timberland broke onto the scoreboard in the third quarter, scoring on a 16-yard scamper by running back Kevin Williams. Cane Bay blocked the kick, though, leaving the score 9-6. The Cobras answered later in the quarter with a 5-yard touchdown run by Roderick and Copeland iced it with an 8-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. On defense, linebacker Caine Hartnett and defensive end Aaron Winn led the way for the Cobras with 11 and 10 tackles respectively. Linebacker Jabari Washington chipped in nine tackles while linebacker De Francis and defensive end Mason Brown added eight stops each. Winn doubles as the punter and averages 40 yards per boot. Wishart put two kickoffs in the end zone against the Wolves.

Green Wave Girls have quality depth BY ROGER LEE rlee@journalscene.com

some big challenges the rest of the season. “We are a good team but the

HEALTH BEAT REPORTING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Clayton Stairs South Strand News

Deb Bailey Daniel Island News

FEATURE

thedanielislandnews.com

Family seeks help for young amputee BY CLAYTON STAIRS cstairs@southstrandnews.com

CLAYTON STAIRS/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Phyllis Greene and her granddaughter, Reagan, an 8-year-old amputee, share a smile in Caroline Baker’s second-grade class at Waccamaw Elementary School.

Local family gives thanks to March of Dimes

The Payne Family of Mount Pleasant was named 2016 Ambassadors for the March of Dimes event. Their daughter Hayes is about to celebrate her first birthday. KELLY DILLON PHOTOGRAPHY

DEBORAH BAILEY n the spring of 2015, Bill and Amy Payne of Mount Pleasant were thrilled to learn they were expecting their second child. As Amy’s February 2016 due date approached,

KELLY DILLON PHOTOGRAPHY

“Signature Chef” attendees Rebecca and Carter Deupree of Mount Pleasant found the Payne’s story “beautiful, heartbreaking and inspiring.”

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grandmother, Phyllis Greene, her teacher, Caroline Baker, and even the school’s principal, Vervatine Reid, say Reagan is an inspiration. That is also why the community is reaching out to help the Greene family, which has been struggling financially, by donating to a GoFundMe.com account in Reagan’s name. “Her spirit is amazing, and I feel

Reagan Greene, a second-grader at Waccamaw Elementary School who was born with clubbed feet and recently had to have her left foot amputated, knows what she wants to be when she grows up. “I want to be a ballet dancer,” she said with a big smile. That determination and positive attitude is exactly why Reagan’s Please see FAMILY, Page A6

Blessings The Daniel Island News ■ November 24 - 30, 2016

the couple planned and celebrated their growing family. Then, last Christmas, time seemed to stop when complications forced Amy to give birth prematurely. This holiday season, the couple shares their harrowing story (see box on page 21), as well as their gratitude for its happy ending.

One in seven babies is born prematurely in South Carolina according to the SC Chapter of the March of Dimes. The MOD works to prevent premature birth, birth defects and lower infant mortality across the country and here at home. In the Lowcountry alone more than 2000 families are affected by premature birth and/or birth defects each year. When the Paynes became one of these families, they knew they wanted to give back to the MOD in their own way, right away. The Paynes were named 2016 Ambassador Family for the annual “Signature Chef’s Auction” held on October 20 to benefit the local chapter of the March of Dimes. The black tie event featured gourmet samples from 16 of the Lowcountry’s most acclaimed chefs and raised more than $260,000 to fund programs that help local mothers and babies. Daniel Island resident Terry Haas has served as the chairperson and emcee for the fundraiser for the past five years. “I have two healthy, beautiful children and I don’t take that for granted,” Haas said. “It’s a beautiful night that benefits a special cause.” “Most people know that the March of Dimes helps babies,” she continued. “Lesser known, but equally important, is

DI realtors Julie Chalupsky and Terry Haas, of Century 21’s River Landing Group, help sponsor the annual event. Photo courtesy of Kelly Dillon Photography

November 24 - 30, 2016 ■ The Daniel Island News

thedanielislandnews.com

In Her Own Words: Amy Payne’s Story A MOTHER’S INTUITION

ver Christmas weekend 2015, I called my doctor to complain of swelling, nausea and elevated blood pressure. The preeclampsia tests came back negative but my liver enzymes were elevated. I kept pushing that something didn’t seem right. My doctor, Maggie Evans, didn’t like it either and recommended that I be admitted to the hospital for a 24-hour screening. It didn’t take long to get the news that we would not be going home due to suspected preeclampsia. I was only 33 weeks, and we were so worried about our baby girl being born seven weeks early. Thankfully, I still had time to receive two rounds of steroid shots to help with the development of her lungs (the March of Dimes funds research for steroid shots and they have done studies on magnesium therapy as well). Hayes was born two days later on Friday, January 1, the first baby of the New Year at the hospital. I was able to hold her for only a couple of minutes before she was taken away for monitoring. She was a healthy five pounds and one ounce but we knew she would require a NICU stay to monitor her breathing and growth. Bill was able to take our son William down to meet Hayes later that day. I still can’t believe I

RARE. ATYPICAL. UNUSUAL. That evening, I got a burning sensation in my chest and Bill urged me to call the nurse. It sure seemed silly to complain of heartburn, but within minutes, Dr. Evans was at my side. She said my lab work revealed scary levels, and my blood pressure was dangerously high. Things were going downhill. The diagnosis was HELLP syndrome, and I was at a high risk of an internal bleed or stroke. At this point, that family photo sadness seemed quite silly. There were a lot of teary hugs from my family, the nurses, and Dr. Evans. I remember asking Bill if I was going die. He reassured me that I was going to be just fine, but I saw fear in his eyes too. It missed that moment. I had to wait 24 hours was one of the scariest moments of my before I was able to finally love on Hayes. life. I was leaving my baby and my family behind and had no idea when or if I would I was so relieved that she was doing well, return. yet so disappointed that I couldn’t hold Rare. Atypical. Unusual. These words her without all those cords and that she were repeated over and over by the doctors couldn’t come to our room. I remember regarding my specific case of HELLP. It feeling really sad that we wouldn’t have presented atypically, it happened on a secthat family picture of all of us piled in a ond pregnancy only, and my labs improved hospital bed. My body had let me down, after delivery and then declined. The cure and I felt very guilty about that. It was a for HELLP, like preeclampsia, is delivrush of emotions, but the scary part was ery, and thankfully the effects go away as over, or so I thought. quickly as they appear. I don’t really have the right words to describe those three long days I spent at MUSC while Bill stayed

March of Dimes CARES for South Carolina

behind with Hayes. It was absolute torture. Hayes spent the next 22 days in the NICU while I spent my days and nights by her side. I missed my son William terribly during that time and was eager to have the whole family home and healthy. That day finally came. Hayes is doing great now. She is crawling, saying “mama” and is finally on the growth charts.” For more info on how you can help, please contact the March of Dimes at 843-571-1776 or www.marchofdimes.org/ southcarolina.

Hayes was born seven weeks early.

e s c a r Education

the work they do to ensure healthy pregnancies and fund research for childhood cancers.” Daniel Island mother Stephanie Mackara became a donor and advocate for the national charity when her now healthy 10 year-old son was born six weeks premature. “Without the research and facilities funded by this organization, our son truly might not have survived,” she shared. “The work they do is miraculous.” “My preemie daughter is now approaching her first birthday,” Amy said. “We are so thankful for the work of the March of Dimes and for our family of four. This has definitely been a year of gratitude.”

Nearly half a million babies are born too soon in our country each year. Some are so small they struggle to survive. We need your help to give all babies a fighting chance.

Community

Advocacy

Research

Education

Support

Our programs help moms-to-be in South Carolina have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.

We advocate for legislation, services and programs that help moms in South Carolina get care and services to improve their health and the health of their babies.

We research the serious problems that threaten our babies and work on treating and preventing them.

From preconception health classes for families-to-be to continuing education for nurses, in every conceivable media, The March of Dimes provides resources to improve maternal and child health.

Through our online community and in hospitals in South Carolina, we offer information and comfort to families with a newborn in the intensive care unit.

In South Carolina: • 56,795 babies are born each year1 • 7,806 babies are born prematurely2

THESE PROGRAMS SUPPORT OUR STRATEGIC MISSION THROUGHOUT SOUTH CAROLINA: NICU Family Support®: Provides information,

Imagine a baby born so small that all the blood they need for a transfusion fits in this spoon.

A preterm baby’s foot is about as large as this paper clip. This is the size of a blood pressure cuff for a premature baby.

Charleston’s 2016 “Signature Chefs Auction’ was held in October to benefit the Lowcountry’s March of Dimes.

FEATURE 21

Imagine being born so small that this is the size of your first diaper. For many premature babies, even this diaper is too big! (Actual Size)

For more info on how you can help, please contact March of Dimes at 843-571-1776 or visit our website at www.marchofdimes.org/southcarolina.

• 1,720 babies are born with a birth defect3 • The societal cost for premature birth is $403 million annually4 • 390- number of infant deaths5 • 30 - number of conditions for which newborns are screened6 • March of Dimes funded one research grant totaling $145,530 • $313,248 was invested in local community programs

support and comfort to families whose infants are treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Advocacy

Community

Our programs help moms-to-be in the Low Country Division have fullterm pregnancies and healthy babies.

We advocate for programs that help moms in the Low Country Division get care and services to improve their health and the health of their babies.

In the Low Country Division…

Research

We research the serious problems that threaten our babies and work on treating and preventing them.

Our websites provide the latest pregnancy health information in English and Spanish. Health experts provide personal answers to moms’ questions.

Support

Through our online community and in hospitals in the Low Country Division, we offer information and comfort to families with a newborn in intensive care.

working together for stronger, healthier babies

12,804 babies are born each year

Almost every baby receives a polio vaccine developed with funding by the March of Dimes. Children in the Low Country Division are vaccinated against 14 diseases.

1,616 babies are born prematurely

Surfactant therapy, developed with funding from the March of Dimes, saves the lives of thousands of babies each year whose lungs are not fully developed.

(NICU). Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait®: A March of Dimes initiative to encourage healthy, fullterm births. Through education of women and health-

390 babies are born with a birth defect

care providers, quality improvement activities

Babies in the Low Country Division receive screening for 31 inherited disorders. We funded the development of 4 of these tests and advocated for newborn screening for all babies.

with hospitals, and awareness activities, Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait targets early labor inductions and elective cesarean sections before 39 weeks gestation, and emphasizes that the last few weeks of pregnancy are key for an infant’s development.

Preventing premature birth in the Low Country Division could mean an annual savings up to:

$83 million

Average medical cost for a premature baby: Average medical cost for a healthy baby:

marchofdimes.org/southcarolina

For information, visit marchofdimes.org/southcarolina Updated: April 2, 2015

$54,194

$4,389 Low Country Division, SC

Sources: Births, preterm births, surfactant therapy--National Center for Health Statistics, Natality, 2013. Average cost for healthy and premature baby--based on insured population, Truven Health Analytics, 2013. Annual savings--estimated based on Institute of Medicine report, 2007. Newborn screening--www.newsteps.org with verification of screening status for select conditions and states. Number of disorders screened for is out of 32 conditions recommended by the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children.

HEALTH BEAT REPORTING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

Freestanding ER proposed Laura j. Mckenzie Publisher laura.mckenzie@morris.com

The Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Orangeburg is proposing to build an $8.63 million, 20,500 square-foot, freestanding 24/7 emergency department for Bamberg and Barnwell counties, according to a press release from RMC. The release stated, “The facility is being made possible by the leadership of Senators Brad Hutto and John Matthews.” Both Hutto (D-40) and Matthews (D-39) represent Orangeburg County. Hutto also represents Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, and Hampton counties. The plan was first announced Monday, June 12 at the Bam-

berg County Council meeting by Sen. Hutto. The senator was scheduled to also discuss the proposal at Tuesday night’s Barnwell County Council meeting. The release stated RMC officials and members of the Orangeburg County legislative delegation met with Bamberg County and Barnwell County councils this week. “We are excited to provide local, around-the-clock emergency care services for Bamberg and Barnwell counties with this new facility,” said RMC Board of Trustees Chairman Melvin Seabrooks. “We are extremely grateful for the leadership of Senator Brad Hutto and Senator John Matthews as well as Representative Lonnie Hosey and Representative Justin Bamberg and the entire area legislative delegation

for helping the Regional Medical Center secure state funding for this much-needed facility. The Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance led by Danny Black has also been instrumental in this project.” Rep. Hosey (D-91) represents Allendale, Barnwell and Orangeburg counties. Rep. Bamberg (D90) represents Bamberg, Barnwell and Colleton counties. The project is funded by the state of South Carolina through a one-time, $3.6 million Transformation Fund Grant and additional funds resulting from the region’s designation as a persistent poverty area. Other funding has been committed by local community stakeholders, according to RMC. “The freestanding Emergency Department will include 24-

ER doesn’t affect urgent care plans

hour emergency care including CT scan, X-Ray and ultrasound diagnostic imaging, lab and observation services. The facility will be located on 10 acres of land adjacent to Highway 70 between the cities of Denmark and Barnwell to be easily accessible for the populations of both Bamberg and Barnwell counties,” stated the release. The actual location is approximately 1 mile west of Denmark on U.S. Highway 70, according to Danny Black. “It’s about 15 minutes from downtown Barnwell and Bamberg,” he said. Plans call for architects to complete design work and begin construction before the end of the summer. It is projected that construction will take 12 months,

When asked about the impact of the RMC announcement, two local medical providers say the ER will not change what they are doing. Roger Phillips of Heritage Health Care said it would not have any impact on his plans to open a Barnwell urgent care clinic. In fact, he said they held a “soft opening” of the Barnwell clinic this week but are just

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Laura J. McKenzie The People-Sentinel

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VOL. 149, NO. 8 Published once a month by The Baptist Courier

Winthrop University junior Ryan Williams’ life was changed after he began actively attending BCM meetings on campus.

MAKING CHRIST KNOWN ON CAMPUS Opportunities are plentiful for South Carolinians to reach college students with the love of the gospel BY BUTCH BLUME, Managing Editor

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When Ryan Williams graduated from high school and

turned his sights toward college life at Winthrop University, he wasn’t pondering spiritual things. “I wasn’t really thinking about what God could do in my life,” he said, even though he was part of a church youth group where he’d been exposed to biblical teaching and had known people who “tried to pour the Word into me.” “I wasn’t ready for that, I guess,” said Williams. Instead, toward the end of his senior year, he had started partying and drinking with friends, which he continued to do after enrolling in the fall at Winthrop, a school he’d chosen because he felt particularly drawn to its “small-college atmosphere.” At Winthrop, he quickly made friends and settled into a pleasant life on campus. “I was having the time of my life,” he said. “I couldn’t get any higher.” But then a close relationship ended badly, and he found himself questioning the direction his life had taken. It wasn’t just the partying and drinking, and it wasn’t just the failed relationship. Williams says his discontent was rooted in something deeper. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

By Jessica Brodie CLINTON—It haunted him for years, the rage rising up like a tidal wave, controlling his life. The look in their eyes the day he—an undercover officer, a marked man—was kidnapped by a ring of drug dealers, beaten for hours and left for dead. Over and over, they’d put his own pistol to his head and pull the trigger. The bullet never came, but the click of steel against steel was a nightmare he revisited without reprieve. “I knew I was dead,” Joe Fuller said, recounting the horror of that day, Oct. 17, 1988—the day his life catapulted into darkness. Now, 29 years later, Fuller is a changed man. After years of suffering horribly from severe, chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, Fuller finally made the decision to trust in the Lord and leave the past in the past. Today, the member of Broad Street United Methodist Church is using that faith not only to maintain a life of Christian peace but also to bless the lives of young children through a nonprofit train ministry he founded and runs. “Post-traumatic stress was a life sentence,” Fuller said. “But since the Lord has healed me, it’s distant now, almost thirdperson, like it happened to someone else.” He sees God everywhere, in everything. ‘Thought everyone else was crazy’ But his journey wasn’t easy. Fuller, a retired law enforcement officer, started his career in Richland County in 1977. Looking back, he realized his passion for police work was, for him, an illness in itself. As a child, he and his twin brother were what he called “adrenaline junkies.” Being a police offer fueled his desire for excitement. He craved the adrenaline rush, how it was different every day. See “PTSD to Jesus,” Page 7

Terry Rawls and Felix Vazquez cut a large oak tree off a home in North in the aftermath of Irma.

Funding issues next big challenge By Jessica Brodie First came Hurricane Harvey, devastating the Gulf Coast Aug. 25 and leaving more than 80 people dead, 30,000 displaced and billions of dollars in losses in its wake. Next up was Hurricane Irma, initially a Category 5 storm making a beeline for the Georgia-South Carolina

border as thousands of coastal residents evacuat than 100 people in Florida, Georgia and the Car died as the monstrous storm gained traction. Bu days passed, the storm swerved west and missed this state, though it left a swath of downed trees, outages and flooding Sept. 11 as it went. On its heels was Hurricane Maria, also a Cate that, as of press time Sept. 22, had crippled Puer and the island of Dominica and claimed at least See “Harvey, Irma, Maria,”

www.baptistcourier.com • 3

Christmas cards for inmates inspires prison mini By Jessica Brodie

United Methodist Church, Mount Pleasant, read

denominations to send more than 8,0

FAITH REPORTING ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

REACH O UT Columbia November 2016

Chef Richard Rouse— Second Chances, New Beginnings

After the Election— How to Respond Holiday Gifts… Holiday Grief Faith Responders

FIRST PLACE AÏda Rogers

FAITH BEAT REPORTING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Elizabeth Bush Daniel Island News

Brian Garner The News & Reporter 18

FEATURE thedanielislandnews.com

The Daniel Island News ■ December 8 - December 14, 2016

December 8 - December 14, 2016 ■ The Daniel Island News

Lessons

thedanielislandnews.com

FEATURE

“Let us gather and be silent together like stones glittering in sunlight, so bright it hurts our eyes, emptied of tears, and searching the sky for answers. Let us be strangers together as we gather in circles wherever we need to stand, hand-in-hand, and sing hymns to the heavens and pray to the fallen. And speak their names: Clementa, Cynthia, Tywanza, Ethel, Sharonda, Daniel, Myra, Suzie, and DePayne. They are not alone. As bells in the spires calls across the wounded Charleston sky, we close our eyes and listen to the same stillness ringing in our hearts, holding on to one another, like brothers, like sisters, because we know that wherever there is love, there is God.”

from Mother Emanuel AME Church Authors of ‘We Are Charleston’ address DIHS audience tribute to the Mother Emanuel victims. Wentworth couldn’t help but feel the heavy weight of the request. The poem was to run in the paper’s Sunday edition and she had just a little over a day n June of 2015, a shooting rampage by a lone white gunman left nine dead at Mother to complete it. “I think the hardest thing I ever had to do was Emanuel AME Church in Charleston - and write that poem,” said Wentworth. “…I thought a community consumed with despair and about what we needed, on a Sunday, and I thought disbelief. we needed a prayer.” How can healing begin after such an unspeakWentworth began to reflect on a quote from the able act of violence? What can tragedy teach us Rev. Clemente Pinckney, one of the nine church about ourselves? What role does history play in helping us understand the lessons of the past? The members who lost their lives in the shooting authors of the book “We Are Charleston: Tragedy “Only love can conquer hate” - and the words began to flow. and Triumph at Mother Emanuel” attempted to “Let us gather and be silent together like answer those questions, while capturing the true stones glittering in sunlight, so bright it hurts our spirit of the city in the days, weeks and months eyes, emptied of tears, and searching the sky for after that fateful day. answers. Journalist, writer and editor Herb Frazier; Let us be strangers together as we gather in College of Charleston professor and historian Dr. Bernard Powers, Jr.; and South Carolina Poet circles wherever we need to stand, hand-in-hand, Laureate Marjory Wentworth worked tirelessly to and sing hymns to the heavens and pray to the tell one of Charleston’s most important narratives. fallen. And speak their names: Clementa, Cynthia, “Using the tools of the investigative reporter to find the central stories, the historian’s grasp of the Tywanza, Ethel, Sharonda, Daniel, Myra, Suzie, past as context, and the poet’s ability to plumb the and DePayne. They are not alone. As bells in the spires calls depths of the human condition, we began this new project together,” wrote the authors, in the book’s across the wounded Charleston sky, we close our eyes and listen to the same stillness ringing in our introduction. hearts, holding on to one another, like brothers, On November 15, Dr. Powers and Ms. Wenlike sisters, because we know that wherever there tworth shared the story behind their 220 page account at a special program hosted by the Daniel is love, there is God.” The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) Island Historical Society at Church of the Holy recorded Wentworth reading the poem and Cross on Daniel Island. broadcast it all over the world. It wasn’t long Wentworth, who was first to address the audibefore publishers and agents came calling. Soon, ence, spoke about how the idea for the book was a friend suggested she consider writing a book born. The day after the shooting, she received a about the tragedy. Wentworth contacted Frazier, call from a reporter at the Post and Courier, who a former member of Mother Emanuel Church, asked if she could write a poem that would pay

ELIZABETH BUSH

beth@thedanielislandnews.com

“We Are Charleston” was published in the summer of 2016, near the one year anniversary of the tragic shooting of nine parishioners at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston.

and he agreed to help with the project. Frazier then reached out to Powers, who is well versed on the history of the AME Church both locally and nationally. They had a tight timeline to complete the book - get it to the publisher by December of 2015 and have it released by the anniversary of the shooting six months later. “There were many times and points during the project where things could have gone awry,” said Powers. “But we really came together, and we set our egos at the door…Now we are even closer as personal friends than we were at the outset.” They divided the project into thirds and each wrote different chapters - sharing insights and constructive criticism with each other along the way. “I think that made it better - and stronger,” said Powers. Wentworth and Frazier conducted most of the interviews, talking with victims’ family members and others close to the church. “Part of our goal was to bring these people to life,” said Wentworth. “Some of the details were amazing…We also felt very humbled by the responsibility, and wanted to honor these people in the best possible way. But it was just an enormous responsibility.” In his chapters, Powers focused on the AME church’s long and storied past. “History is the spine that holds the book together,” he added. “…While history is important, we don’t just present a linear history, we integrate the present with the past to create a livelier story… Our lives in the present intersect with the past.” One of the themes that defines the Mother Emanuel tragedy is not necessarily the heinous act of violence that took place in a Bible study that warm summer evening, but what happened

Authors of the book “We Are Charleston” - Dr. Bernard Powers, Marjory Wentworth, and Herb Frazier. afterwards. As the nation and the world watched, Charleston came together, led by the example of forgiveness expressed by several of the victims’ family members at the bond hearing for gunman Dylann Roof. It was an unexpected turn of events - and it had a significant impact. “It came out of nowhere and I think it astonished everyone,” said Wentworth. “…Forgiveness is not absolution. But it takes power away from that person.” A member of the audience asked Wentworth how the family members were able to forgive. “It starts with the people in the room that night,” she responded. “They were at a Bible study because they were strengthening their relationship with God. Their faith permeated their lives.” All in all, the authors knew they didn’t want the book to be about Roof. “This is not his story,” said Wentworth. “Once we started telling the stories of the people, he didn’t belong in the book any more. So that was a conscious decision.” Forgiveness, she added, was “the biggest piece” of the story. “In Charleston, we’ve shown a different way to handle things,” said Wentworth. “It’s a different, transformative period. The families have been extraordinary…If you can forgive in those circumstances, I think you have freedom in your soul.” “Look at the way they have responded,” added Powers, of the Mother Emanuel Church and its members. “It is a triumphant story. We hope the congregation will continue to rise.” For more information about the book, visit www.wearecharleston.net.

Dr. Bernard Powers, a professor of history at the College of Charleston, and Marjory Wentworth, South Carolina Poet Laureate, discuss their book “We Are Charleston: Tragedy and Triumph at Mother Emanuel” at the November 15 meeting of the Daniel Island Historical Society.

Deputies investigate trio of armed robberies BY JENNA-LEY HARRISON jharrison@journalscene.com Dorchester County Sheriff’s investigators are continuing to investigate three separate armed robberies that have occurred across the county since last month. According to Chief Deputy Sam Richardson, the Dollar General store on Orangeburg Road was robbed at gunpoint around noon on Feb. 7. The

Lawsuit filed over honeybee deaths

suspect, dressed in all black, fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money, and no one was injured, Richardson said. Investigators said armed robbers targeted the Verizon Wireless store on Dorchester Road the previous night. In that incident, two men armed with handguns entered the store and ordered two workers to take them to the “iPhone safe,” according to an incident report.

FAITH BEAT REPORTING

The robbers then tied up one of the men with a cloth and the other with a belt, according to one of the victims, and kicked one of the victims in the back. The robbers then took some iPhones and tablets and fled, according to the report. In a third separate incident last month, a light-skinned black male with a black revolver robbed the Kangaroo Express on Central Avenue in

Summerville, according to a sheriff’s office report. The incident happened on Jan. 22. The report said the suspect, wearing a surgical mask, pointed the gun at a store clerk, demanding she hand over cash from both registers and the store safe. The clerk told the suspect the safe could only deposit $60 at a time in a tube. The suspect took the money and tube and fled the property. The em-

ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

Shelter and hope Covering the homeless in the memory of Summerville man

BY LESLIE CANTU lcantu@journalscene.com A beekeeping business has filed suit over mosquito-spraying last summer that killed 4 million of its bees. Mitch Yawn and Juanita Mae Stanley, owners of Flowertown Bee Farm and Supplies, filed suit Jan. 30 against the county, the town of Summerville and Al Allen and Allen Aviation, which conducted the spraying. Yawn and Stanley are represented by Mike Rose and Andrew Gowder. The plaintiffs are seeking damages as well as an injunction to prevent the county from conducting further sprays over their property without giving notice. Rose said Thursday they couldn’t yet quantify total damages. County Administrator Jason Wa rd declined to comment Wednesday, citing the county attorney’s advice. County spokeswoman Tiffany Norton said the county attempted restitution at the time. “Dorchester County prepared the paperwork for Flowertown Bees to submit a claim to the South Carolina Insurance Reserve Fund. The paperwork was then given to Mr. Yawn and Ms. Stanley to review, sign and submit. To my knowledge the affidavit/claim has not been submitted by Mr. Yawn or Ms. Stanley,” she said via email. Rose said Thursday that he and Gowder told Yawn and Stanley not to sign because they would have been agreeing to a final settlement at that time, and their claim was clearly more than the $20,000 figure that had been initially mentioned to get the business back on its feet. Rose said Wednesday that the town was included in the suit because they have reason to believe the town approved the action in writing. The town declined to comment at this point. Beekeepers and fans of bees were

ployee told deputies she then locked herself in the store bathroom and called 911. All three robberies remain under investigation. While sheriff ’s officials said similarities exist among the incidents, they are not yet certain the same suspect(s) targeted all locations. Anyone with information on any of the incidents is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111.

BY JENNA-LEY HARRISON jharrison@journalscene.com

JENNA-LEY HARRISON/JOURNAL SCENE

Work crews, aided by shelter residents, pull shingles off the roof at the Home of Hope.

On Saturday community volunteers and church members with Fellowship of Oakbrook replaced the roof at Home of Hope, Summerville’s men’s homeless shelter. The shelter suffered damage during Hurricane Matthew this past fall. The project was completed in memory of Brett Farmer, struck and killed in an autopedestrian accident in town in November.

Stan Cruse was driving home from a church event one evening in November, headed to Home of Hope to deliver a batch of leftover food, when he stopped in and was struck by the poor state of the facility’s roof. Torn shingles and sporadic leaks characterized the building’s covering, heavily damaged by Hurricane Matthew a month earlier. “I noticed their roof was in pretty bad shape,” Cruse said. Head pastor of Fellowship of Oakbrook on Trolley Road, he took his concern to the church’s mission team, and the project quickly escalated into a community effort. “People are eager to serve,” Cruse said. “People are willing to help.” The project’s mission also became two-fold—care for the homeless and Please see SHELTER, A14

JENNA-LEY HARRISON/JOURNAL SCENE

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Members of Summerville’s Trail Life USA, Kyle Dye, 17, and Cole Shuman, 11, shift roofing shingles around inside a recycle bin to make room for more, as community volunteers replace the roof Saturday at the men’s homeless shelter.

School district hears report on new legislation

FIRST PLACE

Jenna-Ley Harrison The Summerville Journal Scene

SPORTS BEAT REPORTING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Chris Sokoloski Georgetown Times Bulldog brothers PHOTOS BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Kevin “Woody” Woodall Jr. awaits his turn at bat during a Coastal Carolina baseball game last month.

Kevin “Woody” Woodall Jr., left, and Seth Wall were all smiles in 2014 when signing their letters of intent to play college baseball. The two are now juniors playing Division I college baseball.

Seth Wall looks to score for the College of Charleston during a game last month.

Georgetown grads finding niches in college baseball

BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI csokoloski@southstrandnews.com

CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Georgetown High School teammates Kevin “Woody” Woodall Jr., left, and Seth Wall were reunited last month when Coastal Carolina University and the College of Charleston battled in Conway.

Growing up in Georgetown, Kevin “Woody” Woodall Jr. and Seth Wall dreamed of playing Division I baseball in college. That dream has come true for both 2014 Georgetown High School graduates, as Woodall plays for Coastal Carolina University and Wall plays for the College of Charleston. Woodall has already reached the pinnacle of college baseball, winning a national championship with the Chanticleers in 2016. He said it is “heartwarming” to be part of the CCU program now with all the national attention and the huge crowds coming out to see the team play. On Feb. 17, Woodall and his teammates received their national championships rings. “It was the best feeling I’ve had since we won,” Woodall said. Woodall said he knows being the defending national champions brings extra pressure. Last year when CCU played Virginia, which won the title in 2015, he and his teammates wanted to beat them badly. “Every team we played this year they’re going to go out and play their ‘A’ game,” Woodall said. Wall joined the Cougars after spending two years Please see BROTHERS, Page A8

SECOND PLACE

Travis Jenkins The News & Reporter

SPORTS BEAT REPORTING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Frankie Mansfield The Moultrie News

LocaL Student:

NEWS HEADLINE WRITING OPEN DIVISION

By Bob Garver

nce one week at a time”

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

“Making a difference one week at a time”

Michaele Duke The News, Kingstree Pastors plan prayer procession

BY MICHAELE DUKE news@kingstreenews.com

A Prayer Walk has been scheduled for March and the public is invited. Members of the Williamsburg County Ministerial Alliance are planning a walk through Kingstree. The walk is scheduled for March 11, at 10 a.m. and will start at Kingstree Town Hall. The procession will walk the length of Brooks Street and

stop and prayer along the way. Williamsburg Presbyterian Church Rev. Don Muncie presented the information to Williamsburg County Council during its February 21, meeting. He said the prayer walk will concentrate on law enforcement, elected officials, schools, churches, and businesses. “I want to invite you to come,” Muncie told council. “We’ll do this as a community togeth-

er.” Williamsburg County Supervisor Stanley Pasley was supportive. “On behalf of the members of council and the citizens of Williamsburg County we welcome you all to the council meeting and we look forward to you all coming back again,” said Pasley. “If there is anything we can do to support you and your endeavors certainly don’t hesitate to call upon us.”

IGA receives Image Award from the Williamsburg HomeTown Chamber. Photo ProViDeD

Firefighters get schooled in bus extrication

By MiChAELE dUKE news@kingstreenews.com

When an accident occurs that involves entrapment, firefighters are trained to know what to do. It’s not everyday a school bus that’s filled with trapped

children is involved in a crash. Therefore, to learn about the challenges posed by such circumstances, the Williamsburg County and Kingstree Fire Departments trained together. The South Carolina

Department of Education contacted Kingstree Fire Department Chief Tim Duke about conducting the exercise. Duke in turn invited Williamsburg County Fire Department and on the eve-

ning of April 11, the group of 60 men and women practiced on a disabled bus provided by the South Carolina Department of Education. When they were finished, the bus was a please

turN to

BuS, 4

Residents raising dust over quarry

Local agencies and the BY MICHAELE DUKE news@kingstreenews.com community come together to recognize

victims of abuseThe andEarles assault Pentecostal Holiness Church of Earles was filled to the brim as members of the community came to hear about a mining project coming to their area. Jean Smith and Billy Bruoton spoke to the crowd of about 200 attendants. A company called RDA, LLC and managed by Clark Wooten has purchased over 900 acres, where a limestone quarry is planned to open. Many issues related to mining were brought up. Jean Smith said in her research she has found studies that state property values decreased approximately 27 percent within a mining operation. She added that water Members of the Earles community gather to hear about a mining project coming Please turN to Quarry, 3 to their area. Photo by Michaele Duke

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Five Points purchase

NEWS HEADLINE WRITING BY TOM O’DARE

TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

CANDIDATE

Over the last year, the city, through the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation, has been purchasing properties in the Five Points or Superblock area in the middle of Myrtle Beach. The city says the land is needed for a new children’s museum and Chapin Library. The purchase of one of these properties, 507 Ninth Avenue North, has raised some red flags.SEE PAGE 10A According to Horry County Pedersen records, the property was sold by Schiller Property LLC on March 24 of this year to the Holly Family LLC for $100,000. A few minutes later, it was sold to the DRC for $325,000. According to the county transfer records, Thisand massage the addresses for the Holly Family LLC parlor in the DRC are P.O. Box 2468, Myrtle Beach. Surfsideas That is also the same post office address Beach is one the Myrtle Beach City Hall. three The two buildings just west of thisofparticuraided lar property are roughly the same size in by law enforcement square footage. Both of those buildings were and accused purchased by the DRC for $150,000 each. of illegal According to Myrtle Beach city manager activities. John Pedersen who sits as the treasurer for the DRC board, the Five Points purchases are TOM O’DARE left up to the DRC staff, headed by executive THE HERALD director David Sebok. Pedersen said he did not know the details of this particular purchase but would look into it immediately. Efforts to reach the DRC office were unsuccessful.

Shrimp boat captain runs for MB City Council

VOL. 24 NO. 30

JULY 28, 2017

| PAGE 2A

75 CENTS

OPEN DIVISION

NEW MOTORCYCLE UNIT |

Massage parlors and donation rub council the wrong way Checks for landscaping to Clemson Foundation questioned massage therapist licenses,” he and one is still open on Surfside said. “We are talking about Drive. Asians.” Councilmember Randle Things got quite heated MonHe said the town could revoke Stevens asked why the town had day night at the Surfside Beach not revoked the business licenses the business licenses if they were town council meeting. deemed a nuisance. of the three establishments, callThe core of the fire was the is“These don’t fit the family ing them “houses of prostitution.” TOM O’DARE | THE HERALD sues of massage parlors and also beach image of Surfside Beach,” Stevens said the masseuses in Guests of the Villa Romana Italian Restaurant feel like they have ventured to Italy while dining. a check written to Clemson Unihe said. “We need to make sure the businesses were not licensed versity. this doesn’t happen again. We by the state and he didn’t underBY Last TOM O’DARE raised that tolegal another level.ther- with the national chains. place to dine. month, town police arrest- special won’t restrain massage stand how that fact slipped by the has TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM Rinaldo and Franca Montrosse LoveFood.com recently ranked The official restaurant on Kings High- lied employees of three massage apists, just places like this. ” town issuing a business started Villa Romano in 1985 Villa Romano as the best Italian way in Myrtle Beach consistently parlors in town for prostitution. cense. For over 30 years, locals and with the idea that customers restaurant in the state. wins top honors each year See SURFSIDE BEACH, 2A Two of the businesses are closed “Nobody ever checked their tourists have known that Villa The restaurant is not your typiamong local publications. Romano Italian Restaurant is a cal Italian eatery you might find See VILLA ROMANA, Page 2A But now a national food site

BY TOM O’DARE

TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

BOARDWALK IS NO. 1

City taking Surfside fishing for money to build pier down barricades, putting teeth Myrtle Beach Boardwalk tabbed the best in U.S. CHAMPS into loitering Dancing with the regulations Horry County Stars

doesn’t come through with most of the Surfside Pier with it. at $5.6 million—a far cry from TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM more money, the town would what the cost of a new concrete Town administrator Micki have to rebuild the pier as a pier would run. Fellner told the council earlier In August, the Surfside Beach in the year that engineers had wooden structure and the next Councilmembers expressed town council told the town adstorm will put them back in the concern that this would create determined that over 50 perministrator to move things same situation. even bigger delays in getting cent of the pier had been dealong to rebuild the town’s This isn’t the first time the the pier up and running again. stroyed and it would be better pier—but this time it would be council has heard that FEMA Fellner said she was in conto rebuild it rather than just remade to withstand a stronger would only come up with $5.6 tact with U.S. Congressman pair it. storm than the one that tore it Tom Rice and U.S. Sen. Lindsey million. They were told that alFellner said FEMA would BY TOM O’DARE apart. most two months ago by the Graham to see if they could inpick up 75 percent of the cost. TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM It’s been a year since Hurrifluence FEMA’s decision for the consultants and engineers But Tuesday night, Fellner FILE PHOTO cane Matthew up theduringsaid FEMA had capped the Surfside Beach is hoping FEMA comes through with more funds pier. Since a spateroared of shootings See South Carolina coast, taking SURFSIDE PIER , Page 2A to rebuild the town’s pier. Fellner added that if FEMA the week of Easter and on Father’s amount it would give the town PAGE 10A PAGE 1B VOL.Day 23 NO. 48 Myrtle NOVEMBER 25, 2016 75 CENTS weekend, Beach city leaders have been trying to find ways to CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6A STRAND TENNIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4B curb unruly crowds, FAITH CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7A CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5B especially along OBITUARIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8A ENTERTAINMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19B Ocean Boulevard. CROSSWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8A LEGALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1C City staff and police say crowds bunching BY TOM O’DARE uses towns and cities with an admintogether on city sideTOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM istrator or manager form of governBY TOM O’DARE walks and spilling out Pedersen ment. For reporting purposes, the TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM into the street are Surfside Beach town administrator term administrator may be used sources of many of the problems. In South Carolina, there are severchecked how Surfside Beach’s comMicki Fellner’s contract expires soon olina, Fellner’s annual salary is whether the town has an administraWhenweeks, the Pavilion went away after the compares 2006 summer season, city al types of governments available to A video that went viral showed a $96,600. In recent pensation with other museveral and some on the town council want tor or city manager. leadershave knewquestioned they had to do something toalong get lifethe back intoCarolina the large crowd walking in the street municipalities: those with town adnicipalities South councilmembers to take a good look at it before it For comparison, Surfside Beach’s downtown area.up with down Ocean Boulevard just before how Fellner’s ministrators, city managers, city coast, in Horry County and with salary stacks comes up for renewal. The cities sparkplug that was was athe boardwalk along the the Father’s Day shooting that sent other towns and townsup across state of similar pop- clerks and a strong mayor setup. of similar size.dreamed According to data provided by the See SALARIES, Page 3A oceanfront they hoped draw visitors six people to the hospital. The data used for this inquiry only sizes. back to the area to fill the The Herald, using MASC data, would ulation Municipal Association of South Carvoid left by the Pavilion’s demise. Following that weekend, the city And with a price tag of nearly $6.5 million, a boardwalk was conput up barricades along much of structed from the 14th Avenue Pier to the 2nd Avenue Pier, a stretch Ocean Boulevard from 16th Avenue of a little over a mile. South to 14th Avenue North to keep See BOARDWALK, Page 3A pedestrians out of the street. Tuesday afternoon, city manager John Pedersen said the barricades would be coming down this week BY TOM O’DARE

winners announced

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WHAT’S When it comes to manager salaries, size doesn’t matter INSIDE Councilmembers questing how Fellner’s salary stacks up

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TRUE RENAISSANCE

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Tom O’Dare Myrtle Beach Herald

FEATURE HEADLINE WRITING

THIRD PLACE

Abbie Sossamon The Gaffneylifestyles Ledger lifestyles

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2017

THE GAFFNEY LEDGER

PAGE 6A

THE GAFFNEY LEDGER

Lifestyles Editor Abbie Sossamon may be contacted at abbie@gaffneyledger.com

OPEN DIVISION

SECOND PLACE

FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2017

Lifestyles Editor Abbie Sossamon may be contacted at abbie@gaffneyledger.com

Nancy Parsons The News & Reporter

The final frame in a shop’s life

By ABBIE SOSSAMON Lifestyles and Features Editor abbie@gaffneyledger.com

Un-bee-lievable By ABBIE SOSSAMON Lifestyles and Features Editor abbie@gaffneyledger.com In his five years of removing and relocating honeybees, Kevin Sarver had never seen such a well-established colony like the one he saw Friday. Sarver, owner of Holy Honeybees in Spartanburg, was removing two colonies of bees located inside the walls of Rita and Ronnie Burgess’ West Rutledge Avenue home Friday. The Burgess’ have lived in the brown shingled home for around seven years, but the bees have been making the house their home for much longer. “My grandmother lived in this house and I remember the bees being here when I was a little boy,” said Ronnie. “They’ve probably been in those walls for 80 years. Maybe 100.” After years of seeing bees buzz throughout their home, the Burgess’ decided it was time to have them professionally removed.

Sarver works to remove and relocate the hives with little harm to the already stressed honeybee population. He begins the removal by cutting out portions of the comb and placing it into individual wooden frames. The frames are then placed in boxes called a hive body, where the entire colony is integrated. After removing the comb, he vacuums up any extra bees into a cage and adds those bees to the hive body. On Friday, he cut out an intact portion of a comb that was nearly six feet long. “I have never seen anything like this and I probably never will again,” said Sarver with bees swarming around him. “This is just so amazing.” Sarver relocates the bees to his Spartanburg home where he collects and sells their honey, which is good for combatting seasonal allergies, he said. He also uses the bees to pollinate local crops and gardens. Even with his bee suit on, Sarver said he gets stung by the bees around four to five times a day, but notes it’s just a part of the job. After taking a quick break to enjoy lunch, Sarver

looked at the Burgess’ bee colony and said with amazement “that’s a lot of bees,” before returning to finish the removal.

Kevin Sarver of Holy Honeybees holds a wooden frame containing part of a comb and bee eggs that are being relocated from a Gaffney home (above). Sarver holds a nearly six-foot long intact bee comb, the most impressive he’s ever seen (right). (Ledger photos / ABBIE SOSSAMON)

World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians being held in nation’s capital this week In response to the recent massive outbreak of persecution against Christians in many parts of the world, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is sponsoring a World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians this week in Washington, D.C. The event begins today (May 10) and continues through Saturday, May 13. Last year, 90,000 Christians throughout the world were killed for their faith, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. “Christians are under attack. Not just throughout the Middle East but around the world, and we need to show solidarity,” Franklin Graham said. “We need to stand with the church around the world, and I want to educate the American public and Washington as to what is happening and how we can work with the United Nations and other government bodies to ensure that Christians are protected,” the evangelist continued. More than 600 invited delegates representing 130 countries all over the world will be participating in the summit. A substantial number of the delegates have them-

GENERATIONS

When Thelma Perry took over Creative Framing in 1994, she had no knowledge of the custom framing business. Now, 23 years later, she has become a framing professional and a trusted source for many locals wanting to frame their family memorabilia, works of art and accomplishments. Perry and her two sons took over the downtown Gaffney business in 1994 from Johnny and Gail Martin. Perry was a frequent customer in the Martins shop and when they were looking to pass it on, she took on the challenge. The Martins spent a great deal of time with the Perrys, teaching them how to use the framing equipment, she said. “It certainly took some time to learn, but the Martins taught us everything we needed to know,” Perry said. “They had a well-established business with a good clientele. I wanted to keep those customers and provide them the same level of framing they had become accustomed to.” Perry did just that; her reputation for providing high quality framing earned her many repeat customers who have been supportive and become like family, she said. Those loyal customers will now have to look elsewhere for their framing needs, as Creative Framing will close PAGEits6doors in a few short weeks. The building that the shop has occupied for 23 years has been bought by Guy Blakenship. Blakenship plans to expand his antique store which is located next to Creative Framing. Perry felt it was time to retire and decided not to relocate her shop, a decision that has her customers saddened. “Thelma, you’ve just got to keep this store open,” Sandra Lei Miller told Perry as she was picking out the framing for one an original painting. “Thelma has been a great help and I will miss her store dearly,” said

Creative Framing owner Thelma Perry (center) assists local artists and loyal customers Tena Drapeau (left) and Sandra Lei Miller in deciding which mat and frame to use for an original painting. After 23 years of framing prints, art and family memorabilia, Perry is closingMONDAY, shop. The building that MAY 22, 2017 THE GAFFNEY LEDGER Creative Framing occupies has been sold.

lifestyles

(Ledger photo / ABBIE SOSSAMON)

Miller. With the business coming to a close, Perry is reflecting on the great memories and friends she has made over the last 23 years. “I’m not sad about closing,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful business and I’m thankful for all the support over the years. We’ve been blessed to have such wonder-

ful customers. I’m looking forward to this next phase of Lifestyles Editor life and plan on doing some traveling with my four sisAbbie Sossamon ters.” For the shop’s final few weeks Perry may in bebusiness, contacted atis selling all framed prints for half price. Creative Framabbie@gaffneyledger.com ing is located at 509 N. Limestone St. and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Granard students hooked on crocheting St. Patrick’ s Day facts

By ABBIE SOSSAMON Lifestyles and Features Editor abbie@gaffneyledger.com

Students at Granard Middle School recently donated more than 20 crocheted baby blankets to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center as part of a service project. The 15 sixth graders in Susan Campbell’s academic enrichment crochet class have spent the past nine weeks learning how to crochet. Campbell, who taught herself how to crochet two years ago by watching YouTube videos, started by teaching the students how to do a single stitch dish cloth. Once they mastered that skill, she advanced them to completing two dish cloths, double stitching and then crocheting 14x16 baby blankets. “We wanted to do a service project with the class, and thought donating the baby blankets to a local NICU would be great,” Campbell said. “I contacted Spartanburg Regional and they were very excited about receiving them.” The crochet class is one of many academic enrichment classes at Granard. Academic enrichment classes are meant to allow students a more hands-on learning experience that tie into the curriculum. “In sixth grade social studies, students study ancient weaving, and crocheting is a modern form of ancient weaving,” Campbell said. “Mr. Fisher (Granard principal) wanted us to teach something that we are passionate about that also relates to the subject matter.” Fisher said the crochet class seemed to be a bit of a stretch at first, but is now one of the most popular academic enrichment classes. “When these classes first started, students didn’t get to pick which one they were in, it was just where it fit in their schedule,” he said. “So about half of the class is boys, but most have come to really enjoy the class and

What began as a religious feast in Ireland has turned into festivals, parades across the globe. Here are 10 facts about the holiday. 1. Green was only associated with St. Patrick’s Day after it was linked to the Irish independence movement in the 18th century. St. Patrick’s blue, a light shade, was the original color of the holiday. 2. March 17 is the date of St. Patrick’s death. 3. St. Patrick wasn’t Irish, he was British. He was born in Wales, though many scholars say Scotland, in the late fourth century to Roman parents. 4. Irish legend gives St. Patrick the credit for driving all of the snakes out of Ireland. Modern scientists suggest Ireland was never home to snakes, or any other reptiles, because of its cold climate.

Granard Middle School students have been learning how to crochet as part of an academic enrich5. Patrick was born ment class taught by Susan Campbell. The class crocheted more than 20 baby blankets that they

Maewyn Succat. He donated to the NICU at Spartanburg Regional. (Ledger photo / ABBIE SOSSAMON) changed his name to Patrick when he became a both boys and girls are wanting to take it.” “Once I got the hang of it, it became really easy,” Marpriest. One student who has become quite the crochet expert tin said. “It takes a lot of patience to focus and my hands is Ashton Martin. In fact, he enjoys hobbyissosaid much tired a while,as but I really like it. to I’m planning 6. St.the Patrick to haveget used theafter shamrock a teaching tool explain the he joined a group of elderly ladies his church who Son and on teaching my— whole family how to crochet this sum-to the Holy at Trinity — Father, Holy Spirit when he introduced Christianity crochet. mer.” Irish.

Dancers demonstrate their skills for Tuesday Woman’s Club

FIRST PLACE Will be presented at the Daily Awards Dinner The Tuesday Woman's Club met on March 14 in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church. Hostesses for the afternoon were Gail Moss, Joyce Childers and Nancy Mathis. Claudia Fowler, a long-time dance instructor in Cherokee County, shared a delightful program. Several of Fowler's students were in attendance to demonstrate and share their dancing skills with the club.

7. On St. Patrick’s Day everyone is Irish, but around 34 million Americans really are of Irish decent. The population of Ireland is only about 4.2 million.

Iron City Ministries preparing for annual golf tourney 8. In 1903, Irish law declared St. Patrick’s Day as a religious observance, which

meant wasMinistries a dry holiday all pubs were shut down forsponsorships the day. The and law hole was overIronitCity will and be holding Tournament turned in 1970 when it was reclassified national holiday Pubs were once again its 6th Annual Golf Tournament on Sat-as asponsorships are.available and door able to, open 17. Gaffney urday June on 10, March 2017 at the prizes are currently being collected. InCountry Club. formation on becoming a sponsor, to 9.“The TheCountry first St. Patrick’s Day Parade wasn’t heldain Dublin until 1931, while Club continues to allow make donation, or register a teamBoston is us toits utilize their facilities available by contacting the ministry at held first parade in 1737.and is very supportive and accommodating with 864-839-9783. the Theyfounder, are so eager to help out “This an enjoyable and 10.event. Guinness Arthur Guinness, signed a is 9,000 year leaseevent in 1759 ateverySt. and give us an to raise one haspints a good notedare Patterson. James’ Gate in opportunity Dublin, Ireland. Around 13 million oftime” Guinness consumed funds for our organization,” said Jerry “Prizes are awarded to the first and secon St. Patrick’s Day. Patterson, ICM Executive Board memond place teams, lunch is provided, and ber states. many door prizes are given out.”

Delicious!

SPORTS HEADLINE WRITING Sports | (803) 283-1157

THIRD PLACE

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Nick Herman Laurens County Advertiser Black Cyan Magenta Yellow

October 11, 2017

The Laurens County Advertiser

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The Lancaster News Sports | (803) 283-1157 WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017

Ray, Laurens rally to demote Generals The Laurens Raiders’ football team had to regroup at the half after Wade Hampton, buoyed by a 52-yard field goal from Sebastian Garcia at the end of the first half, held a 16-14 lead at K.C. Hanna Stadium. The BlackRaiders, Cyan Magenta onYellow Homecoming night, were looking at what could’ve been a crippling blow to their hopes.Founded in 1885 Anpostseason Independent Newspaper Carado Ray and the Raiders’ defense made sure that didn’t happen. Ray rushed for 204 yards and three second-half touchdowns as the Raiders held Wade Hampton scoreless over the final two quarBy ters Nick Herman en route to a 32-16 victory Sports Editor that evened Laurens’ record at 1Late in the first half of Friday 1 varsity in Region 2-5A. The victory night’s football game, the Boiling Springs Bulldogsthe found Raiders’ fivealso ended themselves facing fourth-andgoalgame from thelosing Laurens streak 1-yard and as they line, trying to extend a 10-7 lead improved to 2-5 on the season. against the Raiders at K.C. Hanna Head Stadium. When Chris the coach Liner said if Bulldogs got set for their fourthfans the team down play,saw the offensive line practice they’d appeared beforethat the snap see toajump group still gets after it of the ball, but no penalty was called despite the the losses. Raiders’ The only probdespite protestations, and Boiling lemscored has tobeen Springs build athe 10- good work put pointin lead at the halfpractice en route to hadn’t carried during a 30-14 victory over Laurens. overTaylor’s to game Dawson 1-yardnight, touch- but on Friday down run with 3 seconds left in able to turn it the Raiders were the second quarter put the

By Nick Herman Sports Editor

The Laurens Raiders ninthgrade football team posted its first shutout of the season Thursday night, rolling over Wade Hampton in a 44-0 blowout victory in Greenville. Laurens’ defense forced three turnovers in the game with Jeffrey Weekly and Kavion Pulley each recovering fumbles and Malikai Walker intercepting a pass. Bravian Williams also blocked a punt that led to a Laurens score. Running back Shemare Dendy had three rushing touch-

The Lancaster News

#Sindarius Sindarius 5A Sports

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Friday March 31, 2017

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Lady Warriors strike state gold

five-minute sudden death pe- dence about the team.” been Brookland-Cayce, a key perwhich riods, came basket. down to He’s penalty finished 20-7-2, broke on top kicks. former for us this season.” as Elizabeth McGee scored for The 19-5-1 Lady Warriors regarded Thornwell, as the converted on all five 12-yard a 1-0 Lady Bearcats’ lead in player, is avfirst half. shots to givestate’s ILHS atop 2-1 junior win the Land,reshowing the (5-3 in PKs)eraging over Class 26AAA pointsIndian and nine it exhibited all Lower State champion Brookbounds a game composure this season. day, answered as striker Kelsey land-Cayce High School. ThornLong tied the match on a Indian LandEarlier junior this mid-season,

goals by ‘Cats keeper Shannon Favor, in for B-C freshman goalie Charlotte Teeter. BC’s Catherine McKeown and Brionna Mack tallied the Lady Bearcats’ first two goals in the penalty kick session, but Lady Warriors junior keeper Emma Thompson, who allowed one goal in five

the elated Lady Warriors hoisted the Class AAA state championship trophy in celebration of the program’s firstever state crown. “It was a lot of heart and determination,” Bonda said. “I never had a doubt. You just have to believe and keep working hard.”

Clinton comeback denies Mid-Carolina upset bid

well broke the Bruins’ singleBy Nick Herman game scoring mark with 47 points to Editor pace LHS to a 90-49 Sports

field, marched 58 yards in less than a minute before Jalen Bates ran for a 7-yard touch-

road win over the Chester CyClinton was able to stop a pair down that cut the margin to 28clones. of Thornwell’s late Mid-Carolina two-point 26 with 1:24 to go. Clinton’s 47-point effort – conversion attempts to secseal a defense held up on the two22 first half points and 25 victory also kept thetheRed point conversion attempt, stopond-halfthat points – smashed Devils’ playoff hopes old mark held by former Bru-alive ping Bates, but a face mask Friday in Properity. penalty on Clinton gave Midins’ starnight Shot Hood. Kris Holmes and the Red Carolina a second chance. That Hood, who played from FILE PHOTO Devils’ gameinspurred a chance, another rushing 1978-80,running set the mark the Sindarius slams one home in a game against Dorman 28-26 over the winless attempt,Thornwell was also snuffed out. Bruins’victory 1980 regular-season fiSchool in those February 2012. Mid-Carolina back-to-back nale when he hitRebels 44 pointson in the High“Making road. Clinton now 1-1 in the stops on those two-point con-LORIE SELLERS/For The Lancaster News an 88-63 homeiswin over Chesingleft, to and Dorman School of Buford High School’s Allen, AndrewHigh Jackson region standings and 3-4 overall. son. ter. versions were fun toHunter watch,” Savannah Small of react afterSpartanburg. “We’reHigh’s extremely Thornwell has a played variety of “Mid-Carolina a heck Webb said. “Ourproud defense strug-a play at third base in the Class AA Upper State championship softball game at BHS on I’m Sindarius The 23-3 Bruins have adshots moves,game,” from driving of a and football Clinton him, gledand toFriday get sure off the field at times when the Lady Jackets captured a 3-0 win over the Lady hisdeep, teammates havesome vanced to round two in the and twisting layups toWebb thun- said. would head coach Andrew Volunteers. but say dug showed a key role in his sucClass AAAA Upper State tourderous dunks “We did not and playlong our threebest but, played mental toughness and made two

PHOTO SUPPLIED

RICK JOHNSON/For The Lancaster News

The South Carolina Gamecocks facebook page features this photo, posted Feb. 23 with a single word: Driven.

Indian Land High School junior striker Kelsey Long (1) sprints away from Brookland-Cayce High players Brionna Mack (10) and Elizabeth McGee (14) during the Lady Warriors’ 2-1 Class AAA soccer state championship win over the Lady Bearcats at Irmo High School on Saturday afternoon.

Looking back: Thornwell AAAA Player of the Year

for finishing one spot than lighted her stellar day,better winning qualifying spot. Coates the his Class AAA girlsfor 1600-meter earned 36 points his finish, runwith withSmith an ILHS school record getting 30 points. As a result, Rushton has moved to 5:16.90. an estimated lead over Rodman saidsix-point she prayed beSmith with three weeks to go in forethe theseason. race. Coates, still in third “Hard Jesus by made place, work trails and Rushton 42 the points. difference,” she said. “I had Ithe earlycapable lead in the didn'tLong know was of race before Rushton got to the doing twice. really frontthis by the end Iof felt the fourth blessed. lap. Smith, who spun out and outmy a caution on she the “Ihelped triedbring to do best,” sixth lap, fought his way back said.through “I was tired, but happy the field and eventually when I won. Coates for third – challenge albeitwhole unsuccessfully. team did a good Photo by Nick Herman “Our Mullins withthe Rushton DIVING EFFORT — Laurens’ football player Troy Dendy fully extends himself to break the plane and score a touchdown dur-job this yearstayed and all hard toward the later stages of the ing Friday night’s loss to Boiling Springs. The Raiders are now 1-3 on the season, having lost three straight games. work paid off.” main event and put forth a fierce track coach Chris Cuvichallenge, but Rushton was Springs’ fast and strong players 17 rushing yards to tie Duane goal from John Bushong late in scoring with an 11-yard pass ILHS able to pull away late. all said Rodman’s win was on defense who were able to Martin for second-highest on the the first quarter, then pushed the from Campbell to Aaronellofinally keep Dendy and the Laurens team. lead to 10-0 when McFadden McLeod. The Raiders had oneabout strategy. SECA 604 Crate: While Ray ground game from getting into The loss came at the end of scored on a 6-yard touchdown final scoring chance snuffed out “Kaitlyn’s pacethewas steady,” Storay entered night with a high gear. what was a difficult week for the run with 7:41 left in the first in the final minutes, but were said. “She ran division a good 22-point lead in the “They’re not as big and physi- Raiders. The first two days of half. Trailing 10-0, the Raiders denied from the Boiling SpringsCuviello standings on Goose Calvert, it and didn’t try to do too cally imposing as they were last practice were wiped out after the got a good return from Dendy 1-yard line when the Bulldogspace was She a different pairing thatatstole got her lead the year, but they’re really fast,” remnants of Hurricane Irma coupled with a personal-foul stuffed Martin on fourth downmuch. the show. Liner said. “They’re down guys forced classes to be called off in penalty on the Bulldogs to set up just outside of the end zone withbeginning the third and DillonofBrown and lap Timbo are fast and their linebackers - Laurens District 55 last Monday the Dendy’s 12-yard score. 37 seconds top play. stayed in front.” Mangum were separated by one Logan Billings can really fly - and Tuesday. The Raiders only The Bulldogs extended the Boiling Springs was led by point in the race for a SECA year ago in Indian Land’s and their safeties come downhill practiced on Wednesday and had lead to 30-7 in the third quarter Trey Miller, who had 87 yards A National Championship, meanin Class Rodnow.” a walkthrough on Thursday. with a pair of touchdowns. rushing on 17 attempts. Taylorfinalingseason whichever driverAA, finished wonofthe 1600 in the Class Laurens Quarterback Ryan “This was a really tough week, Taylor hit Patrick Smith with a 5- was 16 of 30 passing for 204manahead the other in the main Campbell was not able to make especially when you plan for a yard touchdown on the team’s yards and the two touchdowns,AA event girlswould state with a winmeet the season-long up for the struggling running team like that. It’s hard to do first series of the second half. On and Thompson had six recep-5:26.53 title. effort. Brown not only finished game, completing 10 of 18 pass- everything you’ve got to do,” the Bulldogs’ next possession, tions for 106 yards. ahead of Mangum, but he finthe Class es for 65 yards. He threw one Liner said. Taylor hit Kamal Desor with a 9Laurens will try and find its Inished ahead AAA of themeet entireSaturfield Rodman the touchdown pass, but also had an Boiling Springs got on the yard touchdown pass. groove when it hits the road today,and won also the smashed main event. Mangum was second Brad interception. Campbell also had board first with a 27-yard field Laurens then wrapped up the face Dorman Friday night. school record with aandthirdRachels place finishthird. in the 3200 with an Brown led from start to finish

Laurens 9th routs WH

The Laurens County Advertiser

touchdown of the half and part of on when they had to. "We won. I’m excited for the a 163-yard rushing performance guys because they have worked in the second half. “Carado is an excellent back. too hard not to have anything to Chris is an excellent back. Duane show for it," Liner said. Laurens’ defense helped set up is an excellent back,” Liner said. Ray, who describes himself as the offense in the second half, starting with an interception by a quick, sharp and fast back, said Dra Boyd to end Wade the Wade Hampton linebackers Hampton’s first series. Boyd weren’t hitting the holes as they returned the interception to the were supposed to, allowing him The Lancaster News published this article on Feb. 19, 2012, when of his yards. The Laurens County Advertiser Wade Hampton 38-yard-line to to pick up many September 20, 2017 1B PHOTO SUPPLIED Thornwell was named South Carolina’s Raiders quarterback Ryan Indian Land High set up Laurens’ ensuing drive, School AAAA Player of the Year. Campbell completedSouth13Carolina's of 18Award-Winning which used playsCounty beforeAdvertiser freshman Weekly distance runner Theeight Laurens Newspaper Robert Howey Ray got in for his first touch- passes for 82 yards. The Laurens’ Kaitlyn Rodman captured the rhowey@thelancasternews.com down of the night on an 8-yard offense recorded a season-high Class AAA 1600-meter run a school record 5:16.90 on run with four minutes to go in the 448 yards and converted on five in Before the start of the 2011Saturday at Spring Valley High quarter. After the extra-point was of 9 third-down attempts. School. 12 high school basketball seaWade Hampton did all it could blocked the Raiders led 20-16. son, Lancaster High School juRushton on fielder Emily Gerdes sealed breakaway some two minutes playoff matches and posted 15 After forcing a punt, the to pull off an upset of the Robert Howey nior star Sindarius Thornwell Lady Warriors’ Class AAA later for a 1-all draw, which shutouts on the season, rhowey@thelancasternews.com Raiders got on the board again. Raiders, getting a pair of 100was named onethe of the Elite 5 top at LCS state title-clinching victory stayed that way until the con- blocked McGee’s shot on B-C’s IRMO – As boys they say, practiceby with Ray, who rushed five of the six yard rushing games from backplayers the S.C. Basthe fifth ILHS goal in the test was decided on penalty third try to put the Lady Warmakes perfect, and defense By Nick Herman session to ignite a rousing kicks. riors in position to post their ketball CoachesPK Association. offensive plays, got in the end field mates Trey Berry and wins championships. on-field celebration. “We thought after we went biggest win in program histoSports Editor zone again when he scored from Rashad Luckey. Berry led the Those old, Thornwell, familiar linesa 6-5 guard-for“It was nerve-wracking,” up, we could add more, but ry. Billy Rushton has been makplayed big inward, the Indian Land to be that and proved 3 yards out to put the Raiders up Generals with 158 yards and a ing a late-season charge to get to “This was an intense match, said Gerdes of her winning Indian Land had a lot to do High Schoolmore Lady as Warriors’ the top of the Limited Division he was kick. recently up 26-16 after the 2-point con- touchdown on just nine carries, with that,” said B-C coach very nerve wracking, but when new soccer day Saturday afstandings at Laurens County “We game-planned all week Emily Heise of her Lady I got that block, I felt a huge named the Class AAAA boys while Luckey had 108 yards and Speedway. Now, for the final version failed. ternoon at Irmo High School’s and did allSCBwe could to put Bearcats, who out shot ILHS, weight was lifted,” Thompson three weeks, the chaser becomes Player of the Year by the W.C. Hawkins Stadium. Laurens then forced another a TD on 20 attempts. the chased. 21-7. “We got a little lax and said. “There was pressure, but Robert Howey ILHS girlsCA. soccer coach these girls in this situation. Rushton won his seconddidn’t finish a lot of opportu- we kept calm and focused.” turnover to set up the final score Quarterback Jackson Elgin was 6 rhowey@thelancasternews.com Mark Bonda said the Lady Just yesterday at practice on straight main event Saturday “That’s one Bonda said Thompson was turf,honor, we went over this same nities. We knew Indian Land night atLand LCS,High with School Bryan of the night. Four plays after of 13 passing for 76 yards with Indian Warriors’ first-ever Class quite AAA an situation,” finishing second and is most deserving forBonda said. “We was going to be a challenge.” tremendous all day. soccer statethat championship starMullins distance runner Kaitlyn Rakeem Franklin’s interception three interceptions. Deano Long finishing third. practiced this same scenario “Her best game all season,” In the decisive penalty kick was all aboutSindarius,” preparation and Rodman pacedwho thewas Warriors’ LHS boys basketFrank Coates, third in Laurens will try and pick up banner and did the best we could. period, the Lady Warriors, in said Bonda of Thompson’s put the ball on the Wade execution. trackstandings effort inentering the Class the point the ball coach Ricardo Priester Then, today, we just went stellar play, which included 13 an alternate came and Valley points As it turned out, the maraHampton 48-yard line, Ray the momentum when it takes on AAAnight, Photoformat, by Nick Herman state took meetfourth at Spring there leader Michael Smith took can do soand converted. We through as Long, Summer saves. “She was at another levthon match said. – 110 “Sindarius minutes – down School in Pontiac onfifth. Satscored a 30-yard touchdown with Riverside in the team’s home High GOOD FEELING — Laurens running back Carado Ray, right, celebrates with Trevor Madden Rushton earned 51 points on knew we were going to get el today.” Bishop, Kailee Erwin, Reagan 80-minute much, regulation, two the jumper or hitting urday. the night (50 for the victory, There was avictory calm confiHunter and Hampton. Gerdes drilled in 7:58 to go. It was Ray’s third finale Friday night. Soon after Gerdes tallied, after Ray scored one of10-minute his three touchdowns in Friday’s over Wade overtimes and two there. along with single bonus highpoint Rodman, aa freshman, drive inside and make a tough

Hey, Bulldogs: Boiling Springs extends LDHS woes IL’s Rodman dashes to AAA 1600 state title

Bulldogs (3-1) ahead 17-7 at halftime. Laurens (1-3) lost its thirdstraight game following a season-opening win over Clinton. Taylor’s touchdown capped an 11-play, 90-yard drive that took nearly all of the final 4 minutes, 13 seconds off the clock in the second quarter. Laurens had closed within 107 on its previous possession when Troy Dendy scored on a 12-yard touchdown run. Dendy carried the ball eight times for 58 yards on the drive and finished with 71 rushing yards on 20 attempts. Despite being called for 17 penalties for 137 yards, it was the one Boiling Springs was not called for that proved to be the turning point in the game. “Their entire left side of the offensive line moved. That play should not have counted, but it did,” Laurens head coach Chris Liner said. “There’s nothing we can do about it.” Aside from the Dendy touchdown run, the Raiders had little to show for the first half. Laurens had four drives - a fifth was stopped due to the end of the first half - that totaled 12 yards of offense on 11 plays. They did not get a single first down on any of the non-scoring drives and finished the game with 184 yards of total offense. Liner gave credit to Boiling

Robert Howey The Lancaster News

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An Independent Newspaper Founded in 1885

By Nick Herman Sports Editor

SECOND PLACE

Sindarius got game, got name At South Middle School, they called him ‘Sindy’ Robert Howey rhowey @thelancasternews.com

Some of basketball’s greatest stars have gone by one name – LeBron, Kobe, Magic, Shaq. Will Sindarius be one of those names someday? It’s far too early to say, but you have to admit the word has a nice ring to it. It sticks in your brain easily. Throughout this year’s March Madness, as the Lancaster native’s shots have swished through the nets in Greenville and New York City, the name Sindarius Thornwell has rolled off the lips of college basketball analysts Seth Davis, Clark Kellogg, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. So how did he get the name when he was born on Nov. 15, 1994? “My brother (the late DaJuan Thornwell) said call him Darius,” said Sharicka

Sharicka said. DaJuan, who died in 2015, was also known as “Big Country,” a father-figure to Sindarius throughout his life, serving as a youth basketball coach, mentor and adviser. Through the years, Sindarius’ name evolved. “Seems like when he was in middle school and high school, people called him ‘Sindy,’ and then after that, it became ‘Sin.’ Coach Martin often calls him ‘Sin.’ ” No matter, the name Sindarius Thornwell has drawn more and more attention in the past few weeks, as he won Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and just last week was named the East Regional’s Most Outstanding Player. He led the Gamecocks to a 77-70 win over Florida last Sunday for USC’s first-ever bid to the Final Four. Since the Gamecocks are the lowest seed – seventh – in

Roaring tribute

Bruin sculpture dedicated to Jenna Cauthen’s memory Robert Howey rhowey@thelancasternews.com

The newest addition to the Lancaster High School softball program will be a fixture at the field. A seven-foot wooded Bruin sculpture, erected adjacent to the Lancaster dugout in memory of late Lady Bruins ace pitcher Jenna Cauthen, was unveiled and dedicated Wednesday night prior to the LHS girls’ home opener with county foe Buford High School. “This sculpture will be here for eternity just like Jenna will forever be in our hearts,” said Lancaster High softball coach Kim Perry. The sculpture, done in a day and a half last week at the LHS field by world-renowned chainsaw wood carver Michael Baine, was unveiled by Cauthen’s parents, Sandra and Tim Cauthen, Lancaster High School graduates. Tim Cauthen also played baseball at Lancaster High where he graduated in 1967. Jenna Cauthen, who also played first base for the Lady Bruins, was a six-year team member, 2000-2005, and an all-region player. “Jenna had a passion for softball,” said Sandra Cauthen. “She spent a lot of time at this field practicing and playing the game she loved. “She also encouraged other little girls to play,” Sandra said. “It seemed only appropriate to have a memorial for Jenna at a place she loved.” “I’m sure she is looking down on us tonight with the biggest smile on her face,” Sandra said. “I know she would be so proud. Our family is proud.” Tim Cauthen expressed his pride. “It’s nice and I’m just proud of it,” he said. “We also had a good turnout tonight of friends, family and Jenna’s teammates. I wasn’t expecting this, but this is outstanding. It’s such a thrill.” Alan Blankenship, who coached Jenna in high school and Dixie Softball sum-

ERIC ROWELL/For The Lancaster News

Tim Cauthen, left, and his wife Sandra along with members of their family and friends admire the Bruin wood sculpture dedicated in their late daughter Jenna Cauthen’s memory during the unveiling and dedication at the LHS softball field Wednesday night. Cauthen, an ace softball pitcher and first baseman, played for the Lady Bruins, 2000-05. She died in a November, 12, 2014, auto accident. mer play, said Cauthen, a southpaw hurler, was a “special player.” “She is the most selfless player I ever had,” Blankenship said. “She was a closer and when she came in the game, she always delivered. She knew how to protect a lead and come through in the clutch. “She was tough on the mound and a contact hitter. Jenna wanted to see her teammates get their names in the newspaper,” Blankenship said. “She loved do-

ing that and seeing them have success. Jenna was a true teammate. “She looked after her teammates on and off the field,” he said. Sandra Cauthen said she was impressed by the sculpture. “I tried to imagine it in my mind, but there’s a lot of fine detail,” she said. “I’m just amazed. This means the world to us. Jenna loved softball.” See TRIBUTE | Page 6

SPORTS SHEADLINE WRITING portS WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2017 • The News & Reporter • 7A

OPEN DIVISION

The Lewisville Lions hoist the state championship trophy after Tuesday’s 6-4 victory over the Lake View Wild Gators.

Deston Worthy hopes to represent his country and his hometown if he gets a chance to be selected for the 15U national team on a trip to Colombia, South America where he could play in the COPABE Pan Am “AA” Championships.

PHOTOS BY TRAVIS JENKINS/THE N&R

The Lion Kings BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com Many coaches play things straight from the book, but LewisvilleÕ s Billy Keels coaches from his gut. His team plays the same way. In a game that saw a batter hit in the face with a pitch and stay in the game, a pitcher toss a complete game in the withering low country heat and humidity and a player who was almost taken out of the line-up because of a sub-.200 average deliver the teamÕ s biggest hit of the year when it was needed most, the Lewisville Lions claimed their seventh alltime state baseball crown with a 6-4 win over Lake View. Lewisville had given up an early 1-0 advantage, fallen behind 2-1 and taken a 4-2 lead going to the bottom of the sixth. Lake View seemed to have seized the momentum, though, plating two runs the sixth inning. 8 • inFRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017 • The News & Reporter The Wild Gators would Quentin Sanders, at right, had four hits Tuesday including a triple with two out in also have the top of their line-up coming to bat in Collins got the first two even then, there was no Keels said with his team the bottom of the seventh. Lions he faced in the top panic or worry in the having won game one, the Lake View pitcher Nick of the frame in order, but Lewisville dugout. Billy pressure was all on Lake

SportS

A team of Deston-y

Local baseball player goes from late fill-in to possibly playing on Team USA BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com

the seventh that plated the winning run. View to win Tuesday and avoid elimination. Senior catcher Alex Reed said the entire team also has confidence in one another. Ò Our bats have been hot lately and we have faith in everybody,Ó Reed said. Ò When we had two outs in the bottom of the seventh, everybody was smiling.Ó The smiles got even bigger when Jack Jordan was hit by a pitch to reach base. That brought up nine-hole hitter Quentin Sanders. The junior outfielder has been a strong force defensively all year, but has struggled at the plate. Ò He was batting about .180 coming into tonight,Ó Billy Keels said. Ò I almost took him out of the lineup about five games ago but I said Ô hey, heÕ s so athletic and such a competitor in football and basketball he might eventually come out of it.Õ Ó

The coachÕ s gut instinct was dead on the money. In a park where even the biggest of high school hitters has little chance of clearing the fence (itÕ s nearly 500 feet to straightaway center at Lake View) Sanders blasted a shot that he momentarily thought was a home run. It wasnÕ t but it did make it over the right fielderÕ s head and roll to the fence. Jordan scored, Sanders had a triple and the Lions reclaimed the lead and the momentum. Chase Yoder followed with a single that brought Sanders home and made it a 6-4 game. Sanders was 4-for4 on the night and drove in two runs. In the twogame state title series, he was 5-for-6 and had a big home run in game one. How was he able to turn things around at the plate so quickly? Because he

Sanders ‘Marshalls’ his first offer

BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com

the teamÕ s single-wing package, Sanders ran for 1,147 yards and 15 touchSomething interesting downs, but also had more happened as a parade of than 500 yards receiving high-profile college coach- and four more scores. es came to Lewisville High Lions Coach Will Mitchell School to recruit coveted said getting a first bigdefensive tackle Josh time offer is significant BelkÉ they learned he because of what it reprewasnÕ t the only Division I sents, but also because of what it leads to. athlete on campus. Ò ItÕ s a really good thing. That was proven earlier this week when junior One of the first questions Quentin Sanders received coaches ask when they see a verbal offer from a kid they like is Ô Who else Marshall. Thundering has offered him?Õ Now we Herd assistant Cornell can answer Ô Marshall,Õ Ó Brown handles recruiting Mitchell said. Mitchell sawwatches first-handa high ball go by. in thisYoder, area and obviously Chase who had a multi-hit game, knows talent when he sees last year how an athlete it, having himself been an getting his first big-time All-American at Virginia offer is essentially like a Tech and a Super Bowl first domino being knocked Champion with the over. BelkÕ s first Division I Baltimore Ravens. offer came from the Marshall has not seen University of South during a Sanders in person, having Carolina been impressed enough Gamecocks camp last with him through film summer. Word circulated evaluation to call and quickly on social media make him a scholarship and as Mitchell drove Belk and some teammates offer. Sanders, a multi-sport home from Columbia, Quentin Sanders, pictured standout who plays bas- LSU called and made an ketball and baseball for offer, basically sight hard, do the right things the Lions, was a big-time unseen. Many others fol- and stick with the process. contributor on the gridiron lowed in rapid-fire succes- Really what it does is valilast fall, helping Lewisville sion. Mitchell said other dates all the work they to the third round of the players have taken notice put in,Ó Mitchell said. playoffs (and its first play- of whatÕ s happened with Mitchell said Marshall off win period since 2005). their teammate and that has a great program, playSometimes playing run- it has inspired them. ing in bowl games most Ò ItÕ s shown them what every year and playing in ning back and sometimes lining up under center in can happen if you work Conference USA, which

See CHAMPS, Page 9

BY BILL MARION/SPECIAL TO THE N&R

with the ball, received an offer from Marshall University this week. he called the best nonpower five league in the country. Sanders has definitely subscribed to the theory that hard work pays off. Mitchell said Sanders has completely committed himself to the weight room and has reaped the bene-

fits, putting on 10 to 15 pounds since football season ended. Sanders is nearly six feet tall and now weighs in at a solid 175. Mitchell expects more offers are coming for Sanders and other players. He said several

Division I schools have been through that like both Sanders and teammate Mikial Fourney. Some underclassmen are garnering attention as well. Mitchell expects that Sanders will play defensive back or slot receiver at the college level.

Cycs finish strong, knock off Griffins BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com

On senior night at Chester, a senior stepped up and helped his team win an important region contestÉ with a little help from a freshman. The Cyclones closed out

PHOTOS BY BRIAN GARNER/ THE N&R

got the Griffins in order (with two strikeouts) in the second and pitched around a hit batsman to avoid trouble in the third. He hit another batter in the fourth but Johnson made another diving stab of a catch to wipe out a certain hit and keep the Griffins at

maybe because of the early lead or maybe because of their earlier rout of the Griffins. Chester gave itself some breathing room in the sixth, though. With WrightÕ s pitch count climbing, Powell decided he would go with Blanchett in the seventh in relief.

Deston Worthy was a last-second fill-in on the Best in Class Select Baseball team during its trip to Florida. ItÕ s doubtful heÕ ll be anyoneÕ s fill-in anytime soon. Based on his play during that trip, Worthy earned an invite to the 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP). Only 40 players nationwide are selected to take part in the program, only three on the list hail from the Carolinas and Worthy stands as the only pick from the Palmetto State. Worthy, who only recently turned 14, has been playing baseball since he was six years old. His natural talent shined early on, with even Worthy himself knowing he had a chance to be a good player. Ò I realized that when I was about 10,Ó Worthy said. Ò When I threw a baseball 68 miles-perhour.Ó His affinity for the sport comes in large part from his father Quin, who was a good player himself and continues to coach the sport, having guided the Junior American Legion team (which Worthy played on) to the playoffs this year. It was right after a Legion game, in fact, when Worthy got a text from one of his travel coaches, Tim Schuldt. Schuldt was in Florida at the time coaching in a big USA Baseball showcase tournament. Players taking part in the tournament were eligible to be chosen for the NTDP. Ò I asked him how it was going in Florida. He texted back Ô yeah, about that...if I get you a ticket will you come down here,Õ Ó Worthy remembered. Worthy said he almost couldnÕ t believe what he was reading. A spot on the roster had unexpectedly opened up and Schuldt wanted him on a plane the next morning to fill it. Worthy is a good candidate to fill pretty much any spot on a baseball team. His dad thinks his best spot is the outfield where his quick feet,

pitcher, he throws exceptionally hard, but doesnÕ t get by on velocity alone. Ò I throw a four-seam fastball, a two-seamer, a change-up, a curve and a split-finger,Ó Worthy said. He was honored that Schuldt not only wanted him to play but also wanted him there so badly that he told him heÕ d have a ticket waiting on him at the airport. The problem was that Worthy didnÕ t

know if that could be worked out on such short notice. Worthy is also a football player and was supposed to be at workouts for the next few days. Chris Powell is ChesterÕ s baseball coach and is an assistant football coach. He assured him that missing workouts for that kind of opportunity would be acceptable. His father told him he didnÕ t need to worry about any of the details, he just needed to go. Ò It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,Ó Quin said. So, for the first time in his young life, Worthy boarded a plane bound for West Palm Beach. HeÕ d play in facilities where the Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros practice and play during spring training. That in itself is an experience the vast majority of players WorthyÕ s age will never live out. Ò It was crazy,Ó Worthy said. There wasnÕ t much time to familiarize himself with his surroundings or much of anything else. His first day on the ground in Florida would be a start on the mound against the number two ranked team in the country. Late call-up or not, Worthy went on the field expecting to be dominant and he was. Ò I was striking everybody out,Ó he said. After his shutout performance, he was expecting to get a letter inform-

considered for the team. He didnÕ t get a letter. He admitted to being frustrating and wondering what more he could have done to impress the scouts. He was told heÕ d have another opportunity to pitch the next day, but for one reason or another, that fell through. Ò They didnÕ t put me in. Honestly, I was mad. The next day, I didnÕ t even want to pitch,Ó Worthy said. He did end up on the mound again during day three. Worthy is a very focused player, but he did make note of the fact that scouts had radar guns on him and were taking notes, but he also noticed that they left in the middle of his outing. He had another excellent performance going on the mound...was he still not impressing them? Ò They came back,Ó Powell said. Ò They want to see you at the beginning of a game and see you at the end, to see how you finish.Ó What those scouts found when they returned was that Worthy was throwing even harder than he was early on. Worthy, who wasnÕ t even supposed to be playing in the tournament and was only called down when someone else wasnÕ t able to make it, was clocked at 84 miles per hour. After the game he got the letter he was waiting on. That still didnÕ t mean he was selected for the NTDP, only that he was a candidate. He wouldnÕ t find that out for a week. As it turns out, if heÕ d checked his email the next Sunday, he would have gotten the message that heÕ d been selected. Instead, Powell saw the official press release the next day while Worthy was working out in the Chester High weight room. He walked in and told Worthy he needed to talk to him. Ò I thought I was in trouble or something. I wondered what IÕ d done,Ó Worthy said.

Worthy, as an eighthgrader last year, to at least start on JV and perhaps contribute on the Chester High varsity team. Those plans were pretty much scuttled during a very early season practice when Worthy was sliding into second base. Ò His thumb caught the outside of the bag,Ó Powell said. Worthy said his thumb hurt, but he didnÕ t leave practice. Players want to play, of course and he thought his thumb was just bruised. He actually practiced hurt for a week and played in his next scheduled game, but Powell could tell something didnÕ t look right with WorthyÕ s swing. After an at-bat, he came to the dugout and

Lewisville High standout (and current Lions assistant coach) Logan Pemberton. Ò IÕ ve known Logan for a while. I told him I wanted to come work out with him. He said Ô you are fixing to get worked to death,Õ Ó Worthy laughed. Other recent standouts from the area have either given him advice or worked with him including Jake Wright, Josh Alley and Austin Kerr. Worthy has found special inspiration in the story of 2015 Chester graduate Trent Autry. Autry has been candid in talking to young players about how his behavior and work ethic early in his prep career probably cost him a chance to get drafted straight out of high school. His hard

told Powell his thumb still hurt and was bothering him. An X-ray would later show that his thumb was broken. That cost him most of the season and the effects actually lingered into travel baseball. Ò Before he got hurt, he was probably hitting .600 on the weekends. After that, though, his timing just wasnÕ t there for a while,Ó Quin said. Obviously, he has since recovered. He isnÕ t just better in terms of his health, though. Worthy is not content to coast on his obvious physical talent. He said he has definitely seen the benefits of the weight room and of his two hitting sessions and two bullpen sessions a day. He talks to other coaches and players and

work the past few years made him the staff ace at Florence Darlington Tech this past season, though, and he ended up a 17th round selection of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ò Trent Autry really motivated me. ItÕ s amazing to see somebody from Chester thatÕ s done it,Ó Worthy said. On June 24, Worthy will head to Cary, North Carolina and is guaranteed to spend at least five days working with college coaches at the USA Baseball Complex. Ò TheyÕ ve told him to pack light, that theyÕ ll

take much more than socks and underwear,Ó Quin said. ItÕ s possible he could return home after that, or he could be chosen to stick around as part of phase two, in which case he could be in Cary for another week. If he makes it through that, he will join the 15U national team on a trip to Colombia, South America where he will play in the COPABE Pan Am Ò AAÓ Championships. With Quin having served in the military, Worthy said it would be a tremendous honor for him to be able to represent his country. He also wants to represent his hometown. Ò Whatever I do, I know it reflects on people back home. ItÕ s not just about me,Ó Worthy said. Powell said it would be hard to imagine a better representative for the Cyclones program and Chester County as a whole. Ò I canÕ t think of a better kid. He is a humble, hard-working kid,Ó Powell said. Quin is obviously proud, but said he wants to be as inconspicuous in the process as he possibly can. He said if heÕ s watching his son play during this process, heÕ ll do so from a spot where he wonÕ t be seen and heard. He wants Worthy to concentrate on the game, not on the fact that his father is in the stands, though he doesnÕ t really think that will be a problem. Ò HeÕ s always been hungry,Ó Quin said. Worthy will have a lot waiting on him when he returns home, whenever that may be. HeÕ s ticketed to play quarterback or wide receiver, likely on the JV football team, and then heÕ ll prep for the high school baseball season. Powell said heÕ ll be part of a young pitching staff and has the athleticism to contribute in the outfield as a freshman. He hopes not to be returning home anytime soon, though. He hopes, for the second time in his life, to be riding in an airplane in a few weeks. He wonÕ t be

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That make a difference The Greer Citizen August 9,

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2017 2015

May 24-26, 2017

Boom times! The sound of hammers fills the air in Horry County signaling a remarkable turnaround in the housing industry. Thousands of new homes have been built over the past year. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Progress Edition examines the Housing Boom!

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Next stop: PHOENIX! courtesy of the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Sindarius Thornwell thunders down the court earlier this year. Thornwell has been the key player in the Gamecocks’ run for the NCAA title. The team will face the Gonzaga Bulldogs in Phoenix Saturday.

‘Never in my wildest dreams,’ says fan going to Final Four Robert Howey

S Venus Williams

Madison Keys

Caroline Wozniacki

Elena Vesnina

DI residents explore air quality

17 LORI SISTARE/lsistare@thelancasternews.com

Even Clemson fans are on board

A sign at a Crenco station, owned by diehard Clemson fan Hal Crenshaw, jumps on the Gamecock bandwagon.

KiKi Bertens

Sam Stosur

Anastasija Sevastova

Daria Gavrilova

Will one of these top VCO seeds take home the championship prize? Or will another player claim the title? Read all about this week’s tournament happenings in our VCO special section on pages 19-38.

High school sports update

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◆ Looking back at the basketball career of Sindarius Thornwell, 1B ◆ Hoop-erstitions: I can’t watch! That would jinx the team, 1B ◆ A preview of Saturday’s Final Four matchup against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, 2B ◆ USC welcomes home regional champs, 4B

‘Potential finalists’ spend Duck whodunit: Deputies 6 hours with school board probe death most fowl hstrong@thelancasternews.com

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indarius Thornwell will have his share of Lancaster supporters in Phoenix this weekend for the Gamecocks’ first-ever Final Four appearance at University of Phoenix Stadium. Brian Threatt flies out tonight with his wife, Candy, son Joseph and family friend Russell Dipple. “You hope the Gamecocks are starting something which will be a standard for the basketball program, but at the same time we know this is their first Final Four and this is never guaranteed,” said Brian Threatt, a member of USC’s athletic booster organization, the Gamecock Club. “I feel good about their chances. I know it will be tough, but I feel we have a shot…. “We have beat some outstanding teams to get here, and we’ve played well on the big stage,” Threatt said. “This postseason run has been amazing, and never in my wildest dreams did I figure the Gamecocks would make it this far. I said after the Duke win, we were playing with house money.” Threatt noted the keys to the game. “We have to stick with the formula we’ve used to get here,” he said. “We had a football coach one time in Joe Morrison and he often said, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ We need to keep hitting our shots and playing tough defense.” Threatt said the Gamecocks’ run ranks high with See FINAL FOUR I Page 3A

During a nearly six-hour meeting Wednesday, mainly spent in executive session, the Lancaster County school board interviewed three “potential finalists” for the next superintendent. The board met with the three candidates, who were chosen from the nearly 20 applicants, Wednesday afternoon and into the evening. “We had some good interviews,” said Bobby Parker, chairman of the board. “I think we are well on our way to our final three.” The Lancaster County School District conducted a community survey in February asking district staff and the community to describe the ideal superintendent. Parker said all three candidates matched the community’s responses to the survey.

165th year, No. 39 Two sections, 18 pages

Parker said the candidates listened well, had leadership potential and were all well-versed in the field. “I was impressed with all of them,” Parker said. The district plans to announce the names of three finalists after receiving candidates’ background checks and confirming candidates are still interested in the position after Wednesday’s interviews, said David Knight, LCSD public information director. The board began the search with nearly 20 applicants, which is about average for LCSD superintendent searches. The current superintendent, Dr. Gene Moore, will retire in July. He has been superintendent here for 12 years. Follow reporter Hannah Strong on Twitter @HannahLStrong or contact her at (803) 416-8416.

High: 77 Low: 51

Church News ................. 8A Classifieds ...................11A Coming Events .............. 9A

her ducks was dead and he believed it had been attacked by one of her chickens. The woman told deputies she went to the coop and saw the deceased with an injury to the top of his feathered head “that was not consistent with an attack by another animal.” She said said she believed her boyfriend had shot it in the head with a BB, and though she hadn’t seen him with the BB gun, she knew he had one. And a knife. Deputies met the boyfriend in the backyard, and since he was said to have a gun and a knife in his possession, they took him into investigative detention. He was handcuffed and patted down for weapons. The boyfriend said he didn’t do it.

Deaths, 4A

Index

Today’s Weather Cloudy with an 80 percent chance of morning thunderstorms Overnight: Clear with light winds

Reece Murphy rmurphy@thelancasternews.com

Lancaster County sheriff’s deputies investigated the slaying of a duck last week, but could not determine if the owner’s estranged boyfriend killed the fowl, or if the chicken did it. According to the March 22 incident report, the duck’s owner summoned authorities to her home on Kayla Lane in the North Corner community, where she said her boyfriend was killing her animals. Deputies arrived about 4:30 p.m. to find an “extremely agitated crowed” that included the complainant, who’d been staying with her sister a few doors down after leaving her estranged boyfriend. The woman said he’d walked to her sister’s home earlier to tell her one of

Entertainment ..........11A Opinion ........................7A Sports ............................5A

Edward Adams Robert Bell Walter Blakeney Michael Deese

See FOWL I Page 2A

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SECOND PLACE Staff The Lancaster News The Lancaster News

Wednesday November 8, 2017

Robin Ghent

Veterans Day: Getting back to the basics

Playing with sand

hen preparing to write this article, I found myself looking back at old newspaper clippings to draw inspiration. What I ended up finding was an eye-opening experience. Today more than ever, Americans need to return to the basic habits of love of country, love of their heritage and love of service to others. Veterans Day began as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1918. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The Great War ended and our veterans came home and were honored as heroes. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, that single act united this nation in a wave of national patriotism and pride. With patriotism so strong we were able to win against overwhelming odds. On Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists invaded our country and senselessly killed so many Americans, the country again came together as one to stand and fight for justice. As Americans and freedomloving people, we are all citizens under one flag. We stand and we place our hands over our hearts and we pledge our allegiance as “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” So on Nov. 11, 2017, let us as Americans, as South Carolinians, as Lancaster County residents once again get back to the basics of loving one another, loving our country, loving our state, loving the county we live in, loving each other and never forgetting the men and women who fought to get us where we are today. I hope everyone will come out and celebrate Veterans Day with us in downtown Lancaster on Main Street on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Let us show our support for our veterans in the annual Veterans Day Parade. Robin Ghent is the Veterans Affairs officer for Lancaster County.

Pawleys Island: After two major storms in two years, attention turns toward engineering the beach. PAGE 2

Sun

Staying safe in the surf: Awareness offers the best defense against rip currents. PAGE 6

Turning to the dark side: On Aug. 21, it’s lights out at 2:47 p.m. with the solar eclipse. PAGE 22

Nature

Fashion

Circle of life: Nesting season gives people rare chances to see loggerhead sea turtles. PAGE 10

Generations of style: From mother to daughters to granddaughters, this family looks good. PAGE 30

Pawleys

Fish

Born on the fourth: From a ‘rag tag’ band the island’s parade grew into a tradition. PAGE 16

A night out on North Inlet: Flounder is the quarry, but giggers also seek solitude. PAGE 38

Veterans Affairs

The Coastal Observer guide to the season on Waccamaw Neck

Water

Honoring Veterans

Veterans won’t be forgotten Nov. 11 Programs, parade and ball honor vets Kayla Vaughn

About this issue: For our annual Beaches edition, the Coastal Observer staff assembles a selection of its reporting on subjects of interest to beach-goers. That includes information about ongoing activities and places to visit, along with some of the background about the area known as the Waccamaw Neck. There’s much more to do than will fit between the pages of a special section. Nothing can take the place of seeing it firsthand and getting some sand in your shoes. You can keep up with the local news and events with the weekly edition of the Coastal Observer and through our website, coastalobserver.com. You can also find updates on our Facebook page.

MANDY CATOE/For The Lancaster News

From left, Gary Adams, David Demby, Janie Demby and D.J. Demby have a combined 64 years of service in the U.S. armed forces. D.J. will ship out for Okinawa, Japan, later this month.

4 vets, 3 generations, 64 years of service Ð and still counting Mandy Catoe For The Lancaster News

photo above supplied; photo at left by MANDY CATOE/For The Lancaster News

At left, Gary Adams sits below a photo of the Vietnam Veterans memorial as he shares stories with his daughter’s family. Above, Adams, left, takes the oath of service in 1955 at age 17. Below, Adams sits at his desk in the Navy recruitment office in Georgia.

Lancaster “battle buddies” serving in South Korea David Kellin

kvaughn@thelancasternews.com

For The Lancaster News

Army Privates Cory Whitley and Khalil Evans of Lancaster have arrived at their new post in South Korea and will be stationed there for 18 months as motor transport operators. The Korean peninsula is one of the world’s military hot spots, with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un testing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles and threatening South Korea, Japan and even the United States. President Trump has warned Kim that attacking America or its allies will result in overwhelming retaliation. Whitley and Evans couldn’t discuss operational details in an interview just days before their deployment, but they said they were excited to go. Their job is to transport supplies, ammunition and explosives to the front lines or to other bases. “It is good to experience, see the world and meet other people,” said Evans. “I never thought I would be in See BUDDIES I Page 7B

During the 1 p.m. program in Buford, the color guard of Buford High School JROTC will present the service flag of each branch of the armed forces. Lisa Douglas will sing the national Anthem and Pastor Candice Sloan of Hopewell United Methodist Church will give the invocation. Retired U.S. Air Force Veteran John J. Kelly Jr. will speak, the honor guard of VFW Post 12139 of Indian Land will fire the rifle See EVENTS I Page 9B

See FAMILY I Page 2B

Three generations ◆ Gary Adams, senior chief petty officer, 31 years in the Navy. ◆ David Demby, command sergeant, Army Reserve for 21 years plus three years active duty. ◆ Janie Demby, petty officer second class, hospital corpsman, Navy Reserve for eight years. ◆ D.J. Demby, lance corporal, one year in the Marines.

Lancaster County Veterans Day ceremonies and celebrations will kick off with a Nov. 10 program at the Buford Battlefield, 262 Rocky River Road, Lancaster, and end with the Veterans Day parade and ball Nov. 11.

Program at Buford Battlefield

Gary Adams had just celebrated his 17th birthday in 1955. He was finally old enough to join the Navy if his father would consent. He remembers plowing a field behind a mule and dreaming of faraway lands and a better life. “All I knew is I wanted to be in the military,” Adams said. “I wanted to serve my country, and I wanted to travel. And I knew I couldn’t do nothing there on that farm.” After a brief conversation with a Navy recruiter standing in the field, his father, a sharecropper, made his mark on the parental consent form, and Adams began a 31-year career in the Navy. Adams was visiting his daughter’s family in Buford on a Sunday afternoon last month. He began telling stories. Three generations of his family, which included three military service members, gathered round to listen. “I wasn’t going to sit in Ruby, South Carolina, and live there my whole life,” he said.

DAVID KELLIN/For The Lancaster News

Army Pvts. Kahlil Evans, left, and Cory Whitley, both of Lancaster, drive transport trucks like this one in South Korea.

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AS THE COURIER WENT TO PRESS, SOUTH

Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were poised to provide assistance to victims of Hurricane Irma — at home, in Florida and in other parts of the Southeast. Florida absorbed the brunt of Irma, although coastal areas of South Carolina saw near-record storm surges, and tropical storm-force winds downed trees across the state, knocking out electrical power to tens of thousands of residents. Shower and laundry units were deployed by SCBDR to Ridgeland (to serve first responders), Columbia (at a shelter ministering to evacuees from Florida as well as the South Carolina coast) and Anderson (to serve electricians repairing downed power lines). Duke Energy brought in 1,000 additional repair crews to Anderson to restore power across the Upstate. SCBDR chainsaw teams were standing by to travel to the Upstate if needed. On the coast, Charleston recorded a tidal surge of almost 10 feet, the highest since Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Beaufort and Hilton Head Island also saw near-record storm surges and heavy rainfall. Still, South Carolina avoided the worst of Irma. In Florida, thousands of people were displaced, and millions were without power. The multi-billion dollar recovery and rebuilding effort will span months, if not years, according to news reports. At press time, South Carolina Baptists had already begun the process of mobilizing to assist the people of Florida. Chainsaw teams, feeding units and mobile shower facilities were standing by, awaiting instructions from Florida Baptist disaster relief officials. “We can leave [tomorrow] to go to Florida if we need to,” said Sue Harmon, operations manager for South Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief. “We don’t self-deploy to a state. We always work through that state’s disaster relief network to be assigned where they need us.” Harmon said the immediate need in Florida will be for feeding teams and shower/laundry units to serve first responders and disaster relief workers. The devastation wrought by Irma comes on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, which, over a period of days, dumped unprecedented amounts of rain on southeast Texas and portions of Louisiana. The scale of human suffering in the area was still coming to light even as floodwaters were slowly receding. Harmon said state Baptist conventions west of the Mississippi River will concentrate disaster relief efforts in Texas, while disaster relief organizations east of the Mississippi will concentrate on Florida. South Carolina Baptists who want to help should

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Report outlines infrastructure priorities amid growth By Liz Segrist

Lifting the Battery Coast Guard crewmen try to locate people in distress in a flooded neighborhood near Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 11. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

consider donating money or gift cards, and should not collect items to ship like clothing or bottled water, Harmon said. “Texas has said they just don’t have places to put it,” Harmon said. “Unless a church or association has a direct contact with someone [in the disaster area] and knows exactly what it is they need … it diverts attention away from helping survivors if people have to be receiving goods and sorting them and figuring out where to put them.” People can donate money at the South Carolina Baptist Convention website at https://secure-q.net/Donations/ SCBCDonations/2969. Also, checks can be mailed to SCBC Disaster Relief, 190 Stoneridge Dr., Columbia, S.C., 29210. Monetary gifts may be designated for either Harvey or Irma relief. Harmon said another way for individuals or churches to help would be to purchase gift cards — general-use gift cards like MasterCard, Visa or Walmart — which the convention staff will send to Texas or Florida Baptist missions organizations for distribution to needy families. “If you donate a box of clothes, those people might not need clothes,” she said. “A gift card would allow them to choose how their need is met.” “A huge aspect of our ministry, of course, is prayer,” Harmon said. She encouraged South Carolina Baptists to pray for the “people who are suffering,” for the disaster relief teams that are preparing to deploy, and the leaders that are making decisions about where to start working. “We should also pray that the spiritual needs [of victims] will be met,” Harmon said. “It’s easy to cut a tree off a roof, but sometimes it’s harder for a person to recover emotionally and spiritually, and we want to focus on that, too.”

www.baptistcourier.com • 5

City wants input on plans for renovation at Low Battery, White Point Garden. Page 13

Commercial surge on Spruill Avenue New construction, building renovations ongoing along North Charleston corridor. Page 14

lsegrist@scbiznews.com

ours lost to commuting on congested roadways, sitting on roads blocked by trains and navigating streets flooded from rain and high tides are all part of a typical drive for many Lowcountry residents. The region’s population grows daily with

AGE-OLD PROBLEM

Rising tide of cargo S.C. State Ports Authority saw a 10% increase in container volume for the fiscal year. Page 6

INSIDE

Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 Best Advice .......................... 4 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering and Construction ...................... 13 List: Heating and Air Contractors ........................29 Bonus List: Commerical Moving and Storage Companies........................ 30 At Work .............................. 31 Peer to Peer ........................34 Hot Properties .................... 36 Viewpoint ...........................37 Day in the Life .................... 38

industry continuing to add jobs, families moving into residential housing, and tourists flocking to Charleston’s downtown and the area’s beaches. While the Lowcountry’s economic successes rise, its infrastructure woes worsen, said Bryan Derreberry, president and CEO of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. Business leaders consistently rank inadequate transportation options and highway

In a city known for its history and architecture, aging buildings require businesses to invest more time and money into keeping them safe. Page 8

Photo/Patrick Hoff

capacity as top concerns, along with affordable housing and the search for skilled workers. Derreberry said the Lowcountry’s growth will only accelerate, requiring “wise investment choices” in the region’s transportation network. “All these things are important for the ability of our community to continue to scale to See INFRASTRUCTURE, Page 9

Uncertainty lingers for hospitals after health care debate By Patrick Hoff

phoff@scbiznews.com

he months of debate and uncertainty over whether Republicans would be able to repeal the Affordable Care Act seem to be over, but hospitals and doctors are still concerned about what comes next from Washington regarding health care. Schipp Ames, executive director of communications and marketing for the S.C. Hospital Association, said the intensity at S.C. hospitals has lessened a bit since the health care bill failed, but he said seeing it as a relief was “painting it a little too positively.” “It’s been such a resilient bill, and we think that the (Trump) administration and Congress are so dedicated to this issue that we think it’s something that we are going to be continuing to work on and definitely something that we’ll be continuing to watch very closely,” Ames said. Dr. Todd Shuman, chief physician officer at Roper St. Francis, said that although the debate has settled in Washington for now, there’s still a lot of uncertainty in health care, especially around cost. “We have the same two pressures upon us,” he said. “We have a downward pressure in See HEALTH CARE, Page 7

CHARLESTON UNDER CONSTRUCTION Who is building what in the Charleston area? Projects, companies, prices, projected timelines, photos and stories.

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Charles Swenson COASObserver TAL OBSERVER Coastal Vol. XXXVI No. 9

Pawleys Island, South Carolina ~ August 17, 2017

50 cents

BEACHES

Lack of public access will cost town $2M in PRT grant request BY CHARLES SWENSON COASTAL OBSERVER

Tanya Ackerman/Coastal Observer

Rachel Lankford slips a rope around the neck of an alligator in the surf at Pawleys Island. The gator emerged from freshwater ponds into Pawleys Creek. The capture drew a large crowd.

Catch of the day: Gator BY CHARLES SWENSON COASTAL OBSERVER

Even with its jaws open and tail thrashing, the gator was no match for the 49-year-old mother of four. This wasn’t Rachel Lankford’s first trip to the rodeo – or the beach. The alligator first appeared in the surf off the south end of Pawleys Island last Thursday. It came ashore in the evening, but immediately drew a crowd, as gators do when they are out of their natural element. Though they live in the freshwater ponds on the Pawleys mainland, they aren’t saltwater creatures. Had the gator crawled across the island’s narrow south end to Pawleys Creek, it’s likely that it would have made its way back to its normal habitat. “We gave him overnight to naturally return to his habitat, and he didn’t,” said Lankford, co-owner of Carolina SEE “GATOR,” PAGE 2

The lack of public access in the middle of Pawleys Island will cost the town over $2 million in state funds for a proposed beach nourishment project. The decision by the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism to reduce a $6.2 million grant request left town oﬃcials puzzled. The town applied in March for a portion of the $30 million

approved by the legislature in 2016 to help repair beaches after Hurricane Joaquin in 2015. The town was already at work on a beach nourishment plan when Hurricane Matthew caused additional erosion last October. The town planned to pump 1.1 million cubic yards of oﬀshore sand onto 2.7 miles of beach at a cost of $13.3 million. At a meeting with the PRT director Duane Parrish last week, SEE “BEACH,” PAGE 3

TOTAL ECLIPSE

Alignment is predictable, but not the crowd size BY CHARLES SWENSON AND NIKKI BEST COASTAL OBSERVER

The only certainty will come with the movement of Earth and Moon. Beyond that “We don’t really know what to expect,” Pawleys Island Police Chief Mike Fanning said. “I’d be willing to bet this is

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer

Lankford’s work provides a photo opportunity.

going to be Fourth of July plus,” Mayor Bill Otis said. Although the eclipse will be visible, weather permitting, from around the area, he anticipates a large number of people will want to see it from the island. “It’s always better at the beach,” Otis said. Pawleys Island as at the northern limit of the totality, a SEE “ECLIPSE,” PAGE 9

Vol.117, No. 33 • 20 Pages

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

By Vic MacDonald

will be visible in Clinton, Laurens and Lake Greenwood. Partial solar eclipse will be visible in many parts of South Carolina; there are no eclipse points in Atlanta or Charlotte. Districts 56 and 55 have made special arrangements for car transporting and bus pick-up so students can watch the eclipse at their schools (with permission forms). Special glasses will be provided. Pontiac club members plan to stay over in Laurens to watch Monday’s eclipse. Local campgrounds reportedly have been booked solid for several months, and at least one will show a Transformers movie during eclipse weekend for its guests. The Laurens Library will have a viewing. In uptown Clinton, the Total Eclipse on the Rails event will be this Monday, from 1 to 5 p.m. Free to the public, this will include interactive games, music, refreshments and glasses courtesy

Avoiding the projected 600,000 visitors to Columbia and 2 million visitors to the Charleston area for Monday’s total solar eclipse, Laurens County will see the sun totally blacked out with much less congestion but with several family events nonetheless. On Sunday, Pontiac car enthusiasts from all over will be on the public square in Laurens from 2 to 4 p.m. for the Dark Side of the Moon Cruise-In. The public is invited to see the cars and talk to the Pontiac club members. A projection display will show everyone what a total solar eclipse will look like; the sun will be eclipsed for about 2 and 1/2 minutes on Monday, Aug. 21, in Laurens County. The path of totality will be at the town limits of Waterloo and Cross Hill, and the total solar eclipse

Crime................................. 9 Opinion ........................... 10 Crossword ........................14 What’s On .........................15 Classifieds ........................16 Sports ...............................21 Online coastalobserver.com

Tanya Ackerman/Coastal Observer

Lankford looks for a volunteer from the crowd to help hold the rope.

UTILITIES

Santee Cooper will replace

By Vic MacDonald Editor The council chairman told the sheriff to escort the council member out. The sheriff told the chairman to listen, instead of talk. Sheriff Don Reynolds told Laurens County Council Chairman Joe Wood last Tuesday, “What are we going to get by running each other down. What are we going to get out of that. Yes, she’s throwing rocks at y’all. Let’s just finish the meeting and move on.” The “she” Reynolds was referring to was Clinton resident Brenda Stewart, who read from a 5page statement in support of efforts to find the county savings in its telecommunications spending. In a previous letter to the editor, Stewart said in business, she had used consultants to find savings

in unused telephones lines for which her companies were still being billed. Wood told her, “You say that you’ve used companies like SpyGlass many times in the past, it seems like you need to take care of your own problems instead of proposing to straighten out ours.” That was the last straw for council member Stewart Jones, who in addition to being seated on council was video-taping the meeting. “I’m not paying taxes to you,” Jones told Wood. He said the chairman was out of line criticizing people trying to assist with doing “the public’s business.” Wood called three times for Reynolds to escort Jones from the council chambers because of Jones’ outburst. “You need to go, too,” people cat-called from the audience to Wood. Wood was trying to defend county employees

Walk-out, 2A

Town requires golf cart permits starting in 2018

LAND USE

Workshop makes residents part of the solution

be eclipsed for the last tim On-line articles have ou things that will happen du One says before the ec shadow bands will form on The wavy lines of light an lel rows, will undulate and ground. Some experts say possible to photograph. Also, during the partial before and after the eclips like a crescent moon — th will appear saturated and c ows cast through leafy tree shadows, will appear to crescent-shaped shadows b leaves act like pinhole cam During the total eclipse

Eclipse, 2A

Council meeting becomes a shouting match, with walk-out by member, others

Awarded for being a tree city. Clinton Interim City Manager Dale Satte on behalf of the city and Clinton Canopy one of three separate awards Forest Management Chief, South Carolina Forestry Commission. Pr awards were for Tree City, USA, Tree Line and Tree Campus on Presby pus. Clinton was the only community in the state to win three awards. Photo by Wally Gillian

Pool water transaction follows p

BY CHARLES SWENSON

Elections: Pawleys Island voters will go back to the polls for the ﬁrst time in 12 years. • Murrells Inlet resident plans run for County Council. PAGE 7

of Family Eye Care Center. Totality viewing will be at 2:40 p.m. in uptown Clinton. Eye experts caution, do not look at the sun without eye protection while the eclipse is in progress. During totality, take the glasses off, as it will be too dark to see anything with the glasses on. As totality wanes, put the glasses back on. Camp Fellowship near Cross Hill also is planning a viewing, and an on-boats viewing is scheduled for Lake Greenwood. Totality viewing at Presbyterian College will be at the Neville Fountain. A special eclipse program will be offered in the Neville lecture hall. NASA will have specially equipped airplanes following the eclipse in its path across the U.S., from Oregon to South Carolina. Television networks plan full coverage of the eclipsed sun passing over the United States. At a state park near McClellanville, north of Charleston, the sun will

Vic MacDonald The Clinton Chronicle Editor

PAWLEYS ISLAND

Golf carts will need to be registered to operate on Pawleys Island next year. Town Council this week gave ﬁnal approval to a permit plan initiated last summer. The increase in traﬃc prompted the move, Town Administrator Ryan Fabbri said. It is still unclear how the rule will be enforced. The ordinance allows police to ticket or impound a golf cart parked on public property without a valid permit. That would fall under the town’s parking ordinance, Fabbri said. “It may put you sideways with how I interpret state law,” Town Attorney David DuRant said. That law doesn’t allow local government to impose additional restrictions of golf carts. It also doesn’t include any penalties for violations of the state law, an omission that frustrates law enforcement. “When you start saying we’re going to give tickets out, you start running into some issues,” DuRant said. SEE “PAWLEYS,” PAGE 4

Clinton,

Sun will be totally eclipsed in Clinton this Mo

By Vic MacDonald

COASTAL OBSERVER

E Day: The Great American Eclipse is here. What to expect. SECOND FRONT

www.MyClintonNews.com

Editor

Walking out on the Laurens County Council. Thinking that last Tuesday’s meeting was over, based on a motion to go into closed session, people walked out of the Laurens County Council meeting after an explosive exchange between Council Chairman Joe Wood, council member Stewart Jones and Clinton resident Brenda Stewart. Sheriff Don Reynolds was called on three times by Wood to remove Jones from the council chambers, but Reynolds declined. “We’re all professionals,” Reynolds said. “Let’s just finish the meeting and move on.” Photo by Vic MacDonald

See city statement at MyClintonNews.com Anyone can have the City of Clinton fill their swimming pool with water, a city statement says. A Clinton couple who are employees of the city did not receive special treatment after a Memorial Day weekend filling of their pool from a fire hydrant. A fire hose from another department was used, but the city statement says it is proper for city equipment to be used in these cases, similar to installing security lights. Another city resident had a swimming pool filled with city water in this way about the same time as the transaction in question. There was no intent “to cheat, wrong, or defraud the city out of the value of the water nor use

their positions with the ci gain nor was there any c city administration,” the s The pool water filing c invoice was paid within procedure it follows wh swimming pool to be fille and in this case, which h the Clinton City Council, lowed to the letter. The matter is closed, t Customers who have pools are not charged fo ment says, in part: “There is a procedu arrangements are made w voice the customer or mak

Pool water, 3A

SCRAP is taking state lawmaker’s advice, had a court date on

BREAKING NEWS REPORTING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

A8: Wednesday, September 20, 2017

The Summerville Journal Scene

DNR investigating alleged opossum beating in area BY JENNA-LEY HARRISON jharrison@journalscene.com The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is investigating an alleged incident in which multiple teens were seen using a baseball bat to beat an opossum. According to agency spokesman David Lucas, the incident occurred over the weekend in the Summerville area, and Berkeley County DNR officers are looking into it. He said his agency received a tip on its Operation Game Thief hotline. Agency officials also received still shots from a Snapchat video allegedly showing the individuals beating the animal inside a garage, Lucas said. The video and pictures have been shared across social media. One witness to the video, Cierra Alexis Black, stated on

her Facebook page on Saturday that she “woke up to the most disgusting thing on Snapchat.” She said in her post that the footage showed the individuals throwing the opossum up in the air for others to swing at like a baseball. “Once they’ve already hit this poor animal a few times you hear them say, ‘He has a broken leg,’ but yet they still abuse this animal over and over again!” Black states in her post. “I found this very disturbing and ... very inhumane.” Lucas said he didn’t know if the opposum survived and had no additional details in the case but did say animal cruelty is a misdemeanor offense that isn’t usually handled by DNR. He wasn’t immediately certain if DNR or another agency would need to bring such a charge against individuals in the case, should an investigation result in any arrests.

The alleged incident also has local opposum rehabilitator T. DePottie upset. She said she and other similar caretakers who raise the baby animals see an influx of them in the area from February to August and sometimes into the fall season. DePottie said she fears for their lives. “We get in dozens and dozens of calls each baby season ... of mom opposums who were hit by cars, and all that’s left are pouches full of opposum babies,” she said. “Our ultimate fear in life is not a car; it’s that our babies end up in the hands of humans, humans like the ones in the video.” DePottie called Black a hero for posting still shots of the alleged video to social media and that the issue is not a comedic one. “Most young adults find this kind of thing entertaining or funny and just move on with

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This image from a Snapchat still shot was posted on Facebook on Saturday and shows a person holding an opossum allegedly beaten and tortured inside a local garage. DNR said it’s investigating the incident. their day,” DePottie said. She said that overall opposums are more beneficial to people than pesky. “Their body temp is too low to even harbor rabies, and they clean up our nation of Lyme

disease by eating all the ticks that carry it,” DePottie said. The wild marsupial also eats venomous snakes “that would otherwise kill a curious child or jogger in the woods,” according to DePottie.

Since the alleged incident, the wildlife caretaker said she and others in her line of work have received threats for speaking out against such animal cruelty. According to DePottie, a person connected to the people in the video has been contacting DePottie and others, trying to silence them. “Telling us to stop, to leave it alone,” she said. “Telling even me, in private, to watch out, to be on the lookout for her and someone else. ... She thinks we will go away if she is scary. We won’t; we have seen abuse before, and we won’t stop until these people are in a court of law facing up to what they did.” Meanwhile, Barnyard Feed & Supply in Ridgeville sent a statement to the Journal Scene stating that one of the people involved with the video is not employed there. Some outraged locals had connected the business to that person, but the business said that person is related only by marriage and that it shares the community’s anger over the incident.

Inaugural Tech Talk set for Charleston SC Logistics, an industry cluster supported by the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, will host the inaugural Tech Talk event in Charleston on Nov. 1 at the Charleston Music Hall. Tech Talk is an event designed to connect thought leaders and decision makers from transportation distribution and logistics companies. According to the S.C. Council on Competitiveness, South Carolina’s logistics sector employs more than 113,000 people

and contributes approximately $32 billion to the state’s economy. The agenda for Tech Talk includes speakers from AT&T, Boeing, CRDA, Department of Transportation, Michelin, NACFE, NYSHEX, S.C. Ports Authority, Uber Freight and Volvo Cars. Another one of the speakers will be from Transplace, one of South Carolina’s own logistics tech start-up successes. “Focusing on new business models and trends that are

changing and shaping the future of logistics is key to ensuring the success of our State in the future... We are fortunate to have a robust logistics industry in South Carolina and I am very excited to be able to bring so many leaders from the logistics industry to South Carolina for one event,” said Suzanne Dickerson, Director of SC Logistics Industry Initiative. Those interested in attending the event can register at https:// sclogisticstechtalk.eventbrite. com.

FIRST PLACE

Jenna-Ley Harrison The Summerville Journal Scene

ENTERPRISE REPORTING

Berkeley hopes for fourth consecutive win Friday against Timberland. See Page B1

WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

Wednesday, September 20, 2017 www.berkeleyind.com 50¢

THIRD PLACE ®

INDEX: Calendar A2  Classifieds B5  Crime A4  Deaths A7  Faith A6  Features B4  Opinion A9  Sports B1

Matt Bise The Berkeley Independent Parks weather Irma with little damage

BY MATT BISE mbise@berkeleyind.com

The storm has passed, the damage has been assessed and the local parks are open for business. What’s more, Irma’s path didn’t knock Cypress Gardens off course for its summer 2018 reopening. Wannamaker Park off of University Boulevard is now open with no problems. “The nature trails and paved trails are open, everything is open,” said Edmonds Brown, park manager. But there is another 600 acres of Wannamaker that will remain closed a little longer. The Wannamaker North Trail off of Westview Boulevard in Goose Creek, is still pretty soggy. “We had a tremendous amount of rain before this and the storm just put a cap on it,” Brown said.

‘We feel our ancestors were heroes’ Sons of Confederate Veterans commander speaks of growing up

The 14 miles of bike and nature trails are separate from the main park by a reservoir and were closed ahead of Irma because of all the recent rain, now it will be a week or more to make sure everything is OK to use. “The overall 14 miles is not totally flooded,” he said. “There are just some small portions.” Brown said debris on the trails that is not the concern, it is just too wet and soft to ride. “We haven’t reopened as of yet. We will have to evaluate,” he said. “Within the week we can look to open it, we want to open as quickly as possible.” Up 52 from Wannamaker is Cypress Gardens which has been closed since the floods of 2015. A massive effort has been under way to get it back into shape. “We had some trees down, other than that we did pretty good, we prepared very well — as much as we could,” said Heather McDowell, di-

rector at Cypress Gardens. She and others have been working since 2015 to get the park back to what it was before the flooding. It has been a long road and every time there is an approaching weather event, officials watch closely. “We do not want another 1,000-year storm,” McDowell said. “We are so ready to get open and have the kids back out there and everything, we get very scared whenever there is a storm.” While there still is concern that another storm could come and set Cypress Gardens back once again McDowell said she remains hopeful the worst is behind them. “Each storm is different so we can only do what we can, we prepare as best we can with the sandbags and the boarding up the windows, that’s Please see IRMA, Page A10

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

SECOND PLACE Michaele Duke The News, Kingstree

High water from Hurricane Irma floods the boardwalk at Old Santee Canal Park on Sept. 12. After some cleanup, the park reopened to visitors the next day.

Love is in the air

BY RICKEY CIAPHA DENNIS JR. rdennis@berkeleyind.com Perry Smith has always been proud of his heritage. At 8 years old, he and his childhood buddies spent their days playing outside in what Smith described as a poorer neighborhood in North Charleston. They lived next to an older retired couple. One day, Smith and his friends dug holes in the neighborhood park. The couple, sick of the boys’ playful antics, ca l led t he cops. Smith and his crew wouldn’t stand for it. “My friend, he gets his Confederate Batt le Flag, and we’d march up the Smith road back and forth in front of their house singing Dixie,” Smith said as nostalgia forces a smile across his face. “It was just to identify us…we were Southern boys, and they were Yankees, and we didn’t appreciate them calling the cops on us for digging a whole out there. We were rebels.” Back in those days when the “Dukes of Hazzard” aired on television, Smith and his friends didn’t associate anything wrong with Confederate memorabilia. It was their history. “We had black friends. We had white friends. The color issue didn’t come into this at all,” he said. Today, race and culture are unavoidable when discussing the Confederacy. Smith, a Bishop England graduate, grew up a history buff. He joined SCV after learning that his great-great grandfather served in the Confederate Army out of South Georgia.

Ed Mishoe’s sister Jenny gives two thumbs up after leaving the Williamsburg County Courthouse. Her brother’s attacker, Hakeem Edwin, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and armed robbery, crimes that nearly took Ed’s life. Photo Michaele Duke

MATT BISE/INDEPENDENT

Johnathon Kisner, a supervisor at Cactus Car Wash, says he has never seen a bug problem like this before.

Love bug invasion soiling car grilles across the Lowcountry BY MATT BISE mbise@berkeleyind.com

fest is a windfall for the local car wash and a source of intrigue for the entomologist. “Ninety percent of the cars here right now are because of the bugs,” said Johnathon Kisner a supervisor at Cactus Car Wash in North Charleston. He has spent 20 years in the business in one way or another.

If you have been seeing a lot of love bugs flying around, you are not alone. The bugs are everywhere, fluttering connected, as their natural instincts take hold. The remnants of their shameless exhibitions are splattered on practically every windshield, car hood and truck grille in sight. The bug Please see BUGS, PageA10

Plecia nearctica is also known as the love bug, march bug or honeymoon bug. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/AGGIEHORTICULTURE. TAMU.EDU/ GALVESTON

One-of-a-kind service for children needs help

The nightmare is over Ed Mishoe looks forward to a brighter future after a horrific crime nearly took his life

BY MICHAELE DUKE news@kingstreenews.com

On Tuesday, September 19, Ed Mishoe breathed a sign of relief. Mishoe had lived through a nightmare - and

survived. He stood quietly in the Williamsburg County Courthouse as the judge sentenced Hakeem Edwin to 30 years for attempted murder and for armed robbery.

The sentence brought an end to what began nearly eight months ago when Mishoe was found lying on the floor of his barbershop. He had been shot please

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Driver charged with felony DUI in wreck By ANNA BROWN

ENTERPRISE REPORTING

A Jonesville man who was driving a car that wrecked and killed one passenger and badly injured another has been charged with two counts of felony driving under the influence, Jabrail Adrian Wofford, 27, of 106 Littlefield St. was arrested on March 28 by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. He is charged with felony driving under the influence causing the death of Scott Charles “Scotty” Darling and felony driving under the influence causing great bodily harm to Bradley Dane DePratter.

Wofford has been released from the Union County Jail on $40,000 bond. According to his bond stipulations, Wofford is only allowed to leave his home to go to the doctor, the hospital, to see his lawyer or to church. He has been fitted with a monitor for which he is paying $84 a week. He is WOFFORD not allowed to drive and is not to have contact in any manner with the families of the victims. Wofford also suf-

fered serious injuries in the wreck. Wofford was already out of jail on a $600 personal recognizance bond for possession of marijuana when the wreck occurred. Darling, 28, of Haywood St. died at the scene of the wreck, which occurred on March 14 in the 3000 block of the BuffaloWest Springs Highway near the Peakeville Road intersection. DePratter, 33, whose address was not given, was injured and is still hospitalized. Lance Cpl. Joe Hovis with the South Carolina Highway Patrol said both

Wofford and Holly C. Lawson, 43, of Buffalo were traveling south on the Buffalo-West Springs Highway around 4:24 p.m. when the wreck occurred. Lawson, the driver of a 2011 Toyota, was attempting to make a left turn into her driveway when Wofford pulled out to pass her. Wofford's car struck Lawson's car, ran off the roadway and struck a tree and a utility pole. Hovis said none of the men in Wofford's vehicle were wearing seatbelts. Lawson was wearing her seatbelt. She was treated at Union Medical Center.

WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION City budget would raise utility rates No tax increase By GRAHAM WILLIAMS

Phillip Burgess' parents, Brett and Frances, and his widow, Kim, hold a family picture and the flag the military presented to the family at Phillip's funeral. (Anna Brown photo)

Unanswered questions Two years later, Phillip Burgess’ family asks why he was fatally shot by deputies By ANNA BROWN

Phillip Burgess' family members say they wish Spartanburg County sheriff's deputies had taken one simple step when they came to his Boiling Springs home with a search warrant for anabolic steroids on April 9, 2015, and Phillip was shot and killed. They wish the law officers had handcuffed Phillip when they entered the home or sometime in the 42 minutes they were there before Phillip was shot. Officers said they shot Phillip because he got a gun from off the top of the refrigerator. His family said if Phillip had been handcuffed, there would not have been a chance for him to retrieve a gun. Phillip was supplying steroids to at least one officer with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, who was selling to other officers, the Burgesses have learned through documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. The documents pertained to a steroid use investiga-

tion involving four deputies in late 2014 early 2015. According to the documents, three of the officers resigned shortly before Phillip's death. The Burgesses said they think an outside agency such as SLED should have handled Phillip's steroid investigation to prevent a conflict of interest. “We still have unanswered questions and it has been almost two years,” said Phillip's father, Brett Burgess. “We don't condone what Phillip was doing as right. We know it was wrong. I wish we had known.” Frances Burgess, Phillip's mother, said she feels the officers were negligent. “Why did it escalate the way it did?” Brett said. The Burgesses said they think if the situation had been handled differently, the outcome could have been different. According to the 29-page incident report concerning the serving of the warrant and Phillip's death, Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Officers knew others lived in the home with him and

decided to “execute a 'soft' approach to the residence with the hopes that it would lead to Burgess's cooperation.” An investigator's note said that a “soft approach” means that investigators knocked on the door as opposed to making forced entry and detaining every one inside the residence. They told his wife, Kim, that Phillip was part of an active criminal investigation. She allowed them in and went to a back bedroom to notify Phillip. Phillip could be seen putting on a shirt and it appeared he had just woke up. Phillip was a graduate of Greenville Tech where he earned a degree as a Sleep Technician and was employed with Mary Black Hospital in the Sleep Study Department, where he worked third shift. An investigator began interviewing Phillip but he was “very guarded and said very little.” He asked if his wife and child could leave; he would feel more comfortSee QUESTIONS, Page 6

Utility rates in the City of Union may increase next year. The preliminary city budget totals $45,975,700 a 1.82 percent increase over last year's proposed budget The proposed General Fund revenues for fiscal year 2018 total $5,383,170, while expenditures total $5,893,150, a decrease of approximately 3.8 percent from last year's proposed budget. This leaves a deficit of $509,980, which would be offset by money from the city's fund balance, finance director Walker Gallman said. Tthe city anticipates cutting the deficit with money from the 1-cent local option sales tax, which takes effect in May, Gallman said. Revenue from the sales tax would also provide taxpayers with a credit against their property taxes. No taxes or fee increases are proposed for the general fund. Last year, city property taxes increased by 2.6 mills to help balance the budget. The Solid Waste Management fund is almost a break-even with a budget of $764,380, Gallman said, an increase of less than 1 percent. No fee increase is proposed for fiscal year 2018 The projected Utility Fund revenues are $37,448,640. Expenditures are proposed at $38,474,720 an increase of 3.3 percent over last year's proposed budget. Retained earnings would fund the $1,026,083 deficit. A 5 percent electric rate increase is proposed, Gallman said, and the purchased power agreement will continue to true up the cost of power each month. A 2 percent increase is proposed for water rates. Also, customers with meter sizes 2 inches and above will see an increase in their base charge. Sewer customers will see an overall increase of 2 percent. Natural gas base rates will not increase, but the purchased gas agreement will continue to true up cost of gas each month. The proposed budget includes a 2 percent cost of living raise for city employees. Also, the city will be losing six positions at various times during fiscal year 2018 due to attrition.

2-year-old forms bond with City of Union employees By ANNA BROWN

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Anna Brown Union County News

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Cindy Landrum Greenville Journal 16 | GREENVILLE JOURNAL | 06.02.2017

GREENVILLEJOURNAL.COM

What's Worth Saving? Greenville’s struggle to preserve its past is a question about what it values

WORDS BY CINDY LANDRUM Photo by Will Crooks

As Greenville has become one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, it is working to preserve buildings of its past. While the city grew in population nearly 6 percent last year, eclipsed only by three Texas cities, Greenville is starting work on a historic resources survey to identify significant properties throughout the city, especially in the West End, Village of West Greenville, the Sullivan community, Cleveland Park, Nicholtown, North Main, Augusta Road, Sherwood Forest, and Parkins Mill areas. “A community’s historic structures speak volumes about what that community values,” said Furman University history professor Courtney Tollison. “Although most of us are not conscious of this as we walk or drive through towns and cities, community leaders at some point in time, whether the distant past or present, made or make decisions about how best to utilize that land. Whether a plot of land in any downtown hosts a park, a sleek new high-rise, or a historic structure reflects that community’s values.” According to the latest Census Bureau estimates, Greenville’s July 2016 population was 67,453, or a 5.8 percent increase over what it was in 2015. Only Conroe, Frisco, and McKinney, Texas, showed larger gains among cities with 50,000 or more people. Greenville’s growth comes as no surprise to those who see a downtown landscape dotted with construction cranes, new apartments and hotels, and an increasing number of tourists. “There’s so much development going on that we don’t want to lose these things without knowing what’s there,” said Ginny Stroud, the city’s community development administrator. “There are properties out there that the general public may not realize are significant but are certainly part of Greenville’s character and what makes us unique.” The survey, the third by the city since 1981, will be conduct-

“There are properties out there that the general public may not realize are significant but are certainly part of Greenville’s character and what makes us unique.” Ginny Stroud, Greenville community development administrator

ed through June. “No one visits a community and wants to see the new Walmart or McDonald’s, but in contrast, historic structures have a strong historic pull,” Tollison said. “In an age of increasing homogenization of the American landscape, communities distinguish themselves in part by the historic architecture they chose to preserve.” The survey does not automatically place a property on a national or local historic register, but it can be a first step. Getting historic designation for any property requires a separate process. Properties that are listed in the National Register are eligible for preservation tax credits and grants. Properties in local historic preservation districts must get permission before they can be demolished or altered. Greenville historian Judy Bainbridge said the city has done “reasonably well” when it comes to preserving historic build-

ings. But while the city has played a role in the preservation of some of Greenville’s oldest buildings and residences, much of the credit should be given to Greenville’s citizens and companies that have pushed for their reuse. The most recent example is the Wilkins House, a stately home on Augusta Street that was slated for the wrecking ball before the Greenville community raised $300,000 to help Neil Wilson, owner of RealtyLink who bought the Wilkins House with the goal to preserve and restore it, move it two blocks to Mills Avenue. A two-and-a-half-year restoration was completed and the property now has a preservation easement preventing it from being moved or torn down. But not all historic buildings in the city have had as happy an ending, Bainbridge said. One of the biggest losses was the old City Hall, a red brick Romanesque revival structure built in 1892 and torn down in

SECOND PLACE Eva Moore Free Times

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(843) 236-4810 www.myhorrynews.com | Waccamaw Publishers, Inc., 2510 Main St., Conway, SC 29526 Attention: Delivery NOVEMBER 2, 2017 | Vol. X, No. 52

WEEKLY OVER 4,500 DIVISION POSTAL PATRON

CAROLINA FOREST FOOTBALL TEAM TO FACE LEXINGTON IN PLAYOFFS, B3

THIS WEEK’S EDITION: THREE SECTIONS, 24 PAGES

Postal Way development up for vote Planning commission to discuss proposal tonight BY CHARLES D. PERRY CHARLES.PERRY@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

A proposal to bring hundreds of new homes to Carolina Forest would be less disruptive than some of the development allowed on that property now, planning officials said. But local residents have questioned the wisdom of permitting so many homes in an already congested community. Tonight, the Horry County

Planning Commission will consider a rezoning request that could add more than 600 homes to the yet-to-beconstructed extension of Postal Way. The commission meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. “We’re going to have people here,” Planning Commission Chairman Steven Neeves said during last week’s commission workshop. “And they’re going to POSTAL WAY, A3

California company moving to Horry Firm plans to hire 317 workers over ﬁve years BY CHARLES D. PERRY CHARLES.PERRY@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

FORESTBROOK FAMILY’S HOUSE GUTTED BY WEEKEND FIRE, A6

DANCING FOR THE KING PAGE C1

GREENWOOD HALL, PAGE A3

75 Cents

A PUBLIC CHARGE County council members looking to change spending, reporting practices BY CHARLES D. PERRY CHARLES.PERRY@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

When Horry County Council members first received county credit cards, Harold Worley refused one.

Worley remembers making a joke about his decision to the council clerk. “I’m going to hand it right back to you,” Worley told her. “I don’t need that. What I’m going to do, if I have anything that I

How much have Horry County Council members put on their county credit cards this year? Harold Worley: $0 Bill Howard: $1,278.90 Danny Hardee: $3,232.68 Mark Lazarus: $2,347.50 Dennis DiSabato: $3,739.12 Gary Loftus: $1,617.92 Tyler Servant: $511.18

Greenwood Hall needs workers quickly. The California company, which on Monday announced its move to Horry County, is already hiring and plans to be operating locally by early December. The jobs will pay an average wage of $15 per hour. “We’re going to create a lot of jobs here,” Greenwood Hall CEO Bill Bradfield said during a news conference at Horry Georgetown Technical College in Conway. “This is all about expanding the company and moving into an area that has great culture and great business environment.” The company plans to lease space for one year at HGTC’s Grand Strand campus before setting up a

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S.POSTAGE PAID CONWAY, S.C. PERMIT NO. 44

Cam Crawford: $4,641.81 Harold Phillips: $3,859.53 Johnny Vaught: $5,015.62 Paul Prince: $2,307.57 Al Allen: $622.57 —Source: Horry County Government

need to purchase, I’m going to pay for it with my money and then I’ll bring it back in here and I’ll let you look over it and make CREDIT CARDS, A2

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Charles D. Perry Carolina Forest Chronicle

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COMMUNITY 7

SPORTS 8

www.newberryporkinthepark.com

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Andrew Wigger The Newberry Observer

Newberry College volleyball

Recreation football camp

Sexual conduct arrest

SPORTS • 7

LOCAL • 10

LOCAL • 3

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Breaking news at newberryobserver.com

Issue 87, Volume 135

Wednesday, July 26, 2017 • $1

Kelly Duncan The Newberry Observer Staff Report

Courtesy photo

The Newberry Police Department recently received an automated external defibrillator through a collaboration between the Fraternal Order of Police and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. From left to right are Patrolman Janson Bell, Sgt. Mike Hawkins, Cpl. John Donnelly, Cpl. John Hicks, Sgt. Boris Alvarado, Lt. Mike O’Connell, FOP Midlands Lodge #1 President Dale Jones and Patrolman Corey Hallman.

NEWBERRY — The Newberry Police Department is the recent recipient of an automated external defibrillator (AED) through the collaboration between the Fraternal Order of Police and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The donation of the AED was one of five for the state of South Carolina. Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Midlands Lodge #1 President Dale Jones said the donation will help save lives. “Our thanks go out to the FOP for creating this partner-

ship that will have a direct positive impact on public safety,” Jones said. “Simply put, having AEDs in police cruisers will save lives.” Police Chief Roy McClurkin said his department was appreciative that the FOP could donate such a valuable piece of lifesaving equipment to them. “This piece of equipment will allow us to have an AED located inside one of our patrol cruisers during each shift, thus having lifesaving equipment on hand at all times,” McClurkin said. In 2005, the Firehouse Subs Founders established the

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation with the mission of providing funding, lifesaving equipment and educational opportunities to first-responders and public safety organizations. Through the non-profit 501(c)(3), Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has given more than $24 million to hometown heroes in 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Chuck Canterbury, FOP national president, said that the $250,000 grant helped to get 263 AEDs into the hands

See AED | 5

FLC OKs bids on properties By Andrew Wigger

awigger@newberryobserver.com

Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Boardmember Hugh Gray (center) was recognized for reaching level two in the Boardmanship Institute training program. He is pictured with Superintendent Jim Suber and Boardmember Jody Hamm

NCSD board hears financial summaries Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Hanna Elshoff traveled through Newberry and Laurens County last week, as a part of her journey to travel across the country.

New way to travel By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

NEWBERRY — Hanna Elshoff has been travelling around the country since May 1, 2015, and her journey recently brought her to Newberry and the surrounding area, as she makes her way to Chicago. “I’ve been on it nearly two years and the whole two years I’ve ended up where I am supposed to be. It is really crazy,” she said. Elshoff has been traveling on an ELF by Organic Transit. According to their website, organictransit. com, the ELF is a solar and pedal hybrid vehicle powered by you and the sun. It gets the equivalent of 1,800 MPG. To get to know Elshoff, we have to go back to 1961 when

she immigrated to the United States from Germany, when she was 18. She was sponsored by a couple in Ford Dodge, Iowa, and Elshoff said all she had at that time was a bike. “After a couple of years I had a connection in Texas. I was going to ride my bike to Texas like a hobo. It did not matter, I was footloose and fancy free,” she joked. “My sponsor said, ‘Hanna, you cannot do that, it is too dangerous.’ I got to Texas, not on a bike, but I never let go of that dream totally, and life takes you all kinds of directions.” Elshoff’s plan was to begin her journey at age 80, if she lived that long, she said. But, on her 70th birthday, things started clearing out of the way so she decided to make

WritEr’S NotE When Hanna Elshoff says this trip has worked out the way it was supposed to, it is really true. The staff at The Newberry Observer was told about Elshoff early last week by a Newberry resident and we wanted to do a story about her, but had no idea how to find her. So we all decided to keep an eye out for her. I even had the folks at the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce looking for her. Soon it was Friday and with no sightings, we thought we missed her. Then Friday, I was heading home to Joanna and I noticed a small bike with flags. I thought to myself, “Is that her. Could she really be in Joanna?” Well, it was. So I pulled over to a nearby parking lot and flagged her down. I told her the story about us looking for her and the first thing she said to me, after having a good chuckle, was: “I always end up where I am supposed to be.”

the journey when she turned 75. In the meantime, she joined the Lions Club. “Then, about three and a half years ago, I saw a regular bike with a motor, and I am not in that good of shape. I’ve got to have a bike with a motor. I was just about to go to a bike shop and I sat in front of a com-

puter and put in solar powered bike, and that thing showed up (referring to her bike),” she said. “I am kinda spontaneous and I had frequent flyer miles, so I flew to Durham (North Carolina, where her bike is manufactured). I rode

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@newberryobserver.com

NEWBERRY — From January to June of this year the Newberry County School District has spent $16,572.56 with minority businesses registered with the South Carolina Division of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification. Susan Dowd, chief financial officer with the District, said that they have had a couple of the same vendors they typically have within this report. The District spent $2,375.60 with Crossroads Environmental and $14,196.96 with Lorrick Office Products, for a total of $16,572.56. This makes up one percent of the total vendor expenditures for the five month period. “The goal is 10 percent, but it is a goal and we typically do not reach that goal, but it is there in our guidelines,” Dowd said. “I think there are only 640 minority businesses registered, so there is not a large pool to choose from, but we do our See FINANCIAL | 5 index Obituaries: 2 Opinion: 4 Weather: 5 Sports: 7 Comics: 8 Classifieds: 9 Facebook “f ” Logo

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While in the process of renovating his business, Glenn Hamm was surprised to uncover the original hand-painted lettering of The Bank of Prosperity.

Historical discovery By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@newberryobserver. com

PROSPERITY — Glenn Hamm, owner of Poseidon Supplies and Equipment at 125 N. Main St., and the work crew from Eight Acres Recycling never expected to uncover original lettering of the old Bank of Prosperity when working to remove the corrugated metal facade on the building last week. Discovered at the top of the building were the original hand-painted letters that read “The Bank of Prosperity, S.C.” Leading up to the Depression, the economy was flourishing with the presence of banks. The Depression was the eventual cause of the decline of the banks in Prosperity, along with the decline of King Cotton in the

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run a plumbing and floral shop known as Swygert’s Plumbing. Poseidon Supplies and Equipment currently calls the location home. “It’s so awesome to see a piece of history around 100 years old come to life. It’s received a lot of attention and our goal is to preserve it. I was amazed with the exposure of the original lettering and I fully intend to preserve or restore the lettering in the interest of local history,” said Hamm. “Our goal is to preserve this building for generations to come, whether it be through renovation or restoration, we want to preserve it for the longest length of time.” Hamm said that Mike Bedenbaugh, executive director of Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation, has been offering guidance

Glenn found it. He, as a business owner, is contributing responsibly to the community by sharing the story of the place that the business is in. That will resonate with more than just the business by itself, but the community,” said Bedenbaugh. Bedenbaugh also said that some time before the Depression a marble front was put in and it was suspected that when the sign was reconfigured that it would appear more professional looking prior to the “southern” depression of 1921. Although Hamm doesn’t know exactly how this piece of history will be preserved, Bedenbaugh and those at Palmetto Trust are looking forward to exploring options of what can be done to preserve the history that the building holds. Hamm also plans to

NEWBERRY — The Forfeited Land Commission accepted 20 bids and postponed one for properties owned by the Commission during its recent meeting. Rodney and Lisa Hawkins of Landrum bid $209.80, which was the asking price, for property located off Leisure Point, in Prosperity. The Smith bid was accepted after Donna Lominack made a motion and Karen Lindler Smith seconded. The FLC has had Lominack the property since June 17, 2013. Roth Williams of Newberry placed a $500 bid on a piece of property located Folk at Forest Hill Blvd in Prosperity. The asking price was $945.64 per Wendy Wise, delinquent tax collector. The FLC has owned the property since 2007. “I say let them have it, because we have had it for 10 years,” Lindler Smith said. The bid was accepted after Lominack seconded the motion. Williams also placed a $500 bid for another piece of property located on Forest Hill Boulevard in Prosperity. The asking price was $945.64 per Wise. The FLC has owned the property since March of this year. Lominack made a motion to accept the bid, and Lindler Smith seconded. Rosette Gallman of Newberry placed a $300 bid for 103 Wye St. in Prosperity. The FLC has owned this property since March of

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Lancaster News 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2017

www.thelancasternews.com

$6M plant to be built just outside Lancaster Gregory A. Summers gsummers @thelancasternews.com

The state has lured another overseas manufacturer and this one is coming to an under-development industrial park in Lancaster County. Gov. Henry McMaster announced late Thursday that Don Construction Products (DCP) is launching its first U.S. manufacturing plant at KCH Industrial Park on Kershaw Camden Highway. The initial project, which is expected to create 21 jobs, is a $6.2 million capital investment. Lancaster County Council Chairman Steve Harper said he couldn’t be more pleased by the company’s decision to come here. “Manufacturing is Lancaster County’s strength, and one of our top priorities is growing the manufacturing base in the central and southern areas of the county, Harper said, noting that KCH Industrial Park is just outside the Lancaster city limits. The industrial park is on the section of Kershaw Camden Highway between Great Falls Highway and U.S. 521 Bypass East. Many locals refer to it as the old “Jim Lineberger Property,” said County Administrator Steve Willis. The park is already home to two businesses, Carolina Construction School and LCI-Lineberger Construction Inc. LCI specializes in road paving, building-site preparation and hauling materials like stone and gravel. “One of the strong selling points is this industrial park has rail access,” Willis said. “They (DCP) were also looking at areas with both a strong manufacturing base and good employees. I know we certainly have those.” See DCP I Page 3A

75 CENTS

A deadly night on Arch Street ‘Shots fired’ turns shift into search for a killer “We’ve got an almost dead person, hostile witnesses who won’t talk, no scene and people who will demand I do something about it.” – Police Chief Scott Grant

HANNAH STRONG/hstrong@thelancasternews.com

Chief Scott Grant searches for bullet casings on the pavement following the shooting of Daquan Blackmon on Arch Street Aug. 18.

Hannah L. Strong hstrong@thelancasternews.com

Lancaster Police Chief Scott Grant strolls past the numbered doors of Carriage Inn rooms, sniffing for marijuana fumes escaping through the air-conditioning vents. It’s 10:15 on a Friday night, Aug. 18. Grant gets the dispatch call – shots fired on East Arch Street. He walks immediately to his truck, an unmarked pickup with police lights concealed inside. His mood doesn’t change, but his pace quickens. He uses his blue lights only at intersections. He slows down at the red lights and then, noting that the coast is clear, drives through them. No si-

IL post office site generates friction

ren, no talking. He hits 60 mph on White Street. Grant pulls up on Hughes Street, which intersects Arch at the Dollar General. Groups of people are standing on the side of the street and in driveways. The chief stays in his truck. The windows are all down. That’s how he always rides, so he can hear what’s around him. He asks three people in a driveway what happened. A woman points toward Arch Street, says the people on the street ducked after hearing a couple of dozen gunshots “through the bushes.” See SHOTS I Page 2A

About this story

Lancaster’s most disturbing news this year has been street shootings that have left five young men dead, others wounded and neighborhoods terrorized. Scott Grant, police chief since March, often patrols the streets late at night. Reporter Hannah L. Strong was riding with Grant at the Blackmon moment 17-year-old Daquan Blackmon was gunned down. This is the story of that night.

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Hannah Strong The Lancaster News

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Travis Boland, Chuck Crumbo and Melinda Waldrop Columbia Regional Business Report S.C. Press Association Awards First Place

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Nuclear project shutdown sparks outrage, calls for reform By Chuck Crumbo

ccrumbo@scbiznews.com

ost of the time, men in coats and ties and women wearing pumps and pearls populate the Statehouse Lobby waiting to buttonhole a legislator about a bill their clients want either passed or defeated. But on Aug. 2, about 100 people wearing orange safety vests and lime green T-shirts

with the words “V.C. Summer New Build” printed on their sleeves gathered in the ornate, two-story room with stained-glass windows, overstuffed leather chairs and brass lamps. They waited to hear what their legislators had to say. “You deserve better,” offered state Rep. James Smith, D-Columbia, addressing the workers who just two days earlier had been laid off when South Carolina Electric & Gas and Santee Cooper abandoned construc-

tion of two reactor units at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station in Fairfield County. In the crowd was Carl Waller, 48, an electrician who had worked on the Summer project for seven years. “We’ve been told since the first part of the year just to continue with the build the way we were supposed to be doing diligently every day and a decision would be coming. See V.C. SUMMER, Page 6

SECOND PLACE Michael Smith

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Michaele Duke The News, Kingstree

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SECOND PLACE Laura J. McKenzie The People-Sentinel

Council seeks to abolish EDC Laura j. Mckenzie Publisher laura.mckenzie@morris.com

Troy Gamble (left) shared his enthusiasm with Senator Ronnie Sabb (District 32) after state agencies inspected the temporary Williamsburg Regional Hospital on December 16, and gave the approval for the facility to open. The 24-bed facility is located to the side and rear of the original building at 500 Thurgood Marshall Blvd. in PHOTO BY MICHAELE DUKE Kingstree.

Temporary hospital opens for business

BY MICHAELE DUKE news@kingstreenews.com

It’s deceiving. What appears on the outside to be a row of mobile homes is in reality a fully functional hospital. The Williamsburg Regional Hospital (WRH) located in Kingstree opened its doors to the temporary facility on Friday evening, December 16. Pristine white halls lead to separate rooms for vascular, respi-

ratory therapy, X-ray, an emergency room and much more. State-of-the-art equipment includes a 32-slice CT scanner, mobile digital X-ray and an isolation room. The equipment upgrades were funded by FEMA and state funds with an option to purchase the lease once a new hospital is built. WRH CEO Sharon Poston is happy to see the end of a long process. “It’s been a long

five-and-a-half months,” said Poston walking down the vast hallway. “We are thankful for all the help we’ve received from many, many people. Some of the folks, from those in DHEC places, SCEMD Director Kim Stenson and the Plexos Group were able to give us advice, helped us with guidelines, and what we needed to do. If we didn’t have that we’d probably still be trying to figure out

what to do. Of course Dr. Troy Gamble, all the doctors and staff worked relentlessly, and the community was also instrumental in our success.” The temporary hospital sits beside and to the rear of the closed facility, which suffered major damage after the historic flood in October 2015. Business Interruption Insurance funds allowed the hospital to stay Please

turN to

WRH, 5

The Barnwell County Council considered a proposed ordinance January 10 that will make major changes to the powers held by the Barnwell County Economic Development Commission (EDC). The ordinance, if eventually adopted as written for Tuesday night’s first reading, will dissolve the Economic Development Corporation (which the commission oversees) and move all properties under the power of the county council. It would also disallow the Economic Development Commission from hiring employees or executing deeds, effectively turning the EDC into a strictly advisory commission. The ordinance states the EDC “shall continue to advise County Council as to economic develop-

ment matters, and coordinating economic development within the three municipalities.” The ordinance orders the executive director, who is currently Tommy Boyleston, to “execute deeds granting all real property held by it to Barnwell County, and if he is unable or unwilling to do so, then the Chairman of County Council is authorized to sign such deeds.” Lowell Jowers is the incoming chairman, taking over in rotation from David Kenner. His term as chairman will begin with the Jan. 10 meeting. Money set aside for economic development “will continue to be set aside for economic development purposes, along with monies already in hand for grant matching to be used exclusively for economic development in accordance with the direction of Barnwell County Council.” The ordinance states the rea-

soning is that “Barnwell County Council recently discovered the full implications of quasi-independent non-profit corporations as demonstrated in the case of Barnwell County et al. versus Hiers.” It also states, “Barnwell County has a duty to safeguard the properties and monies belonging to all tax payers of the County.” At heart of the matter is control of the Economic Development Corporation’s $10.8 million in property and financial assets. The ordinance is a partial surprise to commission members who did not discuss the matter in their Jan. 3 meeting because they did not know about it then. In a telephone interview Friday, Jan. 6, EDC Chairman Tim McCormick said the commission had not been informed of the move and only knew about it when it was initially posted on The People-Sentinel’s Face-

book page. At the time of the interview he had not received or read a copy of the proposed ordinance. He indicated the commission members had heard rumors of such action but nothing official. Over the last year Barnwell County Council has passed ordinances to require any hiring of employees or major transactions to require final approval by the county council. In recent months the Barnwell County Council passed an ordinance which moved all accounts held by the EDC, the Airport Commission and all other county entities under the county treasurer. With the January meeting, the makeup of the County Council changed. Councilmen Keith Sloan and Joe Smith have been replaced by Don Harper and Ben Kinlaw. Continuing on council are Lowell Jowers, David Ken-

ner, Freddie Houston, Jerry Creech and Harold Buckmon. The makeup of the current EDC is also changing. Keith Sloan is replacing Tommy Rivers as Williston’s representative. John Trottie recently joined the commission representing County District 29. Tim McCormick, who represented County District 19, has decided not to serve another term when it expires this spring. Joe Smith was approved on Monday night by Barnwell City Council to replace Will Lemon as their representative because Lemon’s job has prevented him from attending recent meetings. Other commissioners include Dr. Chip Still (District 45), Steve Jowers (Town of Blackville) and Toby Singletary (Towns of Elko, Hilda, Kline and Snelling). The controversy between the Economic Development CommisSee eDc, 5A

ebruary ustained ording to rticle on offered a an Coner before eet along ay 52 and

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH MATT BISE/INDEPENDENT

Students at Macedonia Middle School celebrate raising nearly $17,000 to help improve technology at the school’s library. The MMS FoxTrot Color Run took place April 29.

MMS Fox-Trot Color Run provides motivation for school’s charity event, raises nearlyUNDER $17K WEEKLY 4,500 DIVISION

BY MATT BISE For the Independent

s family Wednesr vice as ff Duane d’s plaque onorable en in the

ing with ng to the of these ,” Lewis t this is a

e A5

epted ools A2

t was a colorful end to a week of testing for students at Macedonia Middle School. Nearly $17,000 was raised last week in an effort sparked by a need to bring in some new technology to an outdated school library.

Just past Moncks Corner, Macedonia Middle serves about 350 students in rural Berkeley County. The school is almost 20-years old and technology has come a long way in that time. Pencils and paper are now Chromebooks and stylus pens. School budgets for upgrades are slim to none, at best, so a vivid

imagination to find the money is sometimes needed. First year Title I Facilitator, Lyndi Valicek and Librarian Chris Matthews took on a monthlong mission to pay for the updates, and soon after the MMS Fox-Trot Color Run was born. Please see COLOR, Page A6

DREAMSTIME

FIRST PLACE

‘Don’t quit fighting’ BY RICKEY CIAPHA DENNIS JR. rdennis@berkeleyind.com Comfortably sitting upright in his bed in a room where the blue walls are hidden behind an array of green Kawasaki motocross posters and Carolina Gamecocks football paraphernalia – sits 14-year-old Nate Brumbaugh. Since last August, he has battled diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a rare and highly aggressive brain tumor with a low survival rate. It’s impacted his vision, limb movement, and balance. But on this Friday afternoon, things are well. When asked how he feels, a shy Nate signals with a thumbs up.

“I would never ever leave Moncks Corner. They’re my family now. They opened their hearts to me and my family.” Tonya Brumbaugh

“And that’s with his bad hand,” Nate’s father Thomas Brumbaugh joked. “He’s doing really good. He’s starting to move his hand more. He’s starting to walk Please see BRUMBAUGH, Page A5

RICKEY CIAPHA DENNIS JR./INDEPENDENT

Nate Brumbaugh holds his boxer puppy, Ricky, named after famed motocross rider Ricky Carmichael.

B I 0 1 -

occurred the felon Berkeley 894 after empt to

Rickey Ciapha Dennis Jr. The Berkeley Independent

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH WEEKLY OVER 4,500 DIVISION

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David Travis Bland Free Times

SECOND PLACE Eva Moore Free Times

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH WEEKLY OVER 4,500 DIVISION

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David Travis Bland Free Times

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Gregory A. Summers and The Mark Manicone ewss ew Lancaster News The Lancaster News Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper

Lancaster Police Chief Harlean Carter scrambles to keep the chow line moving. Read the full story on page 3.

BBQ fundraiser for Phillip Hall sells out early

>> Vols rely on Moore’s play, leadership

NEWS, 3

SPORTS, 5

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016

www.thelancasternews.com

75 CENTS

Mayor: Protest timeline ‘ridiculous’ 48-hour limit in city races allows no due process, Howard fumes Gregory A. Summers gsummers@thelancasternews.com

at,” said Howard, who cion in the nonpartisan serves on the Municipal District 3 race. BlackAssociation of South mon denied the chargCarolina Board of Dies. rectors. “That needs to After a hastily called happen.” three-hour hearing FriHoward was talking day afternoon, the Lanabout the election procaster County Election test filed last Thursday Howard Commission unaniby defeated Lancaster mously denied Harris’ City Councilwoman Jackie Har- protest. Howard said he’s conris. Harris alleged that her op- cerned that existing state codes ponent Linda Blackmon com- deny due process to municipal mitted fraud, bribery and coer- candidates.

Reluctant assassin: Pay up or I’ll kill you Reece Murphy

State laws on municipal elections leave candidates very little time to present their allegations, or for that matter, to refute those allegations. Candidates have only a 48-hour window after polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day to enter protests. The law then mandates that local election officials have another 48 hours to hold a hearing on the protest. The county’s election commission has overseen all city of

Lancaster’s elections for several years. “At one time, we had our own municipal election commission, but jumped on board with the county as a cost-saving measure,” Howard said. A different set of guidelines allow more time to resolve protests of county and state elections, Howard said, and there’s no reason municipal elections deserve less time. See TIMELINE I Page 2

Pups on a plane

MANDY CATOE mcatoe@the lancasternews.com

A rescued dog, dubbed “Lanny” for Lancaster, waves from the window of the small plane that carried him to New York last week. Below, Lancaster Area Shelter Supporters

SECOND PLACE

Andrew Wigger The Newberry Observer Learning about DSS

Pope to run for Congress

Newberry College athletics

COMMUNITY • 6

NEWS • 10

SPORTS • 7

Newberry County’s Hometown Newspaper

Issue 15, Volume 135

Breaking news at newberryobserver.com

Wednesday, February 8, 2017 • $1

Increasing the number of teachers By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

NEWBERRY COUNTY — The question for the teacher shortage now becomes, what might need to happen to help the situation and encourage more students to go into the education field. Pam Arrington, chief human resources officer for the District, said loan forgiveness could help. There is currently a loan forgiveness program for students who graduate with a degree in education, but not everyone qualifies. “It is in critical geographical areas, or critical need areas, and that does not include elementary or early childhood, we are seeing a shortage there as well,” Arrington said. “That is depending on the critical need school, depending on turn over and fortunately our turn over, when you look at it state wide, is good, but it is also because of your demographics as far as poverty level.” The poverty level is generally 70 percent for loan fogginess, according to Arrington. She said there are several schools that may be at that level one year, but

family and you are trying to relocate and you are looking for housing, or rent an apartment, or car payment, it becomes a budgetary issue. One reason we see a decline in number of candidates going into teaching profession,” he said. “We have got to improve teacher salaries, our teacher and administrators, whether federal or state mandates, they are being asked to do more and more with less and less, and that is a challenge. We have got to be competitive in the job market from a salary point.” Another way teachers could be brought into the profession is through alternative certification. This is where someone might have graduated with a math degree, but did not go through the certification part. That person could become a teacher. To do this, your degree would need to be in a critical need subject area such as math, science, music, art, business education. If they qualify they have to take the PRAXIS, a content test in that critical need area. Once they pass, they are admitted into the program and receive a letter of eligibility

Courtesy photo

The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (CERRA) has reported in their 2016 Supply and Demand Survey that about 6,500 public school teachers did not return to the classroom for the 2016-17 school year.

Teacher shortage reality By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

NEWBERRY COUNTY — The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (CERRA) has reported in their 2016 Supply and Demand Survey that about 6,500 public school teachers did not return to the classroom for the 201617 school year. The report also

ABouT CERRA The mission of CERRA is to provide collaborative leadership in the recruitment, retention and advancement of outstanding educators for all children in South Carolina. More information about CERRA and its programs is available at www.cerra.org.

showed that 4,842.1 did not return to any teaching position. The report also stated that the number of graduates who completed a South Carolina Teacher education program was only 1,898.

The report showed that since the 2014-15 school year the number of teachers who did not return to any teaching position has increased, while the number of students completing a

South Carolina teacher education program is decreasing. “Just in the state, the CERRA Report, 481 vacant teaching positions, in South Carolina public schools, that were never filled. At the same time there were 52 administrative positions that were not filled,” said Superintendent Jim Suber. “What we are See SHORTAGE | 5

IL Warriors’ erson heads back to the ational Bowl

REPORTING-IN-DEPTH

SPORTS, 6

DAY, JANUARY 11, 2017

BALL; photo below courtesy of SC NEWS EXCHANGE

le linebacker Ben Boulware roars in onday night in Tampa.

stuns Alabama

75 CENTS

IL group: Petition drive is complete

Incorporation takes next step Reece Murphy

rmurphy@thelancaternews.com

Voters for a Town of Indian Land announced Tuesday that the group has gathered enough petition signatures to move forward with its effort to incorporate much of the Panhandle. Meanwhile, a group seeking incorporation for the community of Van Wyck is set to present its proposal to the Joint Legislative Committee on Municipal Incorporation in Columbia this Thursday. In a statement Tuesday, Voters for a Town of Indian Land (VTIL) said it had surpassed the threshold of 3,500 voter signatures needed to submit the proposal to the state for review. The number represents more than 15 percent of the voters in the 58-square-mile Panhandle incorporation area. Once the application is filed, state officials will decide whether to put the incorporation question to a vote of residents. “Voters for a Town of Indian Land is excited to announce that they have attained more than enough, over 4,000, to petition the state for a local referendum on becoming a town,” the state-

2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Reece Murphy The Lancaster News

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Eva Moore Free Times

Dustin Waters Charleston City Paper I must have had it. After pushing her, she ‘remembered’ that she sold it. I never could get her to turn over any billing transactions or clients’ names that bought work. I like to follow up and send thank you notes to clients, so I needed the info to follow through,” says Hussey. “Finally, I discovered that a client who happens to be a close friend showed me how much they paid for a drawing of mine — which was a couple of thousand more than I was told by Rebekah, meaning I received a considerably smaller commission.” The traditional arrangement with artists and Jacob’s gallery was a 50/50 cut from all sales. The gallery agrees “I ONLY to show an artist’s work and in return receive half of the RECEIVED final selling price. A look at contracts signed by Jacob and other artists show that this was standard operating THE MONEY procedure with the gallery. On paper, at least. SHE OWED “I hadn’t been paid for a good, long while for a few big ME FROM pieces,” says Hussey, who was one of eight artists who either spoke directly with the City Paper regarding similar ART SALES. problems with Jacob or took legal action against the galI WAS FINE lery. “By that time, I was already planning to pull out of the space, but wanted to be paid up before creating a fuss.” WITH THAT. After six months of unsatisfactory responses from Jacob THE SUIT WAS regarding payment, Hussey arranged for a time to remove MORE OF A his work from the gallery while Jacob was out of town. STATEMENT In early October of 2012, Hussey loaded up 127 pieces of TO NOT LET art into a U-Haul with the help of one of Jacob’s interns at the time. His description of the scene inside the gallery THIS SHIT remains disconcerting. SLIDE." “Work was stacked, unprotected and jammed into a —Tim Hussey mess of art from years of hoarding other artists’ work. Yes, of course, much of it was scuffed, canvases dented, frames marked up, etc.,” he says. “I am not a fighter. I just wanted to pull out and move forward. I knew I might never get paid, but it was more important to detach from the bad energy in the gallery.” Provided After removing his work from Jacob’s gallery around Oct. 3, Hussey would receive an email from Red Baron Consulting, the firm trying to “protect the brand” from what she described enlisted on behalf of Jacob. On Oct. 18, Hussey received an email as a campaign to discredit her business. from Red Baron claiming, “Our team will be advising gallery owners “I’d never seen this kind of thing. The bizarre in Los Angeles, Portland, Nashville, Atlanta, and elsewhere as to your defamation choice was the final clincher that forced shockingly repeated, underhanded methods of A) Going behind galme to sue,” says Hussey. “I’ve never been in a lawsuit lery owners’ backs to engage in private sales with their private clients in my life, and I’m very much against litigiousness. — during actual Hussey exhibitions whereby the gallery owner had But for the sake of future artists, I hoped this would sponsored you, and B) Your unannounced (and illegal) removal of set some form of expose in the works.” your entire art collection from gallery drawers and walls (Charleston, Hussey’s original demand worked out to $4,105 for S.C.) — whilst the gallery owner was publicly known to be out of the work sold, plus defamation and libel claims. Jacob town for a national fine art fair.” and Hanson would message Hussey and the court, sayBy Feb. 6, 2013, Hussey would file a formal complaint against Jacob ing that her gallery had no dispute with the demand and Red Baron, asking for his cut of the sale of two pieces — “Reclining for money owed, but Hussey had yet to send a proper Nude 59” and “Bathos 40.” The complaint also mentioned that Baron invoice. By July, Red Baron would write to Hussey’s Hanson of Red Baron Consulting had messaged third parties, referring attorney, Patrick Chisum, and the judge overseeing to Hussey as a “dope head” and “little girl.” Today, Jacob claims to have the case that Jacob was considering a countersuit of not seen all of the exchanges in question at the time, but says Baron was up to $13,000 in damages. At the time, Red Baron accused Hussey of selling artwork out outside of Hussey’s agreement with Jacob and stealing work from Jacob’s gallery. Specifically named in Red Baron’s July 17 email is Mt. Pleasant attorney Mark Tanenbaum, who Baron claimed had purchased a work from Hussey in breach of his contract with Jacob. Tanenbaum soon responded to the court regarding these allegations, affirming that he had paid $5,072.38 for Hussey’s “Reclining Nude 59” from Jacob’s gallery, but the second work in question was not part of a backroom deal with Hussey. “I have been told that Rebekah Jacob has alleged I purchased the work ‘Ring of Fire’ directly from Mr. Hussey and disre-

A rtful Dodger

HOW LEGAL BATTLES AND DISSATISFIED ARTISTS DROVE A WEDGE BETWEEN REBEKAH JACOB AND THE ARTS COMMUNITY BY DUSTIN WATERS

he first

“Confidential: The RJG gallery at 502 King St. in Charleston, Carolina is about to be foreclosed upon due to non-payment of rent, including multiple lawsuits against Rebecca Jacobs [sic] for nonpayment to artists even though work has sold. Settle your account, secure any remaining artwork, and remain on a cash-in-advance basis only, no matter how she begs and pleads,” read the typewritten letter that arrived at Sexton’s Bourbon Street mailing address. Little did Sexton know that spring day that he’d been brought into a controversy that would span multiple states, more than five years, and a series of heated court battles. One of which had just been settled. Earlier that April, artist Tim Hussey had reached a somewhat agreeable conclusion to his professional relationship with Rebekah Jacob. On the first of that month, Hussey’s legal representatives had filed court documents declaring a satisfaction of judgement following a Charleston judge’s ruling against Jacob in an unsavory civil suit. “I believe we started work working together in 2006. I was tipped off by a close friend that she had opened a space and that I’d be a good fit,” says Hussey. “As far as I could tell, this was a nice person and excited to represent me. We got along well, but I saw a couple of moments when I was surprised at her response to some clients via the phone. But with no other options in town, I was willing to overlook them.” According to Hussey, he never regarded Jacob as a visionary or “big-time gallerist,” but he recognized that she had a passion for contemporary work and the persistence to move both of their careers forward. Six years later, Hussey would rent a U-Haul to remove almost 130 pieces of his art from Jacob’s gallery. While this may seem like an impulsive response to any situation, the rift in their professional relationship had been growing for some time before Hussey finally decided to make his move. “The turning point was finding out that a piece had been sold and I hadn’t heard about it. I asked where the work was, but she acted as if

CP file photo

Provided

CHARLESTON CITY PAPER 08.23.2017

indication that something was wrong arrived in the form of an anonymous note, postmarked April 29, 2014, Charleston, S.C. Richard Sexton, a veteran photographer based out of New Orleans, received a strange notice in the mail. He had been working with the Rebekah Jacob Gallery since April 2009.

ARTIST SHANE LAVALETTE HAS YET TO RECLAIM HIS 2010 PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT “SPIT IN THE SWAMP” WHICH HE SAYS WAS IN JACOB’S POSSESSION

garded her alleged representation of Mr. Hussey. That allegation is totally false. I commissioned artist David Boatwright to create the work entitled ‘Ring of Fire,’ purchased it from Mr. Boatwright, and at no time did I purchase this from or through Timothy Hussey. To my knowledge, and I am sure Ms. Jacob would agree, she had no relationship with Mr. Boatwright and no expectation of any compensation in that transaction,” Tanenbaum wrote in a signed affidavit to the judge on Aug. 1, 2013. “In the past, I have had several problems with Rebekah Jacob and Rebekah Jacob Modern with incorrect invoices and charges on my American Express card that were not authorized.” It was at this point that Jacob decided to personally write the judge overseeing the case. Rather than filing a motion or following legal protocol, Jacob was up-front about her lack of courtroom savvy, instead taking a direct approach. “Judge Dennis, I rest my case on the following statements: The truth has no filing date. I am not a lawyer,” Jacob wrote the judge on Aug. 6, 2013. In her message, Jacob declared that Hussey was “bullying” her gallery, which she insisted he had manipulated to invest more than $30,000 into his career. Again, Jacob alleged plans to file a countersuit that never materialized. To this day, Jacob says that a concerted campaign against her business continues to operate. By the end of 2013, Hussey had earned a $59,427.41 judgement against Jacob and Red Baron. To date, Hussey says he has only received the initial amount of commission for his work sold by Jacob. “I only received the money she owed me from art sales. I was fine with that. The suit was more of a statement to not let this shit slide,” says Hussey. He adds, “I felt heard and justified and that was worth all the flights from LA. For the last four years, I estimate I’ve gotten 12-15 emails (modest number) from separate artists, buyers, shippers, framers, interior designers, other lawyers, and landlords — all searching for some kind of clue as to how to approach this woman who left them all high and dry with no answers. And I have no answer, because I still don’t know what makes her tick and why her reputation hasn’t stopped her from jumping from retail space to retail space in this small town.”

Cross Country In 2014, the same year Hussey declared a satisfaction of judgement and Sexton received an anonymous letter against Jacob, Syracuse-based photographer Shane Lavalette first made contact with the beleaguered gallery owner. Lavalette says Jacob seemed genuinely interested in photography from the American South, which was the subject of a project he had been work working on at the time. According to court documents, Jacob contacted Lavalette in June 2015 in order to begin selling his work. Earlier that year, Jacob had entered into a lease with the Sadler Group for her former 54 Broad St. gallery space, according to Ralph Sadler’s testimony to Judge Jennifer McCoy on July 24, 2017. Lavalette was hundreds of miles from Jacob’s new gallery space. Looking back, he was optimistic about his relationship with Jacob. “She expressed interest in showing my work to some collectors that had been past clients of hers, and so I began by sending her a sample print or two, and then a portfolio, and then a few framed pieces to have on hand at the gallery. She made a sale of two prints to a client in July 2015, and I immediately produced the works for the client, signed and editioned them, and mailed them to the gallery,” says Lavalette. “Our continued on page 26

ARTS | charlestoncitypaper.com

The

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

Cruise-in deemed a success

A teacher, a family, a state

LOCAL • 10

COLUMN • 4

Issue 39, Volume 1

ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

Meet The Miller Team! See page 10 for more info

Breaking news at sentinelprogress.com

Wednesday, April 19, 2017 • 50¢

Rec funds use under fire By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

PICKENS COUNTY — A new ordinance governing how members of Pickens County Council utilize the Recreation Fund will have its third and final reading at the next regular council meeting, marking an abrupt change in policy and capping the power of any one council member. The new system implements a board as well as a system of Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress checks and balances, effectively Allegations of improper use of county recreation funds sparked a new removing personal control over ordinance that will face its third reading at the next regular Pickens County each district’s fund from the Council meeting.

County agrees to fund new student center By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

PICKENS COUNTY — After months of meetings, discussions and back-and-forths on the issue, members of Pickens County Council voted to support Tri-County Technical College’s Student Success Center with a 4-2 vote. Councilman Trey Whitehurst had expressed concern over the cost of the project — estimated to cost the county around $6 million — since the beginning but this time was joined in his dissenting vote by

individual council members. “Nobody’s talking about the elephant in the room,” said Councilman Chris Bowers. “But we all know what that elephant is. There needs to be a level of accountability added.” According to County Administrator Gerald Wilson, in the past, the recreation fund was divvied up between the six districts — $50,000 per district, per year — with funds “rolling over” from one year to the next. Spending was at the sole discretion of that district’s councilperson. “It was a disaster waiting

to happen,” said Wilson. “And that’s what happened.” Allegations of misappropriation of the rec funds combined with the appearance of personal gains through projects funded led the newly elected council to freeze the rec fund earlier this year. According to county documents obtained by The Sentinel-Progress under the S.C. Freedom of Information Act, just after the November election, then Councilman-elect Roy Costner approached Wilson See FUNDS | 5

FIRST PLACE

Kasie Strickland The Sentinel-Progress

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THIRD PLACE CMY

County Sports News ... see page A4 Serving Kershaw County since 1889

Deb Bailey Daniel Island News

Martin L. Cahn Chronicle-Independent

Friday, February 3, 2017

Camden, South Carolina

Single copy 75 cents

16 FEATURE thedanielislandnews.com

The Daniel Island News ■ February 2 - 8, 2017

February 2 - 8, 2017 ■ The Daniel Island News

thedanielislandnews.com

DI families share tactics for taming tech use

DIGITAL CONSUMPTION:

More than 97 percent of American children use digital media.

DEBORAH BAILEY

Threatening letters

DEBORAH BAILEY

C-I (Camden, S.C.) senior writer mcahn@chronicle-independent.com

At 22, Alexis Gilmore has already dealt with more physical, mental and emotional trauma than some women twice her age. More than five years ago, Gilmore met Jeffrey Aaron Betrand, who was 21 at the time, through Tagged.com, a social media website. She was 15 years old and, by her own account, overweight with feelings of low self-esteem. Betrand, now 27, recently started a

33-month federal prison sentence for communicating threats via mail and other means to Gilmore from inside Ridgeland Correctional Institution in Jasper County. Betrand pleaded guilty in February 2014 to stalking, arson and three counts of first-degree assault and battery. The Camden Police Department (CPD) arrested him in July 2013 for having thrown a Molotov cocktail at Gilmore’s apartment complex while people were home, including her father. Gilmore said she began getting

“He would text me and tell me he was sleeping in the bushes around my apartment or at the hospital ... He would tell me who was coming out of my mom’s house.”

See Help, Page A8

Beat Navy

ODD

By MARTIN L. CAHN

25in broad100

Victim speaks out to help other women, girls

verybody’s doing it. Whether we are at work, in school or at home, most of us use it every day. And if we're not on it, our children are. The use of smartphones has sent technology seeping into so many facets of our daily lives in the last decade. But at what cost? How often do we see couples out to dinner, each gazing lovingly - at their phones? How many times has a text interrupted an important meeting? Do you check your phone before saying ‘good morning’ to your family? Does each new gadget or ‘app’ send your child further away from family life? Can we use technology without feeling as though it is using us? And how do we teach our children to become responsible lifelong learners in this digital age? According to Pew Research Center, almost one-fifth of Americans say they are online “almost constantly.” In our corner of the world, readers of The Daniel Island News report we are all online as well...a lot. “I have my phone with me at all times,” admits one reader, who completed a recent survey on the topic conducted by the paper. “It’s how I communicate. It’s my office, my calendar - it even counts my calories. It never leaves my side

dopamine is the chemical that is released when we engage in pleasurable activities, it DEBORAH BAILEY is at the root of addiction to drugs, alcohol or gambling. in case my children call.” In our society, we place age restricThe latest statistics on digital consumption are staggering. At the tions on these chemicals and gambling. However, we place electronic start of 2017, over a third of the devices in the hands of American world’s population has been found children every day. to own a smartphone; an estimated While the sharp rise in telecomtotal of almost 2.6 billion people (www.statista.com). The same data muting has made it easier for some parents to be at home, many revealed that Facebook had 1.79 local families say they billion active users worldexperience side efwide in the third quarter fects of the tech of 2016. More than 73 boom. One Danpercent of Americans iel Island dad, report going online who also took on a daily basis. the Daniel Island While an unprecNews survey, edented 92 percent says he sees a disof teenagers in the tinct change in his U.S. say they use the child, and by extenInternet every day (pesion, their home life. wresearch.org). “Between the computer, In the U.S., technology use begins video games, and iPhone use, it is at a very young age for most kids. Studies estimate that 97 percent of hard to keep our son off some kind American children under of device,” he said. “While he plays the age of four regular regular- (video) games with his friends, he ly use mobile media spends very little time with us.” devices. Most often This week, The Daniel Island children begin News is launching a series to exwatching a screen plore our digital diets. How often before their first are we behind our devices? And (“Pedi birthday (“Pediwhat do we see when we pull back atrics” Journal, the curtain on our screen use? What October 2015). are the marks of cyber addiction? In Even more conour efforts to create balanced lives, cerning, recent scienwhat strategies are working for local tific evidence indicates that individuals, experts and families? In texting, gaming, and social media this issue, read about how three local can be addictive, as they affect families are tackling tech use in their dopamine levels in the brain. Since own homes.

here are no easy answers or one-size fits all solutions to the dilemmas technology presents in our daily lives. Below, three local families we interviewed share insights on how they handle technology use in their own households.

WHY CAN'T WE

‘JUST SAY NO?’ COMING SOON IN THE DANIEL ISLAND NEWS

• Cyber addiction: How do we know when technology use has become a problem? • Daniel Island family therapist Dr. Susan West weighs in on parenting in the digital age, as part of our Positively Parenting column. • Solutions: Managing our digital consumption to reclaim our quality of life.

FEATURE

TECH AS TRAINING GROUND One local family sets strong limits and keeps up on a day-to-day basis. “Removing yourself completely is not a realistic option in today’s world,” says one conscientious Daniel Island mother of two tweens. “Our daughters have to live in the world, so we use the incidents we experience with technology - whether they are positive or negative, as training ground.” In order to do that, she says she makes a conscious effort to educate herself as a parent, reads her child’s text messages and emails while talking openly as a family. “There is no expectation of privacy in our home at this age and I’ve learned a lot from that openness. Recently, my husband and I had to learn an entirely new language being spoken with text emoji’s. We informed ourselves so our daughter could respond appropriately in a situation she encountered.” The family sets limits on where technology can be used in their home; no phones in bedrooms or private areas of the house and all gadgets must be in their charging docks in the living room by 8 p.m. every evening. “Right now these limits are working

for our family. I like that our kids are open about what they’re seeing. We hope we’re giving the girls a sense of confidence in their familiarity with technology, along with the ability to think for themselves and make educated choices.” “A ‘ZERO GADGET’ POLICY.” This hands-free mom armed her kids with a new way of life. “I have a 12 yearold and a 14 yearold who used to use several types of gadgets. Then our children’s (private) Montessori school implemented a strict ‘no technology’ policy. It was an inspiring jumping off point for our family to make some big, informed changes. For our age kids, it starts at home. Being on the phone, taking videos or pictures and social media sharing or posting. They see us do that and it becomes their inclination. We are their first teachers, then they become part of the process. Neither of my kids have any technology or devices anymore. Maybe the kids used to think this was lame, but after doing extensive reading on the subject, I felt strongly about this decision. After two gadget free years, I have seen too many positive effects in our family to list. The books I found most impactful and helpful were “Reset Your Child’s Brain” by Victoria Dunckley, MD and “The Big Disconnect” by Steiner Adair. Our daughter will be allowed to have a phone in high school next year, but I feel as though we have given her the opportunity for a more carefree, peaceful childhood. They tell me often now that they are grateful and consider it

a gift.” LEARNING AS WE GO Although he works in software, one 'techie' dad admits to being in unfamiliar territory. “I work in the software industry, so I couldn’t make a living without using technology in our house,” he says. “It has allowed me to spend a lot of time with my wife and kids as a workfrom-home dad.” However, he says his wife doesn’t always appreciate the constant presence of his workplace in their home. “She is grateful, but has always been conscious of the intrusion,” he explains. “Sometimes she says she feels that I’m present but not really here. I don’t disagree.” Now that each of their school age children have gadgets, his wife says she ironically feels the disconnect even more. “My oldest daughter just got her first iPhone last year and began to use one social media site this summer,” he relates. “Over Christmas, my wife and I did an extensive review of the people her ‘friends of friends’ had connected with and we were shocked.” The family is now in the market for stricter parental control software. “I’ve lived with technology since I was a child... My mother was a programmer and I’ve spent two decades in software.” However, he says, innovation is a moving target. “No one could have predicted how pervasive technology would be for our kids. Even working in the industry,” he says, “I don’t always feel prepared for some of the challenges that come with having everyone in our family being online.”

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‘What kind of an existence is this?’

As local overdoses skyrocket, a survivor traces the path from pills to needles to the morgue First of four parts Reece Murphy rmurphy@thelancasternews.com

had Carpenter overdosed on heroin only once, and he remembers precisely how it felt. He was 26, alone in his bedroom. His parents were only a few steps away, watching TV in their Lancaster home. He dumped his usual $30 ball of blacktar heroin into a spoon of water, flicked a lighter and melted it down. He strapped a belt around his arm, pulled the dark liquid into a syringe and shot it into his vein. Instant relief flooded in, the familiar vinegar taste at the back of his throat, and he collapsed, unconscious. He came to, unsure what had happened or how long he had been out. “I tried to stand up, and I remember it was hard to breathe,” Carpenter said. He stretched out on the floor. “I remember very specifically that I had to concentrate on breathing. That’s something you never think about, but I had to focus – breathe in, breathe out.” For 10 minutes, he fought off panic, struggling to stay alive. He now thinks the heroin might have been laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin sometimes mixed with the drug to increase its potency. Even that near-death experience didn’t stop Carpenter from shooting up again. “When you’re in that life, you don’t care about yourself,” he said. “It’s just the high.” Carpenter, now 32, has been clean for two years. He survived a local opioid epidemic that has killed at least 16 people in Lancaster County so far in 2017, three times as many as in all of last year. The problem is nationwide, with 64,000 opioid-overdose deaths in 2016, up 22 percent from the year before. That’s more Americans than have ever died in a year See OPIOIDS I Page 8A

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Chad Carpenter of Lancaster embraces his daughter on Father’s Day in June.

Pension quirk forces town

“For a couple of hours, you can feel like everything in life is going to work out. That’s what’s so addicting. It’s happiness – synthetic happiness.” – Chad Carpenter

Coming Wednesday This year’s numbers are shocking. Local cops, EMS crews and coroner’s officials scramble to cope with an accelerating emergency.

Next Friday Before Ron Hinson died, his mother raged at his dealer. “Look, you’re killing my son! How can you lay your head down at night and sleep?”

Next Sunday Many are seeking local solutions. Tammy Williams, a former addict, is now a “peer mentor” in a local recovery program.

Hazard on wheels

FIRST PLACE

Reece Murphy The Lancaster News

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Robert Joseph Baker The Manning Times

SECOND PLACE Jonathan Vickery The People-Sentinel

about this year’s festival

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BEAT REPORTING JULY 11, 2017

www.pagelandprogressive.com

75 cents

Pageland’s top 2 cops will not be prosecuted By DON WORTHINGTON Progressive Journal editor

A state investigation of the Pageland Police DepartmentÕ s top two officers has found Ò insufficient evidence to merit criminal prosecutionÓ after one of their employees accused them of breaking into his home.

The S.C. attorney generalÕ s office announced its finding Thursday after reviewing an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division into the actions of Police Chief Craig Greenlee and Capt. Dean Short. The two have been on paid administrative leave since the

Progressive Journal gets new leaders on news, ads

incident. Greenlee has worked at the PPD for just over a year. Short was hired two months ago. The Pageland Town Council has scheduled a closed session to discuss a personnel matter at todayÕ s 7 p.m. meeting. Town Manager Cecil Kimrey said the agenda item was a placeholder as the town is awaiting the SLED

report. SLED investigated the May 29 incident, in which Pageland police officer Brandon Roberts accused Greenlee and Short of breaking into his residence after he did not show up for a work shift. According to a Chesterfield See SLED | Page 5

SHORT

Fire can’t shake faith of Rocky Creek Presbyterian

Staff report

The Pageland Progressive Journal has a new leadership team. Don Worthington is the new editor, and Jessica Blackmon is the new advertising consultant. Worthington and Blackmon bring extensive editorial and marketing experience, respectively, and are committed to community journalism. Worthington was recently the business editor at The Herald in Rock Hill. Before that he was the lead government and political reporter for the Fayetteville Meet our (N.C.) Observer and the new team Winchester (Va.) Star. PAGE 2 He also has experience as a sports writer and editor, a columnist and a photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Maryland, Rhode Island and Virginia. Blackmon, a native of Lancaster, has been a sales consultant for about four months. Prior to that she was in restaurant management. Ò We are fortunate to have Don Worthington and Jessica Blackmon join our Pageland team,Ó said Susan Rowell, publisher of the Progressive Journal as well as papers in Chester, Indian Land and Lancaster. Ò Don has worked in community journalism for many years and understands See LEADERS | Page 2

By DON WORTHINGTON Progressive Journal editor

Outgoing PPJ editor wins news award By DON WORTHINGTON Progressive Journal editor

Kim Harrington, former editor of the Pageland Progressive Journal, has been honored for news-writing excellence among weekly newspapers owned by Landmark Community Newspapers. The judges said HarringtonÕ s first-place entry combined the Ò power of good sources and quotes with a to-thepoint narrative.Ó The articles Harrington submitted were: a six-hour mara- HARRINGTON thon session by the Pageland Town Council over then-suspended Police Chief Larry Brown, the murder of Ternetha Bennett by William Grant and then GrantÕ s suicide, and the discovery of Erica ParsonsÕ body near Mount Croghan. Parsons had been missing from Rowan County, N.C., for five years. The piece on the town councilÕ s executive session was just one of a series of stories Harrington wrote about BrownÕ s suspension and investigation by the S.C. Law Enforcement Division. Brown was investigated for a 2014 search of Brent NicholsonÕ s home on McGregor Street. At See AWARD | Page 5

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DON WORTHINGTON/Editor

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photo at top and above by KIM MANGUM/For The Progressive Journal

The local community came together in the aftermath of the fire at Rocky Creek Presbyterian Church, feeding firefighters and volunteers alike.

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Sunday, July 1, marked the beginning of Farrar GriggsÕ seventh year as pastor of Rocky Creek Presbyterian Church on Johnson Road near Jefferson. On a normal Sunday, Griggs would have been in the pulpit of the historic church. In 1903, church members built a sanctuary on the Johnson Road site. The church traces its beginnings to about 1850, said Griggs. But that Sunday, Griggs had arranged to stay at his home in Kannapolis, N.C., celebrating the day with four GRIGGS adult children, including Emily, who has been a missionary in North Africa for the past 10 years. Plans changed with a simple text message. Ò The church is on fire.Ó Father and daughter jumped in the car for the 90-minute ride on U.S. 601, not knowing what they would find in Jefferson. As they drove, Griggs scripted a sermon he didnÕ t know if he would get to preach. His daughter scribbled his thoughts on a napkin. They arrived to find Simpson Hall, the churchÕ s fellowship building, on fire and the flames threatening the sanctuary. Firefighters from Sandhill and Hartsville volunteer fire departments battled the blaze. It was Sandhill Fire Chief Tommy Catoe who discovered the fire and called it in, Griggs said. Later Griggs and his congregation learned that the fire started about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, possibly by a lightning strike. It smoldered for several hours before erupting in the fellowship hall named in honor of Cornelius and Lucy Simpson. By 7 a.m. the fire was through the fellowship hall roof and nearing the sanctuary. The roof of the fellowship hall collapsed, vinyl siding was either melted or warped and there was significant smoke damage to the sanctuary. The damage is estimated at $1.25 million, said Griggs. The fellowship hall is a total loss, and the sanctuary will have to be stripped to its brick walls and rebuilt. Thankfully, said Griggs, the church has insurance. But the church will be without a home for about nine months, he said. This past Sunday the congregation met at the home of one of its members. Future services will be at the Jefferson Community Center, said Griggs. Bible study classes will be held at membersÕ homes. When Griggs arrived at the church that Sunday, his first See FIRE | Page 5

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OBITUARIES, 3 Mildred Hyatt Georgia Lueth

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Commentary: Homicidal maniacs should bring their own weapons A7

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State of the County address touts job creation

Rickey Ciapha Dennis Jr. The Gazette BY LINDSAY STREET lstreet@berkeleyind.com

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

County Supervisor Bill Peagler cited his administration’s many accomplishments during the 2017 State of the County address.

Drug drop boxes aim to curb abuse Agencies offer sites for unused medications

Berkeley County Supervisor Bill Peagler delivered the State of the County address from his office desk via a video released Feb. 1. The video was published on social media and is available at berkeleyind.com. In the address, the county’s top elected official and executor opened with his oft-repeated phrase: “Berkeley County is open for business, and Berkeley County means business.” The phrase, first coined by the supervisor in his first two months in office in 2015, has come to embody the Peagler administration’s focus on busi-

ness retention and recruitment to the county. And he used 2016’s economic development successes to frame his five-minute speech, which came on the heels of a decision by county council to hold an election to determine if voters want to the county to continue to be led by an elected CEO or if voters want county council to hire an administrator instead. “We have announced nearly $1.5 billion in economic development projects and nearly 5,000 new jobs in the past two years. To say, Berkeley County is open for business would be an understatement,” Peagler told the camera. “No longer does the next generation have to go to the big cit-

Please see COUNTY, Page A8

Tools of the trade Ride-along with Goose Creek officer entails talks of body cameras, city growth

BY LINDSAY STREET lstreet@berkeleyind.com Expired or unused drugs don’t belong in the medicine cabinet. To help people get rid of prescription drugs safely, several drug-abuse prevention agencies have opened two permanent prescription drug drop boxes in Berkeley County. An increasing cause of death in Berkeley County is accidental overdose from prescription medicine. Thirty-three people died in the county from accidental drug overdoses in 2016. Many of those were from prescription drugs, according to Berkeley County Coroner and Berkeley County Prevention Board member Bill Salisbury. “If we don’t have all these old drugs lying around and convenient for people to take, if they are disposed of properly, there is no way they can take them if they’re not available,” Salisbury told the Independent. Salisbury said that every year, a number of children are hospitalized in the county due to accessing old prescription drugs. “If no longer need them or taking them, you need to dispose of them,” Salisbury said. The boxes are located in the lobby of the Berkeley County Sheriff ’s Office at 223 N. Live Oak Dr. in Moncks Corner and the lobby of the Goose Creek Police Department at 519 N. Goose Creek Blvd. in Goose Creek. The Ernest E. Kennedy Center,

ies like Atlanta, Charlotte and New York, for that matter, to attain their dream jobs. Their dream jobs in technology, life sciences and manufacturing are now here, across every part of Berkeley County — from Daniel Island to Moncks Corner, Hanahan to St. Stephen, Goose Creek to Ridgeville and everywhere in between.” Peagler continued and touted the county’s low tax rate, which has not been raised since he assumed office in 2015. Although his administration proposed a tax increase in its first year, county council balked and a budget was passed without an increase.

BY RICKEY CIAPHA DENNIS JR. rdennis@berkeleyind.com

RICKEY CIAPHA DENNIS JR./GAZETTE

Sgt. Brian Hornor has served with the Goose Creek Police Department for 10 years.

The sound of keys jingling and heavy shoes hitting the f loor echoed throughout the Goose Creek Police Department lobby as Sergeant Brian Hornor heads out the door and into the city streets. It’s about 4:30 p.m. Besides a brush fire near Goose Creek United Methodist church that was handled without incident, the Wednesday evening has been pretty slow. He heads to one of the dozens of white, green-striped patrol cars located behind the department. The inside is decked with technological equipment galore, including a laptop, data server, in-car video recording equipment and a petit recording microphone. He tests the video equipment and the microphone to ensure it works. Every officer is required to do so before every shift. This ride will only slightly be unusual because a reporter is riding Please see POLICE, Page A8

38 arrested in Cane Bay, Clements Ferry sweep

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The Last Ride of Dylann Roof Prosecutors paint a troubling picture of accused church shooter

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BY DUSTIN WATERS

CHARLESTON CITY PAPER 12.14.2016

It was just after 9 p.m. when Dylann Roof peeked his head from between the double doors that lead behind Emanuel AME Church. Looking right then left, he saw nothing but a dark parking lot. Roof let the Glock hang loose in his right hand as he casually walked to his 2000 Hyundai Elantra and drove off into the night — leaving behind nine victims dead or dying, a bereft mother who watched her son’s final moments, a frightened child told to play dead, a wife robbed of her husband, a daughter robbed of her father, and the one person he intentionally spared to tell the story of what happened.

Expecting to be met with a hail of gunfire as soon as he stepped out of the church, Roof had no plan beyond the final clip of Winchester .45 rounds he carried with him. Having fired his pistol 74 times in the church, striking his victims 54 times, he intended to turn the weapon on himself if he encountered police. But that willingness to die for his cause proved fleeting. Heading northwest, Roof drove without a clear destination in mind. He considered Nashville, but merely for the fact that he had never been there. Approximately 250 miles from Charleston, a city of more than 132,000 who had either followed the developing news late into the night or awoken to heartache, Roof was spotted in Shelby, N.C. The final chords of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” rang out over the radio in one officer’s patrol car as the sharp wail of siren signalled for Roof the pull over. Making his way slowly up a narrow dirt driveway, the gunman waited as members of the Shelby Police Department surrounded his car, which for lack of any better hideout had become his home. From the outside, Roof’s black four-door appeared non-threatening except for the front license plate which showed three flags from a failed nation surrounded by the words “Confederate States of America.” Sitting next to Roof was a GPS system, an empty bag of chips, a bottle of water, and several scraps of paper that littered the passenger seat. In the back floorboard were dozens of rounds of additional ammunition and the packaging that had once contained the pistol magazines Roof had discarded at the church. Underneath the bullets lay two small flags — one Confederate, one American — folded into one another and left to mingle among the plastic bags and trash left behind the driver’s seat. Fastened to thin wooden dowels, they’re the type of stick flags you’d hand

to a child to wave during a parade or place on the grave of a fallen soldier. Roof treated them with all the reverence of a discarded fast-food wrapper. Tucked under a pillow in the backseat, Roof hid the pistol that he had used to kill nine people the night before. Inches away was his journal containing his handwritten manifesto. It had taken him fewer than 21 full pages to scrawl out the warped beliefs that he used to justify his attack. The rest of the pages contain brief confessional digressions on love, disease, and blame. Although a brief explainer on why Roof felt compelled to commit such a heinous act of terrorism, his journal is fraught with contradictions. He writes that he is morally opposed to psychology, calling it a “Jewish invention” that “does nothing but invent diseases and tell people they have problems when they don’t.” A few pages later, Roof writes that homosexuality should be made illegal or reinstated as a “severe mental illness.” On the very next page, he confesses, “One of my only regrets is that I was never able to fall in love.” In another sidenote, Roof writes, “I don’t respect or feel pity for old white people or my elders as they are the ones who let us get in our situation.” The journal in which these words were written was found inches away from two brief notes Roof had intended to leave behind for his parents. To his mother, Roof wrote, “I’m sorry for what I did, but I had to do it. This note isn’t meant to be sentimental and make you cry. I just want you to know that I love you. I know that what I did will have repercussions on my whole family, and for this I truly am sorry. At this moment I miss you very much, and as childish as it sounds I wish I was in your arms.” To his father, Roof simply wrote, “I love you and I’m sorry. You were a good dad. I love you.”

Robert Maniscalco

FOR MOST OF THE TRIAL, ROOF HAS SAT WITH HIS FACE DOWN STARING AT HIS HANDS

Following his arrest, Roof was escorted back to the Shelby police station. With no holding cells, he was kept in the department’s former library that now serves as an interrogation room. No iron bars or two-way glass present, Roof sat handcuffed around an oblong table awaiting agents from the FBI. Michael Stansbury was the first agent to shake hands with Dylann Roof. Introducing himself, Stansbury asked Roof how he was doing to which the 21-year-old replied, “Good.” It had been almost 17 hours since Roof opened fire in Emanuel AME Church. In those hours, Stansbury and his fellow agents had met with Roof’s family back in South Carolina. His father led the conversation, unsure of his son’s location. Police searched their home, retrieving among other items a DVD copy of the 1982 TV movie “Made in Britain” about a violent teenage skinhead and a birthday card that Roof’s father had given him two months earlier. “Happy 21st B-Day! I love you, buddy!” his dad wrote, the message punctuated with wide, looping exclamation marks. With the

card was an I.O.U., promising up to $400 toward a pistol and concealed weapon permit. Roof was quick to confess to the shooting at Mother Emanuel, acting as if the explanation of his actions was a formality. Flanked by two FBI agents, Roof said, “I killed them,” before telling the agents that he had shot his victims. “What kind of gun did you use,” Agent Stansbury asked. Roof chuckled, “A Glock .45.” Unwilling or unable to acknowledge the disconnect between what he was saying and his actions, Roof explained that he chose Emanuel AME because “I like Charleston. It’s a historic city ... It was a historic church.” Among the items belonging to Roof collected by SLED agents was a list of churches with Emanuel AME listed at the top followed by the church’s address and phone number. SLED agents also collected a latent fingerprint from that same list, discovered just to the right of the address for Calvary Episcopal Church, which sits just a mile from Mother Emanuel. continued on page 15

Dustin Waters Charleston City Paper

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Mandy Catoe The Lancaster News The

Lancaster News

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Former Winyah Auditorium director charged with fraud, embezzlement BY DAVID PURTELL dpurtell@southstrandnews.com

Falling tree kills Buford woman Mandy Catoe

mcatoe@thelancasternews.com

At least one person was killed Thursday when a tree crushed a mobile home about 5 p.m. in the 4700 block of Pageland Highway, about a half-mile east of Buford Crossroads.

www.thelancasternews.com

“There is one confirmed fatality and the coroner’s office has been notified,” said Lancaster County Fire Marshall Stephen Blackwelder. Officials did not identify the victim by press time, but Patrick Burgess, 17, identified her as his grandmother, Colleen Burgess.

Patrick Burgess, interviewed at the scene, said she was taking a nap in her bedroom when the tree came down. His grandfather, Jim Burgess, was the only other person in the house, eating a sandwich in the kitchen, according to his grandson. Patrick Burgess said he and his father, Kevin, and some

friends were nearby in a shed playing cards when they heard the crash. “At first I thought it was lightning,” he said. When he saw the tree on the house, he knew his grandmother’s room was underneath it. He said Jim Burgess escaped See TREE I Page 3

MANDY CATOE/mcatoe@the lancasternews.com

High winds toppled this 100-foot tree in Buford Thursday evening, smashing a mobile home and killing Colleen Burgess, a retired certified nursing assistant.

FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017

Narrow escape

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SWAT team storms house,

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Winyah Auditorium

vealed he was using money that came into the academy for his own purposes. Police also f ou n d t h a t Brantley, 44, wa s w r itBrantley ing checks to himself from the Winyah Auditorium — he’d been director for a year — and that he was accepting

The former director of the Winyah Auditorium was arrested May 19 on fraud and embezzlement charges relating to the Carolina’s Got Talent show he produced at the Auditorium. According to the Georgetown Police Department, after a contestant on the show filed a fraud complaint against Wardell Brantley Jr. a search warrant of Brantley’s South Carolina Media Arts Academy’s bank records re- Please see CHARGE, Page A2

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A mother’s heart breaks

Allen Cooper was shot and killed April 26 at the Barr Street Community Center.

‘He died in the streets. All the bullets were around my son.’

75 CENTS

Kershaw

Colossal water-leak mystery is solved Gregory A. Summers

gsummers@thelancasternews.com

Hannah L. Strong

KERSHAW – Talk about flushing money down the toilet. A mysterious $8,400-a-month water leak that has plagued the town of Kershaw for at least three years has been isolated to a stretch of water lines on the west side of the mill village between 1st and 2nd streets, and repairs are being assessed. This is no dripping pipe. It’s a torrent. In fiscal 2015, the town couldn’t account for about 7 million gallons of water each month. For the year, it amounted to a $100,000-plus loss. As a comparison, the average home in America uses about 5,000 gallons per month, according to the Consumer Council for Water. “We knew it was going on. We just didn’t know where,” said Kershaw Mayor Mark Dorman. “You See WATER I Page 2A

hstrong@thelancasternews.com

One of La’Tisha Pearson’s last memories of her son Allen Cooper is from the night before his murder. The scary movie “Get Out” was playing in the living room at their home on Witherspoon Street east of downtown Lancaster. Pearson is no fan of scary things. Allen, a frequent prankster, saw his mom coming down the hall, and he hid just around the corner. As she passed, he jumped out to startle her. “You’re going to give me a heart attack,” Pearson told him, laughing. Less than 24 hours later, the horror was not fiction. Pearson was at work in Great Falls and got a phone call at 9 p.m. The caller said her son had been shot. “I didn’t think the worst – maybe a leg or arm,” Pearson said. “Nobody would tell me what happened until I got there.” Cooper, 17, had been shot once in the head in the parking lot of Hope on the Hill after a community league basketball game April 26. “He died in the streets – something I tried to keep him from,” Pearson said this week. “I saw my son laying out there…. All the bullets were around my son. Now, it’s too late.” See PEARSON I Page 2A

Outlaw resigns after 8 successful years leading United Way Kayla Vaughn

From street criminal to inspiring adult Gary Robinson salvaged his life, is determined to help others Reece Murphy rmurphy@thelancasternews.com

It’s Oct. 17, 1998, late night in Orangeburg, and 20-year-old Gary Robinson – aspiring musician, drug addict, homeless stickup kid – is sick of it all and wants to get out of South Carolina. Money first. A chance encounter

with his boys at the One Stop. “We’re about to rob those guys up there,” his partner says, pointing out at a car across the parking lot. “The plan was to get in their car, make them follow his car someplace, take their wheels. We split the money,” Robinson recalled this month. “I’m the type of guy who always kept a mask on me – a gorilla mask. I said, ‘Yeah, I’m in.’” That decision sent Robinson to See ROBINSON I Page 2A

kvaughn@thelancasternews.com

After eight years leading the organization, Melanie Outlaw is stepping down as executive director for the United Way of Lancaster County to return to real estate sales. “I did submit my resignation this week.” she said in a statement Wednesday. “I can’t express to you all how much I’ve truly enjoyed doing what I do.” Outlaw leaves big shoes to fill, said Rhonda Fortune, who leads the United Way's board of direcOutlaw tors. “As chairman for the United Way, I could not have asked for a better executive director, and she will truly be missed," Fortune said. "Melanie can move forward knowing she has, in fact, made a difference.” Board member Debbie Boulware called Outlaw “a walking billboard for the agency. I have See OUTLAW I Page 8A

Paint stones, hide them,

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Hannah Strong The Lancaster News

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Cindy Landrum Greenville Journal 01.27.2017 | GREENVILLE JOURNAL | 5

COMMUNITYJOURNALS.COM

NEWS

Hitching a Ride Two proposed trolley routes could have bigger impacts than you might expect CINDY LANDRUM | STAFF

clandrum@communityjournals.com

Augusta Street and the Village of West Greenville, the two front-runners for the city’s expanded trolley service, are stark contrasts of one another. The Augusta Street area is home to some of the most aﬄuent neighborhoods in Greenville. The Village of West Greenville, on the other hand, is one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, one where many residents are forced to rely on public transportation to take care of basic needs such as grocery shopping. Both areas are home to tourist-related destinations, the primary criteria used by Greenlink officials to determine where the

expanded trolley service would go because the city is using hospitality tax money to pay for it and hospitality tax money must be used for tourism-related activities. But while the primary goal of the new routes is to increase tourism, they will provide benefits to the neighborhoods — and the city as a whole as well.

TRANSPORTATION CONCERNS

The Augusta Street route includes Cleveland Park and the Greenville Zoo, popular attractions where parking can get extremely scarce, especially on weekend days when the weather is nice. Traffic is a major concern as well and one of the biggest reasons residents banded together to successfully fight against a Chick-fil-A drive-thru restaurant in the redeveloping Lewis Plaza. “Anything that can get some cars off Augusta Road is a good thing,” said Dave Meyers, a salesman whose area includes the Augusta area and who is looking to relo-

cate from Anderson County. “It gets so congested at times that it’s really hard to get where you’re going. It’s kind of the city’s version of Woodruff Road, where there are so many cars, it’s hard to get where you want to go. But it has everything I’m looking for in a neighborhood.” West Greenville residents, on the other hand, will benefit from additional public transportation availability. “If you have to rely on public transportation like I do, it will mean being able to get around during hours that the buses don’t run,” said Alvin Cooper, who lives in West Greenville just outside of the city limits. “If you don’t have a car, that’s a big deal. It’s hard to get around if you don’t have a car and the buses aren’t running.” But perhaps more importantly, the trolleys can serve as a fun, interesting introduction to using public transit for demo-

appreciates our Catholic partners!

Thank You

for being loving communities of faith, knowledge, and service!

CRITERIA FOR NEW TROLLEY ROUTES � Provides service to central business district � Provides connections between central business district and hospitality venues, leisure and recreation facilities and tourist destinations � Provides connections to residential areas � Route is under 5 miles long � Routes are less than 30 minutes

TROLLEY continued on PAGE 6

NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

SECOND PLACE David Travis Bland Free Times

CHARLES.PERRY@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

Before he stepped down as chairman of the Carolina Forest Civic Association in 2014, Bo Ives understood what it would take for the community to become its own city. He also knew he wasn’t willing to lead that campaign. “I just don’t believe residents are interested,” he said. “And I don’t want to do the work. … I would

Red tape, lack of interest likely to derail efforts want a real outcry from people that they really need something before I would do that work.” The civic association again waded into the subject of incorporation last month when current president Carole vanSickler said the organization would reach out to Coastal Carolina University about conducting a feasibility

study to look at options for managing growth in The Forest. Specifically, the group is interested in the process of incorporating or forming a special purpose tax district. The association hasn’t formally supported any option. VanSickler said the group simply seeks to find out what’s available

“If the people keep asking the questions, someone has to figure out the answers,” vanSickler said. “It’s a start.” For Ives, the discussion sounds familiar. Before he led the civic association, the organization had explored the incorporation proposal. A representative from the S.C. Mu-

tation about the process and urged the association to work with Coastal on a feasibility study. Coastal even agreed to conduct the study, but university staff doubted incorporation would be desirable, said Horry County Councilman Gary Loftus, who also serves as director of the university’s Grant Center for Real Estate and Economic Development.

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CHARLES D. PERRY | THE CHRONICLE

A 2003 fire destroyed most of Robert and Patsy Behrendt’s home on Piedmont Avenue. The Forestbrook couple now could lose their land.

Family fears new Horry County policy will cost them land BY CHARLES D. PERRY CHARLES.PERRY@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

Long before a dilapidated camper sat in the driveway and the weeds and trees overtook the house, there was a fire at 323 Piedmont Ave. The 2003 blaze destroyed most of Robert and Patsy Behrendt’s home. They wanted to rebuild there, but they couldn’t get a construction permit because their land doesn’t have residential zoning. This week, after years of lawsuits and health problems, the couple learned they could lose their property because of a new Horry County ordinance. “I’m not proud of what that place looks like over there,” said Robert Behrendt, who turns 64 this month. “But I didn’t ask for that situation.” The Behrendts’ former house is one of five properties Horry County Council authorized the county administrator to clean up last week. On June 6, the council approved a resolution giving the administrator the authority to “abate these unfit dwellings and exercise its police powers to repair, close, or demolish such dwellings.” There will be a hearing and an appeals process is available, but if the Behrendts lose, what’s left of their home will be destroyed and the county will place a lien on their property. If COUNTY POLICY, A3

INCORPORATION, A7

A century of wisdom Ms. Esther credits her FIRST longevity toPLACE

Charles D. Perry Carolina Forest Chronicle clean living

BY ETTIE NEWLANDS

ETTIE.NEWLANDS@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

The pretty pink polish has started to chip on Esther Marsala’s fingernails, but she said that’s not important. What is important is that her nails looked perfect for her 100th birthday – and all three parties. “I got almost 200 birthday cards, and I’m still getting them,” she says, adding, “I was supposed to get one from the President of the United States, but I didn’t.” There was a birthday celebration at the Berkshire Forest amenity center on May 7, and on May 9 and May 11, two more parties at the Grand Strand Senior Center. Her actual birthday was May 9, and she’ll run numbers by you faster than you can ask about them. She’ll tell you she was married on March 6, 1936 and was married 31 years, until

Esther Marsala, who recently turned 100, knits caps for babies at least three days a week.

SUBMITTED

BIRTHDAY, PAGE A3

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SECOND PLACE THIRD PLACE (TIE) Travis Jenkins NEWS&REPORTER Almost there

Cycs finish second in another tournament. See Page 7-A. THE HE

David Purtell Georgetown Times

Owner limits steel mill use

BY DAVID Issue 49, PURTELL 2 Sections, 14 Pages dpurtell@southstrandnews.com

The News & Reporter

C HESTER C OUNTY ’ S H OMETOWN N EWSPAPER SINCE 1869 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2017

75 Cents

County may have to fund delegation office

The current owner of the Georgetown steel mill has taken steps to shield the property from attempts to redevelop it for residential and commercial use. A document filed Aug. 10 with the Georgetown County Register of Deeds places restrictions on the use of the property, including prohibiting the site from use for retail and residential purposes. The mill’s owner, ArcelorMittal, has been in talks with British-based Liberty House Group to sell the 150-acre mill site — Liberty House says it plans to reopen the mill.

Letter from Senate clerk indicates state can withhold funds if county fails to allocate

Betsy Finklea The Dillon Herald

BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com

Chester County Council indicated earlier this month that it was not inclined to provide funding for an office for the countyÕ s legislative delegation. As it turns out, it may not have BY BRIAN GARNER/THE N&R any say so in the matter. Chester County School Superintendent Dr. Angela Bain looks at one of the aging school buses in the At the councilÕ s first Chester County School District bus fleet. The $20.5 million vetoed from the budget by Governor Henry meeting of June, it was McMaster means some of those older buses might not be replaced any time soon. discussed that freshman State Senator Mike Fanning, who represents District 17 (which includes all of Chester County) had recently inquired about the possibility of being provided office space in

Chester County Superintendent reacts to Governor’s cutting school bus funding

Her solution? Write

percent of the districtÕ s bus fleet. As many know by now, Governor Henry McMaster has vetoed $20.5

Some of those new buses the SCDOE may have purchased or leased might have replaced some of

Chester. County Supervisor Shane Stuart said Fanning told him that many counties not only give members of its legislative delegation an office, but also an annual budget to pay for an administrative clerk and office supplies. Fairfield County sets aside $18,000 annually for that purpose, part of which Fanning has access to, since all of Fairfield also sits in his district. House District 41 Rep. Marygail Douglas does as well, since her district is comprised of all of Fairfield and part of

See DELEGATION, Page 2-A

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Strong second half keys Bruins’ win | SPORTS, 7

The

Lancaster News Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017

www.thelancasternews.com

75 CENTS

Blackmon seeks $6,750 in back pay Mark Manicone mmanicone@thelancasternews.com

Newly sworn in Lancaster City Council member Linda Blackmon has requested back pay for the nine months she would have served on the council if Jackie Harris had not sued her over the 2016 election results. Blackmon wants $6,750 in back pay, according to the agenda for Tuesday night’s city council meeting, which was

set to begin after press time. Blackmon’s request got mixed reviews Tuesday afternoon. “I don’t see any reason that she shouldn’t get the money,” said Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Blackmon Green Garris. “That’s the fair thing to do.” Mayor John Howard disagreed.

Student charged with taking loaded handgun to AJ High

“There is no way on God’s green Earth that she is due, or deserves, any payment,” said Howard. “Anybody that would vote for this is rubbing mud in the face of the taxpayers.” Council member Hazel Taylor said: “Nothing personal to Linda, but… it is utterly ridiculous to even consider this. Since we’ve had a terrible budget year and it’s been cut as much as it has, that’s why I think we shouldn’t consider it at all.”

Blackmon could not be reached for comment. In addition to Garris, council members Gonzie Mackey and Kenny Hood said that because Blackmon’s case has concluded, she should receive the money. “It’s been proven through the court that she did no wrong,” Mackey said. “She should get what she deserves.” Hood said: “I think she deserves it, See BLACKMON I Page 2

YMCA coming to Lancaster

Hannah L. Strong hstrong@thelancasternews.com

A 17-year-old Andrew Jackson High student was arrested Monday for possessing a loaded handgun and marijuana in the school. Devin D’Ante Wright of Heath Springs was charged with carrying a weapon on school property and simple possession of marijuana, according to a Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office release. AJHS Principal Alex Dabney told the school resource officer that he had heard Wright Wright had been seen with a pistol inside the school. Wright was then escorted to the office, but did not have the pistol.

FILE PHOTO

North Elementary School students took swimming lessons at the pool at USC Lancaster last October. Here, they learn to paddle a canoe.

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Mark Manicone The Lancaster News

BUSINESS REPORTING ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

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Melinda Waldrop Columbia Regional Business Report S.C. Press Association Awards First Place

Best Business Report ing Best News Report ing Best News Photo Best Feature Photo

October 9 - 22, 2017 • www.columbiabusinessreport.com

Volume 10, No. 15 • $2.00

Twists and turns come fast and furious in ongoing V.C. Summer saga Jarring incident Shooting shakes Vista, but not confidence in safety of area. Page 3

Home sweet home

Staff Report

Residential presence could spark new wave of Commons at BullStreet development. Page 10

Hurricane relief

Area companies pitch in to help victims of Harvey, Irma and Maria. Page 19

INSIDE

Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 4 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering and Construction .......................11 List: Commercial Property Management Companies .... 18 At Work .............................. 19 Viewpoint ...........................23

45% and SCE&G 55% of the project near Jenkinsville, which was originally budgeted to cost around $11.3 billion when approved by the S.C. Public Service Commission in 2009. But as delays mounted, costs soared to closer to $20 billion. SCE&G and Santee Cooper spent about $9 billion before abandoning the project after contractor Westinghouse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April.

PROJECT WITH A PAST See V.C. SUMMER, Page 8

Design plan featuring boutique hotel transforms downtown block

Here to stay

Samsung executives say relationship with S.C. will be a lasting one. Page 12

Motley Rice charges that SCANA committed securities fraud violations, artificially driving up stock prices “by issuing false and misleading statements to investors and omitting material information concerning the progress, cost and completion schedule” of the abandoned project. Gambrell accused SCANA of violating a federal racketeering statute by charging customers for the uncompleted nuclear reactors. State-owned utility Santee Cooper owns

By Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

hen the light came flooding in, it brought relief for Justin Lucas. Lucas, senior project architect at Columbia design firm The Boudreaux Group, oversaw the painstaking renovations to his company’s new building at 1519 Sumter St. and is doing the same for the connected boutique hotel being carved out of two historic buildings at 1222 and 1224 Taylor St.

The dual 23,000-square-foot project is an ambitious one, seeking to restore vibrancy to a neglected downtown block. It began taking shape last fall, when the plans drawn up by developer Sumter Group LLC received city, state and federal approval and qualified for tax credits under the Bailey Bill, a state law that fosters restoration of historic buildings by fixing their tax assessments at pre-rehabilitation values for 20 years. But the first in-depth look at the Sumter Street structure, built in 1920, proved dispir-

Roads benefiting

Concrete company Smith-Midland among those benefiting from government roads funding.

iting. Abandoned for decades after Powell Furniture left in the 1980s, the building had suffered extensive water damage from leaks pockmarking the ceiling, and a coat of gray paint slapped on at some point had obliterated its white stucco finish. “It was in really bad shape when we found it,” Lucas said. “But the bones were good. If the foundation is good, everything else can be fixed.” See BOUTIQUE HOTEL, Page 6

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Sarita Chourey Municipal Association of South Carolina

BUSINESS REPORTING ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

July 17 - August 13, 2017

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Common values, shared passions led to formation of law firm By Chuck Crumbo

FIRST PLACE

ccrumbo@scbiznews.com

alissa Burnette admitted she had been contemplating retirement when the idea sprouted among a team of attorneys she worked with at a Columbia law firm that they should strike out on their own. The process began March 13 and by June 1 the firm of Burnette Shutt & McDaniel opened for business on the second floor of a historic warehouse building at 912 Lady St. in the Congaree Vista neighborhood. Burnette and partners Nekki Shutt and Kathleen McDaniel had practiced together for nearly seven years at Callison Tighe & Robinson before forming their own firm. They’ve been joined by associates Janet Rhodes and Jacqueline “Jax” Pavlicek, who also were at Callison Tighe. The firm has 10 staffers. “The opportunity to build a unique law practice with people who are both colleagues and friends doesn’t arise too often in life,” Burnette said, explaining why she opted to postpone a retirement party. Another bonus is that her daughter, Grant Burnette LeFever, plans to join the firm next June following graduation from the University of South Carolina School of Law. “It’s just too exciting to give it up,” said the 67-year-old Burnette, who’s now working in her fifth firm. “There are too many things that need to be done.” The firm’s location is appropriate considering the attorneys’ track records, McDaniel said. “Our offices blend the best of the modern era with a respect for tradition. The same could be said of our firm.” The three-story brick building that’s home to the firm was built in 1916 by the B.B. Kirkland Seed and Distributing Co. and later housed Hinson Feed and Seed. Burnett Shutt & McDaniel moved into the former offices of Cohn Construction, which relocated to the former McCrory’s building at Main and Taylor streets.

Shared values

The firm’s attorneys will focus on employment law, environmental law, privacy issues and litigation – areas of common interest and passions, Shutt said. “Our attorneys have long track records of challenging social injustices in sweeping cases,” Shutt said. “We’ve also fought for micro-level changes, assisting small businesses and helping with neighborhood disputes.” Shutt and Burnette successfully represented the plaintiffs in the landmark Condon v. Wilson case that led to the legalization of same-sex marriage in South Carolina. The two lawyers racked up more than 250 hours working on the case and

Members of the new firm are, seated, Jacqueline Pavlicek (left ), Malissa Burnette; standing Nekki Shutt (left) and Janet Rhodes; and inset Kathleen McDaniel. (Photos/Staff, Provided)

Pavlicek added another 7½ hours – all pro bono. Had they received their hourly rate, the attorneys would have earned about $85,000, according to court documents. However, the plaintiffs asked the court to award legal fees which totaled about $155,000, according to the documents. Burnette’s and Shutt’s share went to the South Carolina Equality Coalition. Burnette’s other landmark legal battles have led to The Citadel’s being forced to admit women as cadets and allowing girls in the state’s public schools to play contact sports. Before entering private practice, Burnette served as the chief of staff for former Lt. Gov. Nancy Stevenson, who in 1978 was the first woman elected to statewide office. “We love the adventure of what we do,” said Pavlicek, who first started working with her colleagues at Callison Tighe. “There’s no one else that I’d rather be in the trenches with than these fantastic attorneys. They’ve got your back, they’ve got your clients’ backs. If there’s anything you need, they’re there or they know where to go.” Her 50th birthday prompted Shutt to take stock of her legal career and eventually decide to leave the established firm. Lawyers generally don’t retire, Shutt said. Figuring she’d practice another 25 years, Shutt said she also realized that she wanted to be with a firm that did work consistent with her values.

Serving in the trenches

“These folks that I practice here with at Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, we’ve all been friends, we’ve all been colleagues, and we’ve all been in the trenches together. I know practicing law is personal to them.” Having their own firm and working with a group of attorneys with similar beliefs and values also means that she doesn’t have to worry about whether it’s bad for business for being “out front on issues.” She explained that sometimes taking on a controversial case or talking about legal issues at political forums might conflict with a firm’s position to be impartial. “We don’t want to ask permission to do anything,” Shutt said. “We want to do what’s right.” Shutt and Burnette, along with Rhodes, will focus on employment law, including employee benefits under laws such as Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Shutt and Burnette are certified South Carolina specialists in employment law. McDaniel’s practice will focus on environmental law, including land use, permitting and zoning. She’ll also represent clients on other government issues such as utility rates and condemnation and eminent domain. Pavlicek, who holds a CIPP/US designation from the International Association of Privacy Professionals, will

assist clients with a range of privacy issues, from information security to assisting in the event of a data breach. Forming an all-woman firm wasn’t their original intention, Burnette said. Since word has gotten out about the firm, Burnette said she has been contacted by a half-dozen male attorneys about possibly joining and members are open to adding men. Still there are some unique challenges for women in the legal world, Rhodes said. “We didn’t set out to make this a female firm. It was about the ideology we share.” While law remains a male-dominated business, 2016 marked the first time women made up a majority of law students, holding more than 50% of the seats at accredited U.S. law schools, according to American Bar Association data. “None of us inherited a book of business,” Shutt said. “We don’t have dads or grandfathers who were judges. … We’ve worked really hard and have done it basically ourselves to make our reputation and our names.” CRBR Reach Chuck Crumbo at (803) 726-7542

Chuck Crumbo Columbia Regional Business Report

schools

ponder next steps for Summerville

BY MONICA KREBER mkreber@journalscene.com

Residents allege Dorchester District Two broke state law while working on its newest schools, leading to cost overruns, delays in opening the new schools and “shoddy and improper construction,” according to a lawsuit filed March 3 in Dorchester County. Among the allegations outlined in the lawsuit are that DD2 failed to file annual development reports, failed to calculate budget reserves lawfully and violated procurement codes, among other items. The suit was filed on behalf of a group of residents against the district, Superintendent Joe Pye, current board members, former board member Sam Clark and unknown contractors. The plaintiffs are being represented by Andrew Gowder and former senator Mike Rose, who are also plaintiff attorneys in the boutique hotel lawsuit against the town of Summerville. Both declined to comment. Plaintiffs are calling for the district’s actions to be declared illegal and that DD2 undergo an audit of how it spent the bond monies issued, among other items. DD2 spokeswoman Pat Raynor said the district does not comment on pending litigation. In 2012, voters passed a $179.9 million Yes4Schools referendum to build three elementary schools and a new middle school of the arts, and do renovations at other schools. The three new elementary schools opened in August and the new middle school is scheduled to open next year. Among the details outlined in the lawsuit was DD2’s decision in March 2014 to terminate its contract with M.B. Kahn Construction Company, the contractor that had been selected to handle all of DD2’s construction projects. DD2 reportedly ended the contract after M.B. Kahn’s cost estimates for the projects turned out to be more expensive than what had previously been determined. The lawsuit states that after firing M.B. Kahn, DD2 substituted other contractors, without competition, “by illegally declaring a state of ‘emergency,’ and otherwise in violation of laws.” The lawsuit goes on to state that completion of the schools was delayed by more than two years, not all the schools have been completed

It is a big attraction in Summerville’s historic district. It hosts numerous events, like the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and the monthly Third Thursdays. It is home to a number of merchants, restaurants and other professionals. Every Friday places like Guerin’s Pharmacy and Perfectly Frank’s are a hotspot for students after they leave school. Residents often say how much they enjoy their location within walking distance from their downtown. It’s never been a secret how much residents care about downtown Summerville – from opining on the hotel project, to participating in public comment meetings on Hutchinson Square

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THIRD PLACE

Elizabeth Bush Daniel Island News 02 ISLAND NEWS

The Daniel Island News ■ December 15 - 21, 2016

‘The boom is back’ thedanielislandnews.com

DI economist offers annual fiscal forecast

ELIZABETH BUSH beth@thedanielislandnews.com What a difference six years can make. The first time career economist Steve Slifer presented his popular end-of-year Economic Outlook conference on Daniel Island, his message largely focused on a nation still healing from what has been described as the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression. Fast forward to 2016 and the forecast has improved considerably. At his seventh annual event at the Daniel Island Club, Slifer was proud to report “the boom is back.” A packed ballroom of guests from all over the Charleston region sat attentively as Slifer provided his take on the nation’s current economic status and what we can expect down the road. As is typical for Slifer, he was cautiously optimistic. “All is pretty good!” he said, in kicking off the program. And Slifer should know. He has been an economist for almost 40 years, beginning his career with the Federal Reserve in Washington. That was followed by two decades as Chief U.S. Economist at Lehman Brothers. Slifer now

runs his own consulting firm, NumberNomics, has written two books and is considered one of the top economists in the country. THE TWO PERCENT RUT To begin his presentation, Slifer turned to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), one of the best measures of our nation’s economic climate. “We’ve been stuck in this two percent rut for a while,” he noted, referencing one of the 100 plus slides he prepared for the program. “More importantly, what can we do to speed it up?” The nation’s “economic speed limit” can be an effective indicator of where things are headed, Slifer continued. To determine that figure, he combined the labor force growth and productivity growth. “If you know how many people are working, and you know how efficient they are, you can probably figure out how many goods and services they can produce,” he said. In the 90s, the two numbers added up to about 3.5 percent. Today, we’re at 1.8 percent. He predicts it will increase to 2.8 percent in 2020. “The economy ought to be up in the 3.5 percent range in the good times,” Slifer explained.

MARY WESSNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Daniel Island resident Steve Slifer, owner/ chief economist for NumberNomics, an economic forecasting firm, provides his annual fiscal outlook for a packed audience at the Daniel Island Club on December 6.

“And we’re obviously disappointed that it’s not doing that.” Productivity today is about 50 percent lower than it was 20 years ago, Slifer said, and while economists don’t have a really good handle on why that is occurring, he offered some potential causes to his audience. First, the “baby boomers” are all retiring, which is taking a considerable number of employees out of the labor force. And it seems companies are not spending as much on growing productivity. “Productivity growth is largely determined

©2016 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of all traffic laws at all times. Optional equipment shown is extra. Plus tax, tag & fees. See dealer for details.

by the pace of investment spending,” Slifer said. “And that’s dried up. It was growing 8 percent a couple of years ago and it has stopped.” Why is that? Slifer has some ideas. He cited a number of potential contributors – including a corporate tax rate of 35 percent (the average corporate tax rate around the world is 23 percent) and dual taxing on corporate earnings (they are taxed once overseas and again in the U.S. if earnings are repatriated). “A lot of these overseas earnings are staying overseas,” he explained. “And they’re not bringing them back to the United States. Nobody knows quite how much money we’re talking about – but I’ve heard numbers anywhere from $2.5 to 4 trillion. So that’s problematic.” Also impacting growth is what Slifer calls a “crushing” regulatory burden (the federal register is more than 80,000 pages), a dysfunctional health care system, and unstainable fiscal policy. Today’s budget deficit is about $500 billion, he said. “The debt in relation to income is just going to get higher,” he continued. “By the end of the decade it gets to what I would consider a dangerous level.” CALLING ON WASHINGTON So how do we tackle these issues, while helping to spur investment spending? “The solutions to these problems will require some sort of action by our policy makers in Washington,” said Slifer. “In my view, our

See FORECAST on PAGE 12

Please see SUIT, A12

SECOND PLACE Monica Kreber The Summerville Journal Scene PHOTOS BY MONICA KREBER/JOURNAL SCENE

Downtown Summerville continues to be a unique venue for visitors and business, and city leaders are looking for ways to keep the area vibrant and attractive.

Please see TOWN, A6

Downtown Summerville was voted Readers’ Choice for best place Brandon L. Simmons strums the guitar strings on Short Central dur- to take visitors, and Accent on Wine (pictured) was voted Readers’ Choice for best date spot in 2016. ing February’s Third Thursday.

Volvo: ‘No small thing coming here’ BY MONICA KREBER mkreber@journalscene.com Education, infrastructure, economic impact and general quality of life appear to be big areas of interest among residents when it comes to the new Volvo plant. A recent listening session gave company officials and residents a chance to ask and answer questions about the progress of the new plant, which broke ground in September 2015 in Berkeley County near Ridgeville. David McNair, president of The McNair Group, LLC, who led the Feb. 28

session, said Volvo is completely centered on people and it is looking forward to becoming a “good neighbor” in the next year. Volvo’s vision is that no one will be seriously injured or killed in a Volvo by the year 2020. The business also envisions providing one week of quality time per every year for those that are in a new Volvo by 2025 through driverless technology. Volvo’s environmental commitment FILE is to put one million electrified vehiHeavy equipment clears land in Berkeley County for Volvo Cars’ new cles on the roads by 2025. North American manufacturing plant. Some residents are upset over Please see VOLVO, A12 plans to build a temporary access road near their properties.

500 N. Main St. Summerville, SC 29483 (843) 871-4790 ext. 122 www.dadc.org

DORCHESTER Alcohol and Drug C o m m i s s i o n

This ad was prepared by Dorchester Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission under award number 1U79SP020779-01 from SAMHSA,U.S.Department of Health and Human Services. The statements, findings,conclusions,and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA or the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services.

BUSINESS BEAT REPORTING

Business WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 & OVER 4,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED The People.Sentinel

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Simple faith, simple food, simply good Country Cupboard celebrates 10 years in business

FIRST PLACE

Helping celebrate 10 years in business are Country Cupboard employees (left to right) Christina Zook, Jean Mason, Faye Mitchell, P.J. Zook, Chrystie Blackwood, Lauren Bange, Samantha Harris, Francis Still and Khayla Barker. Not pictured are Pam Delk, Dana Mason, Brenda Allen, Ruth Stover, Rachelle Nolt, Janice Wiggins and Lydia Zook. Laura j. Mckenzie Publisher laura.mckenzie@morris.com

For ten years Barnwell County residents and travelers have been stocking their cupboards and tummies with delectable items from a local deli store and restaurant. Country Cupboard is celebrating a decade in business the week of May 15-20. The deli is the source of sandwiches, a salad bar, soups, bread and sweets as well as specialty meats, cheese, and specialty groceries such as gluten-free flours, honey and jars of pickles and relishes. The store also sells remedies, a few books and specialty items. P.J. Zook and his wife Lydia opened “Country Cupboard” in the shopping center at the corner of Marlboro Avenue and Allen Street on May 14, 2007. They had five employees and a vision of “providing the community with healthy options,” said Zook recently. “We wanted a family-friendly atmosphere in a family-owned business,” he said. Zook and his wife have six children ranging in ages from one and a half to 16 years old. “I want to give my children the experience of a good, Christian, wholesome business atmosphere,” said Zook. Now Zook’s eldest daughter, Christina, 16, is working in the store that now employs 16 people.

“I wanted to give my children the experience of a good, Christian, wholesome business atmosphere.” – PJ Zook on opening Country Cupboard 10 years ago “I take pleasure in our staff. They try to treat each customer graciously and with pleasure,” said “P.J.” as most folks know him. The Zooks road to success hasn’t always been easy and a deli/restaurant wasn’t their initial plan. A member of the Mennonite church, P.J. had been working for his father in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “It was a seasonal business so we decided to go south during the winter to do mission work in the prisons,” said P.J. “We had planned to be gone only a couple of months.” That was 14 years ago. Once in the Lowcountry, P.J. saw the need for a healthy alternative for hungry people. “My goal was to come up with healthy options. We tried lots and lots of things. Some things people liked, others didn’t catch on.” “I’ll admit, the first four or five years I considered closing but I’m glad we didn’t,” he said. Through constant adjusting and a lot of prayer, the Zooks found their niche. “Our salad bar is one of those

healthy options,” said P.J. He also enjoys making soup and having fresh breads on hand. “Sometimes it’s simple food that is the most nourishing.” Even with a goal of “healthy options”, P.J. also knows that the hand-made candies, cookies, cakes as well as homemade chicken salad and Rueben sandwiches are among the favorites of his customers. Now a decade in, P.J. is delighted. “I am able to say the business is blossoming.” A member of Edisto Mennonite Church, P.J. also knows he had help all along the way. “I am able to say in all honesty that God has brought us to this point. The fact that He has given us the wisdom to guide us to this point is undeniable.” Sayings on the walls and offerings of Christian books are quiet reminders of the Zook’s faith and ministry. Simple faith, simple food, simply good. Over the years the store has expanded and remodeled. New items have been offered and catering added to the list of services. Most recently a new

Country Cupboard’s storefront recently received a facelift with a new sign and wood columns. sign over the storefront leaves passers-by no second-guessing of its location. P.J. hopes to see more remodeling in the future. “We need to accommodate the growing traffic flow we have,” he said. To celebrate Country Cupboard’s 10th anniversary, P.J. has placed a lot of items on sale. “We invite everyone to come by and help us celebrate,” he said. Customers can enter a drawing for one of two prizes to be given away at the end of the

week - a gift basket and a sub sandwich platter. Country Cupboard is located at 9724 Marlboro Avenue, Barnwell. The phone is (803) 541-7000. Store opens each day (except Sunday) at 10 a.m. Closing times are 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m. on Wednesday and 4 p.m. on Saturday. The store is closed on Sunday. The business has a Face book page at www.facebook. com/101DELIEXPERIENCE.

Laura J. McKenzie The People-Sentinel

BUSINESS BEAT REPORTING 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

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1,500 high-tech jobs coming to the county

Texas-based CompuCom moving HQ to Indian Land Mandy Catoe mcatoe@thelancasternews.com

IL sees eye-popping growth as huge employers move in Mandy Catoe

mcatoe@thelancasternews.com

The Indian Land economic magnet keeps pulling in big catches, accelerating the job-creation momentum that has made it one of the state’s fastestgrowing areas over the past several years. CompuCom’s planned

headquarters relocation and call center, which together will employ 1,500 within five to seven years, would make it the county’s third-largest employer, after Red Ventures and the Lancaster County School District. In addition to Red Ventures, which will complete a major expansion next year,

Midnight blast alarms

the list of big new employers in the county includes Nutramax Labs, Keer America, Haile Gold Mine, Sharonview Federal Credit Union, URS Nuclear, Honeywell, TriNet, Kennametal, Inspiration Networks, Verian Technologies, Special Materials, Valmet and Movement Mortgage. See GROWTH I Page 5

County’s top 10 employers Red Ventures 2,300 County schools 1,767 CompuCom 1,500* Lancaster County 960 Springs Memorial 750 Movement Mortgage 725 Cardinal Health 625 Continental Tire 546 Duracell 405 Founders Federal 360 Nutramax 300 *Planned in 5-7 years, source: Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce

Texas-based CompuCom Systems Inc. is relocating its headquarters to Indian Land, bringing a $41 million capital investment and creating 1,500 jobs over the next five to seven years. It’s the largest single job announcement in Lancaster County history, said Gov. Nikki Haley’s office. “This is an exciting new chapter in CompuCom’s journey,” said CompuCom CEO Dan Stone. “We will build a state-of-theart command center” that will be “closer to Stone many of our clients, as well as near an expanding network of IT professionals in North and South Carolina.” Founded in 1987 and based in Plano, Tex., CompuCom is a privately held global company that focuses on helping businesses outsource their information technology services. With about 11,500 employees, it is a partner to six of the Top 10 Fortune 500 companies. Its new 150,000-square-foot Indian Land facility will be located in Bailes Ridge Business Park on S.C. 160, housing its headquarters and global contact-center operations. Work on the site is already under way. Lancaster County officials expressed excitement and said the deal See COMPUCOM I Page 5

Promise Neighborhood volunteers

Hannah The News LancasterStrong The Lancaster News Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper

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Pacesetting growth in Panhandle

5% FILE PHOTO

The growth in Indian Land – both residential, industrial and commercial – has brought traffic woes to the area, including this traffic jam near Movement Mortgage.

hstrong@thelancasternews.com

Lancaster was the state’s fastest-growing county last year, propelled by the continuing influx of residents to the Panhandle, according to new census data. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the county had a population of 89,594 last July – a 4.15 percent increase from a year earlier and a 17 percent jump from

3% 2%

IL influx makes Lancaster County fastest-growing in South Carolina last year Hannah L. Strong

Changes in county population

This graph shows the percentage of change in population from the previous year for Lancaster and surrounding counties. Lancaster and York counties are growing fast, while Chester and Chesterfield counties are losing residents.

Lancaster Chester Chesterfield York Kershaw

1% 0% -1% -2%

the 76,652 residents counted in the 2010 census. Lancaster is now the 16th most populous among the state’s 46 counties. The report shows the changes in each of the county’s four Zip codes from 2010 to 2015. Population declined slightly in 29720, which includes the city of Lancaster, falling less than 1 percent. Heath Springs’ population increased by 13 people. Kershaw

2011

2012

2013

had a 4.7 percent increase, while Indian Land’s population soared 28 percent. County Councilman Brian Carnes, a longtime Indian Land resident, said the Panhandle’s residential growth is no surprise, with major new employers and housing developments being announced there every few months. “It hit its stride again after the effects of the recession went See INFLUX I Page 2A

2014

2015

Indian Land is growing rapidly while the middle of the county loses residents. Heath Springs and Kershaw have had small growth.

160

Indian Land taw

ba Riv

2016

Lancaster County’s population growth

Sug ar Cre ek

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TODAY’S WEATHER

29707

Catawba River

Mandy Catoe News Lancaster The Lancaster News The

Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper

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10% or higher

0% to 1.9%

2% to 4.9%

-.1% to -2%

522

Lots more money needed for Panhandle firefighting Fee hikes, possible $2M bond on the table Reece Murphy

rmurphy@thelancasternews.com

The Indian Land and Pleasant Valley fire protection district boards are considering asking Lancaster County Council for an increase in fire protection fees on homes and businesses as one way to help meet the increasing coverage needs of the growing Pan-

handle. The discussions come as the Indian Land Volunteer Fire Department looks to pay for two substations and a new aerial platform truck and eventually, like Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department, add more on-duty personnel. Indian Land Fire Protection District Board members and IL-

Norman, Few speak to Lancaster GOP

VFD Chief Tom Pickard discussed the issues during the board’s March 15 meeting. Board Chairman Paul Shoup said the concern is that without the capital projects, the fire district’s overwhelming residential and business growth will push down its ISO (Insurance Service Office) rating, a key measure of fire protection levels used to set property insurance rates. See FEE HIKES I Page 2A

200

29720

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Heath Springs

29058

29067

Kershaw 522 341

Lake Wateree

Educator Noblitt dies at 80

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Nancy Parsons The News & Reporter

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT BEAT REPORTING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

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GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT BEAT REPORTING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION 12

FEATURE

The Daniel Island News ■ January 5 - 11, 2017

thedanielislandnews.com

January 5 - 11, 2017 ■ The Daniel Island News

thedanielislandnews.com

FEATURE 13

Mayoral Musings on Daniel Island’s 20th Anniversary ELIZABETH BUSH beth@thedanielislandnews.com

A FILE

Mayor Joe Riley helps cut the ribbon at the opening of the new Benefitfocus Customer Success Center on Daniel Island in February 2015.

PROVIDED BY THE DANIEL ISLAND COMPANY

An aerial view of Daniel Island’s developing community.

FILE

Mayor Riley sits with other dignitaries, including the late Master Blacksmith Philip Simmons (left), a Daniel Island native, at the December 2006 dedication ceremony for the 305 Seven Farms Apartments complex.

bout 15 years into his tenure as Charleston’s longest serving mayor, and well before helping to make the Holy City the world’s number one place to visit, Joseph P. Riley, Jr., had a vision for a 4,000 acre swath of land nestled between the Cooper and Wando Rivers. The year was 1990 and Daniel Island, a largely undeveloped and uninhabited parcel then owned by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, was up for grabs. “The foundation could no longer justify holding an asset that valuable, because they had fiduciary duties,” said Riley. “I saw it as a very important strategic opportunity for the City of Charleston and I knew my duty to the citizens and the future was to make sure that Daniel Island became a part of the City of Charleston.” Looming just across the Wando River at the time was the still unfinished Mark Clark Expressway, also known as I-526. It would become the first highway to connect Daniel Island to North Charleston and Mount Pleasant. The new roadway was scheduled for completion in 1991, and development was sure to follow. In 1989, the Guggenheim Foundation announced ambitious plans to turn Daniel Island into a new residential community. And so the stage was set for a historic showdown. A courtship dance for the island was playing out across the region, as mayors in North Charleston and Mount Pleasant joined Riley in expressing interest in the promising new territory east of the Cooper, then an unincorporated part of Berkeley County. Behind the scenes, Riley worked with City Attorney William B. Regan and Assistant City Attorney Frances Cantwell to put together a plan to annex Daniel Island without the consent of the Guggenheim Foundation. Legally speaking, they didn’t need the foundation’s approval. The law required that the city be petitioned by at least 75 percent of the landowners representing 75 percent of the assessed value of the properties to be annexed. So Riley and his team got landowners of nearby Rodent and Parker Islands to join in on the deal. Mary Durben, a former writer for the Daniel Island News, summed up the transaction in a 2008 article in the paper: Daniel Island, though much larger than the other two islands at 9.9 miles, had an assessed value of only $25,160 because it had been used only for farming. Rodent Island, owned by developer

big piece of land like that would be (to Robert Knoch, was valued at $2,090 make it) a gated community with golf and adjacent marshes were valued at courses and places to live,” said Riley, $7,260. Parkers Island, owned by anduring a fall 2016 interview. “I told Jim other developer, Joseph P. Griffith, had Hester (who was then director of the an assessed value of $312,260, and Guggenheim Foundation) that would another unnamed island was valued at be wrong. It should be a new Charles$1,010. The land exclusive of Daniel ton, but with Charleston in the public Island had a value of $323,650, more spaces and diversity…It should be a than 75 percent of the total. Griffith, a wonderful, livable place for all kinds of friend of the mayor, agreed to divide people.” his property among nine family memRiley shared his thoughts and ideas bers to create more owners in order with the island’s original designers, to help the city meet the 75 percent of Jaquelin Robertson, Andres Duany, and owners requirement. Mayor John Tecklenburg was elected Mayor Joe Riley, who held the city’s Duany’s wife, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, It was a “roundabout route,” touted in 2015 and inaugurated as Charlestop post from 1975 - 2016, was whom he described as a “world class a headline in a 1991 article in the Post ton’s new commander in chief in Charleston’s longest serving mayor. team.” and Courier, but Riley was convinced it January of 2016. “It looks obvious now, because you was the best way to achieve his goal of see it, but it wasn’t obvious (then),” bringing Daniel Island into the city. He The official annexation of Daniel Island would added Riley. “It was all undeveloped. One of the reportedly called an emergency City Council meetultimately be approved in February of 1991. Curimportant things that the designers did was study ing at 5 p.m. on December 28, 1990, to push the rent Daniel Island Company President Matt Sloan, how the land had been used. So where there were measure through. Council members gave the first who was then working for the public policy firm paths or trails or roads, honor those. The older trees reading of the annexation ordinance a unanimous Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler in New York, that had become iconic, honor those. And then build thumbs up. was sent down to Charleston to represent the founupon that existing pattern.” “Riley felt he’d pulled off one of the great dation’s interests in the annexation. In 1995, the year before the island’s first resimidnight coups in Charleston history,” wrote Brian “The Mayor, the reason he annexed the propdents would move in, the February/March edition Hicks in his book The Mayor: Joe Riley and the erty was he figured out…that once the Mark Clark of Charleston Magazine featured extensive coverRise of Charleston. “This would allow the city to (Expressway) opened, the whole dynamic of how age of the new development, dubbing it “Treasure grow in another direction and block the efforts of people commute and recreate and shop was going Island” and the “Lowcountry’s hottest waterfront other towns to encroach on Charleston’s borders. to change,” said Sloan, while addressing a gatherproperty.” Daniel Island would add significant property to the ing of the Daniel Island Historical Society in May “The development of a community on Daniel tax base and population to the city in the years to of 2016. “…Daniel Island was ultimately going Island is shaping up to be one of the most radical come.” to become the center of the region, which is how new efforts in town planning since architect Frank And so began what later would be described by we consider ourselves now. So he was willing to Lloyd Wright’s visionary ideas early in this cenRiley as his “Louisiana Purchase” of Daniel Island. expend political capital in order to bring it into the tury,” wrote Patrick Sharbaugh in an article in the Some called the way he went about the acquisition city.” “unfair” and even illegal, according to news reports In 1991, Charleston was certainly not the award- magazine entitled ‘Back to the Future.’ “The efforts are revolutionary not for their original approach to published at the time, but Riley was undeterred. winning city it is known as today. But Riley was a town planning, but, ironically, for their adherence His actions caught the Guggenheim Foundation by planner, Sloan continued, not necessarily by trainto design principles abandoned half a century ago. surprise and they eventually sued the city to stop ing, but from “the school of hard knocks.” And he Daniel Island represents a historic opportunity.” the annexation, but their legal pursuits were later knew Daniel Island had great potential. The island’s popularity grew rapidly once homes dropped. “He had a vision for what this place should be,” “The Foundation asked for proposals from said Sloan. “And it was all driven by what was go- started springing up in 1996. Riley’s forecast for what the community could become was clearly Charleston, North Charleston and Mount Pleasant ing to happen with the Mark Clark Expressway… resonating, as new “pioneering” residents eagerly before any court battle began,” continued Hicks in He was willing to put his money where his mouth sought to explore the new territory. Over the next The Mayor. “Riley’s plan focused not on basic ser- is, and also to work with us on some master plantwo decades, Riley would be present for many vices, but on the parks and public spaces Charleston ning zoning.” would build. He argued that Daniel Island had to be A plan was crafted for the new community to fea- celebratory “opening” events on the island – Bishop England High School, the island’s very first school, public, and its parks would define the island. The ture a neo-traditional design, including sidewalks, foundation lawyers were intrigued, but may have narrow streets, views of open water, plentiful public in 1997; the Family Circle Tennis Center in 2001; been swayed more by acquaintances at the National spaces, and pocket parks. Riley pushed for it not to the affordable housing complex at 305 Seven Farms Drive in 2006; Governors Park in 2012, and more. League of Cities, who praised Charleston and its be gated, so it could be open and accessible to all. Riley was also on hand when former Daniel Isreputation for smart growth. The Guggenheim “An obvious solution to many people, and land residents John and Sandy Tecklenburg opened Foundation soon dropped the lawsuit and accepted perhaps the foundation, was the way you handle a the island’s first general store, Tecklenburg’s the annexation.”

Market and Cafe, on River Landing Drive in 2000. John Tecklenburg, who had formerly served under Mayor Riley as his economic development director, saw great promise in the new island community. During his time with the city, Tecklenburg sat in on presentations about the up and coming development by the Guggenheim Foundation. “Something just struck me when I saw that presentation,” said Tecklenburg, who became Charleston’s Mayor in January 2016, after Mayor Riley finished out his tenth and final term. “It would be the perfect place to have a family grocery store. My family had run one in downtown Charleston for over a century, and it just kind of connected with me. I planned and actually built the first little grocery story on Daniel Island!” Tecklenburg also remembers several momentous moments in the island’s early days of development. “To me, the milestone events are the first park created, which was Etiwan Park, just to show what could be done,” said Tecklenburg, who now lives in West Ashley. “And Bishop England coming right across the street from that was a great affirmation of what Daniel Island was going to be. The Family Circle Stadium, now Volvo (Car Stadium), and that complex, which is a beautiful design and a wonderful amenity for residents…and the affordable housing…it was sticking with the commitment this would be a place with all different kinds of people living there.” Over the last two decades, the island has earned numerous accolades, including the Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence, America’s Best Suburban Smart Growth Community, and America’s Best Master-Planned Community. Today, some 10,000 residents call Daniel Island home and it is host to dozens of special events and programs that attract thousands of guests each year. Both Mayor Riley and his successor continue to have high praise for the community. “The plan for Daniel Island was so thoughtfully done,” said Tecklenburg. “…It was an excellent decision and a great example of good planning… The natural environment is gorgeous…So we got the best of both worlds.” “My hopes and aspirations for Daniel Island were substantial,” added Riley. “I knew it had tremendous opportunity. But it has exceeded that. It’s so wonderfully successful. It’s beautiful, it’s livable…Daniel Island is nationally celebrated…It shows how you do it well. You plan it correctly, you design it, you execute it, along with a great commitment to quality, and then you make it a wonderful place for everyone.”

FIRST PLACE

FILE

John Tecklenburg, then a candidate for Mayor of Charleston, shakes the hand of Daniel Island resident Mac McBride in the fall of 2015, following Tecklenburg’s interview with the Daniel Island Mayoral Candidate Outreach Committee at the Daniel Island Library.

FILE

Mayor Joe Riley chats with a resident after giving his annual “State of the City” address at Providence Baptist Church in 2014.

PROVIDED BY THE DANIEL ISLAND COMPANY

This old dirt road, shown here in a 1990 photo, is now the entrance to Daniel Island Park.

Elizabeth Bush Daniel Island News

EDUCATION BEAT REPORTING WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Jonathan Vickery The People-Sentinel

SECOND PLACE Naeem McFadden Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise

School Board discussesREPORTING millage EDUCATION BEAT increase, school WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION consolidation

Lamar Police Officer charged with DUI Lamar Police Department Officer Jay Russell has been charged for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) while on duty the night of March 29. S.C. Highway Patrol troopers responded to a call from the Darlington County Sheriff's Office reporting that Russell seemed impaired. Troopers found Russell in his

patrol car on Windham Street in Lamar and administered a field sobriety test, but Russell refused to take a breathalyzer test. Russell was then arrested and taken to the Darlington County Detention Center where he bonded out. Lamar Police Chief Jason Chaney told the News and Press that following the incident, Russell was

immediately placed on administrative leave without pay. A disciplinary board meeting with Chief Chaney and members of Lamar Town Council was held the afternoon of April 3 to discuss further action. The disciplinary board, including Chief Chaney, Mayor Randy Reynolds and Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Thomas ruled that Russell be released from the LPD for violation of department policies.

Coker students create community, networking opportunities through app By Melissa Rollins Editor editor@newsandpress.net

Though their stories are very different, Coker College students Cameron Flotow and Dominik Rega have the same desire: to make a difference in the world. This month, they plan to launch a crowdfunding campaign for their app, Brite, to work toward that goal. Flotow’s story began in 2011 when he was diagnosed with Leukemia, just days after his 21st birthday. “My mom dropped me off at the doctor and they checked my blood and then they wanted to do another check because they thought the first sample was contaminated,” Flotow said. “Turns out it wasn’t; I had Leukemia. My entire life changed that day. When you go through things like that you realize what things are important and which things aren’t.” Flotow said that he had an inkling that something might be wrong but nothing prepared him for the diagnosis. “I knew that something was wrong because every day I couldn’t walk as far and people kept telling me that I looked pale,” Flotow said. “I remember putting my arm into a blood pressure cuff because I was worried it might be a heart problem but my pulse was fine. A day later, my whole arm was bruised. How in the world could my whole arm get bruised? I didn’t realize it was

The Darlington County Board of Education convened a budget work session on March 27 and discussed ways to bridge a potential deficit of nearly half a million dollars, including raising operational millage and consolidating schools. Ashley Smith, Darlington County School District's chief financial officer, said that state-mandated expenditures have increased by $2.2 million while revenues have increased by only $1.8 million, leaving a gap of $480,000. “So these requirements are also coming from the same people that gave us the cuts, correct?” asked Board chairman Jamie Morphis. Smith confirmed that was the case. Board members received a budget worksheet with a number of estimated costs and revenues for the 2017/18 fiscal year. Required increases in expenditures total $2,286,268, including a 2percent increase in retirement

for all employees, a possible Duke Energy increase of 14 percent (estimated at $280,000), a step increase for all teachers to 23 years including retirement (estimated at $549,019), and the employer share of health and dental ($280,000). Revenue increases total only about $1.8 million, including increases in funding for employee contributions of $655,674 and $405,956, estimated increase in property taxes of $500,000, and an additional $244,530 in Tier III funding. Morphis said he was generally opposed to using the District's fund balance for anything but non-recurring expenses. He expressed frustration that even if DCSD used the maximum allowable millage – a look-back of three years, yielding a total of 5 mills, or roughly $1.2 million – they would only have about $800,000 to work with, which he felt was insufficient to address needs.

FIRST PLACE Melissa Rollins News and Press BOARD ON 6A

Cameron Flotow and Dominik stand near Davidson Hall on the Coker College campus. PHOTO BY MELISSA ROLLINS

from the cuff until after the fact.” He endured round after round of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, spending months in the hospital. “At the very beginning, I was just dumbfounded,” Flotow said. “Two days after my diagnoses, I was getting ready to begin chemotherapy and I was watching on tv that Steve Jobs passed away. He was someone that I looked up to and I was

watching this story and found it really inspiring. Yes, he probably made billions and billions of dollars but that isn’t why he did what he did; he did it to help the world. I was looking death in the face and I made a promise to myself that if I survived this I was going to do something. I didn’t know what that would be but I wanted to make my life meaningful in some way.” Rega is a freshman foreign exchange student from Czech.

While his family has a successful company back home, he said that it was important for him to find his own way, at least for a little while. “I come from a family of entrepreneurs so I grew up in that setting,” Rega said. “We have our own company back in Czech so I saw my dad and my grandfather, how they were running the company; the company is as old as I am.” STUDENTS ON 3A

DCSD social workers trying to curb chronic absenteeism By Melissa Rollins

By Samantha Lyles Staff Writer slyles@newsandpress.net

Sue Ingram, the lead social

daily attendance is good,”

given year for any reason,

Applicants make A-Tax requests By Samantha Lyles Staff Writer slyles@newsandpress.net

The Darlington County Accommodations Tax Committee convened its second meeting of 2017 on March 30 to hear funding requests for the 2017/18 fiscal year. The Accommodations Tax Committee is responsible for dispersing a $55,000 funding pool to applicants whose venues and events increase local tourism and overnight hotel stays. The accommodations tax

follows: Black Creek Arts Council RenoFest: $15,000 Butler Heritage Foundation / Butler Week: $12,000 City of Darlington / Williamson Park 5K: $2,500 Darlington Chamber of Commerce / Freedom Fest: $10,000 Darlington County Cultural Realism Complex / Total Package: $52,000 Darlington Downtown Revitalization / Taste of Darlington: $2,500

Edmondston-Alston House seeks volunteers EDUCATION

Behind the Apple

Kimberly Reeves

BEAT REPORTING

Dorchester County Career and Technology Center

BY MONICA KREBER mkreber@journalscene.com

She received the Special Teacher Award in 2013. She said her professional goal is to reach as many students as she can and to make an impact and a difference in their lives. Eventually she would like to get her masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree and maybe teach in a college setting but Reeves said she does not have time for that right now. Reeves has been married to her husband, Jack, for 20 years. They have two children: Jacob is 18 and Hannah Grace is 15. They have a dog named Tank, a huge yellow lab who sleeps on the couch every night and thinks heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a human. The family lives on a farm and has 5,000 pigs.Reeves coaches varsity softball at Dorchester Academy and coaches travel softball out of Summerville for the South Carolina Bandits. In her free time Reeves likes to zip line, hike, go to the family mountain house, snow ski and work in her yard. Reevesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life goal is to be a great mom and a good wife and to display compassion and love for everyone.â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like I want to teach everyone how to be caring towards others and to love one another because the world is so hateful nowadays,â&#x20AC;? she said. Reevesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite thing about the Career Center is that it is small and the staff gets to know the students and have personal relationships. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I truly feel like I know almost every kid in this school, and you do not have that at the large high schools,â&#x20AC;? she said.

WEEKLY OVER 4,500 & 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISIONS COMBINED BY SULLY WITTE editor@moultrienews.com

The bond Kimberly Reeves forms with her students is special; by the end of the year, some students call her â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mama Reeves.â&#x20AC;? And the graduates always come back and see her, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always coming back to see us and tell us â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;heyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,â&#x20AC;? she said. Reeves teaches Health Science at Dorchester County Career and Technology Center, where she has been for four and half years. Reeves is originally from Ridgeville but has lived in Reevesville since marriage. She went to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and studied nursing and then went to MUSC and got her bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in nursing. Reeves said she became a teacher because when she was in nursing school one of her teachers really inspired her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She was awesome andâ&#x20AC;Śshe showed us that she really cared,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just remembered her. And I love teaching about my passion, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very passionate about taking care of people.â&#x20AC;? After college Reeves worked at Roper Hospital in Charleston for 20 years as a cardiac nurse. Reeves would drive an hour and half one way to work for that many years â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sometimes two hours, depending on traffic. Reeves had put in a word through a friend that she would be interested in teaching if a position ever became open. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This position became open and I took it and I really enjoyed

There are thousands of volunteer opportunities in the Lowcountry, but perhaps none quite as unique as being a docent at the Edmonston-Alston House in downtown Charleston. The house museum is managed by the Middleton Place Foundation, a not-for-profit educational trust. The first and second floor of the home are open to the public for tours leased to the Middleton Place Foundation. The third floor is a private residence. The house was built in the late Federal style by Scottish shipping merchant Charles Edmondston at the height of his commercial success. During the Panic of 1837 Edmondston was forced to sell his house. It was purchased by Charles Alston, a member of a well-established Lowcountry rice-planting dynasty who quickly set about updating the architecture of his house in the Greek Revival style. The house has remained in the Alston family since 1838. Despite the ravages of the Civil War, the

THIRD PLACE

Monica Kreber The Summerville Journal Scene

Please see VOLUNTEERS, Page B6

PROVIDED

The East Drawing Room of the house.

All eyes on East Cooper The Charleston County School District (CCSD) board approved three major initiatives Monday night that directly benefit the growing student population east of the Cooper. A regional football stadium will be built at Carolina Park to serve the planned Awendaw High School, the existing Wando High School and Lucy Beckham High School currently under construction. A land sale of the former Laing Middle School site will help fund these projects, according to Jeff Borowy, chief operating officer for CCSD.

BY MONICA KREBER mkreber@journalscene.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;CCSD and the board is really excited about these opportunities that we have in Mount Pleasant and Awendaw.â&#x20AC;? Kate Darby,

CCSD board chair

Kate Darby, CCSD board chair said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;CCSD and the board is really excited about these opportunities that we have in Mount Pleasant and Awendaw. The purchase of 184 acres on Doar Road for the future middle and high school will really meet the needs of that area and selling the former Laing site is a win-win for

everybody. The Carolina Park purchase for the East Cooper stadium again is a win-win for the district but also the community. It will be a real asset to the area.â&#x20AC;? After closing Lincoln High School and merging that student population with Please see CCSD, Page B5

MONICA KREBER/JOURNAL SCENE

Kimberly Reeves

it,â&#x20AC;? she said. Her worst experience teaching came her first year teaching when nobody told her what to do when a fight broke out among students. At the time Reeves had a class at Woodland High. She recalled one time a fight broke out and she tried to intervene. Her best experience is seeing students be successful. Reeves said the Center not only produces successful certified nursing assistants, who can leave with a state licensure and immediately get a job, but Reeves has students who are at nursing school at Charleston Southern University, Trident Tech and at four-year colleges doing pre-med. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And to know that I helped set

the foundation for that is very fulfilling for me,â&#x20AC;? she said. Most of the students in Health Science are on the nursing track but there are a few on the veterinarian and dental track as well, Reeves said, and the Center tries to fulfill those aspects as well. In Health Science there is a club called HOSA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Health Occupational Students of America. Reeves and a coworker run the program at the Center. She said right now they are doing a canned food drive and at least 60 needy families will be served a Thanksgiving meal. They donate items for nursing homes where they perform clinicals, and also participate in national competitions. Reeves is also a teacher mentor.

Residents concerned over executive sessions

School district making major investments BY SULLY WITTE editor@moultrienews.com

BY MONICA KREBER mkreber@journalscene.com Data shows that Dorchester District Twoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduation rate has increased from 85.9 percent to 87.8 percent. South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report card reported DD2 surpasses the state average graduation rate of 82.6 percent. A press release from DD2 states one of the most effective initiatives that has helped in increasing the graduation rate is the creation of prevention and intervention teams in all three high schools. This team includes an assistant principal, counselor and secretary to work with students through interventions and support to help them stay on track to graduate on time. Elena Furnari, director of high schools for DD2, said the creation of the prevention and intervention teams started in the 2011-2012 school year, and it has continued to grow. DD2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduation rates themselves have gradually increased over the years; according to the South Carolina Department of Educationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website, DD2 had a graduation rate of 80.7 percent

SECOND PLACE

Sully Witte The Moultrie News The Edmondston-Alston House is looking for volunteer tour guides.

DD2 gradua rate goes up

PROVIDED

The first Laing was at the Presbyterian Church in the Old Village but was destroyed in an earthquake.

R62-1535742-1

Residents are urging DD2 not to keep the discussion on public comments behind closed doors, while board members say they do want to be transparent. At DD2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Monday night board meeting residents took the podium to voice their concerns about the school boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two recent executive sessions on public participation in meetings, as well public comments themselves. Resident Linda Ensor said she spoke to board members to remind them that executive sessions are â&#x20AC;&#x153;simply for things that should not be discussed in front of the public.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;They can be the end result of contractual matters â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but just because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a contractual matter and because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting advice from your legal counsel doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean you have to go to executive session,â&#x20AC;? Ensor said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just asking you to keep that in mind.â&#x20AC;? Resident Steven Wright spoke on a couple items, one of which was the idea of limiting public comments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; something Wright said would be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;dangerous and terrible mistake.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;You all have the biggest budget of every government agency in the county,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are the biggest employer. And so I think

meeting, at which some residents spoke passionately on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;happy crackâ&#x20AC;? incident that recently occurred at Eagle Nest Elementary â&#x20AC;&#x201C; allegations of racism were even directed at the board. No action was taken coming out of either session. The public comments in debate are the â&#x20AC;&#x153;openâ&#x20AC;? session at the end of each board meeting, during which people can speak on any subject, not the public comments at the beginning of each meeting which are meant to be about specific, listed board agenda items. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know that in the past, most especially at the last meeting, the way all of you were spoken to was very disrespectful, and in my opinion it was quite disgusting, but we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let isolated incidents of outsiders coming and screaming at you and calling you profanities to prevent the rest of the general public from speaking,â&#x20AC;? Wright said. Wright also said the legal advice on the public comments does not have to be done in executive session. Resident Christian DuBoise, who spoke on the happy crack issue at the Nov. 14 meeting, disagreed with Wright, saying he did not think anybody disrespected the board members at the last meeting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I come to you as a parent of Dorchester Two District child, I also come to you as a pre-

speak, Chairwoman Lisa Tupper requested the audience to refrain from yelling during public comments). DuBoise argued that the speaker did not curse â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;he did speak a little louder but sometimes youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to speak loud so people can hear you.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;As parents weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re tired of being pacified, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re scared â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we are,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And just to hear that you would go into an emergency executive meeting to try to censor orâ&#x20AC;Śstop public comments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the same people who put you guys in office.â&#x20AC;? DuBoise asked for transparency and diversity. Earlier this year the board considered doing away with the open public comment portion of the regular meeting, but ultimately decided to simply set some limits. The policy board members decided on calls for speakers to be recognized by the chair to speak for no more than three minutes per speaker, that the use of specific names will not be allowed, that speakers must complete a sign-in card and the total length of time allowed for public comments will be set at the discretion of the board chair; board members had a final reading of this policy at the Nov. 14 meeting, and this is the most recent action board members have taken with public comments. Tupper said the board wants to

cussed being in favor of a policy or changing one. Tupper said what is being looked at right now regarding public participation at meetings is making sure that the board is following policy and that the policy is following the law. Tupper said she does not know if they will have more executive sessions on the matter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I guess we will see what the board wants to do,â&#x20AC;? she said. Tupper said she appreciated hearing the comments. Board member Evan Guthrie said the board could be more cognizant of some things that it can do in open session. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today it was speaking with the attorney and it was attorney-client privilegeâ&#x20AC;ŚI know that,â&#x20AC;? he said, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are certain things that I think we could be more cognizant of. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get into the specifics of theâ&#x20AC;Śexecutive session but I think that we could be making sure that we do a better job of discussing things with the public.â&#x20AC;? Guthrie said he is happy the public is concerned about the issue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to be as transparent as possible, make sure weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not doing anything in secret,â&#x20AC;? he said.

reported i ported in 2 Furnari s tunate, and the preven tion teams Joe Pyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hopes to ex to come. N district is the preven tion teams as well as vention p schools. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grea nari said. â&#x20AC;&#x153; we want th Aside fro and interv nari said th dents is a s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ever gether,â&#x20AC;? sh Furnari s with increa rates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anytime weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re happ Berkeley line data re rate of 81.7 shows Ch graduation and Dorch at 85.8 perc

Local teacher na semi-finalist for educator award Cane Bay High School teacher Linda Versprille is one of 25 music teachers from 25 cities across 16 states who have been announced as semifinalists for the Music Educator Award presented by The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation. Initial nominations were submitted from all 50 states. The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public, and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in schools. A joint partnership and presentation of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation, the recipient will be honored during GRAMMY Week 2017. The award is open to current U.S. music teachers, and anyone can nominate a teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Teachers are also able to nominate themselves, and nominated teachers are notified and invited to fill out an application.

Each yea selected fr recognize able impac The fourt will be flo of the GR be recogni MY Week will also a nual GRA emony and MY Foun nine addit receive a $ and the sch ists will grants. Ad finalists w honorariu school gra in the aw honorariu vided to schools ar the genero the GRAM Education verse, Di Arts, Ford Fund, and tion, the Directors tional Ass Education tion, and N Associatio gram thr their cons

EDUCATION BEAT REPORTING

WEEKLY OVER 4,500 & 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISIONS COMBINED

FIRST PLACE

Brian Garner The News & Reporter

PUBLIC SERVICE ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Elizabeth Bush and Kate Maas Daniel Island News

Elizabeth Bush and Charlie Morrison Daniel Island News ISLAND NEWS

ELIZABETH BUSH beth@thedanielislandnews.com Former Daniel Island resident Rowe Hicks has reached some pretty dark places in his life. As a recovering substance abuser, he knows all too well how the disease of addiction can ravage not only the user but his or her family as well. Hicks will be one of seven panelists taking part in a community forum on teens and substance abuse, to be held on Tuesday, November 29, at 7 p.m. at Bishop England High School. At the event, sponsored by The Daniel Island News, he will share his personal story with drugs and alcohol, and also offer hope for those currently struggling. “It’s important for the people who need help to know that help is out there, whether that is a person struggling with addiction or a person affected by a loved one’s addiction,” said Hicks, a Bishop England graduate now in his third year of recovery. “There is help.” Also serving on the panel will be Hicks’ mother, Trudy, who will share her insights as a family member of a recovering addict.

“…We fight addiction one person at a time,” said Trudy. “We’re obligated to share our experience so that those hurting will find hope and truth in our story…I want everyone to know that your presence at this forum matters. Your support and commitment to break the social stigma of addiction is imperative for recovery.” Trudy plans to address a variety of issues, including how the addict’s and the enabler’s diseases mirror each other, signs that she ignored, how to detach and set boundaries with love, and how she found help. “I believe talking openly about substance abuse is so important to our community,” she added. “…Awareness is critical, education is paramount, and fighting the war on addiction through prevention, rehabilitation, and education is non-negotiable.” For Bishop England High School graduate Stevie Sullivan, another panelist scheduled to speak at the forum, the story is all too familiar. Like Rowe, she suffered from addiction that began in her teenage years. Today, she works as a counselor at

the College of Charleston and in private practice, helping others with mental health concerns. Her message at the forum will be to remind attendees to never give up. “(I want them to know) simply that recovery is possible, no matter what the circumstances are, no matter what happened,” she said. “Anything is possible. Recovery is possible. Recovery is wonderful and it’s literally a life I never imagined. I am a person I never imagined I would be. I am the best version of myself now - all because of recovery.” Addiction, Sullivan has learned, can happen to anyone. “It is possible for anybody to suf suffer from addiction,” she continued. “… It literally touches anyone. It does not discriminate. It can be a young person, an older person, male, female, lower socioeconomic status, upper socio-economic status…It’s a huge problem for everyone.” Sullivan is looking forward to going back to Bishop England in a much healthier state than when she left years ago. “I’m very excited to do this,” she said. “I’m humbled to be asked to be part of

this. To go back to BE is wonderful because BE really is my teenage years, when my substance abuse started. It’s so cool to be able to go back and share about how my life is now, because it is so drastically different.” The other remaining forum panelists are Jason Sandoval, Charleston Resident Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Dr. Patrick Duffy, a licensed clinical psychologist with Carolina Family Solutions; Dr. Viktoriya Magid, assistant professor and licensed clinical psychologist at the Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs Clinic at MUSC; and C. Wayne Weart, Pharm.D, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcome Sciences, MUSC. Dr. Duffy said he plans to address some of the causes of teen substance abuse, as well as treatment options that have proven to be successful. He also will discuss how problems at school and at home, as well as other issues, can make some teens more

See FORUM on PAGE 17

The

‘Teens & Substance Abuse’ topic of community forum on Nov. 29

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this issue

Rep. Mark Sanford re-pitches idea for Daniel Island park

Organize community work days to help spruce up the island!

WAYS

What’s the prognosis on the flu?

101

Create a community orchestra/band of volunteer musicians.

Add ping pong tables

Have a blue crab picking event and serve soft-shelled crabs more often!

to improve our community

to the island’s community pool amenity areas.

I think it would be wonderful to be the first SC island to be totally plastic free. We would be “Fantastic without Plastic.”

Hanahan wrestlers hoping to finish strong!

M V AR IE S W H S !

and much more!

Wishing you and your family all the best this holiday season.

January 12 - 18, 2017

RD O SF LL REHA BE

R CT DE A N R U NT CO

What do blue crabs, going green, and ping pong tables have in common? They were all mentioned by readers when making suggestions in response to our recent "101 ways to improve our community” survey! Check out the complete list on pages 16-17.

S ED R U U RO ES AT ME ZIN FE NU GA IN MA

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WEEK’S EDITION: SECTIONS, 24 PAGES

al Way elopment or vote

g commission to proposal tonight

NEWS.COM

ng huns to Carbe less me of the ed on planning

ts have dom of y homes ested

y County

PUBLIC SERVICE POSTAL PATRON

CAROLINA FOREST FOOTBALL TEAM TO FACE LEXINGTON IN PLAYOFFS, B3

rnia company g to Horry

ans to hire 317 over ﬁve years

RRYNEWS.COM

FORESTBROOK FAMILY’S HOUSE GUTTED BY WEEKEND FIRE, A6

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S.POSTAGE PAID CONWAY, S.C. PERMIT NO. 44

DANCING FOR THE KING PAGE C1

75 Cents

ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

A PUBLIC CHARGE County council members looking to change spending, reporting practices BY CHARLES D. PERRY CHARLES.PERRY@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

When Horry County Council members first received county credit cards, Harold Worley refused one.

need to purchase, I’m going to pay for it with my money and then I’ll bring it back in here and I’ll let you look over it and make CREDIT CARDS, A2

needs workers quickly. mpany, which on Monday announced ounty, is already hiring and plans to be y early December. The jobs will pay an 5 per hour. reate a lot of jobs here,” Greenwood Hall said during a news conference at Horry ical College in Conway. “This is all he company and moving into an area re and great business environment.” ans to lease space for one year at nd campus before setting up a

Cam Crawford: $4,641.81 Harold Phillips: $3,859.53 Johnny Vaught: $5,015.62 Paul Prince: $2,307.57 Al Allen: $622.57 —Source: Horry County Government

GREENWOOD HALL, PAGE A3

r golf course could become outdoor entertainment complex

FIRST PLACE

Charles D. Perry Carolina Forest Chronicle

Vandals damage machinery, house, air conditioning units

NEWS FEATURE WRITING

By ANNA BROWN had been drilled in each unit. Cpl. Scott A $10,000 reward is being offered for Hood spoke with Paul Sanders of P&C information leading to an arrest in a string Mechanical who said several of the units of vandalism to property owned by a Union would no longer hold Freon. family. The air conditioner at the Tan Shop also Since Feb. 15, someone has damaged was damaged. The owner, Holly Wise, said machinery, a house and commercial air con- she installed the unit herself and she rents ditioning units belonging to Small the building from the Smalls. Sanders estiEnterprises, Robert and mated it would cost $2,500 to Hope Small, at three differrepair this unit. ent locations. The damage Chief Sam White of the is estimated at more than Union Public Safety $37,000 Department said the vandalThe first incident was ism was senseless. discovered on Feb. 15. An “This is an example of pure estimated $16,000 damage meanness that serves no purwas done to heavy machinpose except to the perverted ery on Stone Creek Drive individual that committed this in Buffalo, where a house senseless act,” he said. “If is under construction. anyone has information conHope Small told Deputy cerning this incident, we Matthew Voiselle that would encourage them to consomeone flattened tires and Three panes of glass on the tact the Public Safety broke glass on equipment. Department or Crime cab of a Kubota excavator A John Deere 862B Stoppers.” Earthmover had four flat were shattered. The latest damage was distires with a visible single puncture in each covered on Feb. 28 at a strip mall the Smalls tire. A Case 1845C Bobcat had four flat tires own on 839 Main St., Buffalo. Hope Small with a visible single puncture in each tire, told Sgt. Jeff Wright that someone used a and three panes of glass on the cab of a sharp object to stab six air conditioning Kubota Kx1613 Excavator were shattered. units worth $5,000 each. Five of the six had At Nixon Center on 708 South Duncan very little damage but one was destroyed. By-Pass, which is also owned by the Small Sheriff David Taylor declined to comfamily, someone drilled holes into 10 air ment on the case other than to say it is under conditioning units, causing $16,000 dam- investigation. age. The vandalism was discovered on Feb. Mrs. Small said a $10,000 reward that 27. A Union Public Safety Department was initially offered when the machinery report said the damage began with the unit damage was discovered also applies to at Insurance Plus and ended with the Brian information leading to an arrest in the case Tolbert State Farm building. A single hole of the damage to the air conditioners.

WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

Architect’s drawing of the proposed student apartments at USC Union.

Student housing project draws opposition

THIRD PLACE By ANNA BROWN

The plan to build housing for out of town students attending USC Union is on at least a two-week hold. During its February meeting Union City Council voted unanimously to approve second reading of an amendment to the City of Union zoning ordinance to allow the student housing in the area. The City of Union Board of Zoning Appeals voted Tuesday to table the special exception request to allow multi-family dwellings in the A-1 Zoning District on 104 Depot St. After listening to concerns from nearby property owners, the board asked for more information on the housing, which is needed primarily to house student-athletes who are coming to USC Union from other areas. Lauren Gratenstein, who owns the adjacent property at 205 East Academy St., addressed the board, saying said she was opposed to the zoning change. She said she

bought her house five years ago when she and her family moved from Arizona. She said they came to Union to get away from some of the things that were happening in Arizona that “we didn't want to raise our kids around.” She said the repairs and modernization of her home are a work in progress that she hopes will become “jewel of the block.” She said she did not think student housing was the right fit for the neighborhood. “Simply making changes to the zoning because there is an opportunity and pressure from the school is not, in my opinion, the answer for Union,” she said. “Union needs a strategic plan and a green vision first. I see the property at 104 Depot St. as an opportunity to build a common area for the community as it once was with the farmer's market, maybe a park or a minigolf like in Spartanburg and Greenville that

Anna Brown Union County News

See HOUSING, Page 3

Nothing stops Chandler Austin By ANNA BROWN

Chandler Austin is pictured before the NIght to Shine prom, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Amy Austin said she has posted other Facebook videos of her son, Chandler, playing sports, including some where he scored points while playing basketball. But there was just something different about the Union County High Yellow Jackets basketball game against Eastside on Jan. 27 and the way the Eastside student section was cheering for Chandler, a 15-year-old Union freshman who has Down Syndrome. “We were behind 20 points,” Amy said. “When you are at an away game, obviously they have more fans than we do. They were so loud. I couldn't understand why they were so loud when they were so far ahead in the game. But they were over there cheering for Chandler to be put in the game. They were hollering, 'Put 40 in! Put 40 in!' The coach put

him in the game and they kept cheering for him.” Amy began filming with her phone. “He happened to go straight down and make the basket on his first shot,” she said. “He hasn't played in every game but more games than not. And a lot of times he will get a shot on the first or second try. There were a couple of games where he struggled and both teams would stand there and help him and encourage him, maybe position him in a different way. They are always sup-

portive of him being in the game.” “It was the perfect video,” said Chandler's father, Kendall. “He didn't let somebody else take it down court. He took it down the court himself.” “When we got to the car I asked what his favorite part about the game was,” Amy said. “Usually he will say, 'Making the basket.' But this time he said, 'The cheers.' I knew then it stood out different for him because they were so loud.” Amy's Facebook page is

private, and only her friends had been seeing her posts where Chandler scored. After the Eastside game, a friend told Amy more people needed to see the post. “One of my friends called and said, 'You need to make that post public so I can share it.' I did, and that is the way it took off.” Amy's Facebook post of Chandler scoring “went viral” and has had thousands of views. The story was picked up by news outlets, including WIS 10 in Columbia and USA Today High School Sports. Basketball coach Will Hickson said having Chandler on the team has been a wonderful experience. He said the team greatly enjoys volunteering with Miracle League, of which Chandler is a part. “My guys are awesome,” he said. “They get the purpose of what the See CHANDLER, Page 9

Phillip Burgess' parents, Brett and Frances, and his widow, Kim, hold a family picture and the flag the military presented to the family at Phillip's funeral. (Anna Brown photo)

Unanswered questions

last year's proposed budget The proposed General Fund revenues for fiscal year 2018 total $5,383,170, while expenditures total $5,893,150, a decrease of approximately 3.8 percent from last year's proposed budget. This leaves a deficit of $509,980, which would be offset by money from the city's fund balance, finance director Walker Gallman said. Tthe city anticipates cutting the deficit with money from the 1-cent local option sales tax, which takes effect in May, Gallman said. Revenue from the sales tax would also provide taxpayers with a credit against their property taxes. No taxes or fee increases are proposed for the general fund. Last year, city property taxes increased by 2.6 mills to help balance the budget. The Solid Waste Management fund is almost a break-even with a budget of $764,380, Gallman said, an increase of less than 1 percent. No fee increase is proposed for fiscal year 2018 The projected Utility Fund revenues are $37,448,640. Expenditures are proposed at $38,474,720 an increase of 3.3 percent over last year's proposed budget. Retained earnings would fund the $1,026,083 deficit. A 5 percent electric rate increase is proposed, Gallman said, and the purchased power agreement will continue to true up the cost of power each month. A 2 percent increase is proposed for water rates. Also, customers with meter sizes 2 inches and above will see an increase in their base charge. Sewer customers will see an overall increase of 2 percent. Natural gas base rates will not increase, but the purchased gas agreement will continue to true up cost of gas each month. The proposed budget includes a 2 percent cost of living raise for city employees. Also, the city will be losing six positions at various times during fiscal year 2018 due to attrition.

SECOND PLACE

Two years later, Phillip Burgess’ family asks why he was fatally shot by deputies By ANNA BROWN

Anna Brown Union County News See QUESTIONS, Page 6

2-year-old forms bond with City of Union employees By ANNA BROWN

The men with the City of Union Public Service Department's Solid Waste Division say they look forward to Thursday mornings, That's the day their truck empties the trash containers for residents on Harlan Street. That's the day Jackson Eubanks is waiting for them. For several months now, ever since Jackson was old enough to take notice of things, he has asked that his parents, Randall and Lauren Eubanks, take him out to see the trash truck when it comes to his street, He developed a relationship with the three men on the truck - James Anderson, Larry Foster and Shon Kershaw. They talk to him and always blow the horn as they are leaving. Because they appreciate

Jackson's interest so much, the men had a cap, shirt and pants personalized for Jackson. Shon got the folks at Crisp and Son in Buffalo to print Jackson's name and “City of Union” on the items. Jackson now has an outfit similar to the crew's uniform. The crew also gave Jackson a football and a balloon. “He is a little fellow waiting on us with a big smile on his face,” Shon said. “He is waiting every Thursday - sometimes it is

rainy and cold.” Larry said every Thursday morning as the men are leaving out to start their route, they remark that they hope Jackson is waiting on them. “He makes Thursday the best day on our route,” Larry said. Lauren said Jackson, who turned 2 on Nov. 20, started getting interested in heavy equipment and big See JACKSON, Page 2

The City of Union crew of James Anderson, Larry Foster and Shon Kershaw are shown with Jackson Eubanks.

Dispute involves her questions about pageant BY DON WORTHINGTON Progressive Journal Editor

A social media dispute between Tim and Neil Griffin and Pageland Town Council member Elaine Robertson over the coupleÕ s operation of the Miss Pageland Pageant has moved into the public arena. For months, the Griffins have been appealing to town officials to curtail what they called RobertsonÕ s Ò investigationÓ of the pageant and Ò harassmentÓ of its contestants, according to documents released to the Progressive Jour-

nal this week under the stateÕ s Freedom of Information Act. The town responded that it had not authorized any action involving the pageant, and that any action by Robertson was as a private citizen, according to the interviews. On Oct. 3, Neil Griffin angrily stormed out of the town council meeting, yelling that council members would not address his multiple complaints. On Oct. 13, a pageant building behind the GriffinsÕ house burned, and they publicly called the incident a hate crime meant to shut down the pageant and drive them out of Pageland.

e-mail from the Secretary of StateÕ s Office. The Facebook posts follow a Sept. 1 Ò cease-and-desistÓ letter from Chesterfield County First Steps to Tim Griffin, Neil Griffin and the scholarship foundation. First Steps said the Griffins and the foundation were to immediately stop any communications that they were Ò associated or affiliatedÓ with First Steps and to stop Ò promoting the activities of, or soliciting contributions on behalf of Chesterfield County First Steps.Ó In its cease-and-desist letter, First Steps said it had questions over the legal and tax status of the Griffin Scholarship Foundation as a public charity. First StepsÕ attorney wrote that

NEWS FEATURE WRITING The documents and interviews with Tim and Neil Griffin, Robertson and town officials indicate the dispute boils down to two main questions: ◆ Did Robertson represent herself as a councilwoman or private resident when she asked pageant queens, their mothers and others associated with pageant about its operations? ◆ Did the Griffins pay the queens the scholarship money they promised them? The documents released to the Progressive Journal show that the Griffins contend Robertson has been acting in her role as a member of the town

council. They have asked the Pageland Town Council at least four times in recent months to control RobertsonÕ s actions. The latest request, made on Sept. 25, asked for the town council to seek a S.C. Law Enforcement Division investigation of Robertson. The Griffins maintain that RobertsonÕ s questioning of pageant operations and finances is harassment and cyber-bullying with the intent of closing the pageant. They say Robertson clearly has Ò investigatedÓ the pageant, using her authority as a

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Rising above cancer Eight of ten children in Chesterfield family have various cancers

By DON WORTHINGTON and VANESSA BREWER-TYSON Progressive Journal

Sisters Loretta Streater McNeal and Amanda Streater Davis decided to move their conversation from the bedroom to the den. Their walk down DavisÕ hall Ð something so simple for years Ð was a struggle. They clung to each other with each step. McNeal had just had a chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Davis was ridden with cancer too. Cancer had spread from her pancreas to her brain. The cancer was inoperable. Davis was the sibling McNeal turned to for encourage. Ò She would make you smile, forget your

“There was not time to feel sad. You have to get a hold of this, work with it, and beat it, if you can.”

concerns and your problems,Ó McNeal said. They nearly fell. McNeal then realized her sister needed her help. Ò She needed me and I couldnÕ t help her,Ó McNeal said.

Davis died March 14, 2009. It was not the first time the Streater family of Chesterfield had struggled with cancer. Eight of the 10 siblings had, or have, cancer and four have died. Davis was the third sibling to die. (Sisters Ruth Streater and Katherine Binns have not been diagnosed with cancer.) Health experts cannot explain why cancer has hit the Streaters so hard. It could be hereditary; it could be environmental; it could be other factors, they said. There are so many aspects of cancer that cannot be explained, they said. See CANCER | Page 3

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No more tall beers, tall tales at Hambone’s BY NANCY PARSONS gfreporter@onlinechester.com

There have been a lot of tears. And there have been a lot of beers. And if walls could talk, there wouldnÕ t be enough pages in this newspaper to tell all the tales that have been told by patrons sitting on a barstool inside HamboneÕ s Place. Many of those stories, like the paint on the wall, have changed over the last four decades and some of those remaining tales will fade in time as the last standing poolroom in town closed its doors on Wednesday, May 31. Ò I will miss it,Ó HamboneÕ s Place owner Preston Ò HamboneÓ Brown said. Recounting the history of the poolroom, Brown said there was a gas station at the location in the mid 1930s. He said Sammy Kilgo operated a hot dog stand and lived in the left side of the building at one time. In the 1950s, Beech Black set up a produce stand at the site, Brown said. Brown also remembers the building having a lot of windows and fans. And there was no air conditioner, he said. Fast forward to the 1970s. Furman Case became the owner of the popular hangout. Some of

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Dopey’s says goodbye

By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@civitasmedia.com

PHOTO PROVIDED

Terry Mitchell, left, was a regular at Hambone’s Place over the years. At the urging of his wife Connie, right, Hambone Brown, center, agreed to his wife’s plan to close the poolroom. spinning room could stop by and shoot a few games of pool before heading After a little coaxing from his wife Connie, Hambone home. Brown finally agreed to retire and close the doors on BrownÕ s wife, Connie, the bar/poolroom he operated for more than 40 remembers the day her years. husband told her he had bought the business. the operators included Ò So there were two Ò He came home and Larry Glenn, Roy Bigham poolrooms in Flopeye and said Ô I bought a bar/pool and a Mr. Osborne. two in the downtown room.Õ I said Ô You better be Brown said he rented area,Ó Brown said. kidding!Õ Ó Mrs. Brown the building for a year Of the four establish- said. before buying it in 1977. ments, HamboneÕ s outMrs. Brown filled the Ò At the time, there lived them all. almost full-time role of were four poolrooms in Ò From what I was told, raising their two sons, Great Falls,Ó Brown said. it was the oldest operating Preston and Jason, she In addition to business in Great Falls,Ó said. HamboneÕ s, Joe Williams Brown said. Ò And we had Her husband worked operated a poolroom the second oldest beer as an insurance agent for across the street from license in the state.Ó Kanawha Insurance. At HamboneÕ s Place and When he first took over one time, he worked for Ford Hinson and Ronald the poolroom, Brown said Kanawha, operated the Thomasson ran like com- he opened the doors at poolroom and went to colmercial establishments in 6:30 in the morning so lege, he said. the downtown area. doffers from J.P. StevensÕ Ò And he was out doing BY NANCY PARSONS/GREAT FALLS REPORTER

so much for the community,Ó Connie Brown said. Ò People donÕ t know all heÕ s done, telling how her husband was very involved in youth athletics, coached Little League games and served as president of the Booster Club. Ò Those were some of the most enjoyable times I had when our boys were growing up,Ó Hambone Brown said. Ò HeÕ s a good man, but I could kill him sometime,Ó Connie Brown laughed. When Brown first took over ownership of the poolroom, only men came into the poolroom and beer was the only alcoholic beverage sold. Women sometimes showed up, knocked on the door and demanded to see their husbands,

Brown laughed. They did not come inside. To shoot a game of pool on one of the four pool tables cost 15 cents, Brown said. Ò There were days IÕ d take in $100 a day on the pool table,Ó Brown said. Ò And IÕ ve still got the original pool table.Ó Over the years, the 15-cent charge for a game of pool climbed to $3 a game. Brown said he had three men, Gerald Ott, Slick Ghent and Jack McCormick rack balls for him. They were paid 15 cents each time they racked. Ò I paid their salary,Ó Brown said. See HAMBONE’S, Page 2-B

School district listens to parent concerns at Great Falls listening session

NEWBERRY — Newberry County Water and Sewer Authority manager Brent Richardson presented the monthly Construction and Operation Report to Board members during last Thursday’s regularly scheduled meeting. “Everything is running well at the water treatment facility. We’ve got a couple new operators in training. The plants running good and we’re really excited, because in a couple months we’re going to have a board meeting at the water treatment plant because we want all of the Board members to see our new laboratory when it is completed,” Richardson said. Lake Murray Water Treatment Plant’s Running Annual Average TOC Removal Ratio and Locational Running Annual Averages at all HAA and TTHM sample sites are all in compliance. Richardson reported that the water distribution department had a good month with one reported 8-inch

replace an aging bridge on Macedonia Church Road at Susannah Branch and is working on a right-ofway acquisition. The board allocated $60,000 on April 28, 2016 to relocate an existing 6-inch water line and an existing 10-inch sewer line to avoid interference with SCDOT construction activity. The Little Mountain Force Main Extension is complete and in operation and the Cannons Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility is also showing no signs of problems. “We did report last month that we acquired a 29 Hp pump (Jalapa Road PS). This is kind of an intermediate pump station between the rest area and the City of Newberry. That pump remains at the repair shop. Those parts were a rebuilt kit and were on back order, so it took us a while to get it, so all we’re waiting on are the parts,” said Richardson. The Georgia Pacific PS will also be upgrad-

Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Buzz and Rose Edwards stand outside Dopey’s Cafe. Before it was ever a restaurant, the building was once a shoe repair shop.

History goes back to 1950 By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

NEWBERRY — After more than 60 years in business, the Tomahawk — or Dopey’s Cafe, as it is more commonly referred to — will close its doors for the last time Friday, bringing to an

end a history that goes back to 1950 when John “Dopey” Edwards started the business. According to John Edwards Jr., or Buzz as he is more commonly referred, his father opened the restaurant after leaving Newberry College when he was 23

or 24. Rose Edwards, Buzz’s wife, said he named the new restaurant Tomahawk for the Newberry College Indians. “When this place came available he bought it. At one time it was a shoe repair shop,” Buzz said. Community members and Newberry College alumni would begin referring to the restaurant as

Dopey’s, John Edward Sr.’s nickname. According to Buzz, when his father opened the restaurant he offered much of the same menu items they offer today — hamburgers, milkshakes and cheese doughnuts. Buzz recalled that back then a hamburger was only 15 cents and a Coke See DOPEY’S | 5

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Roddey laid to rest, signs off one last time BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com

As they were hundreds of times over the last 40-plus years, Chester CountyÕ s radio airways were filled with the name and persona of Carlisle Roddey on Wednesday. Roddey, who passed away on Monday, spent 32 years essentially running Chester as the county supervisor, but he also spent 47 years as the radio voice of the Chester Cyclones football team. Everybody knew Roddey, whether it was from his holding office or holding forth in front of a microphone on football Friday nights and there was no way the pews of his beloved Chester Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church could hold everyone who wanted to be in attendance to pay their respects. So, the service was broadcast on 90.3 WRBK FM, the same frequency where he painted a picture of Cyclones football 10 or so times a year as only he could, talking of running backs who hit the hole like a shot cat, or quarterbacks who were so bow-legged they couldnÕ t hem a hog in a ditch. Clint Davis, pastor of Chester ARP, wasnÕ t just RoddeyÕ s preacher, he was also his on-air broadcast partner since coming to town in 2004. He acknowledged it was difficult to accept that his friend was gone, even as RoddeyÕ s health worsened over the last year and the end was nearing. ItÕ s hard to imagine a world without Roddey, and even harder to imagine Chester County without him. Ò I didnÕ t think it was ever going to happen,Ó Davis said. Dr. Dwight Pearson, former pastor at Chester ARP, said Roddey was Ò a visionary.Ó That didnÕ t just

Citizen: Conflict of interest in hiring acting

BY BILL MARION/SPECIAL TO THE N&R

Firemen salute as the hearse carrying Carlisle Roddey’s body passes through downtown.

BY TRAVIS JENKINS/THE N&R

The funeral procession was routed to go past Chester’s footbal stadium. apply to the way he managed the countyÕ s affairs, it came in the way he lived his life, raised his children and supported his church. Roddey loved to talk, about sports, about Chester and about people,

but Pearson and Davis both said he talked to them about his strong Christian faith often. Pearson said RoddeyÕ s Christian principles shined through in the way he treated people.

Ò He had compassion for those who hurt,Ó he said. Ò He had compassion for those in need, those in dire straits. He loved people, he loved family and he loved his church.Ó Pearson spoke about

the kind of man Roddey was, but not for long. There werenÕ t a lot of Roddey stories, either. ItÕ s not that there arenÕ t plenty. Indeed, when Pearson asked for a show of hands of anyone who considered Roddey their friend, every hand went up. One could probably open a Chester phone book, call a number at random and get someone on the other end of the phone who knew Roddey and had a funny story, or one about him getting their road paved, or helping them find a job, or having cooked some hash for their fundraiser or having said something nice about their child on the radio. That isnÕ t what he wanted at his funeral, though, and heÕ d told Pearson that in advance. Ò He said Ô donÕ t get up there and say a lot of things about me. Read some scripture and talk about the Lord,Õ Ó Pearson recalled Roddey saying. So he did, choosing Ò Trust in the Lord with all

your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straightÓ from Proverbs. Davis said Roddey used to tell him that he hoped when he got to Heaven, he got to go in. He is in, Davis said. Ò Above all else, he was a Christian. He believed in eternal glory,Ó Davis said. Unlike Pearson, though, Davis said he would be sharing some stories about Roddey. Ò He told Dwight not to say much about him but he didnÕ t tell me that,Ó Davis said. Davis said some people called Roddey Ò CarlisleÓ or Ò Mr. CarlisleÓ but he normally greeted him differently. Ò IÕ d say Ô hey Big Boy,Õ and heÕ d say Ô What do you know, man?Õ Ó Davis remembered. Davis said he loved calling games on the radio with his friend, partly because you never knew what Roddey was going to say or when he was going to say it. What he liked even more was the talks heÕ d have with Roddey going to and from games about football and life in general. He felt like Roddey adopted him into his family. It also gave him the chance to see Roddey work his magic on occasion. He recalled riding back from a game late one night with Roddey when they were pulled over in Ridgeway. The officer seemed to be in a bad mood, and wasnÕ t reacting much as Roddey tried to sweet talk him. Ò If you know me, you know I have a bad habit of laughing when IÕ m not supposed to,Ó Davis said. So with Davis unable to control his laughter in the passenger seat, Roddey bored in. He asked the See RODDEY, Page 2

City PD wearing some new uniforms BY BRIAN GARNER bgarner@onlinechester.com

New year, new uniforms, same great public service.

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Travis Jenkins The News & Reporter

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THIRD PLACE Carl Lindquist Tidelands Health

SECOND PLACE Liz Segrist Charleston Regional Business Journal S.C. PR ASSOCI ESS AT awardsION

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Production of 787-10 Dreamliner advancing By Liz Segrist

Building momentum Donations adding up for International African American Museum. Page 10

Construction 101

After letting out for the summer, Charleston County schools began building. Page 17

More for military

U.S. senator tells Charleston business leaders defense should be budget priority. Page 12

lsegrist@scbiznews.com

roduction on the 787-10 Dreamliner is moving forward at Boeing S.C., adding more assembly, paint and flight testing work at the North Charleston campus. The 787-10 Dreamliner is the third derivative of the Dreamliner family — and the largest, at 18 feet longer than the 787-9.

The difference in length was evident inside the 787-10 waiting on the runway outside of Boeing in North Charleston. From the entrance near the cockpit, the midbody stretched on, and the back of the plane was not visible from the front. The twin-aisle jet sat mostly empty, awaiting a future customer to determine seat configurations. Some seating and test equipment were inside the plane for ongoing

ROLL

HOW THEY MOBILE BUSINESSES HIT THE STREETS

Office demand

Increased need for space pushing businesses to Charleston submarkets. Page 18

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Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 Best Advice .......................... 4 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering and Construction ...................... 16 List: Landscape Architecture Firms ................................29 At Work .............................. 31 Peer to Peer ........................35 Hot Properties .................... 36 Viewpoint ...........................37 Day in the Life .................... 38

The rising costs of retail space in Charleston push some business owners to take their concepts mobile, selling goods Amy Rose, owner of Red Rose Vintage, sells clothes out of her mobile store at various locations across the Lowcountry. (Photo/Liz Segrist)

from inside old RVs and school buses. Page 6

flight testing. Along with bringing the extra assembly and paint work, 787-10 production also builds on the North Charleston facility’s flight-test program, said Michelle Bernson, director of delivery center, flight line and paint operations for Boeing S.C. Previously, North Charleston workers See BOEING 787-10, Page 9

Motley Rice files suit over nuclear project

Staff Report

awsuits, legislative hearings and legal maneuverings are piling up in the wake of the failed V.C. Summer nuclear reactor construction project. Mount Pleasant-based law firm Motley Rice, renowned for its asbestos and tobacco litigation, and Columbia attorney Brian Gambrell both filed suit against SCANA, S.C. Electric and Gas’ parent company, in federal court. Motley Rice charges that SCANA committed securities fraud violations, artificially driving up stock prices “by issuing false and misleading statements to investors and omitting material information concerning the progress, cost and completion schedule” of the project. Gambrell accused SCANA of violating a federal racketeering statute by charging customers for the uncompleted nuclear reactors. State-owned utility Santee Cooper owns 45% and SCE&G 55% of the project near Jenkinsville. It was originally budgeted to cost around $11.3 billion when the S.C. Public Service Commission approved it in 2009, but as delays mounted, costs soared closer to $20 billion. SCE&G and Santee Cooper spent about See SCANA LAWSUIT, Page 13

CHARLESTON UNDER CONSTRUCTION Who is building what in the Charleston area?

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Four locals featured on reality show “Hunted” Jonathan Vickery Managing Editor jonathan.vickery@morris.com

Editor’s Note: While the girls were unable to comment due to documents they signed with CBS, The People-Sentinel spoke to their parents who enjoyed seeing their daughters on national television. Four locals played a part in a new reality television show that is billed as “the world’s most elaborate game of hide and seek.” Anna, Flynn and Mary Scott Valentine, who are natives of Williston, along with their friend, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Furtick of Springfield, were on the Feb. 1 episode of “Hunted” on CBS. The show focuses on nine teams of two who are voluntarily on the run and trying to evade capture for 28 days to win a $250,000 prize. “It was definitely fun to watch,” said Vince Furtick of seeing his daughter on television. He and his wife Beverly have watched the show all season. Kia and Scott Valentine also found it exciting to watch their three daughters on television. They thought the girls would be shown briefly, but soon realized they were featured for a good portion of the episode. “We had no idea it was going to be that big a deal. The producers make it much more intense than you think it’s going to be,” said Kia Valentine of her daughters’ roles, which included aiding and abetting one team of “fugitives” as well as some snitching. On the third episode entitled Operation Cupid’s Revenge, the team of Miles Svoboda of Atlanta, Ga. and Will Muzika of Spartanburg were introduced as southern gentlemen and ladies men. Their strategy was to hide in plain sight by relying on fellow millennials, particularly ladies, to take them in. Their strategy of avoiding social media and contacts worked well as they

avoided “the authorities” – a team of former and current law enforcement and intelligence professionals. Upon their arrival to Edisto Beach on the fifteenth day of being on the run, the duo encountered Lizzy Furtick on the beach. Vince Furtick said he immediately recognized his daughter after seeing her dog Lander. “She always has that dog with her,” he said. Miles and Will asked Lizzy if she had a place they could stay for the night. While she did not, she called Anna Valentine, who lives at Edisto Beach, to see if she would let the guys stay with her. Valentine agreed. As the guys settled in on the patio area under the house, the girls went inside the house. That’s when Furtick stumbled across a wanted poster for Muzika that the authorities had posted on social media. It stated he was voluntarily

on the run as part of a new television show and that there was a “possible reward” for information leading to his capture. Anna suggested they t u r n t h e g u y s i n . “ We don’t know them,” said Anna. F l y n n Va l e n t i n e a n d Furtick were against the idea. “Why would you do that? We’re supposed to be the good people. They trust us,” said Flynn. “What’s more important, money or your soul?” said Furtick. Vince Furtick said he “felt like (his daughter) chose the high road and tried to help. She has a great heart.” Anna changed her mind and agreed to help the guys. H o w e v e r, A n n a a n d Flynn’s other sister, Mary S c o t t Va l e n t i n e , l a t e r called the number on the wanted poster to turn the guys in. While she was not at the beach, her sisters had called her to tell her

Clockwise from above left: Will and Miles help carry Lizzy Furtick’s chair after meeting her on Edisto Beach; Anna Valentine and Lizzy Furtick along with Flynn Valentine (at right) have a conversation after Anna suggested turning Will and Miles in for a cash reward; While the trio decided to not turn the guys in, Mary S c o t t Va l e n t i n e l a t e r called “the authorities” to do so.

CBS screenshots of the episode

what was going on. Kia Valentine said Mary Scott does not like being left out of things her sisters are involved with. Mary Scott then called Flynn to tell her what she did. “That’s why I hate Mary Scott,” said Anna upon learning what her sister did. While viewers could take this to mean there is angst amongst the sisters, Kia Valentine said this is a phrase jokingly used between the sisters. “Our family and girls love each other very much.” Even with unscripted reality television shows, Valentine said it’s important to realize everything might not be portrayed or conveyed the way someone means it, such as with Anna’s statement. “While I'm quick to point out how the producers of this type of programming can pick and choose what they want to be of focus, and what they choose may be unsettling for some and provoke scrutiny for those involved or watching, I wouldn't be a true

arts advocate if I didn't just as quickly express my appreciation for their work. They too are artists. Whether it be media arts, TV, big screen, or the stage – dancers, directors, actors, visual artists, or writers – our goal is to stir the mind and soul and hope for a reaction. If there was no reaction (whether positive or negative), then, we haven't truly done our job. Hunted CBS is doing their job,” she said. With the authorities on their way, Anna Valentine and Furtick drove Will and Miles to Beaufort. Little did they know, the hunters were tracking Anna’s phone. Though they weren’t sure of the team’s exact location, the authorities knew the marina is a popular party spot and might be a possible retreat for the team. Later that day a drone helped locate the team on a boat. A boat chase soon ensued and the team was captured. Kia Valentine said it’s “amazing how they can track people. You can be found out anywhere.” As

a teacher, she believes this could be a good learning tool for students. Going Viral Mary Scott Valentine’s name has gone viral as a result of her brief yet impactful appearance on the show. Some viewers have bashed her on social media, including sending her hateful Facebook messages and leaving negative reviews on her photography business page. However, Kia Valentine said her daughter has handled the attention well. “Our younger generation watches so much television and is pulled into it so easily,” said Kia Valentine. “People need to realize it is just a television show.” Other comments have been supportive or lighthearted. Her name is now a verb because one Twitter user tweeted, “Warning to my friends who might want to apply for Hunted season 2: I will totally Mary Scott Valentine you.” Va l e n t i n e s a i d h e r daughters did not know Miles and Will were captured until they watched the episode last week. They also did not know they were trying to win $250,000. “We were all disappointed the guys got caught,” said Vince Furtick, although he doesn’t blame Mary Scott for doing what she did. “You never know what you’re going to do in the spur of the moment.” Though they knew it was a reality show with fake fugitives, Kia Valentine said she believes Mary Scott did the right thing because “in reality, the right thing would be to turn them in.” Vince Furtick said he’s also proud of his daughter for doing what she thought was right. “They were super nice guys,” he said of Will and Miles. “Hunted” airs Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. on CBS. If you missed episode three, you can stream it online at www.cbs.com.

Beekeeping yields sweet rewards By Samantha Lyles Staff Writer slyles@newsandpress.net

Dressed in a white canvas suit – complete with gloves and a netted veil – David Brown approaches a little stack of white wooden boxes and removes the top floor of his beehive. Dozens of buzzing insects emerge, and hundreds more cling to the rack he pries loose for inspection. The surface of the rack gleams with shining amber honey, lovingly tucked into perfect hexagons. “This is looking pretty good,” Brown observes, touching some of the cells which are filled and sealed shut with wax. “They've already started capping a lot, here. They've been busy.” Tucked between cotton fields in the Mechanicsville community, Brown's beehive is a source of relaxation, amusement, and last but not least, some rather delicious honey. Though he's only been

beekeeping for three years, Brown says the hobby has proven educational and rewarding. “I enjoy it. I love it,” he says. “I like to watch the bees, and it's good for the environment. They're pollinators and they're good for the crops.” Brown began with two hives and added two more the following year, but he scaled back after a winter storm destroyed one hive and another was lost to “over-robbing,” which occurs when the beekeeper mistakenly takes too much honey out and the bees don't have enough to sustain themselves over the winter. To survive, bees need plenty of clean water to dissolve sugar crystals in stored honey and to produce “bee bread” to feed the youngsters. They also require copious amounts of pollen and nectar. An average bee colony will consume 55 to 110 pounds of pollen each year, and since each lit-

tle bee can only carry about 23 milligrams of pollen per flight, this means the bees will make at least 2.5 million foraging flights per year. That's a lot of work, by any measure, and it requires constant replenishment of the bee workforce. “A hive is a bee-making machine. If it's a good queen and hive, they can make upwards of 2,000 bees a day, and if they don't have enough bees to do all the jobs, it won't survive,” says Brown, noting that bee employment opportunities are strictly regulated by gender, age, and rank. A beehive is a matriarchal society with a queen running the show – and much like “Game of Thrones,” there can be only one queen at a time. Introducing multiple queens within one hive will result in a rather violent end for all but the strongest contender. A queen bee usually lives from two to five years, with

her highest birthing production in the first and second seasons. Most beekeepers will replace the queen after two or three years, if nature doesn't handle the succession rites first. “When a new queen is born, the first thing she does is kill all the other queens,” Brown says, shaking his head. “We think the human world is tough, but the bee world is really something else.” A hive may have up to a few thousand drones (males) whose only duty is to mate with the queen. Drones live 45 to 90 days (from early summer to the onset of fall), eat ravenously their whole lives, they don't have stingers, and they die immediately after mating. The surviving drones are banished when the weather cools and hive resources (honey) must be conserved. Worker bees or foragers are infertile females who begin life working for a couple of

weeks as nurses for the queen's offspring, then they head out into the world and literally work themselves to death after about three weeks of gathering pollen and nectar. Understanding hive dynamics is important, as is tending to the bee's health. Brown says that South Carolina's mild climate removes some of the challenges posed by harsh winters in other regions, but our local bees face threats from mites, fungus, insecticides, and small hive beetles. “Those beetles are little black bugs about the size of a BB,” says Brown. “But you can put traps in the bottom of the hive with holes in the top, and the bees will chase the beetles into the holes and they fall into mineral oil and die. It's crazy to watch them chase the beetles all over, but they will run them into the traps and get rid of them.” While some commercial beekeeping operations market their honey as “sourwood” or “orange blossom” or countless other things based on their bee's presumed pollen/nectar diet, Brown says he has no idea what his bees are eating. He only knows that the honey they produce has gotten “very good reviews” from taste testers, and the hive is wildly productive. “This hive is going crazy making honey. I took four and a half gallons out of it just a couple of weeks ago, and that's about as much as I got all of last year from one hive and part of another,” says Brown. And since the honey-mak-

ing season isn't quite done yet, it's possible Brown may see enough yield to rob the hive once more and still leave its larder full for the long winter's nap. As this hive continues to thrive and he learns more about how to keep the bees healthy and happy, Brown says he plans to add two more hives in the spring. Oh, and if you (like me) were wondering why bees choose to build their honeycombs with hexagons, the answer is simple: pure efficiency. Building circles would require extra wax and extra work to patch them together in a grid, and there are only three geometrical figures with equal sides that fit snugly together on a flat surface with no gaps: equilateral triangles, squares and hexagons. The bees know what they're doing, y'all. If you're interested in learning more about beekeeping, visit www.scstatebeekeepers.com or check out the Clemson Extension's beekeeping page at www.clemson.edu/extension/beekeepers/

LIFESTYLE FEATURE WRITING WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Jonathan Vickery The People-Sentinel

LIFESTYLE FEATURE WRITING WEEKLY OVER 4,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Elizabeth Bush Daniel Island News

SECOND PLACE

Steve Robertson The Horry Independent CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Thursday DECEMBER 22, 2016

VOL XXXVII, No. 38 843-248-6671 www.myhorrynews.com

75 Cents

CHRISTMAS ON SESSIONS STREET ISLAND NEWS

DI family opens their hearts and home to foster parenting ELIZABETH BUSH beth@thedanielislandnews.com It’s a few weeks before Christmas - and life in the Leeke home on Daniel Island is festively busy. Eighteen-month old Eleanor is expressing her dissatisfaction with applesauce and being confined to her high chair, so her Mom, Cathy, sets the toddler free to explore the kitchen area. Brother Grayson, 6, is focused on an activity on an iPad at the table, while big sister Meredith, 7, politely asks to begin a stamping project. Dad, Jonathon, is preparing fresh spinach for dinner, along with macaroni and cheese. He and Cathy move about effortlessly, tag teaming duties to keep everything running smoothly. It is the steady hum of noise and moving parts associated with an engaged and active young family. But there is one more member of the Leeke clan to add to the mix. And he is very much a part of the family’s daily happenings. Michael* may not be one of Cathy and Jonathon’s biological children, but they give him the same attention and love they give their other kids. He is a foster child, placed with them through Lifeline Children’s Services of South Carolina last August. Michael, who is a few months younger than Eleanor, is at daycare on this particular af afternoon, but the family has plans to pick up him soon while on the way to a church event.

ACACIA FALZONE

Cathy and Jonathon Leeke of Daniel Island are currently serving as foster parents though Lifeline Children’s Services of South Carolina. They are shown here with their biological children Meredith, Eleanor and Grayson.

“He was an emergency placement,” said Cathy, when discussing Michael’s arrival at the Leeke homestead in August of 2016. “He came to us with a ‘Can you take him now?’ (plea). We didn’t know if he was born in a hospital or if he had been immunized. We didn’t know his medical records, what he eats or what size diapers he wears. We didn’t know anything about him.” All they knew was that Michael needed a safe place to call home. And they didn’t hesitate to say yes.

“Being a foster parent, it’s like every day could be the delivery day,” added Cathy. “You could be ‘giving birth’ and getting a call that will change your day.” But the Leekes were well prepared for the challenge. They first attended an information session about foster parenting in December of 2014, after considering adding another child to their family (a similar class will be held on Daniel Island this month - see sidebar). At the time, they were thinking about an international

adoption. They began discussing the idea with Lifeline, a Christian non-profit organization that specializes in adoption, foster care and orphan care. “We were talking to Lifeline about different countries and wanted to make the biggest impact we could, so we were asking about where the greatest needs were,” Cathy recalled. “So having the support of them here, it really clicked for us. We just felt called to (foster care), because we were able to serve kids right here in our local area. The need was just overwhelming.” According to Lifeline’s South Carolina State Director Brett Chapman, there are more than 4,000 kids in foster care in South Carolina and a need for 1555 more homes. In Charleston County alone, there are about 292 children currently in foster care and only 140 foster families - exposing a need for an additional 152 homes. “The need for licensed foster families is apparent in the disparate numbers of children needing placement and the number of families available to care for them,” stated Chapman. “The lack of equipped and supported homes results in children being placed in overcrowded homes or in institutions where their unique needs cannot be met with excellence.” Compounding the problem, continued Chapman, is the fact that about one third of

See FOSTER on PAGE 14

BY KATHY ROPP KATHY.ROPP@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

A Little River man, sentenced to death for shooting his wife in the face ten years ago, still has a chance to have his life spared despite a recent S.C. Supreme Court ruling overturning a circuit judge’s decision to reduce his death sentence to life in prison. Louis Michael “Mick” Winkler Jr., 56, was found guilty in February of 2008 of murder, first-degree burglary and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature in connection with the death of his estranged wife, Rebecca Grainger Winkler, 50, of Loris. According to the S.C. Department of Corrections inmate search, Winkler has been on death row in Lieber prison continuously since then. Before that, Winkler kidnapped and sexually assaulted Rebecca Winkler and was arrested on charges of assault and battery with intent to kill, criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping. He was released on bond on Oct. 22, 2005. On the evening of March 6, 2006, while out on bond, Winkler kicked in the door of his estranged wife’s home and shot her in the face at close range in front of her then 14-year-old

STEVE ROBERTSON / THE HORRY INDEPENDENT

Eugene Skipper stands in front of angel wings that commemorate the life of his wife Betty, who died of cancer in

CLA 250 Coupe

October. The Conway couple have been decorating their yard for Christmas since 1973.

Angel wings pay tribute to lifetime of love STEVE ROBERTSON STEVE.ROBERTSON@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

Few things in life pleased Betty Skipper more than watching a parade of vehicles creep past her house holding passengers captivated by the Christmas wonderland she and her partner in life had created in their front yard. For 42 years, Betty and her husband Eugene lovingly transformed their home into a festival of lights and Christmas characters. The tradition spread to the next-door neighbors, who happened to be Betty’s brothers. Then it spread to their offspring until Sessions Street became the Christmas capital of Conway. This year the lights are on again, but

New 2017 Mercedes-Benz

Supreme Court reverses Winkler’s PCR reprieve

there’s a new decoration on the lawn. Lighted angel wings pay tribute to the lady who started it all. Mrs. Skipper died in October from a rare type of cancer. “She was talking and laughing and going out for rides until the very end,” her husband said. “Three days before she died she lost her voice. On Monday we were laying in bed. I turned and kissed her on the cheek and said ‘I love you baby,’ and she died. I know she heard me.” Sweethearts since childhood growing up on Powell Street in Conway, the Skippers enjoyed 62 years of marriage. “She was the love of my life,” Skipper said. The sweethearts married in 1955 after

Eugene, an airman in the U.S. Air Force, managed to catch a plane from his base in Fairbanks, Alaska, to Charleston and then to Conway. It was a harrowing trip with the plane making two emergency landings along the way for mechanical repairs. But Eugene Skipper was on a mission. “I begged her to marry me. She was in the eleventh grade at Conway High School. And she finally said yes,” Eugene recalled. “I didn’t get back to Alaska until two weeks later and was listed as AWOL (absent without leave). The base commander liked me, but said I would have to be punished. So I cleaned his office for the next two weeks. I didn’t mind a bit.” SKIPPER, A3

PHOTO FROM S.C. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Winkler son. He pistol-whipped Rebecca’s son, Jonathan, and pointed the gun at him, but did not shoot. Winkler hid in a wooded area for two weeks before Horry County police captured him, according to former Solicitor Greg Hembree’s description of the case at the time of the trial. The S.C. Supreme Court unanimously upheld the conviction and sentence on direct appeal. But when the case was reviewed by Circuit Judge Benjamin Culbertson on a post-conviction relief (PCR) filing, Culbertson agreed that the trial attorneys, Ralph Wilson WINKLER, A3

Twenty-three applications received for top city job BY KATHY ROPP KATHY.ROPP@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

With 23 applications in hand from people who want to be Conway’s next city administrator, Conway Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy is optimistic that Conway will find a well qualified person to follow Bill Graham when he retires in June. The deadline for applications was Dec. 5 and council hopes to stay on its self-imposed schedule for getting a new administrator into the Conway City Hall by April 3 so he or she will have 90 days to work alongside Graham before he leaves. With Graham’s departure coinciding with the start of a new fiscal year, a budget

should be in place so that’s one thing a new administrator won’t have to deal with right away. Three of the 23 applications came from women and 20 from men, 12 were from South Carolinians, which includes four Horryites, and 11 came from residents of other states. “My understanding is that certainly the majority of those people are well qualified ...I’m pretty pleased that upward of 20 people have applied. I think that speaks to the draw the City of Conway has around the state,” the Mayor said. Council had a lengthy discussion in October about CITY, A3

Lawsuit: Horry police leaders covered up former

LIFESTYLE FEATURE WRITING CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Thursday APRIL 13, 2017

WEEKLY OVER 4,500 DIVISION

VOL XXXVIII, No. 2 843-248-6671 www.myhorrynews.com

75 Cents

BUILDING BRIDGES ON SANDY ISLAND

Police: Four Coastal cheerleaders worked as escorts Attorney: Police report ‘incomplete,’ unfair FROM STAFF REPORTS INFO@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

by the Waccamaw River. The program began by taking the Conway High School students on a tour of St. James High School and taking the St. James students on a tour of Conway High School. Conway High School sophomore Buddy Funes said he thinks his group had a preconceived idea about what the St. James students might be like. They expected them to be snobby and uptight. Not so! They found them to be down to earth, just like the Conway kids. He believes the St. James teens thought initially that Conway students are all pretty much troublemakers, but they found out that isn’t true, he said. “I enjoyed it. I enjoyed like seeing the difference in the cultures, the difference in the mainland and on the island,” he said. Funes was most impressed with islander Laura Herriott, who gave a personal guided tour to the students. Funes said he was interested in her accent and the information she passed along about her Gullah heritage. “I was impressed with how they have progressed,” he said pointing out that now they have electricity and Apple computers. (The Apple computers in the old schoolhouse that has been transformed into a library are compli-

At least four Coastal Carolina University cheerleaders participated in an escort service where “sugar daddies” dated them in exchange for money and gifts, according to an investigative report released this past week by the university. But an attorney representing some of the cheerleaders blasted the school for producing an “incomplete” report and said the document unfairly portrays the women as prostitutes. “This goes to the heart of what is wrong with the university and its inadequate treatment of women, not only in sports, but on campus,” attorney Amy Lawrence said in a news release. A university spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment. The report sheds more light on what led university officials to suspend the entire cheerleading team in March. Coastal officials had said the suspension stemmed from a conduct investigation, but they refused to discuss the nature of that investigation or its origin. The report indicates the cheerleader inquiry began this past month after five anonymous letters were mailed to Coastal officials. The letters alleged cheerleaders were running an escort service and working in strip clubs. It described a culture of hazing where older cheerleaders forced younger ones to drink alcohol at parties and do their homework for them. The letter said those who didn’t comply were not accepted on the team. On March 20, a police investigator received a tip from an anonymous source about text messages between two stu-

SANDY ISLAND, A3

CHEERLEADERS, A11

KATHY ROPP / THE HORRY INDEPENDENT

Horry County Schools Superintendent Rick Maxey, Conway Police Chief Reggie Gosnell and Sandy Island resident Laura Herriott lead Conway and St. James high school students through some of the environmentally-sen-

sitive areas of Sandy Island where the students learned about the island’s culture and each other.

High school students get unusual look into Sandy Island BY KATHY ROPP KATHY.ROPP@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

A group of Conway and St. James high school students spent a full day this past week building bridges at a place that has no bridges. About 28 students enjoyed a field trip, or rather an island trip, that they agreed was fun as well as educational. Sandy Island truly meets the definition of an island; it is completely surrounded by the Waccamaw and Great Pee Dee rivers and two creeks and its only access is by boat. Past talk about a bridge linking the island to Georgetown County’s mainland was nixed by the very private and protective residents years ago. Gracie Guthrie, one of the St. James students making the trip, is a violinist. Her favorite part of the recent daylong trip to Sandy Island was learning where the rosin that she uses on her bow comes from. “I learned it comes from pine trees. I thought it was cool to find out where it comes from since I use it so much,” she said during a lunch break inside the island’s historic New Bethel Baptist Church. Guthrie and the other students were part of what organizers believe was a very successful experiment of sorts when they joined together to get a peek at parts of the island that outsiders usu-

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ally don’t get to see. They learned about the value of longleaf pine forests, how the original rice culture made Georgetown County the richest county in South Carolina at one point, how sap is harvested from trees, why prescribed burns help save entire forests and even more environmental truths. But, perhaps the most important thing they learned is that despite very different cultures, people are pretty much the same everywhere, and that was actually the point of this trip developed by a committee of participants in The Riley Institute’s diversity training program. Dr. Rick Maxey, superintendent of Horry County Schools, and Conway Police Chief Reggie Gosnell were members of the group that chose an environmental setting for their project, which grew out of a similar program, Over the Horizon, offered to students at Burke High School, an inner-city Charleston school, and Wando High School, an affluent suburban high school in Mt. Pleasant. That program takes students to Charleston area islands including Cape Romaine and Bulls Island. The idea is to take different students and put them together on fun, but still educational outdoor outings. Craig Sasser, director of the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, helped with the Over the Horizon program and was eager to work with the Horry

County teens on their Building Bridges, Relationships and Communities program. Sasser had first envisioned taking the students to the refuge’s visitor center, Cox Ferry Recreation Center and Sandy Island on the same day, but soon realized that was too much for one trip. The students visited the Refuge’s Visitor Center on their second trip and headed to Sandy Island on a boat early one morning this past week for their third trip. Principals handpicked the students based on their leadership potential and academic performance, being careful to pick students who are representative of their student bodies, according to Conway High School Principal Lee James. The CHS principal said students had the option of turning down participation in the program, but not even one did. The students were equally divided between St. James High School, a relatively new school, and Conway High School, a school that dates back more than a century. Both have been deemed to be top schools, according to Maxey, but their student populations are different with St. James students being newer to the area and coming from lots of new housing developments in the St. James area. The schools are 21 road miles apart, but very close land-wise, separated only

Coastal professor has

FIRST PLACE

Kathy Ropp The Horry Independent

LIFESTYLE FEATURE WRITING 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION The News LLancaster an Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper

THIRD PLACE

SPORTS

Clayton Stairs Georgetown Times Up, up and away

SECOND PLACE SPORTS, 7A

Gregory A. Summers The Lancaster News

Inez Taylor, 93, left, and Betty Wiggins, 87, residents of Morningside of Georgetown, will be among several veterans and seniors participating in a Dream Flight offered by the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation on Friday Sept. 1 in Camden.

Morningside of Georgetown residents to take Dream Flight BY CLAYTON STAIRS cstairs@southstrandnews.com

CLAYTON STAIRS/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Have you ever dreamed of flying? Inez Taylor, 93, and Betty Wiggins, 87, who live in a Georgetown senior living community, are looking forward to flying in a World War II airplane on Friday, Sept. 1. These two residents of Morningside of Georgetown will be among several veterans and seniors participating in a Dream Flight offered by the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foun-

dation. The flights, in an open-cock open-cockpit, double-wing plane, will be out of the airport in Camden. Anita Williams, executive director of Morningside of Georgetown, and Dorothy Thornal, Lifestyle 360 program director, will accompany the two ladies on the trip. It will include breakfast, a 15-minute flight around the airport and lunch. Both ladies say they are excited about the trip since they have been Please see FLIGHT, Page A2

75 CENTS

Mulvaney at home with ‘geeks and wonks’ First priority is budget, due in March

FILE PHOTO

Mick Mulvaney gives an interview at Donald Trump’s campaign rally at Wintrhop University in January 2016. Mulvaney now joins the ranks of Trump’s cabinet officials as OMB director.

Crawford resigns after drug arrest

Deputy coroner no longer with office Reece Murphy

PHOTO BY MIKE COLLINS, COPYRIGHT AOPA

FACES & PLACES, 1B

INSIDE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017

www.thelancasternews.com

rmurphy@thelancasternews.com

Dream Flights will be in a fully restored Boeing Stearman open-cockpit biplane used to train many military aviators in World War II.

Local students share their own dreams for the future

County trio reaps all-state hoops honors

Lancaster County Deputy Coroner Adis Glen Crawford III stepped down Thursday evening following his arrest in Columbia earlier that day for drug possession. The Columbia Police Department charged the 42-year-old Crawford with possession with Crawford intent to distribute MDMA, also known as “ecstasy,” or “Molly.” He was also charged with possession with intent to distribute hash oil, simple possession of marijuana and resisting arrest. Lancaster County Coroner Karla Knight Deese confirmed Crawford’s resignation in a statement Friday afternoon, but declined any additional comment. “Mr. Crawford was on vacation and not engaged in his duties as a deputy coroner at the time,” Deese said in the release. “He tendered his resignation as deputy coroner and Mr. Crawford is no longer associated with the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office.” A deputy coroner since December 2008, Crawford also works at Crawford Funeral Home in Lancaster. When contacted by The Lancaster News, Crawford declined to comment. A CPD release said Crawford was arrested with nearly 50 multicolored ecstasy pills shaped like Winnie the Pooh, 10 grams of hash oil in individual smoking See RESIGNS I Page 2A

Hannah L. Strong

hstrong@thelancasternews.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Now sworn in as the new director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Mick Mulvaney said he is happy that the confirmation process is over. “I am absolutely ecstatic… the longest eight weeks of my

life,” Mulvaney said during a phone interview Friday afternoon. “The wait was particularly tedious.” Mulvaney quickly resigned the Fifth Congressional District seat on Thursday after he was confirmed by the Senate as OMB chief. Leaving the U.S. House of

Representatives, he said, was tough. “It’s a bittersweet situation where you have to resign from the District 5 position,” he said. “This was simply too good of an opportunity to pass up.” Mulvaney, 49, said his immediate priority is President See MULVANEY I Page 2A

A textile icon’s literary legacy

USCL professor spotlights short fiction of Elliott White Springs, ponders what might have been. Gregory A. Summers gsummers@thelancasternews.com

e might have become one of the early 20th Century’s great writers, along with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolfe and William Faulkner, but Elliott White Springs gave up his New York literary life in 1931 when his father died and came home to Lancaster to run the family business. Springs was probably even a notch above those contemporaries, says Dr. Christopher Bundrick, a USC Lancaster associate professor of English who is researching Springs’ writings for a new book. “His stories are quite good,” Bundrick said, noting that many of the writer’s fictional characters – like Springs himself – managed to ignore societal and business norms. “He started out with these humorous stories, but was on his way to becoming a serious writer and was moving more toward a more literary examination of life,” Bundrick said. “You have to wonder where he would’ve gone by having another brother who could take over the mills and he would’ve stayed in New York. I don’t doubt that he had 30 novels in him,” he said. Bundrick, whose specialty is 19th century Southern regional literature, believes Springs’ short fiction from the ‘20s sheds light on the textile magnate’s business practices later in life. See SPRINGS I Page 5A

GREGORY A. SUMMERS/gsummers@thelancasternews.com

USC Lancaster’s Dr. Christopher Bundrick has uncovered a side of Col. Elliott White Springs that few in Lancaster have heard about – the published New York City writer.

Woman says trespassers stole fish from pond

LIFESTYLE FEATURE WRITING 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

PAGE 2 - THE GAFFNEY LEDGER

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

MEMORIAL DAY 2017

The Three Amigos, Bill Blanton (left), Larry Sossamon and Mike Honeycutt became friends in middle school and graduated Gaffney High in 1965. In order the Amigos, are “Soss #1, Bun #2 and Beak #3, not by age, but by intelligence and beauty,” Sossamon said.

Three Amigos bound by friendship, commitment to patriotism By ABBIE SOSSAMON Lifestyles & Features Editor abbie@gaffneyledger.com They call themselves the Three Amigos. Three best friends whose hilarious antics, road trips and love for selfies has garnered a cult-like following on Facebook. While they enjoy their “local celebrity status” and making their “fans” laugh, there is a deeper and more serious connection of their friendship — their service in the military and dedication to honoring all veterans. Larry Sossamon, Mike Honeycutt and Bill Blanton, better known to their fans as Soss, Bun and Beak, respectively, became friends in middle school. Honeycutt and Blanton were friends in elementary school and said they “picked Soss up along the way.” The Amigos graduated Gaffney High School in

1965, and Blanton immediately enlisted in the Navy, serving for three years on the USS Saratoga. He worked on the ship’s flight deck as a 3rd Class Petty Officer and was stationed in Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967. Sossamon enlisted next in 1967, serving three years in the Army during the height of the Vietnam War. He was a member of the 25th Infantry, stationed near the Cu Chi area of Vietnam. In his year-long tour of duty, he recalled the most frightening part was flying the 159th Medical Evacuation Helicopter. “That was the toughest experience, not knowing if I was going to make it back,” he said. “I didn’t want to get shot down.” Honeycutt enlisted in the Navy in 1968 and spent four years flying on aircraft carriers as a bombardier navigator in Vietnam. When Navy

“Serving helped instill a sense of patriotism in us. We don’t do this for any sort of recognition, but to keep the memories alive of these guys. And we’re not the only veterans who do this. There are a great deal of others who help.” — Bill Blanton (a.k.a. Beak) SEALs went to free POWs, Honeycutt was one of several who flew around the area to ensure their safety. Honeycutt noted how the attitudes of Americans towards the military have changed significantly since the controversial Vietnam War. “When I came home there was no fanfare, nothing, no one cared,” he said, with Sossamon and Blanton agreeing. “But it didn’t bother me, I was proud of my service. America has since been attacked, citizens are now proud of the military.” Once all had returned home from service, they tried to keep up with

Today, we honor all

each other, but with marriages and raising children, they didn’t remain as close as they once were. In the late 1980s, all three joined the American Legion Post 109, and from attending meetings and serving with the burial detail, their friendship began to be rekindled. About five years ago the three began taking trips to Pawleys Island to play in golf tournaments (Blanton doesn’t play golf but tags along for the fun and friendship). They come up with a theme for each trip, complete with outfits, hats and accessories. One year their theme was, fittingly, “The

Three Amigos,” where they dressed in ponchos and sombreros, another year it was a biker theme. They recycled their biker look and came dressed in leather vests, T-shirts and “tat-

tooed” arms for this interview (see photos). While most people can make it from Gaffney to the South Carolina coast in about four to five hours, it takes the Amigos ● See AMIGOS, Page 3

Like all who serve, or have served, in the military, the Three Amigos think the branch they served in is the best. Soss, who served in the Army, is outnumbered by Navy vets Beak and Bun.

FIRST PLACE

Abbie Sossamon The Gaffney Ledger

PROFILE FEATURE WRITING OR STORY WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE Debbie Rogers News-Chronicle Page 4 - Sept. 6, 2017 - NEWS-CHRONICLE

Sen. Gambrell makes Jared’s long-time dream come true BELTON -- Jared Morris has had one wish since he was four. He wanted to ride in a garbage truck. Before you laugh and think this is odd, you must realize that the nine-year-old is serious. He carries out the garbage, lines the cans, cleans up around the house and any other place in which he finds himself. He truly enjoys picking up trash and helping make this world a cleaner place. And even better, he appreciates those who are in the business -- the garbage truck drivers and those who empty the cans into the truck, the janitors and custodians. When Senator Mike Gambrell heard of the youngster’s dream, he came to the rescue. As owner of the trash pickup service M & R Enterprises, Gambrell had the means to make the wish come true. “This is the first time I’ve had a child who wanted to ride a garbage truck,” said Sen. Gambrell. “This is what its all about. Anytime you can take a child and show him a new experience or something he’s always wanted to do, it’s great.” Leaving his mother Stasea in the parking lot, Morris climbed aboard the truck with Gambrell and driver Tommy Epps. The ride took the trio from Shady Grove Church to Friendship Fire Department and back. A smiling Morris climbed down from the cab and then got a lesson from Epps as to how to operate the truck. For the next hour and a half, questions were asked and answered, levers were pulled and horns were blown. “I’ve never seen a kid with this much interest and lover for trash,” said Epps, who also drives a school bus for the high school. “It felt good and was a pleasure to have him ride the truck with me. Most kids want to ride the fire truck, but this is unique. I’m glad I could

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO - Debbie Rogers

JARED MORRIS, NINE, SITS IN THE CAB of a garbage truck after taking his first ride and make his day.” Morris’ love for trash is not a passing fancy. It’s more like a calling. He studies the different types of trash cans and trucks and knows the routes of many. “Jared uses his allowance to pay for garbage pick-up,” said his mother. “He pays Powell’s Trash Service and waits in the yard until they come. He has three of his own trash cans. That’s the big ones. He recycles--one is just for cardboard and paper, one for cans and one for ‘stinky trash.’ He takes out our trash to earn his allowance.” “Jared has loved trash and garbage trucks his whole life,” said Stasea. “When he was four, I thought it would pass. I gave him side walk chalk, thinking he would

NEWS-CHRONICLE PHOTO - Debbie Rogers

SENATOR MIKE GAMBRELL, LEFT, AND JARED MORRIS, nine, prepare to go for a ride in a garbage truck driven by Tommy Epps, right.

Follow Bears’ football Listen to football play-byplay with Joel Kay on the radio at WHQA-FM 103.1 and get up-to-date scores on BHP NewsChronicle facebook page. Former BHP football player Kayne Evans is talking Bear football on line on Friday nights.

Sports Scoreboard Fore Club Seniors Star Fort - August 28

Flight One: 1-Wes Hershberger +10, 2-Chuck Wright +6, 3-Kenny Fleming +6. Flight Two: 1-Matt Silcox +8, 2-Sam Vallance +6,

fulfilling a life-long dream. The ride was taken in the Shady Grove Community on August 26.

like it. He used it to decorate the garbage can. “We didn’t buy him trash cans, still thinking this [love] would pass. He would make his trash cans out of Mega Legos and turn his sister’s socks around to make a liner. For hours he would play in his room, making his own city and collect the trash. “This has been his love since he was born.” Jared’s love for trash and cleanliness goes beyond his home. When he attends wrestling matches to watch his brothers on the mat, he goes through the bleachers and picks up trash that unconcerned others have dropped. “Kids follow him thinking he is finding treasures, but he’s just gathering the trash and throwing it away,” said his mom. “When Jared was six, he tried to help the men clean the tables after Wednesday-night dinners,” said Stasea. “They told him they could do it.” Since they didn’t realize that the youngster had a real desire to help, Stasea asked them to please allow him to help, if it were possible. “I told them to train him to do it the way they wanted it done. They could not believe that he loved to clear the tables. “They had 10 trash cans and soon he had them putting plates in one, cups (after they had been emptied) in another. He had them pouring drinks in a tub because ‘a full drink takes too much space in the can and its messy.’ They came back and said ‘he had to train us.’” While Stasea was in Augusta with his older brother Jackson Gannon, who was recovering from a car accident, Jared stayed with other families in the area. “The families would tell me that he took out all their trash and would line all the trash cans with bags. He even put another trash bag underneath the first because he knew he wouldn’t stay long and he wanted to make sure that it was right there for the next person.” His Upward basketball coach Leigh Ann Oakley said she learned from Jared and now puts a roll of bags in the bottom of the cans in each room. Stasea has also learned from her fifth son. My husband Joseph and I took

Upcoming Events Softball

Stinger travel tryouts - for 10U, 12U and 14U @ BHP softball field Sept 23; registration @ 9:30 a.m.; for more information call coach Dale DeVore @ 864-940-3190.

him with us to a meet and greet celebrities event, explained Stasea. There were many actors and actresses in attendance, like Tom Selleck, who now plays on the TV series Blue Bloods; Susan Backlinie, who was eaten by Jaws in the opening scene of the movie; actor and film director Danny Glover; film and television actor Gary Busey and retired professional wrestler Sgt. Slaughter. The Morris’ met all but Selleck. I noticed Jared was distracted and he was looking at the janitor. He wanted his picture made with him. “Jared thought it was really cool because the janitor’s cart had two trash cans. He asked all about what his responsibility was for the big ‘party.’ He thought it was awesome that the janitor got this job. “This man was so overjoyed that this little boy thought he was a celebrity. It was so touching.” While in the hospital in Augusta, Stasea noticed the lady who came to clean Jackson’s room was moving her lips silently. She asked the lady if she was praying. After confirmation, Stasea said, “I want you to know how much we appreciate you.” The lady replied, “Really?” Stasea told her about Jared and his love for cleaning and trash and then said, “You are very important and special to us.” A bond was formed and the lady visited Jackson even when he was moved to another floor. “Through Jared’s love of trash, we make sure we tell the janitors how much we appreciate them,” she said very sincerely. “Honestly, I’ve stopped to recognize the people who aren’t recognized because of his heart. That’s how much he has opened our eyes. He has a calling. “I’ve asked him why do you like trash. He said, ‘We’ve got to keep everything clean.’ “He never stops talking about it. His brothers will say, ‘We don’t care about trash. Just leave us alone about trash.’ Jared says, ‘But I care about it and I care about your trash.’ Trash to Jared is shrimp to Bubba, the character in the movie Forest Gump.” Jared has taught many people the importance of every job. Some people only look at a garbage truck as stinky and never look at the im-

NEWS-CHRONICLE PHOTO - Debbie Rogers

JARED MORRIS, LEFT, TAKES A CLOSER LOOK at the trash can dumping mechanic on M & R Enterprises trash truck, while driver Tommy Epps explains how it works.

NEWS-CHRONICLE PHOTO - Debbie Rogers

JARED MORRIS GETS A FEEL FOR SITTING IN THE DRIVER’S seat of a garbage truck. portance of the job and how much we depend on and need those who ride the truck. “I see Jared creating a new appreciation for the trash business and maybe a new concept for trash,” said his mom. “We take our garbage for grant-

ed,” said Gambrell. “We just throw it out there and forget about it until here comes Tommy in the truck every week. “Jared obviously knows a lot about garbage now. Anytime he wants a job in the future, he’s got one.”

Lady Bears defeat Vikings, Red Devils HONEA PATH -- The Lady Bears volleyball team continues to roll as they defeated Emerald 3-1 and Clinton 3-0 to remain undefeated. BHP had to go to overtime to win the first set 31-29 against

14. We came up short after two long rallies.”

C-team volleyball opens season @ BMS

SECOND PLACE Jonathan Vickery The People-Sentinel

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Andrew Moore Greenville Journal

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Nancy Parsons The News & Reporter Great Falls Reporter WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017

GREAT FALLS PAGES Pages 1B – 2B

BY NANCY PARSONS gfreporter@onlinechester.com News spread quickly last Thursday morning of the sudden and unexpected passing of longtime dentist Dr. L.W. Fort Jr. Dr. FortÕ s death on March 23 came as a shock to the community he served for decades. Brenda Fort said her husband woke up Thursday morning complaining of shortness of breath. He had been nursing a cold for a couple of weeks. Dr. Fort told his wife to call an ambulance but he passed away before the ambulance reached the hospital, Mrs. Fort said. Dr. Fort celebrated his 77th birthday on Saturday, March 18, five days prior to his death on March 23. Ò If he had lived, we would have been married 50 years on Dec. 18,Ó Brenda Fort said. FortÕ s father, Dr. L.W. Fort Sr., also passed away in March. Brenda Fort and son Laurens Fort sat at a kitchen table Thursday morning, trying to cope with their loss. This year would have marked 100 years the two Forts had practiced dentistry in Great Falls, Laurens Fort said. A graduate of Great Falls High School, Fort attended Emory University and was a graduate of Wofford College. He received his doctorate of dentistry degree from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He served in the U.S. Air Force Dental Corp from 1968-1971, was sta-

tioned in England, returned to Great Falls in 1971 and began his dental practice. Ò He loved Great Falls,Ó Brenda Fort said. Ò And the people of Great Falls,Ó Laurens Fort added. Ò And he loved Great Falls athletics. He enjoyed taking pictures of athletes, especially football and basketball.Ó For many years Fort ran along the sidelines of the football field or the basketball court as he snapped photos of players. Most of his photos were taken pre-digital Fort photography so Fort traveled to Wal-Mart in Lancaster and paid to have the film printed, then he distributed them to the players. Because of his love for the Red Devils, Fort was laid to rest with a Red Devils hat and championship team jacket. Dr. Fort won a seat on the Chester County School Board of Trustees in 2007 and was currently still serving on the board. According to his wife, Fort loved working with the Chester County School Board, his colleagues on the board and the Chester County School District office staff. Fort said her husband started his tenure on the school board because he was inspired by their handicapped grandson and he wanted to make sure that the voices of students who have disabilities were not overlooked. Ò He never bad mouthed anything,Ó Brenda Fort said. Ò He always said

EDUCATION

Clayton Stairs Georgetown Times

CLASSIFIEDS Pages 6-B

LIFESTYLES Pages 3-B

PUBLIC RECORDS Page 4-B and 5-B

‘Molar mechanic,’ Dr. Fort is remembered

Longtime dentist passes away

SECOND PLACE

thereÕ s a reason for that.Ó Dr. Fort enjoyed fishing and hunting, and water skiing (in his younger years), Laurens Fort said. During his celebration of life service, the Rev. David Ussery, pastor of Mt. Dearborn United Methodist Church, said Dr. Fort tried barefoot skiing once. Ussery said he did not think he gave it a second try. Ussery said he met Dr. Fort about 30 years ago when he extracted a wisdom tooth for him. He said he doubted Dr. Fort ever imagined that one day he would serve as his pastor. PHOTO PROVIDED Ussery called Dr. Fort Ò The Molar Mechanic!Ó and Dr. L.W. Fort Jr., left, ran along the sidelines with Red Devil Mascot Bobby Lyles for a long number of years. Fort took photos of student athletes. The longtime a legend in Great Falls. Ò Dr. Fort served as our dentist passed away suddenly on March 23. communityÕ s dentist for decades but he was so school,Ó Camp said. Ò He Steven Rice said Dr. Fort Dr. Fort once told this much more than that. He was an asset to our class at joined the reserve program reporter that as a child, he was a quiet leader who school and to our town. His on March 24, 1999, one day wanted to become a police cared desperately for our death is a great loss to our short of 18 years of service. officer. little townÉ and cared town.Ó Rice said Dr. Fort told Rice said he could count even more about the people Camp said Dr. Fort was him about his plans to on Dr. Fort being at the in it. This small-framed exceptional in helping the retire from dentistry in a police station between 1 town dentist had a big police department. couple of months. and 2 p.m. daily when his heart.Ó Ò He had a blooming perÒ He was really excited,Ó dental office closed for Ussery also shed some sonality,Ó Camp said. Ò He Rice said. lunch. When the office humor when he said, Ò He was just Doc. He was Rice said Reserve Capt. closed for the day, Dr. Fort was the only dentist in everybodyÕ s friend.Ó Fort rode with him almost returned. He assisted with America who carried Dr. Bob Shannon of every night when he clerical work, writing letaround a tire gauge and Chester described Fort as worked the night shift. ters and answering the calculator in his pocket.Ó Ò a good man.Ó Ò He didnÕ t ride as much phone. Ò And Dr. Fort installed Ò Over time, he and his over the last couple of Ò He was like clockwork air conditioners in cars dad served the community years,Ó Rice said. Ò I think and I knew I could count on before they became stan- well,Ó Dr. Shannon said. he was tired.Ó Doc,Ó Rice said. dard issue,Ó Ussery added. Ò He and Brenda have been When Rice worked surÒ HeÕ d have three packs Ò Today we said goodbye community oriented over veillance, Dr. Fort drove of cheese crackers and a to a Great Falls leader, the years.Ó the vehicle for him. diet Pepsi for lunch,Ó Rice dentist, friend and neighDr. Shannon said he Ò When I first came here, laughed. bor,Ó Senator Mike and his wife Jenny came he was one of the reasons I In efforts to make Fanning said following the through a safety check in made so many cases. He improvements within the celebration of life service. Great Falls a while back was helpful. I never expect- department, Dr. Fort proofÒ Dr. Fort, you made the and spotted their friend, ed him to get into a physi- read reports and made world a bit better.Ó Dr. Fort, working as a cal altercation but he was grammatical corrections, Former Great Falls reserve police officer. my extra set of eyes,Ó Rice Rice said. Mayor Don Camp said Dr. Dr. Fort was the Great said. Ò HeÕ d mark the reports Fort was his classmate in Falls Police DepartmentÕ s Ò He has been the most with red ink,Ó Rice said. school. last standing reserve offi- productive law enforceRice often relied on Dr. Ò We were always friends cer. ment officer for Great and ran together in high Great Falls Police Chief Falls. HeÕ s irreplaceable.Ó See FORT, Page 2-B

Rice appointed to oversee fire department for time being

Making the grade

PHOTOS BY CLAYTON STAIRS/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Kelsey Graham, a Tara Hall resident and Carvers Bay High senior, will attend The Citadel next year with a full scholarship.

For Tara Hall resident Kelsey Graham, a drive to excel has led to a scholarship to The Citadel BY CLAYTON STAIRS cstairs@southstrandnews.com Running at a steady pace around the track at Carvers Bay High School during a recent practice, senior Kelsey Graham had a stern look of determination on his face as he pushed through to reach the finish line. That is exactly how the Tara Hall Home for Boys resident and future Citadel cadet faces every life challenge, according to his teachers, his principal and other adults in his life. He has become a leader in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program, the football team and the track

and field team at Carvers Bay High. “I just keep thinking, don’t quit, it will pay off,” Kelsey said. “I try to keep a goal in mind and remember that there are some days that it will be hard. It’s not going to be easy. If it was, anybody could do it.” Attending The Citadel, the prestigious military college in Charleston, has been one of Graham’s dreams since he attended a football game there at age 12. Now that dream is coming true after a lot of hard work and perseverance. Kelsey is the 2017-18 recipient of the Please see GRADE, Page A4

CLAYTON STAIRS/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Kelsey answers a question in class at Carvers Bay High.

phone call at 9 p.m. The caller said her son had been shot. “I didn’t think the worst – maybe a leg or arm,” Pearson said. “Nobody would tell me what happened until I got there.” Cooper, 17, had been shot once in the head in the parking lot of Hope on the Hill after a community league basketball game April 26. “He died in the streets – something I tried to keep him from,” Pearson said this week. “I saw my son laying out there…. All the bullets were around my son. Now, it’s too late.” See PEARSON I Page 2A

where,” said Kershaw Mayor Mark Dorman. “You See WATER I Page 2A

PROFILE FEATURE WRITING Outlaw resignsOR after STORY 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION 8 successful years

leading United Way Kayla Vaughn

From street criminal to inspiring adult Gary Robinson salvaged his life, is determined to help others Reece Murphy rmurphy@thelancasternews.com

kvaughn@thelancasternews.com

FIRST PLACE

Reece Murphy The Lancaster News See OUTLAW I Page 8A

Paint stones, hide them, put clues on Facebook

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Ariel Turner Greenville Journal

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Stephanie Barna Charleston City Paper

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A newspaper in all that the word implies, devoted to the best interests of the people of Cherokee County. GAFFNEY, S.C.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2016

WWW.GAFFNEYLEDGER.COM

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THIRD PLACE

Smash-and-grab robber strikes again

By TIM GULLA Ledger Staff Writer tim@gaffneyledger.com

Freeze hasn’t been open since around Thanksgiving and the completely empty cash register drawer was left open to show there was Just days after numerous downnothing inside. “You could see from town Gaffney businesses were tarany angle (that it was empty) if you geted for burglary by a cash register looked,” offered a member of the thief, Gaffney Police responded to family that owns the restaurant. two more burglaAlso Friday SEE RELATED STORY ries Friday. morning it was One of the latest discovered that l PAGE 5 victims, just two someone had days before Christmas, was a church. smashed through the front glass door While it wasn’t immediately of Turning Point Church on East known if the burglaries discovered Floyd Baker Boulevard. Friday morning were related to each After entering the church, the burother or to earlier incidents that were glar or burglars stole a bass guitar, a discovered last Monday, one of them sound mixing board, and speaker was very similar to earlier incidents. equipment. Investigations were still At the Tasty Freeze drive-in ongoing. restaurant on North Limestone “It’s amazing somebody would do Street, someone smashed the front that to a church,” offered Rev. window between Thursday night and Mitchell Phelps, pastor of Turning Friday morning to steal the cash reg- Point Church. “It’s going to be hard ister. to get things fixed and replaced,” he More than puzzling, the Tasty said. “It’s just a shock.”

Scott Powell The Gaffney Ledger

City of Gaffney police converged on the Tasty Freeze Drive In restaurant Friday morning after it was discovered someone had smashed the front glass window to steal the business’s cash register. Cash registers have been common targets in a growing number of burglaries at downtown Gaffney businesses in recent weeks. The (Ledger photo / TIM GULLA) register at the Tasty Freeze was completely empty.

SECOND PLACE Christine Humowitz Georgetown Times southstrandnews.com

A8: Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Georgetown Times

Rollin Local

Asian fusion meets Southern classics on Front Street Upstate Carolina EMS Inc. co-owners Jimbo Martin (left) and Randy Guyton are shown here after taking delivery of five new, custom-built Ford ambulances last week. In addition to the major purchase, the increasingly busy emergency medical services provider also opened a new station on Union Highway on Friday that will cut response times to southern (Ledger photo / TIM GULLA) portions of the county.

Zak Sampson caters a Christmas party for the Main Street Advisory Board. He recently graduated from the bGEN business incubator. He plans to open a coffee and crepe (Ledger photo / ABBIE SOSSAMON) shop in Gaffney in February.

Crepes, coffee connoisseur first bGEN program graduate By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Coffee and crepes are on the mind of Zak Sampson as the budding entrepreneur bursts with energy, describing his plans to start 2017 by opening a new cafe and bakery in Gaffney. Sampson is in talks with property owners to finalize a location so he can open Zaky’s Coffee Bar and Lounge in February. The enterprise will combine the Limestone College student’s passion for making crepes, cakes and coffee. Sampson comes by his interest in coffee and cooking naturally, although his culinary

skills were only discovered after he moved from his home in Washington, D.C., to attend college. He decided to study at Limestone College when his older sister enrolled as part of the school’s first field hockey team in 2011. “My parents were in the military and always cooked at home,” Sampson said. “When I moved away for college, I got interested in cooking because I wanted to learn how to make the delicious meals I was used to having at home.” His cooking interests have branched out in recent years to gourmet catering for special events, making wedding cakes for friends and serving meals

l See bGEN, Page 5

PERSPECTIVE How ironic that Democrats became apoplectic

EMS service expands ambulance fleet; opens Medic 5 station on Union Highway By TIM GULLA Ledger Staff Writer tim@gaffneyledger.com

Paramedics and EMTs at Upstate Carolina EMS Inc. got to unwrap some new Christmas presents last week when the local emergency medical services company took delivery of five new ambulances. Moreover, the increasingly busy EMS company celebrated the opening of a new station on Friday that will be used to better serve southern portions of the county. Each ambulance in Cherokee County averages about 40,000 miles a year, according to company coowner Randy Guyton. The five new Ford ambulances, each of them powered by a V-10 engine, are immediately going into service to replace some older models that have been traversing the roads of Cherokee County for several years. Company co-owner Jimbo Martin says Upstate Carolina EMS will now have five new ambulances on front-line service and will have six older ambulances as spares. Company officials aren’t releasing the costs of the custom-built vehicles, but said they represent a major investment. Guyton and Martin noted the service also obtained all new heart monitors for the ambulances and new computer equipment as well. The emergency medical personnel who rely on those ambulances will no doubt be putting them to a PAGE 4

OBITUARIES

lot of use. Call volumes have been increasing each year. Upstate Carolina EMS Inc. responded to 8,997 calls in 2015. As of Friday, with a week to go in 2016, the service had responded to 9,315 calls and officials believed they’d likely hit 9,500 calls by the end of the year. Two of the new ambulances will serve as the service’s Medic 1 and Medic 2, which are stationed at EMS headquarters near Mary Black Health System — Gaffney, one is being sent to the Medic 3 station in Blacksburg and one will be going to the Medic 4 station in the Macedonia community. And beginning Friday, Cherokee County 9-1-1 will be dispatching paramedics out of the new Medic 5 station on Union Highway. The new station is located next to the old Westlane Bowl. Martin said the new location puts an ambulance closer to the Corinth, DMW, Twin Rivers and Asbury Rehoboth fire districts. The new medic unit also will be responding to medical calls within the southern portions of the City of Gaffney covered by the Thompson Street Fire Station, which includes Limestone College. “It will cut response times to the lower parts of the county by as much as five to eight minutes,” Guyton believes. Previously, ambulance crews responding to those areas were dispatched out of EMS headquarters and they had to first go through downtown. The Medic 5 station will be manned 24 hours a day.

PAGE 8

JACKSON, Rev. William, 67, Blacksburg

BY CHRISTINE HUMOWITZ

news@southstrandnews.com

In its short time on Front Street, Rollin Local restaurant has become a favorite spot for many residents and visitors. Owner Jamie Wirth Finley credits her Georgetown restaurant’s success to the locals. “We have lots of tourists come in during the day, but the locals are what supports us,” Finley said. “We have a good local following.” Finley and co-owner Marcos Ramirez Toro opened Rollin Local on March 28, with a goal of offering sushi and local delicacies to the people of Georgetown. Finley previously operated Belle Isle Marina Bar and Grill, but said she wanted to do something different at Rollin Local. “What we do here is something we couldn’t do in Belle Isle,” Finley said. “It was just too small.” Finley knows what it takes to please the culinary palates of locals; she has been serving the folks in Georgetown for 17 years as the owner of Carolina Catering. Toro’s Tobo Sushi, which he has owned for nine years, serves local grocery stores, hospitals and several restaurants in the area. When Finley and Toro joined forces, the team knew they

CHRISTINE HUMOWITZ/ SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Jamie Wirth Finley, left, and Marcos Ramirez Toro stand outside Rollin Local restaurant on Front Street. chi and Southern comfort food specialties that highlight and spotlighted local seafood. “I really think we have something here that no one else in town has,” Finley said. Because of their culinary history in Georgetown, Finley said she and Toro had a reputation to uphold when they opened their Front Street restaurant. “We had a following and people knew us,” Finley said. The pair transformed part of the old Rice Paddy restaurant and carved a spot on Front Street that is uniquely their own. “We came in here with a blank slate,” Finley said. “The

Paddy’s bar. Everything else we re-did.” Rollin Local’s location was perfect, Finley said, and she and Toro would not want to be anywhere else in Georgetown. “We love everything about being in town,” Finley said. “We wouldn’t have wanted any other building on Front Street.” Finley said she was surprised by the restaurant’s immediate success, but knew the people in Georgetown were already familiar with her food. “People have been ver y pleased with us,” Finley said. “We have a wait every night.” Finley said the nightly wait line is something that she

“I love the busyness of all of it,” Finley explained. “If it wasn’t this busy, I think I would get bored.” Finley credits chefs Stetson Thomas, Robert Sahle and Rico Tihpen, as well as her entire staff, for Rollin Local’s roaring success. “We really have a good thing going here,” Finley said. “We’re one big, happy family.” As far as the future of Rollin Local, Finley said she hopes to expand Rollin Local to reach as many people as possible. “We want to open more locations not just in Georgetown,” Finley said. “We’re hoping to be able to serve the community as a whole.” From sushi and hibachi entrees to po-boys and burgers, Rollin Local has something to please every palate. For information and daily food and drink specials, visit Rollin Local’s Facebook page. Rollin Local features a daily sushi special.

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August 4 & 5, ONLY! Make a

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A4: Friday, July 21, 2017

Georgetown Times

Harborside Seafood & Italian

Homemade Italian with a side of love BY CHRISTINE HUMOWITZ

news@southstrandnews.com

For Chris Mitchel at Harborside Seafood & Italian, the restaurant business is about more than just food; it’s about family. Mitchel opened his restaurant on the Harborwalk on May 23 after many years in the restaurant business. “I’ve been around the block a few times,” Mitchel said. “I started with a few diners and Italian restaurants in New Jersey, and then moved to Florida for four years, North Carolina for two years, and now we’re here in Georgetown.” Mitchel’s wife, Dana, has a condition that confines her to a wheelchair, so the Mitchel family moved south to escape the cold and snowy winters up north. “We like to say that opening restaurants is Chris’ specialty,” Dana said. “He’s opened about 15 total restaurants in his career.” Chris has three children, Zoe, Georgia, and Buddy that are all involved in his restaurants. Zoe works as a hostess, Georgia helps out the wait staff whenever she can, and Buddy is the official taste-tester for Chris’ dishes. “I love the restaurant because I get to meet people from all over the place,” Zoe said. Many of Chris’ staff members have followed him through all of his moves to end up here in

Navy Club shrimp supper planned From staff reports The Georgtown Navy Club is gearing up for its annual shrimp supper that will be held Wednesday, July 26, at the VFW Post at 711 Church St.

CHRISTINE HUMOWITZ/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Chris Mitchel makes his desserts himself, including this chocolate cake, left. Seafood pasta, right, includes clams, lobster, mussels, calamari, and other tasty ingredients.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE HUMOWITZ/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

The Mitchels outside their Georgetown restaurant along the Harborwalk in Georgetown. Georgetown. One cook, for example, has been working for Chris for almost 20 years. “My people stick with me,” Chris said. “I like to think I’m a hard guy to work for, but deep down I’m a moosh.” Chris said the family aspect of his restaurants has made all of his transitions from place to place much easier. “We’re all one big, happy family,” Chris said. “Everyone chips in to help get things done.” Chris began his culinary career at age 14 as a member of the Boy Scouts. Chris would

feed 50 to 60 people at a time, and he often fed the merit badge counselors. “I loved being able to take bad food and make it something good,” Chris said. Chris’ experiences inspired him to continue studying food, and he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park. At 23, Chris became a chef at Luchow’s, a German restaurant in Manhattan. Chris has always made all of his food from scratch, and he said there is no other way. “Everything’s got to be fresh,”

Chris said. “Everything down to the tomato sauce is fresh, and it makes a difference.” Chris said he hopes that his menu, which includes pizza, pasta, salads, other Italian staples, and eight draft beers, will help him stand out from other Italian restaurants in the area. Sweet lovers will want to make sure they leave room for restaurant’s ample array of homemade desserts. “We don’t cut corners,” Chris said. “We want to give people quality food at an affordable price.”

Front Street fence

Making everything himself is hard work, and Dana said that she does not know how Chris does it all. “Chris is gone for up to 14 hours a day,” Dana said. “It’s not an easy life, but he loves it and the family has grown to love it too.” With their family mindset, the Mitchels always keep other families in mind at their restaurants. “Our goal is that a family of five or six won’t have to break the bank to come eat here,” Dana said. According to Dana, Chris has always been about feeding people, including people in need. “In New Jersey, Chris used to volunteer to cook for 200 to 300 people during the holidays,” Dana added. Chris even volunteered to cook for workers clearing debris from the Twin Towers after September 11. “I fed 300 to 400 people at the World Trade Center about three times a week for a month and a half,” Chris said. “I always want

to help and give back to the community.” Harborside Seafood and Italian has already received a warm welcome in Georgetown, and Chris said he hopes to get more involved in the community. “I hope to be able to help with fundraisers for schools and to get more involved with the community in general,” Chris said. Dana said Georgetown is “different” from all of the other places the Mitchels have lived. “Every place is different, so you can’t have the attitude that you know what the people in an area like,” Dana said. “We’re happy to be here and hope to become a fixture in the community.” Chris said he hopes that the positive reaction he has seen so far from the people of Georgetown continues. “I want to make people happy and put Georgetown on the map in terms of food,” Chris said. “There are lots of good restaurants in Georgetown, but I think I can be a part of it, too.”

Land being rezoned for fishing village BY DAVID PURTELL dpurtell@southstrandnews.com Georgetown City Council rejected a rezoning request for property along N. Fraser Street during its July 13 meeting and approved the second reading of another rezoning request regarding a planned fishing village. Council approved rezoning 10 acres of marshland located between the Black River and

worked with environmental agencies and has the necessary permits to develop the site.“We are sensitive to the ecosystem and the beauty of the marsh,” he said. Council voted unanimously to deny a request to rezone property at Magnolia Commons along N. Fraser Street from Planned Development to General Commercial due to ongoing opposition from residents of Country Club Estates.

FIRST PLACE

Christine Humowitz Georgetown Times

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITING WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 & OVER 4,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED

THIRD PLACE

Emily Pietras Greenville Journal

SECOND PLACE Vincent Harris Greenville Journal

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITING WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 & OVER 4,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED

FIRST PLACE Chris Trainor Free Times

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITING 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Nancy Parsons TheGreat News Reporter Falls & Reporter GREAT FALLS PAGES Pages 1B – 2B

CLASSIFIEDS Pages 6-B

LIFESTYLES Pages 3-B

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

PUBLIC RECORDS

A love of art, the outdoors and creating custom leather jewelry and accessories are three driving forces in Randi Rawls desire to start her own business. Rawls, owner/designer of Double R Designs, LLC, said the story of her venture actually began when she was a child. Ò I loved art. I loved to make things, to create and design doll clothes but I also loved the outdoors,Ó she said from her home (the former Hunter Farms on Great Falls Highway). Ò I was a Ô renaissance child,Õ I guess. My daddy and my older brother were fierce outdoorsmen so I grew up with a great admiration for wildlife and nature. I wanted to live in the country and ride horses.Ó Ò When I dressed up and played pretend, I would be Geronimo, the fierce Apache warrior, and my daddy would be Cochise, the wise chief. So IÕ m sure thatÕ s where my deep-rooted love and respect for Native American culture originated Ð including their beautiful art, jewelry and fashion. I have an admiration and respect for the Indians. I think my work gives a nod to that!Ó Rawls said. Fast forward a few decades, Rawls met her husband, Bobby Rawls, the other Ò RÓ in Double R. She said her husband shares her passion for the outdoors, riding and the country life. For a long time, Rawls said she had little time for anything other than working. The vice president of marketing for The Tuttle Company in Rock Hill, Rawls said she gained experience and insight from the business world that will be beneficial in her quest. Ò You have to work hard and work long just to keep afloat,Ó she said. Ò But that was still part of the Double R plan because I was learning and gaining experience, using my creativity, my Ô design flair.Õ Ó A couple of years ago, Rawls said she began to dabble with leather jewelry designs, experiment

late 20th anniversary with a trip out west in August 2016. Wearing her custom made jewelry, Rawls went into a boutique in Fredericksburg, Texas and received compliments on her creations. Ò IÕ m my own model! I love what I wear. If I didnÕ t, I wouldnÕ tÕ make it! I like something different,Ó Rawls proclaimed. Rawls gained validation after doing business with a major player in the market. She also emailed an HGTV personality and drew attention to her creations. In January, Rawls walked away from her 17-year corporate career to pursue her passion of creating her brand of custom, Double R, leather adornments. Ò I know IÕ ll regret it if I donÕ t do it,Ó she said. Ò ItÕ s now or never. Life is too short. So whether I ever make a boatload of money or whether I am recognized far and wide remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure, IÕ ll be happy creating and sharing my designs.Ó Ò Being very cautious in nature, IÕ ve attempted to talk myself out of this decision numerous times. But for every time I said Ô Nah, I canÕ t do thatÉ at my age?Õ Ô What if?Õ Something would happen Ð something would scream at me to do it, to jump, to leap. You know, you only get one go-round and I already have enough regrets, so here we go! IÕ m building those wings!Ó In her leap of faith, Rawls has faced some major obstacles. Ò I have some serious personal hurdles coming my way,Ó she explained. Ò IÕ ll be undergoing open heart surgery in February for a valve replacement but I am confident and encouraged that I can eat that elephant, one bite at a time! I know I am in good hands, His hands.Ó Ò Life happens and itÕ s just plain hard sometimes so you have to pull yourself up by your boot straps,Ó Rawls said. Double R Designs feature RawlsÕ style that are unique, interesting and trendy. Ò I have jewelry that is boho-chic, funky cowgirl, biker babe to Native

Tommy Howard Georgetown Times

Page 4-B

For Rawls, Double R spells rustic designs BY NANCY PARSONS gfreporter@onlinechester.com

SECOND PLACE HISTORY

Tobacco road County museum lecture series features history and stories of tobacco farming BY TOMMY HOWARD news@southstrandnews.com

PHOTOS BY NANCY PARSONS/GREAT FALLS REPORTER

Randi Rawls, owner/designer of Double R Designs, shows some of the unique jewelry she has created using leather and beads.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GEORGETOWN COUNTY MUSEUM

Walter Hill displayed this photo while he shared historical stories about growing tobacco in South Carolina during a Georgtown County Museum First Tuesday Lecture Series.

Cropping tobacco was once done by hand. The leaves were broken off the plant and carefully loaded onto a drag pulled by a mule to the barn.

A gold cross is surrounded by colorful beads on the A black leather necklace adorned with beads adds a Native American style necklace created by Rawls. little pizzazz to this modern dress. are long and dance around,Ó she said. She also has Tiva necklaces. Rawls incorporates jasper, halolite and turquoise beads in her rustic work. She uses black cultured pearls to represent the dessert moon. Ò I love using genuine beads when I can get

said, believe the feathers of great birds carry prayers to the Great Spirit. Featuring part of a cow skull, Ò The Honky Tonk AngelÓ is dedicated to Indian medicine men. Rawls has a specialty collection, Ò The Legacy Collection,Ó that incorporates deer antlers with

Drag. Top. Cropping. Hand. Sucker. String. All those words are simple, ordinary words. To many people, they likely are without special significance. But for many other people in Georgetown and Horry counties, those simple words are weighted with meaning. They bring back memories of hot, sweaty days filled with back-breaking labor. Those same days were also filled with fun and friendship and a sense of community. Tobacco was the subject of a First Tuesday Lecture by Walter Hill, a Plantersville resident and director of the Horry County Museum, at the Georgetown County Museum in the History Center. Close to 50 people came out to listen as Hill shared stories of handling tobacco, cropping, pinching off suckers and much more about this important agricultural product in the Pee Dee area of South Carolina. While major portions of the nation’s tobacco have historically been grown in Virginia and North Carolina, tobacco is also a significant crop in South Carolina. In 2016, North Carolina produced 331 million pounds of tobacco, followed by Kentucky at 136 million, and Virginia at 51 million. South Please see TOBACCO, Page A12

double illusion keyhole

Lace held by her motherÕ s

Mrs. Erica Smith, cousin of

reside in Chester County.

or by volunteering. All

vista.net.

notes ABout town

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WRITING

AgSouth photo contest AgSouth Farm Credit is accepting entries for its 2017 Ò mAGnificentÓ photo contest. The contest is open to anyone residing in the 59 Georgia and 34 S.C. counties served by AgSouth. The contest will focus on the importance of agriculture in the territory. Ideal submissions are photos that showcase the hardworking farmers, the beauty of the fields and livestock and the day-to-day goings on of living a life out in the country. AgSouth will not be printing a photo calendar but will use the photos submitted to help illus-

trate Facebook and other social media posts, and in some cases may use the photos in advertisements and marketing initiatives. In order to get the best variety of photos that showcase the business of agriculture in all its seasons and progressions, the contest will run through Oct. 15. AgSouth will post select photos on its Facebook page throughout the year as reminders that the contest is proceeding. As the contest draws to its conclusion, the field will be narrowed down to the top 50 favorites. The public will have four weeks to select their favorites from the 50 cho-

sen by the selection committee. Twelve photos will be declared winners and will appear in the associationÕ s Ò Out In The CountyÓ magazine and in social media. The first-place winner will receive a $300 gift card, the secondplace winner a $150 gift card and the third-place winner will receive a $100 gift card. The remaining nine will receive gift cards worth $50 each. Visit agsouthfc. com for rules and entry forms.

Addiction screenings Narconon reminds families that abuse of methamphetamine has become a national health

problem alongside the opiate epidemic. Learn to recognize the signs of meth abuse and get your loved one help if they are at risk. Visit http://www.narconon-suncoast.org/blog/move-over-heroinhere-comes-meth.html to learn about the signs and symptoms of methamphetamine abuse and the treatment available to those who are already addicted. Interventions are powerful tools that can be used when an addict refuses to get help. They can be the difference between life and death. To learn more about how to conduct an intervention for your loved one and save their

life, go to www.narconon-suncoast.org/blog/the-power-of-anintervention.html. Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family. Call 877-841-5509.

2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION Dementia support group Agape Hospice holds a support group for those caring for loved ones with dementia from 2 to 3 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the Chester Senior Center, 770 Old Richburg Road, Chester. The group is free. Call Kay G. Lee at 803-517-2021 or e-mail kaylee@agapesenior. com.

Destination: rock n’ roll – remembering the great Tom Petty BY CHAD LAWSON Special to The N&R

or months, IÕ ve been unsure about attending my high school reunion. But nowÕ s the time, and this Saturday our class will be gathered briefly in the Pizza Inn across from the duck pond, in view of the overpass that leads you in Ð and guides you out Ð of this small town in southeast Arkansas where I grew up. ItÕ s called McGehee, in Desha County. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi River Delta, McGehee isnÕ t well-known, but has, over her 112 years, enjoyed a few brief glimpses of cultural curiosity. Boxcar Willie once walked down Main Street without being recognized before a downtown show, George Takei of Ò Star TrekÓ spent part of his early years out in the country at one of the Japanese Internment Camps during World War II, Hernando DeSotoÕ s bones are likely languishing down the road at the bottom of Lake Chicot and Elvis once drove some girls home from a show in Dermott in his pink Cadillac, ending the evening with impeccable manners and an impromptu performance in a house down the street from my grandparentsÕ place, on North Fourth, between the Catholic Church and BoyÕ s Club swimming pool. I think that was in 1955, a year before anyone else knew who he was. But McGeheeÕ s real passport to posterity, so to speak, is her

Lawson continued place in the Royal Court of King Cotton. The shirt youÕ re wearing likely comes from the rich fibers that are currently being ripped from the earth by million-dollar combines in massive fields that retain a special ingredient Ð the rich silt from the mighty river, still servicing the land and enjoying the leftover deposits from the 1927 flood that inspired the songbook of Delta blues, and eventually, the rock and roll that Elvis sang down the street in a little house. When I was a boy, riding past it on my bicycle, it felt haunted to me, harboring a spirit of rebellion and the promise of escape. As you approach the city limits, thereÕ s a viaduct rising above the sleepy land and its humid flatness, its four water towers, the infrastructure of leftovers from a more triumphant time, after the war and before Sam Walton put the

department stores on notice. The stomach begins to drop as you shoot over the straights of Highway 65, and there it is Ð youÕ re in an ascent that is fast and steep, airborne in a manmade elevation. Pizza Inn, where on Saturday I will see most of these people for the first time in 20 years, sits at the end of the line, before you cross over into a widened blacktop, parting acres of soft white seas like a modern Moses. The smooth grade soothes your tires, guiding you as far as you want to go, to Little Rock, Memphis or further points westward. Moses points his staff away from this Delta. ItÕ s this image, the spot where you leave town, with the patchwork squares of radiant white in the rearview Ð and the feral, familiar stench of the ProducerÕ s Gin running hot in the fall heat, creaking mechanical joints to separate seeds from bolls Ð that reminds me most of high school. At the top of that overpass, I could see out of the past. ThatÕ s why itÕ s hard to go back, especially to reminisce. When I left school, I told people about the many great things I would accomplish. In fact, somewhere, on a deteriorating video tape, is a brief glimpse of me, long hair, baggy clothes, a guitar pick in my pocket. Ò Who will you be in 20 years, and where will you be?Ó a forgotten classmate asks me. Ò IÕ m going to be the next Tom Petty, and my destination

is rock and roll.Ó I wanted to be a reason for McGehee to be known, to move it beyond cotton. Typical boyhood dreaming. Of course, it didnÕ t happen. That Tom Petty died this week, as I was still on the fence about streaking across Atlanta, Birmingham and Jackson (over the river and through to a House in the Woods) to face my reality of failed aspirations and talent, was and is now destined to be my most enduring memory of this man Ð an inveterate loner rebel with big teeth and a redneck pedigree who scaled the proverbial overpass that I couldnÕ t. IÕ m going home anyway. This morning, IÕ m in the car and preparing for my descent into McGehee, down the viaduct and into the Land of Cotton, spinning my own specially curated mix-tape of misspent youth Ð Ò Wildflowers,Ó Ò Full Moon FeverÓ (even Ò Zombie ZooÓ ), both volumes of The Traveling WilburysÕ brilliant hymns of men in middle passage and even a multi-volume live anthology with the HeartbreakersÕ covers of everything from Ò Psychotic ReactionÓ to Ò (IÕ m Not) Your Stepping StoneÓ and Ò Friend of the Devil.Ó IÕ ll also be listening to Tom Petty radio on the satellite service, with the man himself calling the station breaks and introducing his favorite songs in that slow and deep Southern brogue, a voice that sounds like

mine Ð sleepy and hesitant. Until, that is, he calls out another piece of Ò buried treasure from my personal record collection,Ó maybe a ZombiesÕ tune or Ò Get Off My Cloud.Ó As I think of Tom, a man I never met and wanted to be, I still imagine him the way that I always have, really, as the old narrator he plays in his video for Ò Into the Great Wide Open.Ó Lennon glasses perched low on the bridge of his nose, sitting on a distant planet in a purple top hat. He seems like a friendly giant, singing a song that tells the story of my life. A gifted narrator who already knows how the story will end. So when McGehee is finally in sight, with the great wide open behind me, IÕ ll be okay. This weekend will be a time to see old friends, reconsider the past and spend a few hours on the way with Tom, wondering if this is the same path Elvis took that night back in 1955, or if the silt in the cotton fields was ever between the toes of Bobby Zimmerman, way up at the other end of the river in Minnesota. This, to me, is the real reunion Ð just me and Tom again, our voices combining in a hot car at sundown, speeding up the overpass into town, reminding each other that what goes up must always come down. And thatÕ s always the hardest thing. Chad Lawson is a former Chester resident.

FIRST PLACE

Chad Lawson The News & Reporter

for animals at local refuge

SHORT STORY

BY MONICA KREBER mkreber@journalscene.com

JENNA-LEY HARRISON/JOURNAL SCENE

It’s a hard life being cute and snuggling with your partner all day but the little otters at the IPPL gibbon sanctuary in Summerville make it look fun. One male otter’s spirits have particularly lightened ever since the arrival of his new girlfriend. The International Primate Protection League — IPPL — facility is more well-known for its 37 gibbons. IPPL is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting primates and operating the sanctuary in Summerville. However, the sanctuary is also home a small group of Asian shortclawed otters. Satu — Malaysian for “one” — came to IPPL from the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 2009. He lived at the sanctuary with a female otter named Agape, formerly a dentist’s pet. Agape died of natural causes on Dec. 5. Satu became lonely and the caregivers at the sanctuary made it a priority to find him a new mate. Stacy Lambert, a full time animal caregiver, said the otters are paired up for companionship; she said Satu became a little mopey with Agape gone. “We could just tell he was sad,” she said. IPPL was selected by the U.S. zoos’ Asian otter plan to receive a female otter named Daphne, who had been

WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 & OVER 4,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED ‘Nigel is Nigel Deas, 8, and Summerville Fire Chief Richard Waring

MurphyLawFirmLLC.com

THIRD PLACE

a hero’

SECOND PLACE

8-year-old reacts when smoke fills family’s home

Monica Kreber Jenna-Ley Harrison Scout Boats plans $10.9 million expansion The Summerville The Summerville Journal Scene Journal Scene Wednesday, April 5, 2017

50¢

PHOTOS BY MONICA KREBER/JOURNAL SCENE

Satu plants a kiss on new girlfriend Daphne at the International Primate Protection League sanctuary.

BY JENNA-LEY HARRISON jharrison@journalscene.com

The Summerville facility will create up to 371 jobs BY JENNA-LEY HARRISON jharrison@journalscene.com

Summerville’s Scout Boats is planning a nearly $11 million expansion project expected to usher in hundreds of jobs, according to Dorchester County officials. The initiative includes a new facility on the site, located off Spaniel Lane, and will be an expansion of the Scout Boats Campus, said Courtney Guice, an executive assistant for the company. During its meeting Monday in Summerville,

County Council voted to approve first reading of an ordinance allowing the county to enter into a fee-in-lieu of tax agreement with Scout Boats. Council Chairman Jay Byars labeled the local company “a leader in their market.” “We are profoundly excited for them and our county,” he said. “Their investment in expansion is a reaffirming commitment to our community.” Guice revealed the 120,000 square-foot facility will produce and house the newest Scout Bouts product: the 53-foot center console.

A $10.9 million investment, the project is anEarlier ticipated to create over a four-year period an this ad- month Nigel Deas told his daycare ditional 371 jobs pertaining to production labor, teacher how he awoke St. Patrick’s supervising, engineering and management, as Day morning to see well as office and stock room positions and possmoke filling his bedroom and Satu and sibly sales, Guice said. home. Daphne Broken down the investment includes $7 miljust 8 years old, the Oaksnuggle by lion in real property and $3.9 millionThough in machinbrook their pond ery and equipment, county officials said. Elementary School student knew what for a mornConstruction on the site is planned for the firstto do and wasted no time week of July with completion “hopefully” by the reacting. ing sun bath year’s end, according to Guice. According to his teacher Michele at the aniScout Boats last expanded its operations in FILE/MONICA KREBER/JOURNAL SCENE Shirey, who works at the Sunshine mal refuge 2014, adding 300 jobs to the community, the Nigelfishing boat.in SummerJournal Scene previously reported.House in Summerville Scouts’ 350where LXF luxury

and his sister Demetre, 10, attend afterschool care, he followed the smoke to the kitchen, where he found a pot of boiling water sitting on a stovetop burner—still on. Nigel then ran to his mother’s room to try to wake her—but she didn’t “I had just taken some medicine,” Demetria Ray said, explaining how it made her sleepy and unable to hear her frantic son’s pleas.

ville.

Please see OTTER, A8

Satu gets a significant otter

Pinewood junior escorts

It’s a match grandmother to prom for animals at local refuge

Please see NIGEL, A12

Inside JENNA-LEY HARRISON/JOURNAL SCENE

Nigel Deas, 8, and Summerville Fire Chief Richard Waring

‘Nigel is a hero’ 8-year-old reacts when smoke fills family’s home BY JENNA-LEY HARRISON jharrison@journalscene.com Earlier this month Nigel Deas told his daycare teacher how he awoke St. Patrick’s Day morning to see smoke filling his bedroom and home. Though just 8 years old, the Oak-

BY MONICA KREBER mkreber@journalscene.com

BY MONICA KREBER mkreber@journalscene.com A year ago Connor Campbell made

made good on his word to take his grandmother to prom and Saturday night the duo was gearing up for Pinewood Prep’s “Northern Lights”themed formal event at Middleton Plantation. It was an extra special night as the family – also consisting of Connor’s parents Jacqueline and Steve – were celebrating the first anniversary of bringing Betty Jane to live with them in Summerville. Betty Jane had lived in Florida for nearly 40 years and is

special It’s a hard life being cutea and snug-promise to one of his biggest gling with your partnerfans. all day but Connor, the little otters at the IPPL gibbon a junior at Pinewood Presanctuary in Summerville make it knew he would be going to paratory, look fun. prom this year and also knew his One male otter’s spirits have par93-year-old ticularly lightened ever since the ar- grandmother, Betty Jane Keene, had never been to prom. rival of his new girlfriend. So he told his grandma that she was The International Primate Protection League — IPPL —going facility toisbe his date. well-known for its 37Keene gibbons. said she has tried talking him Flowertown Festivalmore as seen IPPL is a nonprofit dedicated to prointo getting a girlfriend but Connor Please see PROM, A8 through photos, Page X3 primates and operating tecting the sanctuary in Summerville. However, the sanctuary is also home a small group of Asian shortPHOTOS BY MONICA KREBER/JOURNAL SCENE clawed otters. Satu plants a kiss on new girlfriend Daphne at the International Primate Protection League sanctuary. Satu — Malaysian for “one” — came to IPPL from the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 2009. He lived at the sanctuary with a female otter named Agape, formerly a dentist’s pet. Don’t D o share your medications Agape died of natural causes on Dec. 5. Satu became lonely and the caregivers at the sanctuary made it a priority to find him a new mate. Satu and Stacy Lambert, a full time animal Daphne caregiver, said the otters are paired snuggle by

MONICA KREBER/JOURNAL SCENE

Betty Jane Keene puts on her grandson Connor Campbell’s boutonniere.

Hair from mom. Eyes from dad. Drugs from grandma’s medicine cabinet. intentionally or unintentionally! BI01-1563692-1

SHORT STORY

WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 & OVER 4,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED Thursday September 14, 2017

COASTAL OBSERVER

12:15: At high tide, the water covers the first set of steps.

12:38: The walkway begins to twist.

12:46: After the sections separate, the slope increases.

12:47: The steps float parallel to the dune.

HURRICANE IRMA

End of a walk way STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHARLES SWENSON COASTAL OBSERVER

12:48: The stairs collapse into the surf.

Pawleys Island South Carolina

FIRST PLACE 12:43: Screws pull out of the wood where the new and the old sections of walkway meet.

The first sign that the walkway is going to collapse is slight. It leans like everything else exposed to the northeast wind. People barely notice as they come to watch the surging tide. They are leaning too. Walkways don’t snap like trees. They bend, like the one at the end of Powell Lane in Litchfield Beach. It has bent to three storms in three years: Joaquin, Matthew and Irma. The wood was still fresh from the last rebuilding, completed just before the summer visitors arrived. The high tide beat against the pilings. The foaming ocean scoured sand from around the footings. Timbers and sand fence broken off in the surf farther north crashed into the walkway with each breaking wave. The crack, when it came, wasn’t any louder than the rushing water or vibrating wood, but it was more definite. It was the sound of stainless steel screws ripping from pine boards. They tore apart just where the old wood met the new. As the sections of the walkway separated, the lean became a twist. A family arrived to watch the storm, but didn’t venture far. A boy stood at the end of the old deck shouting above the wind as his father recorded a video. In his best storm-chaser voice, he narrated the destruction along the oceanfront before retreating from the wind and horizontal rain. With the steps turned sideways, each breaking wave twisted them further until they were parallel to the dunes. It didn’t take much force after that. The steps bobbed in the surf at high tide until they broke free and floated away. “Not again,” said a woman hurrying up from the street for a better look and cradling a can of light beer. “They just rebuilt it. It’s still new.”

12:49: The current carries the stairs down the beach.

Charles Swenson Coastal Observer

SHORT STORY Expected traffic

2-3 TIMES WEEKLY hiccups DIVISION around

THIRD PLACE www.OnlineChester.com

Heavy lifting

Cycs athletes get boost from Lutz grant. See Page 8.

Travis Jenkins NEWS&REPORTER The News & Reporter THE HE

C HESTER C OUNTY ’ S H OMETOWN N EWSPAPER SINCE 1869 FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

ue 20, 1 Section, 12 Pages

75 Cents

Clayton’s suit against the county settled

BY TRAVIS JENKINS enkins@onlinechester.com

A lawsuit against ester County by a forr employee will not ke it to court after all. Former administrative ployee and clerk to ester County Council rolyn Clayton sought k pay and the return of old jobs. Clayton and a tract IT employee were d nearly two years ago, ording to a SheriffÕ s ice incident report, ause they Ò conspired to troy a public record,Ó ich is a misdemeanor

Chester County is preparing for possible colder emps, high winds

SECOND PLACE

construction sites

Above, secondgraders at McDonald Green Elementary peek over their books on their first day at their new desks. At left, Superintendent Jonathan Phipps pauses to tie Xavier Shannon’s shoelace at South Middle School. Below, seniors Noah Vincent, left, and Trey Bobbitt enjoy the first lunch of the year at Buford High School.

Hannah L. Strong and Kayla Vaughn The Lancaster News

More than 12,000 students began the new academic year at the Lancaster County School District’s 22 schools on Thursday. It was smooth sailing most of the day, except for some traffic congestion around the district’s many on-going construction projects. “We had a little congestion at Lancaster High,” said David Knight, LCSD spokesman. “But nothing out of the ordinary for the first day of school.” LHS is constructing its new multipurpose building and relocating the school’s entrance. Plus a bridge is out on Woodland Drive near the school, cutting off the main western approach. At McDonald Green Elementary, the final bell rang Thursday morning and a voice spoke over the intercom. “Good morning, Dragonflies! It’s time for the pledge.” In Midenna Anderson’s second-grade class, most faces were familiar to her. “This class has moved up with me,” said Anderson, who was beginning her 40th year at McDonald Green. “We looped from first to second grade.” See SCHOOL I Page 2

Kayla Vaughn The Lancaster News

See FEE I Page 3

Staring down a timber rattler while jump-starting a Camry

crime. During a Chester County Council meeting that occurred just prior to her dismissal, Clayton allegedly left a recorder running as the council left its chambers to retire to executive session. Clayton then inadvertently recorded herself making disparaging comments about at least two county employees and that is the portion of the tape she later tried to delete, her attorney Jahue Moore told the News & Reporter. He contended that those comments were See CLAYTON, Page 2

photos above and at left by HANNAH STRONG/hstrong@ STRONG thelancasternews. com; photo below by VAUGHN/ KAYLA VAUGHN kvaughn@thelancasternews.com

end of the county. The fee would also impact commercial property, varying by size. The fee, which requires one more council vote, would raise $1.57 million in the first year, to be used to start a new county department that would address stormwater issues. “It’s something that we just can’t sit back and think it’s going to take care of itself,” said county council member Larry Honeycutt, who voted on the prevailing 4-3 side with Steve Harper, Charlene McGriff and Billy Mosteller. “We’ve got to take care of it the best way we can,” Honeycutt said. Brian Carnes, Jack Estridge and Terry Graham cast the three dissenting votes Monday night. Carnes and Graham represent Panhandle residents on county council. The S.C. Department of Heath and Environmental Control has mandated that the county target erosion, sediment and construction-site runoff that is getting into Panhandle streams and creeks. The stormwater issues have been traced to skyrocketing growth in Indian Land that shows little sign of dying down. According to DHEC, many of the creeks have been polluted with excess levels of fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria since 2005, and state officials have told the county to clean up the waterways. “Water is the original recyclable resource,” said county engineer Scott Edgar. “You use it, clean it up and then send it downriver for someone else to use. We have to do a better job with water quality.” Indian Land is now considered to be in Charlotte’s urban area, with

Kayla Vaughn

kvaughn@thelancasternews.com

While trying to jump-start their car Wednesday, Eric and Jeri Sullivan found a surprise under the hood – a 4-foot timber rattlesnake coiled atop the motor. Eric “popped the hood, and it lifted its head up, and he slammed the hood down,” Jeri Sullivan said Thursday. “I screamed and told my husband I would not ever be driving that car.” BY TRAVIS JENKINS/THE N&R

Thomas and Joyce Currence see a lot of potential in the building they lease on Columbia Street.

Currence reaches beyond the tent BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com

Most people who have cast their eyes on 627 Columbia Street in recent years saw a lot in need of work and a building that would be easier

to bulldoze than salvage. Human eyes wouldnÕ t have seen potential. Ò The spiritual eye has to take over,Ó said Thomas Currence. Ò God allowed us to see a finished product, to see us helping and working with people.Ó

The Currence name is a wellknown one in Chester, as it was once attached to one of the countyÕ s most famous restaurants for many years. The restaurant has been closed for a See CURRENCE, Page 4

If you build it, they will run

165th year, No. 99 One section, 12 pages

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Tony Sistare uses a long stick to remove a 4-foot-long timber rattlesnake from under the hood of a Toyota Camry Wednesday.

What to do next? They couldn’t shoot the snake without hitting the motor, and they sure weren’t going to try to touch it. So the couple contacted their friend Tony Sistare, who rushed over. He said he has dealt with many snakes, but never inside a car’s engine compartment. By the time Sistare got there, the snake had been in the same place for a while, which was a good sign. See SNAKE I Page 3

Index

Today’s Weather Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain Overnight: A few clouds with a 20 percent chance of scattered showers

High: 95 Low: 72

Church News .....................9 Classifieds .......................11 Coming Events ............... 11

Faces & Places ................ 8 Opinion ........................... 7 Sports ............................... 5

Deaths, 4

Inside, 2

James Lowery Lawrence McGriff Linda McNeal Jessie Rowell

SCCL man charged with vandalizing streets

pect unty

ive Task Force ted a suspect, Troy n Lann Jr., 33, of etta, Ga. without ent at his motherÕ s in Chester County, ding to a release. nn was taken into dy at the Cobb ty Adult Detention er and has been ed with aggravated ult (F) and felony er.

stomers

call that turned out to be an incorrect report, a vehicle accident and a medical call Ð all while firefighters were still clearing the scene of the first fire call. According to Chester Fire Chief Paul Caldwell, the first fire call, at Meadowbrook Road in Chester, just past the

fire is still under investigation, but it appears that some escaping gas caused a momentary flash explosion that caused the fire. According to Caldwell, both of the workers were injured; one was airlifted to the Augusta Burn

SHORT STORY

2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

See BUSY DAY, Page 2-A

Santa doesn’t always travel on a sleigh

Jolly old elf was locked in a building, needed police escort to reach his float in Chester parade BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com

A heavy set man in a red suit, wanted for entering every home in Chester County, got a ride in a police car two weeks ago.

When the City of Chester held its Christmas parade a few weeks ago, those at the beginning of the parade route may have noticed a conspicuSee SANTA, Page 2-A

A better place

Newman hopes drug court will reduce addiction-related crimes

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Travis Jenkins The News & Reporter

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Paul Fletcher S.C. Lawyers Weekly 4 / NEWS MOST VIEWED ONLINE

S O U T H C A R O L I N A L A W Y E R S W E E K LY I O c t o b e r 2 , 2 0 1 7

Greenville attorney suspended

Most Important Opinions 3Q 2017

SECOND PLACE Rudy Gray The Baptist Courier

The rants continue

THE LAST WORD BY RUDY GRAY, Editor â&#x2013; INTERIM PUBLISHER Stephen Lincoln slincoln@bridgetowermedia.com â&#x2013; EDITOR IN CHIEF

THE BLESSING OF FRIENDSHIP

Paul E. Fletcher paul.fletcher@sclawyersweekly.com â&#x2013; EDITORIAL Teresa Bruno, Opinions Editor teresa.bruno@sclawyersweekly.com Phillip Bantz, Staff Writer phillip.bantz@sclawyersweekly.com David Donovan, Staff Writer david.donovan@sclawyersweekly.com Heath Hamacher, Staff Writer heath.hamacher@sclawyersweekly.com Scott Baughman, Digital Media Manager sbaughman@mecktimes.com â&#x2013; ADVERTISING Andrea Mounts, Advertising Manager andrea.mounts@sclawyersweekly.com Sheila Batie-Jones, Advertising Account Executive sheila.batie-jones@sclawyersweekly.com Lisa Arnold, Advertising Account Executive Sponsorships, Plaque & Reprint Sales sheila.batie-jones@sclawyersweekly.com

Edwin Fletcher, circa 1965

â&#x2013; ACCOUNTING & ADMINISTRATIVE

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note

The make-up man â&#x2013; PAUL FLETCHER In honor of National Newspaper Week, I want to share a story from the backrooms of the newspaper business. There are reporters with byline fever. There are editors who crusade. There are photographers who freeze moments of history. And then there are people who make sure the newspaper goes out every day or every week. This oneÂ&#x2019;s for them. My late grandfather, Paul Edwin Fletcher (he went by Edwin), spent his entire working life at the Daily News in Middlesboro, Ky. He started there as a boy of 15 in 1929; he retired 53 years later, in 1982. Granddad was Â&#x201C;a make-up manÂ&#x201D; Â&#x2013; thatÂ&#x2019;s a job title you donÂ&#x2019;t hear any more, except maybe on a movie set. He worked with lead type, making up the pages of the paper and preparing them for the press. a family trip into Middlesboro, my dad (Paul Edwin Fletcher Jr.) took me to see Granddad at work. Mostly I remember a lot of noise. The presses were loud and clanging. And I recall Granddad working at a table, putting in type that looked funny Â&#x2013; the little letters were backward. He put them into a big metal frame as they became words, sentences, paragraphs, then a page. GranddadÂ&#x2019;s hands were covered in black, gloppy ink; it stayed under Lava soap he used.

Granddad was on the small side Â&#x2013; I donÂ&#x2019;t think he ever topped 5Â&#x2019;9Â&#x201D; Â&#x2013; but he had muscular shoulders and thick brawny forearms, the result of a daily workout of lifting those heavy frames of type and carrying them to pre-press. Middlesboro is just past the Cumberland Gap, where Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky met and dipped their mountains to provide passage for pioneers headed west. Some people kept going, seeking a better life in Indiana, Missouri and other western states. Some made it just past the gap and decided to stay. The city proudly supports the nearby coal mines, and many miners live in the area. The east end of Middlesboro, where my grandfather lived, was not tony; many of the frame houses were small. Here or there, you might pearing into weeds. At most of the homes, though, people tried. I visited Granddad at work again years later, in 1974. I was a high school senior getting ready for a year as editor of the student paper. I spent an entire day at the Daily News, helping him lay out the paper. By then the make-up process had changed to offset. Granddad still laid out the pages, but he would run printed columns of type with the dayÂ&#x2019;s stories through a waxer, then position them on the pages. The prepress team then burned a plate that went on the press. With sure hands

and a practiced eye, Granddad laid the type on the page so straight that you wouldnÂ&#x2019;t need a level to tell you how true the columns were.

News employee to log 50 years with the paper in 1979; he retired a few years after that. He had seen newspaper production go through generations of changes. He missed the next innovation: Computerized layout, just around the corner, put all that valuable make-up work inside a box and on a computer screen. Years of working near the noisy presses did some damage. Granddad was nearly deaf, and he refused to get a hearing aid. In later visits, this cult. Usually we would sit on the high porch of his house overlooking the town, communing in a warm silence. I know he was happy when I told him I was leaving law practice to join Virginia Lawyers Weekly. He liked the idea of another newspaperman in the family, someone to carry the tradition forward. Granddad was proud of what he did for a living: He knew his role and he played it well for 53 years. Thanks to him, the Daily News went out every day. The people in and around Middlesboro got their paper and the news they needed. He never got a lot of glory, but he served his paper and his community well. He never got a byline. Actually, thatÂ&#x2019;s not true. He gets one every time I sign my name to an article IÂ&#x2019;ve written.

Amanda Passmore, Business Manager amanda.passmore@sclawyersweekly.com â&#x2013; CIRCULATION JoAnn Griffin, Audience Development Manager jgriffin@bridgetowermedia.com Circulation: 1-800-451-9998 subscriptions@bridgetowermedia.com â&#x2013; EVENTS Tiara Benfield, Events Coordinator tiara.benfield@sclawyersweekly.com â&#x2013; PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS John Reno, Production Manager jreno@molawyersmedia.com Jennifer McNally, Designer jmcnally@molawyersmedia.com ÂŠ2017 BridgeTower Media. Material published in South Carolina Lawyers Weekly is compiled at substantial expense and is for the sole and exclusive use of purchasers and subscribers. The material may not be republished, resold, recorded, or used in any manner, in whole or in part, without the publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s explicit consent. Any infringement will be subject to legal redress. South Carolina Lawyers Weekly (USPS #020216) is published weekly every Monday with General Statewide Circulation by South Carolina Lawyers Weekly at 1611 E 7th Street, Charlotte NC 28204-2411. (919)829-9333, (800)-876-5297. Periodicals postage paid at Charlotte, NC 28228-9998. Subscriptions Rates: $349 per year, $592 for two years. Website: www.sclawyersweekly.com POSTMASTER: Electronic Service Requested, send address changes to South Carolina Lawyers Weekly, Subscription Services, PO Box 1667, Minneapolis, MN 55480. customerservice@bridgetowermedia.com The South Carolina Lawyers Weekly is a publication of BridgeTower Media 222 South Ninth Street Ste. 2300, Minneapolis, MN 55402.

W. RAY PARTAIN, ONE OF THE BEST

friends I have ever known, died suddenly after a massive heart attack in December. Ray became a very successful businessman after he â&#x20AC;&#x153;retiredâ&#x20AC;? from his regular job. When he started his income tax and bookkeeping business around 40 years ago, he dedicated his business to Christ. Throughout the years, he has shown me again and again what a true friend is. Baltasar Gracian said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;To find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.â&#x20AC;? Ray was a real friend, a committed Christian, and a benevolent servant. He tithed for almost all of his working life. He was the greatest encourager I have ever known. He never failed to call me on my birthday. He is the only person who has ever done our income taxes. He and his wife, Nancy, drove a long distance to attend graduation services when I received my doctor of ministry degree. I spoke at his funeral, wearing a bow tie in his memory. Ray started wearing bow ties many years ago, which became part of his visible identity. But he was so much more. When he was a boy, he had a problem with stuttering. At least once a week, he would go to the country store in his community, where grown men gathered to gossip each day. They delighted at hearing Ray stutter, and they laughed and ridiculed him for it. But, like most everything else in his life, Ray overcame his stuttering and became a public speaker â&#x20AC;&#x201D; teaching Sunday school, serving as a Gideon and being a toastmaster. He cared about people and would often help those in need with money, food or other gifts. During my first pastorate, he was a deacon. I remember the day his 17-year-old son was killed in an automobile accident. Ray was at the Georgia Baptist Assembly attending a music conference when he was contacted to come home. The house was filled with people when he arrived. Immediately upon receiving the news of his firstbornâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passing, he asked me and another pastor to come to the bedroom with him and Nancy to pray. Ray prayed, asking God for help and for strength to be a good witness, while thanking Him for being God.

During the visitation at the funeral home, many people came. One lady approached Ray with the intention to provide comfort until she broke down in tears in front of him. He took a handkerchief from his pocket, gave it to her with a hug and assured her that everything was going to be okay. He was a powerful witness during that painful time in his life. A couple of years after his sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death, Ray and I went to the prison in Columbia to visit a young man. On our return, a highway patrolman pulled me over for speeding. He asked me to come back to his car, and we talked. When he told me he was only going to give me a warning ticket, I was relieved, but I felt I should share the plan of salvation with him. The trooper turned off his radio, bowed his head and prayed to receive Christ. When I returned to my car, I discovered that Ray had adjusted the rearview mirror to see what was transpiring and was praying the whole time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I knew you were going to witness to him,â&#x20AC;? he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;so I started praying.â&#x20AC;? There are so many stories and memories of my dear friend that I will cherish. He is in heaven today, and I grieve, but his impact on my life will live on. In 2015, I wrote a little book called â&#x20AC;&#x153;You Can Live Until You Die,â&#x20AC;? in which I related the stories of several people who did not give up on life until their last breath. Ray was one of the people I interviewed. When I asked him about retirement, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Retirement is not in my future.â&#x20AC;? At the time of his death, he was in a new office, still doing bookkeeping and income tax returns, but also working to expand his business by obtaining his insurance license. He was a blessed man and a blessing to many others. He once Proverbs 18:24 told me, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can get emotional talking about how the Lord has blessed me.â&#x20AC;? W. Ray Partain was 79, and he truly lived until he died. Proverbs 18:24 says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A man of many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.â&#x20AC;? Someone has noted that real friends are the siblings we never had. Ray, then, was my brother. While I will dearly miss him, I am so glad for the friendship God gave us. An Irish proverb says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A good friend is like a four-leaf clover â&#x20AC;&#x201D; hard to find and lucky to have.â&#x20AC;? Amen, and amen.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A man of many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.â&#x20AC;?

Do you have a story to tell? Contact Courier Publishing today at 1-888-667-4693 or visit CourierPublishing.com.

COLUMN WRITING ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

Opinion

Motherhood: It’s What I’ve Learned by Accident

hen I first started my column for Lowcountry Weekly three and a half years ago, I was tasked with the assignment of coming up with a title. Trust me, this is not as easy as it sounds. For one thing, the name should be authentic to the writer, not one note, or trendy, or gimmicky. The title should never be a vast generalization, or the briefest of summaries. No, instead, it should deliver a clever, razor sharp glimpse of the writer’s singular voice. It’s a tease into the mindset, secret inner workings and stylistic leanings of a sole person that must be delivered on a single page time and time again. On top of it all, it can’t be boring. It has to be catchy and fresh, only not in a sing-songy, over produced way . . . oh, and in five words or less. So, you can see how difficult a feat this proves to be. And yes, understand my very real fear that I would let all of you down. Terribly. At the time, “What I’ve Learned by Accident” seemed the only five words I could

string together and deliver with authenticity. Still does. Because I’m sure, with pin point accuracy, that I am not sure about anything. As in I have not one, single, solitary clue about the inner workings of life. This is neither catchy nor fresh, but my own individual mindset and secret workings of an over-scrambled brain. And one of the biggest things I have learned, stumbled and tripped over without meaning to, as in by accident, is motherhood. If I have ascertained anything at all, it’s that I kind of, really do suck at it. I never intended to get pregnant, y’all. I was happily married and young and free and still had a thing for high end, low heel pumps, happy hour cocktails and pocket change. Then Charlie and I went up to Ann Arbor, Michigan for his cousin’s wedding one April in a snowstorm. I don’t do snow, people, especially in spring . . . well, never really, unless there’s a lodge with a walk-in fireplace and hot chocolate spiked with peppermint schnapps. So, nine months later, here I am toting home this slightly yellow and awfully gaseous wrin-

kled newborn back to our house in a carrying contraption I couldn’t work and into a crib I couldn’t bear to leave her in alone . . . in case she like stopped breathing and like DIED. I had no idea what I was doing. It wasn’t that I just didn’t know, it was that I was royally going to or already had messed it all up somehow. I ate a black bean burrito covered in jalapeños and hot sauce while breast feeding and neither of us slept for a solid week. I put her in her baby carrier, glowing with pride that I’d secured it tightly and safely in its base that I’d strapped correctly to the car seat for our first morning out and about. Only to get to Target, take her out and realize I never buckled her, the actual baby, into the safety harness in the actual carrier in the first place. I left laundry detergent on the floor without safely securing the cap so I could sit down already. Poison control suggested I flush her out with a few sippy cups of water. I set her down on the ground another time so I could unload the groceries from the car without the added hip weight. At least when I called them for the third time in three weeks, a nice man

Laura Packard

WHAT I'VE LEARNED BY ACCIDENT The second one fell down the front stairs – three flights, y’all – cause I set her down for a sec to find my keys I’d buried in the bottom of my purse. I let her cry herself – with agonizing, hot, squealing tears – to sleep in her crib at night so I could catch Survivor and few Zs. Not too long after I introduced her to solids, I said what the heck and threw caution to the wind and fed her scraps from the table the rest of were all eating from instead. I have yelled. I have cried. I’ve said things I shouldn’t have. I sucked. Like big time. I was thinking about this yesterday as I sent them both off, one almost 15 and the other two months shy of 17, for a 4-day state theater competition representing their high

FIRST PLACE

Laura Packard Lowcountry Weekly

COLUMN WRITING WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Robert Joseph Baker The Manning Times

SECOND PLACE Mark Hopkins News-Chronicle

COLUMN WRITING WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE Charles Martin News-Chronicle

COLUMN WRITING WEEKLY OVER 4,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE Kevin Fisher Free Times

SECOND PLACE

Connelly Hardaway Charleston City Paper

COLUMN WRITING WEEKLY OVER 4,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE Bill Rauch The Island News

Commentary

THIRD PLACE

Regulations needed for mopeds in S.C. lessly with not a whole lot of regulation,” said state Sen. Greg Hembree, R-Horry. He and state Rep. Bill Crosby, R-Charleston, have prefiled bills for 2017 that should reverse those trends. Nothing is onerous about requiring moped drivers to register with the Department of Motor Vehicles, follow the same traffic rules as all other vehicles, wear reflective vests at night and wear a helmet. Today, moped drivers cannot be charged with driving under the influence because mopeds are not considered motor vehicles under South Carolina law. No training is required to operate a moped. Children age 14 can legally drive one. Mopeds are required to have only generic license tags. Yet, we’re worried about government overreach? We should be worried about government asleep at the wheel. Whatever happened to common sense? A level-headed response is needed as this simple reform moves forward. Public safety is a primary function of government. Public safety in operating mopeds, golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, boats, standup personal watercraft, bicycles and motorcycles are part of that obligation. Life is dangerous, and people are careless, even with regulations. Writing law does not mean everyone obeys it, of course. But things are even worse when people are left to their own devices, as the moped safety statistics show. The few remaining roadblocks to this matter of public safety should come to their senses and do the right thing next year. — From The island Packet of Hilton Head Island

View from the Past

ears Ago

pring when The Times he d f rom we e k t o he enormous catchass by Georgetown s, some poked f un T hey si mply cou ld derstand how such sh, and in such large ties, could be taken he sea with a rod and

Tuesday after several years of ill health and a critical illness of four days. He had worked w ith the S t a t e H i g h w a y D e p a r tment for 30 years and operated the South Island Ferry across the Inland Waterway, the only remaining ferry in South Carolina.

25 years Ago

On a not her issue at t he meeting of the Pawleys Island Town Council Friday, Mary Frances Wilson drew little support in her arguments to ban alcohol from the beach. Wi lson sa id she u nderstood that Pawleys Island ars Ago a nd Fol ly Beach were t he Sea Cloud, pa lat ia l state’s only two beaches that ma s te d ba rkent i ne , allow alcohol. by Mrs. Joseph E . which has been tied 10 years Ago Larry Williams, a hunting e in fresh water for wo years, left yester- guide at Kinloch Plantation go into the service of a n d s p e a k e r du r i n g t h e Winyah Bay Heritage Fes. Navy. if icently furnished tival, knows just what to do hout, t he 30 0 -foot when a duck hunter shoots oud i s a ver it a ble a hole in a boat. “You got to paddle faster,” ng pa lace a nd t he oms are f illed with Williams advised the crowd. e s . M r. a n d M r s . Williams was one of four took many lengthy speakers, the Santee Delta s in t he Sea Cloud, Duck Guides, who were part orld War II drove it of the festival. The other three were Moseas. our ta l l masts w i l l ses Ga r ret t , who worked en down and all the 53 years as a hunting guide hings removed a nd at Sa ntee Gun Club, EarWhen in naval use, nest “Jen k ” Jen k ins, who sel will be powered is a hunting guide at Kinour Krupp diesel en- loch, a nd Wi l l ia m “Ba m B a m” G a r re t t , a re t i re d g u i d e f r o m S a nt e e G u n ars Ago Club.

f f icia l record kept Pa l me t to Fi sh i ng f Charleston shows town boys take most rizes, and Miss Ida B. clever little Georgedy, gets the prize for gest bass.

2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION E ditorial

southstrandnews.com || A11

y, January 13, 2017

ets, vests, flashing icenses — all are in South Carolina to e rise in moped-relatsions and deaths. mall motor bikes w, hard to see, hard and grossly undered. Yet, a few in state ment look the other mmering about the tate interfering in lives. g them is Gov. Nikki who last year vetoed a t would have brought ommon sense — and — to this growing m. She called its two pages of moped safety ions “government ch.” The House voverride the veto. reform died in the when certain reents — like wearing ve vests at night — nsidered a burden senator who said people what to wear amount to being unan.” milar reasons, former ark Sanford opposed make all motorcycle wear helmets, even hey turn 21. nment over-regulaan old whipping boy h Carolina, but it’s nfair. Regulations are r a good purpose in ses. moped issue shows shing regulations ake for good rhetoric, urely makes for bad ment. medical and law enent professionals see em and beg for help, kers should step off p box and use some n sense. five people died in crashes last year in Carolina. That’s an e from 12 in 2001 and 010. Moped-related ns also are on the from 167 in 2001 to 010 to 819 last year. are being lost need-

COLUMN WRITING

From the drawing board

Steve Williams COMMENTARY Georgetown Times FRidAY, September 1, 2017

SECOND PLACE Kasie Strickland E ditorial 4 Wednesday, March 8, 2017

their view

Context: The transfer of power

southstrandnews.com || A10

The time is always right to do right

I like short An inconvenient truth words and I I cannot lie

Columnist On this Martin Luther school. Nevertheless, Olds in St. Augustine.” King Jr. weekend, let me stuck to his principles, prinNarrowly escaping an share a little known story ciples that caused the colassassin bullet, King was about Dr. King. The story lege to lose a million-dollar shaken to his core. The involves sex, money, race, donation. St. Augustine massacre corruption, violence and atAllegedly, one of the was widely considered his tempted murder. school’s largest benefactors, greatest defeat. It was the Now that I have your ata local businessman, was only time he seriously questention, let me unpack it, prepared to give a $1 miltioned his nonviolent phibecause it’s a story that lion donation (equivalent losophy. King’s biographers have to $7 million today) to the After the mayor refused to Living rarely reported; a story school but after learning King fromto jail, Olds confess to being in a festive releaseinsights that I first heard nearly that King was writing receiving mood as I am at an my threatened to send a college two years ago to the day; a honorary degree, the dotrustee down to St. Augusdesk this morning. So this story delivered during the nor called Olds over to his tine and record King’s comcolumn an intentional commencement address at housewill andbetore the check mencement speech from funinto read.pieces I remember Springfield College Annex right inwhen front of behind bars. He threatened Steve Williams I wasOlds’ a youth in Charleston. face.— still in high to broadcast the speech The speaker was none Olds was determined more not only to the graduating school — antidisestablishmenother than Martin Dobrow, than ever honor Dr.the King students but the national tarianism wastosaid to be spoken. However, King waslongest an author, sports commenwithword a degree. media, thereby bringing in the English tator and professor of com- the first speaker to have his There was only one problanguage. And this gargantuan- worldwide attention to St. morals questioned. munications at Springfield lem, on June 11, 1964, three Augustine’s treatment of word, withthe 28graduation letters and blacks. Later that day, on Once King accepted Olds’sized College in Springfield, Masdays before hasOlds, two more letters June 13, King was released invitation to be the com- 12 syllables sachusetts. ceremony, learned, the total of the letters on bond. On Sunday he flew mencement speaker, the thanalong The heroes in the story withnumber the rest of FBI, led by J. Edgar Hoover,in our are Dr. King and a couranation, thatalphabet. Dr. King Iwas English had to Springfield, received his geous college president who ratcheted its clandestine not being held in a St. Augushonorary degree and gave thought of the word for campaign to smear his happened to be white; the tine, Florida, jail.day He was years until the other I heard one of his most memorable villains are the FBI and the reputation. Hoover was arrested, along with 16 oth- speeches. King’s theme was, on the radio. And, “The time is always right to hell-bent on stopping Kingit mentioned city officials of St. Augusers, for attempting to order it came again this do right.” from receiving an honor- afterfood tine, Florida. fromtoa mind whites-only I decided to look it up In this era of unprincipled, ary degree and giving the morning According to DoBrow, restaurant. commencement address. on line. early in 1964, Dr. King was OnISaturday, June 13, King uncompromising and unactually succeeded He ordered his agents to in spelling invited by Springfield Colwas stillthe in word jail. The comcivil leaders, it’s good to correctly lege President Glenn Olds to secretly follow King aroundwhen mencement at Springfield was because once word.that Butthere beware, even typing it into the Google learn receive an honorary degree the country and wiretap his College, more than 1,000 decency and civility in our if you can define it, you better search line. and deliver the commence- telephone. miles away, was scheduled leaders. It’s good to know be able to once spell ait.great I would sugI am athe farnext worse speller now ment address at its June 14 After compiling some of for day. Worried there were FridAy, March 17, 2017 southstrandnews.com || A9 gest you memorize its spelling I was years ceremony. King’s private but salaciousthanthat he some would30 not haveago, his American name Martin beforeKing tossing it outa in converespecially since Springfield, lacking the conversations, he selectively speaker, OldsI learned called St.SpanAu- Luther Jr. and couraprestige of nearby Harvard leaked them to key lead- ish. gustine’s mayorlanguage, and pleaded college sation. Theypresident will probably want In the Spanish if geous and Boston College, was ers in Massachusetts, at- youwith himthe forword King’s release, who stoodhow in the to know to gap spellfor it. can say you can and is neknown for its acatempting to impugn King’sspell but the mayor would not him when no one heard of him is because clown and opened atells whole new incentive to try harder. all thehave of my best friends is true that adversity introduces Wikipedia alsoelse of some it, because letters Columnist demicaexcellence. It’s aalso One such leader budge. would. world of possibilities for him. he doesn’t have credentials in This brings me to my milman or womanmorality. to himself world famous multiare even longer than arelionaire always pronounced with Itthat reversed the negative words front of hiswas name – he’swords not a this, Although he’s (or herself), thenwas inspiration millionaire — more noted for being the birthU.S. Sen. Leverett In friend. 1964, St. Augustine On Martin Luther bishop, a reverend or a doctor. he had internalized for years. dined with queens, counseled is that special something that about him later, but for now I antidisestablishmentarianism. same sound. Now, in fact. graduating with He’s self-taught, Yet Jr.After mingled SamAlways. our life chalhave a question — do you ever enables us to faceSaltonstall place of basketball. of Massachu- thekings, noted forwithtwo things, being King weekend, it’sa certifigood cate of attendance, Les went on Cooke, Diana Ross, The Temp- he’s one of the wisest people get annoyed with people who lenges. Often, our greatest suc“Longer words typically have I find that I have to frequently Olds, an quotes ardent pacifist, Saltonstall met with the and oldest city in America totracked remember honor I’ve ever met. I recently to becomeand the success he is totations other Motown cess comes aftersetts. our greatest post frivolous on their day all because Washing- authors Royalty, the spell pulpit of check down for anofcoined Facebook pages? Quotes like,his disappointments. admired King for rean FBI agent and listened depend and graced its brutality tohim blacks. both them. been byMr. specific upon to (no easy task) interview – we’ve been friends ton and his mother saw someT.D. Jakes in front of 80,000 “Believe in Yourself,” or “I’m Time tested positive inspirastraint the face of Bull tousdetails of King’s private make King and his organization, foris 30coryears. thing in him at a time when he people, shared the podium tional quotes help change not sayingin you’re lying, but you in relatively modern times. For sure the spelling could not see it in himself. with motivational giants Zig Growing up poor, Les our focus from the problem to sure make the truth nervous!” Connor’s fire hoses, gashconversations. Later, he rect. the Southern Christian Born and raised in New floccinaucinihilipiliHis mother, Mamie Brown, likely Ziglar, Norman Vincent Peale would’ve been the leastexample, Feeling inspired? Well, perthe solution, from the quesing andbe,jail cellstions filled metIf we with president Olds to and Leadership York, Steve Williams attendto be voted “most likely to a 38-year-old unmarried cafTony Robbins, hosted his to the answers. hapsdogs you shouldn’t because fication, first used in prose by those whoConference, are still queseteria cook and domestic, with own national television show by his teachers and recent brim study at the Univerinternalize them,dish they can pro-FBI’s dirt on King. For toasity the with blacks the were called there tosucceed” lend ed Hofstra University and very little education or finanpeers. Inattentive, mischiewith the same distributors of Waterloo in Ontario vide us with a set of principles William Shenstone in 1741, tioning, “What is the meaning vous,an and a poor reader, he was cial means, adoptedwhere Les and he is the Oprah Winfrey Show, and values to liveSaltonstall by. One of revealed thatfor thosejustice. who post Just fighting tried to dissuade ofnational attention to Furman University, when theywas were 6 thought authored three best-selling labeled, “educably mentally re- his brother my favorite quotes is by Eleaquotes on social 29—letters long, but sixmotivational months to getgiving King an of antidisestablishmentarianNAACP leader been earned degree weeksmaster’s old. tarded” in the fifth grade a his books, raised hundreds of who’d media have lowerprior levels of intelnor Roosevelt —Olds “No onefrom can Steveand Williams label he found hard toof remove. “Everything I am and everythousands of dollars for PBS,and make you feel inferior without degree ligence those who don’t.to speak ting anthaninvitation honorary in- ism?” brutally beaten nearly administration toschool havething been coined asand a nonA search came up with I have,” Les said, “I owe as well as millions for his own “They said I was slow,” Les your consent.” Who among us I don’t know about you, but atI Springfield, King sisted he uninvite King, butthecompany, burned alive by thesaid, local Ku Aby former educato my mother.” “so I held pace.” sages. Don’t get me wrong, to most Americans don’t give a darn about this had has never felt small? sense word a single person or following definition and in-to thatsupervision. It wasn’t until high school When pressed to elaborate he there’s nothing wrong with the his claim to fame continues to Inspiration — whether we restudy – I believe this world captured the hearts of Olds would not capitulate. beKlux Klan. When the Klan tor and group school administrator, small students this word replied, “Inof life you don’t get at Eton. – “Ain’t thaton the guy whomassive that he fully faced the veracneeds all the inspiration it can ceive it in the form in a word, a message – just the messenger.formation Americans with his “Ibook, Have Despite learned was coming toOne day, hehis resides whatin youGeorgetown. want, you get what ity of this label. As FBI’s Emerson hearsay puts it, “What useta be marriedKing to Gladys give – especially to me. I have a card, a song, a picture, the It is rumored that this was inin Wikipedia: teacher challenged him to you are. She changed my selfyou do speaks so loudly, I can’t Knight?” a text, an email, or in church an appetite for well-expressed a Dream Speech.” His—brand and innuendos, he was not town, they terrorized blacks He is a poet, motivational opinion.” His name is Les Brown – take a small part in a school is a powerful thing. Words hear what you’re saying.” wisdom, motivational or othtended to mean “Antidisestablishmentarianplay. The part – required him to Words from people who’ve “The Motivator.” things get tough, was have power. Theinterested scripture says, in oferwise. civilWhen disobedience discrediting who dared to support him speaker and author‘toofvalue two somememorize Born and raised inor Newto York, overcome your particular ism“A people are content shalt decree a thing, I turn to a motivational quote thing at nothing, describe islottheir aofpolitical position thata few lines.toAfraid just right tone that“Thou or defaming someone referring to King “If You Don’t Push, Steve Williams attended with discontent,” he said as that“Martin he was not equalbooks, the should holdhe more for athe bit of inspiration. In times andOlds it shall be established unto challenge Hofstra University and Furtask, Les shamefully told gravitas with you than emptyoriginated toLucifer me. “I want in to be19th the catalyst of hardshipto or self-doubt, and well- admired. a his lack of value.’” century wanted strike inwiththee.” his Well-placed greatly Coon.” Seeing their Nothin’ Moves,” a collection man University, where he slogans and pretty words from that enables them to see them- teacher, Mr. Washington, timed words echo what we spirational quotes give me a budding once began bloodied andinbattered ofheinspirational prose and “Another word specifically Britain, where antidisestablishearned his master’s of school selves having morefaces and achievfront of the cast that and souls people whoword haven’t. Why must-neededstudents. pick-me-up to do know in our heartsHowever, administration and superviing more.” couldn’t perform thepoems, task should anyone believe your the thingswas that I not do, whether to be true. King the first to spread around the city bodies, King wired Presiand “Ebony Effects: coined toAbe theeducator ‘longest were opposed becauseto he was “educably men- sion. former and word Calling Les Brown a motivait’s hit the gym, go to work, or But a word of caution – never Facebook post of, “Whatevermentarians pacifist Dr. King was coming, dent Johnson, asking for 150 Facts about Blacks tally retarded.” school administrator, he in the mind of man can conceive tional speaker doesn’t do him seek the wisdomthat of an unwork on myto sidespeak projects. to students in the English language’ proposals to remove the Church justice any more than calling Silence deafened theGeorgetown.” room as resides in Georgetown. He is is suproductive person. Too many andreceived believe, it can scores achieve,” All of us are going through atlife, Olds’ request, Aldous Springfield federal protection, claima poet, motivational speaker Michael Jackson astatus dancer. as the everyone stopped to hear Mr. but few-there-be who are times we listen to advice from when they know you’re behind percalifragilisticexpialidocious of England’s state author ofcontributor two books, Washington’s “Do is aand on yourfrom dreams and your Leslie was othersand who may of be inphone the same calls growing through life. Those Mead Huxley, Margaret people ing,Calvin “AllBrown semblance of law response.He regular not ever say that again,”(34 said letters) “If You Don’t Push, Nothin’ born Feb.of 17,England 1945, along withforwarded boat as us. This is the clasbills? On the other hand, if church who are casual about life usufrom the song of the Norman Cousins hadsicalso who threatened tofrom bomb the hisand orderWesley, hasinbroken down “Someone to The Georgetown Moves,” a collectionTimes. of inspitwin brother, an Mr. Washington. it’s a message someone ally end up one of life’s casual— “If the blind leads the

Commentary

dr. Brad Morris

What is someone else’s opinion of you worth?

rational prose and poems, else’s opinion not name abandoned building in LibertyPayne same in the film ‘Mary principally by both andof you does have to become your reality.” and “Ebony Effects: 150 Facts City, a low-income section of Poppins.’ Tuffin.” Mr. Washington’s words about”Blacks in Georgetown.” Miami. Three weeks later, they His column appears monthly were given up for adoption. planted a seed in Les’ mind The 2007 editionTimes. of Guinness OK, this exceedingly in The Georgetown One so reason you may not that helong was more than a class Book of World Records listed word came into being as a repneumonoultramicroscopicsilisult of a religious dispute, but Iboard Letters to the Editor From the drawing doubt that any of the disputants covolcanoconiosis (45 letters) as to the Editor A rhyme for the times his quality of life. However, asSend us a Letter were the slightest bit concerned the longest word in the English expected, his medical condition To the editor, language. “The medical term about the Times, apostle Paul’s SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: You may mail Letters to the Editor to the Georgetown Attn: Mark A.stateStevens, Executive Editor, 615 Front St., to deteriorate. Here is a St. Patrick’s Day lim- continued Asmay the end his life ap- to mstevens@southstrandnews. The newspaper reserves the right to reject or edit letters based on erick ... Georgetown, SC 29440. You alsoofemail letters is a lung disease, caused by the ment in 1 Corinthians 14:9 A North Litchfield Beach lass proached, his cancer metastaclarity, grammar, space, libelous content, etc. should be limited to no more than 450 words. All letters must be signed by the author and include, sized to his brain, and overLetters the named Powell, ofare very fine silica (NIV) which says: “So itnumbers is withare notinhalation for verification purposes, author’s fullinstreet address and telephone number. Addresses and phone published but for verificapast two weekends his life, Saw some oilmen out here on the he (and I) spent a total of 71 the prowl, dust from volcanoes.” This too you. Unless you speak intelties. If we’re judgment-dayhonest with ourselves, we have to acknowledge the fact that life can be hard, and sometimes incredibly cruel. If it’s

blind, they both may fall in the ditch.” There are far too many people spitting out scriptures and plastering their Facebook pages with motivational mes-

who’s “been there-done that,” someone like a teacher, coach, or mentor who believes you can achieve what you want to achieve, it can be a powerful

n discussing matters of immense emotional significance to both blacks and whites, it is difficult to strike the right tone. With that said, I recently saw two thought-provoking movies. One entitled, “An Inconvenient Truth” and the other, “I Am Not Your Negro.” Written and produced by former Vice President Al Gore, “An Inconvenient Truth” effectively outlines (for me) how global warming is destroying our planet. “I Am Not Your Negro” is legendary writer James Baldwin’s story of America through the lives of three murdered friends - civil rights icons Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, who were murdered in 1963, 1965 and 1968 respectively. Although I enjoyed seeing these movies, I didn’t exactly reach for the soda and popcorn. The movies, which are really documentaries, are not made to entertain us but to enlighten us. In the aftermath of what happened in Charlottesville, Virginia, recently, Lord knows we could use some enlightenment. Gore’s documentary brilliantly outlines how corporate greed is affecting our future, while Baldwin’s film commendably connects the protest movements of our nation’s past with the protests of today. The documentaries echo Baldwin’s renowned admonition that “not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” There’s no question that the world in which Baldwin grew up and the world we live in today are two different societies. If we are judgment day honest, we have to admit that America is far less bigoted and racist than it was 75 years ago. “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing,” said writer Edmund Burke. If Burke were living today, I believe he’d be proud to see the 40,000 protesters who peacefully marched in Boston

Columnist

Steve Williams recently, effectively drowning out the bigoted chants of a few dozen divisive protesters. But while we’re being judgment day honest with ourselves, we must also admit there continues to be a significant number of people in our nation who long for the good old days - days when Asians, blacks, Latinos, women, and gays were excluded from the American dream. Before Charlottesville, the idea of a race war was not tethered to reality, at least not in the theater of my mind. But given our current president, who calls Mexicans rapists and robbers, Muslims terrorists, who says blacks live in crime-infested communities with failing schools, and who attempted to delegitimize his predecessor by questioning his birthplace, I can no longer dismiss this possibility. If I might paraphrase Shakespeare - a rose by any other name is still a rose. Likewise, whether you call yourself a neoNazi, a skinhead, a Confederate, KKK or Alt-right, a white supremacist by any other name is still a white supremacist. Apparently, white supremacists are feeling so emboldened under this new administration that they’re removing their hoods and arming themselves with helmet, shields, and guns as they march through the streets.

Since the Civil Rights Act in 1964 which ended the era of Jim Crow laws that mandated segregation, Jim Crow Jr., Esq. is more educated, more polished, and a lot slicker. He doesn’t put you in the back of the bus or tell you that he’s against you; he sets up a Supreme Court, a Department Of Justice and presidential cabinet to eradicate your progress. He marginalizes your existence by using dog whistles, catch phrases and code words. Code words like, “Law and Order,” which is code for cut the police loose and let them do whatever they want. “War on Drugs” is code for a return to mandatory minimum sentencing and mass incarceration for petty crimes; or “Make America Great Again,” code for returning to the days of John Wayne. Crow Jr. doesn’t chew snuff, spit tobacco or spew racist appellations. He’ll look you straight in the eye and tell you there’s no room for racism and bigotry in America. He’s exchanged his good-ole-boy overalls for a Brooks Brothers suit as he’s now a presidential advisor. Crow Jr. is young, male, college educated and quite articulate. He looks down on his less educated and less articulate brothers, even labeling them, “a collection of clowns.” You won’t get him to admit that he’s a racist any more than you’ll get the CEO of a Fortune 500 company to admit that he pays his female employees less than he pays his male employees. “The story of the Negro in America is the story of America,” said Baldwin. “History is not in the past – it is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history.” Americans can no more separate themselves from matters of race than they can separate water from the ocean. Hollywood and television try to shape this history by making us think that only the South had ties to the dehumanizing treatment of citizens, but not so.

Slaves and land were the main form of wealth in the U.S. before 1860. Therefore slaves figured in insurance policies and bank loans. Moreover, many well-known universities turned to slave owners and slave traders to raise money. Industries made millions from processing slave products such as tobacco, cotton, and sugar. Railway companies profited from slave laborers, but by far Wall Street bankers and investors profited the most. These companies are among the wealthiest companies in the world today, and you didn’t even know it. This abject ignorance reminds me of the song called U.O.E.N.O it (you ain’t even know it) by rapper Rick Ross. Let me break it down to you in Rick Ross style. The world famous Brooks Brothers suits got their start selling slave clothing to various slave traders back in the 1800s and “you ain’t even know it!” Aetna, New York Life, and AIG Insurance companies made millions selling insurance policies on enslaved Africans and “you ain’t even know it!” J. P. Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Wachovia, and Bank of America all made a fortune from the slave trade and “you ain’t even know it!” Norfolk Southern and CSX Railways rented slaves to build rail lines and “you ain’t even know it!” Harvard, Yale and Brown Universities were among those schools who received generous endowments from wealthy slave owners and traffickers, “and you ain’t even know it!” History is often a bitter pill to swallow, but as Winston Churchill so candidly expressed it, “The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.” Steve Williams lives in Georgetown. A former educator and school administrator, he is a poet, motivational speaker and author of two books.

Pitching in when disaster strikes esterday I found my-

mixed in with all the products

The Sentinel-Progress

America at its very, very best.

Let’s put some things into context. Would it bother you if a sitting president of the United States told the president of Russia he would have more flexibility to work deals with Putin after the election? Would it bother you if the president monitored private phone calls between the president of Israel and U.S. lawmakers? Would it bother you if the administration wire tapped respected journalists or even the Associated Press? Would it bother you if the secreDaniel tary of state sent and received tens 4 Wednesday, November 15, 2017 Gardner of thousands of emails, many of Contributing which were declared to be classified columnist and highly sensitive by the director of the FBI, via an unsecured server? Would it bother you if the same secretary of 4 Saturday, October 7, 2017 state made at least five statements under oath before a congressional committee, and the director of the FBI stated under oath before a congressional committee their viewthat those five statements were not true? How bothered would you be? Would you call for resignations? With that context in mind, how outraged would you be if a senior senator briefly met the Russian ambassador in a public venue, and later met the In the wake of the Las Vegas massacre, as in same ambassador in his own office with a couple the ofwith all the high-profile mass shootings present? IAutism mean, inSpectrum comparison with your As the motherof ofaides awake son Disthat preceded it, the big question looms: Why? outrage over activities listed above, how much order (ASD), I spend a significant portion of my time John Whitehead puts the question this way: outrage would you express? dealing with the “What realities life that with it. violence is itofabout America that makes Did Donald Trump orcome anyone associated with ourcampaign nation’s calling A significant portion. his conspirecard?” with the Russians? If so, This is the enormous question — you might what did they conspire do? To steal the elecI have a calendar pinned up on mytokitchen wall that call itDid thethe $700 billionsteal question, which is tion? Russians the election? We is covered with black Sharpie detailing our day torecently the size the 2018 military know theof Russians have tried tobudget interfere with day schedule of appointments, therapy times, clinic approved the Senate — that our national elections at by least since the 1960s. hours — you name It’sRussians almost a full timelaw job in and an mostever media and Haveit.the succeeded inenforcement swinging personnel do or notanother? ask or acknowlAmerican election one way of itself. edge, asprevious they search for clues about Did someone in the administration, There is paperwork and data sheetsPadthe motive behind Stephen including the Department of Justice and the that mustSecurity be filled out on a on daily basis dock’s rampage the nightIntelof Oct. National Agency, petition Foreign and, of course, there’s the aspect of of 1 amid thealso scattered ligence Surveillance Court (FISA) towreckage monitor killer’s life. anyoneliving, or anythe server associated withbathTrump or his simply teaching, feeding, He was a “lone wolf.” campaign? robert ing, changing and educating a childHeonwas a “psychopath.” The New York Times and other news sources Koehler the Spectrum. He was an American. reported the previous president changed longGuest You know, A injob not And he was possession, in standing rulesparenting. increasing ways and means the columnist his globally various dwelling places, NSA could share intercepted personal known for being the easiest thing in of 47 withwith thesome government’s intelfirearms, of which16 were used world — even a neuro-typical Strickly thecommunication ligence agencies privacy to kill at least 59without peopleapplying and injure moreprotecthan tions. 500 others as they attended a country music Speaking child. Now, believe it or not comThe NSA gathers information from satellite concert. And some ofnot, theseI’m firearms were modiKasie transmissions, calls, and emails cross fied by “bumpphone stocks,” a cheap, legalthat device Strickland plaining. foreign and domestic network rifle switches. The that a semiautomatic fire likerule an My allows 5-year-old is amazing andtohis changes were signed into law days before Trump’s automatic. progress thousands ofallow hours of inauguration, and they essentially staff Why? through the above mentioned therapy hasthe been nothing short in Whitehead the 16 intelligent agencies to out access private puts answer there with collected by the NSA.noDoes thatone terrifying clarity: “Perhaps there’s single of astounding. communication bother you? factor to blame for this gun violence. However, In the three years since my son’s diagnosis he has Democrats and Washington media arethat all aisdiththere is a common denominator, and a gone from non-verbal to you-can’t shut-him-up (I’m er about communication between anyone associwar-drenched, violence-imbued, profit-driven fairly sure that’s ated the technical term.) withindustrial President Trump’s and Russia. military complexcampaign that has invaded What conspiracies are they imagining? Where he usedWhy? to regularly hit and bitelives.” himself and almost every aspect of our President Trumportweeted Saturday morn-in Thisthe is America, afloors globallast empire engaged slam his head against walls — to the ing: “Terrible! Just an found out that Obama my endless war, with entertainment andhad news point where my ‘wires husband andinITrump bought himspectator a helmet Tower beforesport the vicmediatapped’ that sells violence as a just — he now “takestory. deep breaths,” and tells others to do“How found. Thissolution is McCarthyism!” and aNothing consequence-free to pretty much low hasproblem President Obama gone of. to tapp (sic) my the same. every you can think We believe in phones during the—very electionPB&J process. having enemies not in a personal sense but The once-strict diet of oatmeal forsacred breakfast, This Nixon/Watergate. Bad are (or different sick) guy!” in theis nuggets abstract: people who in some for lunch and chicken fortweets dinner gradually I discussed via has social media with defining waythese and symbolize, in their differentbeen replaced toaness, include a whole menu ofclaimed items he’ll person metroubles. who to bewords, a theunknown cause of to our In other He said could charged andragprosnow eat withoutlawyer. objection, at Trump any ofbeday no less. we dehumanize. Wetime call people gooks or ecuted for…these statements because presidents heads or weroad, all know list made of obscenities, In short, it’s been a rough but the we’ve seri- are held to higher standards than other folks. Really? and present. ous progress. past Hopefully soon someone willinanswer all …ofor Sociologist Peter Turchin, the wake Still, there’s a maybe long way toofgo … allegations. someHook these the the Sandy killings nearly So fivemuch yearsfor ago, peaceful transfer of power inyou our are nation’s capital. On a friend’s recommendation, I recently checked wrote: “On the battlefield, supposed to try to kill a person whom you’ve never met out a new television series on ABC centering around a Daniel L. Gardner is a syndicated columnist who lives in Starkville, before. You are not trying to kill this particular Miss. HeThe can be Good reached atDoctor. PJandMe2@hotmail.com. physician with ASD: person, you are shooting because he is wearI knew the basic —uniform… and went in with an are ingpremise the enemy . Enemy soldiers open mind — butsocially guys, substitutable.” it made so mad …. LetterS tomethe Andit, mass behaveDr. theShaun same way If you haven’t seen the murderers show is about PoLicy aseDitor soldiers, the “orders” they are obeyMurphy, a surgical residentexcept at a fictitious hospital ing are their own or those of someand marginal Thepast Sentinel-Progress encourages welcomes with ASD and a tragic often revisited through hate-community. The defining letters to the editor. Letters shouldcharacteristic be about issues flash-back scenes.of ofmass murder is not that it’s senseless or general interest and no longer than 500 words. Letters that will be shortened to He also is shown to have savant syndrome. random, but exceed that, to500 thewords murderer, the victims conform toevil. our policies. symbolize This brilliant sort of behavior, in other Murphy is portrayed as lovable, and comWe reserve the to editcelebrated. for grammarSuddenly, and circumstances, is right publicly pletely (but adorably) socially inept. Thethefew doctors but the letter column will forspelling, instance, I’mmeaning thinkingof about theoroutpouring not be altered. should not be— libelous in bad on the show whoofobject hisThey employment citing praise to Donald Trump generated fromormuch taste. We will not publish anonymous letters. Letters very valid reasons, by media the way — the areU.S. displayed of the when droppedasa MOAB

ditorial The E Sentinel-Progress

The Sentinel-Progress

THEIr vIEw

Autism is not a The violence TV punch line comes home again

The Sentinel-Progress

their view

What’s in a name? Plenty, to some

doubt — and I dropped was resentful to conversation. it without hesitation. the people who As the lunch Like a bad habit. (only) gave him became progresMy dad had asked me a name and then sively more and Last week over lunch if I was going to make had nothing more a friend of mine told me more awkward, McNutt my middle to do with him. I finally couldn’t she was getting marHe wasn’t proud name after we took our stand it anymore ried. Now, the news of vows and I laughed sayand I just bluntly her engagement wasn’t Strickly of his name, he ing “Nope, you’ve got asked why in the exactly a surprise to Speaking felt no loyalty to sons to carry that name it and it certainly me. After all, the two of world would he Kasie on — I’m out.” take her name? them had been dating Strickland never brought the But now that it’s feeling of connecI’ve known this for quite some time. gone, I do kinda miss tion or of belongWhat did come as a sur- woman for years it. After all, your name ing to a family. prise was when she told and trust me, she’s not is part of your identity But her’s did. at all one to rock the me he was going to be and I had been “Kasie As she explained, I boat when it comes to taking her last name. McNutt” for nearly 30 felt smaller and smaller social norms. She’s a Wait, what? until I was sure only my years before I became Betty Crocker, conserI know plenty of “Kasie Strickland.” eyes were peeking over vative, Christian, exwomen who hyphenI was ashamed of my the table I wanted to sorority girl — hardly ated their last name judgmental reaction to after jumping the broom the man-whipping, take- crawl under. But I understood what my friend’s news and it no-crap, ultra-feminist, and I know a few who made me realize that as she was saying, it made leftist I would expect just kept their maiden open-minded as I think perfect sense to me. such news from. (Well, names — neither of their view I am when it comes to The question was why maybe not “expect” — which is really considfairness and equality, I did it take an explanabut it would certainly ered a big deal nowation before I was accept- still have a long way to be unsurprising.) days. But for a husband go. ing of it? Should it But then she to take his wife’s name? Here’s to a long and matter who takes who’s explained why … and I had never heard of happy marriage for name in a marriage? I felt like a complete such a thing. the two of them — no Apparently for me, it It felt weird to me and moron. what name is does. Or, it did — Her fiance grew up to be honest, I wasn’t I swore up and down On Wednesday strangers andbut ask if matter This stuff only happens theAnd marriage no longer. innight foster care —mybouncsure howgoing I wastosupI wasn’t write I learned by chance they were written on TV, on right? last I certificate. Whenadopted. I married my from to place posed react. I just ing about to this: It wasSotoo sister hadplace tracked checked my living room husband, Whatever. there wasPrudes no untilher hebirth aged out of sat there with con-fresh — personal, it wasa too down was a far cry from Oprah’s Kasie Strickland is a staff writer question fused on my and itsmile impacted tooface, many system. parents and — by … I would take forstudio. The Sentinel-Progress and his name.As it turns out, He has no of picking at my was salad people. There noasway extension We’ve been texting and —memory my can be reached at kstrickland@ For one, my maiden biological family and she shared her joyful civitasmedia.com. Views expressed Facebook stalking each for me to possibly reduce his brothers and me, we don’t really in this column are those of the name was “McNutt” — feels no real attachment news. Gradually, she other since we met, scrollsuch a life-altering thing siblings she never Strickly look much like writer only and do not necessarily a rougheach name to grow his surname. In fact,Speaking fell as of shemere sensed ing own through uploaded intosilent a series knew shethen, other at allwith — represent the newspaper’s opinion. Black Friday, thecolFri- tonever Since it has comes its deals our communities. Stateup with,similar without a not anything, she said he Kasie my withdrawal photos of our missed time inches. from the ifhad. — but dayumn after Thanksgiving, grown into a powerful and discounts. specific numbers aren’t together and trying to Sometimes there just And I flipped out. Strickland the resemblance I is the unofficial start of In a good movement to give are into eachavailable, but, nationglean insight aren’t words to express way. had pictured in my Shoppers other’s lives. magnitude ofshopping what a Later thatto same mind’s eye. thethe Christmas wide, shoppers spent an back the busiwising up to My youngest brother personbut is feeling — this is night, thanks to the keep wonWe have the same Small Business estimated $15.4 billion season, it’s the next nesses that has taken it upon himone of those times. ders of the internet, we nose, we’re both covered day, Small Business Satour communities Saturday. Last self to try and set up aindependent stores and That being said, it’s were able to video chat. in freckles and we both urday, that really year, reunion, an esti-of which I amrestaurants on last year’s all I can think of, it’sputs all me Tovibrant. sit there, face to face, managed to snag the red will be a repeat of Business Saturday. I’m talking to my friends with myThe sisteridea (it still is positive Small in the holiday spirit. isfeels hair gene although her’smated 112 million that first video call — a lot about and it’s all I can do weird to say that,) well, it a very pretty strawberry That’s money that, for That’s because simple: Instead reportof crying. to keep myself fromSmall shout- was one of the most sur- of blonde to my auburn. people the most start, stays in Business Saturday, which sitting at home and ing shopping at I don’t know what the ing it from the rooftops. real experiences of my life. I couldn’t Ben tell for sure, holds for us as the a community. gonna I had known since I wasor but I think she’s tall likesmallfuture falls So onyeah, Nov.I’m25 this ordering online businesses Homeyer family but I do know that write about it. Because 15-years-old that she exist- my (our) brothers. When you shop local year, isn’t about getting driving to the nearon Small BusiContributing I’m excited beyond words that’s what writers do. ed, but without having any You would think after and shop small, you’re up before est shopping center30-plus ness Saturday, at the possibility of even And I’lldawn, cut rightfightto the information to go on (not years there would columnist having a future with her supporting your friends you jostling guys, I havewith a evenor a name) I never had be a ton of informationa 13-percent ingchase: traffic, big-box store, in it. We may have lost the neighbors. You’re sister. and standing in any real of exchanged during that increase and crowds youexpectations shop at small, from the past, but we have the rest The back story is a com- any sort of a reunion. first conversation but in supporting your comlong linesoftoteenage save hearta few Over locally-owned before, according of our lives toto make up bination the years I’ve businesses reality, it wasyear a whole lot munity. When you shop for it.National bucks things for about things survey ache,on adoption andno theone thought her you often simply of crying andagasping andby the Danielle, welcome at a chain store, most of worst-kept “Oh my G-d,Federation I can’t believe of Indepenasked for. “family secret” and would can’t find findmyself at the mall. home. in history but honestly, a double-take when- this is happening!” the money goes back to Small Business Satur- doing Andsee instead of dealing Business (NFIB) that part isn’t my story ever I would someone I still can’t dent quite wrap Kasie Strickland is a staff writer some corporate office daytoistellaand dayI won’t to celebrate temporary workers andit American Express. betray who with I thought looked my head around and for The Sentinel-Progress and somewhere, but when discussing Butdon’t just inknow case the find myself checking my those can bewho reached at kstrickland@ andconfidences support by the small, like me. who merAmong

Oh sister, where art thou?

THEIr vIEw

Black Friday has nothing on Small Business Saturday

COLUMN WRITING 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Tommy Martin The Cherokee Chronicle

HUMOR COLUMN WRITING

WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 & OVER 4,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Ettie Newlands Carolina Forest Chronicle

Betty Moses Myrtle Beach Herald

I don’t need Alexa. I have a Jeff

n my 81-plus years, I have seen some wondrous things, especially in technology. I have ridden in a rumble seat on the back of a 1930s Ford coupe, I have spent hours listening to the radio on Saturday mornings, and I remember running into the house crying as a small plane flew over the small mill town where I lived, positve it was going to fall on my head. As I grew older, I graduated from radio to television and 45 rpm records as my main sources of entertainment. I have flown across the sky in a prop airliner, a jet plane and a small Piper Club, and I’m still terrified of flying. Some things never change. Through my grandsons. I learned the art of game playing and became a whiz at Sonic the Hedgehog and Mortal Combat. Then I took to computers like a fish to water. But I think the latest advances in technology have gotten out of hand. Consider the latest models of energy-saving washing machines. They wash your dirty laundry with almost no water and there’s something not right about that.

MYRTLE BEACH HERALD Page 5A

| OPINION |

October 20, 2017

I want to hear the swish-swish of hot soapy water being circulated back and forth through | MY SENIOR | my clothing and bedMOMENT sheets and BETTY the gurgle of MOSES water going down the drain when the dirt is washed away. Then there’s the computerized refrigerator. Since I can remember ice being delivered to the house in blocks by the ice man, I hardly find it necessary to have a camera inside your Westinghouse that can let you know in the grocery store what you need to replenish I already know I have a surplus of condiments and much-too-old leftovers in my fridge without a computer telling me so. And I find it kinda creepy to think a security system is looking over my shoulder and will question me if I burn the cookies. A sudden voice speaking to me from the walls of my kitchen when I’m alone would certainly cause my blood pres-

sure to spike and my heart to skip a beat. I’ve become buddies with Siri in my iPhone, and I utilize her help many times a day. She knows my habits, knows what I want to say before I say it and she is a fount of knowledge, readily available at my fingertips or the sound of my voice. Which brings me to Alexa — she’s that tubelike device that sits on the table and orders new sox for Alex Baldwin and plays Jeopardy with a room full of party goers. She can switch lights on and off and evidently has a direct connection with Amazon. It’s already too easy to place an order on Amazon by a click or two of the mouse. My bank account would certainly suffer if all I had to do was desire it and say it. I don’t need an Alexa in my life to obey my slightest command or instantly fill my requests. I have a Jeff and that’s all I need. If a mama has a good loving and thoughtful son in her life, anything else is unnecessary. But I do wonder why Jeff had a guilty look on his face recently when I caught him checking out an Alexa device at Costco.

A real character

ink was away from home, working on a new drama series for Sony. He was leading the writers’ room where a group

to, jumped up and ran away. It was pretty funny. Accidentally funny

biggest smile whenever I encountered her. She was a spinster as was Henrietta Estes whose family had owned a department store.

TOM O’DARE from Page 4A There’s not enough room here to describe everything I saw Tuesday but some things just jumped out. First, one incredible fact about Myrtle Beach High School can be seen through an array of flags in the school cafeteria. They represent the students from 22 countries that attend the school, with 18 distinct, separate languages that are spoken. And amazingly, each of the students receive as much quality education as the next, regardless of their background. I watched a group of students make presentations to a panel of judges about research they had done on finding apps for the school to use. The group was part of a new, innovative program called Seahawk New Tech that combines project-based learning with the latest in technology. There were advanced placement classes with subjects many would consider to be on par with college courses. In fact, one AP core requires a 40 plus page dissertation to complete the course. I’m really glad that wasn’t a requirement in my high school. On the other end of the learning spectrum, and just as important, were the special education courses. Here, students were learning real world life skills and in one class, they were making small knitted hats that are going to be given to newborns at the hospital. Folks, it doesn’t get any better than seeing the pride these students have in that project. Washburn admits that many people think of football when they think of MBHS. And he’s very proud of the successful program coach Mickey Wilson has established, but he also

the

wants the school to be known for other successes. He calls his concept the 3 A’s—academics, athletics and the arts. And speaking of the arts…one segment of the art department teaches digital photography. After viewing the outstanding work these students have done, I found a young lady with an incredible talent for taking sports photos. You’re going to be seeing her work soon in the Herald’s sports section. I could go on and on about everything going on in those halls everyday but it all comes down to a few basic facts. In his five years at the school, Washburn has come up with some very innovative ideas and he’s surrounded himself with professionals who love their jobs and love their students. You can tell immediately that this principal truly loves what he does and is more than dedicated to his school, his staff and especially his students. I asked how many hours a week he puts in and he just laughed and said, “I have no idea.” He’s there by seven each morning and says he tries to get home by six in the evening. That’s of course unless there’s a ballgame or some program going on; then he’s right there until the last person leaves. It’s real easy to overlook our schools or get caught up in the politics of education at a higher level. But when it comes down to it, the schools are our future. And if most are like MBHS, we’re in pretty good shape. And after all these years, I have to admit it. The principal’s job isn’t that easy after all. And I was just there for a day.

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eks, families and inviduals should sit wn together and ornize an emergency pply kit that includes d for three days and her essentials, includemergency contact ormation that is writdown. &gt; Power down: In e of flooding, resid know how to turn main electric breaker mes. sidents would be well keep an eye on the o are watching the sest. nal Weather Service y of storm watchers, nd volunteers, who ng more than reportng news about the d despite all the jokes weatherman, meteoave been slowly imeir game, thanks in ovements in technol-

g to Seth Borenstein, on science issues for ated Press news serorologists can now e-day forecast as acthey were reporting orecasts 10 years ago. e forecasts were twice year than they were en the National Hurer predicted the paths ms, including Hurria. Then, predictions m would be 36 hours ccurate within 97 year, they were about te 72 hours before a Borenstein said last

American studies courses offered only as electives? How are we ever going to move forward if we all don’t first understand the past, by talking about it? These courses should be mandated in grades 10-12. Why do three high schools have 19 assistant principals? Why do we have police officers in our schools? Why don’t students recite the Pledge of Allegiance at each day’s start? When did respect

better ways to honor relatives and the past besides waving outdated f lags, which have nothing to do with inclusive American heritage. Let’s not ignore the past, let’s learn from it. Why do we never receive letters from our representatives at any level informing us that they voted, on any issue, based strictly upon what constituents wanted, instead of what they wanted? There is a stench waft-

ship pretty much run that market. If Highway 78 is built out with five lanes and development, will its speed limit match the ridiculously slow speed set on re-done Bacon Bridge Road? Why did Summerville Town Council not just end funeral escorts by off-duty officers? An increase from $50 per funeral, to $110 per intersection is saying the same thing. Whew. Why aren’t county and local

ers from outside disturbance possibilities. Eleven years and going strong, locally and nationally. (Confession: I am a member, as anyone may be.) W. Carolina Ave is the prettiest road in town…is it Summer yet?

HUMOR COLUMN WRITING

WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 & OVER 4,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED John Schwendler is a retired AF NCO and teacher who moved to Summerville with his wife Ann, two cats and the dog in 2015.

Note to grads: Think before getting neck tattoos

Opinions

The Summerville

JOURNAL SCENE MICHAEL CHAUVIN Publisher

DAVID KENNARD Executive editor

mazingly, it’s happened • I’m going to sound like Dave AGAIN: I wasn’t asked Ramsey, but here goes: Never Editorial to speak — to share my buy aOpinion newShaper car; you lose money pearls of wisdom — at a single driving it off the lot. Live beHarbor project a your commencement. But that’s Main Street model neath will I’ll have OK; just share this blueprint way. m e a n s . for transformation significant local Learn t he economic impact S Dear Graduates: d i f fe r e nc e • Have the courage of your b e t we en a A convictions, but keep an open want and a mind. ne e d . You Harbor • You’re not an adult when you need a car; Impact turn 18, or 21. You’re an adult you want a when you can navigate rushgrande caphour traffic in Atlanta without puccino evJulie R. losing your religion. er y mor nSmith • Speaking of religion, there is ing. no more personal topic. C.S. • If you get Lewis doesn’t have all the an- the chance to travel—for work swers, and neither did Martin or for fun—do it. You will nevLuther. Read the Bible, read the er forget hiking in Alaska. You Talmud, read the Christian Sci- will never remember all the ence Monitor. Explore, investi- grande cappuccinos you sucked gate, come to your own conclu- down. sions. I couldn’t do life without Letters • Before you have a kid, you to the Editor God, but it has to be said: The might want to practice first on Name calling over zoning Spending millions on ordinance uncalled fora pet. Or better yet, roundabout is a waste most moral, compassionate a plant. (Evof money person I know is an atheist ery plant I touch dies within from New Jersey. days, so it’s a good thing I’m • Few issues are black-and- childless.) white. Life has more shades of • You’re going to tune this out, gray than you can fathom right but I’ll say it anyway: Tattoos now. matter. If your goal is to work in

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

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massive project to benefit South Carolina’s Lowcountry took another step forward last week with the signing of a Project Partnership Agreement between the Army Corps of Engineers and the South Carolina Ports Authority. The move signals the official start of the construction phase of the Charleston Harbor Deepening project that will, when finished, give us the deepest harbor on the East Coast The Issue: The — 52 feet. Charleston Harbor Once completed, Deepening project Charleston Harbor’s navihas begun its congation channel will be lowstruction phase. ered by 7 feet allowing loOur Take: We celecal ports to handle the bigbrate the promised ger cargo ships now navieconomic impact of gating around the globe. this massive project. “I’m pleased that the Take Action: Contact your elected officials Charleston Harbor Deepening project is entering to provide feedback on how you think this into a new phase, and I think that everyone inwill benefit our revolved is excited to start to gion. see the fruits of their labor be put into action,” said U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford. “Once completed, the Port of Charleston will offer the deepest harbor on the East Coast with unrestricted capability to handle post-Panamax vessel calls. It’s impressive to see such an important project sticking to its rigorous schedule.” The cost of the project is expected to be about $529 million, slightly less than the cost of the Ravenel Bridge that connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant. Like the bridge project, the deepening project will take several years, starting slowly at first and then quickly moving into something visible. Enormous cutter-head dredges will scrape through the harbor floor, a collection of hard and soft material beginning about 3 miles beyond Fort Sumter. The channel deepening will move toward the peninsula then up the Cooper and Wando rivers to the cargo ship terminals. And, like the bridge project, the harbor deepening project will be another beacon to the world that the Lowcountry is open for business on a global scale. Ranked as the eighth most valuable port in the country in terms of cargo imported and exported across its docks, the Port of Charleston handled $75.7 billion in imports and exports traded across its docks in 2015. The port employs about 8,000 people directly, but supports about 187,600 jobs, providing an annual economic impact about $53 billion. The compounded value, which includes countless peripheral support services and jobs is hard to measure, but the state estimates the port represents about 10 percent of the state’s annual gross product. This project will enhance the port’s value and bolster an already booming local economy in Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston counties. The bulk of the $529 million cost of the project will be paid for by the federal government. The ports authority will pay $199 million, according to the agreement. Once finished, about 9 million cubic yards of material will be removed, much of it used to create fishing reefs and oyster grounds. We celebrate this significant step forward in our region’s economic timeline and look forward to the prosperity it promises.

ince 1992, Summerville DREAM has been an important part of the landscape of Summerville’s historic district. Long-time residents can no doubt remember those days, when almost half of the commercial district was vacant and empty buildings nearly outnumbered those occupied with retail, restaurants, or services. Some wondered whether the historic district would survive. Fast forward 25 years and the picture is much different. The vast majority of the district is occupied, and while people can disagree about elements such as whether the business mix is right, the survival of the historic district is no longer in question. Thanks to the vision of people such as Rick Sutton and Cada McCoy, who first had the idea for Summerville DREAM, the Main Street model has played a significant role in downtown’s comeback. It’s important to understand this history to understand the next step in DREAM’s evolution. Because of the work that has been done so capably by so many people over the past two-plus decades, downtown is no longer in crisis mode. Instead, we are able to shift into a mode of preservation and sustainability. This doesn’t mean downtown is perfect. There will always be room for improvement. But it does mean that DREAM is able to change its focus from rebuilding to maintaining what has been built and working with our partners to strategically develop new business opportunities as the natural cycle of business openings and closings occurs. This evolution dovetails nicely with work done by the National Main Street Center (NMSC) earlier this year to refresh the Main Street model. There were no wholesale changes made, but the model now better reflects a datacentered, outcomes-driven process

The story about the Summerville’s zoning battle published in Monday’s Post & Courier brought smiles to me. It does however “boggle’’ my mind how anyone could think a 1936 built house, at a $575.000 price tag would be called IDEALE for a non-profit ARK program. I do however extend my sincere appreciation to Peg Lahmeyer for resolving this issue with the Historic District’s best interest in mind — in hopes for a better location and lower future maintenance. Hopefully town councilman Bill McIntosh’s attitude will also be resolved. It was totally out of order, his namecalling against Peter Gorman, who is a proud homeowner in the Historic Dis-

that seeks to transform our downtown to move towards what we collectively want it to become. The process starts with data collection. Market studies and retail analysis provide Michael part of the picture. Lisle What’s equally important, however, is input from Summerville residents on what they want out of their downtown. To that end, DREAM will be hosting a series of community visioning meetings in August and September to allow opportunities for residents to share their hopes and dreams for our downtown. All of this data – the qualitative and the quantitative – will be used to develop what the NMSC calls “community transformation strategies.” Our goal through the data collection and analysis is to identify 1-2 such strategies, which will form the basis of our work for an 18-24 month period starting in January 2018. Work on these strategies will continue to be done across the four core committees of the Main Street model: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization. Each committee will take on relevant tasks to accomplish these strategies in the specified time frame. Finally, DREAM will measure both its progress towards and achievement of these goals. Periodic assessments along the way will tell us if we are moving in the right direction. A summative evaluation at the end of the 1824 month period will tell us whether we collectively have accomplished the work we set out to do, or if more work remains to be done. It will also be

trict and a large contributor of his time and talents — and qualified experienced dealings in town issues of “We The People. To say Peter is dishonest, deceitful and disgraceful is simply not true. There are a few of our council people that need a history lesson, that is We the People only lend our powers to them, and Mr. Gorman will help us redistribute them to some other citizen. You simply just cannot offer $300-aplate dinners and expect excellence in leadership. Summerville so richly deserves better, and thanks to folks like Peg Laymeyer, Peter Gorman, Mayor Wiley Johnson and so many other problem solvers, our opponents get fewer each and every day. Thanks Be to God

used, along with another round of visioning meetings and data analysis, to set the direction for the next set of transformation strategies. The importance of this work is that we are building a downtown not just for those of us who live in Summerville today, but for those who will come along after us. We must recognize that growth will continue to come to our area. Our best alternative is to plan for it and build a downtown that will attract the economic benefit of that growth while respecting and preserving our history as best we can. So how can you help DREAM in this effort? There are several important ways to get involved: - Attend and participate in one of the visioning meetings in August and September. We will announce the meeting schedule on our website (www.summervilledream.org) and through the Journal Scene in the coming weeks. - Join one of our committees and help us plan and execute the work of implementing the transformation strategies. Whether your interest is in economic development, marketing and events, building design, or simply helping DREAM raise funds and build friends, your active involvement is needed. You can find thorough descriptions of the committees on our website. - Volunteer to be part of the work of strategy implementation. You can have a direct hand in helping to transform our downtown. However you are able, we encourage you to get involved. The Main Street model is effective, but it only works when we have everyone participating. Michael Lisle is the executive director of Summerville DREAM. He may be reached at 843-821-7260 or michael@summervilledream.org.

I was surprised by the headline “Council moves funds to W. Butternut roundabout” in the July 19 Journal Scene. I live in Pine Forest and the intersection truly is a zoo. Dorchester County plans to spend $2.85 million to install a roundabout at the West Butternut-Orangeburg Road intersection. How stupid is that? There are two easier fixes. The first is free; eliminate the stop signs on Orangeburg Road. The second, installing a traffic light, is significantly cheaper than $2.85 million.

Opinions

The Summerville

JOURNAL SCENE MICHAEL CHAUVIN Publisher

DAVID KENNARD Executive editor

the finance industry, don’t get a • Some people are less evolved neck tattoo. If you want to teach than others. Don’t judge, espekindergarten, hold off on the cially if they happen to be your Opinion Shaper full-sleeve tattoo unless you’re boss or parents. They have their committed to wearing Fight hatred, fear sweaters journey and you have yours. and domestic terrorTattoos Plus, your parents can disown for your entire career. ideals with American can be beautiful body art, but— you and your boss can fire you. rightly or wrongly—people in a • Mindfully put your phone T position to hire you may be down a few times every weekjudgmental. So give them less end and talk to whoever’s to judge. around. Unless it’s a weird guy • By all means, pray for God in a raincoat, then go back to to send you a soulmate, but re- your phone. But keep an eye on member: God will never send him. Letter to the Editor you someone else’s spouse. • Do what you love. If I had a • Drugs and alcohol: Dabble tattoo, that’s what it would say. if you must, but I don’t know Do what you love and find a many successful potheads. way to get paid for it. I know a Happy hour can be a fun way to woman who was a nurse, a network, but watch your intake. good one, but it didn’t fulfill You don’t want to be known as her like she thought it would. the co-worker who always has She quit, went to beauty school, to be driven home. and now she cuts hair all day. Contact your legislators • Never play poker with a red- She’s also deliriously happy. headed woman wearing black • Forgive everybody. Nothing underwear. You will lose. holds you down like a grudge. • There’s more to life than It’s like walking around in consalted caramel and Netflix. Go crete shoes. find out what it is. • You can never have too Julie R. Smith, who just much education, just like you loves to lecture, can be can never have too much salted reached at widdleswife@aol. Letters policy caramel. com. Wednesday, August 23, 2017

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here is nothing “right” about racism and hate. It’s a learned disease, and the best antidote is unity. Last weekend’s events involving white supremacist groups are as disturbing and disgusting as they are heartbreaking. The attack was a stark reminder of the darkness of hate. We must come together, as we have before, to confront the issues that chip away at the very foundation of who we are and what we stand for as a country. Unfortunately, the people of South Carolina know this type of domestic terrorism all too well. Our response to the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, should mirror our response to the murders at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston. Condemnation of racism. Swift justice for a terrorist. And unity for the community that grieves. It starts with calling the attack in Charlottesville by its name. This was an act of domestic terror, perpetrated by a hate-filled person attacking his fellow citizens. Our country has a motto that should ring true now as it has many times throughout our history: e pluribus unum, out of many, one. We are a country of many. And we are the greatest country the world has ever seen. My story is just one story indicative of a larger narrative. As I often say, my family went from cotton to Congress in just one generation. That’s because of the opportunity our nation provides to all its people. Our nation’s strength lies in our diversity. We are powerful and accepting, and should stand ready to defend liberty and justice for all. I believe that the greatest, underappreciated threat we face is the unraveling that occurs from the inside out. We must stay unified. We must hold true to what makes us who we are as a nation. We are Americans. From all walks of life. From many different backgrounds. Everyone working towards the American Dream. Nowhere in that dream is there room for racism. Nowhere in that dream is there room for hate. It should go without saying that there is absolutely no room for violence. Not in Charleston. Not in Charlottesville. Not in Alexandria, or anywhere else a hatefilled individual decides to show his or her face. Am I angry that racism ex-

ists in this country I love so dearly? Absolutely. But I know that it is not indicative of the vast majority of Senator Tim Scott Americans. Overwhelmingly we believe in the words, “We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” I also know that our best chance to defeat racism is in continually expressing our most American of ideals. That we are one nation made of many peoples. That we are one nation under God. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We must all learn to live together as brothers — or we will all perish together as fools.” I encourage us all to reach out to those who may hold a different viewpoint and extend a hand. A good friend and colleague, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., and I launched an initiative called Solution Sunday to help get folks from different walks of life to sit down for a meal and get to know one another. Not only to discuss what we might have in common, but most important to candidly discuss our differences. We should encourage everyone to engage in civil conversation, and to always choose to counter hatred and fear with the blunt force of unity. We all must choose a team in moments like these. Will we be on the side of violence and hate? Or on the side of unity? I choose to be on the side of America. That’s my team. One that represents justice, liberty, equality and opportunity. I know that God will continue to bless us as a nation, and I pray for healing in the days and weeks to come. My thoughts are especially with the families of Heather Heyer, Virginia State Police officers H. Jay Cullen and Berke M.M. Bates, those injured, and the families and loved ones affected by the weekend’s tragedies. Tim Scott is a Republican U.S. senator from South Carolina. Contact him at 843727-4525.

Letters must include the author’s full name, address and daytime phone number. Letters with more than one author will not be accepted. Letters longer than 300 words may be edited for length. Send letters via e-mail to editor@journalscene.com or mail letters to Editor, The Summerville Journal Scene, P.O. Box 715, Summerville, S.C. 29484.

BY JULIE R. SMITH For the Journal Scene

inch of mattress. Because I must keep a stranglehold on my lone, limp feather pillow lest it be plucked away and added to Widdle’s victory pile. (He packs them under his head, back, hips and elbows. The only body part actually touching the bed is his heels.) I believe marriage requires partners to love and respect each other’s hearts, minds and bodies. I do love and respect my husband. But I also want to kill him. And any jury that hears my story will let me walk. My defense will be sleep stress, the kind that happens when you are horizontal with another human being for 50-plus hours a week. Co-sleeping, when you stop

and really think about it, is bizarre. As children, we sleep alone in a crib, a toddler bed, and then a big bed. Julie R. In fact, we Smith sleep alone until we co-habitate with a significant other. And that’s when we are suddenly, magically, supposed to enjoy sharing a bed, even though decades of solo sleep have trained us otherwise. I actually grew up sleeping in the same double bed as my older sister Moonbeam. She was not a cuddly sister, whis-

Stop bashing the VA I served in the Marine Corps from 1973-1976. I am fortunate to receive my medical care at the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans hospital in Charleston, SC for the past eight years. In 2016, I had both knees and both shoulders replaced in the space of eight months. Yes, I know post operative pain in ways I do not wish on anyone. Well, almost anyone. I received substantial pain medication tablets in the hundreds. At the end of each prescription there was no withdrawal, or any need to rob a pharmacy. In fact I could have used a little more to ease the pain of each procedure. My

surgeons Dr. James Detorre, and Dr. Shane Woolf although sympathetic, rightfully refused my additional requests. There has been a political campaign to demonized physicians at the VA throughout the system. In the words of Hillary Clinton, who is married to a draft dodger, “Bags of Opioid to our Veterans.” Yes, there is a nationwide addiction issue. However, it is disgraceful to imply or outright accuse professional caregivers at the VA as complicit. I speak with empirical knowledge all protocols are intact. In addition some veterans not receiving care in a timely manner are themselves responsible

Town of Summerville

Dorchester County

Mayor Wiley Johnson, 843851-4239, MayorJohnson@ SummervilleSC.gov Aaron Brown, Dist. 1, 843261-9677, abrown@summervillesc.gov Christine Czarnik, Dist. 2, 843-871-8750, CCzarnik@ SummervilleSC.gov Walter Bailey, Dist. 3, 843509-7744, WBailey@SummervilleSC.gov William “Bill” McIntosh, Dist. 4, 843-437-2010, WMcIntosh@SummervilleSC.gov Kima Gar ten-Schmidt, Dist. 5, 843-821-9337, KGarten-Sch m idt@Su m mervilleSC.gov Bob Jackson, Dist. 6, 843810-0449, BJackson@SummervilleSC.gov

Willie R. Davis, D-Dist. 1, 843-832-0196, 843-563-0196 David Chinnis, R-Dist. 2, 843-801-2326, 843-832-0196 George H. Bailey, R-Dist. 3, 843-563-2314, 843-832-0196 Larry Hargett, R-Dist. 4, 843-514-7135, 843-832-0196 Con Chellis, R-Dist. 5, 843832-0196 William R. Hearn Jr., RDist. 6, 843-851-8383, 843442-5787 Jay Byars, R-Dist. 7, 843832-0196, 843-563-0196

for not taking ownership of their appointments. There are more than 300,000 associates in the Veterans Administration caring for millions of veterans going back to World War II. As a veteran, you must follow up on your own appointments. If you are not scheduled for a health issue, call and get scheduled. There is also the web page “My Health Vet” that allows every veteran receiving care to manage appointments, medication and secure messaging to providers. You must find a way to be involved with your health care and not whine. My God! Where is your military discipline and tenacity to accomplish your mission? Every vet-

eran has been and will always be part of the fabric that has kept America great. I don’t wish to see the less than honorable use veterans or veteran care givers for political or personal gain. Finally, a loud shout out to all the volunteers at the Ralph H. Johnson hospital especially transportation. Jerry, Bob, and all the others who find the time to shuttle veterans back and forth to keep our appointments. You are the best and have hearts the size of the Grand Canyon. May God always be with you.

Dorchester, Senate District 38, 601 Gressette Bldg., Columbia 29201, 803-212-6116 or 843821-3009. Home 843-8213352, Rep. Chris Murphy, RNor t h Cha rleston House District 98, 308A Blatt Bldg., Columbia 29201, Business 803-212-6925 or 843-8321120. Sen. Paul Campbell, RDorchester Cou nt y, Senate District 39, 604 Gressette B l d g . , C o lu m bi a 2 9 2 01. Business 803-212-6016 or 843296-1001. Home 843-5690089. Rep. Patsy Knight, D-St. George, House District 97, 306B Blatt Bldg., Columbia 29201. Business 803-734-2960 Sen. John Matthews, D-St.

George, Orangeburg, Senate District 39, 613 Gressette Bldg. Columbia 29201. Business 803212-6056. Home 803-8292383.

Michael DiDato Summerville

U.S. House and Senate

Rep. Mark Sanford, R-Dist. 1, 2201 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515-4001. 202-225-3176. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Dist. 6, 242 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515. 202-225-3315. Sen. Lindsey Graham, RS.C., 290 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20510. 202- 224-5972 Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., 520 Hart Senate Off ice Bldg., Washington, DC 20510. 202224-6121.

as a Boy Scout learnerence between cuds and cumulonimwe also relied on the Weather Rock as a way eather — if it was wet, g; if it was hot, the experience Might be time to bring back twin beds for marital bliss s dry; if the rock was A shiny chin is part of the boiled peanut Contact Your Legislators ke shelter. I of all this is, that it I e to prepare ahead of Town of Summerville SummervilleSC.gov 843-563-2314, 843-832-0196 20515-4001. 202-225-3176. n a state level and perMayor Wiley Johnson, 843Kima Garten-Schmidt, Dist. Larry Hargett, R-Dist. 4, 843Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Dist. 6, 851-4239, MayorJohnson@ 5, 843-821-9337, KGarten514-7135, 843-832-0196 242 Cannon House Office SummervilleSC.gov Schmidt@SummervilleSC. Con Chellis, R-Dist. 5, 843Building Washington, DC nnard is the execuAaron Brown, Dist. 1, 843gov 832-0196 20515. 202-225-3315. of Summerville 261-9677, abrown@summerBob Jackson, Dist. 6, 843William R. Hearn Jr., R-Dist. 6, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Rations, which pub- villesc.gov 810-0449, BJackson@Sum843-851-8383, 843-442-5787 South Carolina, 290 Russell Letters policy erkeley IndepenChristine Czarnik, Dist. 2, mervilleSC.gov Jay Byars, R-Dist. 7, 843-832- Senate Office Building, Washe Creek Gazette and 843-871-8750, CCzarnik@ 0196, 843-563-0196 ington, DC 20510. 202- 224Dorchester County e Journal Scene. SummervilleSC.gov 843-324-6732 5972 m at dkennard@ Walter Bailey, Dist. 3, 843Willie R. Davis, D-Dist. 1, Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carwoke up Sunday with puffy fingers and swollen eyes. I smiled at my moon face in the mirror, because what happened Saturday night that made me a blimp 12 hours later was worth it. What happened was boiled peanuts, and I regret nothing. That’s because boiled peanuts are worth it. A mess of boiled peanuts in a paper sack is brinier than a Salty Dog or a bag of pretzel sticks, and I can eat a pound in 30 minutes. My husband has timed me. I don’t love boiled peanuts because I’m a daughter of the South—I actually prefer Miracle Whip to Duke’s mayo and never drink iced tea. I love boiled peanuts because they are satisfying in the way an unexpected Saturday afternoon nap is satisfying,

the way walking through wet sand in bare feet is satisfying. It’s a deep, primal reward, to shell and eat peanuts that taste faintly of soil and sea. I admit boiled Julie R. peanuts can be Smith an acquired taste. Some friends have tried and failed to like them. I don’t judge, since I feel the same way about oysters. Part of the problem may be that there is no graceful way to eat boiled peanuts. You eat them by squeezing open the damp, perfectly aligned shell. Discard the top and marvel at how the red, glistening legumes inside fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puz-

Sue George Summerville

zle. Then raise the shell and flick the peanuts into your mouth. Repeat several dozen times. If you do it right, your chin will be shiny, your hands will be wet to the wrist and your fingertips will shrivel like those of a child who stayed in the tub too long. By the way, boiled peanuts are not parched. They are not roasted. They are not fried. They are by-golly boiled, preferably in a battered roasting pan set across two red-hot stove burners. (You could cook boiled peanuts in a pressure cooker or Crockpot. You could also eat a chocolate Easter bunny in October, but it would feel all kinds of wrong. Stick with a lidded pot on the stove.) My dad could boil peanuts like a master. He used only green peanuts, which are in season un-

Neal Lowe Summerville

til around October. Green peanuts are moist and perishable, so buy ‘em and boil ‘em. Dried raw peanuts can be stored for months, but require a longer boil to make them tender. Dad’s recipe: Pour two gallons of water in roaster, add a cup of salt and, I quote, “enough peanuts to fill the pot.” Put the lid on the roaster and bring contents to a rolling boil. Reduce heat slightly and boil for two hours before you start sampling. For firm peanuts, that should do it. For softer nuts, boil at least another hour, and keep adding water and salt to taste. You can find canned boiled peanuts in the grocery store, but purists avoid those. You may also see fresh boiled peanuts offered for sale in Cajun and barbecue flavors. That’s like a roadside

stand selling maple-flavored tomatoes. Why mess with perfection? If you think I’m batty about boiled peanuts, check out www. boiledpeanutworld.com. There’s a boiling blog, a green peanut vs. dried peanut page, a 600-word recipe for cooking peanuts, and a biography of George Washington Carver, who used peanuts to make many products, from soap to lamp oil. The site doesn’t say so, but rumor has it Carver preferred his peanuts boiled and briny. I’d salute this great man, but my hands are wrist deep in a bag of… you know. Julie R. Smith, who learned not to drink beer with boiled peanuts, can be reached at widdleswife@aol.com.

believe that one day I will stand before my maker and account for my life. I also believe that all earthly mysteries will be answered. One of the top questions I have holstered for that day is: Did God intend for husbands and wives to actually, literally, truly share a bed? Because I can’t believe His intent was sleepless nights, ear-splitting snorefests and pitched battles over sheets and blankets. I’m not being blasphemous, I’m asking because I haven’t slept eight hours in 12 years. Because I lose every predawn skirmish for even an

S.C. House and Senate

Rep. Katie Arrington, RSummerville, House District 94, 308D Blatt Bldg., Columbia 29201, 843-442-9047. Sen. Sea n Bennet t, R-

pering secrets and braiding my hair—and who can blame her? Imagine her POV: She had to sleep with a wriggly, hyper brat until she was 18 and left for college. Can you imagine how happy she was to escape to a dorm room with a twin bed? Today, I love sleeping solo. When Widdle isn’t home, I neatly peel back a third of the sheet and bedspread, push over the pillow sham, crawl in and sleep like the dead. I don’t move three inches. In the morning I crawl out, pull up the sheet, bedspread and sham, and walk away refreshed and restored. Sleeping with Widdle is about as refreshing as being buried alive.

Every morning I awake groggy and senseless, at least halfway under my 200-pound husband, and wondering how long I’ve been without oxygen. Yes, I know they make kingsized beds. I also know that, no matter how big the bed is, at some point someone’s going to get kicked or steamrolled or sweated on. We won’t even discuss other mishaps in the marital bed, usually followed by, “Sorry, didn’t know you were there.” Where did he think I was, on the roof? Take Saturday night. Please take it. We stayed at the river, where the bedroom is hot anyway, and it was a dreadful, slo-mo train wreck of fitful sleep, confused semi-

wakefulness, and slap fights. After hours of Widdle’s snoring, thrashing and cryptic snippets of speech (“The red one, Ethel!”), at 7:04 a.m. I took stock of the situation. Widdle was swaddled, head-to-toe, in the entire top sheet. I was wide awake, clinging to three inches of bare mattress as he whistled and gurgled in happy slumber. My back hurt, my eyes were gritty and my head was pounding. I felt like I had a hangover, only without the wine. Is it too late for twin beds? Julie R. Smith, who loves her husband when he’s awake, can be reached at widdleswife@aol.com.

FIRST PLACE Julie R. Smith The Summerville Journal Scene

HUMOR COLUMN WRITING 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Klonie Jordan perspective tive perspective The Gaffney Ledger

SIMBAUGH TAR PARKER

vs. Schumer emp media on taxes p insecure

I’m for making things better for everyone. And the main focus of my work is improving the lives of low-income d rank-andAmericans. mp’s victory. So why do I love the beginning tax reform package hance of that President Trump h less the has proposed? Shouldn’t my sympaHillary thies be with Senate uring the Minority Leader their calcuPARKER DChuck AVID LIMBAUGH Schumer, who lf life. Sure tax cuts “makes life easier the ampaign, they unloaded onfor him d special interests” and “harder uld never win. They all but calledfor ss andthem, loweritincome Americans”? . For has been downhill wer is, I have been watching liberals for aim are “for the poor” andare then ansthey and leftist constituencies ies hurtW them. henthat George . Bush beat Al Gore in think that you Peterthemselves by taking he election, theyhelp worked I think you help both Peter and Paul by hich they now had to actually worry eauthoritarian best possible tendencies, conditions for opportueven h of them. you create the best possible conditions ogies to malign Bush, but those unity both andwill Paul? Freedom. eallyfor fear thatPeter Trump declare data and studies show that countries oratorium on women’s freedoms — he most economic freedom — good laws tsfeared, life andmuch property low taxes, nonine less, complained ulation, limited government — he are the ess authoritarianism, because erous. And even the poorest in these ported. They were tickled pink re far better off than the poorest he DREAM Act by executive orderin without economic freedom. t he didn’t have the authority to do t needthe a Ph.D. in economics ected measure. They hadto noundercountry that punishes is sa under Obamacare, and success they were less wealthy than a country that f the Justice Department and the

resident ty over his edia coverwhose inse-

eight liberalthat control ion, ityears is notunder surprising theyhave ster economically . From 1950 until ghhanded as Obama — but to furerage the U.S. economy grew 3.5 pertheir sacred liberal one. Nowatthey ar. Since 2008, it has 2 onstitution again — grown thoughbarely there is rpresidential year. pen to repeal unlawful es this mean? Hoover Institution econoCochrane points out thatseen average sue here. Have you ever the income, adjusted for inflation, ng Democratic president? Havegrew you 0 in 1952 to $50,000 in 2008. If the econointerrogate a Democratic presidenis period grew atto 2 percent instead ether he intends be truthful? Theof income in 2008 would have isaverage palpable. 0 instead of $50,000. and Jonathan Lemire characterize great economic after 2008? he popular vote slowdown because 3 million to there a recession when Iause admit thatwas I have no idea what

JANUARY 30, 2017 PAGE 4THEMONDAY, GAFFNEY LEDGER

M I TS’TEPHEN SLIBERTY J UST M BEOORE ELLE All you need is growth Trump budget revives

As sure as the cuckoo clock chimes at midnight, the left is bloviating that Donald Trump’s tax plan will blowHillary a $5 trillion hole in the President Trump’s budgClinton bashes deficit.etMany of the comproposal forpeople its “unimaginable level of cruelty.” plaining loudest wereDemocratic in the Obama Almost every politician, and most administration andmedia, helped are preside mainstream saying the same. Don’t over abelieve $9 trillion tidalbudget, wave of released new it. The last week, dignidebt. Now they are fiscally chaste. fies work. It reforms federal anti-poverty proSure. grams that have kept people dependent on governThey maintain that a tax cut has ment, with taxpayers to be paid for by corresponding tax footing the bills. Like increases on someone else. But raisthe foodSstamp TEPHENprogram, MOORE ing taxes on Paul to pay a tax which cut Editor has nearly tripled KLONIE JORDAN —for Executive for Peter negates the positive effects of the tax reduction. in enrollment and (editor@gaffneyledger.com) This also incites powerful interest-group opposition the quadrupled in costto since tax bill and makes it less likely that it will —budgwhich 2000. Callhappen Trump’s is exactly why the left is insistingeton revenue . the “Workneutrality Is They want to torpedo the tax cut.Beautiful” plan. Steve Forbes, Larry Kudlow, Arthur Laffer and to I recently Trump needs go to signed a statement urging President Trumpwho to drop revelected BETSY MCCAUGHEY the voters enue neutrality because it is a trap. We called for ahis net tax him and defend cut, and implored him to make the cut immediately . Kudos budget. While many in Congress are dismissing it IttoisTrump time tofor change the filter on my heating / getting this right. as “dead on arrival,” they’re foolish to ignore the air conditioning system. The public’s point of disgust the Trump tax cut is to get more jobs and with Washington’s spendaholic Normally that would be no problem because higherways. wages. America needsbudget real and growth The president’s is sustained exactly what he of in most instances, indeed in most homes across 3 or 4 percent. ran and won on: less government, more jobs, the country, access to one’s heating/ air condiDuring the choice, Obama strong years, growth was an abysmal perschool defense, health care for1.9 vets tioning filter is quite easy. One just opens a cent, which the Congressional Office says is and compassion for the Budget working stiff now whose taxes door, removes the old filter and slides in the new the course we are on are wasted in Washington. one. for decades to come. The howls of protest are mostly about cuts to There ya go. Dust off your hands, pat yourself Nonsense. This anti-poverty programs. But taxpayers should be1.9 on the back and move on to the next home Economists such as former percent growth scecheering. According to the General improvement / maintenance task. Treasury Secretary Larry nario is one-third Accountability Office, these programs — nearly Sadly, this is not how you change the filter at Summers say that 3 percent below the historical 100 welfare programs and three dozen food and my house. And no, it’s not a really old house growth isn’t possible anymore. forevaluatthe U.S. housing aid programs — neveraverage even get with some kind of antiquated system, the kind Thised. “limits to growth”targeted tale has for economy The programs cuts lack from any 1950 to for which you would have problem finding parts been record told many times before and poverty 2000, which was 3.4 of success in reducing . or making repairs. Quite the contrary, it is a relhas always been wrong. It was Supplemental percent. Professor The food stamp program, ative new system. wrong in the 1930s; it was Program, wrong Robert Barro of Nutrition Assistance now enrolls a stagThe problem with the filter replacement aftergering World 43 War II; it was wrong Harvard thego million people. Would most oftold them process is that one must crawl underneath the in thewithout late 1970s. House Small hungry it? Not even close. Less than 1 house to gain access to the panel on which the percent of the nation is at riskBusiness of beingCommittee hungry filter is located. recently that the on a given day, but 14 percent are on food stamps, And I’m not talking about crawling a couple average annual according to Harvard University food supply of feet. I’m talking about getting down and dirty growthexpert rate for the last century has been about 3.2 percent. Robert Paarlberg. on one’s butt or stomach and crawling several If we can achieve 3.4 percent growth forrequiring the coming Trump’s SNAP reforms include menfeet until one is almost directly under the house. decade, thenand we physically lower the deficit by roughlyto$4.5 trillion tally able recipients work or People, I implore you. Is this really necessary? over the decade. is the best “pay for” I’ve ever look for a That job. It’s a revival of President Billheard. Could there not have been a better manufacAs JFK used to put we needreform, a budget that is balanced Clinton’s 1994it,welfare which got whittled turing strategy? When they were designing this through growth prosperity . budget also requires away overand time. Trump’s particular system, did the engineers look at A 3 percent-plus means that thethem debt as states to paygrowth part ofrate the also SNAP tab, to stop each other and one of them say, “You know a share of GDP goesthe down every Many year and eventually falls from gaming system. governors strive what? It’s getting really way too easy to change to its lowest level since the 1970s. The trillions of dollars to increase food stamp enrollment in their state, of these filters. I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we unfunded liabilities Medicare Social Security regardless of in need, just toand rake in more federal

American work ethic

Who knows what awaits me under there

“

FFNEY LEDGER

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017

THE GAFFNEY LEDGER

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

I TL’AURA S J UST ME HOLLIS

I T ’ S J UST M E

The complex morality of preserving history

They were hanging there, teasing me

Evangelical author and pastor Jim Wallis has referred to slavery as America’s “original sin.” That is a powerful reference, fraught with significance. The Old Testament notion of original sin is representative and collective; the sinful choice of the first humans condemned all humans to sinfulness and separation from God. To continue the analKLONIE JORDAN Executive Editor ogy, if slavery is America’s— original LAURA HOLLIS (editor@gaffneyledger.com) sin, then anyone who participated in it or who has profited from it is tainted by it. All Americans, by extension, would bear guilt. Some version of that argument is often among the justifications for reparations. While the debate about reparations continues to simmer quietly, questions about how to address the history of slavery the United States remainunder at themy forefront of “Thatindad-gum light,” I muttered public Specifically, how should breathconversations. when it lit up as I was driving down the we remember the notable people in our past who directly participatroad. ed in slavery, defended the system in which it thrived, or It’s the source of aggravation at one time or were lessfor vocal about its abolition thanto we think they another every motorist from Maine Oregon — ought to have been? The “Service Engine Soon” light. Recent events in New Orleans I hate that thing. It might be andemonstrate indication ofthe complex moral calculus in reconciling preservation of history something serious or it might the be something simple. with the desire to take a public ontank historical You just don’t know. One time, itposition was a gas cap events. that was the problem. Another time, something Last week, the city of needed New Orleans removed the last of called “breather hoses” to be replaced. four monuments that traced their history to the “Breather hoses”? What? Is my car on life support? Confederacy. An obelisk commemorating the Battle of How do you handle that annoying light? Well, you Liberty Place was removed on April 24 of this year. could do what a girl I knew several years ago did. Statues of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and She just put a piece of black tape across the light so Confederate Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard were she couldn’t see it while it was on (out of sight, out taken down on May 11 and May 17, respectively. The statue of mind, I guess), or you could take your car to a of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, for whom New licensed mechanic and let him do the diagnosing Orleans’ Lee Circle was named, was taken down on May and repairing. 19. I reckon I should expect an occasional “Service The decision to remove these monuments was made by Engine Soon” light activation because my old the New Orleans city council, at the urging of its present Blazer is getting some years on it. It’s the same mayor, Mitch Landrieu, who has spoken out forcefully and Blazer that Noah used to herd the animals into the repeatedly in favor of the decision. In an address given on ark. And you know the chariot scene from “Ben the day that Lee’s statue was removed, Landrieu characHur”? Well, that was my Blazer coming up fast from terized the figures as commemorating “a lost cause,” the the rear about to take the lead when they zoomed in rewriting of history, and the hiding of the truth. for the close-up on the chariot wheel. A complete description of Davis, Beauregard and Lee is I ignored the light for a couple of days (OK, it was well beyond the scope of this piece. Suffice it to say that it really 12 days) before taking it in to let my ace is a gross oversimplification to associate them only with mechanic take a look. He had one of his employees the Confederacy or the Civil War. Beauregard and Lee, for plug that little gizmo into the port under the dashexample, both served the United States honorably in the board that interprets the “Service Engine Soon” Mexican-American War. Lee had opposed secession and light. He showed the reading on the gizmo to my ace originally sought a commission in the Union Army. Are

It was a classic confrontation of man versus machine. And by man, I mean me. And by machine, I mean the vending machine in a nearby break room. You remember Bugles, the corn-flavored (I guess it’s corn; I’ve never really read the ingredients) KLONIE JORDAN crunchy snack that’s Editor shaped like an evil witch’s fingertip. Don’t sit there and tell me you’ve never put a Bugle on the end of your finger and cackled something menacingly that might or might not have been directed at an imaginary dog in the room which might or might not have been named Toto. Shucks, we’ve all played “evil witch fingertip” with a bag of Bugles. It’s just way more fun to eat them off the ends of your fingers than the old boring out-of-the-bag method. I bring up the Bugles thing because a couple of days ago, I visited the aforementioned vending machine to see if I could temper my craving for something salty and there in front of me behind the glass was a medium-sized bag of Bugles. I’d know that packaging anywhere. Well, I simply had to have them. And at the low, low price of 75 cents, I would be a fool to pass them up. As I dug into my pants pocket for some change, I could already feel the crunchiness of the fingertip-shaped treats on the ends of my fingers. My taste buds began to bounce about at the thought of seeing how many of them I could cram into my mouth. So I deposited the required transaction amount, which in this case was three quarters, and pushed the two buttons that corresponded to the number and letter shelf on which the Bugles were located. The corkscrew device that turns and forces the purchased item off the snack machine shelf and drops it into the handy-dandy reach-in hinged door for easy customer access began to turn. (Now, before I go any further, you’re probably already leapfrogging ahead of me and figur-

The same one Noah used to herd the animals

SECOND PLACE

Tommy Martin The Cherokee Chronicle

HUMOR COLUMN WRITING E ditorial E ditorial 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

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4 Saturday, March 25, 2017

their view

Passover decoded, explained When the frilly Easter dresses and suits start showing up on the racks at Walmart, I know it’s getting close to that time of year: Passover. Yeah, I know the holidays don’t have anything to do with each other, but because they tend to happen around the same time, it’s a good reminder for me to start getting everything ready. (After all, it’s not like I’m going to see a big display of matzoh to ring the bell.) Passover is a huge deal in Judaism. Huge. Even the most secular Jews tend to observe it in some fashion or another. Still a little fuzzy on what Passover is? Well, here’s the really short version: Remember in The Ten Commandments and Charlton Heston smeared lamb blood on the doorways when that spooky green mist was coming? Well, he did that so the 10th plague — the one the Pharaoh brought on himself — would “pass over” the homes of the devout and, you know, not have their firstborn killed. Passover. Get it? It’s a celebration of freedom from slavery — because building pyramids sucks — and the Jews’ mass exodus from Egypt. And we celebrate it by having the worst meal ever. At my house, we start preparing for Pesach (Passover) several weeks

“owns” the offendout. Everything ing items until the must be cleaned, holiday is over at scrubbed and saniwhich point we tized. That bacon “buy” them back. that’s been hidI know, I know ing in my fridge? … (Shhh!) Gone. It’s Where was I? that big of a deal. Strickly No cheating. Speaking Oh, that’s right, “worst meal ever.” Also gone durKasie Let me tell you ing Pesach is Strickland about the seder … bread. But not just A seder plate bread — anything is, well, it’s just a plate, made from the grains but most families have a wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt. It’s called “cha- special one that’s intracately decorated and metz” and it’s a serious is divided into six segno-no. ments: Maror, Charoset, But get this, it’s not as Karpas, Z’roa, Chazeret simple as just not eating and Beizah. chametz — technically Also on the table is, of we’re not even supposed course, matzoh — and to own it, possess it, or wine. A lot of wine. feed it to our pets. In A seder is a dinner, but addition, all the utensils it’s also very ritualized: that have ever been used It starts of with a blessto prepare the chametz ing over wine in honor have to go too. That of the holiday. You drink knife you used to cut the glass (yes, the glass your sandwich? The — not a sip) and then a spoon you stirred the second glass is poured. oatmeal with? Gotta go, You can see real quick man. where this night is going. If your pets do eat After the first blessing grain — and duh, I feed my dog Purina, not steak (and the wine) you wash your hands in prepara— they have to go too. tion for the first story So, what do we do and dish on the seder with the now-forbidden plate — Karpas. food, pets and kitchen Karpas is parsley that utensils? Well, we’re Jews you dip in salt water and — we sell them. eat. It’s not great. The Kind of. Because face parsley symbolizes the it, it’s just not practical “lowly origins of the Jewto basically buy all new ish people” with the salt kitchen stuff each year water representing the (and no one wants my tears shed from slavery. old dog.) Then we break one of To solve this problem, the pieces of matzoh and we draw up a contract tell the Maggid — “The with an obliging gentile Story.” (non-Jew) who then

Basically, whoever is hosting, or the rabbi, gives a retelling of the Exodus from Egypt and the first Pesach starting off with a little audience participation by having the youngest person there asking the Four Questions. If you’re lucky, they won’t sing it … Either way, at the end of the maggid, there’s another blessing and — you guessed it — more wine. This goes on for several hours. Tell a story, eat something weird off the sedar plate, sing a song, say a blessing, drink wine. (At every seder I’ve ever attended, everyone was completely sloshed by the end of the night.) The seder is concluded with the traditional toast “Next year in Jerusalem!” and everyone stumbles home. But wait, you’re not done yet. See Pesach isn’t just about the seder — that’s only one part. The holiday goes on for another week, ending this year at sundown next Tuesday. At which point I’ll have to remember to “buy” all my kitchen utensils back. And my dog … Happy Passover! Kasie Strickland is a staff writer for The Sentinel-Progress and can be reached at kstrickland@ civitasmedia.com. Views expressed in this column are those of the writer only and do not necessarily represent the newspaper’s opinion.

You are gonna love this law. Not. Editor’s note: Readers are encouraged to place their tongues firmly in their cheeks while reading this. Or at least make sure you have a towel handy — the sarcasm literally drips off the page, but all to demonstrate how some decisions are just plain bone-headed. National wildlife refuges in Alaska are about to get a lot more fun. Thanks to a recent bill passed by the U.S. Senate I will finally get to fulfill my lifelong dream of mowing down a family of hibernating bears in their dens with a hail of bullets — just as soon as President Trump Strickly signs it into law with those big, Speaking manly hands of his. Kasie I can’t wait, I’m polishing my rifle Strickland and booking my flight right now. In response to the bill, Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, said what the Senate did “should outrage the conscience of every animal lover in America.” “The passage of this bill means that we’ll see wolf families killed at their dens, bears chased down by planes or suffering for hours in barbaric steel-jawed traps or snares,” Pacelle said. Hippie. Everyone knows bears and wolves are dangerous predators, godless killing machines that will eat your face off at the earliest opportunity. Why should they be safe from hunters in so called “wildlife refuges?” They shouldn’t. And snare traps? They’re hardly “inhumane” — how else am I going to get that wolf cub to remain still enough for me to finish it off? They’re fast. I only hope it doesn’t chew off its own paw to escape before I can get there — I’m counting on the pelt to finish my new coat. It’s true I could hire a pilot to take me up in a two-man-plane to snipe a grizzly or wolf from the safety of the cockpit, but truth be told, I tend to get airsick — giving the animals an unfair advantage. My only serious problem with this bill is it only affects the state of Alaska — why not completely deregulate hunting on a national level? I mean, who is the government to tell me how I can and can’t feed my family? Why can’t I fish by tossing a stick of dynamite over the side of my boat in Lake Jocassee? I mean, I’ll watch out for SCUBA divers and stuff — I’m not an idiot. That elk that kept showing up in Pickens County a few months ago — why wasn’t he shot? Elk meat is delicious! Who cares if he was the first in a century to be spotted? You know who? It’s these stupid animal rights activists. Now that elk will live out the remainder of his days at some zoo instead of fulfilling a true purpose — like being they key ingredient in the best pot of chili ever. People have rights too. Everyone knows we were put here by God to have dominion over all other creatures and if that means shooting a mama black bear in front of her cubs — so be it. This isn’t the first time bleeding heart environmental agencies have tried messing with the natural order of things. When wolves were rein-

4 Saturday, August 5, 2017

The Sentinel-Progress

THEIr vIEw

This was no boating accident!

FIRST PLACE

There’s no such thing as a perfect parent. This is a simple fact I have come to accept after years of trial and error. Just when you think you’re on the right track, you make a completely boneheaded decision that is so ridiculous, all you can do is look back on it at a later date and ask yourself: Why? Why did I do that? Such was the case when I — in an attempt to make a meaningful connection with my son — ended up Strickly being a complete moron. Speaking You see, my oldest son Ben goes Kasie through these phases where he Strickland becomes completely obsessed with things. It started off with fish in general and then evenTHEIr vIEw tually veered over to penguins. Whales made an appearence, their view (apparently he likes to keep with the aquatic theme,) then lobsters, crabs — penguins again — and then back to fish. During each of these obsessive points he watches movies (repeatedly) that correspond with also stand up for his interests. He has spent hours viewing Finding History may Mel science.” Nemo, Finding Dory, Happy Feet, March of the record that the Gurtov Its closing Penguins — whatever — all while lining up his planet’s climate observation is little (matching) plastic figurines directly in front crisis was avoided Guest well worth heedthanks to the negative mama-to-columnist being negative. Folks Mostofofthe usTV. like to think lizards. “Therehave will Whatever, it’s his thing,Here’s it makes happyJill and efforts three an be isofcarrying an him actual without ing: the factor of ourselves as glassPertler countries: be those pick my battles. Don’t China, Rh-positive baby, quote fromrock onethe boat. a naturalalways resistance half-fullhonestly, types ofI people. Contributing Germany, who hide their heads (Ha! which I and did France. – four *website: “Do (but not immunity) to Positive and“Boat.”) optimistic in the sand and But Ilately, interest has changedcolumnist and Ortimes. not. The preparedIf the blood Rh-negatives HIV, smallpox andignore the and all that. try tohis bepoint ofthe the global risksI guess of clisuddenly is into sharks — and here is where ness of those three, from the fetus amount to an bubonic plague. positive. ExceptBen in one mate change. there I went wrong: asking me forarmy a “shark” andmixes the other with EU the mem- I can finally quitBut worrykey area where I haveBen no wasunderground many more of us and only one came to mind: Jaws. ber-states, follow blood from thetomother, of human hybrids being ingare about succumbing to choice movie or voice. committed to overcomDid I mention my son is 5? Yeah, he’s five … through on commitwham! Attack mode. The black death. Whew! carefully and secretly I blameInmy parents ing this inertia. Let us my defense you have no idea how many times ments under the Paris body sees the the US nurturedFreeman for reasons that mother’s Scientists are interfor my I’ve negativity. They stay optimistic and act had to sit through Morgan narrating Accord despite babypull-out as a foreign – ested might be nothing less in how Rh-negative both contributed equally boldly together.” the lifespan of an emperor penguin or how often is keyentity to planor alien and tries to get cameBut downright sinister to optimism be and why. to a situation I couldn’t willIs I’ve screamed at the TVthan for Nigel the pelican not etary–survival. it. deadly?” there an advantage changetoif leave I tried. be Marlinand be hard to sustain,or yetTo with (Nemo’s dad) because we rid of Chancellor Angela Human hybrids disadvantage to future being fair, neither could Luckily negative especially for all know thatthey. Nemo was only playing deadand in that Merkelfor hasusmade ancient aliens who are Rh-negative? you other asked You might types drug was invented generations.IfTwo plastic say bag.it’s in noabones about it, downright mestudies I’d sayjust it’s apublished little of my blood.Really, Literally. in the late 1960sthat to precomeI back. Nemo’s fine. sinister and announcing the deadly? How aboutparentthe both. Disadvantage am one ofWhere the 10was to I? 15Ah. Sharks. ventEuropeans a mom’s body from in Nature Climate durJaws. Terrible are detercast doubt pregnancy. Advan-on mined, the in the name percenting of … the population possibility that Rh-negadestroying baby. I got ingChange reaching 1.5°C So Ben, as usual, hastive me blood sitting might on thesimply couch of Western values, tage towardthe plagues. whose blood is negative poked with a needle a to target. fact, these him to watch this be movie — andmutation? he’s psyched. couple meet the times Paris during goal of a genetic Add to In that a probable (versuswith positive). extra studies, using very dif“Mommy saidIitthink was cool.” Andangel you planetary tem- propensity I like the for leaderThisBecause negativity is eachkeeping pregnancy so I – and ferent methodologies, what? I’m it’s cool perature rise to 1.5-2 theory thetoo. best.Because at my babies ship. Since the Rh factor due to know the absence of thinking – were safe. conclude thatmid-last a rise of thismarker point, the only thing Iindon’t my head that it’s a degreestraits Celsius oftenisbrood identified a certain in the Certain are while was 2°C orthe even 3°C byrhethe movie the about shark (soabout Ben will be happy) also welcoming my blood type.that I rumored website blood called Rhafacto correlateimmi- century, end of the century is can be (so I’ll be happy) and upholding people don’t.and Thethat withgrants susnegative.net reports tor, which is aentertained recessive withMost Rh-negativity – more likely. Sam (the younger brother) is too little to really the global trade system. few I asked couldn’t tell U.S. Presidents with Rhand inherited trait. The some more interesting And the studies understand. me theirs. They thought negative blood include Rh factor was first disthan others. People were completed before Seriously, I’m considering this whole thing a The discouraging news it was a strange question, without Eisenhower, Kennedy, coveredwin-win. in the blood of the factor are US withdrawal from Every expert opinwhich I found to be a Nixon, Reagan, George Rhesus monkeys in 1940 thought to have an the Paris Accord. Bill From my recollection, Jaws wasn’t even showed ion on climate change answer. W.McKibben Bush, Clinton and (hencethat the much name)inand increased capacity for writes: the moviestrange — it was mostly upward includes a dire warnBeing negative never Obama. British royals later inunderwater humans. Most empathy and even psy“”These studies are shots from the shark’s point of view ing: We haven’t got impacted me in a negaElizabeth, Princes humansand have factor. Idorsal abilities. part of the emerging thethe occasional fin, accompanied by the chicmuch time.I wouldn’t The latest Queen tive wayby– John untilWilliams. I got Charles, William and do not.eerie duh-nuh, duh-nuh predicted that.from scientific understandscore I havewarning comes pregnant with myRichard first Harry are also of the For the most part,Chief it’s Brody Their body temperature ing that we’repart in even remembered survived as did a group of scientists child. Then I had to club. As was Princess no big Dreyfuss deal. I’d never is lower than their posihotter water than we’d (Matt Hooper.) and supportive othconfront gruesome Diana. That’s quite a given it much thought. tiveers peers. They cannot thought. We’re a long In short, I really didn’t see thethe problem. But I called Mission ways down the path to hadI went forgotten about onereality majorthat player: Quint. 2020. Reporting in if given the group. But then online be cloned, so you might disastrous warmThat grizzly-looking, Indianapolis-surviving, they believe chance, my body would I guess I’mglobal in pretty and dangerously hit the see Nature, my doppelganger, but ing,company and the policy board-scratching, fisherman one of the that greenhouse turn on thehad unborn baby then. PerGooglechalk and found a firenever myif cloned twin.gas good response—especially most graphic deaths of theto1970’s emissions can turn and attempt kill it.— haps my glass is half fullin storm of theories – on-screen conAccording to highly the all. United States—has forgot all about downward by 2020 spiracyand andI otherwise – it. That’s because negascientific Internet wis- — after been pathetically underfact, I didn’t remember it until Jaws eats off emissions have actually tive blood and positive as to howInthe difference dom, people abducted by

Kasie Strickland Reaching Paris without stopping in DC Not to be negative but … The Sentinel-Progress So long as Trump is in power, we and the planet are going to pay a high price. US reliability will become increasingly uncertain on issues aside from climate change. American society. It will come as no surprise that a Pew Research Center poll based on opinion in five countries (France, Britain, Spain, Poland, and Germany) finds a major shift in attitudes about the US. Whereas in 2016 favorable opinion of the US in these countries averaged 61 percent to 26 percent unfavorable, now unfavorable opinion is at 52 percent and 46 percent is favorable. Pew did international polling on the US under Trump in more than 30 other countries, and found very little confidence in his leadership — “arrogant, intolerant, and dangerous” were the decisive assessments — a sharp departure from polling when Obama was president. Trump’s Paris decision, along with his Muslim ban and his intention to build a wall on the Mexico border, clearly affected these opinions of him.

Some more encouraging news But if crisis breeds

“has come to question the very worth of its mantle of global leadership,” Canadians must “set our own clear and sovereign course.” Trump’s transactional approach to international affairs, under which “the deal” must always advantage America first, will be shown to be bankrupt soon enough. The Europeans, the Chinese, and others — including major US cities, states, businesses, and institutions that will make their own deals on the environment, and will benefit as a result in terms of energy savings, cleaner air, employment opportunities, and technological advances. California’s governor Jerry Brown and New York City’s former mayor, Michael Bloomberg, lead a group called America’s Pledge that has a formidable and growing membership committed to working with the UN to reduce greenhouse emissions. The group now numbers 227 cities and counties, nine states, and more than

SPORTS REPORTING ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

THIRD PLACE Carl Lindquist Tidelands Health

SECOND PLACE Travis Boland Columbia Regional Business Report Fireflies cash in on Tebow’s transition to baseball By Travis Boland

tboland@scbiznews.com

ot since NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan donned a Birmingham Barons jersey has a minor-league baseball player become the epicenter of the sports world. Tim Tebow’s assignment to Columbia quickly became rare opportunity for not only the Fireflies baseball team, but all the other teams in the South Atlantic League to set up a marketing strategy for the 2017 season. The 29-year-old, who won the Heisman Trophy and quarterbacked the Florida Gators to a national championship, was last seen competing on the field as a member of the 2013 New York Jets. After being cut by the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, Tebow took a job as a college football analyst with ESPN, helping anchor SEC Nation on the SEC Network. Tebow’s journey to Columbia began in September of 2016 when the New York Mets offered the former Heismanwinning quarterback a minor-league contract. Tebow had expressed interest in baseball earlier in the summer. After signing the contract, Tebow was sent to the Mets Instructional League team in Port St. Lucie, Fla. From there he would travel to the Arizona Fall League. The AFL is known to host many potential prospects looking to take that final step to the major leagues. Tebow struggled, going 0-for-14 before registering his first hit, a single. “As an athlete you try to use negativity as fuel,” Tebow said. “I try not to listen to it. I’m blessed to play a game, and get the chance to compete every day.” In February, Tebow was given the opportunity to spend spring training with the Mets, occasionally cracking the big team’s lineup and facing actual Major League Baseball players. When it was announced Tebow would be heading to Columbia, ticket sales increased and merchandise couldn’t be kept in stock. In just 24 hours all of the adult T-shirts featuring Tebow’s name and number (15) were gone. Other South Atlantic League teams got in on the action, featuring their own ticket packages to see the former NFL quarterback. Currently, Tebow t-shirts dominate the featured items list of the Fireflies’ online team shop. You can get the shirt in white, gray or navy blue for $25 each. Opening night April 6 in Columbia saw more than 8,400 fans come through the gates at Spirit Communications Park, centerpiece of the BullStreet redevelopment project. Tebow did not disappoint, hitting a home run in his first at-bat. In total, the Fireflies had more than 26,000 fans during the four-game series, 3,000 more than for

“As an athlete you try to use negativity as fuel. I try not to listen to it. I’m blessed to play a game, and get the chance to compete every day.” Tim Tebow Columbia Fireflies

Tim Tebow (top) has become an instant hit with Fireflies' fans as he charts a new career in professional baseball. The Heisman Trophy winner and ex-NFL quar quarterback appeared in midseason form April 6 (above, left) autographing baseballs and participating in a youth baseball promotion (bottom, right) before Columbia's home opener. The Fireflies have cashed in on Tebow's popularity selling T-shirts (middle right) bearing his name. (Photos/Chuck Crumbo)

the home-opening, four-game series last season. Many of those fans scooped up Tebow t-shirts and jerseys at the Fireflies team store, The Mason Jar. After five games, Tebow has just four hits in 20 at-bats, but two have been home runs. Tebow’s presence has also given the Fireflies a number of media opportunities. Columbia team president John Katz said a reporter from London made his way to the Capital City for opening night. “He was down covering the Masters, in Augusta, and decided to come to Columbia to see (Tebow) play,” Katz said.

Despite all the attention, Tebow hopes to just be another player of the Fireflies roster, and looks to take advantage of the opportunity he has been given. “This is another step in the process,” Tebow said. “It’s been great, the coaches have been great, bringing me up to speed on what I need to know and how to approach it. I’m excited to be in Columbia, the fans have been wonderful.” Fireflies’ manager Jose Leger said he is happy to have Tebow with the team and feels he can be an asset to other players. “(Tim) has worked hard in the spring, and is making progress,” Leger said. “We

have a lot of things to work on, but he is grasping what we are telling him. It’s a step-by-step process.” Tebow said he wants to be someone his teammates can look to, despite his lack of experience on the baseball field. Sixteen players on the roster are between 20-22 years old, almost a decade younger than the former quarterback. “I’ve been competing for a long time, and hopefully I can motivate those guys. We try to make each other better every day,” Tebow said. “Whatever my hand finds to do I really care about it, and I want to do it well.” cr br

SPORTS REPORTING ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Ron Aiken Quorum Columbia

SPOT SPORTS STORY WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Thomas Grant Jr. Lexington County Chronicle & The Dispatch News S LEXINGTON BOYS’ BASKETBALL SNAPS IRMO’S 43-GAME REGION WIN STREAK B2

PORTS CHRONICLE

DUTCH FORK WINS CLASS 5A FOOTBALL TITLE

15-0

PHOTO BY MARK BELLUNE | CHRONICLE

Dutch Fork offensive lineman Malik Sumter (79), head coach Tom Knotts (middle) and wide receiver Bobby Irby (5) hoist the S.C. High School League Class 5A championship trophy presented by Executive Director Jerome Singleton (left) following the 28-21 victory over Boiling Springs.

Silver Foxes complete first-ever perfect season with 28-21 win over Bulldogs BY THOMAS GRANT JR. chroniclesports@yahoo.com

History was made last Saturday at WilliamsBrice Stadium. With a dramatic 28-21 victory over Boiling Springs, the Dutch Fork High Silver Foxes became the school’s first-ever 15-0 championship team. They also earned the distinction as the S.C. High School League’s inaugural Class 5A champions. For head coach Tom Knotts, it was his 10th state championship and eighth in which he led a team to an undefeated season. The previous seven were accomplished as a legendary coach at Independence High School in Charlotte, N.C. His teams won 109 consecutive games. “We played good in spurts,” he said. “I thought we were real resilient. “We gave up plays, but we made plays. We just fought the whole game and gave the best effort. I’m happy to get the win but proud of the effort.” Dutch Fork only outgained the Bulldogs (13-2) by three yards (423-420) and had two less first downs. The two teams were virtually equal in most of the final statistics. Quarterback Reese Nichols threw two touchdowns and finished 15-26 for 293 yards. Senior wide receiver Bobby Irby and teammate Malik Sumter had to skip the Shrine Bowl last Saturday. Irby had six receptions for 121 yards and a

PHOTO BY MARK BELLUNE | CHRONICLE

Dutch Fork head coach Tom Knotts

touchdown. Freshman Ron Hoff put himself on centerstage with three touchdowns, two rushing and a 62-yard reception in which no Bulldog was near him. “The sky’s the limit for him,” Knotts said of Hoff. “He’s just a ninth grader. Great kid, great worker, keeps his feet on the ground, good vision. He had a solid game in the second half.” The defense made two big plays. After Dutch Fork scored on its opening drive, Boiling Springs drove into the Red Zone.

On second and 10 at the 12 yard line, quarterback PHOTO BY MARK BELLUNE | CHRONICLE Mason Dutch Fork running back Streater Ron Hoff hauls in a 62-yard had vitouchdown pass. sions of tossing a touchdown pass to tight end Michael Bollinger.

Instead, senior linebacker Taylor Wiggins made a leaping grab for an interception. “I got beat on the route at that point, but I had to come back and make the play,” Wiggins said. With Dutch Fork up 28-14 in the fourth quarter, Streater and Bollinger hooked up for a 16-yard pass play to get within 7 points with 6:51 left. The Silver Foxes were forced to punt and Boiling Springs embarked on its final drive with three minutes remaining. A holding penalty pushed the Bulldogs back 19 yards to their own 12, but they managed to set up a fourth and 1 at the 40-yard-line. For the second time, Dutch Fork’s defense made a stand. They stopped K.J. Rogers for no gain. The final measurement confirmed Boiling Springs was inches shy of the first down, much to the relief of first-year defensive coordinator Nick Pelham. “I was glad it wasn’t another day not getting fired by Coach Knotts,” he joked. “I keep my job one more day. The amount of work these kids put in, the toughness that they have, it’s amazing.” With 1:10 left, Hoff put the finishing touches on the perfect season with a 12-yard gain to move the chains. Even as the final seconds ticked down, the Dutch Fork players were already in full celebration mode on the sidelines. “It’s amazing,” Irby said. “It’s the best feeling in the world.” GAME PICTURES B11

SECOND PLACE Graham Williams Union County News

SPOT SPORTS STORY WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

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Nick Terry The Star, North Augusta

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THIRD PLACE SPORTS SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Chris Sokoloski South Strand News Playing under pressure Local golfers compete in national tour event BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI csokoloski@southstrandnews.com

PHOTOS BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Waccamaw High’s Jackson Cole practices before the first round of the Myrtle Beach Junior Open at True Blue on Aug. 12. Cole finished ninth.

Charlie Wike of St. James High School practices putting at the Junior Open.

Walker Devers of St. James High School putts before the first round at True Blue on Aug. 12.

The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour made a stop in Pawleys Island the weekend of Aug. 12, giving some local boys a chance to test their skills against regional competition. The Myrtle Beach Junior Open at True Blue attracted 29 golfers, 20 of whom were from South Carolina. Four entrants were from Georgia and North Carolina, and the rest were from Pennsylvania, Colorado and Canada. Jackson Cole of Waccamaw High School said the Hurricane tour helps “spread” the game. “It helps a lot of younger kids get into it,” he said. Cole is familiar with True Blue since it is the home course for the Warriors. “I have seen every blade of grass on this golf course,” Cole said. Cole was 9 when he started playing golf competitively. “The game is really hard and dif difficult and I like that challenge,” Cole said. “I like how reflective it is of challenges you face in the real world too.” Cole’s No. 1 goal for his senior season is to win another state championship. “We’ve got some work to do for sure because we lost two of our top players, but I feel really good about (our team),” Cole said. Charlie Wike and Walker Devers, teammates on the St. James High School golf team, also entered the tournament. Wike, a junior at St. James, said tournament play is “more complicated” because it’s not against one team, and it’s takes a lot more concentration. “(Tournaments are) really good for the pressure and for the experience of it,” said Devers, a freshman. “Whenever you get into competition you get to see what you can do under pressure. It’s fun and you feel really Please see GOLF, Page A13

SECOND PLACE Jasper County sun times • Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Jasper sports

Anthony Garzilli Jasper County Sun Times SHARE YOUR STORIES WITH US AT JaspersuntiMes.COM

A first: John Paul wins region crown By Liz BLoom

liz.bloom@jaspercountysun.com

It’s taken three years, but John Paul II Catholic School has won its first SCISA region championship. The boys soccer team, coached by athletic director Matt Dakolios, claimed a three-way tie atop Region 2-A after beating Beaufort Academy 1-0 May 3. The win propeled the Golden John Paul II/Special to Jasper County Sun Times Warriors (12-7) into this week’s Sebastian Laverde of Ridgeland leads Class A state playoffs, which were John Paul II with 15 assists. set to begin Monday. John Paul

Rebels are ready for state tourney

earned a No. 1 seed and was set to host Covenant Classical. A win would advance John Paul II to Wednesday’s state semifinal. The final is Friday, May 12, at PorterGaud. The team consists primarily of underclassman – five eighth-graders, six freshman, two sophomores, two juniors and three seniors – but it is is experienced. “From year one to year two, we really haven’t seen too many new bodies,” Dakolios said. “Nyleem (Wright) is new and the eighth-

graders are new. But the core group has remained intact. This year was their third year playing together. They broke through.” The team has been led by Jasper County residents Sebastian Laverde, Marcello Vera, Karl Johnson and Wright. Dakolios attributes some of the team’s breakthrough to overall growth (physically and mentally) and the kids’ experience in high school. But he also noted the deeprooted bonds the team shares with one another. The boys refer to each

other as brothers, which Dakolios said developed during their two varsity seasons playing together. This co-region title is the first in school history in any sport, but John Paul II started to make its mark in athletics earlier this school year. The boys basketball team went 18-9 overall, 6-8 in the region, and narrowly missed making the playoffs after going 4-17 overall and 2-12 (region) the previous season. See SoCCEr, Page 8

‘We aRe going to make this something special’

Step of Faith debuts new gym

Anthony GArziLLi anthony.garzilli@jaspercountysun.com

Thomas Heyward is used to SCISA softball playoff success, and coach Bob Layman expects his team to compete for a title when the Class AA tournament begins Friday in Sumter. The opening-round tournament is Friday and Saturday at Sumter’s Palmetto and Patriot parks. The bestof-three championship series is May 15-17. THA’s seed was yet to be determined before our deadline, but Layman thinks there are six teams in Class AA who are legitimate contenders for the state crown, and the Rebels, who have been a state finalist each year since 2014, are certainly one of them. “I think we are ready to play at that level,” Layman said. Layman’s confidence was boosted after watching the Rebels respond to his challenge before the team’s April 20 game against Colleton Prep, a state-title contender. Layman told THA that a loss would knock the Rebels out of the playoffs and the team had to win. Sure, it was a bit of a fib (THA’s playoff status was basically assured), but Layman wanted to see how the team would react to the challenge. The Rebels answered with possibly their best game of the season, winning 5-0. “We had to find out what what we were made of,” Layman said. “That was a pivotal point in our season.” Layman also adjusted the lineup for that game, moving Ivy Bryan to leadoff; Alayna DeLong to second; and Cheyenne Strong to third. Hannah Cannon remained at cleanup. Layman said it was “time to shake things up a little bit.” The team scored 13 and 12 runs in its next two games, respectively. Layman also said he’s enc ou raged by T H A’s defense, especially the outfield play of Bayli Belger (LF), DeLong (CF) and Mikayla Blanton (RF). “The ball just doesn’t drop anymore,” he said. The offense is led by Bryan (.529 BA, 40 RBI, .808 SLG) the best shortstop in the state, Layman said, and Cannon (.447 BA, 25 RBI, .684 See SoftBALL, Page 8

Photos by Anthony Garzilli/Jasper County Sun Times

The first shots at the hoop were taken before the alumni vs. students game.

Hoops, volleyball highlight opening of $1.1 million facility By Anthony GArziLLi anthony.garzilli@morris.com

Donna Carter was still bubbling with excitement three hours after the longawaited event started. The Step of Faith Christian Academy principal helped lead a celebration last Thursday for the opening of the private Ridgeland school’s new $1.1 million gym. The facility had been in the plans for years and a groundbreaking was held in 2015, but finally the day had come when the school could unveil the gym to the public. The ribbon cutting was something Carter had been waiting for. “This has been a long time coming,” Carter said after the opening night’s events included an inaugural alumni vs. students basketball game and volleyball match. Step of Faith’s new 15,000-square-foot gym ensures for the first time that the Chargers’ basketball and volleyball teams will be able to host games on campus. The facility will also host graduation on May 20 and the summer schedule is

Faith Christian Academy unveiled its new $1.1 million gym last Thursday. The ribbon cutting had some help from senior Kaleb Hall and Hannah Bowen, who started at the school in K-3. Development Ministries Committee, Wilbur Daley, project coordinator, and Carter. The elementary band performed the school’s alma mater. Carter was thrilled to see the community come out for the event, including 18 former students, despite the pouring rain. The people, the band, the special guests, and the onStep of Faith Principal Donna Carter was excited to court action all left Carter finally welcome the community to the new gym. almost unable to express her joy. set to include cheerleading, nization. Plenty is planned. volleyball, basketball and “I don’t even know how to. soccer camps. The school The evening featured …” Carter said. “Everybody also plans to offer programs remarks from Pastor Ralph had a great time.” through Upward Sports, a Lee, Margie Malphrus, The gym, which has Christian youth sports orga- chairperson of the Child a shock-absorbing f loor,

expects to hold up to 1,600 people. The land were the gym was built was donated to Great Swamp Baptist Church in 2003 by Leona Roberts DeLoach. In 2014, the school began serious discussions about building a gym. Three years later it came to fruition. “Today we stand on that same piece of property to dedicate this gymnasium to be used for the glory of God for the school, for the church and the community,” Malphrus said. T he s c ho ol , w h ic h hopes to raise funds for See Gym, Page 8

SPOT SPORTS STORY WEEKLY OVER 4,500 DIVISION

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Frankie Mansfield The Moultrie News

SPOT SPORTS STORY 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

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Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper

Gregory A. Summers The News Lancaster The Lancaster News >> A birthday bash for Pierre’s ‘boys’ FACES & PLACES, 7

Lancaster County’s triweekly newspaper

www.thelancasternews.com

FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2017

PHOTO SUPPLIED

The Lancaster Darlings All-Stars celebrate their state championship win in Dillon Wednesday with a 9-8 victory over Aynor.

Darlings do it!

SECOND PLACE The News N ew Lancaster t e r Robert Howey

75 CENTS

Ex-pharmacy owner going to prison for tax violations

Learning from the master

Dakota Barton named A-AA Wrestler of the Year

OUT & ABOUT, 9

SPORTS, 6

The Lancaster News

www.thelancasternews.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

75 CENTS

Southeastern Conference Player of the Year

Thornwell rockets to top

Reece Murphy rmurphy@thelancasternews.com

A former Lancaster pharmacist is going to federal prison for failing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal income tax for himself and his employees over the course of 15 years. Gregory S. Boone, 47, former owner of Lancaster Pharmacy, was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to willful failure to pay taxes, Boone according to a release from the U.S. attorney’s office in Columbia. Boone withheld federal income tax from employees while owner of Lancaster Pharmacy at 108 Woodland Drive Suite #C and The Medicine Shoppe in Rock Hill, and kept the money for himself, the release said. Prosecutors also presented evidence that See BOONE I Page 3

Lancaster’s 8U All-Stars heading to World Series Gregory A. Summers gsummers@thelancasternews.com

DILLON – Lancaster’s Dixie Softball 8U All-Stars won a state title Wednesday with a bang-bang double play, a breathtaking, gameending championship moment that seldom happens at this age level. The Darlings led a team from Aynor by one run in the bottom of the last inning. An Aynor batter hit a shallow fly ball at Lancaster outfielder Kindall Hurst. She caught it

and zipped the ball to second base, catching a runner between second and third to force the final out. The defensive gem gave Lancaster a 9-8 win, a state title and a Dixie Softball World Series berth. “It happened so fast that most people didn’t even realize the game was over,” said 8U All-Stars coach Gene Knight. “Defense has been the hallmark of this team. “To see 7- and 8-year-old players make mental plays that many at the middle-school and high-

school level can’t think fast enough to make is pretty awesome.” Knight said the players don’t Ponytails, quite compreAngels hend what it means to win a tourney state championresults ship. SPORTS, 5 “I don’t think these girls honestly understand what they’ve done,” he said. See DARLINGS I Page 2

$200M plant with 145 jobs picks Chester Oregon-based Roseburg to begin production in ’19 Landmark News Service

Chester County got a big economic boost this week, as Roseburg Forest Products announced plans for a $200 million manufacturing plant that will employ 145 people. The company, based in Springfield, Ore., will build the 450,000-square-foot facility on S.C. 9 about 6 miles east of Chester. The deal was announced Tuesday at Gateway Conference Center in Richburg, followed by a celebratory luncheon that drew a large crowd of public officials and business leaders. Company officials said they chose Chester because of its interstate access, ample rail lines and “good livability.” Production should

TIM DEATON/For The Lancaster News

Firefighters from Heath Springs, Kershaw and Rich Hill Fire Departments battle a blaze on Flat Rock Road in Heath Springs Saturday. Arthur Leon Southern was inside the house and died in the fire.

Heath Springs man dies in fire Reece Murphy

rmurphy@thelancasternews.com

HEATH SPRINGS – A fatal house fire that killed a Heath Springs man Saturday remains under investigation, public safety officials said Tuesday. The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Arthur Leon Southern of 6067 Flat Rock Road. An initial release Saturday on the fire said Southern was home alone. The 56-year-old Southern died of smoke inhalation, according to a preliminary autopsy performed Monday. Lancaster County Fire Marshal Stephen Blackwelder said firefighters were called to the scene about 5:39 p.m. Saturday, where they found half of Southern’s cinderblock-and-wood home already engulfed in flames. Firefighters extinguished the fire quickly, Blackwelder said, and found Southern’s body in a “kitchen/living room-type area” of the house. Blackwelder and Lancaster County Sheriff’s spokesman Doug Barfield said investigators have not yet pinpointed the exact cause of the fire since there were several potential ignition sources near where it started, including both a kitchen stove and a space heater. Barfield said the investigation is ongoing.

Lancaster’s own is among college basketball’s best photo courtesy of UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA; inset photo supplied

USC’s Sindarius Thornwell goes for a dunk in a game against Alabama earlier this month. Below, Thornwell and his mother, Sharicka, share a moment after a game this season.

Robert Howey rhowey @thelancasternews.com

J.R. Wilt cast Let’s mosey on down to the beach

SPOT SPORTS STORY 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

The Lewisville Lions hoist the state championship trophy after Tuesday’s 6-4 victory over the Lake View Wild Gators.

PHOTOS BY TRAVIS JENKINS/THE N&R

The Lion Kings BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com Many coaches play things straight from the book, but LewisvilleÕ s Billy Keels coaches from his gut. His team plays the same way. In a game that saw a batter hit in the face with a pitch and stay in the game, a pitcher toss a complete game in the withering low country heat and humidity and a player who was almost taken out of the line-up because of a sub-.200 average deliver the teamÕ s biggest hit of the year when it was needed most, the Lewisville Lions claimed their seventh alltime state baseball crown with a 6-4 win over Lake View. Lewisville had given up an early 1-0 advantage, fallen behind 2-1 and taken a 4-2 lead going to the bottom of the sixth. Lake View seemed to have seized the momentum, though, plating two runs in the sixth inning. The Wild Gators would also have the top of their line-up coming to bat in the bottom of the seventh. Lake View pitcher Nick

FIRST PLACE

Quentin Sanders, at right, had four hits Tuesday including a triple with two out in the seventh that plated the winning run. Collins got the first two Lions he faced in the top of the frame in order, but

even then, there was no panic or worry in the Lewisville dugout. Billy

Chase Yoder, who had a multi-hit game, watches a high ball go by.

Keels said with his team having won game one, the pressure was all on Lake

View to win Tuesday and avoid elimination. Senior catcher Alex Reed said the entire team also has confidence in one another. Ò Our bats have been hot lately and we have faith in everybody,Ó Reed said. Ò When we had two outs in the bottom of the seventh, everybody was smiling.Ó The smiles got even bigger when Jack Jordan was hit by a pitch to reach base. That brought up nine-hole hitter Quentin Sanders. The junior outfielder has been a strong force defensively all year, but has struggled at the plate. Ò He was batting about .180 coming into tonight,Ó Billy Keels said. Ò I almost took him out of the lineup about five games ago but I said Ô hey, heÕ s so athletic and such a competitor in football and basketball he might eventually come out of it.Õ Ó

Travis Jenkins The News & Reporter

SPORTS ENTERPRISE REPORTING ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Travis Jenkins The News & Reporter SportS 8 • FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2017 • The News & Reporter

SECOND PLACE

Travis Jenkins The News & Reporter SportS WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2017 • The News & Reporter • 7A

The long and ad o r n o i g e r g n i d win BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com

BY TRAVIS JENKINS/THE N&R

Dorman, the state’s second-largest school, won a state championship in boys basketball and came in second in the Carlisle Cup standings in AAAAA.

Size (still) matters in prep athletics

But five-class system has helped level the playing field BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com

Beginning with the 2016-Õ 17 school year, the South Carolina High School League (the stateÕ s governing body for athletics) switched to a five-classification format for the first time, in an attempt to level the playing field between the largest and smallest team in each class. After one year, the plan has met its objectiveÉ sort of. From the mid-1960s until last school year, the SCHSL went with a four-classification format. Over time, though, as more schools came online, some areas experienced population booms and others saw people moving away in droves, the difference in size between the biggest and smallest schools in each classification began to widen. The trickle-down effect was that the largest schools in each classification began to dominate in nearly every sport. Wando, the stateÕ s biggest school, was in a classification with schools it dwarfed by more than 2,000 students. Wando is a bit of an outlier at over 4,000 students, but the old AAAA class had a number of schools that sported 1,000 to 1,500 more students than some of their counterparts. In AAA, Chester High School, with its enrollment in the low 800s, was competing in the same class (and region) as Lancaster with its enrollment of 1,355. The total number in that case

Class A sports. It was not uncommon for Bishop England (the only private school in the old AA ranks) to win half the state titles or more in its classification. Those schools have a number of built-in advantages over public schools, including the ability to recruit and offer scholarships, no fixed attendance lines (meaning they can pull from all over the state instead of one, fixed district like public schools) and the ability to cap enrollment, thus deciding which class they wish to participate in, where public schools are bound by the state constitution to take all children living in their attendance area. On top of that, Class A schools are the stateÕ s smallest and often lie in South CarolinaÕ s poorest districts, meaning they canÕ t afford comparable facilities to private schools and often have to rely on volunteer coaches. Every two years, the league has gone through reclassification, a process of putting schools into classifications and regions based on size and proximity. The newest reclassification went in the direction of five classes. Having five meant having fewer schools in each class. Previously, AA, AAA and AAA had 52 teams each, while Class A had 51. Under the fiveclass plan, AAAAA and AAAA have 42 teams each, AAA and AA have 44 apiece and Class A has 41. Fewer teams mean less of a gap between the biggest

2015 135-day enrollment numbers upon which the new realignment was based). Additionally, the league added a provision that any school that was within 50 students of a cutoff line on the low or high end of any classification could be moved for functionality sake. The new plan had the added benefit (an intentional one, per the leagueÕ s executive committee) of moving all the Class A private schools up to AA (Southside Christian actually had an enrollment that would have placed it in Class A, but the provision allowing a school within 50 students to be moved up was exercised to fill out a region) and moving Bishop England up to AAA. So, did lessening the chasm between large and small in each class and moving private schools up in class make a noticeable difference on the fields of play? The results would likely fall under the heading of Ò mixed.Ó Each year, The South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association awards Ò The Carlisle CupÓ in each classification, which goes to the school that has the best all-around athletic year. A points system is used, which awards teams in every sport up to 100 points for winning a state title, down to 10 points for finishing somewhere between 17th and 32nd in the state. The Carlisle Cup standings arenÕ t an absolutely per-

juniors and seniors. They were tied for fifth with the fifthlargest school in Class A, Hannah-Pamplico while Green Sea-Floyds (sixth-largest in Class A) was seventh. The rest of the top 10 was made up of smaller schools: Lake View, which is only the 20th-largest school in Class A, ScottÕ s Branch, which is the 30th-largest and Charleston Charter, which is 14th-largest. So size made a difference, but when compared to last yearÕ s Carlisle Cup standings, there is ample evidence that the playing field was leveled. Only two of the teams in this years top 10 made it last year (Dixie and McBee), with private schools having held the three top spots (and four of the top seven), and four other public schools that moved up to AA having made the list. Lewisville Athletic Director Rusty Pemberton said moving private schools and some bigger schools out of Class A has fostered a more competitive environment all-around. Ò I think it leveled the playing field. It didnÕ t water it down, it just made it possible for more teams to have a chance at being competitive,Ó he said. In AA, private schools were dominant in the Carlisle Cup, with four of the top five spots occupied by non-public schools that were in Class A last year. Ò I think that shows that the move up didnÕ t hurt them,Ó Pemberton said. Some of the other schools in the top 10 bucked the Ò bigger is

Waccamaw (22nd-largest), Seneca (14th-largest), Powdersville (31st-largest), Hanahan (second largest), May River (18th-largest) and Woodruff (29th). BrooklandCayce (third-largest) and Walhalla (fifth-largest) were tied for ninth place. Seven of those schools were not ranked at all in the Carlisle Cup standings last year. In AAAA, where the total number of teams and the percentage difference between big and small is not especially large, there seemed to be the most parity. The top 10 in descending order were Carlisle Cup winner Hilton Head Island (25th-largest school in AAAA), Eastside (10th-largest), A.C. Flora (22nd-largest), Chapin (ninth-largest), South Aiken (11th-largest), Myrtle Beach (23rd-largest), Greenville (18th-largest), St. James (fifthlargest), North Augusta (sixthlargest) and Wren (39th-largest). In AAAAA, size definitely mattered at the top of the standings, where Wando, the stateÕ s largest school, and Dorman, the second-largest school in South Carolina, finished first and second respectively. After that, though, high enrollment didnÕ t equate to high finish, with the rest of the top 10 being Riverside (36thlargest school in AAAAA), Lexington (32nd-largest), Boiling Springs (fourth-largest), River Bluff (29th-largest), Dutch Fork (11th-largest), J.L. Mann (33rd-largest), Blythewood (23rd-largest) and

When the South Carolina High School LeagueÕ s current realignment plan was first unveiled two years ago, John Smith, then-athletic director and basketball coach at Great Falls High School, said it appeared to have been constructed with an eye more toward competitive balance than ease of travel. The numbers indicate that his initial assessment was correct. A News & Reporter study of the total miles traveled and the cost per mile for all the varsity athletic teams of Chester CountyÕ s three high schools indicates that the radical remake of the stateÕ s athletic regions that took effect last year will lead to almost 8,000 miles of additional travel and nearly $11,000 extra in travel costs. The News & ReporterÕ s analysis does not include total travel, since the schools themselves set non-region schedules and the opponents faced can change from year-to-year. It does not include JV teams, since some schools do not field JV programs in some sports and the ones that do or donÕ t often change on an annual basis. Playoff games also could not be considered since

there is never a guarantee that a team will earn a post-season spot and since location of games is dependent on seeding, making it a variable that canÕ t be known in advance. Varsity region games were the only ones considered because they are the only ones that schools are obliged by the SCHSL to play. The numbers below cover the two-year duration of the realignment plan and take into consideration sports in which teams only face off once-ayear (like football), meaning Team A will only make the road trip to play Team B once in two years. For most other sports (basketball, baseball, softball etc.) all teams visit every other team in its region every season. Chester High School didnÕ t see nearly as much of an increase in road miles and cost as did Lewisville and Great Falls. Under the previous realignment plan, Chester was in a region with Lancaster High School (a 58-mile, round-trip drive), South Pointe (36 miles), Broome (98 miles), Clinton (90 miles) and Union County (56 miles). So, the average road trip for Chester was just over 67 miles and combined miles to drive to each opponent was 338 miles. That means that in the two-year course of the last realignment

No Shortcuts Approximate total miles traveled for region contests by Chester County varsity athletic teams, 2014-‘16- 22,998. Approximate projected miles traveled for region contests by Chester County varsity athletic teams, 2016-’18- 30,816. plan, Cyclones athletic programs traveled 9,126 miles for region road games and (at roughly $1.40 per mile, which is around what the school district budgets) the total cost of travel for those games was $12,776. Under the region set-up the new realignment plan gave Chester High School, the Cyclones are now matched up with Fairfield Central (a 52-mile roundtrip), Columbia (120 miles), Camden (110 miles) and Indian Land

(76 miles). That bumped ChesterÕ s average road trip up to just over 89 miles and increased the total miles traveled to get to each school to 358. Over the two-year life of the new realignment, Chester will travel 9,666 miles for region road contests at a cost of $13,532. The difference in miles and money isnÕ t huge and Chester was put in much better shape in terms of competiveness. Previously, Chester was considerably smaller than many of its region mates (over 400 students smaller in enrollment than Lancaster, for instance) but now is roughly the same size as everyone it plays in region. At the time of its unveiling, Chester Athletic Director Ricky Campbell said he was pleased the new plan. Ò I like our region. Overall, it will be a pretty competitive region for all sports and the travel is not bad,Ó he said. Lewisville and Great Falls, in a new-look Region II-A, stayed on about even footing with opponents where enrollment numbers were concerned, but the addition of two teams made a significant difference in terms of travel. Lewisville and Great Falls still play each other (24 miles round trip), McBee (106 miles for Lewisville, 102 for Great Falls), and

The new realignment plan by the SCHSL has meant more time on the bus for local teams.

Lamar (166 miles for Lewisville and 144 for Great Falls). However, C.A. Johnson moved up to the AA ranks (that was a 106-mile trip for Lewisville and 92 for Great Falls) and replacing them were Timmonsville (178 miles for Lewisville and 156 for Great Falls) and the GovernorÕ s School (136 miles for Lewisville and 130 for Great Falls). So, under the previous realignment, Lewisville traveled just over 100 miles per road trip and Great Falls 90. The total distance to drive to each school was 402 miles for Lewisville and 362 for Great Falls. The total cost for region travel in the two years of the old realignment was $11,676 for Lewisville $7,602 for Great Falls. Even though the two travel further per contest than Chester, the total numbers remain fairly close because both field fewer teams than Chester. Great FallsÕ is even lower than Lewisville because they do not have boys and girls soccer. (Note, the number of teams in the region offering girls soccer varies year-to-year, so the total figure may be off by a few dollars and miles). Under the current plan, Lewis-villeÕ s average road trip covers 122 miles and Great FallsÕ is 110. The total miles traveled for Lewis-ville will be 12,810,

FILE PHOTO

while Great FallsÕ will be 8,442, with a total cost of $17,934 and $11,676 respectively. Part of the reason Lewisville and Great Falls have such far-flung trips is because there just arenÕ t many Class A schools left in the geographic upperstate of South Carolina as neighboring smaller schools have either closed because of consolidation have experienced enrollment growth that has sent them to AA. Lockhart and Jonesville were perfect geographic matches for Lewisville and Great Falls but both were closed as part of Union CountyÕ s consolidation in 2007. Lockhart was 66 miles round-trip from Lewisville and 78 from Great Falls, while Jonesville was 94 miles from Lewisville and 104 from Great Falls. Indian Land (60 miles round-trip to Lewisville and 64 from Great Falls), Buford (52 and 50 miles), Chesterfield (116 and 112 miles) and North Central (92 and 76 miles) are all recent region mates of Chester CountyÕ s to Class A schools that have moved up. Ò WeÕ re on a little bit of an island,Ó said Jimmy Duncan, Great FallsÕ current athletic director and boys basketball coach. Duncan said things get especially hairy come playoff times when Ò you get teams sent to the edge of the stateÓ to play. One thing that does help his school cut costs is that most of Great FallsÕ coaches do possess CDL licenses. Because of that island the two schools find themselves on, though, there isnÕ t much that the league can do to give Great Falls and Lewisville much relief. Once option would be to place Whitmire in Region II. Whitmire, located just over the Union County line in Newberry, is 88 miles round-trip from Lewisville and 98 from Great Falls, meaning it is closer than other schools currently in Lewisville and Great FallsÕ region. Both schools already frequently play the Wolverines in multiple sports. Ò I really do wish theyÕ d give us Whitmire,Ó Duncan said. That would help, but only a little. Even if that change comes to pass, when the new realignment proposal is unveiled later this year, the region road will likely continue to be a long one for Lewisville and Great Falls.

THIS WEEK’S EDITION: TWO SECTIONS, 22 PAGES

COUNTY COUNCIL KEEPS FUND FOR FESTIVALS, NONPROFIT GROUPS, A7

NO. 44

SPORTS ENTERPRISE REPORTING 75 Cents

CCU RULES SUN BELT PAGE B1

District: move-in biggest concern for new schools District will have to install technology, move teachers and staff into new buildings ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

UGUST R. DITTBENNER

T.DITTBENNER@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

st Floor Energy Positive CEO bie Ferris insists that three of ve new schools being built for y County Schools will be ready he district to take over at the beng of July, but the district is erned that their employees will to work long hours to get the dings ready for students.

At the Horry County School Board meeting Monday, Ferris showed videos of the schools to the district. Earlier Monday afternoon, he answered questions at the facilities committee. “The three schools will be done that first or second week in July and

everything is still moving as planned,” Ferris told the committee. Ten Oaks Middle School, St. James Intermediate School and Socastee Elementary School are scheduled to be completed between July 1 and July 8.

But between then and Aug. 23, the first day of school in Horry County, the district will have to install technology and move teachers and staff into the new buildings. And that is where things get dicey, according to some district officials. “It’s going to be a lot of effort be-

cause there are a lot of people moving in a lot of different directions in a very short amount of time,” said district facilities manager Mark Wolfe. “A lot of preplanning is happening right now to make sure that

NEW SCHOOLS, A3

orry County 'THIS IS JUST A MESS FOR THE SCHOOL’ olice struggle Campus reacts to CCU cheerleader investigation fill vacancies

HARLES D. PERRY

BY LINDSAY HICKMAN

ES.PERRY@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

st summer, the Horry County e Department rolled out a prom to recruit officers. n officer moved to the area another part of the state, the hire received a $1,000 signing bonus. The idea was the HCPD could save money on training by hiring certified officers from other South Carolina departments. The program lasted less than two months, but officials declared it a success because the county picked 14 officers with the incentives. Since then, however, three of those officers have left the agency. The HCPD now has 21 vacancies. Despite hiring a new rus chief and ramping up uitment efforts, the county’s ggles to retain officers continue. We need a robust department,” f Joe Hill said. “We are growing aps and bounds. … We have a way to go.” uncil members said they are erned about the staffing shorthough they insist they are g all they can to keep the cy afloat.

LINDSAY.HICKMAN@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

Cheer-gate began with a roar and ended in a whisper. Coastal Carolina University on Friday announced it had concluded its investigation into allegations that the cheerleading team had been running a prostitution ring. No charges will be filed. The cheerleading program was reinstated and the investigation wrapped up just before tryouts. The news left students questioning why the university handled the situation in the manner it did. “It really makes the university look like it’s running scared,” said student Rick Wainwright. “[It’s] sort of like Duke University did after the lacrosse scandal.” In the Duke controversy, lacrosse players were falsely accused of raping a dancer at an off-campus party in 2006. They were eventually exonerated and the case led to the disbarment of the Durham district attorney, who had withheld exculpatory DNA evidence. The Coastal scandal never even got close to that point. The cheerleader investigation began in March after five anonymous letters were mailed to Coastal officials. The letters alleged cheerleaders were running an escort service and working in strip clubs. It described a culture of hazing where older cheerleaders forced younger ones to drink alcohol at CHEERLEADERS, A3 FILE PHOTO

VACANCIES, A3

0-hour prayer-a-thon set for Memorial Day weekend

60-hour prayer igil to keep the and Strand safe be held during

BY ETTIE NEWLANDS ETTIE.NEWLANDS@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

A 60-hour prayer vigil to keep the Grand Strand safe will be held during the Memorial Day Bikefest weekend, May 25-28.

“We became concerned for the safety of our city and wanted to do something about it.” What YWAM did was organize the inter-denominational Christian prayer vigil, dubbed

FIRST PLACE

Lindsay Hickman Carolina Forest Chronicle

SPORTS FEATURE STORY WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Laura J. McKenzie Sports The People-Sentinel 1B

The People.Sentinel

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Javonta Ross gets pin and title of ‘champion’ laura J. McKenzie Publisher laura.mckenzie@morris.com

Laura McKenzie / Publisher

Wrestler Javonta Ross, a senior at Barnwell High School,was undefeated at both Lower State and State playoffs in the 285-weight class.

Javonta Ross knows what it takes to be a champion. The Barnwell High School senior says it takes both mental and physical focus. Ross, 19, of Barnwell, recently became the state wrestling champion in the 285-pound weight class. This is particularly special since this is the first full season Ross has competed in wrestling. In addition, Barnwell High has reinstated its wrestling program only in the last three years. “My sophomore year I only competed in two matches before getting injured,” said Ross. During his junior year Ross says he took the role of “practice dummy” but didn’t compete. During that time Coach Roth worked individually with Ross, challenging him to work harder and strive for success. “Wrestling tests you both physically and mentally,” said Ross. “Mentally, you have to have the mindset to push through the pain and exhaustion. Physically, you have to prepare to take on your opponent. That means a lot of conditioning, lifting weights, getting faster.” That effort paid off. As a senior, Ross finished the 2016-17 regular season with a 19-1 record. He won all three of his matches at Lower State with pins. Going to the state competition in Columbia, Ross says he had to “get right” mentally. “I listened to music and worked to get myself excited. I told myself, ‘You came this far. You can’t lose it now.’” At the state level he won his

first two matches by points but, in his final match against an athlete from Landrum, Ross pinned his opponent to become state champion. “It was amazing,” said Ross of his win. “This was the last match of the last sport of my last year in high school. I was so excited.” Ross has also been a member of the Warhorse football and track teams. He credits his coaches and teammates for his success. “Coach Roth worked with me individually and pushed mentally. I appreciate what he did for me,” said Ross. “Everyone on the team helped me.” Cheering from the bleachers was his mom, Latonya Ross. “That’s my number one fan right there,” Ross said. “Before every match she’d say, ‘Bring it home, baby, bring it home.’” Becoming a champion has had an impact on the Barnwell senior. “I’ve been given a lot of respect. It’s nice.” What Ross says he is proud of is “making my school and my town proud, putting Barnwell on the map.” He urges other young men to give the sport of wrestling a try. “It can be brutal and exhausting but it is also fun,” said Ross. “Come out and give it a try.” After graduation Ross plans to attend Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. and is still undecided on his major. While Catawba doesn’t offer a wrestling program, Ross is hopeful the college will in the future. Until then, he is enjoying a golden moment and a title he has earned. He’s a state champion.

SECOND PLACE

Nick Terry The Star, North Augusta

By DON WORTHINGTON Progressive Journal Editor

The proposed 2018 Pageland budget keeps the property-tax rate the same, increases sewer rates slightly and gives employees a 2 percent raise. The typical homeowner, who is billed for about 4,000 gallons of sewage a month, will pay $1.40 more a month or $16.80 more a year. Out-of-town sewer customers will continue to pay 1.5 times more

than in-town customers. The increase is to make up for the loss of a major industrial user, town officials said. Overall, the townÕ s proposed operating budget decreases $29,900 to $2,759,550. Town Manager Cecil Kimrey said the proposed slight decrease comes as the townÕ s insurance and retirement costs are increasing. Final insurance costs wonÕ t be known until November. The state has mandated municipalities increase their portion

of retirement payments by a large amount. The town council approved the first reading of the budget at last weekÕ s meeting. Two readings and a public hearing are required to adopt the new budget. A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9. Adoption is tentatively scheduled for the Dec. 5 town council meeting. Before then the council is expected to hold at least one work session to discuss the proposal.

Clean-up Week coming

SPORTS FEATURE STORY PagelandÕ s fall clean-up week is Oct. 16 through Oct. 20. The town will pick up washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, heaters, air conditioners, and household furniture. Items that will not be picked up include construction and demolition debris, loose items, televi-

sions, computers, microwaves, paint cans, paint or tires. Residents must call the Town Hall at (843) 6727292, before placing materials at the curb or alley. Residents must have the townÕ s permission to place materials for pick-up. Pick-up fees may apply.

WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

See RATE INCREASE | Page 3

Inseparable, Interchangeable

Ex-Pageland police chief a Hall of Famer By DON WORTHINGTON Progressive Journal Editor

DON WORTHINGTON/ Editor

Central’s Kevon Wall, right, and Quan Chambers share a quiet moment during the game against Cheraw this year. The tandem plays just about every play for Central this season.

Chambers, Wall are Central’s go-to combo By DON WORTINGTON Progressive Journal Editor

The look. It is a barely noticeable twist of the head, a slight nod and instant eye contact. Nothing is said, but the message is clear. Central High School running back Ty Miller knows the look. When it happens, he almost wants to run to the sidelines to watch. Ò Something special is about to happen,Ó said Miller of teammate Kevon WallÕ s nod to Quan Chambers. It usually happens when the Eagles need a big play. The result can be a long run, a completed pass, or as Central opponents have learned this season, a Ò pick sixÓ interception. Chambers and Wall, simply, do not

like to lose. They have been competitive since meeting on the playground at Pageland Elementary. Ò We have had each otherÕ s backs for so long,Ó Chambers said. The competitive spirit, Wall says,

comes from his father, Kevin. He taught his son Ò not to give up on nobody and donÕ t give up on yourself.Ó They are so competitive that neither likes to lose, even to each other. The simplest of things, such as tying their shoes, becomes a contest. Growing up they were the two that the PE teachers selected to pick teams because they were the best athletes. They played on the same rec-league teams, at New Heights Middle, and now at Central, where they compete in football, basketball and baseball. They canÕ t remember when Ò the lookÓ started, but they can pinpoint the day they set high expectations for their high school athletic careers. It was during halftime of a Central football game, and they were about 9 years old. See EAGLES | Page 4

A former Pageland police chief has been inducted into the S.C. Law Enforcement Hall of Fame, one of seven honored for meritorious service. William Gibson served as PagelandÕ s police chief from 1976 to 1982. Previously he was a Chesterfield County SheriffÕ s Office deputy. He left Pageland to become the field director for training at the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy in 1982. Gibson retired as the academyÕ s director in 2000. The Oct. 4 induction was the first time the Hall of Fame has honored law enforcement officers for meritorious service. Each spring the Hall of Fame honors officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Gibson said the Hall of Fame honor is special because he worked with the other six honorees, and all worked to better the quality of law enforcement in the state. Other members of the Hall of Fame class were: ◆ William D. Leeke, director of the S.C. Department of Corrections. ◆ Col. P. Frank Thompson of the S.C. Highway Patrol. ◆ Chief J.P. Ò PeteÓ Strom Sr. of the S.C. Law Enforcement Division. ◆ Chief J.C. Rowe, Forest Acres Police Department. ◆ Sheriff I. Byrd Parnell Sr., Sumter County SheriffÕ s Office. ◆ Maj. K.C. Ò ChuckÓ Canterbury Sr., Horry County SheriffÕ s Office. Canterbury, Leeke, Strom and Thompson were honored posthumously. All of the honorees had worked with various national law enforcement groups. Parnell and Strom served as president of the FBI National Academy AssociationÕ s board. Gibson served as the associationÕ s secretary-treasurer from 1994 to 2013 and then as its chaplain. See GIBSON | Page 3

FIRST PLACE

Don Worthington Pageland Progressive-Journal

SPORTS FEATURE STORY WEEKLY OVER 4,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Frankie Mansfield The Moultrie News

SECOND PLACE Frankie Mansfield The Moultrie News

SPORTS FEATURE STORY WEEKLY OVER 4,500 DIVISION

FIRST PLACE

Lindsay Hickman Carolina Forest Chronicle

SPORTS FEATURE STORY 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Andrew Wigger The Newberry Observer MCHS baseball updates

Soccer team visits NES

Cartoons, columns and more

SPORTS • 10

EDUCATION • 7

EDITORIAL • 4

Newberry County’s Hometown Newspaper

Issue 39, Volume 135

Breaking news at newberryobserver.com

Senior expo to educate community

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 • $1

Giving it his all

kduncan@civitasmedia.com

pleased to co-present the Newberry County Senior Expo again this year. It’s a great opportunity to have the various services offered in our county be available in one location for the convenience of our seniors and their caregivers,” said Michelle Long, Newberry County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. Another free opportunity is the Lunch and Learn, but is limited to the first 200 who register, which will include a t-shirt and vendor bag. Attendees have seven options to choose from in the Lunch and Learn Seminars. Due to limited space, class assignments will be made on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is also required for attendees to participate in Prosperity Drug’s Vaccine Clinic that will be on site. “I’m most excited about the various lunch and learn workshops offered. It is my hope that this year will be another success so that we can continue to offer this event for years to come,” said Long. Forms to register for the Lunch and Learn are to be filled out

Courtesy of Newberry College

At the end of his final season Trung Duong placed fifth in the NCAA Division II National Wrestling Championships and was named AllAmerican.

A 125-pound All-American, Trung Duong is ready to take on his future By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

NEWBERRY — This season Newberry College wrestler Trung Duong, a senior, placed fifth in the 125 pound weight class at the NCAA Division II National Wrestling Championships. He also earned the title of AllAmerican, an honor he

earned two years in a row. “He earned it. You have to place in the top eight in the NCAA Championships to be named AllAmerican,” said Head Coach Cy Wainwright. “We (Newberry College wrestling) have 34 AllAmericans of all time, and he is the first and only fifth placer, ever.”

Andrew Wigger The Newberry Observer Newberry Academy basketball

Kraft adopts NES

Beauty of Christmas

SPORTS • 7

COMMUNITY • 10

LOCAL • 3

Newberry County’s Hometown Newspaper

Breaking news at newberryobserver.com

Issue 150, Volume 134

By Kelly Duncan

NEWBERRY — Caregivers, adult seniors and anyone interested in learning more about the problems that senior citizens face are encouraged to attend the second annual Newberry Senior Expo on May 10 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Piedmont Tech Conference Center. Hosted by MSA Home Health and Hospice, Brook Health Care and the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce, the Newberry Senior Expo focuses on educating the community about the resources available to Newberry seniors, and addressing issues that effect seniors every day, such as housing and food. “We saw that there was a need. There wasn’t a place for the Newberry seniors to go and find resources for them in this area. So we decided to get the local businesses together and offer their services, and at the same time maybe get some local experts to provide education as well,” said Christine Milling of MSA Home Health and Hospice. “We want this to be fun, too. We don’t want it to just be healthrelated, so we’re throw-

SECOND PLACE

This year the championship took place in Birmingham, Ala., from March 10 through March 12. Duong had six matches Duong during the championship. His last match was a forfeit due to his opponent suffering a concussion. This cemented Duong’s fifth place finish. Duong went further than any other wrestler at Newberry College during this year’s championship.

“I pretty much did what my coaches told me to do, and with most things that require hard work, I had to put in some extra time outside the schedule practices and stuff like that,” Duong said. Duong, 22, was born in Santa Ana, Calif., but his family ended up moving to Virginia, which is where Duong would See DuONG | 5

Preventing fires this holiday

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 • $1

Elkins is big in rugby

Local leaders recognized

By Kelly Duncan

Staff Report

NEWBERRY — With the holidays well underway, it’s important to know what safety precautions to take to prevent house fires during the holiday season. House fires during the holidays can start from electrical issues from Christmas lights to not containing an open flame properly. City of Newberry Fire Chief Keith Minick stressed that making sure your smoke detectors are up-to-date and working properly is a good start when it comes to fire prevention. “We want to make sure people check their smoke alarms for the month, making sure that they work and the batteries are up-to-date. If the smoke alarms are outside their 10 year life span, then they need to replace their smoke alarm altogether and get some new ones. That’s really one of the first lines of defense that you could have is a working smoke alarm, making sure you have plenty in your house and that everything is working and within the 10 year life span,” Minick said. Minick said that the most common mistake that is made when it comes to house fires during the holidays is due to the colder weather and the use of space heaters to supplement heat that are too close to objects. “Also, overloaded drop cords that are not sufficed to handle the load capacity of the units that they are trying to supply electricity to, which typically becomes a problem. Overloading drop cords are a potential and we advise people to really be careful when using smaller, cheaper drop cords to try to run heavy appliances,” Minick said. For space heater safety, people are encouraged to use the three foot rule. This three foot rule helps keep a clearance from

MYRTLE BEACH — Nearly 1,000 Farm Bureau members from across the state gathered Dec. 1 for the 73rd annual meeting of the S.C. Farm Bureau Federation not just to prepare for the year ahead, but to celebrate accomplishments of members and progress made in the General Assembly. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duval, a Georgia farmer, spoke about upcoming issues the Farm Bureau will face in 2017. He encouraged members to work together to form a strong alliance among all farmers, and lend a helping hand to fellow farmers near and far when needed. South Carolina Congressman Tom Rice was given South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation’s Congressman of the Year award. Rice was nominated for his commitment to the agriculture industry in the state and positive impact on policies that affect farmers and ranchers. “I’m incredibly humbled by the support from the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation and am truly honored to be named Congressman of the Year by this outstanding organization,” said Rice. “My sincere thanks to all those in the ag industry who work to provide for our state and country. I know how important agriculture is to our district and will never stop fighting for farmers.” Jimmie Lee Shaw of Newberry County was among nine individuals named the 2015 Government Relations All-Stars for their progressive advocacy of SCFB’s priority issues in the General Assembly. They each received a clock representing the time they dedicated to the work of Farm Bureau. Steven Long of Newberry County took home

kduncan@civitasmedia.com

See FIRES | 5

Ty Elkins will participate in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup as a member of the USA team.

Courtesy photos

Ty to play in 2017 Rubgy League World Cup By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

NEWBERRY — Newberry native Arkevius “Ty” Elkins is making a name for himself in the world of rugby, so much so that he will play in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Elkins, who is now a resident of Charlotte, N.C., is from the City of Newberry. While he was a student at Newberry High School he played football and basketball, and he graduated in 2003. After high school he went into arena football in Atlanta. However, after he started playing there arena football went into lockout, and that is how he found rugby.

A NEWS Obituaries: 2 Local: 3, 5, 6, 9 Editorial: 4

“Newberry made me what I am, the coaches, teachers, guys I played along side. I would not want to be from anywhere else, I do not think I would be able to take the opportunity to do the things I have done.”

Ty Elkins, professional rugby player

“I was working out in a park one day, and I saw these guys playing a game, beating up on each other. The ball rolled over to me, I tossed it back to them and they asked me if I wanted to

Ty Elkins hopes that younger people in Newberry realize

See ELKINS | 5 that just because they come from a small town, does not mean they should not put in the work.

See LEADERS | 5

Newberry County locals win at fair

SPORTS FEATURE STORY PAGE 2A - THE GAFFNEY LEDGER

2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION LOCAL NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Search committee hopes to decide on Limestone’s next president in December By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Gettys Brannon presented a University of South Carolina college fishing jersey to Gaffney Ledger Publisher Cody Sossamon and Lifestyles Editor Abbie Sossamon. Brannon won a national championship in college fishing in 2015 and finished runner-up this year.

You might say he’s hooked

By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com For Gettys Brannon, going fishing is no longer a hobby. It’s a job description. Brannon recently wrapped up a stellar college fishing career by being named to the FLW College Bassmaster AllAmerica team. It was his second all-American team this year. He partnered with University of South Carolina teammate Patrick Walters to win the 2015 YETI College Fishing National Championship on Lake Murray and finished national runner-up last year. He finished with $34,000 in college earnings and nine Top 12s, including a 12th place finish in the prestigious Forrest Wood Cup. “Patrick and I were great partners because we complemented each other very well,” Brannon said. “Patrick liked to fish in shallow water while I liked to fish in deep water. We discussed things very well, and that’s important when you have to make last minute decisions in a tournament on what fish

marshals to monitor tracking devices used in keeping track of fishing boat movements. He works alongside a team of journalists led by outdoors writer Steve Bowman to provide up-to-the-minute coverage on the open water of professional fishermen. “We like to hire anglers straight out of college because of their knowledge about fishing and expertise with technology,” Bowman said. “Gettys has an important role in keeping us posted on where we need to go out on the water to provide the great coverage our audience demands. He has done a good job for us and understands the game.” Under Brannon’s leadership, the University of South Carolina fishing team became the second club ever to win two straight national championships when teammates Chris Blanchette and Hampton Anderson won the 2016 YETI FLW college fishing championship on Lake Keowee. Brannon won the USC fishing club a Ranger Z117 boat and engine plus $5,000 for his own national

onship.” After winning two national championships, fishing club members now receive excused absences for tournaments just like other university clubs. This policy change occurred a little late to help Brannon out, but his college fishing success helped him finish school. Brannon sold his fishing boat and used the proceeds to help pay for the rest of his college education. He wrapped up a 10month stint covering tournaments for Bassmaster last month at a B.A.S.S Nation Championship on Lake Hartwell. He watched 120 anglers from 47 states and nine countries compete for three Bassmaster Classic bids. “I’ve had a great time and have been able to learn from the best in the business,” Brannon said. “I haven’t given up on the idea of fishing professionally. I just feel working as a journalist is the best fit for me right now.”

The Limestone College presidential search committee interview several candidates in early November as it looks for a successor to retiring president Dr. Walt Griffin. Griffin will retire in December after 25 years. Recruitment of candidates began in late August with advertising and outreach to higher education leaders around the country. The search committee started reviewing applications in mid-September. “By our application deadline of Oct. 15, we had amassed a robust pool of candidates,” said Limestone College Board of Trustees vice chairman David Riggins, who is the search committee chairman. “We believe this reflects Limestone’s standing in the higher edu-

cation community and the desire to join the Limestone community.” About 10 finalists were interviewed at various dates. Riggins said the college expects to invite three candidates to visit in mid- to late November. “At that point, the search committee will share their profiles with the Limestone community,” Riggins said. “The campus visits will include open forums where Limestone’s constituents will have an opportunity to meet the candidates, hear them speak, and ask questions. The campus community will also have the opportunity to submit their impressions of the candidates electronically to the Presidential Search Committee and Board of Trustees.” Limestone College hopes to make a decision on a new president in December. “We are excited that so many fine leaders have expressed interest in coming to Limestone to lead the college into a bright future,” Riggins said.

FIRST PLACE

Scott Powell The Gaffney Ledger

SPORTS SOUTH STRAND NEWS

SPORTS COLUMN WRITING

SPORTS WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 & OVER 4,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED SOUTH STRAND NEWS

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE

Nick McClary South Strand News

Chris Sokoloski SPORT SPORTS SPORTS South Strand News SOUTH STRAND NEWS

From the sports desk

From the Sports Desk

Chris sokoloski

Chris Sokoloski

From the sports desk

With arthritis, movement is good medicine

alk into any gym, step onto any basketball or tennis court, or even take a look at the person jogging or walking down your street, and you’ll likely to see an assortment of braces or support aids on older (and younger) individuals. One of the most common areas you’ll see this equipment is on the knee. Knee pain is one of the most common conditions I see as a physical therapist. Often I see people after knee replacement. However, I also see people with knee pain due to osteoarthritis before surgery. Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition and is one of the five most disabling conditions in the U.S., af af-

fecting more than a third of people over 65 years of age. Sometimes, knee pain due to arthritis will lead to the use an assistive device, such as a cane or walker, and eventually knee replacement surgery. Chronic knee pain due to arthritis is characterized by pain, cartilage degeneration and joint space narrowing. When patients are referred to physical therapy for arthritis relief, they often don’t understand how physical therapy can help. After all, if there is cartilage degeneration and joint space narrowing, wouldn’t more movement just make the arthritis worse? Fortunately, as I’ve discussed at length before, the body is much more complex than that. In fact, the

health & Fitness In the Nick of Time

Nick McClary 2008 guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommend exercise as the core treatment for osteoarthritis.

Want to lose weight? Eat some ice cream On April 8, I competed in my first powerlifting competition in four years (squat, bench press and deadlift). I’ve had a lot of life changes since the last time I competed and have also fought through some injury. So getting back on the platform was a big deal for me. Some highlights include a 187.5-kilogram (413 pounds) squat and a 242.5-kilogram (534 pounds) deadlift in the 93-kilogram (205 pounds) weight class — both post-injury personal bests. I’ve dealt with a chronic elbow injury that has prevented me from training bench press much at all, so I took a light token attempt at the meet to stave off further injury. This limited my overall placing, but I’m very happy with how I performed. I learned quite a bit from the preparation for this meet. First, I learned a lot about my body and dealing with injury. I dealt with

health & Fitness In the Nick of Time

Nick McClary bulging discs in my lumbar spine, resulting in tingling in both of my feet in 2015, and severe patellar tendinitis in my right knee in 2016. I was able to rebound from those injuries and perform all lifts in my meet without

any pain. Next, I learned it is hard to train at a high level with a newborn. This should be a no-brainer, but you always think you can personally push through any anything. I haven’t quite reached my previous personal bests (425-pound squat and 555-pound deadlift) in working back from injury. Before my son was born, I thought I would have easily surpassed those personal bests before this meet. But he had other plans. However my previous personal bests were when I weighed 25 pounds more than I did on meet day, so overall I’m still very pleased. The other big lesson I learned from this meet relates to weight loss. At the beginning of 2017 I weighed 213 pounds. At weigh-ins the morning of April 8, I came in at 198 pounds. I lost 15 pounds over the course of three months. And, to be honest, outside of

a few moments of weakness, it wasn’t that difficult. Not too difficult? To lose 15 pounds? I can hear the scoffs already. But the reason it wasn’t too difficult for me was because I ate ice cream every single day. Hold on, let me rephrase that to be more accurate. I ate at least three servings of ice cream every single day over the past three months, except for the night before the meet. And I lost 15 pounds. Sounds crazy? Maybe. But really it’s as simple as basic math and portion control. At the beginning of the year, I calculated that I needed to consume no more than 2,600 calories a day to lose 10 pounds in three months. I also calculated the amount of protein that I needed so that I could effectively keep Please see MCCLARY, Page A9

As the saying goes in physical therapy, “Movement is medicine.” The right type of exercise in the appropriate dosage and intensity can help “lubricate” the joint, improve muscle strength, improve joint motion and decrease joint pain. Osteoarthritis is associated with decreased muscle strength and abnormal joint mechanics. A 2012 review in the journal Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation reviewed resistance training interventions on knee osteoarthritis and found some studies showing up to a 43 percent reduction in pain with appropriate resistance training. Physical therapy, and specifically resistance training, works to improve joint mechanics and muscle

activation patterns. In the physical therapy clinic, the typical culprits for weakness I see are the muscles of the thigh and the hips. So my treatment usually starts with exercises targeting the thigh muscles, both quads and hamstrings, as well as the muscles that move your leg back (hip extension) and to the side (hip abduction). The hip muscles actually help control the position of the knee during functional activities, so making sure your hips are strong is a good way to help improve knee mechanics. I also will include some calf (lower leg) strengthening as well. Next, it’s important to help make Please see MCCLARY, Page A7

The age old question: ice or heat S o, you’ve just gotten home from health & Fitness shopping at the store and that In the Nick of Time old familiar back and hip pain is setting in. Should you use ice or heat? Or you’ve just rolled your ankle while stepping off a curb or playing with your kids or grandkids. Should you use ice or heat? Or you’re eight weeks post surgery, such as a knee replacement or a rotator cuff repair. Should you use ice or heat? The question of when to use superNick McClary ficial cold, like an ice pack or even ice bath, or heat, like a heating pad, is a question I receive frequently. The Should you not use heat at times due question usually revolves around to it possibly increasing swelling? pain but other factors are also in Which is best for overall recovery? question. Which is best for swelling? Most “common knowledge” would

tell you that icing is best for acute injuries, or injuries that have just happened. Usually this is justified because the ice will supposedly help to decrease swelling. But does this actually happen? It seems to make sense. Cold slows blood flow so putting ice on an area would stop further swelling. However, a 2010 study in the Journal of Arthroplasty found no significant differences in swelling after knee replacement when using ice versus not using ice. Other studies on surgical interventions also support this. However, studies on other areas following surgery, such as the wrist, show beneficial effects of ice on swelling. So does ice help reduce

swelling after an acute injury or surgery? Maybe. But it really isn’t as conclusive as common knowledge would tell you. Ice may not have the same impact on swelling as we once thought. However, some studies show that when adding active gentle exercise to ice, the impact on swelling after injury is superior to ice alone. However, even if ice doesn’t help with swelling as much as we thought (though there still needs to be more well designed studies on the topic), many studies find positive impacts of ice on pain, though this is inconsistent across all studies also. Perhaps a possible reduction in pain Please see MCCLARY, Page A11

Revisiting pitch count rules

hange came to high school baseball in South Carolina this season. The S.C. High School League instituted new guidelines for the number of pitches and days of rest required for pitchers. The maximum number of pitches a varsity player can throw in one day is now 110. Also, a player who pitches cannot also play catcher on the same day. The new rules for days of rest are: 91 to 110 pitches, five days of rest; 76 to 90 pitches, four days; 61 to 75 pitches, three days; 46 to 60 pitches, two days; and 31 to 45 pitches, one day. No days of rest are mandated for less than 30 pitches in one day. If the pitch count or days of rest rule is violated, the player will be ruled ineligible, the game he participated in will be forfeited, and the school will be fined. I said in a column in September that the pitch counts were a good step in the right direction. At the time, our local baseball coaches were unanimous in their opinion that the new rules would help protect pitchers. With the high school baseball playoffs just a few weeks away, I decided to revisit the topic.

It was a magical night for Clemson

fter watching the epic Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, I told people that Clemson and Alabama were going to have a hard time topping USC and Penn State. Well, thank you, Tigers and Crimson Tide, you proved me wrong. What a game! After the first half, it looked like Alabama was Renfrow going to repeat as national champions. After all, they had won 26 straight games. But those pesky, underdog Tigers did not give up. Actually, I shouldn’t call them underdogs or say that Clemson “upset” Alabama. Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney

Chris sokoloski

A day with a ‘Monsta’

recently spent a day in Boston while on vacation. After ditching a shore excursion from my cruise ship, I headed across town to take a tour of Fenway Park. I had been to the park in September of 2001 for a game, but I had always wanted to take a tour. One of the most important things I learned during the tour is that I have been pronouncing Green Monster, the nickname of the park’s legendary 37.167-foottall wall in left field, incorrectly all these CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/ years. ApparSOUTH STRAND NEWS ently the corAfter the bomb- rect pronunciation is “Green ing at the BosMonsta.” ton Marathon I stand corin 2013, “Boston Strong” became rected. Fenway Park a rallying cry for

SOUTH STRAND NEWS

SPORTS COLUMN WRITING

WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 & OVER 4,500 DIVISIONS COMBINED

FIRST PLACE Chris Trainor Free Times

Hartsville led at the half 14-10 courtesy of two Chapin turnovers, while Hartsville coughed up the ball a couple of times, they didn’t give it up completely. Jaylen Evans had a fumble recovery, and a DeMairius Cosom pick off led to more offense for Hartsville and less ball time for Chapin. Hartsville did an excellent job of covering the rudiments that gave them the eventual win. “We constantly coach the little things,” Coach Jeff Calabrese said. “The kids care enough to keep trying to get them right. They play hard and we have a great bunch of athletes.” Hartsville didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboards. After the recovered fumble on Chapin’s fourth play of the game, Hartsville scored on the second play — a 67-yard touchdown pass from AJ Joyner to Steve Joyner with 9:38 on the clock. Miller Braddock tacked on the PAT and the Red Foxes led 7-0. Chapin scored on consecutive possessions late in the ﬁrst quarter to take a 10-7 lead, but Hartsville roared back with a scored of its own. A 79-yard scamper by Tiyon Evans set up a one-yard plunge by AJ Joyner midway through the second period. Evans and Clair would each score again and the Joyner-toJoyner connection found the end zone again, this time for

SPORTS COLUMN WRITING 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Lawrence C. Jordan, Jr. The Dillon Herald

SECOND PLACE CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS/SAVANNA MORRIS

Jalen Jacobs takes off up the sideline.

Kent Mahoney The Hartsville Messenger Sports p Sports p

Hartsville running back June Bug Bishop weaves his way through trafﬁc.

Pointe Saturday, Dec. 17 at 53 yards. Field in Jalen Jacobs scored from three Williams-Brice THE HARTSVILLE MESSENGER yards out after Clair rumbled for Columbia. SECTION B 53 yards in the fourth quarter. DECEMBER 21, for 2016a James Clair (32) returned the opening secondWEDNESDAY, half kickoff 99 yards Hartsville will take on South See FOXES, Page 3B touchdown.

ANALYSIS Cobras pick up ﬁrst win Getting ready for college bowl games From Staff Reports

BREVARD, N .C. — Coker women’s basketball picked up its first win of the year on Saturday when they downed Brevard on the road 75-70. The teams played a hightempo first quarter, finishing the frame tied at 16. The Cobras led in the frame only briefly, but maintained intensity and were able to tie the game late in the opening quarter. The teams traded buckets throughout the frame, and Iresha Cooper was able to come up with the steal and breakaway layup to get Coker’s final two points of the quarter. The second quarter was a big one for the visitors, as Coker

scored double digits in both quarters of the first half for the fifth time this season. KentMahoney The CobrasKent’s outscored BreKorner vard 16-10 in the frame, and ended the quarter on a 10-0 run to take a 32-26 lead to the locker room. The Cobras trailed 26-22 with four minutes left before a Kendra Lambert three-pointer got know what the big the Navydon’t and Gold within one. hoopla is all about concernA layup Foster ing theby NewTerrika England Patriots. I was watching put Coker up by football one, Sunday before night and the commentators a bucket from Cooper would made mention of how phenomextend the to three. Cooenal the lead New England Patriots are this year. per would make one final Well, they are or have been play to end the half when she good for about the last eight or was fouled made jump nine years.on But awhy make the big shot. fuss Theabout junior it. sunk the free

Too much sports spin

Since their 16-0 season back in 2007, the other three division See COBRAS, Page 2B teams have managed to have a winning record a total of six times. The New York Jets had four of those winning seasons at 11-5 and 10-6 once each, and 9-7 twice. The Dolphins had an 11-5 season in 2008 after their 1-15 season in 2007. The ‘Fins actually won the 2008 divisional title tied with the Pats on a divisional win record. But since that time, it’s been all New England. And the Buffalo Bills had a 9-7 season just a couple of years ago. So, tell me again about the greatness of the New England

have written this column every year for as long as I can remember. Back in 1985, there were only a handful of bowl games, so it was a pretty quick read. However, times, they are a changin’. There are no less than 40 bowl games to watch, six of them starting this weekend. I’m going to start with the national championship and work my way back up the schedule. When I hit 500 to 600 words, I’ll stop. Starting with the semi-ﬁnal’s game, there is Alabama vs Washington. As much as I would love to see the big dog knocked off the heap from the get-go, I don’t think “any”

TIRES

KentMahoney Kent’s Korner

Pac-12 school could beat ‘Bama this season. Tide wins this in a run-away. Now, Clemson vs Ohio State should be an interesting game. Clemson has come a long way since last year. (OSU, by the way, did not with the Big 10 championship. That’s another column.)I’m staying close to home and say that the Tigers

win this one by a field goal on the last possession of the game. So, that leaves us with ‘Bama vs Clemson, which is the game just about everyone wants to begin with for the championship. Again, this one is going to go down to the wire. ‘Bama wins in overtime by scoring the twopoint conversion. Okay, now on to the majority to the other 37 games. The Allstate Sugar Bowl is on Monday, Jan. 2 and pits Oklahoma against Auburn. As much as I like the SEC and loathe the Big 12, I’m conflicted with going with OU. Their QB, Baker Mayfield, the Texas Tech transfer,

See BOWLS, Page 2B

northside

Michelin • BF Goodrich • Nitto • Hercules We now do Alignments!

Red Foxes denied Class 4A title

1219 North 5th Street | Hartsville, SC | 843.332.8053 | 843.332.0131 Complete line of

PHOTOS BY MEGAN MAY/FLORENCE MORNING NEWS

auto parts

Tiyon Evans (15) breaks into the open ﬁeld during the Class 4A State Championship football game Saturday in Columbia.

BY KENT MAHONEY

kmahoney@hartsvillemessenger.com

COLUMBIA — From the ﬁrst day of practice, the Hartsville Red Foxes

KentMahoney Kent’s Korner

Potpourri

his week’s installment is a bit of a hodge-podge of thoughts and incidents that I’ve collected during the basketball season. I have always found it amusing the things people say from the stands, especially during basketball and baseball games. I don’t know if it’s because I’m closer to the crowd than at other sporting events, or whether these particular people are just more fanatical (which is where the word ‘fan’ comes from) about the players. Of course conference and rivalry games are the best. Marlboro County fans were particularly vocal at the beginning of the season. Of course, I never know who’s tossing these ill-advised verbal tantrums at the ofﬁcials because my back is to them. There is the ever-popular phrase, “Hey ref. Use my glasses. I’m blind and even I saw that foul.” I sit there trying to control my increased laughter. After 38 years of writing in four states, it still cracks me up every time. My favorite happened at a

Tria Johnson shoots

Coke

From staff r

Coker women dropped its South ference contest o ing, Saturday, to 55.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017 • The News & Reporter • 7A

rtS CyClones lose Their VoiCe

FILE PHOTOS

ty... 47 years

everal years ago I was standing in line for a beverage at a small Greenville County concert venue and struck up a brief conversation with the fellow standing behind me in line. When I told him I worked in Chester County, his eyes lit up. Ò Hey, do you know Carlisle Roddey?Ó he asked enthusiastically. If you are from Chester, have ever lived in Chester or aware that Chester exists, you of course knew Carlisle, the larger-than-life man who occupied the county supervisorÕ s seat for decades and spent 47 years as the radio voice of Chester Cyclones football. This fellow wasnÕ t from Chester, he lived in Lugoff, but his normal football Friday night routine was to set a trash barrel on fire, pop open a few cold ones and listen to Carlisle call Chester football. Ò HeÕ s hilarious,Ó said the guy, who had no ties to Chester or the Cyclones other than his enjoyment of hearing Carlisle on 90.3 FM 10 or so times a year. When I worked in radio and interviewed for a job in Union, one of the first things I was asked was Ò So, I guess you know Carlisle.Ó Same when I interviewed at a station in Laurens, same when I interviewed at a station in Charlotte. To a lot of people, Carlisle was Chester Talking County and vice versa. Carlisle was a normal part of my Sports football Fridays, minus the beer and fire, which might be frowned Travis Jenkins upon in press boxes or on sidelines. Wherever I was headed for a game, IÕ d tune into CarlisleÕ s pre-game show. HeÕ d always interview the coaches at Chester, Lewisville and Great Falls but my favorite segment came when he and cohorts Clint Davis, Mike Enoch and Jim Fuller would pick football games from around the state. There were certain teams, ones that had perhaps beaten Chester in a big game at some point or where he and his crew had maybe been treated inhospitably, that he flat out was not going to pick for any reason. I distinctly remember him saying on a number of occasions that he wouldnÕ t pick Daniel High School or Fairfield Central if they were playing a pack of Girl Scouts. Good-natured rivalry hatred is one of the things that makes sports fun, in my opinion. Once a game started, Carlisle was part Vin Scully and part Jerry Clower. He knew the game and told you all you needed to know about what was happening on the field, but his knowledge of the people on the field and the humor with which he told you about them, is what made him beer and trash barrel worthy listening. I think to his core, he was a storyteller. Ò The Voice of the CyclonesÓ could spin you a yarn and maybe some of it was comedic embellishment because he didnÕ t want to bore you, or maybe it was all true and he just found a way to make it funny, but when he started talking, you could listen to him for hours. He could read the name of a third-team deep snap-

years. In each of those seasons, the Lady Hornets have proven to be the last hurdle the Lady Lions havenÕ t been able to clear. Of course, almost no one else has either, with Dixie having played for the state title the past four years, winning two. Thomas has had the opportunity to scout the Lady Hornets, including on Tuesday when his team wrapped up a district title early, while Dixie (in the odd position of having to play its way out of the losers bracket) had to beat McBee twice to advance. He had two of his assistants at game one and made it in time to see the second game himself. Ò A lot of the players are different this year, but they still have a very solid team,Ó Thomas said. From what heÕ s seen, Dixie still has consistent hitting up and down its line-up, but doesnÕ t appear to hit for power quite as much as in past years. The defense remains good and senior pitcher Delanie Laudenbacher, a hard-thrower, remains

road and would likely end up having to go back to Dixie at some point to win two games. Lewisville got to the upperstate bracket with an 18-0 win over Calhoun Falls Charter in five innings Wednesday night. The Lady Lions scored 10 runs in the first two innings and made it 16-0 by the end of three. Several players had big nights at the plate, including Abby Thomas who went 4-for-5 with a triple and drove in two runs. Codi Horne had a three RBI night and two base hits (including a double), Tori Ernandez drove in a run and collected three hits, and Chloe Thomas, Amber Bass, Alexis Odum and Lauren Crocker all had two hits and all drove in at least one run. One of BassÕ s hits was a triple. Ivy McCall was 1-for-1 and drove one in. Abby Thomas was the winning pitcher, tossing five innings of two-hit ball while striking out three. Lewisville now stands at 21-2 on the year.

SPORTS COLUMN WRITING

2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION BY TRAVIS JENKINS/THE N&R

Amber Bass hits a bloop single in Saturday’s playoff opener. extremely effective. Dixie is obviously not unbeatable, having dropped a 2-1 decision to McBee last Friday to fall into the losers bracketÉ the same McBee team Lewisville swept during the regular sea-

son. Going to their place and winning still isnÕ t easy, but Thomas thinks his squad is better equipped to do so this season than last, when his roster featured no seniors at all and only a handful of juniors.

Ò I think weÕ re more mature and experienced now. These girls have been through it and they wonÕ t fall apart if we make a mistake. We wonÕ t let one bad play or one bad inning beat us,Ó he said.

Finish what you start

uring the spring AAAA playoff match-up. fairly even and well sports season, keepBoth teams won their matched. Colleton County ing an eye on the weather playoff openers, then took a 4-2 lead after five forecast is essential. In Colleton County took a innings, but at that point, South Carolina, it isnÕ t tight, 2-0 win over Lugoff- Mother Nature decided to uncommon to have thunElgin, which dropped the inject herself into the proderstorms in early March Demons to the losers ceedings. Not only did it and while we donÕ t get a bracket. They then beat start to rain, it started to lot of Ò wet daysÓ in our Marlboro rain hard. After two state, when we do it is County to hours, with the rain still normally in the spring. earn hammering the field and Wet playing surfaces another with the forecast calling arenÕ conducive toJUNEshot for it to continue for at 8A t• really WEDNESDAY, 28,at 2017 • The News & Reporter outdoor activities like Colleton least three hours more, baseball, softball and run- County. umpires made the logical ning track and lightning Playoffs call to halt play. No probdoesnÕ t mix particularly are doulem, Lugoff-Elgin would well with people standing ble-elimijust gas the bus up Talking in big open fields and sitnation, so Wednesday and make Sports ting on metal bleachers. the their way back to Colleton ItÕ s a safe bet that the Demons, County to finish things Travis Jenkins schedule you get to start to advance up. They couldnÕ t, though, the spring does not repreto the lowbecause per S.C. High sent when games will erstate title bracket, were School League rules, with actually be played. tasked with going to five innings in the books, Unfortunately, bad Colleton County and beat- the game was official and weather in the playoffs ing them twice in one it was overÉ so was can have a much worse night. The game started Lugoff-ElginÕ s season. No affect than just altering off much like the first chance for late-game herothe day and time a game encounter the two teams ics, no opportunity for a will be played. hadÉ close and competirally and no shot and forcOn Tuesday, Lugofftive. That isnÕ t surprising, ing a deciding game two Elgin High SchoolÕ s baseas youÕ d expect the numfor a trip to the lowerstate ball team was playing at ber one and number two title bracket. WeÕ ll never Colleton County in a seeds in a district to be know what would have

happened; just take up games, they are the culentire second game if one uniforms, count cleats and mination of a season and had been forced. With the get ready for next year. It of all the hard work playnew pitch count rules and seems awfully arbitrary ers and coaches put in. mandatory days of rest for that if the rain started The season itself only pitchers, Colleton County just one inning earlier, lasts a few months, but gets a decided advantage the game would have to the preparation for it is over whoever they play have been completed the now nearly year-round. next by not having anynext day. Good teams, the ones that one on the mound for two Now, I understand make the playoffs, are more innings and a possiwhy the rule exists. In usually comprised of play- ble second game. The botthe regular season, parers who do year-round tom line, though, is prep ticularly in early nonconditioning, a lot of them sports are supposed to be region game that have no play travel ball and they about the kids playing the bearing on playoff seedare actually now allowed games and a rule that ing, it doesnÕ t make a lot limited practices in the doesnÕ t allow them a full of sense to undertake a fall. TheyÕ ve earned the opportunity to compete is long road trip to play two opportunity to be in the decidedly not Ò about the innings of baseball. If we post-season and have kids.Ó Yes there are travel happen to catch a couple therefore earned the right costs involved and yes it is of The daysChester of rain in-a-row or to see things to their natsometimes to get American Legion Post 27 Junior Team beat Clover indifficult extra innings if heavy rain falls all day ural conclusion. umpires scheduled, but Wednesday to giveStopping them aavery good makes rulebook the Regional onlast a field that doesnÕnight t game earlychance theto leagueÕ drain well, to you of domino be amended. The Playoffs becould held in July.has Witha couple the game tied 3 to 3 inneeds extratoinnings and bases sometimes be facing mul- effects. For one, Lugoffrule, as written, is fine for loadeddelays for Post Jackson Mobley a solid field,season bringing tiple-day in 27, finishElgin mighthad have ralliedhit into theleft regular but the ingrunner a game, which win that andThe winplayoff games should be a atby third base hometoto win thegame game. was also aided by some time it could overlap with then won game two. That full seven innings in spite veryscheduled outstanding defensive plays made by the Tyson McKenzie at firstfactors. base and other games. would have altered of any external Straining to play all make-up of the upperstate We canÕ t control when Justin Lucas at the catcher’s position. Chester is tied with Rock Hill Post 34itfor seven innings in that bracket. Even if theyÕ d rains and the weather will the Regional Playoff position. Chester County Post 27 plays Clover on Wednesday at 7 instance isnÕ t practical. lost, Colleton no doubt affect the season The playoffs should be beatwould hadthey to have most every spring team p.m. in Clover. If they Clover, willused be in the ofplayoffs; a loss to Clover different, though. These someone to pitch those in the stateÉ but it should will force a tie-breaker game with Rock Hill on Thursday at South Point field. arenÕ t meaningless last two innings and an never end one.

Chester Post 27 Junior Team in the hunt for the Regional Playoffs

PHOTO PROVIDED

Rain delays soccer, baseball playoffs

he introduction of a shot clock in South BY TRAVIS JENKINS Carolina high school bastjenkins@onlinechester.com ketball could improve the pace of play, jack up the No team they have level of excitement and faced this post-season has generally make for a more been able to stop the watchable on-court prodLewisville Lions baseball uctÉ and IÕ m completely squad, but the weather did against it. on Thursday. A number of states Lewisville was to have have moved to using a started play in the uppershot clock for prep basketstate title bracket ball (Wisconsin being the Thursday night at Lamar, latest) recently and there but with heavy rain and is a bit of a movement thunderstorms in the foreafoot to do the same in cast, the game was postthe Palmetto State. DonÕ t poned until tonight at 7 get me wrong, IÕ ve spent p.m. The Lions won their nights in some high school playoff opener 11-1 over gyms when I could have Wagener-Salley and seen more action by starclinched a district title ing at the wall than with a second win over the watching the game on the War Eagles, 10-0, on court. Some teams, often ones that arenÕ t blessed with a lot of talent, spread the floor, always make the extra pass and work the clock as a way to reduce the number of possessions and give themselves a fighting chance against more talented opponents that want to play an uptempo game. There are a few teams that always make 10 extra passes, slow things to a pace that rates somewhere between

a snail and a sloth on the slow meter and squeeze Tuesday. Most all of the every bit of enjoyment out competition in the upperof the viewing experience. state is familiar to the As someone who watches Lions, as Lamar and 40 or more high school McBee both compete in basketball games a year, Region II along with the fan and spectator in Lewisville. Ridge Springme would love to see the Monetta rounds out the methodical, deliberate bracket. pace of play I sometimes The Lewisville boys socsee put out of its misery. cer team picked up an It isnÕ t as easy as that, impressive win Tuesday though, and there is a lot night, defeating Ware to consider before fundaShoals 3-1, marking one of mentally altering a sport. the few post-season victoFirst are the logistics. ries in program history Having a shot clock and the first in four years. means actually having The Lions were to have said clock (which many played at the GovernorÕ s schools donÕ t) and having School Thursday night, someone who can compebut the weather forced the tently run it. This contest to be moved to wouldnÕ t be an issue at tonight at 6 p.m. larger schools that have resources and a dozen or more on-campus coaches, but it would be problematic at smaller schools. A Class A school canÕ t just decide Ò weÕ ll make the volleyball coach run the shot clock for basketballÓ because many coaches at smaller, rural, poorer schools have coaches who donÕ t actually work at the school. They are super supportive members of the community and want

Good season for Cycs

Off the clock

to help their school, but tlecock that the teenage ter at it. ItÕ s similar to the sonnel to press-and-run, they might also have to bookkeeper turned backway young children start donÕ t have players who work odd shifts at their and-forth to indicate posin T-ball, then graduate to can create off the dribble actual job that wouldnÕ t session. Now weÕ re going coach-pitch, then to facing or penetrate and probably allow them to take on to ask schools to find live pitching from an canÕ t hit contested jumpsuch a duty. Some places another person to run a opponent. You could cerers. Making teams like could have a JV coach run shot clock or pile addition- tainly force six-year-olds that shoot more often isnÕ t the clock for varsity al duties on the volunteer to stand on a mound and going to make the game games, who is already overloaded pitch, but it wouldnÕ t more fun to watch or except keeping a book and runmake the game betterÉ it increase their point prothat in ning the scoreboard? It would mean eight-hour duction. It will increase many honestly sounds like a rec- games with 40 walks and the number of bad shots smaller ipe for a poorly run shot poor batters maimed by they take, hurt point proschools, clock. being hit in the face in duction and lead to even the JV ItÕ s also important to every at-bat. more one-sided, tail-whiphead keep in mind that high I also wonder if adding pings than we see coach is school basketball is somea shot clock would actualalready. also a varthing entirely different ly have the desired effect Truthfully, I donÕ t sity assis- Talking from college and NBA of increasing scoring. If think slow play is such an tant. Most Sports ball. One of the points of you take a team that epidemic that rule changsmaller prep basketball (which wants to slow things es need to be undertaken BY TRAVIS JENKINS/THE N&R Travis Jenkins often features seventh schools down and play in the 40s anyway. The number of The Chester boys soccer team enjoyed one of its best seasons in years, went 8-8 in the regular season (and some and eighth graders on the or 50s instead of the 70s teams that just try to eat against a tough schedule and finished third in its region. The team also had a good showing Tuesday to larger ones actually) have court in some places) is to and 80s and force them to clock and play keep-away open the playoffs, but did fall to Clinton 3-2. a teacher, or the spouse of teach players the game. shoot faster and more, is fairly low and seems to a coach or a student keep- Setting up an environthat doesnÕ t necessarily be decreasing as time goes ing the book and running ment that allows, if not translate to more points. on. Even if it were, a shot the scoreboard already. outright encourages, extra Probably, it translates to clock isnÕ t the way to go. They do the best they can, passes, getting the best lots and lots of missed That would completely but IÕ ve seen possession shot possible and playing shots. Teams that play alter the game as we arrows and even actual defense for extended peri- that style often do so know it. Spectators are, of game clocks run incorrect- ods of time does exactly because, as already mencourse, a big part of high ly (stop for no reason, not that. That sometimes tioned, they simply donÕ t school athletics, but major stop when a ball goes out means folks sitting in the have a lot of size or talent. sea changes in a sport of bounds) in a manner stands donÕ t get as excitThey work the ball canÕ t be made purely for that affected the outcome ing a show to watch, but around the perimeter for their enjoyment, they of games. IÕ ve been in a it does mean that the an open look or try to have to be based on AA gym that didnÕ t even 12-18-year-old school kids push it inside for a highwhatÕ s best, and whatÕ s have a possession arrowÉ on the court are learning percentage shot because practical, for players and it had a badminton shutthe game and getting bet- they donÕ t have the perschools.

FIRST PLACE

Travis Jenkins The News & Reporter

PAGE ONE DESIGN ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

THIRD PLACE Kevin Pontiff Tidelands Health

SECOND PLACE

Jessica Stout GSA Business Report

Vol. 3, Issue 2 a quarterly magazine for our employee, physician and volunteer partners

WINNER OF THE 2016 BEST NEWSPAPER PUBLICATION AWARD BY THE S.C. PRESS ASSOCIATION

www.gsabusiness.com

April 17-30, 2017

Volume 20, No. 8 • $2.00

Economist says inflation threatens to return by Matthew Clark mclark@scbiznews.com

Showcase

Lockheed Martin officials show off the T-50A in Greenville. GSABUSINESS.COM

nflation in the United States may be making an appearance in the national economic picture, according to an Upstate economist. Bruce Yandle, dean emeritus and alumni professor of economics at Clemson University as well as adjunct

professor of economics for the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, said the market seems poised to bring inflation back after a brief hiatus. In his Economic Situation report, Yandle said after the addition of 227,000 new jobs in January, coupled with a 2.5% year-over-year growth in wages, “inflation seems to be back in the game.” He said that an increase

in wages is not the lone factor in determining inflation. The wage increases are more of a reflection of “growing scarcity of skilled workers backed by growth in the amount of circulating money that fuels economic activity” but there are other factors that have led to speculation that inflation is coming back. “After all, the term inflation itself refers to inflating the supply of money in the econ--

Retrospect

Look back at the national foreclosure crisis. PAGE 4

Partnership

SAS and Clemson University are working to use big data. PAGE 11

THELISTS Security Systems Companies PAGE 18 Residential Real Estate Firms PAGE 20 Commercial Real Estate Firms PAGE 22

Bicycle

BOSSES Company executives in the Upstate are looking toward cycling as a way to relieve stress and stay competitive. The sport itself is starting to grow, not just across the country, but also in the region as riders of varied skills are taking advantage of the Upstate’s trails and infrastructure. PAGE 6

INSIDE

Tidelands Waccamaw Community Care at Myrtle Beach gets a new look Page 6

Tidelands Health welcomes first family medicine residents Page 8

Employee partners recognized for service milestones Page 20

Leading Off...................... 2 In Focus: Security .......... 11 On The Menu ................... 8 People in the News ........ 28 Viewpoint....................... 30

On the Menu

Find out where GSA Business Report readers go to meet a client or co-worker for a cup of coffee. PAGE 8

See ECONOMIC, Page 7

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PAGE ONE DESIGN ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION Best Edito rial Best Over• all Design Best Prin• t Scoop

March 20 - April 2, 2017 • www.charlestonbusiness.com

2015

Volume 23, No. 7 • $2.00

Kids in low-income neighborhoods learn to code By Liz Segrist

Breaking ground on Dillon port Officials begin site work on new inland terminal. Page 3

lsegrist@scbiznews.com

ome Charleston children who are growing up without computers or internet in their homes are now learning to code for free. CodeOn, which stands for Coding in Our Neighborhoods, introduces coding concepts

and general computer knowledge to kids in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Charleston. The program holds weekly classes at community centers in low-income, mostly black neighborhoods that might not be benefiting from the boom in Charleston’s business climate, tourism sector, tech industry and population. “Charleston is such an up-and-com-

Mercedes-Benz Vans growing in North Charleston. Page 13

Port of Charleston delivers vehicles, parts for automakers. Page 17

Forecast for growth

Charleston Metro Chamber expects regional trend to continue. Page 5

INSIDE Upfront ............................. 2 In Focus: Automotive Manufacturing .............. 13 Lists: SIOR Members .... 19 Area Attractions............ 20 At Work .......................... 25 People in the News......... 25 Business Digest.............. 25 Hot Properties................. 30 Viewpoint........................ 31

See CODING, Page 6

➤

WestRock sells residential part of Nexton project

Automotive expansion

Shipping autos by the numbers

ing and wealthy neighborhood, it just seemed unfair to have any neighborhood or any pocket in our neighborhoods that isn’t benefiting from all the great resources that we have,” said Carolyn Finch, founder and executive director of Charleston Women In Tech. CodeOn was born last spring out of that group, which has garnered hundreds of

By Ashley Heffernan

SERVE Certified to S.C. lawmakers consider a bill requiring all alcohol servers and bartenders in the state to take a course to identify underage and intoxicated patrons. Page 10

Photo/Ashley Heffernan

aheffernan@scbiznews.com

large paper and packaging company with Charleston ties recently sold 4,000 acres of the Nexton development in Summerville. WestRock — which was MeadWestvaco prior to a 2015 merger with RockTenn — sold the residential portion of Nexton earlier this month to North America Sekisui House LLC, the U.S. operations of Japan-based homebuilder Sekisui House Ltd., and San Diegobased Newland Communities. The purchase price was nearly $80.8 million, according to property records filed with the Berkeley County Register of Deeds. “The land development business is a business where you develop and sell land. That’s the whole purpose. That’s the revenue stream,” WestRock Land and Development President Ken Seeger said. “We have been selling development land in earnest for the last four or five years. ... This was the right time for this project as the markets are very strong.” MeadWestvaco purchased the Nexton site, 4

See NEXTON NEXTON,, Page 9

5 8

How far does your paycheck go? Analysis outlines buying power in S.C. counties. Page 2

9 1

7 3 2

➤

FIRST PLACE

Emily Williams Charleston Regional Business Journal

PAGE ONE DESIGN PORTFOLIO ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Betty Moses Myrtle Beach Herald

Charles Swenson Coastal Observer

Ed Wi Wilson’s Year in Review Here’s some of our favorite cartoons fr from 2016 as drawn by Myrtle Beach Herald cartoonist Ed Wilson: Nikki Haley is selected as Donald T Trump’s new U.N. Amr Horry County begins construction of Internabassador, tional Drive; Donald Ttrump wins a wild presidential election; RIDE III is approved; Hurricane Matthew hits t HGTC celebrates it’s 50th t anniversary; the Horry County:

COASTAL OBSERVER Vol. XXXVI No. 3

Pawleys Island, South Carolina ~ July 6, 2017

50 cents

COASTAL OBSERVER Vol. XXXVI No. 10

Pawleys Island, South Carolina ~ August 24, 2017

50 cents

Vol. XXXVI No. 13

Pawleys Island, South Carolina ~ September 14, 2017

50 cents

VOL. 23 NO. 53

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

HURRICANE IRMA

What a blast

THE DAY THE ENVIRONMENT

Sea turtle volunteers prepare to greet first hatchlings

BEACH STOOD STILL

Gestation for loggerhead turtle eggs is an average of 60 days. The first nest of the year in South Carolina was reported on Isle of Palms on April 30, but the first on the Waccamaw Neck was at North Litchfield on May 5. That puts the nest at 60 days today. PAGE 2

DECEMBER 30, 2016

| PAGE 4A

75 CENTS

BY CHARLES D. PERRY

ENVIRONMENT

County revising tree ordinance to trim loopholes

Richardson

Solicitor Jimmy Richardson disagreed with his office’s decision to file pointing and presenting a firearm charges against a Myrtle Beach man who was shot by police during a

drug raid last year, according to court documents. Richardson, who oversees the drug unit, tried to distance himself from those charges when he was questioned on Nov. 14 by attorneys for Julian Betton, the 32-year-old

The iconic Pawleys Island Chapel will move across the street from the marshfront where it has stood for 70 years. But it will be back before worship services resume next summer, still atop new pilings. PAGE 3 Economy: Planning Commission rebuﬀs county plan to rezone riverfront tract for heavy industry. PAGE 4

Roads: A long-awaited update to a 15-year-old study of Highway 17 on Waccamaw Neck is now due to start in the fall. PAGE 11

Politics: U.S. Rep Tom Rice ﬁelds questions from constituents about health care and Social Security. PAGE 10

Health care: A law school’s proposal for reforming the Aﬀordable Care Act really is simple. What’s hard is getting a response from senators. PAGE 12

Pawleys parade draws new faces BY CHARLES SWENSON

Rocking the boats on the inlet COASTAL OBSERVER

Boats crept slowly along the Murrells Inlet waterfront. Passengers exchanged greetings and blasts from super soakers and water cannons with spectators who had gathered along the Marsh Walk for the Murrells Inlet Fourth of July Boat Parade. Music cascaded from the patios of waterfront restaurants. Some patrons sipped drinks, others enjoyed dinner and merely took in the scene. A little farther down on the parade route, crowds gathered around the grounds of Belin SEE “BOATS,” PAGE 7

The winning touch | For seasoned ﬂoat builders, ideas come as fast as trophies. PAGE 3 North Litchfield Parade | Participation is up, the number of carts is anyone’s guess. PAGE 8

Crime................................. 9 Opinion ........................... 10 Crossword ........................14 What’s On .........................15 Classiﬁeds ........................16 Sports ...............................18

Fireworks light up the sky over the Litchﬁeld Beaches. Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer

Online coastalobserver.com

They came from around the world for the view. Pawleys Island didn’t disappoint. The clouds scattered to provide an unobstructed look at the Great American Eclipse as it completed its journey across the U.S. from the Paciﬁc to the Atlantic. When the sun disappeared it

took the sounds of man and nature with it. Silence cast a shadow over the beach at Pawleys Island. The clustered whoops that greeted Monday’s total solar eclipse rang with celebration and echoed with wonder. STORY AND PHOTOS, PAGE 16

Obituaries ......................... 2 Crime................................. 7 Opinion ............................. 8 Crossword ........................12 What’s On .........................13 Classiﬁeds ........................14 Sports ...............................19 Online coastalobserver.com

Some are afraid to visit, some can’t wait to get back

Children receive school supplies, shoes and haircuts VOL. 24 NO. 33

AUGUST 18, 2017

| PAGE 10A

75 CENTS

POST SEASON NEARING | SEE PAGE 1B

A BIG ‘THANK YOU’

BY NIKKI BEST

They were diﬀerent storms, but had the same result. Even though the eye of Hurricane Irma never got closer than about 350 miles from Pawleys Island, its wind and storm surge ﬂattened the beach on the south end the same way Hurricane Matthew did 11 months ago when the eye of that Category 1 storm passed directly overhead. Heavy equipment is due to return to the island beachfront by Monday to start pushing up a new dune. Sand that washed under the houses and onto Springs Avenue was being removed Wednesday by crews from the state Department of Transportation and stockpiled in the south end parking lot. “It wasn’t the same severity as Matthew, yet it leaves us with almost the same problem,” Town Administrator Ryan Fabbri said. It’s the same problem the town had after Hurricane Joaquin in SEE “PAWLEYS,” PAGE 5

Photos by Tanya Ackerman (above, below right) and Charles Swenson (below left)/Coastal Observer

DOT crews remove sand from Springs Avenue on Pawleys Island. Below left, vegetation helped hold part of a dune on the south end. At Salt Marsh Cove, below right, condos flooded by Hurricane Matthew were still under repair when Irma arrived this week.

Damage around Georgetown County from Hurricane Irma was minimal, most of it was on the Waccamaw Neck, emergency manager Sam Hodge said. Staff was still assessing damage Wednesday. “They’re out working on those today, we’ll hopefully have everything done before tomorrow afternoon,” he said. “We have more damage than I thought we were going to have. We actually had a higher storm surge than they did in some areas of Florida, on the western side.” On Litchfield Beach walkways that were just replaced after Hurricane Matthew were damaged or destroyed. In Georgetown, Front Street flooded. There were also reports of broken trees, downed limbs, low-hanging power lines and blown transformers. “It’s easy to ramp up for a disaster, it happens so quickly,” Hodge said. De-escalating is more difficult, Hodge said. “We account for every dime spent,” he SEE “EOC,” PAGE 3

FILE PHOTO

Coastal Carolina University’s baseball team brought national attention to the area when they won the 2016 NCAA College World Series Championship. Thousands welcomed their new heroes home from the World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

Thousands of Horry County residents suffered damage to their homes for the second October in a row. As Hurricane Matthew wound its crooked path toward the South Carolina coast, predictions ranged from a light strike to a devastating blow, but few predicted the damage that would be wrought when it hit. Along the Grand Strand, storm surge filled the streets in Garden City with sand and devastated sand dunes all along the coast. High winds tore down trees and damaged structures. The biggest effect, though, was caused by the

Martin Luther King Weekend

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Second Front

Education: Release of ACT results highlights gap between how the state and schools use data. Page 6

Crime ........................................................7 Opinion .....................................................8 Sports ......................................................10 Crossword ............................................... 12 What’s On ............................................... 13 Property transfers .................................. 15 Classifieds............................................... 16

Online coastalobserver.com

BY TOM O’DARE

TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

FILE PHOTO

Many families were devastated by the floods following the onslaught of Hurricane Matthew. The Rosewood neighborhood in Socastee was especially hard hit.

Keahi Mendoza remembered as selfless, determined BY AUGUST R. DITTBENNER

AUGUST.DITTBENNER@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

BY TOM O’DARE

TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in Myrtle Beach has featured a freedom rally marking the life and teachings of the late Civil Rights leader. This year, local leaders are taking the 11th edition of the freedom rally to another level. The theme for this year’s event that takes place from Jan. 13-16 is focuses on promoting diversity for social and

FILE PHOTO

The 11th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend will culminate with a parade on Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach that steps off at

CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6A FAITH CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7A OBITUARIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8A CROSSWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8A

TOM O’DARE | THE HERALD

Walt and Magdalene Manning returned to Myrtle Beach after being away for 50 years. They stayed at the Mariner Inn where Magdalene first met her future husband in the early 60s.

Six shootings in three-day span All roads lead back to Myrtle Beach

Celebrating the man and what he stood for

WHAT’S INSIDE Pawleys Island: Eﬀorts to fund Town Hall construction through donations will alter town’s ﬁnancial picture. Page 6

TOM O’DARE | THE HERALD

One of the victims of an early Sunday morning shooting at 4th Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard is loaded into an ambulance.

See 2016, Page 3A

See MLK PARADE, Page 2A noon.

The end of a walkway: Rebuilt after Hurricane Matthew, Walkway 61 at Litchﬁeld Beach was destroyed in about 30 minutes.

TOM O’DARE | THE HERALD

Matthew makes his presence known

COASTAL OBSERVER

BY CHARLES SWENSON COASTAL OBSERVER

Alex Nash wasn’t troubled by the score. He was conﬁdent as only a teenager can be when he’s got USA written on his torso in red, white and blue paint. “We’ve got this,” he said. SECOND FRONT

DAY OF HOPE

Two sides of Myrtle Beach

More than 70 people gathered at the Market Common Sunday for a vigil to honor those slain and injured Saturday during a protest in Virginia.

For the Myrtle Beach area, 2016 saw a flood of stories that impacted nearly everyone in some way—either good or bad. From a hurricane to high-flying Chanticleers, there was a plethora of stories that caught local and national attention throughout the year. The list isn’t all-inclusive, but here are 10 stories that garnered the interest of Myrtle Beach residents and visitors over the last 12 months.

County still adding up storm costs

Excitement greets return to gridiron

By the grace of God

BY ROGER GREENE

COASTAL OBSERVER

They were neither red nor blue; just red, white and blue on Pawleys Island for the 51st Fourth of July parade. And when President Donald Trump showed up, he got a trophy and a can of beer. “It was huge,” he said, referring to the trophy. Miss South Carolina also got a trophy. Suzi Roberts rode in her father Gary’s Corvette to show the hometown crowd the crown she received just a week earlier. Mayor Bill Otis said he hoped she would return as Miss America next year. SEE “FLOATS,” PAGE 4

Town ready to push up dunes again

WACCAMAW HIGH

CHURCHES

See SOLICITOR, Page 2A

INSIDE

70YEARS AND COUNTING | SEE PAGE 9A

75 CENTS

INFO@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

Tanya Ackerman/Coastal Observer

After 70 years, chapel will move for repairs

with pointing and presenting,” Richardson said during his deposition, a portion of which was filed in the civil case. “I did not have anything to do with what charges to bring.” Betton faces marijuana distribu-

tion charges and three counts of pointing and presenting a firearm, one charge for each officer who shot him. The drug charges were filed in June 2015 while the pointing and presenting ones did not come until November of that year. In July, prosecutors amended the drug charges

JUNE 23, 2017

BY TOM O’DARE, AUGUST DITTBENNER

Walkways that survived the storm surge on the south end of Pawleys Island no longer have dunes underneath them.

PAWLEYS ISLAND

VOL. 24 NO. 25

‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’

CAPITAL PROJECTS

County Council approved a $28.9 million capital improvement plan last week and followed that with a vote to spend the bulk of the $3.5 million allocated for economic development to buy property. The location was not announced pending approval from the seller, Red Mountain Timber Co., a partnership that owns former International Paper Co. property. However, the county is seeking to rezone 948 acres on behalf of Red Mountain on the Sampit River west of Georgetown for heavy industry. The site is across Pennyroyal Road from Santee Cooper’s Winyah Generating Station. PAGE 11

man who was shot nine times by police during the April 16, 2015, raid at his Withers Swash apartment. Betton is suing the drug unit’s leaders and the officers who wounded him in federal court. “I would not have charged him

Check out Waccamaw Publishers’ annual high school football preview

| PAGE 1B

SEAHAWKS FALTER IN CLASSIC | PAGE 1B

2016: YEAR OF HIGHS AND LOWS OF ALL KINDS

Revisions to land use regulations are needed to preserve the trees that help deﬁne Georgetown County’s landscape, according to County Council Member Steve Goggans. But for now, those changes will focus on the Waccamaw Neck, the source of growing complaints about the ordinance and the loss of trees to development. At Goggans’ request, the county planning staﬀ reviewed the ordinance, which was last updated in 2011. PAGE 2

County buying timber land for new industry

CCU football coach gets national attention

Betton suing drug unit’s leaders and officers who wounded him

CHARLES.PERRY@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

THE WILD BEST

MOGLIA

ED’S WORLD A look back at 2016 through an award winning cartoonist’s eyes

Solicitor disagreed with some charges against Myrtle Beach man shot by police

Three in a row

THE GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE

TRADITIONS | Fourth of July

heroin epidemic claims three t lives per week; former ty Police Chief Saundra Rhodes gets retireHorry County ment payout; park rking on the Golden Mile creates conff ’s trovery; efffo ort to merge Horry County Police and Sheriff tle Beach office fails; Chinese businessmen purchase Myrtl ty; and, fflooding causes devastating crop losses property for farmers.

COASTAL OBSERVER

SUBMITTED

Keahi Mendoza, left, poses with a teammate after a cross country meet. Mendoza passed away after a surfing accident early Monday morning.

STRAND TENNIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3B CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4B LEGALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7B ENTERTAINMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13B

Socastee High School guidance counselor and cross country coach Robb Urbaniak remembers Keahi Mendoza as an amazing student and an amazing athlete. “He was pretty much everything that we would want in a student in high school,” Urbaniak said. Mendoza, 17, who drowned in a surfing accident in Surfside Beach Monday, was universally beloved by his teachers, coaches and classmates. Urbaniak met Mendoza when he was a middle school student on the cross country team. Mendoza, he said, was not the most athletic student but he was a hard worker who set lofty goals – and who met every goal he set. See MENDOZA, Page 3A

From Saturday afternoon to Monday evening, Myrtle Beach police responded to six gunshot calls. These were in addition to other “gun involved” calls that included getting a number of stolen weapons off the street. One incident shortly after midnight Saturday on 4th Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard sent six to the hospital and was videoed by a visiting volunteer fireman.

That video went viral with over four million views and received attention from the national media. That publicity ignited a fury among local residents and business owners prompting the Myrtle Beach City Council to call a special meeting Tuesday afternoon about the shootings. Interim police Chief Amy Prock gave the council an account of what transpired over the three-day span. Prock said her officers were just as frustrated as everyone else about the criminal activi-

ty over the weekend but she lauded their handling of each situation. The shootings began Saturday afternoon at Coastal Grand Mall in what Prock called “a drug deal gone bad.” She said two men have been charged with armed robbery and attempted murder in that case. Shortly after the mall incident, a “shots fired” call came in from the Crown Reef Resort on south Ocean Boulevard. Police have identified See SIX SHOOTINGS, Page 2A

BY TOM O’DARE

TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

Walt and Magdalene Manning met at the Mariner Inn in Myrtle Beach years ago. Last week, the Florida couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary by staying at the Mariner Inn— the first time they had been back to Myrtle Beach in more than 50 years. A lot has changed in their lives over the last five decades and they both agreed a lot has changed in Myrtle Beach during that

time. Walt said their journey in life together that began at the small hotel on north Ocean Boulevard was obviously guided by God’s hand. Sitting by the pool at the small hotel that’s now surrounded by towering resorts, the couple said they were surprised the Mariner is still around, but they were glad it was. Of the two, Walt was the one with the most stories about their life together. Magdalene, a former schoolteacher mostly sat and

smiled, usually only speaking up to gently offer a few corrections to Walt’s narrative. Walt had been stationed at the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base until the early 60s. When he got out, he began working at the Dunes Village as a night manager, putting in 98 hours a week. “I got a job at here at the Mariner Inn because I’d only be working 68 hours a week,” he laughed. It was there, that Walt says See THE MANNINGS, Page 3A

Residents, businesses implore council for safer city Pleas call for more police to resignation of mayor, council BY TOM O’DARE

TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

After a parade of speakers addressed the Myrtle Beach City Council for more than an hour Tuesday afternoon, it was apparent a lot of people were frustrated and upset with the crime spree that struck the city over the last weekend. From the residents to members of the council, the sentiment was clear, “enough is enough.” The council had called a special meeting to address the six shootings that occurred from

This isn’t a black issue. It’s

a Myrtle Beach issue, a criminal issue. These criminals need to learn that if you act crazy, you go to jail. Mickey James, president MB Chapter, NAACP Saturday afternoon through Monday evening. Several hundred people packed the council

WHAT’S INSIDE

chambers to express their opinions and hear what may be done to curb the recent spate of violence. A video of a shooting early Sunday morning that sent six people to the hospital went viral and has been seen by more than four million viewers. The story of the shooting reached national media within a couple of days. The city manager announced some new measures he hopes will ward off future incidents but the plans weren’t announced until after a number of people TOM O’DARE | THE HERALD

See SPECIAL MEETING, Page 2A Several hundred people attended a special Myrtle Beach Council meeting Tuesday afternoon.

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Grand Strand joins vigils across the nation BY TOM O’DARE

TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

St. James High School student K.T. Custer said she and some friends were skateboarding near Valor Park at the Market Common Sunday evening when they stopped by to see why a crowd had gathered. When she found out, she stayed. Custer, 16, joined about 70 others who had gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor those who were killed and injured Saturday in Charlottesville, Virginia. See VIGIL, Page 2A

Vereen tossing her hat into the ring again BY TOM O’DARE

TOM.ODARE@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

Myrtle Beach businesswoman Jackie Vereen hopes the third time is the charm. Vereen announced this week that she is running for one of three seats on the Myrtle Beach City Council. It’s the third time that she has tried to get a seat on the council. In 2015, Vereen came in fourth and in 2013 she barely missed being elected to the council after having been edged out by incumbent Wayne Gray by less than 100 votes. Vereen is an owner and operator of the Sea Dip Hotel in the city and is on the Myrtle Beach Community Appearance Board. The CAB approves the appearance of new projects and changes to cur-

VIRAJ NAIK | THE HERALD

Atreyu “Trey” Smith, 10, received a certificate making him an honorary paramedic at HCFR Station 1 in Socastee, three years after officials from the station provided him medical care after he was seriously injured in a car accident. Pictured from left, Heidi Street, Trey, Teddy Smith and Mike Norket.

Socastee boy thanks first responders who saved him BY VIRAJ NAIK

VIRAJ.NAIK@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

SUBMITTED

Jackie Vereen

rent buildings and businesses in the city. She said being on the CAB for two terms gives her a special insight into the needs of developers. “As a long-time member of the Community See VEREEN, Page 2A

WHAT’S INSIDE

“Thank you for saving my life.” These heartfelt words were uttered Saturday by 10-year old Trey Smith from Socastee to the first responders who did just that. In addition to meeting Fire Rescue members, on Saturday, Atreyu Three years ago, Trey had “Trey” Smith was able to– meet with officials from LifeNet and see the been seriously hurt in a car achelicopter that airlifted him to Charleston three years ago. Pictured, cident that happened as he, from left, Keith Dean, Beth Dockery, Trey Smith, Teddy Smith and his older sister and her Mark Boyd.

STRAND TENNIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3B CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5B ENTERTAINMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9B LEGALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1C

boyfriend were leaving the Beach Family Center in Socastee, located just a short distance from his home, where he attended summer camp. The car they were in was “tboned” by another vehicle which left Trey with serious injuries including a severe diffuse axonal injury to his brain and a broken femur. Though he was clinically See TREY SMITH, Page 2A

PAGE ONE DESIGN PORTFOLIO ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

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City hires consultant for development

Man arrested in police chase Suspect pleaded guilty to drug charges the day before

to February 2013 before Chris Carter took over. His contract is for 60 days and is effective Oct. 2. He will be paid $125 an hour with a cap of $12,000. The vote came after a 30-minute closed session where council discussed potential economic development projects. Council members did not give complete details about the projects since they are still in the works, but Mayor Jack Scoville said one is a commercial

project with the potential to bring 150-200 jobs to the city. Councilman Sheldon Butts said another project is a housing development. The reopening of the Georgetown steel mill is not one of the projects pertaining to Smith’s contract, officials said. According to his contract, Smith will prepare documents relating to tax increment financing (TIF) districts, analysis of incentives to be offered by

the city and assist with development prospects. TIF districts are generally used to subsidize redevelopment and infrastructure projects. They allow municipalities to divert future property tax revenues toward public projects. City Administrator Paul Gardner told council Smith has the experience the city needs right now. Smith was previously the city manager of Rock Hill and town manager in Hilton Head — he currently lives in Pawleys Island.

Gardner told council Georgetown needs to be prepared for the potential for millions of dollars of investment in the city. “I believe it’s prudent for the city to seek ... someone that’s done development for 40 years; has done multimillion-dollar contracts,” Gardner said about Smith. “I think it would be wise for the city Please see CITY, Page A2

‘We must pray our way forward’

From staff reports

At Thursday’s 2016 Legislative Breakfast, Georgetown County’s state legislators discussed myriad topics but found themselves, time and again, coming back to one topic — the state of the state’s roads. State Reps. Carl Anderson, D-103, and Lee Hewitt, R-108, were joined by state Sens. Stephen Goldfinch, R-34, and Ronnie Sabb, D-32, at the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legislative Breakfast, where they addressed a crowd of hundreds at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club. The crowd — which, according to Chamber President and CEO Beth Stedman, was the largest in the event’s history — listened as their legislators discussed pending policy and opined on the state of politics and South Carolina. It wasn’t too long into the event that the topic of roads was brought up, when Sabb made his opening remarks. Although Gov. Nikki Haley signed a bill that allowed the state to borrow billions of dollars for road improvements at the end of the 2016 session, Sabb said he considered that bill both a success and a failure — in that much of the money will be applied toward bridges, instead of roads. “I think there has been a failure of leadership on the roads issue,” Sabb said. “Quite honestly, we may have an opportunity to accept that, (when) Lt. Gov. (Henry) McMaster becomes our governor, we may have an absence of a ‘three-legged stool’ when we look at the road issue for what it is, and it’s one of the most compelling issues confronting us.” McMaster would assume the governor’s position if the U.S. Senate confirms President-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of Haley to serve as United Nations ambassador. Later in the program, Goldfinch continued the roads discussion, adding that, though the four legislators are divided by political party, all of them agreed that roadways

PROVIDED/KENNAN TURNER

Breakout R&B singer Gallant, who has family ties in Georgetown, has performed around the world in support of his Grammy-nominated album, Ology.

Rising R&B star Gallant has family ties in Georgetown BY MARK A. STEVENS mstevens@southstrandnews.com As the clock quickly ticked down on 2016, up-and-coming R&B artist Gallant was exactly where he wanted to be — in Georgetown, South Carolina. Spending the Christmas holidays with family in the Lowcountry was the culmination of a monumental year for Gallant. He’s toured the world, appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and even earned a Grammy nomination. “I felt,” Gallant said in a New Year’s Eve interview with The Georgetown Times, “I belonged there.” When he talks about belonging, he’s talking about his life as a musician and about performing in London, Paris, Berlin and even Seoul, South Korea. And he’s also talking about spending time with his grandmother, Valschia Gallant Brown, in Georgetown, an annual family Christmas tradition. Born Chris Gallant III, the singer is the son of Chris Gallant Jr., who grew up in Georgetown before mov-

have a family reunion of sorts and while also celebrating the Christmas holiday,” said the 25-year-old singer who has ditched his first name for the mononym of Gallant as his stage name. “It’s very close to my heart. Every time I’m back in Georgetown, it reminds me of family and my lineage.” Gallant started writing music and recording three years ago. His debut album, Ology, was released in April 2016 and quickly garnered accolades from around the globe. Writing music, he said, has been “a form of selftherapy.” “It was … a way to work with issues or jump over hurdles that were bogging my mind down during that period of my life,” he said. “Everyone has their own teenage angst in some sense and, for me, the way I could PROVIDED/GALLANT FAMILY get everything inside me out was Back in the Lowcountry for Christmas: from left, Connor Gallant, Lil- through writing music. “I have no idea what made me lie Gallant, Chris Gallant III (known professionally simply as Gallant) gravitate toward music. It could have and Chris Gallant Jr. been something other than music, but that’s just what it happened to ing to the Washington, D.C., area. Christmas with family. Each year, father and son return to “It’s a tradition that we go back Georgetown to spend the week of and visit my grandmother and Please see GALLANT, Page A7

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City hooks college fishing tourney From staff reports

DAVID PURTELL/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

The Cumberland AME Church on Pennyroyal Road was destroyed by fire after lightning struck the church the night of Sept. 21.

Congregation begins recovery after church fire BY DAVID PURTELL dpurtell@southstrandnews.com

The church was destroyed in the blaze, but firefighters were able to save the church records.

The congregation of Cumberland AME Church is finding strength through faith after a fire destroyed the church building on Pennyroyal Road the night of Sept. 21. Church Pastor Rev. Barbara Nelson said Monday Cumberland’s congregation is moving forward in the wake of the fire. “We must pray our way forward,” she said about the church’s 140 members. “Our faith will enable us to move forward.”

Cumberland’s worshipers joined a unity service Sunday at St. Michael AME Church at the east end of Pennyroyal Road. “That was extremely nourishing,” Nelson said. “People are still emotional over losing the physical building.” Nelson said the most important thing is that no was hurt in the fire and that the church’s “body of believers is still intact.” Georgetown County Fire and EMS responded to the fire just Please see FIRE, Page A2

Fill the Fish A metal sculpture of a fish, filled with trash and debris collected from area beaches now adorns the lawn of the Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center. About 40 people came out to help fill the sculpture on Sept. 22 during an event called “Fill the Fish” in celebration of National Estuaries Week and to show their support for saying “no to littering.”

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Hobcaw Barony hosts event to combat litter BY CLAYTON STAIRS cstairs@southstrandnews.com

Musical roots

County’s state lawmakers attend annual breakfast

Please see LAWMAKERS, Page A7

One day after pleading guilty to drug and weapon charges, a Pawleys Island man was arrested last week after a police chase with his his infant son in the car. Adam David Orr, 29, faces several charges, including neglect of a child, driving under suspension a nd t ra fficking cocaine, according to the Georgetown County Sheriff ’s Office. Undercover Drug Enforcement agents were patrolling Georgetown Orr Sept. 21 when they saw Orr driving a rented pickup truck. Agents were aware Orr had a suspended license and attempted to pull him over, but he fled. Georgetown Police joined the pursuit and, according to police, Orr at one point was driving on the wrong side of the road. He went to an apartment complex on Church Street and got out of the car with his 2-year-old son — police said they didn’t realize the child was in the pickup until Orr got out. Orr was taken into custody and his son was turned over to Social Services. Police said they found heroin and cocaine in the truck. On Sept. 20, Orr received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to four charges including possession of a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Orr is a habitual offender, according to court records. Orr’s sentence was suspended with the stipulation that he complete drug court. As of Monday, Orr was being held without bail at the Georgetown County jail.

Please see REVOLUTION, Page A7

GEMR-1532063-1

The city of Georgetown is hiring former city administrator Carey Smith as a consultant for work on economic development projects. After a 20-minute discussion Sept. 21 on whether the city needs Smith’s services, City Council voted 5-2 to approve the contract. Smith was the city’s interim administrator from June 2012

Legislators pave way for action on roads

man, the company’s chief brand and communications officer, was on hand for the Jan. 4 reception. She told The Georgetown Times that she was thrilled with what she described as “Southern hospitality at its best.” “This is a great crowd with a lot of energy,” Brinkman said. Georgetown City Councilman Brendon Barber said he loves Georgetown because it is his home. “I’m a six-generation George-

The North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and The Belle Baruch Foundation worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program to install the sculpture. The artist is Jim Swaim with Myrtle Beach Environmental Sculptures. “It will be used to educate visitors on the detrimental effects of marine debris in our ocean and coasts, and what we can do as individuals to keep it out of the water,” said Wende Allen, manager of the NIWBNERR. “The sculpture is designed to engage the community in what they can do to reduce litter.”

She said by having pledge cards that have sayings on them like “I will say no thank you to bottled water,” and when people pose for photos with the fish sculpture, it will convince people to be proactive about trash. “We are hoping to encourage people to think about how they can reduce waste and how they can reduce the amount of debris ending up in the water,” Allen said. People who pose for photos with a pledge card can CLAYTON STAIRS/SOUTH STRAND NEWS post them to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by using Isabella Neubauer, a senior at The Georgetown School for Arts and Sciences, makes her deposit for the event as Hannah Sarver, education specialist with the North Inlet-Winyah Please see FISH, Page A2 Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, holds the bucket.

Georgetown County’s five rivers will again be the site of some serious bass fishing this March, when Bassmaster brings its third tournament in as many years to the Hammock Coast. While last year’s tournament brought bass fishing’s biggest names, this year the county will welcome some of the next generation of elite anglers as it hosts the Carhartt Bassmaster College Southern Conference Regional from March 2-4. More than 200 student anglers from colleges and universities across the Southeast will participate,

But was he caught red-handed? Horry County police say bank robbery suspect in custody

all hoping to win a spot in the National Championship. “It won’t be the same thing we saw last spring with a big festival and the same fanfare that accompanied the Bassmaster Elite Series, but it is going to be a significant event and is a step toward bringing the Elite Series back here,” said Georgetown County Administrator Sel Hemingway. “We’re excited to continue our relationship with Bassmaster and we look forward to this vent exposing even more people to the beauty and in successive years.” charm of Georgetown. Our expectaAs with last year’s Elite tournations are definitely that we’ll continue ment, boat launch will take place to bring these tournaments back here daily at dawn from the county’s Car-

roll A. Campbell Marine Complex, with weigh-in occurring at the same location for the first two days of the tournament. However, the final day’s weigh-in will move to Front Street, where finalist anglers will parade through on their way to the stage. The county is working with its tourism arm and the Georgetown Business Association to arrange activities on Front Street that day, including sidewalk sales, musical performances and more. The state Duck Calling Championship will also take place on the Bassmaster stage that day leading up to the final weigh-in.

Please see ROBBERY, Page A8

Please see BASS, Page A8

Farm to school Pleasant Hill teacher growing young minds

BY MARK A. STEVENS mstevens@southstrandnews.com A 35-year-old Myrtle Beach man wanted in connection with two recent bank robberies is in custody, the Horry County Police Department said Thursday, but there was no word if he had been found redhanded. According to Krystal Dotson, Horry County’s public information officer, HCPD arrested Brian Wilson Humphreys at 9:28 a.m. Feb. 2. He was found af ter of f icers were investigating a suspicious vehicle o n H i g hw a y 90. That vehicle, officers determined, was Humphreys the stolen Ford F-250 truck associated with one of the bank robberies on Jan. 28. Humphreys, police said, was located in a nearby tent. Following his arrest, Humphreys was charged with one count of armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery and one count of grand larceny. At press time, there was no word if bail had been set or denied. Detectives have been searching for Humphreys for several days after they believed he robbed two area banks over the span of five days — Conway National Bank on Jan. 23 and TD Bank in Murrells Inlet on Jan. 28. The latest robbery, Denis said, happened at 12:21 p.m. at TD Bank’s branch at 3205 S. Highway 17. According to a police report, Humphreys handed a TD Bank teller a note that said it was a robbery and that he was armed. Once the teller handed him a bag full of money, police said, he left the bank. According to photos captured by the bank’s security cameras, police said Humphreys left the scene in a champagne-colored Ford F-250 pick-up truck, bearing South Carolina license plate ITS959. The truck had been reported stolen. The alleged bank robber’s departure, however, became problematic, police said, after a dye pack placed in the money bag exploded. Moments after the suspect left

Though a final list of participants won’t be available until later this month, local favorites including Clemson, the University of South Carolina and Coastal Carolina University are all expected to have teams participating in the tournament. “This presents a wonderful opportunity for our businesses along Front Street and I think after the success we’ve seen with previous tournaments, business owners recognize the potential this type of event has to draw in business,” said Michele Overton, president

BY EILEEN KEITHLY ekeithly@southstrandnews

PHOTOS BY EILEEN KEITHLY/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Annie Baxley’s life as a farmer’s wife fits perfectly with her career as a teacher. Growing up in Georgetown, the self-proclaimed “former city girl” never imagined she would one day marry a Rose Hill farmer and incorporate their “farm life” into the lesson plans of her Pleasant Hill Elementary firstgrade classroom, but that’s exactly what she did. “I had no idea just how complicated and hard the life of a farmer really was until I married my husband Josh (Baxley),” Baxley said. “Josh and I have two children and even though Beets, sunflowers, t hey are young, rye grass, squash and they have already pumpkins continue learned so much to grow through the from being raised winter in the Tower on a farm. … Garden. “I w a nt e d my classroom children to have that same advantage, and thanks to a donation from the Georgetown County Farm Bureau, we have a Tower Garden in our classroom. And my students are deepening their knowledge of agriculture every day.” The Tower Garden is a vertical, aeroponic growing system. Aeroponics, Baxley explained, is the process of growing plants in an air or mist

Courtney Owens peers through an opening in the Tower Garden to check on a pumpkin plant she planted at Pleasant Hill Elementary School. Please see FARM, Page A8

Pawleys seeks $6.2M for beach project BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI csokoloski@southstrandnews.com

CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

A house on the south end of Pawleys Island still bears the signs of Hurricane Matthew’s wrath in October. The town is working toward a beach renourishment project, but it will be at least a year after Matthew before work will begin.

Pawleys Island officials spent a lot of time in 2016 talking about the future of the town’s beach, including long- and short-term maintenance ideas. Then Hurricane Matthew roared by in October, sweeping a swath of beach off the south end and depositing it onto Springs Avenue, and wrecking the dunes that had been rebuilt after Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015. Within days of Matthew, R.E. Goodson Construction Co. Inc. rebuilt the dunes for the second time in 2016, and now the town is

wrapping up permit and grant applications for a beach renourishment project that could cost around $14 million. Town Administrator Ryan Fabbri spent the last days of January wrapping up an application to the state Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism for a $6.2 million grant for the project. The state has designated $30 million for beach projects. As part of the application, Fabbri had to explain any special circumstances or things that set Pawleys Island apart from other beach communities. “We all have the same challenges,” Fabbri Please see PAWLEYS, Page A8

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The Strand Theater welcomed the SBR production team on its marquee.

town Business Association BY EILEEN KEITHLY ekeithly@southstrandnews.com members and the City of Georgetown. Georgetown has been named The Small Business Revolution production team arrived in as one of eight municipaliGeorgetown to a rousing wel- ties competing for the Small come during a Jan. 4 reception Business Revolution $500,000 at Buzz’s Roost Bar and Grill. makeover and the opportunity Residents, visitors and local to be featured in a web series business owners, all eager to that showcases small business tell the group why they love owners and their respective Georgetown and why it should communities. The web-based competition win a $500,000 award, packed the Front Street pub for the and series is sponsored by Deevent, which was sponsored luxe Corp., and the monetary by Main Street Partnership, a award goes directly to local group comprised of George- businesses. Amanda Brink-

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THIRD PLACE

Athena Redmond Pageland Progressive-Journal

SECOND PLACE

Krena Lanham The Berkeley Independent Berkeley blanked by defending champs, ending 15-game win streak. See Page B1 Wednesday, May 10, 2017 www.berkeleyind.com 50¢

INDEX: Calendar A2  Classifieds B6  Deaths A7  Faith B5  Features B3  Sports B1  Opinion A7

3 charged in home break-in after neighbor phones police By KIMBERLY HARRINGTON Progressive Journal editor

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Pageland Parks and Recreation’s Small Fry All-Stars arrive in downtown Pageland for a rally after winning the Youth Football Championship on Saturday. Shown left is coach Jermaine Johnson.

Small Fry All-Stars win the big game New team makes history with win, receives hero’s welcome By KIMBERLY HARRINGTON Progressive Journal editor

ItÕ s the most wonderful time of the year for a group of seven- and eight-year olds who got a state championship for Christmas. Scratch that Ð who Ò earnedÓ a state championship and made history in the process. It was a thrilling weekend for the Small Fry All-Stars of the Pageland Parks and Recreation Department, who won the Youth Football State Championship on Saturday at River Bluff High School in Columbia. It was the first time a Pageland Parks and Recreation team has ever won a state championship Ð in any sport. This team was also the first ever to win the district championship on Dec 3. And, adding icing to the cake, this was the first ever

The Sound of Music

seven- and eight year-old All-Stars team of Pageland Parks and Recreation, said Andre Singleton, local Parks and Recreation director. The Small Fry All-Stars beat Abbeville 30-6, but donÕ t let the score mislead you, said Jermaine Johnson, head coach of the history-making team. The score was 8-6 early in the third quarter with the Small Fry All-Stars having only a two-point lead against the traditional football powerhouse. Ò Because of our execution, conditioning, adjustments made and will to win, we wore Abbeville down,Ó he said. Pageland got the opening kickoff and scored first, landing a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, Johnson said. Ò We controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The offense was good, but the defense was great,Ó he said. Ò Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships.Ó Johnson said during the playoffs and championship See CHAMPS | Page 8

One man and two juveniles were arrested for burglary/breaking and entering of a Pageland apartment. The Chesterfield County SheriffÕ s Office arrested Antwan Omar Rorie, 26, of RW Tadlock Road, Pageland, on Dec. 6 along with a 14-year-old black male and a 16-year-old white male. Items stolen were a High Point 9mm handgun and an Xbox One console with games and two controllers valued at $550 total, the sheriffÕ s report said. A neighbor noticed the break-in in progress at an apartment at RW Tadlock Road and dialed 911. According to the report, when the caller saw what looked like two men going into the window of an apartment, he yelled at them. One of the men at the outside of the window ran and another man ran from inside the house out the front door carrying something, the report said. They fled toward the woods next to a path. The caller described one of the men as white with blonde hair, wearing what appeared to be a black or purple hoodie. The other man that was inside the residence was a black male wearing a black hoodie, the report said. Officers arrived and using a K-9, were able to pick up a track in the area the caller said the men fled toward. While investigating the scene, officers received a dispatch that the men fitting the description were at Grits and Groceries in the laundromat area. Officers responded and arrested three men for the break-in and burglary.

Other arrests

The SheriffÕ s Office also made the following arrests: ◆ Daquarious Sowell, 22, of Coon Creek Road, Pageland, was arrested Dec. 8 and charged with simple assault. ◆ David Allen Turner, 57, of Deaton St., Ruby, was arrested Dec. 10 and charged with simple assault. ◆ Eddie Tyler Brigman, 19, of Douglas Mill Road, Chesterfield, was arrested Dec. 12 and charged with domestic violence (first) and burglary in the third degree (second offense). ◆ Jeannie Marie Byrd, 44, of Airport Road, Pageland, was arrested Dec. 12 and charged with simple assault. ◆ Daniel Derrell Rivers, 30, of Oakland Church Road, Chesterfield, was arrested Dec. 13 and charged with trespass of real property.

Oldest local fire chief shuns retirement By VANESSA BREWER-TYSON Progressive Journal reporter

AJ BLAKENEY/For the Progressive Journal

New Heights Middle School Chorus presents its winter concert on Dec. 13. The standing room crowd only enjoyed nine songs, with some accompanied by ukuleles, provided by donor donations. The school is still seeking donations to purchase more. See more concert photos on Page 10.

Chesterfield CountyÕ s oldest fire chief says he will Ò keep rollingÓ those fire trucks as long as he can. R.P. Presson, who has been fire chief of the TealÕ s Mill Rural Voluntary Fire Department since 1983, said quitting is not in his immediate plans. Ò I will retire when my health makes me,Ó insisted the 81-yearold fire chief. Presson was actually a charter member of the TealÕ s Mill V.F.D. More than three decades ago, Presson, along with Hadley Caulder (now deceased), T.A. Threet, Hank Crawley and Tharene Caulder, saw a need for a fire station in their own community. Ò It was back in 1981,Ó Presson recalled. Ò One of our neighbors had a fire and loss everything.Ó Presson said he believed the

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property and all of its keepsakes could have been saved if there had been a fire station in the community. Ò We came together through much work and planning,Ó Presson said, referring to the charter members. Their vision became a reality and their efforts have helped to save many lives and property throughout the years. The station has six fire trucks, and 26 male and female volunteers, including four high school students who are junior volunteers. See PRESSON | Page 8

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S.C. legislators see many bills die this session Roads bill the biggest issue BY SEANNA ADCOX Associated Press South Carolina legislation that lets more people carry guns, legalizes medical marijuana and borrows money to repair public buildings state-

Two honored for supreme sacrifice BY RICKEY CIAPHA DENNIS JR. rdennis@berkeleyind.com Long after their deaths, two Berkeley County lawmen were admitted to the South Carolina Police Officers Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Berkeley County’s Robert Hasell, a former magistrate’s constable, and former deputy Clarence Woodard were honored for having paid the ultimate price for protecting their community. In February 1893, Hasell was shot death by a f ugitive whom he was attempting to arrest near the Magnolia Phosphate Mines by the Ashley River. Woodard A Feb. 11, 1893 article in The News and Courier described the event as “one of the most brutal and unprovoked murders that has ever occurred in this vicinity,” and the felon was hanged at the Berkeley County Jail in March 1894 after his unsuccessful attempt to commit suicide. Woodard died in February 1936 from injuries he sustained in a car accident. According to a News and Courier article on the event, Woodard offered a ride for a young Civilian Conservation Core worker before the two skidded 150 feet along an ice-covered Highway 52 and across a ditch. A few of Woodard’s family members attended Wednesday’s memorial service as Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis placed Woodard’s plaque amongs hundreds of honorable servicemen and women in the rotunda. “It was emotional being with the family and listening to the story about how both of these officers were killed,” Lewis said. “It reinforces that this is a

wide are among proposals dead for the year. While they received attention, one issue eclipsed all others this legislative session — fixing South Carolina’s deteriorating roadways. Legislators are poised to pass South Caro-

lina’s first gas tax hike in 30 years, if they can approve a compromise worked out late Friday between the House and Senate plans and overcome G ov. He n r y Mc M a s t er ’s pledged veto. That’s still a tall hurdle. By law, the regular session ends at 5 p.m. Thursday. Legislators could carry debate on road funding and the

state budget into a special ses- starting July 1. sion. The Senate passed a resoThe House and Senate have lution Wednesday setting aside each passed a roughly $8 bilMay 23 through May 25 for lion spending plan for state that possibility. But other is- taxes. Many of the differences sues will have to wait until next are in education. year. For example, the House’s version would provide $100 What must be done? million to high-poverty disBy law, the only thing the tricts to help refurbish dilapiLegislature must do is pass a dated K-12 schools, while the state budget for the fiscal year Senate plan cuts that in half.

MATT BISE/INDEPENDENT

Students at Macedonia Middle School celebrate raising nearly $17,000 to help improve technology at the school’s library. The MMS FoxTrot Color Run took place April 29.

MMS Fox-Trot Color Run provides motivation for school’s charity event, raises nearly $17K BY MATT BISE For the Independent

I DREAMSTIME

BY RICKEY CIAPHA DENNIS JR. rdennis@berkeleyind.com

OBITUARIES, 3

Inside Timberland teen accepted to five Ivy League schools makes his pick, A2

‘Don’t quit fighting’

VANESSA BREWER-TYSON/ Progressive Journal reporter

Timothy Maye

Please see BILLS, Page A6

Color ‘fun’draiser

Please see HONOR, Page A5

After decades of dedication, Teal’s Mill V.F.D. Fire Chief R.P. Presson has no intentions of packing it in. At 81, the department charter member says he’ll “keep rolling” as long as he can.

And the Senate version gives public colleges an additional $16 million, while the House proposal provides colleges no new funding. But the road-funding bill is holding up work on a budget compromise. Legislators don’t want to finalize a budget until they have

RICKEY CIAPHA DENNIS JR./INDEPENDENT

Nate Brumbaugh holds his boxer puppy, Ricky, named after famed motocross rider Ricky Carmichael.

“I would never ever leave Moncks Corner. They’re

Comfortably sitting upright in his bed my family now. They in a room where the blue walls are hidden behind an array of green Kawasaki opened their hearts to motocross posters and Carolina Gameme and my family.” cocks football paraphernalia – sits 14-year-old Nate Brumbaugh. Tonya Brumbaugh Since last August, he has battled diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a rare and “And that’s with his bad hand,” Nate’s highly aggressive brain tumor with a low survival rate. It’s impacted his vision, father Thomas Brumbaugh joked. “He’s limb movement, and balance. doing really good. He’s starting to move But on this Friday afternoon, things his hand more. He’s starting to walk are well. When asked how he feels, a shy Nate signals with a thumbs up. Please see BRUMBAUGH, Page A5

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Be there or be left in the dark BY MICHAELE DUKE news@kingstreenews.com Did you know a total solar eclipse happens somewhere on Earth once every year or two? Williamsburg County is in direct line with the August 21, total solar eclipse and eclipse fanatics are zeroing in on the path that begins in Oregon and ends in South Carolina. South Carolina alone is expecting over a million visitors on that single day. What makes it special is the event will be the first to cross the entire U.S. from the west coast to the east coast since 1918 and won’t happen again till 2045 when it enters California and exits Florida. The Kingstree Parks and Recreation Complex at 375 Nelson Blvd. is the place to be as The News and the Williamsburg HomeTown Chamber are hosting a viewing event. Local residents will have the best view as the moon slowly moves over the sun until it completely covers it. During this brief period where the sun is completely obscured by the moon we’ll be able to see the corona. According to NASA, the first western description of the corona during a total solar eclipse was probably that of Lucien in 932 BCE “… a kind of light is visible about the rim which keeps the shadow [of the moon] from being profound and absolute.” During the June 16, 1806, eclipse, Spanish astronomer José Joaquin de Ferrer coined the term ‘corona’ to describe the ephemeral glow of light surrounding the eclipsed sun disk. According to NASA the shape of the corona is determined by magnetic activity on the solar surface of the sun and the ways in which the hot plasma interacts with magnetic lines of force. There are a few things one should consider when viewing the eclipse; first and foremost is to wear eye protection. Nothing you make will be safe for viewing. Eclipse glasses can be purchased online but make sure they are NASA certified or say “Safe For Direct Solar Viewing.” Also, it’s advisable to wear a hat and sunscreen. SPF 90 is recommended. Other items to have on hand are a blanket or chair, which will make the two-hour event more comfortable, drinking water (it’s probably going to be super hot) and a flashlight. Remember, for a brief period it’s going to be nighttime. That also means it will most likely cool down. The temperature could plummet 25 degrees but we can expect an average drop of 10 degrees. B&H Photo offers the following advise to photographers: • Do not point a camera at the sun unless the optics are fitted with a certified solar filter. Optics can magnify the intensity and brightness of sunlight, and this can cause Please

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COASTAL OBSERVER Vol. XXXVI No. 3

Pawleys Island, South Carolina ~ July 6, 2017

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TRADITIONS | Fourth of July

ENVIRONMENT

Sea turtle volunteers prepare to greet first hatchlings Gestation for loggerhead turtle eggs is an average of 60 days. The first nest of the year in South Carolina was reported on Isle of Palms on April 30, but the first on the Waccamaw Neck was at North Litchfield on May 5. That puts the nest at 60 days today. PAGE 2

CAPITAL PROJECTS

County buying timber land for new industry County Council approved a $28.9 million capital improvement plan last week and followed that with a vote to spend the bulk of the $3.5 million allocated for economic development to buy property. The location was not announced pending approval from the seller, Red Mountain Timber Co., a partnership that owns former International Paper Co. property. However, the county is seeking to rezone 948 acres on behalf of Red Mountain on the Sampit River west of Georgetown for heavy industry. The site is across Pennyroyal Road from Santee Cooper’s Winyah Generating Station. PAGE 11 Roads: A long-awaited update to a 15-year-old study of Highway 17 on Waccamaw Neck is now due to start in the fall. PAGE 11

REALOPS’ PURCHASE OF THE BANK OF AMERICA BUILDING IS A SIGN OF A NEW BOOM

Health care: A law school’s proposal for reforming the Aﬀordable Care Act really is simple. What’s hard is getting a response from senators. PAGE 12

Pawleys parade draws new faces BY CHARLES SWENSON

Rocking the boats on the inlet

CHURCHES

By the grace of God

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COASTAL OBSERVER

The winning touch | For seasoned ﬂoat builders, ideas come as fast as trophies. PAGE 3 North Litchfield Parade | Participation is up, the number of carts is anyone’s guess. PAGE 8

The are three forms of baptism in the Methodist Church. “Normally, we sprinkle,” said the Rev. Mike Alexander of Belin Memorial. On Sunday, the church held its immersion service in the creek at Murrells Inlet. SECOND FRONT Crime................................. 9 Opinion ........................... 10 Crossword ........................14 What’s On .........................15 Classiﬁeds ........................16 Sports ...............................18

Fireworks light up the sky over the Litchﬁeld Beaches. Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer

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Pictured: Kyle Putnam, Reggie Bell, and Paul Sparks. Photo by Will Crooks

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International Drive gets green light

With all lawsuits settled, long-delayed Carolina Forest road could be finished by end of year

BY CHARLES D. PERRY CHARLES.PERRY@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

Felicia Soto wanted to believe the news about International Drive, but doubt lingered. After all, the road had been in the works for more than a

decade. In recent years, it had been delayed by disputes between conservation groups and Horry County. Soto wondered if another legal hurdle was hidden somewhere. The call from a reporter didn’t bring fake news, though. On April

18, the S.C. Wildlife Federation and the Coastal Conservation League filed a notice with the U.S. Court of Appeals dismissing the federal lawsuit. That same day, Horry County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus signed a settlement ending all litigation and

clearing the way for the road’s final stage of construction. Officials expect the road to be finished by November. “We are elated,” said Soto, who lives in the S.C. 90 corridor and who lobbied local leaders for years to keep pursuing the road.

The conservationists’ lawsuits had argued that paving the 5.6mile road between Carolina Forest and S.C. 90 would damage wetlands. Proponents countered that it would give them another INTERNATIONAL DRIVE, A3

A PLAN KICKS INTO ACTION

Horry County looks to expand recreation complex along Carolina Forest Boulevard BY CHARLES D. PERRY CHARLES.PERRY@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

hen the Green Waves take the field at the Carolina Forest recreation complex, their bench is usually full. Menassie Ephrem wishes it

wasn’t. “We’re having a lot of kids that couldn’t get playing time,” the rec league coach said. “So when we play games, instead of

Proposed soccer fields

playing them three quarters or something, I have to play them two quarters. We have twice as many kids that a team could have, and that’s a lot.” The soccer fields, which sit behind the rec center and library, are usually full in the spring and rosters are heavy because SOCCER FIELDS, A5

Carolina Forest Rec Center

Horry County plans to buy 15 acres along Carolina Forest Boulevard for athletic fields. MAP COURTESY OF HORRY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

CHARLES D. PERRY | THE CHRONICLE

Menassie Ephrem coaches the Green Waves soccer team at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center.

Third annual ‘A Day of Hope’ still needs volunteers, donations Open to Horry County children in need of back-to-school assistance BY ETTIE NEWLANDS ETTIE.NEWLANDS@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

The biggest change in this year’s A Day of Hope is that the children will be given shoes as well as other material items and nonmaterial blessings. But the event’s purpose, “to share the love of Jesus and give these children things they might not otherwise have,” will never change, said its founder, Sheila Karsevar. The third A Day of Hope, planned for Saturday, Aug. 12, will help prepare children in need for IMAGE COURTESY OF FRED HOFFMAN the new school year with everyVolunteers and donations are needed to help with the third annual “A Day of Hope.” thing from back packs filled with

school supplies to new hair styles. What is still needed to help the 200-plus anticipated children who will register, are more volunteers and financial contributions. Karsevar was at home in Carolina Forest watching a Joyce Meyer video in November 2014 when the idea for the event came to her. The video was about how Meyer, an inspirational Christian speaker, organized an event like this in several cities. Karsevar, who runs a homebased business, Reliv International, said she “didn’t hear a big voice,” but that “a message from God was impressed upon her heart to organize A Day of Hope

in Horry County.” She was even impressed with the name and date for the event. More than 200 children registered each of the event’s two previous years, and at least that many are expected again this year. The event is open to Horry County children in need of backto-school assistance from kindergarten through high school. Parents can register their children by calling Catholic Charities at 1-855-377-1357 and pressing option 1. Details about where the event will be held will be made available to them, and each DAY OF HOPE, A2

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Sept. 4 - 17, 2017

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COFFEE TIME

S ’ AT

By Liz Segrist | Photography by Emily Williams

The smell of espresso fills the air inside Counter Culture Coffee’s training center at 85 ½ Spring St. People slowly trickle in for a tasting and to learn about coffee. The center is one of 13 facilities nationwide that teach

COFFEE TASTINGS

REAL-TIME REPAIRS

Diego Castro, a technical specialist, is the mechanic of coffee machines for Counter Culture’s wholesale partners. He keeps a supply closet full of tools to provide technical support, preventive maintenance and repairs. Counter Culture Coffee’s machines are handmade in Florence, Italy.

Counter Culture wants to help people develop a taste for coffee and better understand what they’re drinking. The Charleston site hosts free public tastings — called cuppings — in the front of the building on Friday mornings; the center is otherwise closed to the public to train students.

baristas and restaurant workers about coffee and how to make good drinks for customers — an in-demand skill in Charleston’s food and beverage industry. The coffee operation moved two years ago into the building, which previously housed a laundromat, a church and the design firm Fuzzco.

H W

The Charleston Regional Business Journal features local offices, venues and spaces to give you a glimpse into the spots that make the region an interesting place to work. If you have an idea for a space we should see, please send email to editorial@scbiznews.com.

ned d trai urse we ha ree-co knew Who ate th azing. elabor ther he up am w y p hi ett sed pe. And n to w es ere pr ci w he pr re s tc a er be im with the ki answ und to lness ht for d the re bo y. urcefu straig rs, an 1, you’ head u to tr d reso partne oni 10 ty an some for yo oyee eativi macar empl work, cipes rs’ cr day’s d our boxed few re ne ll ke a ss rt fu as ed pa a e r pa ng to after includ hat w of ou yi w at e ve tr m e’ th st w ju still hts so st? Or ired, That’s ing or r mid t insp highlig et cook in ou story you ge chefs gourm case cover nd in art of ? Our its. A d the meals astere ful tidb m lp he ve you’ some ck up and pi

CAFFEINATED BUSINESS MODEL

? ’ N I K COO

Brett Smith and Fred Houk founded Counter Culture Coffee in Durham, N.C., in 1995 with the goal of focusing on quality, sustainability and education. The company now roasts and sells coffee to wholesale partners and trains people working in cafes and restaurants to make coffee.

UNDERSTANDING FLAVOR

Arthur Hanna shows off his pudding.

“We really want to answer the ‘why’ behind everything. … Understanding how all these things affect flavor so that you can constantly be analyzing those things to make sure your coffee always tastes its best, that’s really important,” said Daniel Posthuma, who handles the center’s training, customer relations and wholesale support.

POURING PRACTICE

HANDS-ON BREWING

The seven-course curriculum gives students a knowledge and understanding of what coffee is and enhances their ability to prepare it. One class is called “brewing science.”

Students in Counter Culture Coffee’s program practice making drinks with coffee grinders, hot water towers and coffee brewers at the training center. Students typically attend classes for at least a year before taking practical and written exams to earn certifications.

Food to say grace over

Sshhh ... Don’t tell Arthur Hanna’s mother, but he thinks his mac ’n’ cheese is better than hers. And while the debate over whose is tastier might stir up heated talk at the dinner table, everybody gives an all-spoons-up for his banana pudding — make that puddin’. The silky concoction of cream cheese, pastry cream, vanilla wafers and, of course, bananas, gets rave reviews at any gathering. “It’s my most requested dish, whether it’s a family dinner, a church picnic or a party,” says Hanna, manager of central sterile processing at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital. Anybody would be happy to say grace at the table that holds one of Hanna’s dishes, which can best be described as Southern with flair. Ladies’ chicken salad? Hanna makes his with smoked chicken, paprika and sundried tomatoes. And the mac ’n’ cheese? “I do mine a little different. I use smoked gouda, mild and sharp cheddar and heavy whipping cream,” he says. ”It’s good, but it’s rich. My mom thinks she has the best mac ’n’ cheese, but mine is better.” Hanna learned to cook from the best cook in the world — his grandmother, Essie Graham of Conway. “She’s an original soul-food cook,” says Hanna. Her beef stew still simmers in his memory. “For years I’ve tried to cook it as good as her, and I’m still working on it,” he says. He found out years later she used ox tails. Hanna changes his up with slow-cooked short ribs, beef stock, herbs and red wine with lots of onions and garlic and rosemary from his garden. Hanna, who studied culinary arts at Horry Georgetown Technical College, dreams of owning his own restaurant one day. In his spare time, he caters local events from Conway to Summerville, an endeavor involving his wife, Joy, and their five children ranging from 18 to 12. For Hanna, cooking is an act of love. “I love to make people feel good,” he says. “I want them to taste it and say, ‘Oh my, it’s the best thing I ever had.’ ” Meanwhile, he’s working on the menu for the Hanna family reunion. “I’ll do barbecue chicken with red rice and beans, red-skin potato salad, my green beans and of course my banana pudding and my mac ‘n’ cheese,” he says. And what does Grandma Essie think? “Oh, she loves it,” Hanna says. “I’ll make sure she has a full plate.”

BANANA PUDDING SERVINGS: 15

PASTRY CREAM: 1 quart milk 1 vanilla bean, split 7 ½ ounces granulated sugar 10 egg yolks 2 ½ ounces cornstarch 2 ounces unsalted butter

PUDDING: 1 bunch bananas 16 ounces cream cheese 16 ounces whipping cream 3 boxes vanilla wafers

1. Bring milk, vanilla bean and 3 ounces of the sugar to a boil in a large nonreactive saucepan. 2. Whisk egg yolks in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining sugar and cornstarch. Whisk the sugar mixture into the egg yolks. 3. Temper the yolk mixture with one-quarter of the boiling milk mixture. Return the yolk mixture to the pan and cook, whisking vigorously, until the cream boils and is well thickened. Add the pastry cream to boil for approximately two minutes, stirring constantly. 4. Remove pastry cream from heat and immediately poor into a mixing bowl. 5. Fold in the butter until melted. Do not over mix, as this will thin the custard. 6. Cover by placing plastic wrap on the surface of the custard. Chill over an ice bath. Remove vanilla bean just before using pastry cream. 7. Add cream cheese and whip cream to a bowl, mixing until smooth. 8. Add mixture to the pastry cream. 9. Slice bananas and add into the mixture. 10. Add wafers to the bottom of a pan, add pudding and top with wafers, continuing until the pan is almost full. The final layer should be wafers on top. Refrigerate until serving.

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Pawleys Island South Carolina

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Beaches

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It’s all about

Books: Essential reading about local history ..................... Page 26 Arts: Painter found solace in Pawleys cabin ....................... Page 32

Summer 2017

-Submitted by her son, Tom Werner Note: My mother, Mary Ann Werner, passed away earlier this spring with all six of her children gathered together. During her final days, she reflected on her many accomplishments and what she wished she had done differently. Her regrets – though minor in our eyes, reminded us that though she wished she had been a “better mother,” we wished we had been better sons and daughters. I wrote this for her memorial service. Family and friends are gathered to celebrate a life complete and share with one another stories we oft repeat.

THE

TALL SHIP BY CHARLES SWENSON COASTAL OBSERVER

The largest wooden ship ever built in South Carolina is taking shape under Bill Brady’s house in Litchfield. Naturally, space is a problem. “How am I going to get my hands in here,” Brady wondered as he unpacked 20 feet of line to rig the foremast. Tweezers would help. Brady’s model of the Henrietta was commissioned by the S.C. Maritime Museum in Georgetown. It’s 1/64th the size of the original. But it’s taken just as long to build. The Henrietta was the subject of an exhibit at the museum in 2014. It was built at Bucksville on the Waccamaw River, the community founded by a shipbuilding family from Maine. Rather than send South Carolina Photos by Tanya Ackerman/Coastal Observer and S.C. Maritime Museum (background) lumber north, one enterprising captain sent his shipwrights south in the Bill Brady rigs the foremast of the Henrietta, a model of the largest wooden sailing ship ever built in South Carolina. The 1/64th scale 1870s to build a square-rigged cargo ship. The success of that project – the model, top, is also the largest Brady has built. Among his tools, below, are forceps and tweezers for reaching into tight places. 240-ton Hattie Buck – led to construction of the 1,200-ton Henrietta. Work began in the fall of 1874

BROOKGREEN GARDENS

The season of lights

BY JASON LESLEY COASTAL OBSERVER

For Jon McGann, exhibits supervisor for Brookgreen Gardens’ “Nights of a Thousand Candles,” Christmas is here. McGann and members of Brookgreen’s horticulture staﬀ started work on the gardens’ seasonal light show Sept. 15, and after testing and tweaking they are ready to begin a three-weekend run tonight that concludes Dec. 18. McGann said he’s gotten help from employees from all departments at Brookgreen and dozens of volunteers as lights were strung garden by garden.

Hurricane Matthew came at an inopportune time, but damage to the lights was minor compared to the rest of the gardens. McGann and his staﬀ stopped work on their project to help clean up broken limbs and downed trees. Brookgreen CEO Bob Jewell said the hurricane was a setback, but no signiﬁcant trees or statuary were damaged. “We improvised and overcame the obstacles that Mother Nature threw at us,” he said. “When people come, they will be very pleased.” Weeks of mild, dry weather have provided ample opportunity for the light crews to catch up, McGann said. SEE “LIGHTS,” PAGE 17

One thought I think, but cannot say, “I wish I was a better son.” Memories we hold of times so dear when we were seldom well-behaved. We tell these tales to laughs and cheer, as if time alone will dispensate.

Sun OF THE

But deep inside that thought persists, “I wish I was a better son.” For memories have a fickle way of filling to the brim. Contentment then cedes to emptiness, from these thoughts that slither in. I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish I wish I was a better son.

manDy hOEstEtlER

Virginia native Mary Ann Werner shares a special moment dancing with her son, Tom Werner, at Pierce Park Pavilion, after his wedding.

Regret, regret, now stay behind do not follow where you go. Let your deathbed be the resting place of druthers, ifs and woe.

Most people come to the beach for the sun. This summer, many will come for the shadow.

Forgiveness, you asked of me, I know not why. “I wish I was a better son.”

Pawleys Island marks the northernmost limit of a total eclipse that will cross the continental

Imperfect you saw your time with us But that is not the case. For perfect is what we see in you today and every day.

United States on Aug. 21. The dividing line actually runs through Midway Inlet between Pawleys and Litchfield Beach. On the north end of the is-

Forgiveness is what you granted me, before you slipped away. but still, but still, but still, but still, I wish I was a better son.

land, the sun will be completely covered by the moon. Across the inlet, viewers (wearing appro-

Mom!

-Submitted by her son, Peter Finger My wonderful mom just celebrated her 90th birthday in March here on Daniel Island. She visits for several months every year in the winter to enjoy the warm weather Daniel Island has to offer. You may have seen her walking in Smythe Park or at the library because she loves to meet people, and she loves books. She also loves the dogs she met on her walks and can tell you the name of every single one. She recently battled a broken hip, spine issues, and even a bout with cancer. Always the fighter and optimist, she is doing very well and never complained about the issues and certain pain she must have endured. She raised five children with endless care and love. My mom loves her 15 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. Give her a piece of paper and a few minutes, and she will write down all their names. Mom is the one we have gone to for love and support. She is the mom who always seems to say exactly the right words to put everything into perspective. Everyone who meets my mom, even if just for a few minutes, tells me the same thing: “We love your mom!” Yeah, me too!

With Mother’s Day coming up this Sunday, May 14, we thought it would be fitting to invite our readers to share messages for or about their moms! We asked you to tell us what makes your mom special? Is it the way she makes you laugh? The perfect pancakes only she can prepare? The extra hugs she dispenses on days when you’re not feeling your best? As you will see on these pages, some mothers have passed on and others are still with us, but each of them continue to touch the lives of their loved ones in meaningful ways.

anola DeWiTT hogan -Submitted by her daughter, Pat richards

PROVIDED

Shirley Finger, Peter Finger’s mother, is shown here visiting with a friend’s dog.

My mother was a very special lady. She was loved by all who knew her for her kindness, gentle manner and thoughtfulness. Outwardly she was very happy. But she had some unfinished business to attend to. Neither my mom nor my dad was able to finish high school due to family obligations. Dad was a successful businessman and never looked back at his lack of formal education. Mom had gotten as far as junior year when she had to leave high school but was always quietly bothered by not having a high school diploma. She proudly watched both my brother and me graduate high school and then college. One day, when mom was in her mid-60s, she announced that she had decided to get her GED. She studied very hard. She befriended, inspired and mentored many much younger women in her class, and, happily, passed her GED in record time. We were all so proud of her accomplishment! It took a very special woman to work so hard to attain a lifelong goal. Sadly, she died just a couple of years later and her determination to get her GED is a legacy for all of us.

Love FEATURE

SEE “SHIP,” PAGE 17

thedanielislandnews.com

Daniel Island comfort and casual style. “Weddings today tend to be bigger, more lavish productions than ever before,” says s Valentine’s Day apErin. Especially at the Daniel Island Club, proaches, love is in the where the lead time to prep for a wedding air on Daniel Island! As is anywhere from 12 - 18 months (the Club a matter of fact, the spirit encourages couples to make reservations at of love is essentially aflutter year ‘round least one to two years in advance to secure - especially at the Daniel Island Club, one the date. They also must be members of the of Charleston’s most elegant and coveted club or sponwedding locales. sored by family Erin Dudley, event sales manager at the or friends who Daniel Island Club, shared some insights are members of into how she and her staff set the stage for the Club). By romance the same token, and, hopefully, she points out, wedding themes lifelong themselves have happiness become more around intimate, more every “I focused on famdo!” ily, heritage, and a sense of inclusivity. “We “There’s more of an effort to reflect imhost 35 to portant family memories, traditions and cul40 weddings each ture as a whole,” she observes. Rather than year,” says fan out at separate tables, the members of a wedding party today will often sit together Erin. “Of at one long table. And family style meals, course, spring and early summer are the most popu- where platters of food are passed around the table, are more frequently taking the place lar seasons, as well the fall month of Octoof formal banquet style. ber. However, we are starting to see more “Family style dining, especially at a wedweddings in January and February. While a winter wedding is a better option for budget- ding, is a great conversation starter,” adds minded families, it’s no less a beautiful time Erin, “and fosters a feeling of inclusivity.” There’s also more of a focus on family to get married…just look at the beautiful culture and heritage. weather we’ve had here lately!” “Couples are asking us to prepare menus The average wedding party is composed with traditional foods from the bride and/or of about 150 people, usually taking place out on the Club’s back lawn with a gorgeous groom’s homeland,” she continues. “Dishes based on recipes that have been passed view of the marsh. We have to ask: don’t down from generation to generation in the brides’ heels dig into the grass? Actually, family.” Erin tells us, most brides choose to wear Erin points to a forthcoming wedding wedges. It’s a modern trend away from the for a bride from Honduras; the menu will wedding-heels and an oh-so-luxe dash of KATE MAAS

Mary DeBona

“Raphell”, a bronze by Bruno Lucchesi, stands out against the Brookgreen Christmas tree.

Tanya Ackerman/ Coastal Observer

NASA photo

February 9 - February 15, 2017 ■ The Daniel Island News

thedanielislandnews.com

FEATURE 21

DI News “Share the love” survey generates tender tale Last week, The Daniel Island News put out a survey requesting that readers share a special love story with us in honor of the approaching Valentine’s Day holiday. We were delighted to receive the following humorous and heartwarming submission from Daniel Island resident Marie Corbin. As you will read below, Cupid’s arrow most certainly was at play in bringing Marie and her husband, Dave, together.

is in the air on Daniel Island! Dozens of couples say “I do” at DI Club include traditional Honduran dishes, such as “Rosa’s Tostadas,” Chimichurri and a beverage called Spiced Horchata. The Club is also working with a Greek bride, recreating her grandmother’s special Spanakopita recipe. Another couple travelled the world and wanted to identify all the tables according to the different countries they had visited. “Unique approaches to setting up the wedding reception is much more imaginative, fun and interactive for the couple, the families and the guests than simply giving each table a number,” observes Erin. “Certainly, weddings have traditionally been about romance, but more frequently, they’re about expressing love for, and appreciation of, the families and friends who’ve supported the couple in their journey and have come together to make the wedding a memorable day.” Couples are also focusing more on using local and seasonal ingredients. The Club’s chefs have often found themselves busy shucking local oysters and planning the meals with the bride based on fresh fruit and vegetables from Ambrose Farms and Boone Hall. And elegant packages of Charlestonstyle pralines are always available, and can be customized for the wedding party Erin notes that many of the couples tying the knot are children of residents who first moved to Daniel Island 15 to 20 years ago, when it was a brand new community. “It’s really heart-warming to know that families want their children and grand-children to get married at the Club, as they may have

themselves.” There are couples that choose to tie the knot on the anniversary of the bride’s or groom’s parents’ wedding. Erin recounts the wedding of a couple, childhood sweethearts, who attended the same elementary school in Charleston; they had their wedding guests sign their old yearbook! Another couple met in the U.S. Air Force and since the groom was a pilot, they had the guests sign a propeller made especially for the event. Of course, the Club sets the stage for plenty of romantic pre and post wedding events, as well. Couples celebrating their first anniversary can enjoy freshly-made tiers, exact replicas of their wedding cake instead of an old frost-bitten slice that’s been sitting at the back of their freezers. Of all the Club’s uber-romantic events, helping to stage a surprise marriage proposal counts among one of its most unique experiences. Last spring, capital markets analyst Dalton Chester, of Columbia, SC, staged a “pop the question” event for his girlfriend Katherine Anne Ledbetter with the help of his in-lawsto-be and the imagination and expertise of the event professionals at the Club. The couple had met at their alma mater, Clemson University (where Dalton recently added a Master’s in Real Estate Development to his undergraduate degree). One warm, sunny weekend afternoon last spring, Tom and Sheri Ledbetter, Katherine Anne’s parents, and members of the Daniel Island Club, invited the family to lunch at

Harry’s, the Club’s formal dining room, ostensibly to celebrate their son’s new job. When the family arrived, the staff, aware of “the plan,” winked at the senior Ledbetter couple even as they “apologized” for an hour-long delay for a table. Sheri Ledbetter, the bride-to-be’s mother suggested that, with the beautiful evening at hand, the couple might want to go for a pleasant walk along the Club’s marsh front boardwalk while the parents relaxed over drinks upstairs on the Grill Room’s outdoor patio. Sheri earlier convinced her daughter to change into a cool, comfortable sleeveless white dress she “happened” to buy on a recent trip to Charlotte. Minutes after the couple headed down the boardwalk, the families heard shrieks of joy along with Katherine Anne’s ecstatic response - “Yes! Yes!” - in response to Dalton’s proposal. Family members and friends hiding around the bend came running over to congratulate the newly engaged couple with hugs. “Dalton and I had dated almost six years so I was very ready to get engaged,” says Katherine Anne. “We walked out on the dock which had a little table with a bouquet...it still didn’t hit me that he was going to propose until he got down on one knee. I was shocked to see all the friends and family that came to congratulate us...even Kelly, a family friend and photographer...It couldn’t have turned out any better. It was a night I will never forget!”

Anola deWitt Hogan, mother to Daniel Island resident Pat Richards, is pictured here at her 8th grade graduation.

-Submitted by her daughter, Mariann Chambers I have been blessed to have my special mom, Mary DeBona, in my life for 66 years. The simple thing that makes her special is the way she has lived her life with gratitude to God, a smile for everyone, yone, and unconditional love for her family. For my mother the cup has always been overflowing, and she startss every day thanking God for her family, health, and the gift of another day. Even at 93, living in a nursing home with dementia as her daily companion, mom greets people with a smile. Today we often sit together in silence, but when I look at her smiling face my heart fills with joy. She may not remember my visits, but will be heard telling anyone within earshot, “She is my precious daughter.” Mom never forgets to tell me, “I love you more.” I know she has not always agreed with my decisions, but I always knew I had her love. What more can any mother give a child than the example of gratitude for every day, the lesson to smile through life, and her unconditional love. I am grateful that I still have mom to tell me I’m loved.

Carrie Lyndrup, wife to Jay Karen and mother to Marley and Jonah.

The Daniel Island News ■ February 9 - February 15, 2017

PROVIDED

Carrie lynDruP

PROVIDED

Story, Page 22

“Sometimes when love is in the air, it can be a little intimidating to be the first to pronounce your love to your significant other. What if they don’t reciprocate or how/when do you say it? This already awkward exchange was made even more awkward with me and a boyfriend. Imagine a hurried airport drop-off a few months into the relationship. I inquired, “Eleven?” as in, “is the time to pick you up eleven?” Be it the busy car noises, new relationship jitters or whatever, but somehow this was interpreted/lip-read/understood, as “Love you.” Yikes. And that’s when my honey admiringly responded, “Aw…you too.” It was then that I realized what he thought I had said. In the seconds I had to react, several thoughts occurred: - Oh no, he thinks I said the “L” word. - But wait, did he just say it back? - But that’s not actually what I said. - Ok, here we go… And that’s when I explained that I didn’t actually say, “I love you.” (Harsh, I know). Cue uncomfortable silence and my red cheeks. Next, was a quick kiss goodbye and off he went to catch his flight. Years have passed, and I can happily report that the “boyfriend” is now my husband. We look back on this exchange and giggle. And I’m sure you can guess what our lucky number is – Eleven.”

Daniel Island residents Dave and Marie Corbin.

24 FEATURE

thedanielislandnews.com

The Daniel Island News ■ June 1 - June 7, 2017

WALKING AND BIKING

PROVIDED

on Daniel Island and beyond…

MORE QUESTIONS FOR MARIE: What would you say is the secret to longlasting love? “An understanding and reassurance to always stay committed.” In your opinion, what is the most romantic spot on Daniel Island? “Patio at Sermet’s with wine and music.”

feature

beth@thedanielislandnews.com

-Submitted by her husband, Jay Karen, and their children, Marley and Jonah The full-time dedication of being a mother can sometimes cause a woman to forget who she is beyond just being a mom. I don’t know how she does it, but Carrie has beautifully been mother to Marley and Jonah and maintained an admirable sense of self. By showing our children that she can have deep, meaningful friendships, that she can launch and maintain a successful business, and that she values time away with just Daddy, the kids have an amazing role model. And yet, she is the one in our house who maintains the highest standards and goals for Marley and Jonah. Carrie makes sure they are eating the right foods, brushing their teeth TWICE a day, stretching themselves by learning and growing and always leaving room for affection and love. I don’t know if Carrie feels like she has it all, but she certainly looks like she can do it all. And we are all better off and love her dearly for it.

priate safety glasses) will only see 99.9 percent of the totality, according to NASA.

thedanielislandnews.com

ELIZABETH BUSH

Shirley Finger

Mary ann Werner

Dark Side

May 11 - May 17, 2017 ■ The Daniel Island News

The Daniel Island News ■ May 11 - May 17, 2017

thedanielislandnews.com

INSIDE THIS SECTION

ELIZABETH BUSH

Top: Daniel Island School students and their families took part in National Bike to School Day on May 10. Left: Daniel Island resident Jen Waters enjoys a Sunday afternoon stroll in Smythe Park with her dog, Piper. Above Right: Laurie Boevin, Greg Boevin, and Kayleigh took advantage of last weekend’s picture perfect weather by hitting local trails on their bikes.

PROVIDED

Mary DeBona, mother to Mariann Chambers of Daniel Island.

June 1 - June 7, 2017 ■ The Daniel Island News

thedanielislandnews.com

FEATURE 25

Lowcountry governments take steps towards regional connectivity photos by Elizabeth Bush

ELIZABETH BUSH

beth@thedanielislandnews.com

aniel Island resident Richard Flood and his wife, Lynne, are avid bikers. Together, they ride about 75 miles a week which could include 25 miles in just one day on Daniel Island. But due to water barriers and concerns about traffic safety, to get to other areas in the region they pack the bikes in the car and drive. To wheel around Isle of Palms, for example, they park in a Mount Pleasant shopping center and bike over from there. Sometimes they drive to the Mount Pleasant waterfront park and ride bikes over the Ravenel Bridge to the Charleston Battery and back. But a plan unveiled last week by the Berkeley Charleston and Dorchester Council of Governments is destined to make walking and biking easier, safer and more accessible for the Floods and thousands of other Lowcountry residents. It’s called “Walk+Bike BCD” and after 10 months of planning, research and goal-setting, the project was shared with the public on May 24 at a community gathering in North Charleston. “I want you to know that we listened, and we made every effort to be responsive to what we heard from the residents of the region,” explained Project Manager Jean Crowther, of Alta Planning + Design, to the crowd gathered at the Felix Davis Community Center in Park Circle. CREATING CONNECTIVITY The project’s vision, as stated on the official plan’s opening pages, is to create “a network of infrastructure for active transportation connectconnect ing communities of all sizes across the tri-county region, so that walking and bicycling are a comcom mon part of every day life for residents and visitors alike.” What that could mean for people like the Floods is an opportunity to walk or bike from their home community to other places in the region through seamless connectivity. For Daniel Island specifispecifi cally, it might one day lead to the addition of safe, structural connections for walkers and bikers over surrounding waterways to Mount Pleasant and North Charleston. “A connection between here and there would be neat,” said Richard, when asked if he would concon sider crossing the James B. Edwards Bridge over the Wando River if a safe pedestrian/biker pathway was added. “I think that would be fun to do from time to time…I can think of a lot of people who would want to use something like that.” Gage Cooper of Daniel Island-Based Cooper River Cycles was equally encouraged by the plan’s goals.

“It would be a lot of fun to have more versatility and more options as far as riding terrain,” he said. “And options to link to other areas would be fantastic.” “I enjoy biking and walking,” added Daniel Island resident Jen Waters, while out on a walk with her dog, Piper, last weekend. “It’s a good idea, as long as it creates a safe path.” Laurie and Greg Boevin, who enjoyed a bike ride through Smythe Park last Sunday afternoon, couldn’t agree more. “Absolutely!” said Laurie, when asked if she would embrace a way to connect to other communities in the region through walking or biking. “We would ride a lot more.” “Let’s get it going!” added Greg. And that is indeed the hope among those involved in creating the “Walk+Bike BCD” plan - to get it going, and at least push the concept of connectivity to the forefront when it comes to future planning and developments. “We cannot get to the level of every single block and every single neighborhood,” said Crowther, in her presentation last week. “That’s not the intent of this. This is really to say as a three-county region how can we create regional connectivity for biking and walking, and projects of regional significance, and begin to move those forward?” In the process, Crowther and her team learned a great deal about the desires of stakeholders when it comes to being able to get where they want and need to go on foot and on bikes. By using an objective, data-driven approach, they evaluated current conditions and found a number of positives, such as a significant recent investment in new connections. But they also identified that there is a high demand for walking and biking near activity centers - and that major interstates, waterways, and multi-lane arterials are barriers. A lack of roadway connectivity, limited transit access and isolated small town and rural hubs were also noted. But perhaps most telling is the safety data project leaders gleaned. Between 2010 and 2014, there were 990 pedestrian crashes and 739 bicycle crashes, stated their report. Those collisions resulted in 79 fatalities. “When you create a safer space for bicycles and pedestrians, when we can make recommendations that make an unsafe intersection safe, we’re creating choice for residents,” added Crowther. “Because it’s not really a choice to choose between biking or walking if you’re risking your life to do it.” BY THE NUMBERS In crafting the Walk+Bike BCD plan, project leaders polled over 1000 community members across the region through an online citizen survey and gathered feedback at more than 14 public

events and meetings. Close to 55 percent of respondents reported that they walk frequently (more than once a week), with 30.4 percent stating they rarely or never walk. On the biking side, 45.3 percent reported they frequently ride, and 36.5 percent said they rarely or never go out on a bike. Also of interest, those surveyed were asked how they would allocate $100 on regional transportation improvements. Respondents indicated they would spend $30 on trails and greenways, $23 on on-street bikeways, $16 on more sidewalks, $11 on widening roads, $9 on intersection improvements, $8 on expanding bus services, $3 on more highways, and $1 on carpooling/vanpooling. “You asked for better crossings and intersections, connectivity (closing gaps), family-friendly routes, more funding for walking and biking, and a culture of respect for people on foot and bike,” stated the report. “…People who live in the BCD region care first about safety and about getting to their favorite (or more frequent) destinations.” TAKING ACTION The Walk+Bike plan calls for a multi-tiered approach towards creating a regional bike and trail network - which would ultimately include some 692 miles of new paved shoulder areas along roadways, 546 miles of shared use paths, 117 miles of new sidewalks, and more than 150 miles of new bicycle routes, shallows, and bike lanes. “It’s not going to happen next week,” added Crowther. “It’s not going to happen in the next 10 years, but now you have a roadmap of what that overall connectivity can look like.” The Daniel Island/Cainhoy area is included in the plan, and shows bike and walking connections between the island and Clements Ferry Road, all the way to Highway 41 and beyond. “We recognize that is an isolated area and we did want to address that,” said Crowther. “We received a good bit of public input from there that reflected that - and we wanted to be responsive to the residents’ needs.” Crowther hopes the recently released plan will provide important guidance for municipal and county planners moving forward. “If a road is getting widened, incorporate the recommendation,” she said. “If a new development is going in and there’s an opportunity to change the roadway, go ahead and do it. This is a tool for being proactive.” At the end of last week’s session, Crowther encouraged all citizens to stay involved in the process. “You are the biggest asset the region has - engaged citizens and engaged stakeholders,” she told her audience. “Continue to be a voice.” For more information on the Walk+Bike plan, visit http://walkbikebcd.weebly.com.

ELIZABETH BUSH

The recently unveiled “Walk+Bike BCD” plans promotes regional connectivity for walkers and bikers throughout the Lowcountry.

ELIZABETH BUSH

The Ravenel Bridge spanning from Mount Pleasant to Charleston features dedicated lanes for pedestrians and bikers.

Want to go for a stroll? WALKERS/RUNNERS

A Daniel Island Walk/Run Group meets in the Pierce Park Pavilion parking lot every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. for an estimated threemile excursion. Newcomers welcome! You can also join the “Daniel Island Run and Walk Group” on Facebook to learn more about other opportunities on the island.

BIKERS

Coastal Cyclists hosts a weekly ride departing from Cooper River Cycles on Daniel Island every Sunday at 5 p.m. (during summer months) for a 10 to 12 mile ride around the island. Afterwards, bikers gather at a local eatery for food/drinks. Meeting times can vary. For more information, visit www.coastalcyclists.org, or email ride leader Karen Delcioppo at kdelrn18@gmail.com.

FEATURE PAGE DESIGN PORTFOLIO ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

spotlight

NEWS

Explosive maneuvers:

NATioNAL AFricAN AmEricAN HiSTory

Soldiers train with improved grenade launchers but here they gave us around 30,” said Burks, a preventative maintenance specialist. After a while it got heavy she said. Soldiers on Fort Jackson began training with a The weight difference is caused by new weapons system that instructors said the troops the M320 having a barrel that is much love shooting because it can launch grenades while at- more durable, while the weapon can be tached to their rifles, or be fired independently. used as a weapon itself or attached to A training team was on Fort Jackson Tuesday and an M4 carbine rifle, Mariblanca said. Wednesday familiarizing The heavier barrel causes drill sergeants with the newthe weapon to have a lonest grenade launcher in the ger lifespan because the Army’s arsenal - M320A1. more rounds fired through “With the M203 it has to a lighter barrel can detestay with the weapon,” said A lot of the Soldiers that I riorate accuracy much Alex Mariblanca, a weapons ask say they prefer to fire quicker than a thicker equipment trainer with Tank (the M20A1). This one is one. Automotive Command, out “A lot of the Soldiers easier to fire even in the of Warren, Michigan, who that I ask say they prefer stand alone mode. was on Fort Jackson schoolto fire this one,” he said. ing drill sergeants and unit — Alex Mariblanca, “This one is easier to fire cadre on the working of the even in the stand alone weapons equipment trainer M320A1 grenade launcher mode.” that is replacing the venerThe M320 has a removable M203. able stock that can be atThe M203 weighs three tached to the weapon to alpounds while the newer low it fire as its own weapon. model weighs five. Another of the features Soldiers For Sgt. Keala Burks, a drill sergeant in Alpha prefer is how the weapon is loaded. While Company, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, the M203 was loaded by pushing the barrel shooting a grenade launcher isn’t something she gets forward, the M320’s breach swings open with to do every day. the press of a button to allow loading from the “We shoot (grenade launchers) in school and out side. here when we are out with the privates we might fire a See M320: Page 20 few rounds. Usually they give us five rounds a piece,

CMY

CMYK

By ROBERT TIMMONS Fort Jackson Leader

“

M320A1 n Caliber - 40 mm.

n Weight – 5 lbs., 10.92 lbs. attached to an M4 carbine n Barrel length – 8.46 inches n Rifling – six lands and grooves n Maximum range – 400 meters n Maximum effective range: n Point target: 150 meters n Area target: 350 meters

A Soldier with 193rd Infantry Brigade fires a M320 grenade launcher during familiarization training for the new weapons system Jan. 10 at the Bastogne range. The M320 is replacing the M203 grenade launcher in the Army’s arsenal.

Photo by ROBERT TIMMONS

A Century oF BlACk liFe, History And Culture NEWS

Solar Eclipse

NASA’s Who? What? Where? When? & How?

WARNING! Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. You can seriously injure your eyes. Check with local science museums, schools and astronomy clubs for eclipse glasses –or purchase an ISO 12312-2 compliant pair of these special shades!

Inexpensive and easy to build, the sun funnel is a device that completely encloses the light coming from a telescope and projects a magnified image of the sun, large enough for many people to view at once. View the eclipse with special eclipse glasses.

Regular sunglasses are not safe to view the eclipse.

http://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/make-sun-funnel

Is it a bird, perhaps a plane?

no — it’s a total solar eclipse By Mark Manicone Fort Jackson Leader

ALSO

Family and MWR prepares for eclipse, Page 15 Proper equipment, awareness key to enjoying solar eclipse safely, Page 16

“The Great American Eclipse” will reach South Carolina around 2 p.m. Monday. And while civilians and Soldiers alike will be tempted to look up at the sky, it’s important to know and have the equipment necessary to do so. The only point during a solar eclipse when it is safe to stare directly at the sun is during the totality phase, when the moon completely blocks out the sun. This phase of the eclipse will occur at 2:41 p.m. and last for only two minutes and 30 seconds. Once the sun starts to glare on the right side of the moon, it’s time to look away. Now, in order to view the sun during the beginning and ending phases of the eclipse, one must wear

number 14 welder’s glass or, for those non-welders, make sure to get certified eclipse viewing glasses. The City of Columbia is sponsoring 100,000 free eclipse glasses at events throughout the city. This weekend, the City of Columbia will host a multitude of events for the expected one million tourists that will visit the state. At certain events, the eclipse glasses will be given out. And if you can’t get some for free, there are shops available that will sell them to you. Family and Morale Wellness Recreation will also have eclipse glasses available. Also, MEDDAC will outline the medical consequences of unprotected viewing and the damage it can have on people’s eyes. These details are on pages 15 and 16 of this issue. For those Family members and Soldiers who

might venture off post for eclipse related activities, South Carolina is urging people to be mindful of increased traffic and the potential hazards that come with it. “We want to assure the citizens of South Carolina that the department of public safety is working carefully with its state partners and with local officials to prepare for traffic issues surrounding the eclipse and ensure a safe and memorable experience for South Carolina citizens and visitors,” said Maj. Rob Woods, Highway Patrol emergency management coordinator for the Department of Public Safety in a SC National Guard article. For more information regarding City of Columbia events you can visit totaleclipsecolumbiasc.com/ fact-sheet/ or totaleclipsecolumbiasc.com/glasses/ for more info about eclipse glasses.

FaQ

On Monday, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights – a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon completely covers the sun and the sun’s tenuous atmosphere – the corona – can be seen, will stretch from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun’s disk.

What is It? This celestial event is a solar eclipse in which the moon passes between the sun and Earth and blocks all or part of the sun for up to about three hours, from beginning to end, as viewed from a given location. For this eclipse, the longest period when the moon completely blocks the sun from any given location along the path will be about two minutes and 40 seconds. The last time the contiguous U.S. saw a total eclipse was in 1979.

Who Can See It?

Photo by SPc. chelSea Baker

Members of the South Carolina National Guard show off their solar eclipse safety glasses. The glasses were distributed by the South Carolina National Guard Safety Office in preparation for the solar eclipse that will occur Monday.

Lots of people! Everyone in the contiguous United States, in fact, everyone in North America plus parts of South America, Africa, and Europe will see at least a partial solar eclipse, while the thin path of totality will pass through portions of 14 states.

From there the lunar shadow leaves the United States at 4:09 p.m. Its longest duration will be near Carbondale, Illinois, where the sun will be completely covered for two minutes and 40 seconds.

Where Can You See It? You can see a partial eclipse, where the moon covers only a part of the sun, anywhere in North America. To see a total eclipse, where the moon fully covers the sun for a short few minutes, you must be in the path of totality. The path of totality is a relatively thin ribbon, around 70 miles wide, that will cross the U.S. from West to East. The first point of contact will be at Lincoln Beach, Oregon at 9:05 a.m. PDT. Totality begins there at 10:16 a.m. PDT. Over the next hour and a half, it will cross through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and North and South Carolina.

How Can You See It? You never want to look directly at the sun without appropriate protection except

When Can You See It? Times for partial and total phases of the eclipse vary depending on your location. In Columbia, the eclipse begins at 1:13 p.m. Totality begins at 2:42 p.m., and will last a little more than two minutes. The eclipse comes to an end at 4:06 p.m.

during totality. That could severely hurt your eyes. However, there are many ways to safely view an eclipse of the sun including direct viewing – which requires some type of filtering device and indirect viewing where you project an image of the sun onto a screen. Both methods should produce clear images of the partial phase of an eclipse.

SAFETY TIPS n Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter. n Supervise children using solar filters. n Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun.After looking at the sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the sun. n Do not look at the uneclipsed or par-

tially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device. n Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury. Courtesy of eclipse2017.nasa.gov

Throughout America’s history, from the Battle of Lexington to the Battle for Fallujah, black Soldiers have honorably answered the call to duty, serving with great valor and distinction in America’s armed forces. Each February, the U.S. Army celebrates and pays tribute to African American Soldiers and recognizes the important contributions they have made in past wars and are continuing to make today in overseas contingency operations. Throughout the month, The Leader will highlight their accomplishments during different times in the Army. 1770: Crispus AttuCks On March 5, 1770, Crispus Attucks and several other patriots from Boston protested the British curbing of civil liberties in their Massachusetts colony. During a scuffle with British soldiers, Attucks and several others were shot and killed. Although independence had not yet been officially declared, many consider Attucks the first American casualty of the Revolutionary War. The Boston Massacre greatly helped to foster colonists’ spirit of independence from Great Britain. More than 5,000 blacks — both slaves and free — would later take up the cause and fight for America’s independence. Unfortunately, freedom for most of them would have to wait.

Fort Jackson’s African American History Month celebration The post’s annual African American/Black History month observance takes place 11:30 a.m., Feb. 24, at the Fort Jackson Nco club. The guest speaker for the event is David Swinton, president of Benedict college. Tickets are available for purchase for $10.50. Please contact an Eo Advisor, the EEo office, or Unit Eo Leader for tickets.

1775-1783: AmeriCAn revolution

Thousands of black Soldiers, both slaves as well as free, from all 13 colonies fought in the Continental Army during America’s war for independence from Great Britain. Many also served in state militias. Black Soldiers served in every major battle of the war, mostly in integrated units. A notable exception was America’s first all-black unit, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. The regiment defeated three assaults by the British during the battle for Rhode Island in 1778 and later participated in the victory at Yorktown in 1781. About 20 percent of the tens of thousands of blacks who served were manumitted – freed from slavery – as a result of their service.

See HistorY: Page 23

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Wallace McBride The Fort Jackson Leader

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A speculative portrait of American patriot Crispus Attucks, who was among the people killed in 1770 by British troops in the Boston Massacre.

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Bo Leslie Greenville Journal COVER |

LOCAL HEALTH SYSTEMS AND THE ACA

THE TRUMPCARE CONUNDRUM

ACA was good news and bad news for area health care systems — and now that the act is in jeopardy, hospitals are wondering what’s next

Lina LeGare, Stephanie Burnette and Chris Isham Greenville Journal

n 2016, Greenville Health System (GHS) gave away medical care valued at more than half a billion. They weren’t alone. Other Upstate health systems also gave away hundreds of millions of dollars in care to people who have too little or no health insurance. To put it in perspective, the health systems give away care that is worth several times the City of Greenville’s annual budget of $170.98 million. It’s even more money than dozens of nations spend, including Sierra Leone, Belize, and Syria. But those large numbers don’t tell the whole story: For most systems, uncompensated care actually declined over the last decade as a percentage of total revenue.

THE BREAKDOWN • Local health care systems give away half a billion dollars per year in uncompensated care. • The burden for paying for uncompensated care in part shifts to the insured — the more people who have insurance, the lower uncompensated care will be. • Uncompensated care declined after ACA, but it was less help to states like S.C. that did not accept the ACA’s Medicaid expansion. • Although charity care and bad debt increased in the last decade for local health care systems, the losses were offset by revenue growth. • Projected losses to US hospitals if ACA is repealed could reach $165.8 billion by 2026. • The future of population health and fee-for-value initiatives is unclear.

The half a billion-plus is what health systems attribute to charity care and bad debt costs, collectively called uncompensated care. Charity care goes to people without insurance and who cannot afford their medical costs. It also can cover Medicaid and Medicare shortfalls. Bad debt includes unpaid bills from people who had more medical expenses than their insurance covered, and who couldn’t or wouldn’t pick up the difference.

The way uncompensated care is calculated and reported is complicated. There are the actual costs — related to salaries, services, and products — and there is the estimated value of the care. The value is what a hospital might charge someone if the patient had to pay full price — like a retail price tag. Since every payer — the term the health care industry uses for insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. — negotiates a different rate, the charges patients see on their bills can vary greatly. “If I go to the ER and the charge is $1,200, the ER’s actual cost to provide that service is probably less than half of that,” says Lee Crandall, professor in the department of public health sciences at Clemson University. So if a patient with no insurance and no way of paying for their medical care ends up in the emergency room, someone has to cover the costs of that person’s care because the ER cannot refuse to help the person. And that someone typically includes the federal and state government and businesses and employees with private insurance. “That’s the dirty little secret of health care,” Crandall says. “The only way hospitals can survive is to increase charges to people who are insured or who have Medicare.”

SHIFTING THE BURDEN TO THE INSURED The system works so long as there are enough people with employer-sponsored health insurance to pay the higher rates. Private insurance pay at GHS is about 32 percent. Nationwide, more people gained private insurance in the post-Affordable Care Act (ACA) years, which meant that uncompensated care declined in overall dollars or at least in proportion to revenues, says Robert Hartwig, professor of finance at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. In states like South Carolina that did not accept the ACA’s Medicaid expansion, the ACA was less help to hospitals’ bottom line. Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) and AnMed Health in Anderson have seen their combined charity care and bad debt costs increase over the past decade. For GHS, the combined costs have doubled. SRHS has seen a near 50 percent increase. “Charity care and bad debt have increased because we have increased the size of our system and serve more patients,” says Terri Newsom, GHS vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). From SRHS’ perspective, the increased costs are offset by revenue growth. “While the total amount of charity care/bad debt has increased, it has increased at a slower rate than the growth of revenue in the health care district,” says Ken Meinke, SRHS chief financial and administrative officer. “As a result, the percentage of charity care/bad debt is less than it was in prior years.” As a percentage of gross revenue, SRHS’ bad debt and charity care has declined from 9.28 percent in 2006 to 6.05 percent in 2016. Upstate health system CFOs say they have seen some evidence of people gaining insurance through the ACA, but not enough to make a big impact on their overall

| COVER

uncompensated care costs. “We’ve seen an increase in visits by people who were insured and coming through the emergency department,” says Ronnie Hyatt, BSSF senior vice president and chief financial officer. GHS had the same experience: “We absolutely did see individuals who had received charity in the past and now are back in our facility with ACA exchange products,” Newsom says. The health system estimates that the ACA added about 2 percent to its private pay percentage, Newsom says, “but these plans do not reimburse for services at the same level as non-exchange private pay.” Only 2.5 percent of SRHS’ patients have insurance through an ACA health care exchange product. “The percentage of our patients who are uninsured has not significantly changed over the last several years,” Meinke says. Things could have been different. If South Carolina had agreed to the Medicaid expansion, then many low-income people who still do not have insurance would have been covered under Medicaid. That would have lowered local health systems’ overall charity care and bad debt costs, says Rozalynn Goodwin, vice president for engagement with the S.C. Hospital Association in Columbia. Health systems in states like Arkansas that expanded Medicaid to cover more poor people saw their charity care and bad debt decline, Goodwin says. “People who are uninsured come to the emergency room. They delay care and may not receive preventive care, and by the time they receive care it’s at an advanced stage, where it’s more expensive,” Goodwin says.

Modus

Drink

Drink Modus

Carolina Cocktail

Southern sippers from South Carolina-based BITTERMILK and Six & Twenty. / by Stephanie Burnette / photos by Chris Isham

What’s in these glasses tells a tale of two makers; South Carolina crafters, in fact, obsessed with the possibility of pouring a really good cocktail at home. The Yuletide Old Fashioned (see recipe at right) is a complex sip for such little effort: add four parts

bourbon to one part mixer, stir and serve over ice. It’s a seasonal cocktail perfect for fireside nights, warm on the palate with notes of citrus, cherry, and burnt golden cane sugar matched with small-

ACA REPEAL COULD COST HOSPITALS $165 BILLION

batch bourbon. It is up-front delicious and worthy of commentary for its premium native ingredients. Count your guests impressed.

Emerging national reports and research suggest things could get worse economically for health systems. President Donald J. Trump has asked Congress to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA). The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill on May 4, intending it to replace much of the ACA. The new bill would cut Medicaid funding and raise health insurance costs for many older and sicker patients — those who spend the most time using hospital services. Hospital advocacy groups reported in December 2016 that if Obamacare — the Affordable Care Act — is repealed, it would cost hospitals $165.8 billion between 2018 and 2026. The estimate was based on a projected 22 million people losing insurance by 2026. In March, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) gave its estimate that Trump’s AHCA would increase the number of uninsured people by 24 million in 2026. By mid-May, the CBO had not issued an updated report on the AHCA, which had several amendments added after its March introduction. But other reports say the amendments will do too little to help low-income people maintain insurance coverage. The new bill would repeal a payroll tax increase and investment income tax that only high-income Americans paid. The taxes helped fund expanded health

Meet the Makers BITTERMILK produces handmade cocktail mixers in North Charleston including their 2016 limitededition release, No. 7 Yuletide Old Fashioned. A standard Old Fashioned—consisting of sugar, booze and bitters—is traditionally garnished with orange and cherry. BITTERMILK eliminates this extemporaneous pick by adding nuanced flavors directly into their handcrafted syrup. They boil fresh orange peel with dried cherries and literally juice the mixture before kettle cooking it with a barrel-aged blend of spices, burnt golden cane sugar, and molasses. Rather than source burnt cane sugar, they do it themselves, by hand. Let’s call it a labor-intensive operation for the cocktail crazed. The result is an extraordinary Old Fashioned with an inflection of orange and a bright cherry pop. Six & Twenty produces select small-batch whiskey at their distillery in Piedmont including their 5-Grain Bourbon entirely derived from South Carolina heirloom crops; corn and wheat from the Upstate, barley from the Midlands, and rye and rice from the Low Country. To date, it is the only five-grain bourbon in existence, each grain leaving a distinct impression: Rye imparts spiciness. Rice adds back sweetness, much like sweet tea. Soft winter wheat (grown specifically for Six & Twenty) lengthens the mouth feel on the palate. Barley offers sprouted maltiness. And corn? Corn is the body upon which these flavors, including that of the oak barrel, stand. No other bourbon could be more perfectly suited for a Yuletide Old Fashioned. With two ingredients, you can mix this aspirational drink at home, one that will astound your guests and impress known cynics. But be sure to use a jigger. Not only will your cocktail taste better, but it will stave off the chance of over-serving your guests.

The Old One-Two To make the Yuletide Old Fashioned for a crowd, pour one part BITTERMILK Old Fashioned No. 7 to four parts Six & Twenty 5-Grain Bourbon Whiskey into a glass pitcher. Add two scoops of ice and stir to marginally dilute. Pour into glasses filled with ice and serve.

A Taste of Carolina

The Satisfy Your Thirst Tour celebrates the liquid history of South Carolina’s favorite beverages. From sweet tea to moonshine and much in between, there’s a map to sip and see your way through the state. Learn more at discoversouthcarolina.com/ satisfyyourthirst.

HEALTH CARE continued on PAGE 18

5.19.2017

upstatebusinessjournal.com

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WINTER 2016

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Explosive maneuvers:

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By ROBERT TIMMONS Fort Jackson Leader

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Photo by ROBERT TIMMONS

Wallace McBride The Fort Jackson Leader

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Krena Lanham The Berkeley Independent

Kyle Camp The Lancaster News Sports

The Lancaster News Sports | (803) 283-1157 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017

ports briefs

Dixie Baseball extends sign-ups

Lancaster Dixie Baseball has extended registration for the 2017 season at the United Forklift, 2175 McIlwain Road (old Mike Hinson’s Body Shop). Registration is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Leagues are available for players of ages 4-14 (age control date is May 1, 2017). The cost to play is $60 for the ages 6 and under, $100 for ages 7-12 and $110 for ages 1314. Please email any questions about registration to dixiebaseball@comporium.net. Lancaster Dixie Baseball plays its games at the Wylie Park Complex in Lancaster.

Rec soccer officials meeting

The Lancaster County Recreation Commission soccer officials meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Springdale Recreation Center, 260 S. Plantation Road. If you are interested in officiating recreation soccer, you must attend the meeting. The meeting will include a review of all rules and answers to any questions from the attendees about the upcoming season. For more details, call the LCPRC office at (803) 285-5545 and ask for Micky Taylor, youth soccer coordinator for the Lancaster County Parks and Rec Commission.

County trio nets all-state honors

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trio of Lancaster County high school basketball standouts has been selected for all-state honors. The talented threesome includes a pair of Andrew Jackson High School hoops aces – Lady Volunteers’ center Alexxus Sowell and Vols’ junior star Dontarius James. Indian Land High School’s Nia Pressley, a senior standout, has been selected for the Class AAA girls all-state basketball team. Sowell, a 6-3 post player, is averaging 14.8 points and 12.5 rebounds to go with 5.3 blocks a game. Earlier this season, she was selected to play in the annual Carolinas Classic All-Star Basketball game March 18 at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach. She was also selected as the Region IV-AA Player of the Year after leading the Lady Volunteers to the region championship this season. Prior to the season, Sowell was named as one of the top senior girls basketball players in Class AA. James is also having a stellar campaign for Volunteers. He is averaging 27.9 points and 12.5 rebounds a game for the Vols to go with 2.6 assists and 2.3 blocks a game. In addition to his Class AA all-state honor, James, a 6-7 perfomer, is the Region IV-AA Player of the Year for boys basketball. Pressley’s honor is a landmark hardwood achievement for Indian Land High as she is the first Class AAA all-state selection for Warriors’ basketball. The 2016-17 school term is the first in Class AAA for the Indian Land High School Warriors. Pressley is averaging 20.6 points and 14.5 rebounds a game for the Lady Warriors. The Indian Land High girls, the Region IV-AAA co-champions for the 2016-17 season, saw their season end with a second-round playoff loss to Emerald High School of Greenwood on Thursday night. Pressley was also named as the Region IV-AAA Player of the Year for girls basketball this season. During the season, Pressley reached the coveted 1,000th point career mark. Pressley, prior to the start of the 2016-17 high school basketball season, was selected as one of the top five senior players in Class AAA girls basketball.

photos above and left by GWYNN LEAIRD/For The Lancaster News

Above, Andrew Jackson High Lady Vols senior basketball player Alexxus Sowell (35) has been selected to the Class AA girls all-state team. At left, Andrew Jackson High School junior basketball player Dontarius James (12) has been named to the Class AA boys all-state team.

The Lancaster County Parks and Recreation Commission will have a mandatory umpire clinic and rules meeting at 2 p.m. March 5 for all returning and new umpires for the 2017 Little League Baseball season. The meeting is at Springdale Recreation Center, 260 South Plantation Road. For more details on the meeting, call the rec office at (803) 285-5545.

Hunter education class March 11

KLS Foundation boxing exhibition

The Kleine Levin Syndrome Foundation will host a Cedric “Mean Man” Mingo boxing exhibition March 4 at the Barr Street gym, 610 East Meeting Street. The exhibition will include female boxing attractions and youth pad workouts. The KLS fundraiser will also feature prize giveaways and food during the event. Admission is $5 per person for the event held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Kleine Levin Syndrome research and local scholarships. Mingo, a member of the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame, is a retired boxer who now trains boxers. Mingo posted a 28-9-1 record as a professional boxer and won two titles during his career. For details, contact Mingo at (803) 416-2193, or Donna White-Bailey at (803) 285-8732.

Steen named head coach at Great Falls By Travis Jenkins GREAT FALLS – Great Falls High School didn’t have to look very long for a new football coach, because they didn’t have to look very far. Scotty Steen, a Red Devils assistant coach for 19 years, was named the head football coach Wednesday. He replaces John Barrett, who resigned for personal and family reasons after a year on the job. “This still feels like a dream,” Steen said. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about, praying Steen about and talking to my family about for a while.” Steen said he actually did apply for the position last year, marking the first time he’s ever put in for a head coaching job. “I was inspired to after I read a book called ‘Think and Grow Wise’ by Napoleon Hill. Everyone should read that book. It really opened up my eyes,” he said. Steen is a Great Falls native. He played for Coach Danny Sawyer at the school, graduated in 1990 and got a position coaching at Great Falls Middle School later the same year. At that time, John Smith, the legend-

ary Red Devils basketball coach, was actually the middle school football coach. Steen left for a few years to coach at McCormick and Goose Creek, but returned in 2002, where he has served as a wide receivers coach, an offensive line coach, an offensive coordinator and the assistant head coach. He’ll be the third coach in three years for the program and the stability he figures to offer was part of what made him an attractive candidate, according to Jimmy Duncan, GFHS athletics director. “He graduated from here, he lives here, he’s a part of this community. He’s been here when were going undefeated and when we’ve struggled,” Duncan said. According to Duncan, players “about lost it” when Steen was introduced as the new coach. He said he was humbled to see them so excited. “I had my first opportunity to address the team as head coach. I think I set the foundation for what we want to do. It went really well,” Steen said. Steen said his philosophy is centered around “the three A’s” of attitude, academics and athletics. In terms of attitude, he said he told players he expected them to work hard and comport themselves with class both on the field and in the community. In terms of academics, he wants a “a can do” attitude in the classroom.

“Athletically, we have maybe been not as big, fast or strong as our competition the past few years. We want to change that. We want players in the weight room and we want them running track or playing baseball. We want to make sure we give ourselves the best chance to succeed,” he said. Great Falls has won only one game in the past two years and has struggled with numbers. However, 35 potential players came to the gym for Steen’s introduction as coach. In terms of philosophy, Steen said he plans to keep the spread offense that Barrett installed last year, but will place a heavier emphasis on the running game. Steen said he could never have imagined, when he wore the red and black himself, that he’d one day be leading the program. “It’s something I’d always hoped for,” he said. “Everybody who played for (Coach Sawyer) wanted to be Coach Sawyer. I wish he was around now to see this.” Steen has worked under four head coaches: Sawyer, Barrett, Ken Schofield and Dan Dickerson. He said he hopes to live up the standards he learned from all four. “We’re going to work to put a product on the field this community can be proud of,” he said.

Woodcarving dedicated to former LHS softball player Robert Howey rhowey@thelancasternews.com

Michael Blaine, a world known chainsaw wood carver, will leave his mark on the Lancaster High School softball field this season. Blaine will carve a 7-foottall Bruin Bear at the field from Feb. 28 to March 1. The final product will be

unveiled March 8. The wooded Bruin Bear will be a permanent fixture at the LHS field for seasons to come. The Bruin Bear is being done in memory of Jenna Cauthen, a former Lady Bruins’ standout softball player who was killed in an auto accident Nov. 12, 2014. Jenna’s parents, Tim and Sandra Cauthen, are dedicat-

ing the Bruin Bear to the LHS softball program in their daughter’s memory. The unveiling of the carved Bruin Bear at the field will be March 8 when the Lancaster High Lady Bruins host the Buford High Lady Yellow Jackets, the defending Class AA state champions, at 7 p.m. “We invite all to come out

and support both squads and see the unveiling on March 8,” LHS softball coach Kim Perry said. “We feel it will be a special time and a special occasion to honor one of our former players.” The Lancaster High School softball field is located adjacent to Lancaster Memorial Stadium and North Elementary School.

ports briefs

VOLUNTEERS’ HARDWOOD HAUL

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The 2016-17 Lancaster County boys basbas ketball season belonged to the Andrew Jackson Volunteers. AJ veteran head coach Danny Wright and Vols junior star Dontarius James led the way in county hardhard wood success. Wright is The Lancaster News boys’ basketball Coach of the Year and James is The News’ Player of the Year. Wright guided his VolVol unteers to a 16-6 finish, a Wright Class AA Upper State playoff bid, and AJ’s fourth winning season in six years under the former Vols player. “I would like to thank God for shining down on us and blessing us with another successful season,” Wright said. “Our guys played each game with a lot of heart and Volunteer pride. They played as a team and never gave up on each other. “Their fight and determination has rere ally made people love and respect AJ basbas ketball. I'm blessed to have the opportuopportu nity to coach these guys and to help build a strong program at AJ. “I would like to also give a special thanks to my coaches, wife (Asia), family, our community and fans for help making AJ basketball successful,” he said. Wright, 78-53 in six seasons leading AJ, is assisted by Chad Burgess, Daniel Wright, Dustin Eddins, Delmar Patterson and Kel Dusti

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Flag football registration

JAMISON MURPHY/For The Lancaster News

Above, Indian Land High School senior basketball player Nia Pressley (22) has been chosen to the Class AAA girls all-state team.

Landmark News Service

SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017

The Lancaster County Parks and Recreation Commission has set swim team registration for the 2017 season. The registration is April 24May 5, with a cost of $63 per child. The cost includes a swim cap and T-shirt. The team is open to boys and girls ages 5-18 as of June 1. Each new swimmer who did not swim last season will have to attend the skills assessment on Saturday, May 13 from 3 p.m. to 5. Each swimmer must swim 25 yards (one lap) of freestyle and backstroke (ages 10 under), or 50 yards (two laps) of freestyle and backstroke (ages 11-up) without assistance or stopping. The new swimmer must pass this assessment to be on the competitive swim team. Swimsuit fitting is May 13, 3-5 p.m. and May 15, 5:307:30 p.m. at the LCPR Pool at 106 S. Wylie St., Lancaster, or online at www.augustaswim. The female suit is $59 each and the male suit is $45 each. Team bathing suits are not required. It is required that girls will wear a navy one piece and boys navy jammer spandex bathing suits. Returning swimmers may wear a swimsuit from previous years as long as it is navy in color. Lancaster Swim Team is part of the Metrolina Swim League. Away meets are in the Rock Hill/Fort Mill area. The season ends June 25. Register at the Springdale Recreation Center MondayFriday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., or online at www.mylancastersc.org/parks. If you have any questions, call the LCPRC office at (803) 285-5545.

LCPRC umpire clinic March 5

A free hunters education class, taught by SCDNR Law Enforcement, is March 11 at the Municipal Justice Center Courtroom, 405 E. Arch Street. The class is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students may bring their lunch, or leave for lunch. Anyone born after June 30, 1979, is required to take the hunter education class before he, or she can receive their hunting licenses. If you plan to hunt out of state, some states require you to take this course before you can purchase a hunting license. Register at https://www.register-ed.com/events/ view/97608. For details, call Amanda Roberts, district manager of Lancaster Soil and Water Conservation District at (803) 2864455, extension 100. She can also be reached via email at amanda.roberts@sc. nacdnet.net. The website is www.lancasterswcd.com.

Sports | (803) 283-1157

Swim team registration

Robert Howey rhowey@thelancasternews.com

Sports

The Lancaster News

Mo ey cha ge o Supe S ock v c o y

The Lancaster County Parks and Recreation Commission has set flag football registration. Flag football, a co-ed league, is for boys and girls ages 7-15. The fee is $50, and the age control date is Sept. 1. Register online at www. mylancastersc.org/parks or one of the locations listed below. Springdale Recreation Center – May 1-12, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Andrew Jackson Recreation Center – May 4 and May 11, 6 p.m. to 7:30. Heath Springs Town Hall – May 2, May 9, 6-7:30. Indian Land @Walnut Creek – May 3-5, May 8, May 10-11, 6-8 p.m. Buford Recreation Center – May 4, May 11, 6:30-8 p.m.

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Rec Commission meets Tuesday

The Joint Recreation Commission will meet Tuesday at the Springdale Recreation Center, 260 South Plantation Road, at 6:30 p.m. For more details, call the Lancaster County Parks and Recreation office at (803) 285-5545.

Submit your sports news The Lancaster News is looking for news about sports achievements of local teams and residents. Mail information to: News Department The Lancaster News P.O. Box 640 Lancaster, SC 29721 Fax to: (803) 283-8969 E-mail: news@thelancasternews.com For details, call (803) 283-1155

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Socastee grad helps Tigers shock the world

Reel Kids, Reel Fun tourney returns Aug. 5 From staff reports The 16th annual Bobby Clarke Memoria l Reel Kids, Reel Fun Fishing Tournament will be Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Georgetown Landing Marina. The event is hosted by the Blue Water Fishing Club of Florence and is open to kids 16 and under. Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish in the following categories: flounder, spadefish, spottail/drum,

sheepshead, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, B-liner, sea bass, trout, croaker/whiting and most unusual. Sharks will not be weighed. All youths who participate will get a certificate, and special recognition will go to the youngest participant and the one who has traveled the farthest to fish. Participants can fish anywhere as long as they return by car to the Georgetown marina between 2 and 4 p.m. for weigh-in.

A rod and reel must be used, and an adult can help the youth reel in the fish. The fishing club will be hosting picnic during the weigh-in. Participants are asked to call the marina at 843-546-1776 by 8 a.m. on the day of the tournament to let them know how many people will be attending the picnic. EILEEN KEITHLY/SOUTH STRAND NEWS For more information on becoming a tournament sponsor, call Michael A young lady shows off her catch at the 2016 Bobby Clarke Memorial Reel Kids, Reel Fun Fishing Tournament. This year’s event is Aug. 5. Smith at 843-307-0425.

Showing their spirit

Guy Daniels Surfoff set July 29, 30 From staff reports

PHOTOS BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Coaches and cheerleaders from Georgetown High and Middle schools hosted camps for girls ages 4-12 the week of July 10. The “Mini Dawgs” will get a chance to show off their skills during halftime of a varsity football game this fall. See more photos at www. southstrandnews.com/ photos.

For the 18th consecutive year, the Guy Daniels Memorial Foundation Surfoff will bring together the surf community to celebrate the life of a fellow surfer, while also raising funds for education and conservation. T he t wo - d ay su r f c onte s t kicks off at 8 a.m. on July 29 at 13th Avenue South in Surfside Beach. A Pro-Am division will be held again this year, bringing the best surfers on the East Coast to the event with $2,000 in cash up for grabs. Registration is online only this year and the deadline is July 27. To reserve a spot go to surfoff. com/2017-surfoff. The surfoff has a wide range of events for surfers of all ages and skill levels, and no membership in any organization is needed to enter. Back by popular demand is the family-favorite push-in heat, as well as the kids activity tent. Parking will be free and prizes will be raffled as well. Held in memory of Guy Daniels, a Surfside Beach surfer and lifeguard who died while jogging in 1999 at the age of 19, the Surfoff aims to bring the surf and local community together to support the causes that Daniels believed in. “As of this year, we have awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to over 60 students, and the Surfoff is the reason for that,” said Mikey Pruitt, director of t he Guy Da n iel s Memor ia l Foundation. “We have received tremendous support over the past 18 years from the surf community and the Town of Surfside Beach. “This event wouldn’t be possible without them, and the expansion of the contest with divisions like the Pro-Am will help us continue to grow and award additional scholarships, as well as support the environmental causes that keep our beaches clean,” Pruitt said. Continued growth and success of the Surfoff ensures more student scholarships and support for the Guy Daniels Memorial Foundation’s Respect the Beach campaign. Respect the Beach promotes keeping local beaches clean by working with the Town of Surf Surfside Beach to provide trash and recycling receptacles at walkovers, as well as receptacles for beachgoers to dispose of their cigarette butts before walking onto the beach.

B.A.S.S. extends ‘no-info rule’ for anglers From staff reports From the earliest days of professional fishing a half-century ago, the most important skill an angler could have is the ability to find the biggest schools of bass. That, more than casting ability or lure selection and presentation, sets the greats in the sport, men like Roland Martin, Rick Clunn and Kevin

VanDam, apart from the rest. With the start of the 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series, that fish-finding wizardry will be even more vital, thanks to a new Elite Series rule that went into ef effect July 7. “Beginning at the time the Elite Series schedule is announced, anglers are prohibited from soliciting or intentionally receiving any information about the locations of fish or fishing areas on those

waters,” B.A.S.S. Tournament .Director Trip Weldon said. Also effective immediately, Elite Series competitors may not obtain or solicit information about locating fish on Lake Hartwell, site of the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Anglers who earn an invitation to fish the Classic through other Bassmaster circuits or events will have to abide by

the rule as soon as they qualify, even provisionally, for the event. According to current Elite Series rules — which are already among the most stringent in tournament competition — anglers may not be on a fishery or obtain information about fishing it for four weeks prior to an event. Under the new rule, anglers may still practice on the lake until 28 days prior to the start of official practice, but from

the time the schedule is announced, they cannot have the help of anyone familiar with the fishery. “This new rule is supported overwhelmingly by the Elite anglers themselves,” said Weldon, referring to a recent survey in which more than 80 percent of Elite Series anglers responding supported extending the “no-inforPlease see B.A.S.S., Page A7

JOHN BAZEMORE/AP

Socastee High School graduate Hunter Renfrow catches a touchdown pass in front of Alabama’s Tony Brown to give Clemson a victory in the NCAA championship game in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Quarterback-turned-wideout scores two TDs for Clemson — again BY AARON BRENNER Post and Courier

CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Hunter Renfrow leads the Socastee High School offense during the CNB Kickoff Classic in 2012. After joining Clemson University’s football team as a walk-on, Renfrow helped the Tigers win the National Championship on Monday night.

AMPA, FLA. — Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, A.J. Green and Odell Beckham Jr. have caught five touchdown passes in the playoffs. So has Hunter Renfrow. The former walk-on from Socastee who had one Division I offer out of high school (Appalachian State, which had just gone from FCS to FBS in 2014), the 5-11, 180-pound receiver who gets mistaken for a waterboy coming off the team bus — he’s caught a pair of touchdowns in two different games against the heralded Alabama defense. “You got the 5-star quarterback throwing the game-winning touchdown to the walk-on wideout,” head coach Dabo Swinney said. “That’s the epitome of our team.”

His second score Monday sealed Clemson’s 35-31 rally for a victory over the Crimson Tide to lock up the Tigers’ second national championship and first in 35 years. “Never in a million years (could I imagine this.) It’s been such a journey for me. It’s like I got knocked out in the third quarter and this was all a dream,” Renfrow said. “I think my faith in God really got me through, just passing up the money to go to App State to come and play for a guy like Coach Swinney, and a quarterback like Deshaun (Watson) is pretty special.” Said Watson of the Tigers’ winning touchdown, “I knew if (Artavis Scott) made his block and got the little pick, Renfrow was going to get in the end zone. I kind of smiled, and I knew before I even snapped the ball it was going to be a touchdown. All I had to do was just get the ball to him.”

Combined with his score vs. Oklahoma in the 2015 Orange Bowl, Renfrow has spent as much time in the end zone during playoff games as those four aforementioned receivers who have combined for 18 Pro Bowls in 22 total seasons. “Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games,” Clemson receiver Mike Williams said. “Quiet assassin. He just goes out there, handles his business, and he balls.” Renfrow’s four scores put him in rare air in terms of individual career rushing or receiving touchdowns in BCS or College Football Playoff championship games. USC running back LenDale White rumbled for five touchdowns in the 2004-05 BCS title games, while Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott hung four touchdowns on Please see SOCASTEE, Page A8

Basketball roundup Waccamaw High football Coach Davis steps down Andrews tops Kingstree BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI

BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI csokoloski@southstrandnews.com After seven seasons as head football coach at Waccamaw High School, Tyronne Davis has stepped down to spend more time watching his sons play the sport he loves. “I love it and love the kids, but I just thought it was my time,” said Davis, who will continue to be an assistant principal at the school. “Now is the time that I really want to focus on being a parent.” Tyler Davis, a Waccamaw High graduate, is a sophomore on The Citadel football team. Trey Davis is a sophomore on the Waccamaw football team. Waccamaw High Principal David Hammel called Davis Davis and excellent football coach, mentor and role model. “I can’t say enough good things about Coach Davis,” Hammel said. “He has elevated our program.” Davis was hired in 2010 and compiled a record of 24-51. In his seven seasons the Warriors made the postseason five times and won two playoff games. His best season was 2014, when the Warriors finished the regular season 5-5 and advanced to the second round of the Class AA playoffs. “I just felt that I wanted to do something dif different,” Davis said. “I’m at a point now where I’ve done mostly what I wanted to do.”

“Now is the time that I really want to focus on being a parent.” Tyronne davis

Before making his decision to step down, Davis said he sought advice from former Waccamaw softball Coach Scott Streiffert and former Georgetown High basketball Coach Alvin “Stitch” Walker, both of whom retired in 2016 after long coaching careers. Between coaching on Friday nights, traveling to Tyler’s games on Saturdays, and starting to prepare for Waccamaw games on Sundays, Davis said the past year had been very stressful. Davis was a coach for 23 years, including a stint as Georgetown High’s head football coach. He said what he will miss the most is the competition, and interacting with the kids. But he’s also looking forward to having some spare time, and maybe getting a chance to attend some Clemson and Redskins games next fall. “I think I’ll have time to do the things I’ve missed over the last 20 years,” Davis said. “It’s going to be exiting to be a parent and be a fan.” Hammel said the process of finding Davis’ replacement has already begun and he expects to have a new coach in place in time to lead the Warriors through spring practice. “Were going to take our time and do a thorough search to find the best person to lead our football team.”

csokoloski@southstrandnews.com

Andrews High’s boys basketball team beat Kingstree 52-39 on Friday for its first region win of the season. “We finally executed the game plan,” said Yellow Jack Jackets Coach Kevin Branham. “I’m very proud of them. It’s been a long time coming but we knew we had a good team, we’ve just had to work Photo a lot of kinks out t o ge t gallery there.” See more pho- A n d r e w s jumped out tos at www. southstrand to a 5-2 lead behind t he news.com. shooting of Trevor Flagler and Amahn Anderson, but a 7-0 run put Kingstree ahead 9-5. Anderson and Kaleaf Meyers had 3-pointers down the stretch for the Yellow Jackets, but the Jaguars held an 15-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Andrews then held Kingstree scoreless for the first 6:30 of the second quarter. “We felt like that didn’t really have an answer for what we were doing Please see ANDREWS, Page A8

CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

R.J. Knowlin drives to the basket against Kingstree on Jan. 6. Knowlin had 8 points in the Yellow Jackets 52-39 victory.

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2016: The year in sports BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI csokoloski@southstrandnews.com It was an eventful sports year in Georgetown County, highlighted by Georgetown High School graduate Kevin “Woody” Woodall Jr. winning the NCAA National Title with the Coastal Carolina University baseball team in June. “You dream about that as a kid and … to finally get there, that’s what you play all year for,” Woodall said. Woodall was only the third Georgetown County native to play in the College World Series, joining Michael Johnson Jr. and Clint Sawyer. The Chanticleers are coached by Gary Gilmore, who began his career in 1982 at Pleasant Hill High School. “He was just such a great person, a great coach (and) a positive influence on the whole team,” said Pleasant Hill graduate Teddy Graham, who is now the principal at PleasCHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS ant Hill Elementary School. “He FILE/AP Savanna Morris of Waccamaw had such a passion for what he was doing. He just loved coaching and Georgetown High School graduate Kevin “Woody” Woodall Jr. makes a play at first base for Coastal High goes up for a block at baseball so much. And he worked Carolina University during the College World Series in June. Carolina Forest in August. hard at it.” Here are some of the other sports events of 2016.

Andrews High

Wanyae Moore scored his 1,000th point for the boys basketball team, was named to the Class AA AllState team, and then signed to play at Spartanburg Methodist College. A brawl during a girls basketball game with Timberland resulted in 12 players being suspended for playoff games. Kirby Evans signed to play softball at Florence-Darlington Tech in May. The football team won nine games before losing in the Lower State quarter-finals. Roderick McCullough was selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Dallas and Brandon Johnson was selected for the North-South AllStar game in Myrtle Beach. “This group (of seniors) has won 32 football games,” Coach Scott Durham said. “You’ll have to go back 20-plus years to find another group of seniors that did that.”

Carvers Bay High

James “Jumpy” Geathers and the school each received a Golden Football from the NFL in honor of the 50th Super Bowl in January. After spending two seasons at Itawamba Community College, 2014 graduate Naquez Pringle signed to play football for the University of Kentucky in February. Arkel Williams passed 1,000 points in his basketball career, became the school’s first two-time All-State selection in February, and signed with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in April. The boys basketball team advanced all the way to the Class A Lower State final before losing to Hemingway. It was the third trip to the Lower State title game for the Bears since 2010. “Eventually it’s going to happen,” Coach Jeff Mezzatesta said. “It’s just a huge step to get over.” Anatashia Bromell was named to the Class A All-State basketball team in February. The school added golf and soccer teams to its spring sports lineup. “A s f a r a s character goes I’ve got a great group of kids,” said golf Coach Wa lt Pos ton, who was named athletic director in July. “They go out and work hard.” The sof tba l l Poston team was second at the 19th annual Waccamaw Invitational in April. The Lady Bears then won the district championship in May, but lost in the Lower State playoffs. Winning Class A Lower State track and field titles in May were: Norman Goss, discus; Melissa Jefferson, 100-meter dash and 200 meters; Anastashia Bromell, triple jump; Laterence Davis, Xavier Drayton, Deandre King and James Milton, 4x800 relay; and Tiera Young, Angel Holmes, D’Essence Dozier and Melissa Jefferson, 4x100 relay. Winning state track and field titles were: Melissa Jefferson, 100-meter dash and 200 meters; Toronto

CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Arkel Williams of Carvers Bay goes up for a block during the Class A Lower State final in February. Williams passed 1,000 points in his basketball career and became the school’s first two-time AllState selection in 2016.

CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

A photo of the late Mack Alston sits in front of a golden football at Georgetown High School in January. Alston, Nate Allen and James “Jumpy” Geathers all received the footballs from the NFL for playing in the Super Bowl. King, long jump; Norman Goss, discus; Tiera Young, Angel Holmes, D’Essence Dozier and Melissa Jef Jefferson, 4x100 relay. The football team won nine games, including two in the playoffs, before losing in the Lower State semi-finals.

Georgetown High

Nate Allen, the family of the late Mack Alston and the school all received Golden Footballs from the NFL in honor of the 50th Super Bowl in January. Retired Coach Mike Johnson was named to the S.C. Baseball Coaches Association inaugural Hall of Fame Class in February. “I accept the award humbly, (but) I’m almost embarrassed,” Johnson said. “There so many people out there. There’s some good coaches.” Bradley Adams, the winningest

CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

The bat of Georgetown High School softball player Meredith Venters bends as she makes contact during a game in May.

CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Andrews High’s Demontre Wright makes a diving interception against St. James during the Yellow Jackets’ first scrimmage of the season in August. football coach in school history, left in March to coach at Union County High School. Ken Cribb was named head coach in April. “This is so hard,” Adams s a id . “ I love Georgetow n w it h a l l my heart and I love the kids with all my heart. You love those kids so much and it’s Cribb hard to go in a direction away from them.” Carolina Forest won the IP Classic title in March. The softball team from Lincoln High School in Ohio captured the title in the inaugural Bulldog Invitational Tournament in March. The Lady Bulldogs softball team won its second straight Region VII-AAA title in April. After two years at Spartanburg Methodist College, 2014 graduate Seth Wall signed to play baseball

for the College of Charleston. Rayna Crosby signed to play basketball for Morris College in April. After winning only five games in 2015, the junior varsity boys soccer team went 15-1 in 2016. Retired softball Coach Al “Hutch” Hutchinson died of a heart attack in May. “Bulldog to the core,” said GHS Principal Craig Evans. “He loved Georgetown High School. ... He was positive influence on many lives. He touched a lot of people.” Ben Waddle resigned as baseball coach in May and was replaced by Assistant Coach Jason West. West is a GHS graduate and only the third varsity baseball coach in school history. Certified athletic trainer Chris DeVault was named a finalist for the National Athletic Trainers Association’s trainer of the year award. Longtime boys basketball Coach Alvin “Stitch” Walker resigned in September and was replaced by Mike Ford Jr. “It’s more than just coaching

on the day of (the game) and I don’t think I ca n g ive t hat 100 percent like I used to,” Walker said. The girls tennis team made it all the way to the Class AAA Lower State semi-fi- Walker nals before losing to Waccamaw in October. The girls golf team made its second straight Class AAA state championship tournament in November. Kyle Ward, a 2009 graduate, was named pitching coach at St. Thomas Aquinas College in New York. Kirsten Vause signed to play softball at the University of South Carolina – Beaufort in November. The football team won seven games before losing in the second round of the Lower State playoffs. Sheldon Billings was named to the 80th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and Zaire Barron was selected for the North-South AllStar game.

Waccamaw High

Jessica Preedom signed to play for the College of Charleston in February. The Lady Warriors basketball team beat Timberland in February for its first playoff win in school history. Justin Busby was named to the Class AA All-State team in February. Palmetto won its second straight Coastal Invitational title in March. Isabel Sanchez signed to play softball for Methodist University Please see SPORTS, Page 9A

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Sandy Schopfer Georgetown Times

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Jan Marvin Daniel Island News

Graham Williams Union County News FEATURE

2017 Volvo Car Open champion Daria Kasatkina displays the tournament’s top prize after earning her victory in the final match-up on April 9.

FEATURE

Daria Delivers! photos by Peter Finger Photography

PHILIP M. BOWMAN

ecisions, decisions. What’s a teenager to do? Daria Kasatkina was crowned champion of the 2017 Volvo Car Open on a sun-drenched Sunday on Daniel Island. She raised the victor’s trophy to the sky, accepted a paycheck for $132,380 and then learned Lex Kerssemakers, Volvo’s senior vice president of the America Region and president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, had sweetened the pot. He offered the 19-year-old Russian the choice of one of three Volvos to drive free of charge for a year. “The big one, the SUV I took,” Kasatkina revealed in the post-match press conference. “In Slovakia (where I train), not the best roads, not like in USA. So I have to take a big car, big safety car.” The roads in Slovakia might be a bit bumpy, but the road to Paris and Roland Garros seemed to get a lot smoother as Kasatkina topped another 19-year-old rising star, Jelena Ostapenko, 6-3, 6-1 to claim her first WTA title. It was the first time in seven years that two teens played in a WTA final. Kasatkina played a smart match against the aggressive Ostapenko, moving her foe all over the court and then going for the corners.

19 year-old Russian teen captures VCO championship title She also used her slice to force Ostapenko into numerous errors. Kasatkina has an ever-improving resume. She owns back-to-back victories over World No. 1 Angelique Kerber, but those matches were played on hard courts. She’s now focused on the European clay court season, which climaxes with the championship on the red clay of Roland Garros on June 11. The victory in the 66-minute match, witnessed by 7,491 fans, gives Kasatkina a 9-1 record in Charleston and pushed her record for the 2017 season to 12-8. The triumph increased her prize money this year to $300,632. Kasatkina joined a small tennis sorority of Chris Evert, Tracy Austin, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis and Sabine Lisicki as teenage winners of the Volvo Car Open that began 45 years ago in Hilton Head as the Family Circle Cup. A bigger than life-size poster of Kasatkina will hang outside Billie Jean King Stadium and will greet fans and competitors in next year’s event. But on Sunday, Kasatkina was just trying to let it all sink in. “(It is) very difficult to describe my feeling now,” said Kasatkina, who reached the quarterfinals in Charleston last year before losing to 2016 champion

Sloane Stephens. “I feel like I’m just sleeping and everything is not real. I’m so happy, really. I don’t (even) know what to say. When I won the last ball, everything like closed and I just feel like I am dreaming.” Kasatkina could rise to World No. 28 when the WTA updates its rankings. Ostapenko, who competed in her first clay court final and third final overall, should crack the top 50. Ostapenko reached the championship by beating fifth-seed Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals and 11th seed Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in the semifinals. Ostapenko defeated Kasatkina on grass in Eastbourne last year, but was no match against her foe on Sunday as she ran out of steam. “I feel really great, like I was playing good all the days this week, “Ostapenko said. “I beat some great players, but today was really not my day, and I just didn’t feel the ball that well, and I was missing too much, and because she was only defending during the whole match. It was just probably not my day.” In the doubles championship, American Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Czech Lucie Safarova claimed the title with a 6-1, 4-6 (10-7) victory over the Czech team of Lucie Hradecka and Katerina Siniakova.

Daria Kasatkina proudly poses on center court with a Volvo XC-90, the vehicle she chose to drive free for a year, as a gift from Volvo for her victory.

VCO Tournament Director Bob Moran; Lex Kerssemakers, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America; 2017 champion Daria Kasatkina; and VCO Tournament Manager Eleanor Adams.

Daria Kasatkina returns a shot during her final VCO match on Sunday.

Charleston’s Shelby Rogers and Mirjana LucicBaroni of Croatia.

VCO doubles champions Bethanie Mattek-Sands (far right) and Lucie Safarova (second from right) defeated Katerina Siniakova (far left) and Lucie Hradecka (second from left) for the title.

Venus Williams (USA) suffered a defeat mid-week.

The 2017 Volvo Car Open ball crew strikes a pose with tourney winner Daria Kasatkina.

VCO fans snap a selfie.

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia

Shelby Rogers (USA)

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County football glance: Berkeley building momentum for new year. B4

CONTACT: Rob Gantt, sports writer rgantt@ourgazette.com

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Thursday, May 18, 2017

“Everybody just showed up and did what we do. We did Hanahan today.” David Morbitzer

Hanahan High School’s boys track and field team coach

FIRST PLACE

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Ashlyn Cribb had two hits for Hanahan’s softball team on Monday in Game 1 of the Class AAA state championship series with Crescent.

Hanahan falls in Game 1 of state series BY ROB GANTT rgantt@ourgazette.com Hanahan High School’s softball team’s margin for error has disappeared. The Hawkettes dropped Game 1 of the Class AAA state championship series, 2-0, on the road at Upper State champion Crescent High School on Monday. Hanahan, which fell to 28-4, hosts Game 2 on Wednesday, May 17 at 6 p.m. For the Hawkettes, it’s win or pack it in and settle for runner-up. A Game 3 would be Friday, likely somewhere in the Midlands. Hanahan has to win the next two to claim its first state championship since 2008, which came at Crescent’s expense. The Lady Tigers, though, have as storied a tradition as any in South Carolina. They’ve won 19 state titles and longtime coach Gary Adams has over 1,000 career wins. In Monday’s loss, Hanahan struck out a dozen times and collected just three hits. Outfielder Ashlyn Cribb had two of those. Crescent scored both of its runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Lady Tigers, who needed to beat Woodruff twice on the final night of the Upper State tournament last week, last won a championship in 2013. Drayton Siegling was solid inside the circle for Hanahan but the Hawkettes couldn’t generate much offense. The loss was the first for Hanahan in postseason play. The Hawkettes swept through district and Lower State tournaments unbeaten in six games.

ROB GANTT/GAZETTE

Hanahan High School’s boys track and field team captured its fourth state crown since 2011 on Saturday, coasting to the Class AAA title.

Hawks roll to crown BY ROB GANTT rgantt@ourgazette.com

ROB GANTT/GAZETTE

Hanahan’s Noah Ward, an eighth grader, won the 1600-meter run on Saturday to go along with a silver in the 3200-meter run on Friday.

COLUMBIA — David Morbitzer will have less hair but one more state title. Oh, the promises a coach will make to his team. Inside “The next time you see Stratford me, I’m gonna be bald,” speedster wins said Morbitzer, who 400 state title coached Hanahan High for second School’s boys track and straight year. field team to its fourth B2 state crown since 2011 on Friday and Saturday at Stratford Spr i ng Va l ley Hig h thrower wins School. “In March I told state shot put them that if they won the for second championship, I’d shave time. B2 my head. Soon, they’re going to get the clippers.” The previous three Hanahan titles (2011, ’14, ’15) were under David Pratt. Morbitzer took over the boys program in 2016, with a girls state title to his credit from 2011. He’s quick to deflect any praise, though. “I’ve got to say I appreciate my coaches and how much they’ve helped us this season,” Please see HAWKS, Page B4

ROB GANTT/GAZETTE

Senior Jamie Watson was second in the triple jump on Saturday and also won silver in the high jump on Friday. He was a member of a relay too.

CSU’s Ward promoted to top spot

Martin finishes prep career in style, grace and victory

From staff reports

Tyriq Martin had confidence he could win his race. But that doesn’t mean the Goose Creek High School speedster wasn’t overwhelmed with his emotions after it was over and he had pulled off a comeback in the last stretch to rise to the top of the awards podium. Martin’s winning time of 21.60 in the Class 5A boys 200-meter dash was three hundredths of a second better than runner-up Jeremiah Talbert of Hillcrest. He was about to burst at the seams with joy. “It feels great,” Martin said. “It’s like a miracle. My heart is dropping, all that... I can’t believe it.” The race plan was simple, get out of the block quickly and flag down anybody in front of him. That someone was Talbert, who held a slim lead late. “The dude in lane 7 (Talbert) was in front of me and I just stretched out some more and got my stride going,” Martin said. “Then I walked past him.” Martin, an all-region and NorthSouth all-star selection in football during the fall, plans to run track and play football at Tusculum College next year. Martin was the leading receiver and

Adam Ward has been elevated to full-time leader of the Charleston Southern baseball program. Ward has been interim coach this spring after former coach Stuart Lake left to take a position at South Carolina on Jan. 26. This is his sixth season overall. “I am excited for this opportunity given to me by Charleston Southern and for the chance to continue to recruit talented players with character to this great university and develop them to the best of our ability once they are on campus,” Ward said. “More immediately, I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store for our current group of players who have worked extremely hard and shown t remendous persevera nce t his spring.” The Bucs enter a May 12-14 series against Presbyterian with a 21-23 mark. CSU started the season strong, winning three straight weekends to open up 8-2. The Bucs topped Delaware State, VCU, and Hofstra during the stretch and opened the month of Please see WARD, Page B6

BY ROB GANTT rgantt@ourgazette.com

ROB GANTT/GAZETTE

Stratford’s Cameron Smith captured a state title in the Class 5A 110-meter hurdles.

Golden Smith anticipated drama at wire for state title BY ROB GANTT rgantt@ourgazette.com

Knights coaches Shane Sutherland and Twon Williams and others wearing red and black thought Smith pulled it out but didn’t know until it became official several minutes later. Smith’s time of 15.13 was five hundredths of a second ahead of runner-up LJ Gray of White Knoll. Gray’s 14.81 was .12 better than Smith in the Class AAAAA qualifier a week earlier, also at Spring Valley. “I knew coming in, my block start was going to put me in the place I

COLUMBIA – Cameron Smith’s first appearance on the state’s grandest stage for track and field athletes wasn’t overwhelming. He had a plan from starting block to wire and stayed zone in on that. Like he envisioned, the Stratford High School junior surged ahead at the last possible moment to earn gold in the boys Class AAAAA 110-meter hurdles in a near photo finish on Saturday in the state championships at Spring Valley High School. Sitting in the stands, Please see SMITH, Page B4

ROB GANTT/GAZETTE

Goose Creek High School sprinter Tyriq Martin finished strong to win the Class 5A 200-meter dash. third leading rusher for the football team. Martin finished with 64 catches for 831 yards and nine touchdowns. He also carried it 42 times for 402 yards and three scores. Saturday’s track meet was his last moment as a prep athlete and he made it count. “I felt like I could do it but I felt like it was going to be real tight,” Martin said. He was right about both.

Krena Lanham The Gazette

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Kyle Camp The Lancaster News Sports

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ports briefs

Dixie Baseball extends sign-ups

Rec soccer officials meeting

County trio nets all-state honors

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High school football

PROVIDED

Waccamaw High swimmer Emma Sullivan won Class AAA state titles in the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle on Saturday.

Sullivan wins state swim titles

photos above and left by GWYNN LEAIRD/For The Lancaster News

Georgetown High’s Dominic Blunt takes a shot to the back from a Loris defender while being tackled on Friday night.

Georgetown shuts out Loris

BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI csokoloski@southstrandnews.com Georgetown blanked Loris at home Friday for the team’s fifthstraight win after an 0-3 start to the season. The Bulldogs got touchdowns from t he offense, defense and special For more photos teams in an go to south18-0 victory. strandnews.com Bret Kirtley hit Fred Taylor with a 6-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to give Georgetown a 6-0 lead. Those were the only points of the game until the fourth quarter, when Deakidd Anderson returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown, and Jahbriel Walker returned an interception for a touchdown. Loris had 159 yards of offense (106

Photo gallery

Hunter education class March 11

Sports WednesdAy Ay, Ay y, October 18, 2017

Robert Howey

KLS Foundation boxing exhibition

Linda Anderson Georgetown Times

LCPRC umpire clinic March 5

SECOND PLACE

JAMISON MURPHY/For The Lancaster News

Above, Indian Land High School senior basketball player Nia Pressley (22) has been chosen to the Class AAA girls all-state team.

passing, 53 rushing) on 62 plays. Georgetown had 120 yards (60 rushing, 60 passing) on 57 plays. Kirtley was 13-for-20 passing for 60 yards. Taylor was the leading receiver with 36 yards. Tevyn Geathers had 25 yards and Anderson added 13. Ishmael Taylor was the leading rusher with 30 yards. Paul Lance had 22. Trey Drayton led the Georgetown defense with nine tackles, including one for a loss, and one interception. Melquan Cromedy had seven tackles, including one for a loss; Henry Blake had seven tackles and a fumble recovery; Jadis Heyward had six tackles, including one for a loss; Terrill Steele had five tackles and a Georgetown High’s Jadis Heyward (44) and Trey Drayton (18) fumble recovery; Nyeem Dozier had team up on a tackle on Friday night. Drayton led the Bulldogs’ five tackles; Ryan Drayton and Ma- defense with nine tackles and Heyward had six. lik Johnson had four tackles each; DaMarcus Grant had three tackles; and Alex Smith had two intercep- in Region VI-AAA. Nasir Funnye had two tackles, in- tions. Georgetown wraps up the regular cluding one for a loss; Walker had Georgetown (5-3) travels to Dil- season at home against Waccamaw two tackles and two interceptions; lon on Oct. 20. Both teams are 3-0 on Oct. 27.

BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI csokoloski@southstrandnews.com Waccamaw High School swimmer Emma Sullivan won two Class AAA state titles on Saturday. Sullivan was first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.65) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:06.91). Also bringing home a medal for Waccamaw was John Grey Crosby, who was second in the 50-yard freestyle. Crosby was also fourth in the 100-yard freestyle. More than a dozen Georgetown County athletes competed at the state Class AA swim meet. Here are the rest of the results:

Waccamaw

Sean King, Carter Dear, Traber Bonham and Crosby were fourth in the 200-yard freestyle relay. Please see SWIM, Page A8

Volleyball

Steen named head coach at Great Falls By Travis Jenkins Landmark News Service

GREAT FALLS – Great Falls High School didn’t have to look very long for a new football coach, because they didn’t have to look very far. Scotty Steen, a Red Devils assistant coach for 19 years, was named the head football coach Wednesday. He replaces John Barrett, who resigned for personal and family reasons after a year on the job. “This still feels like a dream,” Steen said. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about, praying Steen about and talking to my family about for a while.” Steen said he actually did apply for the position last year, marking the first time he’s ever put in for a head coaching job. “I was inspired to after I read a book called ‘Think and Grow Wise’ by Napoleon Hill. Everyone should read that book. It really opened up my eyes,” he said. Steen is a Great Falls native. He played for Coach Danny Sawyer at the school, graduated in 1990 and got a position coaching at Great Falls Middle School later the same year. At that time, John Smith, the legend-

Woodcarving dedicated to former LHS softball player Robert Howey rhowey@thelancasternews.com

CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Carvers Bay’s Michaela Dennis goes up for a kill against Andrews on Oct. 12. PHOTOS BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Waccamaw High’s Joseph Gullo goes over the pile and into the end zone against Lake City on Friday night.

Waccamaw High quarterback Brandon Stecz nearly had his helmet taken off while being tackled after a scramble against Lake City on Friday night.

Andrews runs over Marion Waccamaw Warriors still searching for first win

BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI csokoloski@southstrandnews.com Jaizell Murphy threw for three touchdowns and ran for a fourth as Andrews dominated Marion 60-14 on Friday night. Bryce Johns got the Yellow Jackets on the board first with a 35-yard interception return for a t ou c hdown. A f t e r Mu rphy scored on a 10-yard touchdown run, R.J. Knowlin scored Murphy on r u ns of 2 yards and 75 yards to give Andrews a 27-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Michael Pipkin had a 93-yard touchdown run, and Murphy connected with Jeremiah Shaw on 53-yard touch-

Photo gallery For more photos go to southstrandnews.com down, and Dayton Altman on 9-yard touchdown. Marion also had a 92-yard kick kickoff return for a touchdown to make the score 46-7 at halftime. Murphy and Shaw connected on a 27-yard touchdown and Josiah Murphy added a 10-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Marion had a 21-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for the 60-14 final. Andrews had 468 yards of of offense (336 rushing, 132 passing) on 30 plays. Marion had 102 yards (69 rushing, 33 passing) on 32 plays. Knowling led the Andrews ground game with 116 yards. Pipkin had 102 yards, Josiah Murphy had 69 and Keyshaun Williams added 40.

Sayvon Morris led the Andrews defense with eight tackles, including three for a loss, and two sacks. Markez Brunson had seven tack tackles; Gamal Alston had six tackles, including one for a loss, and one forced fumble; Altman had four tackles; Connor Cantley had three tackles and a sack; Williams had three tackles, including one for a loss; Johns, Smith and Ja’Qualin Little each had two tackles, including one for a loss; and Adrian Anderson had two tackles. Andrews (7-2, 4-1) is off on Oct. 20. The Yellow Jackets wrap up the season at Kingstree on Oct. 27.

Waccamaw High’s Tyree Funnye Waccamaw races towrd the end zone after and interception against Lake The Warriors lost 22-9 to Lake City on Friday night. City on Friday night to remain winless on the season. Jaizell Murphy was 5-for-6 passJoseph Gullo had all the points for ing for 132 yards. Waccamaw, scoring a touchdown Shaw was the leading receiver after a Tyree Funnye interception with 80 yards. Jalen Smith had 34 Please see ANDREWS, Page A8 yards.

Playoffs start for Bears, Jackets, Warriors BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI csokoloski@southstrandnews.com The Carvers Bay volleyball team swept Andrews on Oct. 12 to clinch second place in Region VII-AA. “I told (my players) we were coming and we were winning three tonight,” Lady Bears Coach Kimberly Baker said. “They brought it. (We) finally got everybody together and played ball. ... This is exactly what I knew they could do.” After the Lady Bears won game one 25-23, Andrews took a 21-14 lead in game two. Carvers Bay then scored seven straight points to tie the game at 21-21, and ended up winning 26-24. Andrews started slowly in game three, but battled back before falling 26-24. “The last two games we just couldn’t make plays when we needed them,” Lady Yellow Jackets Coach Jarod Soucie said. “The other team also had someone willing to step up and make those plays.” Please see PLAYOFFS, Page A8

SINGLE SPORTS PAGE DESIGN 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

Sports FridAy Ay, Ay y, September 1, 2017

southstrandnews.com and

@SStrandSports || A6

Volleyball

From the Sports desk

Carvers Bay sweeps Marion

FIRST PLACE

BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI csokoloski@southstrandnews.com

Chris Sokoloski

When sports unite us

t is heartbreaking to watch the scenes of devastation in Texas in the wake of the direct strike of Hurricane Harvey. What is it with those “H” hurricanes? Hugo and Hazel certainly left their marks on the South Carolina coast. And Matthew has an “H” sort of in the middle and that storm was pretty bad. But in the midst of the devastation, people across the country are rallying to the aid of Texans. And sports teams and players are pitching in. J.J. Watt, who plays for the Houston Texans, pledged to donate $100,000 of his own money and started a fundraiser with the goal of raising $200,000. Within days, more than $6 million had been donated. Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, pledged $1 million, which the NFL Foundation said it would match. Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, pledged to match American Red Cross donations up to $1 million. Todd Whitting and Kelvin Sampson, both coaches at the University of Houston, are collecting T-shirts and sneakers. The White Knoll High School baseball team here in South Carolina sent a box of shirts, as did Conway National Bank, which had a bunch of shirts left over when the Kickoff Classic was canceled earlier this month. Leslie Alexander, owner of the Houston Rockets, pledged $10 million. Matt Carpenter and Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals are each donating $10,000 for each home run they hit for the rest of the season. Locally, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans are auctioning off signed baseballs at myrtlebeachpelicans.com/ auctions. Kind of a weird story to come out of all this involves the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, who were supposed to play a three-game series in Houston starting on Aug. 29. The teams will also play a series in September, so the Astros suggested they switch the locations. Seems like simple solution, right? Not so fast. The Rangers said no. General Manager Jon Daniels said it wouldn’t be fair to Rangers fans who have tickets for the September games. Astros President Reid Ryan, son of Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, said the Rangers wanted all six games to be played at their home field in Arlington. So the games were played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rangers are taking a beating on social media, especially Twitter. Hell hath no fury like enraged Tweeters. The people of Texas have a long road ahead of them, but it warms my heart to see Americans come together to help those in need. We, the residents of the East Coast, need to remember that the next time, it could be us. Sports seem to mean so little in the grand scheme of things in times like this. But as we found out after Sept. 11, 2001, sports can be a large part of the healing process.

Carvers Bay High School’s varsity volleyball team improved to 1-1 on the season with a 3-0 win over region rival Marion on Aug. 29. Coach Kimberly Baker said the match was a little closer than she expected it to be. “I told them before the (match), don’t play down to your competition, play what you’re capable of playing,” Baker said. Carvers Bay took an early doubledigit lead in the first game, but Marion battled back before the Lady Bears held on for the 25-19 win. The teams traded points for most of game two, before Carvers Bay pulled away for the 25-14 win. Game three was tied 3-3 before Carvers Bay won six straight points off of Eriel Weston’s serve. Marion then went on an 8-2 run to tie the score at 11-11. The Lady Bears closed out the game on 14-4 run behind the serving of Caitlin Hicks and Blakeley Elliott. “I was thinking that I have to get doing what I have to do,” Hicks said. For the match, Weston had seven kills; Elliott had seven aces; Maggie Marsh had seven assists; Kinsey Cannon had six kills; Hicks had six aces; and Michaela Dennis had nine servereceives and one block. “We have to work harder at practice and practice more hitting and covering,” Hicks said. “I think we’re going to do good if we just work hard and work together,” Dennis said. “You’ve just got to put all your focus in and play with all your heart and not play to your competition. You’ve got to play better.” Carvers Bay opened the season with a 3-0 loss to Loris on Aug. 24. The Lady Bears lost 25-19, 25-16 and 25-20. “We lost, but it was close, it was good,” Baker said. For the match, Cannon had 13 servereceives and four kills; and Marsh, Anna Grace McLean and Dalyn Baker had three assists each. “We just have to correct some mistakes,” Baker said. “We’re giving unearned points. If we look at the score of the game, we’re beating ourselves because we’re making mistakes.” Carvers Bay plays at Georgetown on Sept. 5 and at Johnsonville on Sept. 7.

Carvers Bay’s Eriel Weston, above, returns a shot against Marion. Below, Carvers Bay’s Blakeley Elliott had seven aces against Marion.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Andrews The Lady Yellow Jackets lost two matches at Waccamaw on Aug. 20. Andrews was beaten by Carolina Forest 25-5 and 25-15, and by Waccamaw 25-22 and 25-23.

Carvers Bay’s Kinsey Cannon goes up for one of her six kills against Marion on Aug. 29.

“I think we’re going to do good if we just work hard and work together.” Michaela dennis Carvers Bay player

Bulldogs open swim season BY CHRIS SOKOLOSKI csokoloski@southstrandnews.com

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Georgetown High’s Grayson Freeman was part of the 200-yard medley relay that finished eighth at the Ripley’s Invitational.

For complete results go to sportstiming.com/schss/.

How you can help

To donate to the American Red Cross, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, visit redcross.org, or text “HARVEY” to 90999 and a $10 donation will be added to your cell phone bill. To donate to the Salvation Army, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, visit helpsalvationarmy.org, or text Please see SOKOLOSKI, Page A8

Georgetown High’s Edwin Lopez was part of the 200-yard medley relay that finished third at the Ripley’s Invitational.

Georgetown High’s Benjamin Richards was fourth in the 100-yard backstroke at the Ripley’s Invitational.

Swim teams for 12 high schools kicked off the season competing at the Ripley’s Invitational in Myrtle Beach. The top boys team at the meet were Myrtle Beach (96 points), Carolina Forest (91), and Waccamaw (84). The top girls team at the meet were Carolina Forest (105), North Myrtle Beach (87) and West Florence (70). For Georgetown, the Bulldogs finished seventh (40) and the Lady Bulldogs finished 10th (8). Here are the Bulldogs who finished in the Top 10 in individual and relay events: Allen Poston was third in the 200-yard individual medley and sixth in the 100-yard butterfly. Benjamin Richards, Edwin Lopez, Poston, and Alex Pelham were third in the 200-yard medley relay. Richards was fourth in the 100-yard backstroke and eighth in the 50-yard freestyle. Lopez was fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke and sixth in the 200-yard individual medley. Pelham was seventh in the 200-yard freestyle. Hunter Shull was eighth in the 200-yard freestyle. J.J. Tupacz was eight h in t he 100-yard backstroke. Junah Long, Abigail Pagett, Grayson Freeman and Kara Casselman were eighth in the 200-yard medley relay. J.J. Tupacz, Blake Kirksley, Tee Tupacz and Shull were ninth the 200-yard freestyle relay. Freeman was 10th in the 200-yard freestyle. Long was 10th in the 100-yard butterfly. Kirksley was 10th in the 100-yard.

Laura Bradshaw Georgetown Times

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THIRD PLACE

Athena Redmond The Lancaster News 8

Faces & Places

Friday, November 10, 2017

NASC showing how Will Goins combines many visual elements From release

“Primarily, I’ll be creating a full Carolina Native regalia that’s customary for the natives of North and South Carolina,” said Goins. The regalia will include an apron, leggings and a Tuscarora Gustoweh headdress that Goins is currently working on. Meaning “real hat,” the Gustoweh is the traditional headdress for the Six Nations of the Iroquois, with each group’s Gustoweh having its own distinctive design. The Tuscarora Gustoweh is specific to the Tuscarora people, originally from North and South Carolina. Goins’ Gustoweh features a combination of hawk, eagle, goose and duck feathers, and its headband will showcase his beadwork, incorporating traditional Iroquois-specific designs such as sky crests or Hiawatha’s Belt. Goins also will accent his regalia with beadwork, using glass beads, colorful contemporary beads and natural stones like cowrie shells. He also plans to use copper, a material the Cherokee worked with more than silver, which is characteristic of Native American jewelry. “I’m holistic in the sense that I don’t operate in just one medium,” said Goins. “The skills that are employed to create art for one medium are transferrable skills and

knowledge that can be used in another medium. The same symbols I’m creating in beadwork are also going to be similar symbols that are significant and relevant in my visual art that is frameable.” A recipient of the 2008 Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award in Native American Traditions, Goins began his career 35 years ago teaching Native American culture, arts, crafts and regalia construction while working toward his degree in anthropology. Dr. Stephen Criswell, USCL’s director of native studies, says Goins is a unique talent working in both traditional and contemporary art forms. “He is a beadworker and an actor, a storyteller and a singer, a scholar and a tradition-bearer,” said Criswell. “He is well-versed in both his own Cherokee traditions and those of other regional native groups. “We are honored to have Dr. Goins, who is both one of the most talented artists I know and one of the most active and successful advocates for Native Americans in South Carolina, here for this year’s artist residency.” Goins’ residency is made possible through a 2018 S.C. Arts Commission Folklife and Traditional Arts Grant. For more information, call the Native American Studies Center at (803) 3137172. MARK MANICONE/mmanicone@thelancasternews.com

Dr. Will Goins, artist and cultural anthropologist, creates a Tuscarora Gustoweh headdress at USC Lancaster’s Native American Studies Center on Wednesday. Goins will appear as artist-in-residence on three Thursdays – Nov. 16 and Dec. 7 and 14, demonstrating and discussing his work in regalia design, beadwork and painting. He will also be one of 13 artists demonstrating and selling their work on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the annual Native American Art and Craft Sale, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the NASC.

GOOD MORNING!

Flashback Friday

Kali Coleman Carolina Gateway Page 6 ◆ July 19, 2017 ◆ Carolina Gateway ◆ www.carolinagatewayonline.com

Features | 283-1156

Creating native regalia Dr. Will Goins, artist and cultural anthropologist, will appear at USC Lancaster’s Native American Studies Center as artist-in-residence this fall, demonstrating and discussing his work in regalia design, beadwork and painting. CEO of the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes, Goins will be at the NASC on three Thursdays, Nov. 16 and Dec. 7 and 14, to demonstrate and discuss his work. Goins also will be there Saturday, Dec. 2, at the annual Native American Art and Craft Sale, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the NASC, with special presentations at 1:30 and 3 p.m. that day. In the artist-in-residence program, Goins will paint anthropological and Iroquois-inspired contemporary paintings using mixed media and photographic collages. A majority of his residency will be devoted to constructing a new contemporary regalia for future exhibition at the center.

SECOND PLACE ILHS student sets sail with dance team

Th for e India pas n sen Lan gers d D on ance the U c Carn omp iva etiti l Cru on ise team ship pe rfo . rm

Local dancers ed a4 0-m perform on inu te s how cruise to Bahamas

KALI COLEMAN kcoleman@thelancasternews.com

An Indian Land teen got to dance on the high seas during a four-day Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas. Brynn Duernberger, 14, danced with 23 members of the Dance U competition team on the June 14-19 cruise. Dana Generette, the artistic director for the competition team, arranged the trip for the team. “I grew up as a competitive dancer and when I was 10, we performed on a cruise, so I just wanted to offer that same opportunity to my dancers,” she said. A rising sophomore at Indian Land High School, Brynn said she had never been on a cruise or out of the country before. Like Brynn, most of the girls on the team had never been out of the country, so this was a new experience for them, said studio owner Chaunette Marsh. Marsh said the dance team performed one 40-minute show on the cruise. Besides performing, she said the team also networked with and attended workshops taught by professional dancers on the cruise. “I think it’s great just getting to see the different kinds of opportunities that you can do in the future like after high school,” Marsh said. “What a great job that would be in the summer to go and be a professional dancer on a cruise ship. “That’s one thing about dance,” she said. The “opportunities are endless. There are just so many neat things you get to do.” “I think it’s just a great experience for her (Brynn) to be able to experience dancing in front of a crowd

cour

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of CH

AUNE

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MAR

DANCE U TEAM ON CRUISE

courtesy of LARA DUERNBERGER

Brynn Duernberger, 14, enjoyed her first cruise and first trip out of the country, when she performed with the Dance U competition team on a Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas last month. like that and in a different location other than just like a recital or something,” said Brynn’s mom, Lara Duernberger, who teaches at Indian Land Elementary School. Brynn said there was a great turnout for the dance performance on the cruise, and she enjoyed taking a master class from the dancers on the ship. “The Bahamas were gorgeous and I had a ton fun hanging out with my dance friends,” Brynn said.

Longtime dancer Brynn said she started dancing at age 3 because her mother and a lot of her female relatives danced. “I just loved doing it so much that I stuck with it,” Brynn said. “I don’t think I’d like to do anything else besides dance.” Brynn joined Dance U studio in Indian Land three years ago after taking dance in middle school with Marsh, who started the studio in 2008 with 13 students. It now has 400 dancers. With her competition team, Brynn said she does all styles of dance, including

Elena Bernal Sofia Bernal Davis Brenner Lauren Costello Lexi Crandall Maddie Currier Brynn Duernberger Joey Effren Addie Israel Jordan Keller Jaycee Malinowski Amelia Marsh Mikayla Marsh Kylie Martin Marinda Martin Abigail Mayer Olivia Mayer Michaela Petkova Reese Porter Alexis Stevenson Brighton Tinholt Jamie Troxell Rylen Witherspoon lyrical, jazz and tap. Her favorite is lyrical. “You can really just show your emotions (in lyrical dances) and how you really feel toward it,” Brynn said. Brynn also took a trip to Disney World with the competition dance team last year. “It was just a fun trip in general,” Brynn said. “Our whole team went. We got to do workshops from some of the dancers that were there and the performance was a lot of fun.” One of the things Brynn loves most about dance team, she said, is how they’re all like a “big family.” “I love that we can just come here and come together all the time,” she said. “We share a very close bond here.”

November 10

This day in history

courtesy of TONI FLYNN

This is a photo of the Lancaster Roses baseball team, but there are no details available about the year it was taken or who the players are. If you see anyone you know, e-mail us at news@the lancasternews.com.

◆ 1938 – Kate Smith sings a rendition of Irvin Berlin’s “God Bless America” during a special Armistice Day broadcast, turning the song into an instant hit. Royalties for the song go to the God Bless America Fund for redistribution to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the USA. ◆ 1951 – The mayors of Englewood, N.J., and Alameda, Calif., speak for 18 seconds during the first official direct-dialed long distance call in the U.S. The call took only seconds to connect – a vast improvement over the 30 minutes a caller would have waited for multiple operators to connect them. ◆ 1969 – Created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, “Sesame Street” makes its debut on PBS television. In 1996, a survey found that by the time they were 3 years old, 95 percent of all American preschoolers had watched the show. “Sesame Street” has won 118 Emmy Awards as well as eight Grammy Awards, more than any other children’s show. – Compiled by Athena Redmond

photo courtesy of CHAUNETTE MARSH

Dance U competition team members Brynn Duernberger, Jordan Keller, Amelia Marsh and Mikayla Marsh attend the captain’s dinner on the second night of the cruise.

INSIDE PAGE DESIGN ALL WEEKLY DIVISION

10A

Out & About

Community Playhouse of Lancaster County will present “A Raisin in the Sun” starting this Friday at the Barr Street Auditorium. Director Troy Dunbar said the play “displays a wide range of emotions.” Above, Ann Cureton as Lena Younger talks with grandson Travis, portrayed by Ty’Juan Reyes.

Features | 283-1156

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

photos by DAVID KELLIN/For The Lancaster News

Leon Bridges strikes a pose as he portrays a loud and drunk Walter Lee Younger.

Above, Tysheem Blackmon kicks back on the sofa in his role as George Murchinson, one of Walter’s friends. Inset, Timisha Collins dances on stage as Walter’s sister, Beneatha Younger.

Above, Charisse Witherspoon puts on her “mama” face for a moment when Ruth Younger talks to her son, Travis. Below, Keith Grey Sr. portrays Karl Linder, a representative of the Woodlawn neighborhood who hopes to keep the family from moving into the neighborhood.

Want to go?

WHAT: ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ Written by Lorraine Hansbury and named the best play of 1959 by the New York Drama Critics’ Circle, the story tells a black family’s experiences in the Washington Park Subdivision of Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood as they attempt to “better” themselves with an insurance payout from the death of the father. “The cast has been wonderful to direct and I do hope that you get the chance to come and see it for yourself,” said director Troy Dunbar. WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 and 5:30 p.m. Feb. 5. WHERE: Barr Street Auditorium, 612 E. Meeting St. COST: Tickets are on sale at Lancaster County Council of the Arts, 201 W. Gay St. Prices are $10/adults, $8/student/senior, and $5/ children under 10. Tickets will also be available at the door. INFORMATION: (803) 285-7451.

photos by ERIC ROWELL/For The Lancaster News

In anticipation of upcoming high school proms, students and parents came to Dress for Elyse Saturday at the Bradley Building at USCL. The annual event, which offers gently-used gowns, is sponsored by the Elyse Rebecca Hardin Foundation. At left, Madeline McKay and her mom, Jill McKay, look at options near a portrait of the event’s namesake, Elyse Rebecca Hardin. At right, Hannah Powell looks at something short and sparkly.

FIRST PLACE

Athena Redmond The Lancaster News

PHOTO PAGE DESIGN WEEKLY UNDER 4,500 DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Kyle Camp Pageland Progressive-Journal

SECOND PLACE Athena Redmond Pageland Progressive-Journal Page 10 The Progressive Journal, July 25, 2017

Page 10 The Progressive Journal, November 7, 2017

www.pagelandprogressive.com

Festival fun

Halloween tricks and treats abound at Pageland’s Haunted Gazebo

photos by DON WORTHINGTON/Editor

Bernard Robinson of McBee rides a bronco at the festival rodeo Friday.

photos by KIM MANGUM

At left, dinosaur costumes can’t hide Khristen Lauffer and Jeff Walker’s smiles. At right, Colby Lisenby stuns as a gargoyle. Below, Alivia and Anniston Wilson dressed as Elsa and Anna from “Frozen.”

Above, Sandy Harrington, left, and Paula Rushing keep their feet cool in a small wading pool atop the Boggs Transportation parade float. At left, a dachshund people-watches from a parade vehicle. At right, Braylen Furr, 2, of Albemarle, N.C., holds up his last fry at the rodeo.

Below, Logan and Henry Olney bring a spooky flair to the event.

At right, Emory Smith is an adorable unicorn.

At left, Billy Brewer of Pikesville, Ky., hoists a 20-pound watermelon at Melon Beach. Above, Kassie McWhirter, left, and Emily Tompkins enjoy some watermelon after the festival contests. At right, Ricky Reynolds of Omar Temple Hillbilly Clan 82, Outhouse 5, rides in the parade. Below left, Linda Gunner of Kirby Floats vacuums one of the parade floats before the festivities begin. Below right, Staphanie Luther of the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office shows off her festival fan and waves.

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2B SOCIETY 3B LEGAL NOTICES 4B CLASSIFIEDS

lifestyles

DECEMBER 7, 2016 | PAGE 1B THE NEWS AND PRESS, DARLINGTON, S.C.

WWW.NEWSANDPRESSONLINE.COM

2016 Darlington’s

Christmas Parade Holiday spirit filled the Public Square on Sunday, December 4 as the City of Darlington held its annual Christmas Parade. Kids of all ages braved a cold and rainy afternoon to cheer on daredevil Jolly Jeepsters, dance along with the Darlington High School Falcon Marching Band, collect candy thrown from festive floats by generous local businesses, churches, schools, and government officials, and – of course – wave and shout their Christmas wishes to jolly old St. Nick himself. Photos by Samantha Lyles

FIRST PLACE Duane Childers News and Press

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SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

Jan Marvin Daniel Island News

Wallace McBride The Fort Jackson Leader NEWS

Memorial Fort Jackson remembers veterans’ sacrifices

Day

photos by Sgt. 1st Class Braden Meyer, USACHCS

Soldiers in Advanced Individual Training at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School planted flags at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery Friday in preparation for Memorial Day observance. USACHCS’ Soldiers plant flags every year.

S P M A C DI are in full swing! The Daniel Island News ■ July 27 - August 2, 2017

thedanielislandnews.com

July 27 - August 2, 2017 ■ The Daniel Island News

thedanielislandnews.com

FEATURE

Large gro up song time at of the Dan the iel Is land Fellows Iship Kids cam p.

Local camps provide action-packed fun

CMY

20 FEATURE

PHOTOS PROVIDED

KATHERINE SMITH

katherine@thedanielislandnews.com

Large gro

up song

As far as summer camps go, Daniel Island does not disappoint! The island community has some amazing opportunities for kids of all ages. From sports, to music/arts, to Christian fellowship, whatever your child’s interest is, you are sure to find a fit. See the photo spread below for a snapshot of some of the fun island campers have had so far this season!

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PHOTO PAGE DESIGN WEEKLY OVER 4,500 DIVISION

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Lifestyles

Pickens County Courier 1B

FIRST PLACE

ocal residents joined forces to celebrate the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mountain heritage with the third annual Gathering on Appalachian Life on Saturday. The festival hosted demonstrations, workshops, classes and lectures at a variety of sites around the area, based out of the Pickens Community Center and including the historic Hagood Mill and the historical room of the Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley, among others. Pictured are just a few of the highlights of the daylong celebration.

Zack Mauldin Pickens County Courier

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THIRD PLACE

Kyle Camp The Lancaster News Surgery abroad goes wrong after infection takes hold, Dear Abby/4B

SECOND PLACE Athena Redmond The Lancaster News Aging mom has health issues but wants to stay in her home, Dear Abby/4B

The Lancaster News

Sunday November 20, 2016

Faces & Places

Sunday February 26, 2017

Out & About

>> INSIDE: Celebrations, 5B I Church News, 6B I Classifieds, 7B I Coming Events, 2B I Education, 3B I Entertainment, 4B

>> INSIDE: Church News, 5B I Classifieds, 6B I Coming Events, 2B I Education, 3B I Entertainment, 4B

photos by DAVID KELLIN/For The Lancaster News

Lancaster County Council of the Arts held its 20th-annual Arts Gala Feb. 18 at the Bradley Building at USC Lancaster. This year’s fundraiser featured Marrakech, Morocco, as its theme and drew quite a crowd in fancy Arabic-style dress.

Mary Faile, left, and Pat Clancy are in the spirit of Marrakech. Dean Faile sports a styliz complete with a purp ed headdress le feather.

photos by DAVID KELLIN/For The Lancaster News

The Andrew Jackson Middle School sixth-grade dancers, left and above, focus on performing to “I Once Was A Warrior,” a sonnet to the wounded warrior by Gary Bryson.

Rachael Teague is resplendent in maroon and gold.

Speaker Phill Thompson and AJMS Student Vice President Annsley Vick pose for a photo. At far right, Sgt. Lambert and Coleman Joyner present the folded American flag.

At left, a wreath was placed and Taps played at the veterans program at the Buford Battleground. Below, Danielle Sanders of the Buford High School JROTC holds the U.S. Navy flag during the program.

Above, Meghan Knight dances in a swirling skirt and red scarf. At right, Mandy and Mitch Norrell are all smiles at the event.

A fire dancer of GypsySpirit Tribe shows her skills with fans of flame.

Buford High School’s chorus performs at the veterans program at the Buford Battleground.

Attendees enjoy drinks and eats in their Arabian costumes.

GOOD MORNING!

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PHOTO PAGE DESIGN 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

8A • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017 • The News & Reporter

Softball, PatriotiSm, Pageantry and bbQ C

hester County played host to the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team on Saturday as the Progressive Association of Chester County Communities held the “PACCC Attack: The Rumble in Rodman” at the Rodman Sports Complex. The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team faced two home-grown teams, the Red Team and the Blue Team, amid a celebration of softball, respect and honor for our soldiers and vets, and just plain being an American. Flags flew, BBQ was cooked and spectators saw a great game with a lot of wonderful moments. Here are some scenes from the day.

PHOTOS BY TRAVIS JENKINS, BRIAN GARNER, BILL MARION and ED SHARPE/THE N&R

FIRST PLACE

Phyllis Lucas The News & Reporter

INFOGRAPHIC

ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION

THIRD PLACE

Ron Aiken Quorum Columbia

SECOND PLACE Ryan Wilcox SCBIZ By the Numbers

NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES WITH UNDER 20 EMPLOYEES, BY COUNTY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

Greenville: 376 Spartanburg: 237 Charleston: 220 Richland: 136 Lexington: 135 York: 133 Anderson: 119 Horry: 115 Pickens: 68 Beaufort: 63 Florence: 58 Oconee: 54 Dorchester: 53 Berkeley: 51 Aiken: 45 Laurens: 40 Sumter: 39 Greenwood: 38 Orangeburg: 36 Georgetown: 32 Kershaw: 29 Lancaster:28 Chesterfield: 27

376 237

119

21 2

6 9

24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46.

133

136

135

6 7

25 58

36 13

2 9

115 32

53 15

220

22 63

0-50

51-100

101-200

201-300

TRENDING: MADE IN S.C.

S.C. MANUFACTURING Darlington: 25 Jasper: 22 Newberry: 22 Abbeville: 21 Chester: 21 Cherokee: 19 Union: 16 Colleton: 15 Willamsburg: 15 Barnwell: 13 Clarendon: 12 Fairfield: 12 Marion: 11 Calhoun: 9 Edgefield: 9 Hampton: 9 Dillon: 7 Bamberg: 6 Lee: 6 Marlboro: 6 Saluda: 6 Allendale: 2 McCormick: 2

301-400

YEAR-OVER-YEAR

The number of manufacturing jobs in South Carolina dipped during the Great Recession, but is on a growth trend again. This is a look at the number of employment jobs in the month of July since 2006.

260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics State and Area Employment, Hours and Earnings.

www.scbizmag.com

2006

INFOGRAPHIC

ASSOCIATE & INDIVIDUAL DIVISION 12

Travel

www.gsabusiness.com

July 10 - July 23, 2017

BY THE NUMBERS

It may be July, but there is still plenty of time to take that well-deserved vacation and plenty of people have yet to make those vacation arrangements. Travel for business or leisure purposes continues to be a lucrative venture and there is a lot of money up for grabs.

Upstate accommodations tax

Each county in South Carolina collects a statewide 2% accommodation tax which is a tax on hotel rooms and other lodging. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a look at the 10 counties in the Upstate and their collections as of April 2017:

Source of the direct spending

There are six different categories of direct spending according to the U.S. Travel Association. In 2016, travel spending in those six categories added up to $990.4 billion.

Food services

$248.5 billion es of the C o u n ti

UPSTATE Oconee

Abbeville

$256,454

$10,815

Pickens

Anderson

$444,121

$570,225

Greenwood

Cherokee

$125,766 Greenville

Spartanburg

$162,979

$968,682

Laurens

Union

$113,922

$3,529,406

$25,599

Source: South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and South Carolina Department of Revenue.

Leisure

Business

$683.1 billion

$307.2 billion

$106.4 billion

$51.4 billion

$2.6 million

$6 million

Spending Taxes Jobs

Public transportation

$184.9 billion Auto transportation

$141.3 billion

Leisure vs. Business

The U.S. Travel Association breaks down spending, taxes and jobs directly impacted by both leisure and business travel.

Source: U.S. Travel Association.

Lodging

$210.8 billion

Spending Taxes

Retail

$104.8 billion

Jobs

Recreation/Amusement

$100.1 billion Research by Matthew Clark | Design by Jessica Stout

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

THE GREER CITIZEN B3

OPENING DAY GREER RECREATION Photos by Preston Burch

A SPORTING VIEW

Vegas on Ice BY MARK VASTO

under.)

too, but I doubt they’ll

entertainment services

PEELER: Will transition to head football coach FROM PAGE ONE

‘I was a hard

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COASTAL OBSERVER

TEAMS DRESS UP for the FIRST Lego League competition. Beth Goude looked for some funny hats for Waccamaw Intermediate’s Robo Renegades. “After a while, they become a distraction,” she said. But Luke Kibler, above, got to wear a Lego bow tie to present their project to the judges.

Photos and text by Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer

ROBOT GAMES THE ROBO RENEGADES of Waccamaw Intermediate School made it to the East State Championship of the FIRST Lego League. Thirty-two teams and supporters filled Waccamaw High for the competition on Saturday. They designed robots from Lego Mindstorms kits to carry out

Pawleys Island South Carolina

THERE IS A NASCAR FEELING to the state competition, said Louis Rubbo, state coordinator for FIRST Lego League, which promotes education in the STEM skills of science, technology, engineering and math. A member of the Robo Knights from Rollings Middle School of the Arts cheered her team with a megaphone.

missions focused on interaction between humans and animals. Teams were judged on their robot design and performance along with a project they developed to aid animals and how well they exhibited the program’s core values of teamwork and “gracious professionalism.”

ROBOT DESIGN was the first event for the Robo Renegades. “It was good, but I was a little nervous,” said Nate Giltmier, carrying the robot in its case, above. The judges asked the team about their design process and their goals, below.

SCHOOLS AREN’T THE ONLY SPONSORS of teams. The EngiDeers of Hanahan won the East State championship and a trip to the world championship in Houston. The community team of four girls was coached by Doug Rogers, above, who wore a tutu and antlers

TO SHOW HOW they used core values, the Waccamaw team broke into song (set to the “Gilligan’s Island” theme). It seemed to impress judges Ginger Catoe, in black, and Kinsey Mayberry. They asked the team to perform a charade with zoo animals to assess their teamwork skills. THE REFEREES, like all the participants in FIRST Lego League, are volunteers. But they share in the fun. M.K. Baldwin, above, added zebra ears and a tail to her jersey.

SAVING ALBATROSSES from fatal tangles with long-line fishing rigs was the goal of the Robo Renegades’ project. Luke Kibler explained how lures that look like tiger sharks would keep the birds away as Blake Nash and Molly Stover held up a prototype. The team presented the idea in the form of a TV talk show.

AFTER THE JUDGING, teams put their robots to the test. Ally Douglas took the Robo Renegade from its carrying case to start the race with the clock.

MOLLY STOVER, above, watched the referee for a signal to start the two-and-ahalf minute robot competition in the Waccamaw High gym. Of 15 tasks, teams have to pick those that earn the most points in the time allowed and design their robot to complete them. The Robo Renegades aimed at 104 points. Their best score in three tries was 54. “We scored more in the first round than we did at the regional, so we’ve already achieved our goal,” said Becky Anderson, who coaches the team with Beth Goude.

Cameron Conard, at top, kept his fingers crossed as he waited for the results to come in. Each of the eight team members took turns working with the robot, which had to return to base at the end of each task. Each round took place on a different 4-by-8-foot table to account for varying conditions that affected performance. When the Robo Renegade, the robot as well as the team name, got stuck during its final attempt, disappointment flashed across the faces of Jase Goude, left, Nate Giltmier, Luke Kibler, Holden Gulley and Cameron.

ROBOTS ARE THE HEART of the event. The Legosaders of Christ Our King-Stella Maris School in Mount Pleasant earned the most points in the robot games with a round of 165. They brought their robot to the floor in a metal case.

IN BRINGING THE CHAMPIONSHIP to Waccamaw High, Rubbo hoped to inspire more schools and groups in Georgetown County to participate in coming years.

FIRST PLACE Charles Swenson Coastal Observer

PHOTO SERIES OR PHOTO STORY 2-3 TIMES WEEKLY DIVISION

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southstrandnews.com

A6: Friday, July 7, 2017

Georgetown Times

CELEBRATING THE FOURTH SEE MORE PHOTOS AT WWW.SOUTHSTRANDNEWS.COM.

CLAYTON STAIRS/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

A crowd gathered along the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet to view the annual Fourth of July fireworks display. This view was from Creek Ratz.

DAVID PURTELL/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Fireworks over the harbor in Georgetown.

PROVIDED/KAMINSKI HOUSE

The Indigo Choral Society performs at the Kaminski House.

DAVID PURTELL/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

North Litchfield Fourth of July Children’s Parade

CLAYTON STAIRS/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

The Miss Guess House float, featuring ladies who have held that “title” over the years, won the Most Enthusiasm Award during the 51st annual Pawleys Island Fourth of July Parade.

CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

A pirate ship featuring a skeleton rock band was a hit with the crowds at the Murrells Inlet Boat Parade.

CHRIS SOKOLOSKI/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

Many of the participants in the Murrells Inlet Boat Parade were children.

CLAYTON STAIRS/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

DAVID PURTELL/SOUTH STRAND NEWS

North Litchfield Fourth of July Children’s Parade

Thursday appointments Givve us an hour... accepted We Cann Change Your Life!

Call today for your FREE Hearing Exam “Hearing aids chhanged my life. I wear them too!”

Ell J.

843-504-6494 Indigo Vision Center 302 Church Street (Highway 17 before bridge on left f) SC DHEC License #150

Learn more at www.Beltone.com

WEST END REDEVELOPMENT SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING July 17, 2017 - 6:00 PM Municipal Court 2222 Highmarket Street GEORGETOWN, SC 29440

INVITATION FOR BIDS

The Georgetown County, SC Purchasing Office is soliciting sealed bids for the following item or services: �Bid# 17-049, Install, Repair and/or Replace Chain Link Fence “As Needed” (IDIQ)

�RFP# 17-060, Replacement Beach Sand Fencing at Garden City Beach �IFB# 17-061, Trailer-Mounted Six (6) Inch Centrifugal Pump Details and bid documents may be downloaded free of charge from the County website: www.gtcounty.org. Select “Bid Opportunities” under the Quick Links header. You may also send an email request to purch@gtcounty.org or call us at (843)545-3083 for additional information by phone. GENA-1585373-1

UNDERSTANDING?

County of Georgetown, South Carolina

�IFB# 17-057, Dual Rear Wheel Utility Tractor with Cab and Flex Wing Rotary Cutter Attachment

PUBLIC NOTICE

BELTONE™ HEARING CARE CENTERS GEGT-11594671-11

BUT HEARING NOT UNDERSTANDING?

The Will Ness Band sang about Pawleys Island during the island’s annual Fourth of July Parade and won the Best Music Award. Other winners were Bay Watch, overall; Procrastination Squad, most original; 1776, most patriotic; and Starfish Coffee, most humorous.

GENA-1591358-1

SURPLUS SALES Georgetown County offers surplus materials, property, and equipment for sale to the public at www.govdeals.com.

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NEWS

Tega Cay Fall Fest full of costumed kids 9B

Nation Ford band wins championship 7B

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VOLUME CXLVI, No. 146 STAY CONNECTED FORTMILLTIMES.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/FORTMILLTIMES TWITTER.COM/FORTMILLTIMES

ESTABLISHED IN 1892

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2017

50 cents

SECOND PLACE Michael Harrison, John Marks Town of Fort Mill looking FIRST PLACE to sell land for new homes and Tracy Kimball Fort Mill Times

SERVING FORT MILL, INDIAN LAND, LAKE WYLIE AND TEGA CAY

BY JOHN MARKS

jmarks@fortmilltimes.com FORT MILL

The latest new home project eying Fort Mill isn’t some out-of-town property owner looking to sell high. It’s the town itself. Eight properties adding

Fort Mill growth is election hot topic

up to nearly 90 acres are up for annexation, with a plan in place for 133 homes between the Springfield and Foxwood communities. Almost two-thirds of the land belongs to the town. “That’s land we’ve had for a long time,” said Fort Mill Town Councilman Larry Huntley, the town’s

mayor pro tem. “We just figured it was a lost cause. Somebody came in wanting to buy it.” JBH Development, LLC has a development agreement ready should the town and a half dozen other property owners get the annexation. That agreement, along with the annexation, was

up for town planning commission review last week before it heads to Fort Mill Town Council for final say. A public hearing could come when council meets Nov. 13. The town’s portion of what would be known as Hopper Communities is a former landfill. About 25 acres lie within a 100-year

floodplain. The property has two streams and access to Merritt Road, from Kennel Road. Because much of the property is unusable, town leaders felt the impact of development wouldn’t be too severe despite concerns on how fast the town is growing. “We did have second

thoughts about more houses,” Huntley said. The property has come up in town conversations for years. When town leaders look for land for various reasons — fire stations, public works sites and others over time — the site comes up as an asset. Yet, road access is so limited, it wasn’t even able to remain a landfill. “The way we had to get to it, you almost had to go through a man’s driveway in Foxwood,” Huntley said. “So we just shut it down.” The land hasn’t been

Will be presented at Daily Awards Dinner SEE ANNEX, 4A

BY JOHN MARKS

jmarks@fortmilltimes.com FORT MILL

It’s the top issue facing Fort Mill, and thus the top issue facing Fort Mill Town Council candidates. It may be the top few. So, what are candidates going to do with all this community growth? There isn’t a “no growth” candidate in the Nov. 7 election. That’s when incumbent Larry Huntley and challenger John Beilsmith face off for Ward 3, while incumbent Trudie Heemsoth faces Julia Beilsmith and Patti Rumsey for an at-large seat. Councilman Jamie Shirey is running unopposed for his Ward 1 seat. All the candidates say the answer isn’t cutting off

TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com

Pastor Sam McGregor, left, and Patrice Gaines look at a former slave's headstone Wednesday at Allison Creek Presbyterian Church. .....................................................................

NEWSPAPERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

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News&Press TWO SECTIONS • 14 PAGES

SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

ESTABLISHED 1874

5B CLASSIFIEDS

QUOTE ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.’

EDMUND BURKE

75¢

Vol. 143, No. 34 Darlington, S.C.

W W W. N E W S A N D P R E S S . N E T

Denny Hamlin Sweeps Track Too Tough To Tame

DCSD Maintenance Department to get overhaul By Melissa Rollins Editor editor@newsandpress.net

Denny Hamlin had double the luck this Labor Day Weekend, winning both Sunday’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 and the NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Saturday. Hamlin rode into Victory Lane for his second time, celebrating with his family by his side.

During a special-called meeting Aug. 28, the Darlington County School District Board of Education got a first-hand account of the inner workings of the district’s Operations and Maintenance Department. Ervin McElveen, Director of Operations and Maintenance, gave a presentation and then took questions from board members. The district currently employees 30 maintenance workers and 94 custodians who maintain the grounds at 24 locations and the nearly 2 million square feet inside of district schools. McElveen said that his office works hard to ‘provide a clean and safe environment throughout the Darlington County School District for every student, every day.’ He also said that while he is trying to shift from status quo

maintenance to preventative work, he is anticipating some challenges in the near future, including the fact that onethird of his maintenance department is eligible for retirement in the next 3-5 years. In the next decade, that number will increase to 60 percent. The biggest challenge in that, McElveen said, is that he is unable to hire anyone before a retiree leaves. “A lot of knowledge has walked out the doors,” McElveen said. One example of just that is the fact that the district has a work order system that no one currently employed with the district knows how to operate. Board chairman Jamie Morphis said that the meeting and presentation were necessary because the board has to understand where the maintenance costs are coming from. DCSD ON 3A

PHOTO BY MELISSA ROLLINS

Raceway dedicates Jeff Gordon Finish Line Terrace By Samantha Lyles Staff Writer slyles@newsandpress.net

Darlington Raceway recognized NASCAR superstar Jeff Gordon on Thursday, August 31 by dedicating its first new Finish Line Terrace seating area in his honor. Darlington Raceway president Kerry Tharp said he was very pleased that Gordon agreed to have his name associated with this project, and he could think of no better person to christen the first of these seating expansions. “I can honestly say that in the twelve years I've been associated with NASCAR, there hasn't been a more firstclass individual that I've had the privilege of dealing with than Jeff Gordon. He's a true ambassador for the sport both on and off the racetrack,” said Tharp. During his 25 year career, Gordon won 4 NASCAR Cup Championships, had 805 career starts, 93 NASCAR Cup victories (third highest of alltime), 325 top five finishes, 477 top ten finishes, and

Jeff Gordon and Darlington President Kerry Tharp cut the ribbon. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA LYLES

secured the pole position 81 times. “He also won seven times here at Darlington, and six of those were at the Bojangles' Southern 500. That's another reason we called this the Finish Line Terrace, because you got to that finish line ahead of everybody else seven times,” said Tharp to Gordon, who joked that he had no idea

he'd actually won that many times at Darlington. “This track has meant so much to me over the years throughout my career in NASCAR,” said Gordon. “It's a legend. It's one of those track you hear about before you ever take a lap around it. Everyone basically tries to scare you to death before you get here. And it stand up to its

legend; this is a tough racetrack. There's no other track in NASCAR like it.” Gordon said he was a big fan of Darlington's successful 'Throwback Weekend' theme, which pays homage to the history and culture of stock car racing. He also noted that 'The Track Too Tough to Tame' remains a prestigious challenge that can make the career of an aspiring racer. “To me, Darlington really is what NASCAR is all about,” said Gordon. “If you can win at Darlington, the respect that you earn within the sport and from the fans, it takes you to a whole other level.” Tharp said Darlington Raceway plans to install as many as 12 more dedicated seating terraces to give fans “an enhanced race day experience.” Also, Tharp announced that Darlington Cares, the local charitable arm of the NASCAR Foundation, is donating $2,400 to the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation, which focuses on treatment and research for pediatric cancer.

Suite towers at Darlington Raceway renamed for Earnhardts By Melissa Rollins Editor editor@newsandpress.net

The Earnhardt name has become synonymous with NASCAR. Now, the name is forever a part of the Darlington Raceway. During a ceremony Sept. 1, the track renamed the red suite towers Earnhardt Towers in honor of both Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. “Some of the goals of the Throwback platform were to energize and rejuvenate some of the history of the sport and make it like a reunion atmosphere for folks to come back here Labor Day Weekend and pay respects to those heroes and those legends who paved the way for this great sport of ours,” said Darlington Raceway President Kerry Tharp during the ceremony.

“We believe we are doing that here today.” Tharp said the dedication of the towers was special because it was honoring the father-son drivers. “Darlington Raceway is proud of its steep heritage, history and the reverence that it holds in the sport of NASCAR,” Tharp said. “Over the years, we have had the opportunity to honor some of the sports’ and our racetrack’s legends by naming some of our facilities after them. We are all about honoring the legends and heroes of our sport. Today, we have the privilege of naming our suite towers in tribute to Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr.” Tharp said the choice of the Earnhardts was an easy one for his team. “We came together as a staff earlier this year and discussed some of the things we’d like to do during this Throwback Weekend to make it even more special,” Tharp said. “With this being year number three of our

Kelley Earnhardt Miller stands in front of the newly renamed Earnhardt Towers. PHOTO BY MELISSA ROLLINS

Throwback platform and this being the final full-time season for Dale Jr. in the Monster Energy Cup Series, the synergy was there to make this dedication come to fruition.” Kelly Earnhardt Miller was on-hand to represent the Earnhardt Family. “On behalf of the Earnhardt Family we are certainly honored that Darlington Raceway dedicated these towers to both

my dad and Dale Jr.,” Miller said. “This racetrack has certainly meant a lot to my family over the years. For me, just being a kid running around, Darlington was a place that was close to our home so we were able to come down in the conversion van, years ago, and play in the infield; this has always been a special place.” EARNHARDT ON 3A

Facilitator Charles Weathers Sr with Darlington County Council members (seated, left to right) Bobby Kilgo and Le Flowers. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA LYLES

Council talks courthouse repairs By Samantha Lyles Staff Writer slyles@newsandpress.net

Darlington County Council convened a work session August 29 at the Pee Dee Council of Governments, where a main topic of discussion was the future of the county courthouse. Facilitator Charles Weathers Sr., founder and CEO of Columbia-based management consulting firm The Weathers Group, led the session. He encouraged Council members to make a priority list of issues – both near-term and long-term – that they need to address. Though the rankings of these priorities varied, all members present listed the aging Darlington County Courthouse as a project that requires action. County Administrator Charles Stewart said that the Courthouse Construction Advisory Committee has met several times and is waiting for Council to provide some guidelines for exactly how much money the county can commit to building a new facility or repairing the existing 1965 building. Stewart said the courthouse has a number of security issues, including a lack of a secure prisoner transfer area (like an enclosed sally port) on the Public Square, no private entrance or elevator for judges, and too little space for some court operations.

Council member Bobby Kilgo said that when the courthouse was built, there were many more terms of criminal and civil court in the large 5th f loor courtroom. He said that due to the prevalence of pleas, dismissals, settlements, and mediation, the need for jury trial sessions has greatly diminished over the past fifty years, and perhaps that spacious courtroom could be pared down to yield more space for other needs. “The need for a large courtroom for civil court is basically almost over with,” said Kilgo, adding that there have only been two criminal trials held in the main courtroom this year. Kilgo said the county should consider allocating more space and resources for the busiest court operations, like Probate Court, Magistrate Court, and Family Court. Kilgo said that need for more private spaces to keep Family Court litigants apart is especially urgent because that court often handles emotional and contentious matters like child custody. “That is also the most dangerous court you will go into because of the animosity between the parties,” Kilgo said. “If any court needs to be secure, it's Family Court.” COUNCIL ON 3A

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Construction supply company sues school district FROM STAFF REPORTS INFO@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

A company that supplied construction materials for Horry County’s five new schools filed a series of lawsuits against the school district, the contractors, a subcontractor and related insurance firms this month, alleging in court documents that the company is owed hundreds of thousands of dollars for its

products and services. Capitol Materials of Savannah, Inc. filed five separate suits, one for each of the new schools, and wants to be paid nearly $780,000 that it is owed, according to the court documents, which were filed on Sept. 13, 14 and 15. The company is also seeking interest and attorney fees. Along with Horry County Schools and contractor Firstfloor Energy Posi-

tive, the lawsuit names Hester Drywall, Inc., Metcon, Inc., T.A. Loving Company, Selective Insurance Company of America and Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America as defendants. School district spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier declined to discuss the lawsuits. “It is school policy not to provide any commentary on substantive matters

relating to pending litigation,” she said via email. The lawsuits allege Capitol provided labor, materials and equipment for the construction of the new schools, but the subcontractor, Hester, did not pay the company, despite repeated demands. However, the lawsuit also states that the school district and the contractor owe Hester for its work.

The insurance companies listed in the lawsuit issued bonds naming the subcontractor and contractors and principals, according to court records. Capitol wants the court to force payment in this case. The debts range from just over $81,000 for supplies and work at Ten Oaks Middle School in Carolina Forest

escaping hurricane irma

LAWSUIT, A3

Neighborhood gator’s removal involves city police, upsets residents BY KATIE POWELL KATIE.POWELL@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

fore. There they met the crews of five other large boats who were also concerned about Irma, so they joined forces and decided to head for the Chesapeake. One of the boats lost an engine and another had to be side-towed, according to Bratton. “We got to Bucksport and they offered to call Matt. We didn’t know who Matt was,” he said. Matt is Matthew Varnadore, owner of Waccamaw Outfitters, lessee for the Conway Marina and dock master for the Bucksport Marina.

Some in Conway’s Ridgewood West neighborhood are grieving the loss of its popular alligator, Earl, and a Conway man has been charged with discharging a firearm in the city limits when he shot the gator. Conway police cited him with discharging a firearm in the city limits to kill the gator. Some neighbors say they were upset to learn that the alligator had been removed from the pond and shot without any forewarning or notice to the community that the disposal of the gator was coming. They are worried that having gunshots within the neighborhood could have injured a resident or damaged property if bullets had ricocheted from the gator or water. Attempts by the Horry Independent to reach the man charged with the offense were unsuccessful. S.C. Department of Natural Resources Fur Bearing and Alligator Program coordinator Jay Butfiloski said that someone removing the animal would have to essentially catch the alligator and bring it to shore before dispatching it, and that there could be potential problems with shooting firearms across water, if that occurred in this case. “Water makes an excellent medium for ricochets,” Butfiloski said. Officials say the community had the proper permits to deal with the animal, but Bufiloski said DNR officers could

BRATTON, A2

GATORS, A3

COURTESY

Gary Bratton took this picture of a portion of the six-boat caravan headed to Cox Ferry Lake on the Friday before Hurricane Irma came to call.

Storm ‘refugees’ find Southern hospitality in Conway BY KATHY ROPP KATHY.ROPP@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

Jodi and Gary Bratton aren’t afraid to hoist themselves 65 feet into the air to tend to their boat’s mast, and they aren’t uncomfortable sailing all across the United States alone. They are, after all, self proclaimed adventurous people. Bratton was once a professional motorcyclist, and Mrs. Bratton is a three-time national Country Dance winner, whose son rides in rodeos. The couple was eager about four years ago to move full time onto their boat with the goal of sailing around

| YOU ASKED FOR IT | Q. When will the Shine Café on Main Street in Conway open? A. Owner Leslie Wilson is as eager to get the restaurant and paddle center open as you are. Although the outside of the building looks like it’s ready to go, Mrs. Wilson says there is still some work that needs to be done inside. She’s hoping to be in the building by the end of the year. She says as soon as the building passes all of its inspections, she’ll let everyone know that the opening YOU ASKED, A3

the United States. But this adventurous couple doesn’t mind admitting that the word “hurricane” puts them on the run, and that’s how they ended up being introduced to the Waccamaw River, Conway and two local men whom Jodi classifies as “sweethearts”. Bratton says for about one month he and his wife have been working to stay away from hurricanes. First, it was Harvey and Irma, then Jose and now they’re considering Maria. “Irma completely destroyed Marathon (Florida),” Bratton said. “There were about 300 boats in the anchorage there.”

But that was before the storm. He believes there were as few as 40 left when the storm passed. Some of the boats were blown up into trees, some were never found and others washed out to sea, he said. To stay out of the path of the recent hurricanes, the couple just kept pushing north and every time they received more hurricane news, they kept on running. Bratton said he and his wife have seen hurricanes do some pretty incredible things, so they’ll do whatever it takes to get away from them. They finally got up to Beaufort, S.C., to a marina they had visited be-

Slain women remembered with city’s rock memorial BY LINDSAY HICKMAN LINDSAY.HICKMAN@MYHORRYNEWS.COM

One of the rocks in the neatly placed memorial has two birds on it, one white and one red, with hearts in their beaks and bearing the names “Donna” and “Katie”. Other messages range from “RIP” to “Be Kind”, “Have Faith”, “Go Rest on High” and “In loving memory of Donna and Katie”. Everyone in this area will know right away that Donna and Katie are Donna Major and Katie Skeen, the two CresCom bank employees who were brutally

gunned down recently in a robbery at the bank on 16th Avenue in Conway. People who wanted to remember the ladies in a meaningful way put their artistry and creativity to work recently building a rock memorial, using a new craze that has had Conway “rocking” for several months. Now not only do Conway Rockers paint and leave rocks in Conway, but throughout Horry County and the country. Conway Rocks founder Barbara Willis-Hartley says people have ROCKS, A2

LINDSAY HICKMAN / THE HORRY INDEPENDENT

People who wanted to remember Donna Major and Katie Skeen put their artistry and creativity to work building a rock memorial.

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COACH JONES: REFEREES BLEW LATE CALLS / 10A

Ending on a high note

Great Falls concludes season with a big win. See Page 7-A.

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Levister resigns as Chester chief of police BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com

For the second time in just over a year, the City of Chester is looking for a new police chief. Tammy Levister abruptly announced Levister her resignation from the Chester Police Department on Friday afternoon.

The city has created a new administrative position, but has created confusion and consternation at the same time. Early in MondayĂ&#x2022; s meet-

By TIM GULLA Ledger Staff Writer tim@gaffneyledger.com

See CHIEF, Page 6-A

Administrator says â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;recruiting and standardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; position needed to boost woeful police training

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

WWW.GAFFNEYLEDGER.COM

BY BRIAN GARNER/THE N&R

Students at the Academy for Teaching and Learning in Chester take advantage of the couches (and books) at the CindyMackie Literacy and Performing Arts Center. Donations from the CindyMackie Foundation have made the Center what it is today.

Different is good

State and local investigators were continuing their probe Tuesday afternoon into a Monday morning fire at a downtown Gaffney business that has been deemed arson. A Gaffney police officer was on routine patrol at 1:42 a.m. Monday when he spotted thick black smoke coming from the top of a building at 509 N. Limestone St. Residents who lived in an apartment next door to the

burning building, which houses an auction business, were awakened by a fire alarm just a few moments later. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was smoke pushing from the second floor and the front windows were glazed over black,â&#x20AC;? Fire Capt. Wayne Brown said of the fire departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response. Due to the location of the fire and the way buildings are connected, Brown said he immediately called for the assistance of a second ladder truck, from Blacksburg, just in case it was needed.

When firefighters entered the building, however, they actually found very little fire. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a smoldering fire when we got in,â&#x20AC;? Brown explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was starved for air.â&#x20AC;? Gaffney Fire Marshal Billy Bishop said his initial investigation determined the fire was not an accident and that more than one point of origin was identified. Bishop said they notified Gaffney police, who in turn requested the assistance of SLED fire investigators. Guy Blakenship, the owner of the building where the fire

struck as well as an adjoining building, told police he had received a threat just a day before the fire. On Sept. 24, police were told, a man allegedly sent a threatening text message stating he was going to burn Blankenshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s building down, according to the incident report. A second suspect identified for police had allegedly sent Blakenship text messages in June threatening to do the same. Police secured the scene throughout the night until SLED fire investigators arrived

By SCoTT PoWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

CindyMackie Foundation hands out annual grants

BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com ing of Chester City Council, Nettie Archie, speaking Some people branded during he public forum, Cynthia Furr and her made reference to the cityĂ&#x2022; s teaching methods Ă&#x2019; unconĂ&#x2019; new positionĂ&#x201C; having been ventional,Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x2019; not normalĂ&#x201C; filled. She was told by and even Ă&#x2019; weird.Ă&#x201C; That Councilwoman Annie Reid obviously provoked a See CITY, Page 2-A strong reaction. Ă&#x2019; She told me Ă&#x201D; they think IĂ&#x2022; m differentĂ&#x2030; isnĂ&#x2022; t that great,Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x201C; her sister Sharon remembered.

Cynthia (who was known to most as Cindy) is gone, killed in a car crash along with her baby McAllister (Mackie) in 2009, but the love of the arts, English and literature she brought to her Winthrop classroom and the Ă&#x2019; itĂ&#x2022; s OK to be differentĂ&#x201C; philosophy she had her students embrace live on through the CindyMackie Foundation.

After her sister and niece died, Sharon Furr founded the CindyMackie Foundation, which has given out over $115,000 in scholarships and grants throughout the Carolinas to students, teachers and schools in the area. The presentations, like Cynthia was herself, are different. There isnĂ&#x2022; t a formal ceremony at a banquet with

oversized checks being handed out. Sharon Furr and the CindyMackie board of directors (Andi Owen, Laura Oliphant, Missy Jennings, Cathy Jones and Jean Furr) launch the best sort of sneak attack possible. One day each year, the group shows up unannounced at a series of

From staff reports

BY BRIAN GARNER bgarner@onlinechester.com Recalled by the U.S. Chester High School Food and Drug Administration were RuthĂ&#x2022; s parents and students got Salads Pimento Cheese a briefing last week on the Spreads packed in dual enrollment/early colChester. The products lege program from the school districtĂ&#x2022; s educationSee RECALL, Page 6-A al partners, representa-

tives from York Tech, USC-Lancaster and Winthrop University. Before the presentation, CHS Principal Dr. Duane Graham addressed the students attending the briefing session and said, Ă&#x2019; (the representatives) are going to talk

about dual enrollment. Students and parents, I want you to really consider the information theyĂ&#x2022; re giving you today. The cost of college is expensive, and your parents will benefit from this just as much as you will. When youĂ&#x2022; re planning for your classes

next year, I urge you to consider the dual enrollment program. Some of the things youĂ&#x2022; ll get from this program will benefit you your first year in college.Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x2019; When I was a first

See GRANTS, Page 2-A

See CHS, Page 2-A

Two injured in Edgemoor fire Friday Neighbor pulls one resident to safety From staff reports Two residents of a house in Edgemoor were rescued when a fire took place at their Harmony Church Road home late Friday afternoon. Units from Lando, Richburg and Fort Lawn in Chester County, Lesslie Fire Department in York, the Chester County Fire CoordinatorĂ&#x2022; s Office, Chester County and Piedmont EMS units responded to the structure PHOTO PROVIDED fire Ă&#x2019; with entrapment.Ă&#x201C; This picture shows the extent of the damage to the house on Harmony Church Traffic control was proRoad in Edgemoor. vided by the S.C. Highway

I N D E X

Classifieds . . . . . . . . 6-B Police . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-A Jumps . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-A Lifestyles . . . . . . . . . 3-B Viewpoint . . . . . . . 4-A

O B James Boulware, 68 I Townsell Gore Jr., 60 T Jane Shepherd, 72 S

Patrol and the Chester County SheriffĂ&#x2022; s Office. Lando Fire Chief Eddie Murphy said the volunteers came to the fire scene, either because they had been toned out or because they recognized the magnitude of a fire with entrapment situation. Murphy said neighbor Leon Ernandez saw the smoke coming from the house and initially thought it was someone burning trash until he saw smoke issuing from the eaves of the house and saw the back of the house was engulfed in flames. Murphy said Ernandez tried to kick the door down and as he was doing this, he saw Buddy Foster col-

Debra Wilks, 56 George Williams Jr., 78 Page 6-A

803-385-3177

lapse against the door. Ernandez got a 4Ă&#x2022; x4Ă&#x2022; piece of wood and brought down what proved to be a false front door and dragged Buddy Foster to safety. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they learned that FosterĂ&#x2022; s wife Sandy was still inside the house and firefighters Carl Paquin and Lewis Loftin went in to get her out of the house before a hose line had even been set up, said Murphy. Once they had Sandy Foster outside, firefighter Anthony Knight carried her to the EMS staging area. Two medical helicopters were dispatched to transport the

later Monday morning. Bishop said they were at the scene until approximately 12:30 p.m. Both Bishop and a Gaffney Police detective said the investigation was ongoing as of Tuesday afternoon. Bishop said some additional witness interviews still were pending. Neighboring buildings did get some smoke from the fire but sustained no fire damage. The building where the fire began, which houses a business called Custom Auction Services LLC, sustained smoke and heat damage.

Beloved columnist Allison dead at 90

MUMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THE WORD

Ruthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Salads products packed in CHS parents briefed on dual enrollment Chester are recalled Some RuthĂ&#x2022; s Salads products packed in Chester are part of a recall instituted last week because they may contain listeria.

50 CEnTS

SLED investigates downtown arson

Levister was named the first female chief of the city department in November 2015. SheĂ&#x2022; d been tabbed as the interim chief earlier in the year following the resignation of former Chief AndreĂ&#x2022; Williams. Williams had recommended Levister for the position. It proved a popular choice with fellow officers at the time, who literally applauded the 7-1 vote of Chester City Council to make a condi-

Council questions need, purpose, creation of new position BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com

GAFFnEY, S.C.

City of Gaffney parks and beautification workers were busy Tuesday sprucing up the gardens at Gaffney City Hall, several local parks, and also the flower bed seen here at West Floyd Baker Boulevard and West Frederick Street. The workers planted dozens of colorful mums for the fall growing season. (Ledger photo /â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;TIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;GULLA)

A day before his death, retired municipal court judge Jack Allison stopped by the Gaffney Ledger office Monday to deliver his final column. The column was JACk ALLISon called â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Best Day of My Lifeâ&#x20AC;? and in it Allison talked about the joy that comes from being alive. The thought-provoking column will be published Tuesday, Oct. 3, in Allisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Scrapbookâ&#x20AC;? feature that he wrote for 45 years in The Weekly Ledger. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every Monday morning Jack would come by the Ledger with a big grin on his face and a Ziploc bag full of candy just for me,â&#x20AC;? Gaffney Ledger Lifestyles Editor Abbie Sossamon said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jack always seemed to make Monday mornings brighter and I will certainly miss seeing him.â&#x20AC;? Allison, 90, died Tuesday after a long life built around service as a judge, church deacon and advocate for senior citizens. He served 27 years as a county magistrate and l See ALLISon, Page 5A

Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Accomodations Tax advisory committee rejects Peach Festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last-minute plea By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com The cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee rejected on Tuesday a last-minute plea from the South Carolina Peach Festival for some of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Accommodations Tax (A-Tax) money. The committee unani-

mously agreed at its most recent meeting not to consider the festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request for $15,000 because it failed to abide by a guideline that requires organizations seeking funds to appear at the meeting. In a letter of apology written to committee members, a festival official asked the committee

to reconsider its decision because of an upheaval on the board that left the body without a representative to attend the meeting. While some committee members were sympathetic to the festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plight, committee chairman Marcia Duncan said the committee would stick to its original deci-

PERSPECTIVE

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I N Court martialed? S â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Generalâ&#x20AC;? is no longer I on active duty at local D Great Falls store.See Page 1-B E

All prices plus tax, tag & title. Prices include $499 closing fee. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. We reserve the right to make changes without notice, and are not responsible for errors.

PAGE 4A

Sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Almond Joyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got nuts, Mounds donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. This advertising jingle applies to the way Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve felt during the past week or so. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; See CoDY SoSSAMonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Column

sion and not consider the festival request. Of course, the committee pointed out their funding appropriations are only a recommendation to Gaffney City Council, which could overturn their decision and fund either all, or part, of the festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request. The five local groups

OBITUARIES

who applied for funds and had a representative at the meeting did receive a share of the $49,000 in A-Tax money doled out by the committee. Limestone College received all of the $20,000 it had requested. The Cherokee Historical & Preservation Society (CHAPS) got $12,500 of the $15,000 it had re-

PAGES 8A, 9A

BLAnTon, Ruth, 89, Gaffney BRADLEY, Ebenezer, 85, York FRAnkLIn, Damion, 22 HARRIS, Bill, 89, Gaffney MARTIn, Joe, 89, Gaffney RAMSEY, Ferne, 89, Gaffney SIMPSon, Connie, 58, Gaffney SPEnCER, Betty, 84, Hartwell, Ga. THoMPSon, Ollie, 89, Gaffney

quested, while the Gaffney Downtown Business Association got $8,000 of the $10,000 it wanted. Both the Gaffney Little Theater and CAVA (Cherokee Alliance of Visual Artists) got all the money they requested. The Gaffney Little Theatre received $5,000 and CAVA got $3,500.

THE WINNER IS ... Thirteen contestants had only one incorrect pick in last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football contest. Roy Millwood prevailed by having the closest tiebreaker score and thus takes home the hundred bucks. The football contest appears in Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition.

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A deadly night on Arch Street

Gregory A. Summers gsummers @thelancasternews.com

‘Shots fired’ turns shift into search for a killer “We’ve got an almost dead person, hostile witnesses who won’t talk, no scene and people who will demand I do something about it.” – Police Chief Scott Grant

HANNAH STRONG/hstrong@thelancasternews.com

Chief Scott Grant searches for bullet casings on the pavement following the shooting of Daquan Blackmon on Arch Street Aug. 18.

Hannah L. Strong hstrong@thelancasternews.com

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IL post office site generates friction Reece Murphy

rmurphy@thelancasternews.com

U.S. Postal Service officials got more feedback than expected from Indian Land residents Thursday during a raucous two-hour meeting about a proposed Panhandle post office. The meeting at York Technical College’s Indian Land Center on Rosemont Drive drew a standingroom crowd of more than 80 people for the first step in the community feedback and solicitation process. The USPS announced Aug. 15 that it wants to build a

165th year, No. 106 Two sections, 14 pages

15,000-square-foot, full service Indian Land post office on Rosemont Drive. The burgeoning community of about 20,000 residents is currently served by the Fort Mill post office and a small contract post office in a gas station. Though residents have requested a proper Indian Land post office for years, most of the crowd at Thursday’s meeting was surprisingly dissatisfied with the current proposal. “There was a lot more feedback than anticipated, which is a good thing,” USPS real estate specialist See POST OFFICE I Page 2A

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REECE MURPHY/rmurphy@thelancasternews.com

Rosemont resident Tyler Price talks about his concerns over traffic through his neighborhood from a proposed Indian Land post office on Rosemont Drive during a public meeting on the proposal Thursday. Postal officials are soliciting public comments and other site proposals for the next 30 days.

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