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Bracewell runner-up in S.C. girls wrestling ROBERT HOWEY
CAROLINA GATEWAY Feb. 10, 2021
rhowey@thelancasternews.com
CLOVER – Jaden Bracewell is celebrating another state medal. An Indian Land High School sophomore wrestler, she earned a state runner-up finish and silver medal in the girls state championship tournament during the Carolina Invitational at Clover High School on Saturday, Jan. 30. Bracewell captured the girls’ wrestling junior varsity state championship last season at the Carolina Invitational. A f te r winning the JV gold Bracewell medal, Bracewell returned to the girls varsity state tournament Jan. 30, where she finished as the state runner-up in the 104-pound weight class. Bracewell is in her second season on the Indian Land wrestling team. “That’s a great achievement for her,” ILHS coach Scot Davis said. “She’s our lone girl wrestler on our team and she works hard, so it was great for her to have this opportunity.” ILHS assistant coach Troy Yegge said he was elated for Bracewell. “Jaden puts in the work and is always working to get better. She’s looking to gain an edge,” Yegge said. “She’s our only girl, but does a great job of representing our squad when she com-
photos supplied
ABOVE: Indian Land High School sophomore wrestler Jaden Bracewell, top, goes for a pin during the girls’ state wrestling tournament at the Carolina Invitational at Clover High School on Jan. 30. LEFT: Bracewlll battles an opponent in the state mat meet. Bracewell finished as the state runner-up in the 104-pound weight division.
petes in the girls tournament.” Bracewell, in the tournament, drew a first-round bye and followed with a pin before falling in the title round on a pin. “I wish I could have won and hold the title, but it was tougher this year,” she said. “I have the bruises and a few cuts to show for it. “That was the difference this year,” Bracewell said. “There were more girls this year, something like 72 overall. “Last year in my bracket, there were three girls, but this year five,” she said. “It’s good to see girls wrestling growing. I love to compete.” Since the ILHS varsity was competing in a Region III-AAAA home tri-match Saturday, the Warriors coaches were involved with that contest, but Bracewell had club coach Brendan
Lutz accompanying her. “I was thankful to have him in my corner,” Bracewell said. “It was good that he stepped up to support me.” Davis noted Bracewell’s absence in the varsity match as the Warriors had to forfeit at 106 in each match. “She works hard and deserved this opportunity to compete in the girls tournament. We’re happy for her achievement and we will also be glad to have her back with the varsity,” he said. Davis added he’s happy to have Bracewell compete. “The girls state tournament is good for the sport,” he said. “This is a chance to for the sport of wrestling to grow.” Bracwell has a similar view. “I’m hoping other girls will get interested in wrestling,” she said.
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Gilbert High School baseball players hold a celebratory pile on at the mound of
Cleveland Harvey Park following the 12-3 victory over West-Oak to claim the SC High
School League Class 3A title. It was the Indians’ 5th state title and 1st since 2012.
Thomas Grant Jr.
The journalist makes great use of the rain delay to help tell the story of what went on behind the scenes as the team kept their focus on the prize - the state title!
Thursday June 10, 2021
The Sports Grouch
Golden Geezers
First PLACE Lexington County Chronicle & The Dispatch News
Pine View wins Region 4 title. B3
THOMAS GRANT JR. | CHRONICLE
Gilbert High School players celebrate with fans who made the 95-mile trip to Cleveland Harvey Park on the campus of the University of South Carolina-Upstate in Spartanburg for the deciding game of the Best-of-3 final.
THOMAS GRANT JR. | CHRONICLE
Gilbert High School catcher Ashby Vining holds up the SC High School League Class 3A title trophy with pitcher Edwin Amerson (left).
Gilbert HS wins Class 3A baseball title
elled well over the 398-foot centerfield marker. “It’s 402 out there, it cleared pretty good,” Vining said. “That one to center was the furthest I’ve ever hit in my life.” Before exiting the Cleveland Harley Park Austin Waters followed with an RBI bunt sinlockerroom this past Saturday following a gle. With the bases loaded, Aaron Sox drove 2-hour, 11-minute weather delay, Gilbert head home a run with an infield fielder’s choice and baseball coach Ashley Burnett passed along a Cooper Burkett added a 2-run single. message to his players. The Warriors answered back with 3 runs in the “Alright boys, rent’s due today,” said Burnett, paraphrasing a quote from NFL All-Pro defensive bottom 3rd inning off starter Edwin Amerson. The Coker College signee held them scoreless the lineman JJ Watt. The Indians proceeded to make “payment” on rest of the way and had no qualms about returntheir goal of winning the SC High School League ing to pitch after the delay. “(The coaches) were checking on me the Class 3A title. Leading West-Oak 6-3 in the whole time, like every 5 minutes,” he said. “They deciding game of the Best-of-3 series when play were checking me like ‘feeling good?’ and all was stopped after 3 innings due to approaching that. I was like ‘Yeah. I got this. I can get out lighting-filled storm, Gilbert doubled its run total and pulled away for the 12-3 victory over the there and keep doing what I’m doing.” After play resumed, Vining got Gilbert’s offense Warriors. rolling again with a double. It led to an RBI sinThe victory clinched the program’s 1st state gle by Dylan Massey who was driven home on a championship since 2012. It was also the 4th hit by Joey Parker to make it 8-3. won under Burnett and 5th overall. The Indians added 3 more runs in the top 6th. Gilbert’s road to the championship saw it go 7-1 in the post-season and make 2 trips totalling Price singled home Aaron Sox and scored on Nathan Reynolds’ sacrifice fly and Vining belted his over 200 miles to the Upstate. After rolling 14-4 2nd home run over the leftfield wall for his 3rd in Game 1 at home on June 1, the Indians were held to 2 hits by Austin Stephens in a 6-0 shutout RBI to make it 11-3. Chance Jennings closed out the scoring in the loss at West-Oak 2 nights later. For Game 3, Gilbert turned the tables by jump- 7th as he doubled and scored after advancing to 3rd base and homeplate off wild pitches. Westing out to a 6-0 lead. After a leadoff single by Oak (20-10) put 2 baserunners on with 2 outs Preston Price, senior catcher Ashby Vining got before Amerson got Stephens to ground out to things rolling with a 2-run homer which travBY THOMAS GRANT JR. chroniclesports@yahoo.com
Massey at 3rd base to set off the celebration. “I think all of the seniors wanted to win for last year’s team,” said Amerson, referring to the group whose season was cut short due to the pandemic. “That was a good group. I feel like we would have made it to the state championship. So I went out and won it for them.” Following the victory, Gilbert residents held a ceremony at the school for the returning champions. They were also honored at Wednesday’s Lexington County Blowfish game.
THOMAS GRANT JR. | CHRONICLE
(Starting from left) Gilbert High School head coach Ashley Burnett and assistants Joey Leo, Wesley Williams and Jason Cochcroft.
You’ll probably think this is silly for a man my age. Nevertheless, I’ve done stupid stuff before and I’ll bet you’ve done your share of them, too. Keep it to but here’s what I’m thinking: If a guy like Tom Brady – at age 43 – can win a 7th Super Bowl ring, why not me? This could be the Golden Age for Geezers. It’s between the ears 4 months ago, Tom Brady led an improbable contender, the usually hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to a Super Bowl victory. Yep. It was his 2nd championship won in his 40s. And Tampa Bay’s head coach Bruce Arians became at age 68 the oldest head coach to win a Super Bowl. Maybe I lack the arm strength to throw a deep pass 80 yards. Maybe I’m not 7 feet tall and can see over pass rushers. But winning is a mind game. It’s what’s between your ears that counts. I’m thinking maybe I should forget going for a spot under center and stick to the sidelines where the real chess game is played. Shane Beamer at the Carolina Gamecocks and Matt Rhule at the Carolina Panthers need my help badly. It takes icy nerves A little over a week ago another geezer, 50-yearold Phil Mickelson, showed what us old timers can do. He snatched the PGA Championship out of the hands of the younger folks he was playing against. With icy nerve and a calm demeanor he became pro golf’s oldest major tournament winner. In auto racing, 46-yearold Helio Castroneves cannily passed Alex Palou, 24, with 2 laps to go to win the Indianapolis 500. Helio admitted Brady and Mickelson were inspirations. “The old guys still got it, still kicking the young guys’ butts,” Castroneves told sportswriter Jason Gay. It’s in the heart In the NBA, Chris Paul is leading the Phoenix Suns to their best season in over a decade. In the WNBA, legendary Sue Bird, 40, returned for her 18th season defending the Seattle Storm’s title. The French Open featured Venus Williams, 40, and kid sister Serena, 39, and another geezer, Roger Federer, 39. In gymnastics, ex-champ Chellsie Memmel returned at age 32 against rivals who wore diapers when she won her 1st world title in 2005. Arthur Muir, 75, a grandfather of 6, has became the oldest American to reach the 29,000-foot summit of Mount Everest, only 7 years after he started climbing. And boxing great Floyd Mayweather, 44, faced YouTube star Logan Paul, 26, this past Sunday in Miami. Pardon me while I call Beamer and Rhule. They need me on the sideline. I expect I’ll look stunning in black. To my fellow geezers: Email me a note at ChronicleSports@yahoo.com .
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Pickens County Courier 1B
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Lions in Upper State championship
Second PLACE Charles Swenson
Bru Nimmons By Michael Crouchley Courtesy The Journal michael@upstatetoday.com
CENTRAL — After a dominant regular season, the Daniel High School boys’ soccer team hasn’t slowed down in the playoffs. Following an 11-0 win over Chester in opening-round action on Wednesday, the Lions were able to pick up where they left off in Friday’s second-round home game against Powdersville, beating the Patriots 5-0 and booking their ticket to the Class 3A Upper State championship game. “You have to give credit to Powdersville, because they’re really hard workers,” Daniel coach Phil Boyer said. “They ran through everything, and full credit to them for pushing us. To be in a really physical, chippy game in a playoff atmosphere and still be able to come out with a clean sheet and five goals, I’m
really proud of the boys.” The early minutes of the game were back and forth, but it was the Lions (17-4) who were able to strike first. Luis Lezama’s shot in the eighth minute hit both posts before sneaking over the line, giving Daniel a 1-0 lead. Lezama doubled Daniel’s score about 15 minutes later after he cut inside from the flank for his second goal of the night. “As a senior, I was really trying to raise the intensity,” Lezama said. “This is my last year here, and I really wanted to show the underclassmen how to step up and be a leader.” “I’m proud of all those boys tonight, but Luis was a little bit extra special,” Boyer said. “He’s been great for us all season, but he really stepped up tonight. He was great as a leader on the field, and he gave us the two goals in the first half, and that just calmed us down and made us more confident.”
After Lezama’s pair of early goals gave Daniel control of the game, Boyer said his defense was responsible for keeping control. The Patriots (11-4) were able to hold a decent amount of possesion, but they could never break through for a clear-cut chance on goal. “It was very back and forth, but our back line did a great job of bending but not breaking,” Boyer said. “Powdersville got in some good spots, but we never let them have many good chances on goal. You’re never going to control the ball for 80 minutes — you’re going to have to defend some, clear some and recover some — and when we had to, we did.” Daniel finally found a third goal with 10 minutes left to play. Liam Desjardins took a free kick from the midfield line that soared over the Powdersville goalkeeper’s head and into the back of the net.
“I did not mean to do that at all,” Desjardins said with a laugh. “But I am happy that it was right in front of the crowd. That’s a tall keeper, too, and it was an important goal for us, so I sure am happy I got it.” The Lions built off the momentum from that goal to add two more in the game’s dying minutes. Jonas Barrett scored off of a corner kick, and Desjardins grabbed his second goal after converting from the penalty spot. “The third goal was kind of the one that broke the camel’s back,” Boyer said. “After that, we had the momentum, and we were able to put in two more late.” With Friday’s win, the Lions advanced to the Upper State title game at Berea on Tuesday with a trip to next weekend’s state championship on the line. The Bulldogs clinched their spot in the Upper State title game after
Pickens County Courier See LIONS on page 2B
Jessica Mackey/Courier
Daniel junior Liam Desjardins, pictured here against Chester during the first round of the Class 3A playoffs last week, has scored three goals for the Lions during their playoff run.
‘incredible’ Liberty High School head baseball coach Scott Kerwin hit a major milestone last week, picking up his 300th career win against Greenville Tech at home. Kerwin’s Red Devils took care of business against the Warriors with a 15-0 win. Coaching a young group this season, Kerwin led his squad to a 5-7 mark in region play, including a 5-2 record in their last seven region games. The Red Devils will finish their regular season today (Wednesday) in a matchup with county foe Daniel.
Jessica Mackey/Courier
The Daniel girls’ soccer team celebrates on Monday night after clinching the program’s first-ever berth in the state championship game with a 2-1 win over Powdersville.
Daniel girls advance to state for first time in team history POWDERSVILLE — As time wound down in Monday night’s Class 3A Upper State championship matchup between Daniel and Powdersville, both teams struggled to get over the gap and take control. The Lions had hopped out to a 1-0 lead late in the first half, but the Patriots battled back to tie it up in the second.
With just four minutes to go and their first-ever trip to the state championship on the line, the Lions turned to their senior playmaking stalwarts Reece Murphree and Lauren Watrous. The duo didn’t disappoint, as Murphree found Watrous with a perfect pass, which she sent into the lower left corner of the net to secure a 2-1 win and cement their place in Daniel High School history. “It is absolutely incredible,” Watrous said of the his-
toric win. “Reece up top, the ball she played me at the end, it clicked. Everything was great. We knew they had a tall keeper so we had to aim low, but the fact that no other Daniel team for (girls) soccer has gone to state means that we’re special, and we’re going to live every moment to the fullest.” Murphree and Watrous have been as good as any duo in the state this season, as the two are tied for the team lead with 23 goals apiece and are first and second in assists with
33 and 12, respectively. The two were both coming off second-half injuries in the Lions’ second-round matchup with Woodruff, but were not slowed down in the biggest game of the season. “Those two players are real special,” Daniel coach Chad Perry said. “Obviously we’re going to miss them next year. They’re both going and playing in the North-South Game and they’re both select-
See DANIEL on page 2B
Rogers golf tourney scheduled this month PICKENS — The 17th annual Charles F. Rogers Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 22. The tournament, which annually benefits a male and female senior basketball player from Pickens High School planning to attend a university, college or technical school, is set to kick off with a 2 p.m. shotgun start at Southern Oaks Golf Course in Easley. The tournament will follow a captain’s choice format, and entry costs $75 per person or $300 per four-person team. Hole sponsorships are available for $100, $75 and $50, and prizes will be awarded for first, second- and third-place teams, longest drive and closest to the pin. Entry deadline is May 21. Lunch will be provided from noon-1:30 p.m. “Since we established this scholarship fund, we have been blessed with so many supporting us,” organizer Butch Morris said. “We have donated more than
CHARLES F. ROGERS
$20,000 in scholarship money as well as donations within our community since Charles passed away in 2004.” For more information, contact Rodney Wakefield at (864) 898-3718 or Morris at (864) 878-0373 or (864) 420-7277. Entry deadline is June 19, and all checks should be made payable to Charles F. Rogers Scholarship Fund.
Green Wave soccer falls to Eastside in round 2 By Bru Nimmons Staff Reporter
stay focused. Sometimes breaks like that happen, and unfortunately it was
said of the goal. “It gave us confidence and allowed us to realize that
with his team after the whistle. When asked how he stayed so positive after
Coastal Observer
WACCAMAW HIGH GIRLS SOCCER | The playoffs
Lightning strikes with golden goal in win over Raptors COASTAL OBSERVER
Courtesy Liberty High School
bnimmons@thepccourier.com
COASTAL OBSERVER Thursday, May 6, 2021
By Charles Swenson
Kerwin nabs 300th win
By Bru Nimmons Staff Reporter
12
After 107 minutes of soccer that were interrupted by a 90-minute weather delay, lightning finally struck Warrior Field in the form of Corine Gregory’s right foot. Her goal gave the Waccamaw High girls varsity a 3-2 win over Academic Magnet in the first round of the season’s abbreviated Class 3A playoffs. Only the top two teams in each region compete this season. The win over the Raptors on Tuesday followed a win in the regular season over Bishop England, who missed the playoffs. “It’s an amazing feeling when you knock out those teams that you’ve lost dramatically to in previous seasons,” said Sarah Jones, a co-captain with Gregory. Both teams are built for speed and the Raptors showed that they could use it to effect from the opening kickoff when a long ball over the top set up their first shot on goal. The Raptors found the net in the 17th minute when Kaylin Morris connected with the rebound after the Waccamaw keeper, Brezlyn Parsons, blocked a shot. Waccamaw pulled level in the 30th minute. Gregory tried to connect with a corner kick at the far post. The ball sailed out to the wing where it was picked up by Morgan Hinkleman. She chipped it over the pack in the goal box and past the
keeper, Maya Thompson. “I was just reacting,” Hinkleman said. “You do what you have to do.” It was her second goal of the season. “It just shows, it takes every single one of us,” Waccamaw coach Mark Sanchez said. Jones put Waccamaw ahead in the 53rd minute on a cross into the area by Maris Jennings on the right wing. Thompson came up to challenge and two defenders closed in, but Jones sent the ball through from 6 yards out. The approach of thunderstorms led officials to pause the game with 25 minutes left to play. “It killed the momentum, but it helped us out,” Sanchez said. “I’ll be honest with you, the girls were getting tired.” In each of the team’s three losses this season, the Warriors gave up a lead in the final five minutes. Complacent is the word the players use. The weather delay “gave us time to settle down, relieve some tension and refuel,” Jones said. “We came out wanting it more.” The same was true for the Raptors, but when play resumed, the Warriors showed they had learned from the match with Bishop England that the best place to defend a lead is on the other end of the field. Yet with less than five minutes Mary Archambault put on the clock, the Raptors the Waccamaw center back were awarded a penalty Regan Latimer for a hand the ball into the top left corner of the net to bring the kick when the referee called ball.
WACCAMAW HIGH BOYS SOCCER
Comeback stalls after goal denied
Photos by Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer
Maris Jennings (19), above, redirects a corner kick toward the goal as the Warriors try to pull ahead in regulation. At left, Sarah Jones and Corine Gregory (4) celebrate Gregory’s winning goal. teams even at 2-2. Both sides had their opportunities in 20 minutes of overtime. Jennings followed a ball into the goal area and appeared to strip it from Thompson before scoring off the line. But Jennings had put a hand on the ball and the referee disallowed the goal. A five-minute “golden goal” period saw Jones send a header just over the Magnet net. The teams were four minutes away from a penalty kick shootout when Gregory took a feed from the midfield. While she spent most of the night working the ball to the wings, this time Gregory sprinted straight to the goal with two
WHS TENNIS
defenders marking her. “I had one touch and hit it and megged the keeper. It was nice,” Gregory said. “When they scored and they came back it was just like, ‘do we really want it or not?’ But at the end, I wanted that more.” Waccamaw travels today to Gilbert for a 6 p.m. match. A win would most likely have the Warriors traveling Monday to Oceanside Collegiate to play for the Lower State title. Oceanside split with Academic Magnet in the regular season. They also beat Waccamaw 6-1 in a pre-season match that saw several of the Warriors still making the transition from basketball to soccer.
First round makes
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Union County News
EAGLES WIN FIRST STATE SOFTBALL TITLE By ANNA BROWN
PAGELAND - Union Christian Day School softball coach Tommy Benfield said a lot was going through his mind Saturday in the seventh inning of the Lady Eagles' state championship game against South Pointe Christian School. When the inning started, Union had been ahead 8-3. The Patriots, fighting for their life after losing to Union on Friday in the double-elimination tournament, battled back, scoring five runs to knot the score at 8. "I knew we had to keep it tied," Benfield said. "I knew we still had a swing at it. I knew we had to get somebody on base and create a little pressure on them. My biggest fear was, hey, how am I going to get my team ready for game two if it got to that. They would be down. We had not been beaten all year. How was I going to get them saddled up and ready to go? Catcher Laken Lewis put everything into perspective. "She's got nerves of steel," Benfield said. "She said, 'We'll just hold them here. We've got the last bat. We'll win it in the last inning.' She plays way above her years. Everybody we play can't believe she is just in the eighth grade." Freshman Mackensie Ford, the Eagles' fastest runner, was first at bat. She made it to first on an error when South Pointe's catcher dropped the ball on a strikeout. Sophomore centerfielder Ayden Burgess was next at bat and laid down a perfect bunt. Ford advanced to third base as Burgess stole second. Freshman second baseman Sky Young was next at bat and her walk off shot into left field scored Ford to end the game, 9-8. Sophomore pitcher Abby Benfield struck out 11 in the win for the Lady's Eagles, 15-0. It was the Lady Eagles' first softball state championship. In 2019, the first year of the program, the girls came in second in the state, their only losses coming from Emmanuel Christian School in the state championship series. "We knew South Pointe was a scrappy bunch," Benfield said. "They have three real good hitters and we had to respect them and we knew we had a chance if we stayed away from the top (of the order). But if it had ended in a tie they had 1, 2 and 3 coming up. It worked out in our favor." Benfield said it was also in Union's favor that a fast runner and a great bunter came to bat. "We had been working on that all week," he said. "Preacher (Lee) Franklin, (who teaches at the school) an avid baseball fan who loves these girls worked with them several days this week." Benfield said the Lady Eagles also had several errors that hurt them and allowed South Point to get back into the game. The girls advanced to the state championship game by defeating Orangeburg 21-1 in the first game of the series and South Point 10-0 in the second round. Ford, Sky Young, Laken Lewis and Benfield were named all tournament. Young had three hits in the championship game, Laken Lewis had two, Averie Lewis had two, Burgess had two, Benfield, Ford and Starr Young each had one. The future looks bright, Benfield said. The team loses only one senior, Rileigh Inglett, who has signed to play volleyball with USC Union. There are no juniors. "We have seven or eight sophomores coming back," he said. "We are tenth-, ninth- and eighth-graders. I have some young sixth-graders coming up who are going to help us, too, they have been practicing with us all season. Hopefully it's made them better and they will play throughout the summer and we can keep this winning streak going."
The Union Christian Day School Softball team went undefeated (15-0) and won the SCACS 1-A 2-A State Championship Saturday in Pageland. They include (front row) Sky Young, Abby Benfield and Laken Lewis. (second row) Rileigh Inglett, Maren Pettit, Averie Lewis, Starr Young, Ayden Burgess, Kennedy Madala, Natalie Garner and Mackensie Ford. (back row) Assistant Coach Marsha Gossett, Head Coach Tommy Benfield, Assistant Coach John Young, Assistant Coach Brother Gossett and Angela Brown. (Pete Cochran photo)
Laken Lewis waits for the pitch, (Pete Cochran photo)
Abby Benfield struck out 11 South Pointe batters in the title game. (Pete Cochran photo) Starr Young collides with South Pointe’s catcher at home plate. (Pete Cochran photo)
Maren Pettit waits for her pitch. (Pete Cochran photo)
Angela Brown swings at a pitch. (Pete Cochran photo) Coach Tommy Benfield reacts after the Union Christian Day School softball team wins the state championship. (Pete Cochran photo)
Can feel the Eagles’ excitement and pride. Really enjoyed the full package with photos from State Championship.
Abby Benfield carries the state championship trophy while riding atop Averie Lewis’ shoulders. (Pete Cochran photo)
Mackensie Ford lays down a bunt. (Pete Cochran photo)
Sky Young, Laken Lewis, Abby Benfield and Mackensie Ford were named All Tournment after Union Christian Day School's State Championship win Saturday in Pageland . (Anna Brown photo)
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Rileigh Inglett runs toward home plate. (Pete Cochran photo)
Ayden Burgess sends a hit to left. (Pete Cochran photo)
716 N. Duncan By-Pass, Union, S.C. (864) 427-7261 Since 1988 Buy Here Pay Here - Free AutoChecks
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Lancaster News www.thelancasternews.com
January 30-31, 2021 PAGE 1C
The Lancaster News Faile passes in flying colors on marathon golf fundraiser up. Seems like the clouds just went Robert Howey away.” rhowey@thelancasternews.com Faile said wet playing conditions on Golfer Frankie Faile celebrated his the course from three days of steady 65th birthday “to the nines” – seven rain actually played in his favor. times and two extra holes Thursday af“Due to those soggy conditions, there ternoon at the Lancastweren’t many people playing out here er Golf Club. today, so I could move on pretty well,” Faile, for his landhe said. “I never had to play through.” mark birthday, played Faile’s steady pace also had him finish 65 holes of golf – some 2½ hours ahead of schedule. nine hours – as a fundFaile said he was boosted by a crew of raiser for the Women’s eight caddying friends – Jarod Hileman, Enrichment Center in Larry Higgins, Darrell Walters, Bob Lancaster. Thompson, George Flanders, Odell Faile All involved had plenSteele, Gene Purser and daughter Malty to celebrate, in addition to Faile’s lory Faile, who caddied the final two birthdate, as his marathon effort raised holes. $33,000 for the WEC, a nonprofit that “It helped having them for an emoprovides essential services to women tional boost, and then it helped as they and children in the Lancaster area. handed me clubs and assisted me,” Faile’s goal was $35,000, which by Faile said. “The way we worked it was mid-afternoon Thursday, he appeared seven caddies for each nine holes, and to be in position to surpass. then Mallory was with me on the final “I feel good,” said Faile just after taptwo holes.” ping in a short par putt on No. 11 at the Faile, who had an egg for breakfast, LGC around 3:30 p.m. said he was equally glad when the lunch Faile, an eight-handicapper, had ponbreak came. dered the idea of the fundraiser with “I got a little shaky before Darrell Walters, husband of WEC Execulunch, but after that, getting tive Director Julie Walters, and then put some food, it gave me a the plan in motion. He said it was a way boost,” he said. “That to give back on a milestone occasion to helped and I could tell aid, as he noted, “an essential service to when I went back out.” a critical demographic – women and Faile, in addition to his children.” caddies, was accompanied “Due to COVID-19, we really haven’t by a supportive gallery. had a fundraiser since 2019,” Julie Wal“All the people out here ters said. “This is wonderful. We’re so gave me energy,” Faile grateful to individuals like Frankie, who said. “That made a differstep up to help the lives of others.” ence and it made the walk Faile said it was a “good day.” not seem as long.” “Some days are better than others, When he finished on and this is a good day, a real good day,” No. 11, they sereFaile said. “I wanted to have a birthday naded him, to mean something, and this certainly does.” His marathon links day began at 6:30 a.m. Photos by ROBERT HOWEY/rhowey@thelancasternews.com when he teed off on Faile displays some relief after completing 65 No. 1 in sub-freezing holes of golf to celebrate his 65th birthday. conditions before dawn. “I bought some LED light-up balls to help me in those early holes,” said Faile, who noted he played five holes in the dark. “It was kinda funny, I got to No. 6 and it just lit
singing “Happy Birthday.” “At the end when they sang ‘Happy Birthday,’ it was touching,” said Faile’s wife Michelle. “He got emotional. Frankie doesn’t get emotional a lot, but I know it touched him. You could see as he bowed his head.” She added she was proud. “He did great,” said Michelle, who said the marathon round was the equivalent of walking 17 miles. Frankie Faile, who had four birdies and shot 298, said he could feel the impact. “I’ve got a few sore joints,” he said. “My hip and ankles are screaming.” He added he was grateful to the Lancaster Golf Club. “The Golf Club was very hospitable,” Faile said. “It came off very good and they made it work.” Follow sports editor Robert Howey on Twitter @sportseditorTLN or contact him at (803) 283-1157.
Faile bows his head as he is serenaded with the singing of “Happy Birthday” from his gallery after he completed 65 holes of golf over nine hours in a fundraiser for the Women’s Enrichment Center on Thursday afternoon at the Lancaster Golf Club.
Walters grateful for sponsors Robert Howey rhowey@thelancasternews
Women’s Enrichment Center Executive Director Julie Walters beamed Thursday afternoon. Walters was elated with golfer Frankie Faile’s 65-hole fundraiser to help the WEC, a Lancaster nonWalters profit that through a host of services assists young women and their families facing an unplanned pregnancy. Faile’s goal was to raise $35,000 for the WEC. By the time Faile finished his 65-hole round in celebration of his 65th birthday, $33,000 had been raised, with more donations scheduled to come. “We’re hoping to go over $35,000,” Walters said. “God gave Frankie the ability and he stepped up to make a difference in our community,” she said. She said she was grateful for a host of sponsors which included Founders Federal Credit Union, Nutramax Laboratories, Perception Builders, Comporium, Sistare Carpets and Flooring, Frankie and Michelle Faile, Pillmore Family, Darrell and Julie Walters, Sandra L. Edwards, Samantha and Bret Glenn, Mick and Pam Mulvaney, Robert and Janice Thompson, Russell and Elizabeth Whitman, The Rocket Group, Reagan Faile-Pilcher, Steele’s Heating and Air Conditioning, and J&S Inc. Redi-Mix Concrete. “We had pennies and some big dollars, but it takes everybody,” Frankie Faile said. “The problems aren’t going away, but the WEC isn’t going away either.” Walters added a final salute. “Anna Rushing volunteered to help raise funds and coordinate this event,” Julie Walters said. “She’s played a major role in the success of this event. We greatly appreciate her.”
Spot Sports Story
Weekly Over 6,500 Division
First PLACE Mike McCombs
The Island News
This story stood out among all entries. It caught my attention from the beginning. Very well written.
Spot Sports Story
Daily Under 8,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Bradley Harris
Brian Wilmer
The Times and Democrat
The Herald
Spot Sports Story
Daily Under 8,500 Division
First PLACE Justin Driggers Morning News
Yet another solid job here by Driggers. One of several solid entries. Well told story of the game and the effort to get there. Championship Level reporting.
S portS Spot Sports Story PERFECT NO MORE Big Ben, Steelers blow 14-point lead as perfect season comes to an end against Washington. C3
Sports Editor: Eric Sprott | esprott@upstatetoday.com | (864) 882-2385 Sports Writer: Michael Crouchley | michael@upstatetoday.com | (864) 882-2386
INSIDE Scoreboard C2 Recruiting C3 High schools C4 The Journal C1
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Beamer takes over for Muschamp at South Carolina
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division BY PETE IACOBELLI ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBIA — Shane Beamer was an assistant at South Carolina in 2010 when the Gamecocks made their only appearance in the SEC title game. Things didn’t go well that day; South Carolina lost to eventual national champion Auburn 56-17. At his introduction Monday as South Carolina’s new head coach, Beamer vowed that South Carolina will return to
Atlanta “and this time we’ll finish the job.” Beamer, named to replace fired Will Muschamp, laid out his vision in turning around South Carolina, which has gone 6-16 the past two years and 5-15 in the SEC. Beamer thanked Muschamp for his dedication to South Carolina over the past five seasons, then pledged to bring consistency to the Gamecocks. “People say you can’t win at South Carolina,” said Beamer, the 43-yearold son of former long-
time Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer. “You absolutely can. We have everything you need to win at a high, high, high level.” Beamer arrived at South Carolina on Sunday, meeting with players and the Gamecocks staff. Several former players, including some he coached like receiver Moe Brown, and others — such as Outback Bowl MVP Ryan Brewer and quarterback Perry Orth — stopped by Monday morning. Beamer came outside — South
Carolina’s operations center is locked down because of COVID-19 regulations — for a chat. He’ll quickly head back to Oklahoma to finish the season as assistant head coach and tight ends coach with the Sooners. “It’ll be chaotic, but I’m surrounded by a great group of people in this facility here and we’ll get it done,” he said. Athletic director Ray Tanner declined to discuss Beamer’s contract
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Eric Sprott
Eric Boynton
SEE BEAMER, PAGE C3
COURTESY OF SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS
New South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer speaks with a group of former players on Monday morning in Columbia.
Clemson’s Swinney reacts to Beamer hire
| HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL |
BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY THE JOURNAL
68-yard score. Pearman went on to throw his third touchdown pass of the opening quarter late in the frame when he connected with Crosby from 9 yards out to push the lead to 21-7. After trading scores, Camden was driving just before halftime, but a goal-line interception from Daniel’s Boston Miller preserved a 27-14 lead going to the locker room. Following the Bulldogs’ go-ahead score from Bracey that gave Camden the one-point lead, the Lions got aggressive to go ahead for good on their ensuing drive, keeping their offense on the field on fourth-and-three from
CLEMSON — The South Carolina football team has ended its three-week search for a new head coach after the Nov. 15 firing of Will Muschamp. Shane Beamer — a former South Carolina assistant and the son of longtime Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer — was announced Swinney as the Gamecocks’ head coach on Sunday. In a conference call on Monday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacted to the hiring of Beamer, who he called “a friend.” “I think they made a good hire,” he said. “I consider Shane a friend. He’s a good person, and I’ve known him for a long time. He’s always stayed in touch over the years. He’s got a sweet wife, and he’s a great family guy. “I’ve known Shane for a long time, since when he was with (current Clemson associate athletic director of football administration) Woody (McCorvey) at Mississippi State. I just think he’s a really good person, and he’s been very successful as a football coach. Obviously he’s at our rival and all that stuff, but I have a lot of respect for him as a person, as a man, as a father, as a husband and as a football coach.” South Carolina fired Muschamp after a Nov. 14 loss to Ole Miss, and the Gamecocks went on lose the final three games of their season to Missouri, Georgia and Kentucky — a 41-18 loss on Saturday — under interim head coach Mike Bobo. Swinney said he had the chance to talk to Beamer last week before he was announced as the head coach. “I actually reached out to him last week and had a good conversation with him,” Swinney said. “When I heard he might have a chance, I gave him a call. We have to compete, and I look forward to that, but I’m excited for him and his family. He’s had a good career path. He’s been at a lot of different places, he’s had good experience, and I’m sure he’ll bring that with him. “He just needs to be himself, surround himself with good people and just be an inside-out program. That’s where it starts.” Some have made
SEE LIONS, PAGE C4
SEE SWINNEY, PAGE C3
The Journal, Seneca CARL ACKERMAN | FOR THE JOURNAL
The members of the Daniel High School football team celebrate following their 52-31 victory over Camden to clinch the Class 3A State championship on Saturday evening at Spring Valley High School in Columbia.
Return to glory
Lions race past Camden for first State championship since 1998 BY ERIC SPROTT THE JOURNAL
COLUMBIA — It was largely unfamiliar territory for the Daniel High School football team trailing midway through the third quarter Saturday afternoon against Camden. But for the Lions, there was no panic. As quarterback Trent Pearman put it, they simply kept swinging. And after landing a bevy of figurative punches, they achieved a long-awaited return to glory, taking control of the contest and rallying for a 52-31 win in the Class 3A State championship game at Spring Valley High School for their first State crown since 1998. After the Lions (10-0) led 27-14 at halftime, Camden (8-1) got a pair of touchdowns from Leroy Bracey to take a 28-27 advantage with 7:09 left in the quarter. But from there, Daniel dominated on both sides of the ball, outscoring the Bulldogs 25-3 the rest of the way to capture its sixth State crown, and its first in 22 years. “That’s how we’ve been all year — if I throw a pick, we fumble or someone misses a block, we come right back and swing,” said Pearman,
52 31
CARL ACKERMAN | FOR THE JOURNAL
Daniel High School senior Jackson Crosby reaches across the goal line to round out the scoring and record the last of his three touchdown catches in the Lions’ title-clinching victory over Camden on Saturday in Columbia. who finished 29-of-33 passing for 472 yards and six touchdowns in the win. “We might take a hit to the face, but we’ll come right back and swing. “I’m just so proud of this team the way they fought and stayed in it all game. Everyone stayed together as a team.” “We just had to trust each other, and it’s all about Daniel,” senior linebacker Jacob Hendricks added. “We don’t look at the scoreboard until the end, and hopefully it’s nice to us. It’s all about us, and that’s what we’ve been trying to control the whole time.” In what was only their second title-game appearance since the 1998 title following an appearance in 2013, the
Lions rolled up 610 yards of total offense to conclude a season that was long in doubt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For fifth-year Daniel head coach Jeff Fruster, it was his first title at the helm of the program, but his third as a Lion. He was a star linebacker as a senior in 1998, while he was also a part of the 1995 State championship as a freshman. Fruster was clearly emotional as he cried in the arms of his assistant coaches after the final whistle in what ended up being a lopsided three-score victory. “I don’t do emotion a lot, do I?” Fruster said with a laugh. “But today was worth it. The hard work of these kids and what they were able to do
this season, it was well worth it. “It means more than words can describe. I’m just glad I was able to have a chance … to be able to take my alma mater back to a place I was fond of being in as a player. It means a lot to me.” The Lions came out hot from the start, scoring on their first two drives as Pearman found Jackson Crosby and Eli Merck on touchdown passes of 52 and 53 yards, respectively, for a quick 14-0 advantage midway through the opening quarter. Camden struck back two plays after Merck’s score when running back Willis Lane — a Mr. Football finalist — raced through the heart of the Daniel defense for a
Herald-Journal
Spot Sports Story
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
First PLACE Karl Puckett
The Island Packet
In a category dominated by stories about winning, this excellent job of storytelling captures the element of a proud moment for a local family – even in defeat. Great job!
Spot Sports Story
Daily Over 25,000 Division
Third PLACE
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Jeff Hartsell
Lou Bezjak
The Post and Courier
The State
Spot Sports Story
Daily Over 25,000 Division
First PLACE Jeff Hartsell
The Post and Courier
Brings a lot of emotion to it. Not your typical game story. Humanizes Logan Billings, his grandparents and reminds us of the COVID challenges we are dealing with.
Sports Enterprise Reporting
All Weekly Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Ian Livingston Brooking
Travis Jenkins
Myrtle Beach Herald
The News & Reporter SportS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • The News & Reporter • 9A
Hoping for the best, prepping for the worst
For coaches and ADs, scheduling is now a week-to-week prospect BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com In 2021, football schedules are a lot like the weather…frequently changing and often unpredictable. “If 2020 taught us anything, it is the importance of being flexible,” said Lewisville Coach Will Mitchell. Lewisville is heading into its fourth game this week, but won’t be playing the team that was originally on the schedule. New Hope cancelled because of COVID-19 protocol, so a substitute was lined up in Ridge SpringMonetta. The Lions were supposed to open with Laurence Manning, but that game wasn’t played either, with that lowcountry private school delaying the start of its school year (and thus, its athletics) for a full week, so a replacement game was arranged on short notice with Columbia. The Lions managed to play two scheduled games before the latest cancellation and quick change. “Really, week-to-week, you don’t know what’s going to happen. You have to be prepared for anything,” said Great Falls Coach DeMarcus Simons. He would know, with his team having to reschedule games on three occasions already this season. They got through the opener with Whtmire and played the next week against Eau Claire as scheduled, but that’s where the best-laid plans went awry. The team was then to have played Timmonsville, but the Whirlwinds had to scrap all athletics for a week as entire schools in that district were shut down because of COVID. On extremely short notice, the Red Devils
lined up a replacement in Latta. Traveling rural Dillon County to Chester County’s eastern riverside is 110-mile trek, but for Latta it was worth it. “Those teams down in that part of the state have had so many contests cancelled, they are willing to travel pretty much anywhere. Some of them haven’t played at all,” said Garrett Knight, Great Falls athletic director. In fact, this week Great Falls is again facing a lowcountry team, one that has not yet played a game a full month into the season. Originally, Great Falls was to have played East Clarendon this week. Region IV-A (which includes East Clarendon) voted to move its region games up, though. Eventually, Region II-A (which includes Great Falls and Lewisville) did the same. That has become commonplace this season. Region games are what determine playoff participants and seeding. To give those games the best chance possible of actually being played, many schools are now playing them early, which allows extra weeks at the end of the season to make the contests up if need be. Of course, that is a double-edged sword in the estimation of Simons. He knows region games take precedent, but if they end up being played as they’ve now been rescheduled, his Red Devils (should they make the playoffs) face the prospect of having three weeks off between the end of the season and the start of playoffs. “In terms of momentum, that’s not something you want,” he said. So, he and Knight are working to line up potential non-region games
BY BILL MARION/SPECIAL TO THE N&R
Athletic directors like Great Falls’ Garrett Knight are keeping busy amending schedules this year. after the region slate ends, but those can’t be written in stone just yet, because Great Falls might be playing region games cancelled because of COVID protocol then… and so might the teams they hope to play at the end of the season. The fluid nature of all things involving scheduling is neatly presented by Great
Falls this week. Their game with East Clarendon was cancelled, so a game was lined up with Columbia. The Caps were in quarantine recently and just returned to business-as-usual. They could have played Great Falls, but the game would have to have been pushed back to either Saturday or next Monday.
At that point, the game would have been intruding on preparation time for the all-important region opener with Lamar next Friday, so that was scrapped and the Hemingway game arranged. Great Falls had to find a replacement for its replacement. Chester has actually had its schedule impacted
the most by COVID cancellations. The Cyclones were to have opened the year at Union County, which was a highly anticipated rematch of the 2018 upperstate championship game. It’s a natural rivalry as well with the county’s bordering one another, but it never See PREPPING, Page 10-A
Schedule changes for local teams…again
BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com
Sports Enterprise Reporting
All Weekly Division
First PLACE Ian Guerin & Katie Powell Myrtle Beach Herald
The article was written clearly and concisely, answering every question that came to mind while along the way.
Sports Enterprise Reporting
All Daily Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Jed Blackwell
Kennington Lloyd Smith III
Herald-Journal
Independent Mail
Sports Enterprise Reporting
All Daily Division
First PLACE Alex Zietlow The Herald
This is part of life. You hear stories about athletes being vilified when a key they’re involved with goes wrong and they lose the game. Scott Norwood missing the kick with the Bills. Bill Buckner and the error with the Red Sox (even though the game was already tied). Donnie Moore with the Angels who tragically committed suicide. But here we have a story of someone finding strength when he misses the big kick. Hopefully, his very real story inspires others.
Sports Feature Story
Weekly Under 3,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Andrew Wigger
Scott Chancey
History Section
Wolves Sports
H George Piersol II, Agent
2720 Main Street | Newberry, SC 29108
The Newberry Observer Bus: 803-276-0333 george.piersol.c0wk@statefarm.com
INSIDE
SPORTS • 1B
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 • $1
Issue 38 Volume 139
Patterson announces retirement as Newberry AD Courtesy of Newberry College
NEWBERRY — Newberry College Athletic Director Ralph Patterson has announced that he will retire this fall. Patterson arrived at Newberry with a background in coaching, advancement and broadcasting. Hired in August of 2016 as interim director by President Maurice Scherrens. The interim title was removed four months later and was named athletic director in December. “Seems like so much about life is about timing, and Ralph Patterson was the right man at the right Patterson time for Newberry College. He was a ‘coach’s AD,’ and he understood the challenges of being a coach. He has always been their biggest advocate. He is honest as they come. His integrity is beyond question. His day-to-day decisionmaking has always been guided by what was in the best interest of the student athlete. During his five-year tenure here, we added sports, added student athletes participation opportunities, built athletic facilities, and saw our student athletes excel in the classroom. It has been a good run for our athletic department under his leadership. We will all miss him not only as a colleague, but also as a dear friend. I hope he remains close to Newberry College in his retirement. Thanks for everything, Ralph,” said Scherrens.” “What an incredible opportunity Dr. Scherrens gave me in August of 2016. I will always appreciate him for that. My time at Newberry has been special,” said Patterson. See RETIRES | 5A A NEWS Obituaries: 3 Editorial: 4 Weather: 5 Faith: 6 Classifieds: 7, 8 B SPORTS
The historic hole-in-one
Council restricts open carry at Oktoberfest Andrew Wigger
awigger@cmpapers.com
those in need through Interfaith Community Services. “We set a record this year, we didn’t know going into this if we would have half of what we normally get. Our grand total was $26,429 and that’s a record
NEWBERRY — Newberry City Council passed a resolution on Monday restricting the open carry of firearms during Oktoberfest, which will take place Oct. 2, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. “Other towns have done this, including Greenville, Columbia, Georgetown, Westminster and other municipalities. I saw the Westminster manager Thursday at a meeting, they put that in place for their Apple Festival and it worked well, with no problems,” said Mayor Foster Senn. According to the resolution by the City of Newberry, South Carolina’s Open Carry and Training Act became law upon its signing by Governor Henry McMaster on May 17. The act authorized, among other things, the open carrying of a concealable weapon with a valid concealed weapon permit, meaning a firearm having a length of less than twelve inches measured along its greatest dimension. The act authorizes a political subdivision to temporarily restrict the otherwise lawful open carry of a firearm on public property when a governing body issues a permit to allow a public protest, rally, fair, parade, festival or other organized event provided the person or entity hosting the public protest, rally, fair, parade, festival or other organized event posts signs at the event when open carrying is allowed or not allowed at the event. “The City of Newberry desires to restrict the open carry of firearms during certain permitted events on public property as expressly allowed by the aforementioned act;
See HISTORIC | 5A
See CARRY | 5A
Courtesy of NEC
Kelly Jerome got a hole-in-one on hole 17 at the Country Club of Newberry during the Operation Round Up Tournament through the Newberry Electric Cooperative. In doing so, he is the first person to win a vehicle from Stokes Trainor Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC, the hole-in-one sponsor of hole 17.
Andrew Wigger and Andrew Husk
awigger@newberryobserver.com and ahusk@newberryobserver.com
NEWBERRY — Over the years, Stokes Trainor Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC has sponsored a multitude of golf tournaments, offering a vehicle as the hole-in-one prize for hole 17. Well folks, it has finally happened, Kelly Jerome is the first (to everyone’s collective knowledge) to get a hole-in-one on hole 17 during a tournament sponsored by Stokes Trainor. The lucky tournament was the Operation Round Up Tournament at the Country Club of Newberry through the Newberry Electric Cooperative, in its ninth year. “Congratulations to Kelly Jerome on his hole-in-one at the Newberry Electric Coop’s Operation Round Up Golf Tournament from all of us at StokesTrainor.” said Joe Trainor of
Courtesy of NEC
Kelly Jerome’s team, which was from Kiswire, was also the winning team of the tournament. Pictured, left to right: David Minick, Kelly Jerome, Jack Brown, Jay Murphy.
Stokes Trainor. Debra Shaw, vice president of member, public and government relations, said Joe Trainor, of Stokes, sponsors hole 17 every year and all proceeds from their tournament are used in Newberry County for community projects and assistance for
Quilt Werks sews up new spot downtown Andy Husk
ahusk@newberryobserver.com
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
NEWBERRY — There’s a new spot downtown you might have
are proud to offer a new line of products to the area they now call home, having recently moved to the county from the Charlotte area.
draw from a lot of areas. We are excited to have you in Newberry,” said Mayor Foster Senn at the grand opening. “We’re super excited to be part
Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise
Sports Feature Story
Weekly Under 3,500 Division
First PLACE Danny Kelly
The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach/Georgetown Times Pretty much any of Danny Kelly’s entries could warrant first place in this contest. His writing is authentic, genuine. This story on Tarron Jackson was, to this judge, the most engaging and rewarded the reader with a story of triumph over tragedy.
Sports Feature Story
Weekly 3,500-6,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Larry Hilliard
Scott Powell
THE GAFFNEY LEDGER
PAGE 10
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021
gameday LEDGER SPORTS
The Gaffney Ledger GRAY COLLEGIATE (4-0) VS. GAFFNEY (4-0) Today, 7:30 p.m. — The Reservation, Gaffney
Gaffney defensive lineman Carlos Lopez
FAMILY VALUES
Pair of top 10 teams clash at Reservation By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com The No. 3 ranked Gaffney Indians are hosting a Class 2A school tonight at The Reservation. But Gray Collegiate Academy of West Columbia is no ordinary 2A school. The charter school has Division I athletes, is unbeaten at 4-0 and is the No. 2 ranked Class 2A team in the state. They are coming off a 28-18 win over Class 5A power Ridge View, and have outscored their opponents, 129-46. Gray Collegiate is filling the Indians’ bye week slot. Gaffney coach Dan Jones wanted to fill that date after the Indians were unable to find a game for Sept. 17 when Rock Hill cancelled due to COVID-19. Jones said he contacted Catawba Ridge, Chapman, Richland Northeast and Laurens before Gray Collegiate accepted the offer. In fact, Gray Collegiate coach Adam Holmes gave the okay a week ago so his team would have a normal week of preparation for the Indians. “Gray Collegiate wanted to play the game,” Gaffney coach Dan Jones said. Jones said the only difference between Gray Collegiate and say a Class 5A power is in roster size. There is no difference when it comes to talent, especially on offense. Gray Collegiate running back KZ Adams is considered one of the top backs in the state. The Georgia State commit had nearly 200 yards in the win over Ridge View. “He’s electric,” Jones said. “He’s a home run hitter that can make something happen on every play.” Quarterback Tre Robinson is a transfer from Batesburg-Leesville. Robinson has a big arm. The line is anchored by center and Georgia State commit Alec Johnson. The War Eagle defense will use a 4-man front and play zone on the back end.
Gaffney defensive lineman Carlos Lopez, who became a father in January, has built himself into the anchor of the team’s defensive line.
Making better life for daughter is inspiration for Gaffney lineman By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com Most high school students wake up to a cellphone alarm or a jittery parent in a rush to get to work. Gaffney senior defensive lineman Carlos Lopez is awakened each day by the sounds of his new baby daughter saying “DaDa!” Lopez and his girlfriend Aailyah became parents in January. His daughter’s name is Arianna. Lopez said at the moment he learned he would be a father, he knew what he wanted to do. “It was a surprise,” Lopez said. “God has a plan for us. I had to step up. I feel like if I was man enough to have a baby, I should be man enough to take care of it.” Part of taking care of Arianna is paying the bills. So, after school and football practice, he goes to work. It’s not an easy life but one he gladly accepts to make things better for his daughter. “It’s hard juggling football, work and school. I don’t get a lot of sleep, but it’s all worth it,” Lopez said. “I do everything I do because I have her. Seeing her every morning, and seeing her jump up and laugh makes everything better.” To create more stability for his family, he plans to graduate in December and then get a full time job. “My daughter has made me a better man and I want to make sure she grows up better than I did,” Lopez said. Growing up took an unexpected change for Lopez at age 10 when he and his siblings went to live with his grandmother. Lopez said his grandmother, Mary Ballew, instilled in him “old-school” values, like the value of hard work. That same work ethic has fueled his rise from a
third-string jayvee player to the anchor and most valu“(Carlos) has worked able defensive lineman on this year’s team. his butt off to get bigLopez didn’t begin playger and stronger.” ing football until his sopho-RANDY BIRCH more year because of his -- GHS co-defensive coordintator grandmother’s fears he on defensive lineman Carlos would get hurt. Lopez He persisted and his grandmother finally relented. “She finally said ‘fine.’ She knew how bad I wanted to play football. It kept me out of trouble.” He said he may have taken 10 snaps as a third string jayvee player. He realized to see the playing field, he needed to get bigger, more physical and stronger, especially stronger. He spent so much time in the weight room that he has doubled the amount of weight he could bench as a sophomore. Last year, he played behind South Carolina’s Mr. Football, Ty’rion Ingram-Dawkins. “Ty just made me want to be a better player,” he said. This season as one of the bigger linemen at 6-2, 230 lbs., and with the graduation of Ingram-Dawkins, Lopez has his chance to produce on the field. Like Ingram-Dawkins, he plays on the strong side, meaning on some snaps he finds himself playing an inside line position. “(Carlos) has worked his butt off to get bigger and stronger,” Gaffney co-defensive coordinator Randy Birch said. “He’s a big strong guy.” With the inspiration of his daughter to keep working his butt off.
The Indians (4-0 and ranked No. 3 in Class 5A) are coming off a 45-15 win over rival Byrnes The Indians led by only a pair of points late in the first half before exploding for 28 unanswered points in the rest of the way.
The offense continues to pile up yards on the ground, averaging nearly 200 yards a game. Both Ken Littlejohn and Tyler Smith are averaging more than 90 yards a game on the ground. Smith is averaging 6.6 yards a carry, while Littlejohn is gaining 7.3 yards a rush. “The running game has been outstanding,” Jones said. “We have to continue to improve in the passing game.” Quarterback Grayson Loftis is completing 60 percent of his passes for nearly 600 yards and four touchdowns. “We have a heck of a quarterback. Now we have to get better at receiver,” Jones said. The offensive line should get a boost with the return of Ethan Wood. Johan Aragon will remain at center and Wood will play guard. Jones said the Indians must prepare for the unexpected from Gray Collegiate. “We expect them to pull out all the stops,” he said. “They have a week to prepare and will have a game plan for us.”
GAME CAPSULE Gray Collegiate at Gaffney
TIME: 7:30 p.m. COACHES: Dan Jones, Gaffney; Adam Holmes, Gray Collegiate RECORDS: Gaffney 4-0, Gray Collegiate 4-0 LAST MEETING: Never met before RANKINGS: Gaffney is No. 3 in media prep poll and maxpreps poll. Gray Collegiate is No. 2 in Class 2A in media poll and No. 9 in poll for all classes by Maxpreps. PLAYERS TO WATCH: GAFFNEY— QB Grayson Loftis, RB Tyler Smith, RB Ken Littlejohn, OL Sawyer Whitman, LB Landon Bullock, LB Jesus Dowdle, S Eddie Tate-McDowell, DL Carlos Lopez, WR Kaliber Hoey, WR JaDarius Littlejohn. GRAY COLLEGIATE— QB Tre Robinson, RB KZ Adams, C Alec Johnson, DL Savien Johnes, LB Bradley Wicker, LB Zach Glenn, S Devin Johnson.
The Gaffney Ledger PAGE 12 – THE GAFFNEY LEDGER
LOCAL NEWS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021
Boston has fond memories of the ‘Big Chiefs’ By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com Nat Boston bursts through the line with a defender in hot pursuit, wearing his signature number 32 in one of many football photos displayed on the walls at his Greenville home. Boston worked in the Greenville County school system as an ombudsman in 1968 when he decided to join a friend for a tryout with the Gaffney Big Chiefs. He had hung up his cleats and was unaware there were semi-pro football teams in the area. “I rode with one of my friends after work to try out for the Gaffney Big Chiefs,” Boston said. “They had four new guys so they didn’t have a spot at the time. After practice, I asked the coach if I could practice with them if I brought my own stuff.” Boston attended Sterling High School where he was a four-year starter at running back and ranked among the top 30 rushers nationally as a senior. “While I was playing football at Sterling High School, the Rev. Jesse Jackson was my quarterback,” Boston noted. Boston played for the Gaffney Big Chiefs from 1968-1971 in the South Carolina Semi-Pro Football League. They played exhibition games and a regular season schedule against teams from Charleston, Garden City, Greenville, Spartanburg and Sumter. Season tickets for the Big Chiefs’ home games were sold for by members of the Gaffney Jaycees at $5 for four home games at The Reservation. Although he started out at linebacker, it didn’t long for coaches to figure out
Nat Boston holds a photo from his days playing semi-pro football with the Gaffney Big Chiefs and Greenville Bulls from 1968-1975. Boston was one of the league’s top rushers and would like to hear from any former team(Ledger photo / SCOTT POWELL) mates from the Big Chiefs. Boston’s talents as a running back. Boston was a 4-year starting running back at Allen University from 1958-1962. He was inducted into the Allen University Hall of Fame in 2016. “They had a couple of boys from Clemson on the Big Chiefs team. One of them got hurt so the coaches put me in at run-
ning back,” Boston recalled. Boston became one of the semi-pro league’s top rushers while the passing combination of quarterback Leroy Griggs and flanker Winston Mapp helped keep defenses honest. Marty Moore, who played at the University of South Carolina, was one of
the Big Chiefs’ top linemen. After a full workday as a community liaison in Greenville schools, Boston would drive over to practice with the Big Chiefs at Granard High School. His fall weekends were spent playing football at The Reservation and different venues around South Carolina. “I played for the love of the game,” Boston said. “The fact is, even though I had so many things going on in my life, I would forget it all on Saturday nights when I played football.” Boston left the Gaffney Big Chiefs when he was offered a contract in 1972 to play for the Greenville Bulls closer to home. He played four years with the Bulls on a coaching staff that included state Sen. Mike Fair, who played at the University of South Carolina. “I remember I had 195 yards rushing in a game at Jacksonville. I took myself out of the game because I was hot,” Boston said. “Mike Fair realized at some point that I was close to 200 yards. He wanted to put me back into the game. I wouldn’t go.” His eyesight is failing as Boston deals with the effects of glaucoma, but his memory remains clear as a bell as he can easily point out pictures on the wall with his exploits on the football field. His team photos from his days playing semi-pro football in Gaffney remain a treasured keepsake. “I often wonder if any of my teammates from the Big Chiefs are still around and what happened to them,” Boston said. “I would love to hear from them.” (Email spowell@gaffneyledger.com for Boston’s contact information)
Sports Feature Story
UCHS
By MACY PETTY
Weekly 3,500-6,500 Division
First PLACE Graham Williams
Union County News
This was a heart-wrenching story. The writer did an excellent job telling the story using strong quotes and context. I also liked the quote at the end because the mother still chose to honor her son’s wishes through her pain.
Garrett Arnold was killed in a dirt bike accident last summer near his home in Pennsylvania. (Photo courtesy of Shannon Harnett)
Dirt bike racer’s request fulfilled By GRAHAM WILLIAMS
When Garrett Arnold attended the races at Big Buck in February of 2020 he decided he wanted to come back the next year and race. He didn't make it. Last week, some of his ashes were scattered over Henry Turner's property near Cross Keys where Big Buck takes place every year. Arnold, 22, was killed in a tragic dirt bike accident on Aug. 2, 2020, near his home in Greenville, Pa. “The ironic thing about this, he actually told his friends that if something ever happened to him he wanted some of his ashes spread in the red dirt at Big Buck,” Garrett's mother, Shannon Harnett, said last week. “He thought that race in that area was sweet.” Garrett began riding a Suzuki 50 ATV when he was 4 years old, Shannon said. Over the years he moved up to a Yamaha 80 dirt bike, a Suzuki 125 dirt bike, a Yamaha Raptor 250 ATV, a Honda 300 EX ATV, a 450 Honda ATV and a 250 Honda dirt bike. As Garrett got older, he began racing. “I was always worried he would get hurt,” Shannon said. “He had no fear, no fear at all. He never seemed afraid of anything. Two years ago he was racing at big game and he was in the final lap and ended up wrecking and breaking his collarbone. He got a titanium plate and eight screws in his collarbone. That set him back a little bit.”
Two senior athletes Union County High School were named as recipients of the Bob Dunlap Award during awards day on June 4. Anna Gregory, a ten player, and Charles “K McCluney Jr., a baske player, are this year's recipients. Jerry Willia a member of the Unio County High School Booster Club, presente the awards. “The Bob Dunlap A has become a significa part of awards day,” sa Williams. “We have h some really good youn people to represent it.” Dunlap was the hea football coach and ath director at Union High School from 1963-196 where he coached Williams in football an Sandra Moss in baske “Coach Dunlap was great inspiration and m tor to all of us,” said M She remembered tha took the time to form tionships with his stud and kept up with them after they had graduat The award was establi in 2007, when Dunlap former athletes and co workers held a night o appreciation for him a Veterans Park. At this bration, Dunlap expres the desire to honor tw outstanding athletes -
See ARNOLD, Page 2 OZONE CHAMPIONS -
Sports Feature Story
Weekly Over 6,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Robert Howey
Robert Howey
The Lancaster News
The Lancaster News COURTESY OF THE OUTLAW FAMILY
Seth Outlaw, 17 , celebrates his first win this season in the Thunder Bomber division at Lancaster Motor Speedway. He won four races and was second in Thunder Bomber points last season.
Dandy Diamond Duty Johnson embraces role as softball coach BY ROBERT HOWEY FOR TODAY’S WOMAN
The Young and Relentless
O
nce was enough for Ashley Johnson. A single season on the sidelines convinced her she needed to be coaching. Ashley just knew it could be better. “I couldn’t stand it,” said Ashley, a former Lancaster High School softball player and Dixie Softball all-star. “I’m not used to being quiet during a game. “At times, I found myself yelling more than the coaches,” she said. “I couldn’t sit on the sidelines; I had to be a part of the action.” That 2018 non-coaching season was the first season her daughter, Payton Faile, began playing Dixie Softball. The next season, Ashley was coaching her daughter’s team and she’s reached the summit in a short time. Her team won the 2021 Dixie Softball Angels (ages 9-10) X-play All-Star World Series in July in Prince George, Va. In 2019, she helped coach the Dixie Softball Darlings (ages 8-under), which won the state title and advanced to the World Series. Her daughter Payton was on that team, too. When she’s not coaching, Ashley is the ad sales team leader at The Lancaster News. Ashley ’s father Ron, who coached her in recreation softball and at Lancaster High School, said he knew it was only a matter of time before she took on coaching. “I was raised around a field and the same was true for Ashley,” Ron said. “Ashley worked hard at a young age to be a good ballplayer. “She has gained a love for the game and that drives her, and she pushes kids to reach their potential. “Ashley has that knack of seeing that potential in a player and getting it out of them,” Ron said. “That’s the mark of a good coach.” Ron said it’s akin to tough love, calling it “tough coaching.” “Ashley is tough on them, but fair,” Ron said. “She also has their best interest. She might get on them, but she also knows how to encourage.” Ron said Ashley’s tough side comes naturally. “She was born the night Hurricane Hugo swept through Lancaster in September of 1989,” he said.
>>>
Youngsters making tracks at speedway BY ROBERT HOWEY FOR TODAY’S KIDS
A PHOTOS COURTESY OF
ASHLEY JOHNSON
ABOVE: Coach Ashley Johnson, center, posted the Lancaster Dixie Angels’ World Series win on Facebook, celebrating a hard-fought victory over eight top teams in Prince George, Va., on July 27. AT TOP: The Lancaster Dixie Angels all-stars huddle around their coaches for a pep talk during the World Series game. Ashley Johnson and her daughter, Payton Faile, are all smiles after winning the Dixie Darlings (8-under) district championship in 2019.
FALL 2021 • TODAY’S WOMAN • 5
host of young drivers, some not old enough to have a driver’s license, are riding high at Lancaster Motor Speedway. The group includes a pair of speedway prodigies – brothers Kayden and Seth Outlaw. Racing is in their blood as their great-grandfather, George “Rooster” Outlaw, and father, Michael “Chicken” Outlaw, ran at the half-mile dirt track prior to Kayden and Seth getting behind the wheel. Kayden, 12, is a Buford Middle School student who ranks as a solid contender in the track’s Pure Stock division. “I’ve been around racing all my life,” said Kayden, who raced go-karts before launching his dirt-track racing career. “That early relationship made it easier because I knew the people. “I learned from them,” Kayden said. “I’ve learned how to handle the track and compete.” It didn’t take Kayden long to find victory lane. Kayden was the track’s Rookie of the Year for all divisions last season. He captured three wins last season, and by mid-April, Kayden had three checkers on the 2021 season, his second year on the dirt track. Kayden fondly recalls his first win, which came in midseason. Veteran driver Pebo Johnson stayed on Kayden’s rear bumper for most of that race. “Pebo was all over me, and it was nerve-wracking, but I was able to hold him off,” Kayden said. “It felt good to win, a feeling I’d never had before. It was a lot of fun.” Seth Outlaw, 17 and a junior at Buford High School, has enjoyed competing where his family has made a name.
>>>
COURTESY OF THE WALLACE FAMILY
The brother-sister duo of Hunter and Kayli Wallace came in first and second, respectively, in the Young Guns’ FWD (front-wheel drive) division final points standings in 2020.
SUMMER 2021 • TODAY’S KIDS • 3
tion. To enter a photo of your high school senior go to: MoultrieNews.com/graduation. We ask that only individual photos be uploaded. No group photos will be accepted. Submissions are accepted until June 30. This online recognition for all East Cooper graduates is completely free. However, t here is a lso t he opt ion, when submitting a photo online, for the graduate to be featured in an upcoming print edition of the Moultrie News. The cost is only $45 (1 column x 3 inches), $75 (2 columns x 3 inches) or $175 (2 columns x 6 inches). “Ou r st a f f w ishes each graduate a bright and successf u l f ut u re. We hope graduates will consider being recognized and honored in our free virtual graduation section,” said Moultrie News Publisher Vickey Boyd.
Sports Feature Story
Weekly Over 6,500 Division
First PLACE Kenna Coe
Moultrie News
KENNA COE/STAFF
Barbara Bergwerf, Chistel Cothran and Mary Pringle with the Island Turtle Team observe the newly discovered turtle nest. BY KENNA COE news@moultrienews.com As the sun rose on Sullivan’s Island on June 8, characteristic loggerhead sea turtle tracks were spotted from the tideline to the dunes. Raye Ann Osborne and Natalie Podnar, volunteers with the Island Turtle Team, found the tracks dur-
ing their morning survey of Sullivan’s Island. Island Turtle Team volunteers search the beaches from Dewees Island to the south end of Sullivan’s Island each morning beginning in May. The loggerhead sea turtle laid the eggs at an ideal spot in the dunes near the station 17 marker. If that wasn’t the case, one of the permitted
Turtle Team members would have collected the eggs and moved them to a safer spot. Sometimes the sea turtle lays the eggs in a vehicular path or a flat area that could flood. “It’s hard for them (the sea turtles) to drag their bodies all the way up to a good place to nest. Sometimes they nest in a flattened area where the eggs would be destroyed,” said
Mary Pringle, project leader with the Island Turtle Team. Pringle is one of eight members in the group that is permitted by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to do hands-on work with the nests. This includes probing the sand to detect eggs Please see TURTLES, Page A9
Local 11-year-old surfer to take on West Coast waves at championship
*** Charleston County high schools will hold outdoor, in-person ceremonies using COVID-19 protocols. The following list includes the dates, times, and location for each school’s event: Academic Magnet High School – 9:00 a.m., Thursday, June 17, 2021, District 4 Regional Stadium (in North Charleston)
BY KENNA COE news@moultrienews.com
Please see GRADUATES, Page A11
PROVIDED
Please see SURF, Page A8
Whitney Gwisc is an 11-year-old champion surfer from Mount Pleasant.
Of my assignments, this category was by far the most difficult to judge. Every submission was above par. Very hard to choose, but the surfer story was the best. Life won’t always go as planned. That’s why there’s life insurance. It can help you protect your family’s future, no matter what happens. Call me today.
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There’s no other feeling like catching a wave. That’s what 11-year-old Whitney Gwisc discovered about the sport she’s come to love. “Nighty-nine percent of surfing is just paddling around, catching waves, sitting, trying to figure stuff out,” Gwisc said. “Only like one or two percent of it is actually riding a wave, but that’s my favorite part. Getting on a wave, shooting down the line … That feeling, you can’t replicate it.” Gwisc, who lives in Mount Pleasant, began surfing three years ago on Folly Beach with Coach Kai Dilling from Sol Surfers Surf Camp. On June 21, Gwisc will be catching waves on the West Coast at the 2021 Toyota National USA Surfing Championship. The competition will be at Lower Trestles in California, known as one of the best surfing spots in the world. Gwisc said she needs to get in the water with a strategy or else she won’t stand up against the competition. She’s arriving a couple of days early to test the waters. Gwisc surfs goofy foot, which means her right foot is forward and she likes to turn left on a wave so she’s surfing frontside and facing the wave.
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Sports Feature Story
Daily Under 8,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Bradley Harris
Alex Zietlow
The Times and Democrat
The Herald
Sports Feature Story
Daily Under 8,500 Division
First PLACE Sam Copeland
The Herald
What an uplifting, powerful profile! Gordon sounds like an amazing young athlete. Thanks for sharing his story.
Sports Feature Story
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Katherine Kokal
Jed Blackwell
The Island Packet
Herald-Journal
Sports Feature Story
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
First PLACE John Boyette
Aiken Standard
This story was an easy and very pleasurable read. Great job tying in the local recollections. Well done.
Sports Feature Story
Daily Over 25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Michael Lananna
David Cloninger
The State
The Post and Courier
Sports Feature Story Daily Over 25,000 Division
First PLACE and
Best of the best Gene Sapakoff
The Post and Courier An emotional journey from first word to last. Captured the impact one person can have on her community — and how the community impacted her. Well done.
Sports Column Writing
All Weekly Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Pamela Brownstein
Wes Kerr
The Daniel Island News 22 | SPORTS
thedanielislandnews.com
The Daniel Island News ■ May 27 - June 2, 2021
SC youth hockey team plays it cool with national win PAMELA BROWNSTEIN
pam@thedanielislandnews.com
The Lowcountry is proving to be a hotbed for hockey talent, with the Charleston Jr. Stingrays 14U AA/A team winning the 2021 Youth Tier II USA Hockey National Championships in Dallas, Texas, earlier this month. Hudson Nguyen, 13, who lives on Daniel Island, was one of the 16 players on the championship team. The seventh grader at Daniel Island School started skating when he was 2 years old on rollerblades in their driveway on Beresford Creek Street. He began playing organized hockey at the age of 6 with the Little Rays at the Carolina Ice Palace in North Charleston. Today, Hudson practices four to five days a week — three days with his team and two days skating with his dad working drills. He also plays off-season in the summer with several select teams. “Living in the South, you have to get ice time anyway you can!” said Hudson’s parents, Vuong and Jill Nguyen, who have lived on the island since 2003. Despite its warm weather, South Carolina
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PROVIDED
Hudson Nguyen, 13, who lives on Daniel Island, holds up the gold plate trophy with assistant coach Nicholas Popp after their hockey team won the youth national championships in Dallas, Texas, on May 3.
is keeping its cool on the ice. This victory marks the first time a team from S.C. has been named national champions — surpassing teams from across the country including
Alaska, California and New Jersey. In the final game, Charleston defeated a Georgia team, the Atlanta Madhatters, in overtime to take gold. Hudson, who plays center, said his most memorable moment from the tournament was “when I scored the game-winning goal in the semifinal and when I got the gamewinning assist in the championship game!” Angela Brady, who serves as registrar for the Charleston Youth Hockey Association, a nonprofit organization that runs youth travel teams in the area, said this accomplishment provides inspiration for younger players just getting involved with the association. Although most people don’t typically associate the South with ice hockey, Brady said, “It says a lot about the program, that with the right coaches and motivation, it doesn’t matter where you’re from to do your best.” She credited head coach Matt Mons, who was the general manager and hockey director for the Carolina Ice Palace for 23 years, for leading the team along with experienced assistant coaches Hunter Bishop, Trevor Smith and Nicholas Popp.
“Everyone was elated because we went into the tournament as the underdogs and to win the whole thing was just amazing,” Jill said. “We were all so proud of this team. They are great friends and a great group of boys.” The boys were even recognized recently for their ability to work together. The Stingrays and Amped Electric presented the team with a $500 donation for showcasing sportsmanship and unity on and off the ice, including volunteering for skills clinics and other community hockey programs. Brady described Hudson as “a great kid and great player.” His mom, Jill, agrees. “I feel we have so many reasons to be proud of Hudson, he’s just a really good kid. He is kind and humble but his dad put it best when he said he is so proud of his passion and his work ethic!” In addition to raising their winning banner at the ice palace, the 14U National Champions will be recognized at the Stingrays home game on Friday, May 28. Visit charlestonyouthhockey.org or carolinaicepalace.com to learn more.
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The Island News
Town of Pageland revamps pay scale, Page 2
Sports Column Writing
All Weekly Division
Palmetto Car Show set for Progressive Journal 4 | January 26, 2021 Aug. 14
Patrick man arrested for posing as police officer
VIEWPOINT High-speed hammerin’ with Hank Details on page 2
Page 3
75 cents
P
First PLACE Don Worthington
Pageland Progressive-Journal
www.pagelandprogressive.com
AUGUST 10, 2021
Editor’s Column Positively charged
eople of all walks of life paused last week to honor Hank Aaron, who died Don Worthington Jan. 22 at the age of 86. is editor of the They talked about how he Progressive broke baseball records, as well Deese’s goals are a safe environJournal. By VANESSA asBack racialtobarriers. ment where learning is fun. BREWER-TYSON School “I want them to be excited about His stories need to be told Progressive Journal Bash coming to school every day,” she over and over. They lesson a year of virtual teaching, said. Staff report even down to a Page 2 are aAfter Deese, a third grade teachto all as we continue toCharlie struggle “fresh” smell – Veteran teacher and first-year Deese said she will rely on adDistrict offers er at Pageland Elementary, is lookis contagious, to find racial equalitiesing and op- to “having little bodies vice from her co-workers who did principal Andrea Garrison has forward she said. free meals had a busy summer at Jefferson face-to-face teaching last school portunities foragain all. in the classroom again.” “I want peoElementary School, creating a to help her meet her goals, this year in Chesterfield While Aaron appearedClasses to be resumethen a third. year ple to walk in learning atmosphere that starts especially since the pandemic has Page 3 County on Aug. 16. and have the when her students step off the larger than life to many, Teachers, he was principals When he arrived on the fourth and other not been contained. feeling, “what a walk into school. Kim Danzy, a School devoted friend -- to those healreadyflight, welcoming partya third hadgrade teach- bus“Iand staff have returnedhis to their year this will want it to feel like home,” er at the Pageland Elementary said she information schools, create the right GARRISON had known his entire life andworking to long since left for banquet. be!” she said. Garrison said. about starting school environment for their – is concerned 6 JEFFERSON | PageHALL 4 OF FAME Having the right atmosphere – CourtesySee those he hadPage just met. A students Natchitoches Parish sherof LOUISIANA SPORTS See CLASS | Page 6 physically and emotionally. When Atlanta Braves teamiff’s deputy was waiting for him Hank Aaron introducing former Braves teammate Ralph Garr at his inducmate and friend Ralph Garr was – and so was I, a sportswriter tion into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. inducted into the Louisiana for the Alexandria Daily Town Sports Hall of Fame in 1985, he Talk, and Marty Mule, sports We got our planned interally took about 90 minutes on asked his teammate, Hank Aarwriter for the New Orleans viewed in a way we never envithe two-lane roads. on, to present him. Times Picaynue. sioned – caged in the back seat With Aaron turning on the Aaron said yes. Marty and I had been at the of the deputy’s car, our chests lights and sirens, we went faster, His presence at the banquet airport most of the day, waiting resting uncomfortably on our on much faster. We may have even would already make a great to catch Aaron. We had gone knees as we leaned forward to have hit triple digits. event, well, a home run. with the first-team of greeters listen to Aaron in the front pasWe talked baseball, after all, It almost didn’t happen. early that morning with the senger seat. a strike that year. Bythere DONwas WORTHINGTON Progressive Journal Aaron missed his first flight promise we could interview Normally, the ride from But what we saw most was the caseschildhood in Chesterfield from Atlanta to Shreveport, La. Aaron on the trip from ShreveShreveport to Natchitoches is 65 COVID-19 exuberant side of returnedAfter to daily double-digit He missed a second flight and port to Natchitoches. Interstate miles. It 1985, it usu- County Aaron. all, who wouldn’t counts last week – numbers not seen
Teachers seek the right classroom environment
A fresh start for Jefferson
COVID cases rise, mask policies being reviewed
Wedges, irons and aces One man’s epic golf shots
since March when cases started to decline. Similar numbers are being reported statewide. The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control says Chesterfield and 43 other counties have a high incidence rate of the virus. Only Bamberg and Laurens counties have a moderate incidence rate. do not think it is possible to Johnson would bring about the Chesterfield Despite the has turmoil some inCounty the third lowestcremental vaccination rate in the state, look back on our recent nachange Blacks hoped to see, Dr. progress wasac-made; to DHEC. tional elections and subseKing wrote that “wait almost cording Civil Rights Actdue of to1964, Thethe increase in cases – largely Majority Whip quent events and not conclude always meant never.” thevariant Voting Rights of 1965 the Delta of the virus –Act is leadJames E. Clyburn on all Housing levels to review that our country is at a crossIn “Why We Can’t Wait,” Dr.ing governments and the Fair Act of their COVID-19 policies. represents roads. That could be an alarmKing argued that the promise of became law.ConThe1968 federalall Centers for Disease South Carolina’s ing prospect but for the fact America had been denied to trol and Prevention Dr. Kingand also demands the made DHEC are District 6 in the people, of that it is not unfamiliar terrain. African Americans for 300 recommending for better jobs,regardless higher wages, vaccination status, wear a mast U.S. House of Without going too far back in years and attempts to prolong their decent housing, and education indoors. Representatives. history, I find the turbulent the wait for equal rights would Theequity. Chesterfield County Council is discuss its options 1960s for references. be met with persistent nonvio- scheduledHetowrote in 1967, “In this Wednesday. egardless of how you calculate it, Roger “Wedge” ◆ The election of John F. lent resistance. conundrum of life Theunfolding Chesterfield County school sysPlyler’s tee shot on the sixteenth hole of the White Kennedy in 1960 and his subse- my late colleague and Plains friendCountry ClubShortly before his life was and history there is such tem protocols released last week say a thing on Aug. 1 was a one in a lot of are optional, but Procrastina“strongly shot. John Lewis. After zeros the extraorquent assassination in 1963. cut short by the type of vio- facemasks as being too late. and staff Wedge will tell you he felt “nothing” as ◆ The election of Lyndon dinary success of the March on lence and ill will he had alwaysencouraged” tion is for stillstudents the thief of time. ... Editor’s he hit from the gold tee with an 8 iron. See VIRUS | Page 3 Baines Johnson in 1964 and the Washington, Dr. King pennedThat’s usually extolled against, Dr. King This may well be mankind’s a good sign in golf. Column Whenwrote he and his playing profound partners, Dalebook turmoil that followed with his “Why We Can’t Wait,” exanother last chance to choose chaos or Darin Hendrick, and Daniel escalation of the Vietnam War. tolling the “fierce urgency of Knight, entitled, “Where Do We Go community.” Helms, looked toward the green, they ◆ The National Democratic now.” From Here: Chaos CommuRecent chaotic events remind could not see where Wedge’s shotor landed. thoughtwhich he may have Convention and election of The book was an extension ofWedgenity?,” – inovershot my not so us we still have a long way to the green, or the ball had rolled underRichard Nixon in 1968. his timeless 1963 “Letter From humble opinion - can be viewed go to achieve the beloved comneath some leaves. Among the social activism Birmingham Jail.” That letter Whenastheafoursome roadmap for the us green, today. munityFrom ofrelease which Dr. King reached see the ball – until Helms saw years It’sdreamed, now the lawand – drivers that were backdrops to all these was in response to a letter Dr.they didn’tDuring the three short that inweSouth are promwith a green stripe in the cup. When travelling in the far left-hand political events were the FreeKing had receivedDon from eightaheball between “Why We Can’t Wait”Carolina ised in our pledge for “liberty saw green, he knew it was Wedge’s lane of a controlled access highway Worthington dom Rides in 1961, the March white clergymen who chided ball. and “Where Do We Go From must “move and justice forpassing all.”another right” after is editor only a few seconds reality on Washington in 1963, and him for being too of impatient in It wasHere,” there wasbefore significant un-vehicle. Although he differed with the The law, adopted in the recent GenerProgressive Bloody Sunday in 1965. his fight for freedom, justice hit.Not only resthad inWedge the country. President Johnson over the hit a hole-in-one, al Assembly session, goes into effect As a student activist on the and equality underJournal. the law. it was the second In 1965, officials Aug. 15. Vietnam War, King worked time Alabama he had aced the hole to andbe – his Sunday shot camea40peaceful years to thevoting day of rights State law the enforcement issue campus of South Carolina State They urged Dr. King paturned with Johnsonwill Administrahis first hole in one. warnings for the first 90 days (Nov. 11) College, I became a founding tient and wait; that the goals he march across Selma’s Edmund Aftertion to achieve many of his High fives followed. that, the offense is a civil violamember of the Student Nonvio- sought would eventually beof a golfer Pettus Bridge into has be-tion punishable dreams by in aJohnson’s The odds hitting a hole-in-one are 1what in fine of up to Great $25. So12,500. costsprograms. may be assessed in addilent Coordinating Committee in won. come known as Bloody Sunday,No court ciety Todd Polaski, chairman of the math department at Winthe fine. 1960. It was in that capacity Although he expressed hope and the deadly Watts Riots in tionTheto S.C. In Department these challenging days that throp University, calculated the chance of an average golfof Transportathat I first met and worked with that political activism and the response police areremind so reminiscent the 1960s, er replicating the shot to the day at 6tochances outbrutality 1 biltion will motorists of the of change lion.Lyndon B. via overhead boards.on Dr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and election of President took place in Los Angeles. I findroadway myselfmessage reflecting Accounting for Wedge’s skills – he has had a 9.5 handiThe new law lists eight exceptions to cap and now, four holes-in-one – Polaski put the odds of “move right” requirement. photos by DON WORTHINGTON/Progressive Journal hitting the money shot 40 years to the day at 1 in 5 mil◆ When no other vehicle is directly At top, Roger "Wedge" Plyer shows off his four hole-in-one golf balls. lion. behind the vehicle in the left lane;
I
Time to reclaim King’s vision of America Guest Column
R
Move right in South Carolina
Excellent storytelling and a memorable peek behind the scenes into the personality of a man who often seemed larger than life.
get excited to turn on the lights and sirens while speeding on the highway? Looking at the ditches along the road, he asked if they were home to crayfish. He remembered mudbugs from growing up in Mobile, Ala. He talked about the friendships he had made. He was coming to the banquet to celebrate with a friend, not just a teammate. Once we got the banquet, they whisked Aaron to podium. I think Marty and I got the last spot in the back of the banquet hall. We were as uncomfortable there as we’d been in the police cruiser – but at least we had our stories. But the story doesn’t end there. After the speeches, after the handshakes and the signing autographs, Aaron looked for familiar faces to share few moments with – Ralph Garr, Marty and I. That’s the Hank Aaron I will always cherish.
Tax filing starts Feb. 12 He plans to have a new display made to hold number 4. Above, this is the eight-iron used for the odds-defying hole-in-one.
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Health. 3 “With the support INDEX OBITUARY, TODAY’S WEATHER of our community part.............................5 Partly cloudy means with a 15% chanceMcLeod Health, checks LastCLASSIFIEDS year, eight of every and mailing John P.inSmith of stray or thunder- partnership with the Pee ners we will be able to COMMUNITY ...................2 more paper use.showers The SC10 state taxpayersNEWS choose storms Dee Council of Govern- fulfill this need.” .................................3 direct OBITUARY deposit for refunds DOR issued more than Overnight: Partly cloudy withments, a was90 awarded a The goal is to increase VIEWPOINT ................................4 paper checks in and 92% of taxpayers filed 324,700 21% High: chance of stray showers or $2.2 million the number of healthcare Low: 71dollar grant 2020. thunderstorms online. from the U.S. Department workers in patient care. Fast facts for the 2021 Go to dor.sc.gov/iit-filof Labor to address rural Those targeted for the ing to view filing options. filing season: health care workforce grant are the underem◆ Filing online with a Many South Carolinians shortages. ployed and unemployed are eligible to file online reputable provider is fast, “The underserved rural in rural areas, as well as for free with easy-to-use accurate, and secure. areas of South Carolina displaced individuals ◆ Make sure you have tax preparation software. are in need of more well- who are looking to re-enWhy choose direct de- all W-2s, 1099s, and other trained healthcare work- ter the workforce and
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(843) 672-2358 Filing for the 2020 tax Subscriptions season nationally and in South Carolina (toll opened free) Feb. 12. (800) 844-9344 The start date for individual tax return filers allows the IRS time for additional programming testing following the Dec. 27 tax law changes that provided a second round of
King’s vision for America. As Dr. King, did in 1964, I also find myself echoing the hope that our newly elected president – Joseph R. Biden – will provide the leadership needed to get us back onto our pursuit of a “more perfect union.” Hopefully, he and the new Congress will pursue an agenda that addresses the inequities in health care, housing, education, and criminal justice. Hopefully they will work together to restore faith in our democracy and strengthen the foundation upon which that democracy is built: unfettered access to the ballot box and equal justice under the law. We are again faced with the “fierce urgency of now.” This country does not need to be made great; it is great. Our challenge is making that greatness accessible and affordable for all. And we would do well to heed historian Alexis de Tocqueville’s admonition that our “greatness lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but in our ability to repair our faults.”
From release
in the grant are: Licensed Practical Nurses, Medical Surgical Technicians, Certified Medical Assistants, Phlebotomists, and Pharmacy Technicians. Successful participants will fill positions at McLeod Health Clarendon, McLeod Health Cheraw, McLeod Health Dillon, or one of the 33 rural McLeod Physician Associate practices.
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By STEPHEN HAWKINS Associated Press
FORT WORTH, Texas — Kyle Larson was back in the NASCAR All-Star race, and got another $1 million by winning it again. Larson held off a hard-charging Brad Keselowski during the final 10lap shootout at Texas on Sunday night,
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after a slippery three-wide pass to get back in front and push Hendrick Motorsports to its second consecutive win, and 10th overall, in the annual non-points race with the seven-figure prize. Defending All-Star winner and reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott, who started the sixth and final segment out front, didn’t stay there long. Larson pushed his teammate, then got in front
on the outside through the fourth turn. They were three-wide while Keselowski pulled ahead briefly at the line before Larson finally got ahead to stay for the last eight laps. There were no points on the line, but Larson went to Victory Lane for the third weekend in a row. Larson was with Chip Ganassi Racing when he won the 2019 All-Star
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race, but missed last year’s big event while serving a six-month suspension after using a racial slur during the livestream of a virtual race during the pandemic. That nearly cost him his career, but Hendrick gave him an opportunity this season to get back into the Cup Series. Second in points with 10 races to go before the playoffs, Larson now only the eighth driver to be a two-time
I
By TIM REYNOLDS Associated Press MIAMI — For his 32nd birthday, Drew Smyly got the following: an early lead, a big day from Austin Riley and some nifty defense from Ehire Adrianza. And the Atlanta Braves held on for a needed win. Riley homered and drove in three runs, Smyly allowed two runs over five innings and the Braves snapped a four-game slide by beating the Miami Marlins 6-4 on Sunday. “Anytime you get a win, it’s a good feeling,” Smyly said. “They’re not easy. They just don’t hand them out to teams. They’re always a grind. ... This team has had a lot of ups and downs, but we know what we’re capable of doing.” Riley reached base five times, going 3 for 3 with a walk and
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Cyclists take off from the starting line at the S.C. Festival of Flowers’ Bee Buzzin’ Bike Tour in 2019 at the Uptown Market.
SC Festival of Flowers events spring back into action By JAMES BENEDETTO jbenedetto@indexjournal.com
Americans win Ryder Cup in rout, send Europe a message
James Benedetto
All-Star race winner. Elliott finished third with Joey Logano fourth, ahead of Ryan Blaney and Alex Bowman. Texas is the third different track in three years for the All-Star race. It was held last summer at Bristol, where it was moved from Charlotte, which hosted 34 of the first 35 All-Star races, because of COVID-19 restrictions in North Carolina.
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had the pleasure to cover Dixie High School’s run to the Class 1A state championship softball series. For more than three weeks, I went to every Hornet playoff game, home and away, and got a first-hand experience of every emotion from that playoff run. Dixie’s magical run came to an end June 4, and we published a photo I took of two Hornets players’ reaction to their team’s loss as Lake View was presented the state championship trophy. MONDAY In the week since that MUSINGS photo ran, I have received JAMES BENEDETTO several handwritten and INDEX-JOURNAL typewritten letters from readers saying that I was “heartless,” “inflicted additional pain on the team” and that certain people “don’t care for me and the newspaper.” I want to explain our decision to publish the photo in hopes that we can come to an understanding. High school sports are an intricate beat to cover. Although these athletes are in their early teens, they are not like other high school students that walk down the hallway. Every Friday, Saturday or Sunday, they
Associated Press SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — The Americans won back the Ryder Cup and perhaps a whole lot more Sunday, sending a strong message with their youngest team by giving Europe its worst loss ever. They never lost a session. They rode the experience of Dustin Johnson, who won all five of his matches and leaned on six Ryder Cup newcomers
who combined for a 14-4-3 record. Daniel Berger won the final hole in the final match for the final point and a 19-9 victory, breaking by a half-point the record margin since Europe became part of the Ryder Cup in 1979. “This is a new era,” U.S. captain Steve Stricker said. “These guys are young. They want it. They’re motivated. They came here determined to win. I could
see A scor Stra all a that ope ing. S Ryd took the tory won bird was wer T from
Humanity in sports
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ports are one of the best ways to heal from a tragedy. Although it may be one of the toughest things to play through, sometimes being back on the field and strapping the pads on can help a player find peace. It’s also an opportunity to be around some of your closest teammates and coaches, who act as mentors and during MONDAY friends this difficult MUSINGS time. During JAMES BENEDETTO Ninety Six’s game against Blacksburg, fans got to see how imperative sports are for athletes who experienced a loss. Offensive lineman Lavonte Robinson lost his mother earlier that week and to show support for their teammate, the Wildcats were in attendance at his mother’s funeral Friday afternoon. The tribute to the Robinson family, did not stop there as coach Matthew Owings wore Robinson’s No. 65 during the game. It was one of those rare
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Riverside properties withdrawn from sale “The good news is it looks like the parties are negotiating behind the scenes and ultimately anything that is going to allow us to be able to move forward on construction in Riverside Village is a good development.” Jim Clifford, North Augusta city administrator
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BY SAMANTHA WINN swinn@aikenstandard.com The foreclosure sale for the seven Riverside Village properties in North Augusta was over before it even started. Attorneys representing Greenstone Hammond’s Ferry and First Community Bank withdrew from the foreclosure sale prior to the court proceedings. The presiding judge said that the properties could sell again in another
foreclosure sale in the future. North Augusta City Administrator Jim Clifford is looking to see progress in the area and its future development. “The good news is it looks like the parties are negotiating behind the scenes and ultimately anything that is going to allow us to be able to move forward on construction in Riverside Village is a good development,” Clifford said. “We will remain optimistic with the
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parties involved, but from the city’s perspective all of our taxes and MID fees have been paid through this year, so there is some time to work through this, but we would like to see a forward movement on the entire Riverside Village project,” Clifford said. The seven tracts of land are worth $3,062,608.63, according to the Aiken County master-in-equity.
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Please see SALE, page 4A
The journey of a journal PHOTOGRAPHS BY NICK MASUDA/STAFF
Myrtle Beach roads being repaved
A remembrance at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital on March 16 showcased a number of luminarias with messages on them, honoring 770 lives lost to COVID-19 on the one-year anniversary of Tidelands receiving its first coronavirus patient.
BY HANNAH STRONG hstrong@postandcourier.com
BY SAMANTHA WINN swinn@aikenstandard.com An input session for the new public safety headquarters will be held Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Palmetto Room at the North Augusta Municipal Center. This was part of a list council gave to city staff to complete before voting on a new headquarters location. Mayor Briton Williams is encouraging residents to come out and voice their concerns. “We have gotten questions and this input session will be the opportunity for all of those questions. We will have our contractors, JLA and all of our folks there to get specific questions you have. It will be a chance to voice good things and bad things, your views at that session,” Williams said. After the citizen input session, all information will be brought to council for deliberation.
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HORRY COUNTY — Three projects from Conway to Myrtle Beach could change the way U.S. 501 looks and functions over the course of the next three years. The latest construction to widen U.S. 501 began in February at Gardner Lacy Road, according to Pete Poore with the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Construction of the southbound widening project from Gardner Lacy to S.C. 31 is expected to be complete by summer 2023. A second project on U.S. 501 from Gardner Lacy Road to S.C. 544 will subsequently begin in the fall of 2022, Poore said, which would widen U.S. 501 to six lanes. The project is funded by Horry County’s RIDE III Sales Tax and is currently in the preliminary engineering phase of work and right-of-way acquisitions are scheduled to begin this spring. As the city of Myrtle Beach works to revitalize the downtown area, a portion of 501 will be redesigned. SCDOT maps show 501 at Broadway Street will continue east to 7th Avenue North, making the road intersect straight into North Kings Highway. Construction is expected to begin early 2023, Poore said. “These road projects are important
M
URRELLS INLET — Grampa Dan. Edith Nicholas. Brenda Kidd. Dianne Lee McClellan. Darren Timmons. Mar and Jim. Dr. Perez. Mommies. Daddies. Names of those gone too soon, lost due to a global pandemic that preyed in private. COVID-19 didn’t recognize social stature, nor the color of one’s skin. It didn’t scrutinize age, nor profession. It was lethal. As dozens stared at more than 770 luminarias lit up by battery-operated candles against the partly cloudy night
From left: Jeanelle McCain, left, daughter-in-law of the late William S. McCain, visits July 26 with Barbara Walker, manager of Nancy Carson Public Library, discussing the journal that Walker succeeded – after decades of effort – in reuniting with a member of the writer’s family. The journal contains the writer’s accounts as a first-hand witness of the attack on Pearl Harbor; smoke rises from the battleship USS Arizona as it sinks during a Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Pearl Harbor diary returns to owner’s family BY BILL BENGTSON bbengtson@aikenstandard.com A piece of family history representing a huge moment in World War II is now back in the hands of its creator’s family, thanks to decades of diligence by a local librarian. Barbara Walker, manager of Nancy Carson Public Library, spent a few minutes at the library July 26 with Jeanelle McCain, of Benson, North Carolina, to return a wartime journal written by her father-in-law, the late William Simonton McCain. Walker had taken care of the journal for decades, hoping eventually to be able to return it to someone with a more personal connection. The journal contains the writer’s accounts as a first-hand witness of the attack on Pearl Harbor, described in a recent Smithsonian magazine account as “the worst day in the U.S. Navy’s history and the shock of a lifetime for just about any American who had achieved the age of memory.” The attack took place Dec. 7, 1941, just after sunrise, and McCain, as a Navy man on the scene, was a witness. His hardback journal, written by hand in the attack’s immediate aftermath, covered several weeks of activity as the U.S. geared up for war and crews were mopping up the aftermath of a catastrophic defeat.
“I just started reading through it to see if it could have any relevance, and I saw in there that ... it had to be some kind of connection, and I also saw that there had been a resolution done by South Carolina representatives in honor of the service that had been done by a Will McCain.”
Please see HOME, page 4A
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Flyer distorts candidate’s position
been the last hand to be held as families were kept at bay due to strict COVID-19 protocols. The pain hasn’t resolved, it’s just taken on different forms over the past 12 months. “I’m sitting here in my car after working 16 hours,” said Ashley Griffith, the head nurse in the critical care unit at Georgetown Memorial Hospital and the face behind a monthslong video diary for Tidelands. “I just don’t think anyone really understands how hard this is. There’s nothing
BY NICK MASUDA nmasuda@postandcourier.com
March 16 at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital, the grief and heartache on the faces of health care workers who have attempted to thwart the disease has the look of exhaustion, but not defeat. They’ve buried loved ones. They’ve
Anti-transgender mailer falsely claims council hopeful McInnis’ views
Please see TRIBUTE, Page A6
BY DEMI LAWRENCE dlawrence@postandcourier.com GEORGETOWN — A f lyer sponsored by a dark-money group has been mailed to city residents, urging voters to not elect Democratic council candidate Ronald McInnis over his assumed support of transgender girls competing in girls sports. A group called “Concerned Parents of Georgetown” used the mailed flyer to ask voters to “protect women’s and girls’ sports” — an inaccurate accusation, according to McInnis. “Does (my survey response) mean that I want to see transgender men in the bathroom … with little girls? I did not sign onto that, no, that’s not what I meant when I said that,” McInnis said. “I meant that I would not discriminate
Study recommends changes to Highway 17 Says stretch of road from Georgetown to Myrtle Beach should be widened to 6 lanes BY DEMI LAWRENCE dlawrence@postandcourier.com
residents to comment on the recommended plans of the study before it is presented to Georgetown County GEORGETOWN COUNTY — On Council in mid-May. April 1, the Grand Strand Area Trans- In a 2003 study of Highway 17, portation Study will be hosting a vir- residents of Horry and Georgetown tual public hearing about its Highway counties agreed that they wanted to 17 study, which breaks down recom- avoid widening the road at all costs. mendations that include widening the Mark Hoeweler with planning and heavily trafficked roadway. transportation at Waccamaw ReThis public hearing will allow gional Council of Government’s said
Barbara Walker, manager of Nancy Carson Public Library Walker, whose background includes work at the Orangeburg County Library and as an English teacher at Aiken High School, came into custody of the journal while at the library in
A community’s tribute to lives lost to COVID, and to those still fighting
AP FILE PHOTO/UNCREDITED
even back then, the study showed this would be nearly impossible to avoid. Now, nearly 20 years later, the updated GSATS strongly recommends widening Highway 17 to at least six lanes from Bellamy Avenue north to Myrtle Beach. “What this would be would be just organizing what’s there, and maybe adding some pieces in and doing away with the two-way left turn,”
Hoeweler said. This study is one of two conducted on Highway 17 in the last year, the other funded by Georgetown County and focused on land use along the road. A first draft of this companion corridor study was completed in November, planning director Holly Please see STUDY, Page A7
Please see FLYER, Page A5
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This journal, from the immediate aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack (Dec. 7, 1941), was reunited this month with a member of the extended family of the writer: the late William S. McClain, who grew up in the Orangeburg area, served in the Navy and was at Pearl Harbor on the “date that will live in infamy.”
Weather
Mostly Cloudy
5-day forecast
What it Feels Like 9:00 a.m. 58 Noon 68 3:00 p.m. 70 6:00 p.m. 63
71°
High Low 24 hr Precip
Airport 70 Customhouse 73
52 54
0.00" 0.05"
Relative Humidity 3 p.m. Mon
Temperature High Normal Record
61%
Low
72 45 90 (1907) 30 (1914)
Precipitation.(Airport)
Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Normal year to date
Sun and Moon
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly cloudy. High 71. Low 56. Complete 5-day forecast, A2
East 10 mph
High and low temperature and precipitation Monday through 3 p.m.
2.08" 3.29" 14.08" 11.25"
LOCAL
BUSINESS
SPORTS
Sat.
Sun.
If you’re getting a shot, Music stars’ concert to aid zoos, Tax credits could offset millions for CCU women represent might as well get lunch. B6 including Brookgreen Gardens. A3 Sunday downtown Myrtle Beach investors. B1 interest in sport across SC. B4 State Cities Overnight Thursday Friday Saturday Temperatures and precipitation listed are for Mon ending at 3 p.m.
56°
Southeast 5 mph
Mostly Cloudy
76° 62°
Southeast 10 mph
Murrells Inlet Tides
Winyah Bay Tides
Date Wed. Mar. 24 Thu. Mar. 25 Fri. Mar. 26 Sat. Mar. 27 Sun. Mar. 28 Mon. Mar. 29 Tue. Mar. 30
Date Wed. Mar. 24 Thu. Mar. 25 Fri. Mar. 26 Sat. Mar. 27 Sun. Mar. 28 Mon. Mar. 29 Tue. Mar. 30
High/Feet Low/Feet 5:36 a.m./4.3 12:43 p.m./0.5 6:09 p.m./3.7 None/NA 6:32 a.m./4.4 12:43 a.m./0.2 7:04 p.m./3.9 1:39 p.m./0.4 7:27 am/4.4 1:47 am/0.0 7:57 pm/4.2 2:34 pm/0.2 8:20 am/4.5 2:49 am/-0.1 8:48 pm/4.5 3:27 pm/0.0 9:10 am/4.5 3:49 am/-0.3 9:38 pm/4.8 4:17 pm/-0.2 9:59 am/4.4 4:45 am/-0.4 10:27 pm/5.0 5:05 pm/-0.2 10:47 am/4.3 5:38 am/-0.4 11:16 pm/5.0 5:52 pm/-0.3
River Stages
Mostly Cloudy
Bridge ������������������������������������������������������B9 Business ���������������������������������������������������B1 Classifieds ���������������������������������������������B10
Few Showers
75° 59°
76° 61°
City
Hi/Lo Prcp
City
Hi/Lo Prcp
69/50 0.00 Beaufort 70/54 0.00 Greenville Charleston 70/53 0.00 Myrtle Beach 70/52 0.00 68/47 Columbia 71/52 0.00 Rock Hill Obituaries71/51 ����������������������������������������������� A8 0.00 Florence 0.00 Spartanburg 69/46 0.00
Sports ������������������������������������������������������B4 Sudoku ����������������������������������������������������B3 State Extreme Low Monday: Low: 45 at Lockhart
Southwest 15 mph Southwest 10 mph Southwest 15 mph
High/Feet Low/Feet 4:33 a.m./4.5 11:01 a.m./0.6 5:06 p.m./4.0 11:10 p.m./0.2 5:31 a.m./4.8 11:53 a.m./0.3 6:00 p.m./4.3 None/NA 6:23 am/5.0 12:06 am/-0.2 6:51 pm/4.7 12:41 pm/-0.1 7:13 am/5.2 12:59 am/-0.5 7:40 pm/5.1 1:27 pm/-0.4 8:00 am/5.3 1:51 am/-0.7 8:28 pm/5.4 2:12 pm/-0.6 8:47 am/5.2 2:42 am/-0.9 9:16 pm/5.6 2:57 pm/-0.8 9:34 am/5.1 3:33 am/-0.9 10:05 pm/5.7 3:43 pm/-0.8
Little River Tides
Fld: Full stage , Prs: Stage in ft. at 7.a.m. Mon. Date Wed. Chg: Change in previous 24 hours.
78° 60°
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Comics������������������������������������������������B8-B9 Crossword ������������������������������������������������B8 Editorials ������������������������������������������������� A9
High/Feet Low/Feet 5:25 a.m./4.1 12:36 p.m./0.5
Today’s Regional Forecast Knoxville 72/55
Boone 58/49
Greenville 67/55 Athens 69/57 Macon 72/58
Durham 68/54
Greensboro 66/53 Spartanburg 68/55
Atlanta 67/58
Auburn 69/59
Winston-Salem 65/52
Asheville 65/51
Chattanooga 69/59
Charlotte 67/55
Rock Hill Florence 69/55 71/56 Columbia
Augusta 74/57
Elizabeth City 69/53
Raleigh Cape Hatteras 69/54 63/58 Fayetteville Morehead City 71/56 67/56 Wilmington 70/57 Marine Forecast
Myrtle Beach 66/58 Georgetown 71/56 Charleston 73/59
73/56
59°
Beaufort 74/59
Myrtle Beach Water Temp.
Myrtle Beach
ENE wind around 8 kt. A slight chance of showers. Seas around 2 ft.
Winyah Bay
ENE wind 7 to 9 kt. A slight chance of showers. Seas around 3 ft.
Offshore
Today: ENE wind around 9
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Innoculations arrive earlier than expected BY NICK MASUDA nmasuda@postandcourier.com
PAWLEYS ISLAND — Christmas came a bit early for the Lakes at Litchfield retirement community, even if the gift was a bit delayed in delivery. On Monday morning, workers and residents received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, with nearly 200 doses arriving in Pawleys Island for CVS Health to administer. The “gift of hope” wasn’t expected to arrive until Jan. 11, but Tim Layton, the facility’s executive director, said that they were notified on Christmas Eve to prepare the facility. The Lakes at Litchfield is one of the first senior facilities in South Carolina to receive the vaccine. “This is an answer to our prayers,” Layton said. “There is such a sense of excitement here; a sense of hope amongst the residents and the team members. “It’s been a long 10 months for them.” Layton was first in line to get the vaccine on Monday, choosing to be a part of the example he hopes he can set for not only his staff, but also the Lakes at Litchfield community. While the vaccine isn’t mandatory for anyone at the facility, Layton did
PROVIDED/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
In the years following the Civil War, Blacks for the first time ever had a say in state and national government. This 1881 print “Heroes of the Colored Race” shows people who were nationally important to Blacks holding political office, including Joseph H. Rainey (left), who was the first Black member of the U.S. House.
The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach/ Georgetown Times
Please see LITCHFIELD, Page A8
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political legend it is associated with. Yes, Lorna Rainey is the great-granddaughter of South Carolina’s Rep. Joseph Rainey, who in 1870 became the first African-American man to serve in the United States House of Representatives. “I’m descended from greatness. I’m descended from a man who was determined and self-taught. And I feel like if he could make it then, there is no excuse for me to not be successful now,” Lorna said of her ancestor’s memory.
BY TYLER FLEMING tfleming@postandcourier.com GEORGETOWN — Lorna Rainey carries her great-grandfather’s legacy while working at the helm of a major talent management company, one of the few of such firms to be owned by an African-American woman. She is a pioneer in a family known for being firsts. For Georgetown and American history buffs, the name Rainey stands out for the
Joseph, born in Georgetown in the 1830s, is the epitome of a political pioneer — a freed slave who served in the legislative branch of a government that wouldn’t fully affirm his right to vote and equal treatment under the law for nearly another century. As a representative he spoke out against white supremacists and intimidation, advocated for civil rights and promoted public education. Lorna Rainey, who lives in New York,
Georgetown County OKs 228 more than same period last year
Please see RAINEY, Page A7
BY HANNAH STRONG hstrong@postandcourier.com
Independent Republic: Horry County’s journey to becoming state Republican stronghold County is quickly making a case for the deepest red area in the Palmetto State. No opposing parties occupy a seat on the Horry County Council or the Horry County Schools Board of Education — HORRY COUNTY — The Republican giving members of the party unparalleled Party of Horry County flexed its muscles control over millions in local tax dollars. in 2020, distinguishing itself as a conservaThe statehouse delegation is overtive powerhouse for South Carolina. whelmingly Republican, too, with only a While the Upstate tends to be seen as the Republican stronghold in SC, Horry Please see STRONGHOLD, Page A8 BY TYLER FLEMING and HANNAH STRONG tfleming@postandcourier.com hstrong@postandcourier.com
PROVIDED
Al Terrell joined President Bush on stage at a Republican rally in the Myrtle Beach area.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY — New construction permits increased by more than 200 in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic putting a strain on the economy and jobs along the Hammock Coast. Georgetown County issued 561 new construction permits in between the start of the year through Dec. 22 — up from the 333 issued during that time in 2019, said Holly Richardson, the county’s chief planner. “Permitting has been pretty steady,” Richardson said. Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 22, the county issued 384 single family residence permits, 169 townhouse permits, one multifamily permit which makes up 15 units and 7 commercial building permits. The figures indicate permits for new construction and do not include permits for projects like remodeling, additions or mobile homes.
Please see PERMITS, Page A8
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What it Feels Like 9:00 a.m. 36 Noon 49 3:00 p.m. 50 6:00 p.m. 43
53°
North 10 mph
High and low temperature and precipitation Monday through 3 p.m. High Low 24 hr Precip
Airport 55 Customhouse 59
42 41
0.00" 0.00"
Relative Humidity 3 p.m. Mon
66%
Partly Cloudy
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36°
Southeast 5 mph
Partly Cloudy
56° 45°
Northeast 10 mph
Murrells Inlet Tides
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Date Wed. Jan. 6 Thu. Jan. 7 Fri. Jan. 8 Sat.
Date Wed. Jan. 6 Thu. Jan. 7 Fri. Jan. 8 Sat.
High/Feet Low/Feet 1:59 a.m./4.0 8:46 a.m./0.3 2:18 p.m./3.9 9:16 p.m./0.0 3:00 a.m./4.2 10:00 a.m./0.4 3:19 p.m./3.7 10:19 p.m./0.0 4:01 am/4.3 11:11 am/0.3 4:20 pm/3.6 11:21 pm/-0.1 5:02 am/4.5 12:17 pm/0.2
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High/Feet Low/Feet 12:40 a.m./4.4 6:56 a.m./0.1 12:54 p.m./4.4 7:20 p.m./-0.1 1:46 a.m./4.5 8:04 a.m./0.2 1:57 p.m./4.3 8:20 p.m./-0.2 2:52 am/4.8 9:12 am/0.1 3:02 pm/4.2 9:21 pm/-0.4 3:57 am/5.0 10:16 am/-0.1
55° 34°
West 15 mph
Mostly Sunny
SPORTS Partly Cloudy
Comics������������������������������������������������B8-B9 Crossword ������������������������������������������������B8 Editorials ������������������������������������������������� A9
51° 36°
Northwest 10 mph
FOOD
Chadwell named AP
Sunday
54° 40°
Knoxville 48/33
City
Hi/Lo Prcp
City
Hi/Lo Prcp
55/35 0.00 Beaufort 55/39 0.00 Greenville Charleston 61/41 0.00 Myrtle Beach 55/46 0.00 54/36 Columbia 0.00 Rock Hill Obituaries 57/40 ����������������������������������������������� A5 0.00 Florence 56/40 0.00 Spartanburg 52/32 0.00
Sports ������������������������������������������������������B4 Sudoku �����������������������������������������������������B3 State Extreme Low Monday: Low: 28 at Mayo
North 5 mph
Boone 39/26
Winston-Salem 49/30
Asheville 48/29
Durham 49/30
Greensboro 49/30 Spartanburg 52/33
Charlotte 50/32
Sun.
Temperatures and precipitation listed are for Mon ending at 3 p.m.
Today’s Regional Forecast
Chattanooga 52/36
Sat.
The best, worst, most and least of a bad year. B6
Coach of the Year. B4 State Cities
Elizabeth City 48/31 Raleigh 49/31
Cape Hatteras 47/41 Fayetteville Morehead City 52/31 50/34
N S
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‘OH, SAY’ CAN SHE SING Conway student wins ESPN contest to perform at first Myrtle Beach Bowl
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Pawleys Island, South Carolina ~ December 31, 2020
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First PLACE Charles Swenson Coastal Observer
Great design with the pictures being more out of focus and the mask in focus. Many powerful images.
Photos in this edition by Charles Swenson, Chris Sokoloski, Tanya Ackerman, Trevor Swenson and Joshua Ford
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Note to our readers
Election 2020: Records for turnout fell as absentee voting surged during the pandemic. Second Front
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COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
Task force looking to enhance Southside Park’s natural attributes By Mindy Lucas When Brantley Wilson was a child growing up in Mossy Oaks, Southside Park was not a place to visit. In fact the area, then the site of a wastewater treatment plant, was something to be avoided. “To be honest, you made sure your windows weren’t down when you drove by,” Wilson said recently, remembering what the site was once like.
A longtime Mossy Oaks resident and school administrator, Wilson now chairs the newly formed Southside Park Task Force. The 10-member, Beaufort City Council-appointed group is charged with advising the council on how to improve the city-owned park in the heart of the neighborhood. While the treatment facility has long since closed and its equipment removed, the 32-acre site has sat
Greenville Journal
largely undeveloped over the years, save for a dog park, some walking trails, a pair of restrooms and a lot of green space. But the fact that there isn’t much in Southside Park – or something for neighborhood kids to do once they’re there, as one task force member put it – hasn’t been for lack of imagination. In fact, it’s been mostly by design. When the park reverted back to city ownership after Beaufort Jasper
Water and Sewer Authority vacated the property, city leaders planned for a passive park. In fact, one of the best things about the park, many have noted, is what’s not there. The wide-open, unadulterated green spaces that comprise a large part of the overall acreage, have been a draw for those who love the grassy fields – from Frisbee golfers to picnickers, to those who just enjoy bat-
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ting a few balls around or practicing their golf swing. Meanwhile, walkers, joggers and nature lovers can be seen using the park’s trails, which wind through stands of mature live oaks and magnolias. Still, older planning documents and master plans generated by a previous planning group’s efforts show a vision for the park that includes
SEE PARK PAGE A4
Against all odds The 15th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival Goes Live By Mark Shaffer For Lowcountry Weekly
A
round this time last year as the Beaufort International Film Festival was coming to the end of another record-breaking run, the term “COVID 19” was rapidly becoming part of the worldwide public lexicon. Ron and Rebecca Tucker – like most people – thought that whatever this thing was, it would certainly run its course by summer’s end. And then like the hackneyed plot of a Sci-Fi “B” movie, the world went into lockdown. The virus spread, and ... well, we all know the rest. The Tuckers, who run the festival via the Beaufort Film Society, have parlayed BIFF into a destination event during a traditionally slow time for business in Beaufort. If at all possible, the Tuckers felt the show must go on. “As much as we love the films and filmmakers, the whole reason we have the festival is to bring people here to see Beaufort,” Ron Tucker said. “If there was a chance we could do it in person, we wanted to hold on to that option.” That meant pushing the deadline for entries to the absolute last second as filmmakers struggled to complete films in the new shared landscape of isolation and virtual reality. Meanwhile as the Tuckers considered their options, 2020 rolled on from bad to worse and 2019’s landmark accomplishment seemed further and further away. That fall the indie romantic comedy, “Stars Fell On Alabama” filmed in Beaufort with the Tuckers co-producing through the BFS. The film, co-produced and directed respectively by BIFF alumni Uyen Le and VW Scheich fulfilled the BFS mission to bring features back to the Lowcountry. But that was in “the way back” before facemasks became the century’s hottest fashion accessory and toilet paper was scarce as an actual fact. Even so, the finished film screened a year later for socially distanced cast & crew at Tabby Place. By that point, the festival’s long time home at the USCB Center for the Arts had
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Wildlife returns at Port Royal’s Cypress Wetlands.
Beaufort Academy gives archery its best shot in virtual tournament.
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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–4 Arts A5 Health A6 Education A7 Sports A7–8
WANT TO GO? What: The 15th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival When: Monday through Friday, Feb. 15-19. Where: Tabby Place, Port Republic Street. For more information: The purchase of advance tickets is highly recommended since seating is limited. View the complete Film Guide, check out COVID protocols and buy tickets online at www. BeaufortFilmFestival.com.
been ruled out due to university restrictions, and the decision was made to move the fest to the venue on Port Republic Street. “From that screening we knew we had some issues to address,” Rebecca Tucker said. “The next time you see [the room] it’s going to look and sound like a real theater,” Ron Tucker said. “You won’t MORE COVERAGE recognize it.” • Timing is The veneverything for “Stars Fell ue is already on Alabama,” equipped with a romantic comedy state-of-the-art filmed in Beaufort. airflow system. • Writer/director The “To Do” will be on hand list includes for screening of longtime taming the character actor room’s infamous Danny Aiello’s acoustic bounce, final work. upgrading the Page A5 sound system, installing theater grade front projection & screen, and creating a safe and viable virus protocol – which includes sanitizing at intervals between screenings and doing the entire venue at the end of each day. The plan requires attendees to wear face coverings and have their temperature taken digitally prior to entry. No exceptions. In order to make this all manageable, seating comes at a premium. “Our attendance last year averaged 412 per screening,” says Rebecca. “This year we’re limited to 175 maximum.” The stringent COVID protocols exceed
SEE ODDS PAGE A5
illustration by LAURA ALLSHOUSE
Greenville County Library System turns 100
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MARCH 4–10, 2021
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COVERING BEAUFORT COUNTY
McFee wins special election Claims final seat on Beaufort city council
First PLACE Hope Falls
The Island News
By Mike McCombs Longtime city councilman Mike McFee won Monday’s special election for the final open seat on Beaufort’s City Council. In unofficial results, McFee got Mike 684 votes McFee (65.45 percent) of the 1,045 votes cast in the race for the seat, vacated by Stephen Murray when he was elected mayor in November. Middle school principal Brantley Wilson second with 199 votes (19.04 percent), and retired Coast Guard Com- Brantley mander Fred Wilson White was third with 156 votes (14.93 percent). McFee previously served from 2008 to 2020 on Beaufort City Council before finishing third by less than a percent in November’s Fred race for two White open seats. The City of Beaufort Municipal Election Commission will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 4 at the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County to certify election. McFee will be sworn in on March 9. The seat’s term will expire in December of 2022.
Indecent Conduct Former firefighter’s checkered past went unchecked for years before joining fire district
How did Brandon Thomsen – with a history of reckless, violent behavior, runins with law enforcement and a previous connection to another case involving sexual assault of a minor – land a job in the public trust?
The former Beaufort County firefighter was found and arrested in a Georgia hospital in December after fleeing the area. It wasn’t the first time Thomsen tried to run from the law or evade accountability. Thomsen, 47, has a history of run-ins
with local law enforcement and reckless and violent behavior, according to police reports, court records and other public documents. What’s more, he has decade-old connection to another case involving
SEE CONDUCT PAGE A6
By Mindy Lucas When Brandon Thomsen made his first court appearance recently since being arrested on charges of soliciting and sending obscene messages to a 13-year-old girl, Thomsen’s checkered past wasn’t part of the discussion, but perhaps it should have been.
Winds of change blow hard on Hunting Island
Weatherford fired as manager of popular state park
Eye-catching centerpiece with use of layered information put this over the top in a competitive category.
By Mike McCombs Beaufort residents have gotten used to change, as it pertains to one of the area’s crown jewels – Hunting Island State Park. The wind and water have changed the island drastically over the past two decades. But here’s a change that patrons of one of South Carolina’s most important state parks may not have been expecting. Hunting Island State Park Manager J.W. Weatherford was fired
Wednesday, Feb. 24. When reached by phone Sunday, Weatherford confirmed he was no longer employed by the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT). He declined further comment except to call his firing a “surprise.” “We cannot discuss confidential personnel information,” SCPRT Director of Corporate Communications Sam Queen said in an email Monday afternoon. “I can confirm that Assistant Park Manager Austin Mitchum is temporarily filling (the Park Manager) role, with support from Region Chief Gerald Ives.”
It isn’t clear what the timetable is for replacing Weatherford or if Mitchum is a candidate for the position. The job is currently posted on careers.sc.gov. A Gaffney native, Weatherford graduated from North Greenville University with a degree in American Studies, according to his S.C. State Park Service profile. After embarking on a 13-year career journey through Croft, Sesquicentennial, Huntington Beach and Lake Wateree state parks, Weatherford took the job as Park Manager at Hunting Island State Park in 2017.
SEE CHANGE PAGE A2
J.W. Weatherford, center, was fired last week as Park Manager of Hunting Island State Park. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
NEWS
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Solicitor’s Office collects essential items for CAPA.
After a 15-year hiatus, baseball is back at Beaufort Academy.
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The Sumter Item THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021
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Sumter High’s Wells named Hines Furniture Athlete of the Year A8
Parents to receive extra tax payments
Bigger than before The Sumter American Legion Fair returns this fall
What you need to know about the temporary child tax credit expansion for 2021
ABOVE: Children play on a ride at the Sumter American Legion Fair in 2019. RIGHT: A child swings by at the fair in 2018.
BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com Another round of stimulus payments will roll out next week, and most families with children automatically qualify, even if they know little or nothing about it. Starting next week, millions of American families will receive the first of six monthly payments of up to $300 per child from the federal government. Two state economists spoke recently to The Sumter Item on its various impacts. The temporary expansion of the child tax credit has been a little under the radar. The country is busy attempting to return to some sense of normalcy with the brunt of the pandemic hopefully behind us, but that is coupled with concern about the spread of the Delta variant among unvaccinated people. Amid that, the payments are the latest stimulus measure for families with children from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that passed in March.
MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTOS
WHY THIS, AND WHY NOW?
The Sumter American Legion Fair is seen from above in 2019. The fair will return this year Oct. 19-24.
The payments represent a temporary expansion of the up to $2,000 per child tax credit that parents usually receive when they file their taxes each spring. About 90% of American families are eligible, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The purpose for the expanded credit addresses the situation where many parents have had to stop working since the pandemic and stay home with their children, especially given virtual learning in K-12 schools. The funding will now theoretically help families with childcare so more adults can get back into the labor market. University of South Carolina economist Joey Von Nessen described the current job market as the strongest it has been in probably a decade and said the payments could draw more people out into the labor force and help employers fill vacancies. Essentially, for tax year 2021, eligible families will receive more money per child — and they do not have to wait until they file their tax return to receive the funds. Instead, they will receive half in monthly payments throughout the second half of
ABOVE: Dr. Capers Hiott works in the Potato House at the air in 2018. LEFT: The agricultural section is seen in 2018.
Horse show, costume contest, halter classes, art exhibit planned; Amusements of America will return this October with 35 rides BY SHELBIE GOULDING shelbie@theitem.com
T
he Sumter American Legion Fair will return for its 104th year with rides,
SEE PAYMENTS, PAGE A6
food and even more entertainment after COVID-19 canceled everything but the food last year.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR’S FAIR For more information, follow the fair’s Facebook page for giveaways and updates. People can also call (803) 775-5200 for more information.
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The fair, located at 30 S. Artillery Drive at the Sumter County Fairgrounds, will take place on Oct. 19-24 instead of its usual September timeline to allow for more rides and entertainment for its return, as well as stay cautious of the ongoing pandemic. “We’re just happy we can do it,” Fair Manager Peter St. Onge said. “It’s a safe, family friendly event.” Sponsored by American Legion Post 15 Sumter and Piggly
IRS: www.irs.gov/childtaxcredit2021 Nerd Wallet: https://bit.ly/3wjisqF
Wiggly, the fair will have 35 rides, more than 30 food vendors and about 70 commercial vendors returning to the fairgrounds. According to St. Onge, a whole section of the county fair will be dedicated to motocross entertainer Cycle Circus, the largest FMX freestyle entertainment in the world today that combines action sports athletes with the
LEARN MORE, GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED Congressman James E. “Jim” Clyburn will be at Weldon Auditorium, 7 Maple St. in Manning, at 6 p.m. today to discuss three primary initiatives: the new Child Tax Credit, expansion of the Affordable Care Act and the expansion of Medicaid. IRS representatives will be on hand to assist attendees with accessing their Child Tax Credit payments.
SEE FAIR, PAGE A6
Tropical Storm Elsa makes landfall, heads to Georgia, S.C. BY RUSS BYNUM and CURT ANDERSON The Associated Press SAVANNAH, Ga. — A weakened Tropical Storm Elsa dumped rain across Florida's northern Gulf Coast early
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Wednesday, sparing the state from significant damage as it churned toward Georgia with threats of flooding downpours and possibly tornadoes. Elsa wobbled through the Gulf of Mexico, briefly reaching hurricane strength, but
moved ashore as a tropical storm late Wednesday morning. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the storm made landfall in lightly populated Taylor County, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.
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Heremineo Sims Wright Louada Russell Nelson Betty Ann O’Tuel Tyson Robert Alexander Spain Joseph Heyward Moore John C. Colclough Jr. Rosemary Butler
Gov. Ron DeSantis told a news conference that no major structural damage or storm deaths had been reported. "Clearly, this could have been worse," the Republican governor said, though he cau-
tioned that many storm-related deaths happen after the system passes. "Be very careful when you're working to clear debris." Even after Elsa struck land,
SEE ELSA, PAGE A3
WEATHER, A14
INSIDE
STORMY
1 SECTION, 14 PAGES VOL. 126, NO. 188
A couple of morning storms; a storm early tonight, then cloudy and humid HIGH 83, LOW 72
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S.C. senator suggests anyone over 17 be made militia member WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2021
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Body of missing woman found off South Guignard BY SHELBIE GOULDING shelbie@theitem.com
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The body of a 23-year-old missing woman was discovered yesterday and is being treated as a suspicious death. Sumter officers were called at about 12:15 p.m. on March 23 after a passerby reported seeing the body of a woman, who was later identified as Rebecca Danielle Brown, lying in a grassy area off South Guignard Drive, said Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for the Sumter Police Department. Brown was last seen out with friends on March 17 when she walked away from the Sumter Stop, a gas station on South Guignard Drive. She was reported missing after 9 p.m. Multiple searches by ground and air were conducted begin-
REBECCA DANIELLE BROWN
ning that night. The State Law Enforcement Division and specialized K-9 units from the region assisted. The Sumter Police Department and Sumter County Coroner’s Office are investigating. Family members have been notified, and an autopsy is scheduled for today.
Firefighters salute an ambulance as it leaves a King Soopers grocery store where authorities said 10 people were killed in a shooting Monday in Boulder, Colorado. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Officials: Gun used in supermarket shooting bought 6 days earlier BY PATTY NIEBERG, THOMAS PEIPERT and COLLEEN SLEVIN The Associated Press BOULDER, Colo. — Police on Tuesday identified a 21-year-old man as the suspect who opened fire inside a crowded Colorado supermarket, and court documents showed that he purchased an assault rifle less than
a week before the attack that killed 10 people, including a police officer. Supermarket employees told investigators that Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa shot an elderly man multiple times Monday outside the Boulder grocery store before going inside, according to the documents. Another
SEE SHOOTING, PAGE A7
Innovation in person
Best of the Best Melanie Smith The Sumter Item
‘Accelerated remediation’ approach at Crosswell Drive Elementary deemed best practice by international group BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com
U
nprecedented challenges call for unprecedented solutions. That describes the new approach of Crosswell Drive Elementary School in addressing students’ pandemic-impacted education, and the school has been recently recognized with a national honor for its innovative work. In a traditional public school classroom setting, a teacher in-
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LEFT: A student works in a group in Rita Peelman’s first-grade class on Tuesday at the school. PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM
structs in a uniform manner to 20 to 25 students based on lesson plans and then the measures with testing are done at the end of the process. In between, specialized interventionists work individually with particular children who need extra help to steer them back on grade level. Throw in the wrench of interrupted education last year
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ABOVE and INSET: Students work in groups in Ronnie Flowers’ second-grade class at Crosswell Elementary School on Tuesday.
‘If we just go through
traditional remediation, then the kids are going to stay parallel to deficits and just move along, but the gap is never closed. And, it may widen, as well, as they get older.’ SHAWN HAGERTY Crosswell Drive Elementary School principal
DEATHS, B3
WEATHER, A10
Sandra Kay Stuckey Margie Tindal Witherspoon Norajane Rumph Throckmorton Janae Rucker Amos McFadden
Mostly cloudy today; partly cloudy tonight and mild
CLOUDY BUT WARM HIGH 76, LOW 58
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STATE: SC checking more virus samples for variants, A8
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Official: Teach for America a ‘failure’
SC treasurer urges firing ‘expensive’ group after review
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY LAUREN PETRACCA/STAFF
Caroline Choi, 9 (from left), Mary Claire Morgan, 13, Nora Blake, 8, and Emmarie Simmons, 8, attempt to flip their skateboards over at the same time at Mount Pleasant Skate Park on Dec. 21. Mary Claire has been giving the girls skateboarding lessons for several months.
Daring to soar higher
Teen skateboarder excels in sport, wants more girls to join her BY LAUREN PETRACCA lpetracca@postandcourier.com
M
OUNT PLEASANT — Pink or black? Mary Claire Morgan couldn’t decide which color helmet she should pack before the five-hour drive to Florida in the morning. Black is her favorite color. But there were other factors to consider as she prepared for the Grind for Life skateboarding competition in New Smyrna Beach. Mary Claire folded a T-shirt and set it next to her bag. She read the message on the front: “Girls Can.” She smiled to herself. The pink helmet it would be. Six years ago, when Elizabeth and John Morgan of Mount Pleasant gave their 7-yearold daughter a skateboard for Christmas, they never would have guessed how much the sport would shape their lives. Now, their family vacations are planned around skateboarding competitions and visiting different skateparks and new friends across the country. Since receiving her first skateboard, Mary Claire, 13, has placed in several women’s skateboarding competitions across state lines. She has received sponsorships from San Diegobased skateboard manufacturer Sector 9 as
Mary Claire, 13, does a frontside air at the top of a bowl at SK8 Charleston in January.
“I think she’s been motivating a lot of the guys in our area to step up their game.” Josh McFadden
Please see SKATEBOARD, Page A4
Park manager at SK8 Charleston
Please see TEACH, Page A10
A year’s difference
Inside
mother would be upset with me,” said Charleston City Councilman Peter Shahid, who has led planning efforts to improve West Ashley. “I think this is going in the wrong direction.” Developer Gramling Brothers secured some initial permissions to
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COLUMBIA — Gov. Henry McMaster and other top South Carolina officials are appealing a federal judge’s ruling that blocked the state’s strict abortion ban from taking effect. U.S. District Court Judge Mary Geiger Lewis granted a preliminary injunction March 19, ruling the new law banning most abortions after around six weeks of pregnancy is likely to be found unconstitutional after lengthier court hearings. In an April 2 filing, lawyers representing McMaster, S.C. House Speaker Jay Lucas, state Attorney General Alan Wilson and Upstate solicitor Walt Wilkins notified the court of their plans to appeal Lewis’ ruling to the higher Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over several East Coast states. In a tweet about the decision to appeal, McMaster said “No fight is more worthy of our time and energy than the fight to protect life in South Carolina.” Jenny Black, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, criticized McMaster and Lucas for doubling down on trying to “make abortion nearly inaccessible.” The organization and their partners “are ready to fight back against this attack and every effort to chip away at our fundamental rights,” Black said.
his time last year, Charleston was
SC to get $47M for vaccine uptake Grant from CDC hopes to expand minority access
essentially a ghost town.
The number of COVID-19 cases
BY JAMIE LOVEGROVE jlovegrove@postandcourier.com
demic spread through South Carolina. In response, Gov. Henry McMaster ordered nonessential businesses to close, and local governments, including the Holy City, issued stay-at-home orders. New movable orchestra seats are stacked on the dormant stage of the Charleston Music Hall on March 26, 2020.
COLUMBIA — South Carolina will receive more than $47 million from the federal government to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates in the state, with most of the funds directed toward minority communities. At least 75 percent of the money must be spent on initiatives increasing vaccine access among racial and ethnic minorities. Most of the money must go to local health departments, community-based organizations or community health centers, according to the April 6 announcement shared first with The Post and Courier. The Centers for Disease Control
Please see GRANT, Page A6
Village Page 6 Bowenin an unexpected place,
A walkable
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SPORTS
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or www.lowcountryclassifieds.com
and Courier o to pp g Supplement 6, 2021 Advertising FEBRUARY
The Post
LOCAL
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREW J. WHITAKER/STAFF
Charlton Singleton performs March 25, 2021, at the Charleston Music Hall. After eight months of being closed due to COVID-19, the venue partnered with The Bend on Azalea Drive for an outdoor concert series that kicked off in early October. The Music Hall then reopened its doors for only 250 guests per show starting in November.
Please see YEAR, Page A4
Please see CONCERNS, Page A10
McMaster: ‘No fight is more worthy of our time and energy’
Please see APPEAL, Page A6
were on the rise and deaths were
The demolition of Church Creek Plaza in West Ashley in 2015. The vacant strip mall has been an eyesore for years, with kneehigh weeds in the parking lots, broken glass, mold and graffiti.
Councilman: Adding fast-food eatery, gas station ‘going in wrong direction’ Neighbors and leaders who have sought to transform Charleston’s largest suburban area, however, say As residents of outer West Ashley the commercial development flies in wait for a new park and fire station to the face of attempts to revitalize West replace an abandoned strip mall, the Ashley, could worsen traffic and poses area may also see some new businesses a contamination risk to nearby Church next door: a gas station and fast-food Creek. drive-thru. “Some of the words I want to say, my
How Charleston has changed since March 2020 lockdown
starting to add up as the pan-
Plan for Church Creek area under fire BY CHLOE JOHNSON cjohnson@postandcourier.com
FILE/GAVIN MCINTYRE/STAFF
Visitors fill the Charleston City Market on April 2, 2021. In 2020, Charleston’s stay-at-home ordinance allowed people to go out for a walk, but not to shop beyond essential needs. A woman walks her dog past the Charleston City Market after the bustling area closed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
BY ADAM PARKER aparker@postandcourier.com A national teacher recruitment group active in South Carolina is under scrutiny after the state’s Office of the Inspector General issued a scathing critique of the group’s operation and money management, calling into question the wisdom of spending public money on the privatesector program. Teach For America was enlisted by the state Board of Education in 2010 to help address staff shortages in schools throughout South Carolina by recruiting new teachers. It has received $23 million in state funding since 2012 — $2 million the first year, and $3 million each subsequent year. S.C. Treasurer Curtis Loftis asked the inspector general early last year to evaluate Teach For America, and the Dec. 4 report now has prompted Loftis to recommend terminating the state’s contract with the organization. “Teach for America has been an expensive failure for students and taxpayers, and the school system, in South Carolina,” he told The Post and Courier. Troy Evans, executive director of Teach for America South Carolina, told the inspector general that $1.1 million is spent each year on recruitment and placement, with the rest covering teacher training, coaching and retention. An analysis by the Inspector General’s Office of 2019-20 expenditures found that the group spent a total of $4.3 million, nearly half of which was used for “personnel services.” It paid $851,000 in fees, or 20 percent of its total 2019-20 expenditures, to its national corporate office in New York in exchange for administrative support. Teach For America South Carolina also received more than $400,000 from partner school districts in 201920, meant to cover the cost of teacher placement. These “fees-for-service” were spelled out in their contracts, but school officials in two state districts told the inspector general that they were not aware Teach For America received state funding. One official said it was “almost like double paying,” according to the report. Evans said he appreciates the evaluation and hopes for more engagement with the state. He touted his organization’s credentials, arguing that enormous value was embedded in its methods and track record.
$2.00
Officials appeal abortion ban block
urban oasis
Island Drive Page 9 Hanahan, 1709 Indigo living in Lowcountry
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Bowen Village: A walkable urban oasis
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Tragedy behind bars reflects crisis Jails often ill-equipped to work with mentally ill patients who land there
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BY GLENN SMITH, JENNIFER BERRY HAWES and MARY KATHERINE WILDEMAN The Post and Courier
slow-rolling crisis that has enveloped South Carolina’s detention centers and prisons in a state that has long struggled with caring for those with mental illnesses. Jamal Sutherland’s death at the Over the past two decades, the state’s Charleston County jail is part of a jails and prisons have swelled with
inmates grappling with mental illness. It’s part of a national trend that’s led some experts to dub these facilities “America’s new asylums.” One Justice Department report noted some 44 percent of inmates surveyed had been previously diagnosed with a mental
health disorder. The shift from psychiatric beds to cellblocks has placed increasing pressure on jail and prison staff, many of whom are ill-equipped to deal with Please see SUTHERLAND, Page A7
UNCOVERED Shining a light on South Carolina corruption and misconduct
Tracy Burlison
The Post and Courier
THE VOICE/PROVIDED
J.R. Green, superintendent of Fairfield schools, (right) for years has sidestepped questions about his salary and his spending of public money. When he thought the local newspaper was too critical of his district, he started the taxpayer-funded Fairfield Post.
Shattering the wall of secrecy around Fairfield’s schools chief Costly travel, hefty compensation, lack of accountability uncovered BY JOSEPH CRANNEY, AVERY G. WILKS and BARBARA BALL jcranney@postandcourier.com awilks@postandcourier.com barbara@blythewoodonline.com EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was produced in collaboration with The Voice of Fairfield County, an Uncovered partner.
This paper had many beautifully designed fronts, but this one stood out for its balance and use of whitespace.
SUTHERLAND FAMILY/PROVIDED
Jamal Sutherland
W
INNSBORO — J.R. Green seethed with anger as he read an article in his local newspaper. The school district he leads was on winter break, but Green couldn’t stop fuming over the words on the page before him. The Voice of Fairfield County reported that Green’s district had failed to meet certain state academic benchmarks.
The article cited statistics to prove it. Bristling at the critique, the superintendent fired off an email to his principals and school board. The missive, titled “False, Biased, and Misleading Reporting,” blasted the paper and accused its reporter of “marginalizing our students, staff, and system.” Please see PAPER, Page A5
INVESTIGATIVE FUND Support journalism To contribute, simply go to postandcourier.com/ donate and click on “learn more” about the Investigative Reporting Fund and Endowed Fund. You can also send a check to the Coastal Community Foundation, 1691 Turnbull Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405, and write “Post and Courier Investigative Fund” in the subject line.
Looking back at what lawmakers tackled in 2021
Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, REdgefield, talks to reporters after the regular legislative session ended on May 13.
Was session a success? It depends on whom you ask BY SEANNA ADCOX sadcox@postandcourier.com
death penalty. As the regular session came to a close May 13, Democrats blasted the Republicans who COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s 2021 leg- dominate both chambers as prioritizing islative session started with a law banning “red meat” issues for socially conservative most abortions and ended with passage of primary voters over improving South Carobills expanding gun rights and resuming the linians’ lives.
SEANNA ADCOX/STAFF
But the Legislature’s Republican leaders called it a hugely successful year as they completed efforts that have fallen short repeatedly, following an election that gave the House and Senate their largest GOP majorities ever. “There were expectations that came along with that, and we delivered,” Senate Majority Please see LEGISLATURE, Page A8
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The Daniel Island News
Coastal Observer COASTAL OBSERVER
Thursday May 20, 2021
Pawleys Island South Carolina
16 | BIG PET EDITION
STATE DOG of the
July 22 - 28, 2021 ■ The Daniel Island News
The care and quirks of owning unique pets
Boykin spaniels have their fling at Murrells Inlet By Charles Swenson
Tiffany Carroll was shocked when she took her family’s dog, Skai, to the vet. “They didn’t know it was the state dog,” she said, shaking her head. Skai, now 2, was one of a score of Boykin spaniels that gathered along with their owners at A Dog’s Way Inn in Murrells Inlet over the weekend. It was the third annual Boykin Spring Fling, a benefit for Boykin Spaniel Rescue. The Boykin was first bred in the town of the same name by a sportsman, who also shared the name. He was looking for a compact dog that would fit in the small boats used by hunters in the Wateree River area near Camden. That was in the early part of the 20th century. It wasn’t until 1985 that the Boykin became South Carolina’s state dog by an act of the legislature. “You’ll find people who mistake them for cocker spaniels,” said Dayle Grimsley, a Murrells Inlet resident who organized the fling. She has two Boykins. “We just wanted to get the word out there about these great dogs. I mean, they’re our state dog, so people need to know.” Grimsley isn’t a hunter, but she has entered her dogs, Cash, 4, and Laci, 8, in agility and dock diving competitions. A Dog’s Way recently opened a dock diving facility that allows it to host those events along with the agility events it has hosted for many years. “Boykins can do all that,” Grimsley said. “They absolutely love dock diving.” Most of the spaniels at the fling found their way to the pond, chasing tennis balls or training dummies. Johnny Ammons of Gallivants Ferry had his 3-1/2-year-old Boykin, Wally, retrieving mallards. They had been frozen and kept for a demonstration. Using a whistle and hand signals, Ammons guided Wally across the pond until he found the duck. Ammons and Wally also See “Boykins,” Page 13
The Daniel Island News ■ July 22 - 28, 2021
UNE X PEC T E D COMPANIONS
Photos by Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer
Rocky, a 10-month-old Boykin spaniel, retrieves a mallard during the Boykin Spring Fling at A Dog’s Way Inn in Murrells Inlet.
COASTAL OBSERVER
thedanielislandnews.com
ZACH GIROUX zach@thedanielislandnews.com
Clockwise from left, Cindy Allred, at left, makes a fuss over Jess Epley’s puppy, Finn. Boykins head to the pond at a Dog’s Way Inn after a retrieving demonstration. Wally, who retrieved a mallard, waits to go back in the water. Steve Edwards gets tangled in a pair of leashes. A Boykin is reluctant to exit the water. Finn, with his tennis ball.
P
PROVIDED
Dr. Stephanie Munyon of Exotic Vet Care in Mount Pleasant with her rabbit Matilda.
ets are not defined by what can or can’t be walked on a Know what you’re getleash. Their companionship comes in all shapes and sizes, ting into. Inform yourself especially the unique and exotic ones. from knowledgeable and What makes them exotic? Some of the species originate from factual sources about the distant foreign countries, others are just unique and not what burdens and blessings of people may think of as traditional pets. While dogs and cats may ownership. rule the pet ownership world, there are a large number of people Don’t be impulsive. who prefer to cuddle a pot bellied Bateman does not recompig or pet a tortoise. mend rash pet purchases There are few places in the Palbecause often it leads to metto State that treat these unusual the pet needing medical pets. In fact, Exotic Vet Care in attention shortly thereMount Pleasant (formerly Birds and after. Every time one is Exotics Animal Care) is currently featured in a movie or the only state-of-the-art veteriTV series, for instance nary hospital in the state created when “Tangled” came PROVIDED especially for the needs of birds and out, people rushed out Dr. Jose Biascoechea of Exotic Vet exotic animals. and bought chameleons. Care in Mount Pleasant shows two In 2007, the clinic was opened During this time there colorations of bearded dragons. by Dr. Jose Biascoechea, the state’s was a spike in chameleon first board-certified avian treatments. veterinarian. Alongside Get a post-purchase consultation after a team of specialists, obtaining the pet for proper health and practice manager Kerry habitat advice. Bateman noted they are prey Bateman, who’s had 18 animals by nature, which means they natuyears of managerial exrally try to hide their symptoms to not show perience in the field, has any vulnerability for fear of becoming part practically seen it all. of larger species’ food chain. Exotic Vet Care commonly deals with rabbits, Bateman strongly encouraged investing ferrets, guinea pigs, sugar gliders and birds from the in veterinary pet insurance upon purchase of smallest parakeet to the largest macaw. Over the years, the pet, especially to avoid expensive situaBateman has seen everything from two-toed and threetions with unknown pre-existing conditions. toed sloths, a wallaby, a mara and an albino Burmese “Our goal is always to help the animals,” python. The latter reptile was owned by the Edisto Bateman added. “That’s our specialty and Serpentarium. that’s why we’re here.” PROVIDED When it comes to caring for exotic animals there are Practice Manager Kerry BateLocated at 814 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., many rules of thumb. Bateman broke down into the man of Exotic Vet Care in Mount Exotic Vet Care typically has 20 appointPleasant cuddles an African most basic trains of thought for current and future pet ments daily. For more information, visit Pygmy Hedgehog. owners. birdsandexotics.com or call 843-216-8387.
Family tails of exotic escapades T here are a handful of folks on Daniel Island who are owners of exotic or unique pets. The following are vignettes of escapades that residents have encountered with their slimy reptiles, spiny mammals and silky rodents.
OZZIE, THE HEDGEHOG
BIG PET EDITION | 17
Country of species origin: Madagascar Habitat: Tropical rainforest biome Diet: Crickets, roaches, hornworms Size 14-21 inches Lifespan: 5-7 years
PROVIDED
Gizmo is a 1-yearold panther chameleon that will change a variety of colors from fluorescent reds, blues, yellows and oranges. PROVIDED
Below left: Ozzie is a 4-year-old hedgehog that lives on Daniel Island.
deserves to be treated poorly. We wanted to make sure it has the best living conditions.” Gizmo’s cuteness is what caught Lambombard’s eye. Regardless, his girlfriend and daughter made the executive call. Gizmo loves to hide under a branch in his tank. Since Chris Labombard was a little kid he developed a natural affinity to any type of animal he He also loves horned worms. His diet mostly concame across. He admits he’s always been attracted sists of crickets and Dubai roaches. (Yuck!) Most of the time, panther chameleons don’t like to weird animals. At the age of 8, Labombard got his first pair of to be handled. The best way to approach them is pet scorpions. When he turned 18, he upgraded to to put your hand out to gauge if they want to be a red tail boa constrictor. Yes, you read that right. held. A sign of distress is when they develop a bubNow, in his adult years, Labombard has become less adventurous on account of his girlfriend ble under their chin. If they turn gray or brownish and daughter. A Massachusetts native, he recently in color that means they are extremely stressed out, almost to the point of death. moved to the area but not before purchasing a Panther chameleons don’t shed their tails as an panther chameleon at a locally-owned pet shop in escape defense mechanism like other lizards. In Connecticut during his family’s haul south. fact, he uses his tail as leverage to grip branches. The chameleon’s name is Gizmo, he’s only 1 Gizmo has the grip of a true gentleman. and he’s still a juvenile. He will be full grown in Labombard noted that the humidity level in six months, ranging between 14-21 inches and his tank has to stay between 70-80 degrees and is expected to change a variety of colors from the room temperature has to stay between 85-95 fluorescent reds, blues, yellows and oranges. degrees during the day. He is also expected to live five to seven years in Right now he’s in a glass tank, but eventually captivity. Labombard plans to get him a screen tank so he “We did a lot of research,” Labombard said. “We wanted to make sure we knew what we were can truly enjoy all that the Lowcountry’s scenery doing before we jumped into it because no animal has to offer.
LUNA AND SOPHIE, THE CHINCHILLA SISTERS
Country of species origin: Africa Habitat: Savannah, grassy areas Diet: Mealworms, waxworms, crickets Size: 6-12 inches Lifespan: 5-10 years
As matriarch of the house, Tyler Love typically calls the shots for her family. Except for when it comes to matters of the heart. When another family on the island was in search of finding a new home for their hedgehog, the Love family stepped in and filled his spiky, pincushion-like heart with love. After all, it’s their last name. His name is Ozzie, he is 4 years old and a middle-aged man. He is also one nocturnal son of a gun, who likes to sleep all day and party all night. Sources could not confirm at this time if he’s related to the legendary rock star Ozzy Osbourne. After the first couple of weeks in the Love household, Ozzie began to learn the family’s voices. He also grew a liking to dried cat food and mealworms. Ozzie loves to be held and paraded
thedanielislandnews.com
GIZMO, THE PANTHER CHAMELEON
Country of species origin: Andes mountains (Chile) Habitat: Rock crevices Diet: Grass hay Size: 9-15 inches Lifespan: 10+ years
around the house in his fabric pouch, similar to a miniature couch. Gloves don’t do the trick because of his sharp quills. One Halloween, Ozzie dressed up as a pumpkin. He was the sharpest dressed trick-or-treater that year. He also loves a good bath. Specifically 2-3 inches of lukewarm water that enables him to swim laps around the tub. Ozzie is as laid back as a hedgehog comes. Although, if you catch him unawares, he can be a bit prickly.
Wandee Humphreys and her family have always operated in dramatic fashion. The mission of rescuing a pair of fluffy but rambunctious chinchillas to surprise her daughter as a birthday gift was no different. “Our family, weirdly enough, are very attracted to exotic pets so we’re kind of an exotic pet family,” Humphreys said. “We’ve had just the gamut of fun things over the years.” A few months ago, she told her family they were going to Charlotte for a weekend getaway. The premise was that they were going apple picking; however, it was getting dark. Her daughter was beginning to question why they were trying to pick fruit at night in the boondocks of Roxboro, North Carolina. When they got to the breeder’s
homestead, her husband said he had to use the bathroom. When he came out carrying two chinchillas, he shouted, “Happy birthday!” Their daughter began to cry uncontrollably, tears of joy, of course. The white chinchilla’s name is Sophie and the gray one is named Luna. Their age is uncertain because they are rescues. Chinchillas can’t be in temperatures more than 70 degrees so the family has to have dual thermostats in their home. Sophie and Luna sleep upstairs during the day and run wild at night. Don’t be bamboozled by their precious looks, they are devilish escape artists. On top of their wire cage is a small opening that is covered with a towel and a heavy book atop of it. One night they managed to chew through the towel, skim
PROVIDED
Chinchillas Sophie (white) and Luna (gray) are rescues from North Carolina. through a few pages of dense literature and shimmy their way out into the girl’s bedroom where they proceeded to throw a party. “If you can imagine mixing a mouse and a bunny and a squirrel together, that bounces like a kangaroo, you get a chinchilla,” Humphreys exclaimed.
Feature Page Design
Thursday September 2, 2021
COASTAL OBSERVER
Weekly 3,500-6,500 Division
First PLACE Charles Swenson Coastal Observer
Shockingly simple and a perfect way to showcase the feature topic. Eyes are naturally drawn to the page. Very effective use of space, texture and color to accentuate the story.
AT HOME
There’s a growing interest in artificial turf for small spaces
Always greener
By Charles Swenson COASTAL OBSERVER
Robert Steuer admits that he is something of a landscape purist. He remembers turning up his nose when cast concrete started to replace genuine stone pavers. “Now we use it all the time,” he said. “They have all sorts of colors blended together and they look real.” So it isn’t surprising to find a crew from Steuer’s company, Verdant Landscape & Construction, laying down artificial turf. They’ve done three this year. “In previous years, I didn’t even do one a year,” Steuer said. Installing artificial turf is comparable to installing a patio so the evolution of pavers and grass is apt. “They use three or four different colors,” Steuer said of the turf. “They always use one color that is sort of the color of toast, simulating a dead blade of grass. It starts to look real.” Tom and Mary Lou Bryant have sections of artificial turf around the pool at their oceanfront house at Garden City. It would be tough to grow grass on See “Grass,” Page 12
Charles Swenson/Coastal Observer
Robert Steuer shows what lies beneath the artificial turf.
Pawleys Island South Carolina
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Jane Alford
Scott Suchy
Charleston City Paper
The Lancaster News Honoring our Veterans
Wrapped in Valor
Millicent Brown
Retired educator, community activist
B1
How can the IAAM balance being a museum and a tourist attraction? “There are enough truth-seekers that will come to this museum to learn the truth, and we don't have to be afraid of offending. If we're afraid to tell these uncomfortable truths, then we never intended to do anything that was transformative … If you call upon the uniqueness of Charleston, then don't skirt it and say, 'OK, people came here, and then this is the part of the story we want to tell you.'”
Partnership benefits Sun City veterans By MARGE THACKRAY
Carolina Lakes Quilters Club
A look at some quilt recipients STAFF REPORTS
U.S. Army veteran Joel Mandell is pictured with his wife, Ellen.
By the end of the year, the Honoring Our Veterans and Carolina Lakes Quilters clubs will have awarded 60 Quilts of Valor in 2021. That is the largest number of quilts ever awarded in a single year at Sun City Carolina Lakes. “We appreciate the service of all our veterans,” said Michael Hub with the Honoring Our Veterans Club, noting that with 60 awards, it was difficult to narrow them down for photos to be featured this year. Those photos chosen include the first quilts awarded to Sun City couples who both served in the military. “Additionally, we recently (Oct. 16) awarded a QOV to a World War II veteran, which is always special,” Hub said. Here are a few of the quilt recipients: Stanley “Stan” Lyman enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and was trained as a tank crew member. Since he was short in stature, they had to secure blocks of wood to the foot pedals in his
tank position. He was bivouacked near Seattle, Wash., in 1945, and was preparing to embark as part of the mainland Japan invasion force when the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended World War II. Charles “Chuck” and Caroline “Carol” Martin both served in the U.S. Air Force. Carol was nurse, who served at home and in France and Germany. Chuck, who retired as a full colonel, was a comptroller, who served in Vietnam, France and Germany. He also served at the Air Force Academy, and Tactical Air Command headquarters, among other duty locations. Paul and Hope Hatch both served in the U.S. Army. Hope was an Army nurse who served at Fort Belvoir, Va., and Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. Paul, who served in the Army Security Agency, says “due to the nature of my job description, I am unable to discuss what I did.” See QUILTS, Page B2
Chris Nicholas, left, who made Air Force veteran Lu Navarro’s quilt, wraps him in it at his presentation June 23. At right is his wife, Marilyn.
Chuck and Carol Martin both served in the U.S. Air Force.
The International African American Museum takes shape in Charleston By Sam Spence
N
ot far from where the International African American Museum is rising along the Charleston waterfront, Septima Clark rallied workers and Esau Jenkins started a credit union. Mother Emanuel sits nearby, rooted in uprising. Charleston hospital workers protested unfair conditions in the 1960s down the street. Enslaved Africans hauled ill-gotten cash crops steps from where they themselves were bought and sold along downtown docks. Yes, the International African American Museum (IAAM) sits at 14 Wharfside St. in Charleston, but its stories lie far beyond its walls. “The stories are hemispheric, they're Atlantic and they are indeed global,” College of Charleston history professor Bernard Powers said at the museum's October 2019 groundbreaking. U.S. Rep. James Clyburn
insisted the museum must tell the rich histories of Americans of African descent. “It has to be about what African Americans are and can be and will be,” he said. The museum is the fruit of a more-than20-year effort by local leaders — including Clyburn, former Mayor Joe Riley and others — to memorialize Charleston's place at the center of African-American cultural history in the U.S. Nearly $100 million was raised from private benefactors and blue chip corporations ahead of the museum's construction, which is expected to be nearing completion by this time next year.
A platform for disruption
Tonya Matthews was named on April 10 as the museum's new CEO. With a doctorate in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University, as well as museum and education experience (plus a talent for spoken-word poetry), Matthews said the IAAM will be an institution as powerful as the history it commemorates. “This is an incredible museum
that is destined to be much more than a building,” Matthews told the City Paper. “It is a platform for disrupting institutionalized racism on a global scale, with the power of the stories we tell, and the authenticity that we tell them with. And frankly, Charleston is home to some of the most powerful stories Matthews in the world.” Beyond the legacy of Gadsden's Wharf as a landing site for the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Matthews said modern histories of those who call Charleston home will be important to the museum's ongoing work. “Charleston has also been on the front lines of some of those earliest fights for equity
and equality of Black people in America. And of course, those people are still here, still alive — long and storied histories and families that can tell the stories of that resilience, of that moving forward. And, even some of our stories of allyship are rooted here in Charleston.”
Critical in this time
Even 50+ years removed from the civil rights movement, the IAAM's exhibits and programming are being curated as America continues confronting its racist past and how it persists into the present day.
Rūta Smith file photo
Photos by Rūta Smith
“The museum would have been important in any time, but I think that it is critical in this time,” Matthews said. “In many ways, because we are charged with this conversation that America has gotten [itself] into — some may say 'accidentally,' some may say 'finally.' But, our mission is actually around adding history and context to the conversations that we're having right now around racial injustice, social inequity. Those issues did not come to us overnight.” Built in a modern-looking building next to the Maritime Center, the main museum space will sit elevated above an open-air park and garden space that will be accessible to the public and include features marking the importance of the site. Upstairs, museum galleries will be split between permanent and rotating exhibitions, the details of which are still being determined.
Local connection
Surrounded by historic Charleston, but situated alongside the South Carolina
Aquarium and the Fort Sumter National Monument buildings, Matthews is also looking for ways the IAAM can collaborate with local leaders and institutions inside the museum's four walls. “We're going to be a physically larger institution that gets a lot of attention,” Matthews said. “How can we use our size and our attention in service of our smaller sister and brother museums?” “Does that look like us being able to bring the national figures, national historians, to the Lowcountry and put them on the same stage as our home griots who have lived the stories, and put them together in that same space?” Matthews asked, using a West African term for historian-storytellers. Ultimately, Matthews said she wants the IAAM to be a place where the harsh realities and radical resilience of the African American people can be explored under one roof, as intimidating a task as that is. “I think, for me, I need two impacts … An arguably uncomfortable reckoning ... an informed reckoning on the one hand, and an inspiration to rise to the challenge on the other,” she said. “I want them to leave with some of the heaviness,” Matthews said. “But, I also want them to leave with some of the inspiration that has allowed people to, to not just survive but to thrive through these experiences.”
La'Sheia Oubré
Retired educator, Member of Anson Street African Burial Ground Project What is lost if the museum exhibits center on enslavement? “What's lost is: Through adversity, there's strength. I teach my own children, you know the picture of the African-American gentleman, and the whippings across his back? His whole back is ripped from the whippings. When kids see it, they go, 'I don't want to see it! I don’t want to see it!' I say, ‘No, look at it … He is telling us, I'm here for you and I need you to carry on … Make sure that you survive. Make sure that you prosper, make sure you take care of each other.’”
Provided
Henry Louis Gates Jr. Historian, author, TV host
Gates visited virtually last month with former Mayor Joe Riley's class on the creation of the IAAM at The Citadel to discuss the importance of Charleston and South Carolina in the context of the museum. Here's an excerpt from his remarks: “According to the last estimate that I looked at, 48% of all of our African ancestors came to the United States through the port of Charleston. That's amazing. So metaphorically, Charleston is our Ellis Island. That's incredible … The second reason [the museum should be here] is because Charleston was ground zero for reconstruction.” “South Carolina is a very complicated place … I want that complex story to be told.”
Oregon State University
Vernita Brown
See PARTNERSHIP, Page B2
IAAM board member, CEO of Natalist
Feature 04.28.2021
Photos courtesy of Michael Hub
U.S. Air Force veteran Henry Lavender, left, and his family look at his Quilt of Valor, given to him by the Honoring Our Veterans and Carolina Lake Quilters clubs.
MORE THAN A BUILDING
A beautiful fellowship has developed in Sun City Carolina Lakes between the Honoring Our Veterans Club and Carolina Lakes Quilters Club as they work together to award Quilts of Valor to veterans in the community. A Quilt of Valor (QOV) is a civilian award presented to active, retired and honorably discharged service personnel as a recognition and thank you for their service to our county. Awarding QOVs began in 2003 when Catherine Roberts had a dream that a quilt covering a soldier would bring that soldier comfort, hope and healing. That dream has led to over 270,000 quilts being awarded. Each QOV must follow the Quilt of Valor Foundations (www.qovf. org) requirements as to material, size, label and recording of the quilt. Here in Sun City Carolina Lakes, we have about 700 veterans we wish to honor with a quilt. The pandemic in 2020 caused the two clubs to rethink how to move forward with honoring our veterans in a safe, yet meaningful manner. This led to individual ceremonies on the veteran’s driveway with family, friends and neighbors witnessing in a socially distanced manner. The positive responses received from veterans and the community validated the correct decision was made. By the end of December, 60 Quilts of Valor will have been presented over the past year. This is the largest number of quilts ever presented in a single year at Sun City Carolina Lakes. Here in SCCL, the quilts are made by the members of the Carolina Lakes Quilters. They are dedicated to making quality quilts for this great cause. Each quilt top is created by one or more members of the club and then goes to their one male quilter, Rob Ford, who quilts the three layers of the quilt together on his 12-foot longarm quilting machine. The quilt is then returned to the original sewer to have the binding, label and possibly a “signature block” sewn into it. Members of the community are encouraged to write a message of thanks to our veterans on signature blocks. These are pieces of fabric that will be sewn into quilts made for our veterans as an ongoing re-
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Why is the IAAM important right now? “I think the museum is another tool for people doing their self-work and really learning. I think it's all the more relevant, all the more urgent as we see these [social injustices], time and time again. And, it can feel defeating and overwhelming … I think that the museum is really a symbol of … standing in the face of adversity and saying, 'You're not going to win.'”
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A Special Section of The Lancaster News and Carolina Gateway ■ November 10, 2021
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Greenville Journal
For local cyclists, hazardous roadways are ‘A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH’
n story by EVAN PETER SMITH
On a warm and sunny day in May of last year, local cyclist Steve Duhan was out for
This is not only an eye catching page setup, but also a very imperative subject. The graphics and design were really thought out.
a long bike ride along a low-traffic section of Fork Shoals Road. It was one of those really good training days. His pace was smooth and easy, his legs feeling strong. “It was quite a day,” Duhan said. “A nice and sunny stretch of road, my legs were good, I was feeling great.” It was shaping up to be a big year for Duhan, and May was looking to be one of his best months yet. The week before, he’d logged 300 miles on his bike and had climbed about 20,000 feet. Duhan may have been a man in his early 60s, but he felt more like a 20-year-old. “I was just riding everywhere and enjoying every second of it,” he said. As he was riding that day last May, however, a strange thing happened. Duhan was in his rhythm, the wind in his face, his eyes set on the road ahead, when suddenly the road was no longer a road anymore — it was a clock. Duhan blinked as the image blurred into focus: a simple clock mounted on a bare white wall, the hands ticking away the seconds. It took him a few moments to register what he was seeing. The clock read 9 at night. He had been out on his bike at 2:30 in the afternoon. He tried to understand what had happened, but all he knew was that one second he was on his bike, looking at the road ahead, and the next second he was lying down, looking at a clock on a wall. Then he noticed he couldn’t move his neck. A heavy brace of some sort had been clamped onto him above the shoulders. He looked down and saw tubes stuck into his arms. His riding clothes were gone, replaced by a flimsy hospital gown.
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THE SUMTER ITEM
NOVEMBER 28-30, 2020
Looking back at the career, personal accomplishments of Sumter’s longest-serving mayor and the city’s development in that time 2020
2020
Sumter again recognized as Top 20 AllAmerica City Finalist, National Civic League
2019 Sumter recognized as Top 20 All-America City Finalist, National Civic League
2018 New Public Safety Complex opens
2015 CCTC Advanced Manufacturing Technology Training Center opens on Broad Street
2014-15 President, Municipal Association of South Carolina; voters approve second Penny for Progress referendum in 2014
2010
2013
With Sumter City Council
Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Achievement Award
2010
U.S. Third Army headquarters reassigned to Shaw Air Force Base; CCTC Health Sciences Center opens downtown
2008 Hamptons opens on Hampton Avenue, the first of downtown’s new restaurants t t; voters approve Penny for Progress referendum
2005 Shaw not included in Base Realignment and Closure
Central Carolina Technical College
2000
2000
Elected Sumter mayor With Grainger McKoy to his right
1994 1993-94
Legislator of the Year; South Carolina Department of Education James Award; Chair, South Carolina School-to-Work Advisory Council; served on Sumter YMCA Board in 1994
1990-92
Chair, South Carolina Welfare Reform Task Force
1991-93 Chair, South Carolina Committee on High School Apprenticeships
1990
Majority Leader
Joe and Kathy McElveen with their children, Kate McElveen-Price to the far right and Thomas McElveen and his wife, Bronwyn McElveen.
1986-96 South Carolina House of Representatives
1984-86 Sumter City Council
1983-84 President, Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce
1980-82 1979-80
House of Delegates
President, Sumter Optimist Club
Optimist of the Year
1980
1980
Honored as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America and Sumter Jaycees Young Man of the Year (Distinguished Service Award)
1978
1973-74 President, Sumter Jaycees
1972-77 U.S. Air Force, 728th Tactical Fighter Support Squadron
1971 1970
1968
Graduates from University of South Carolina School of Law
Graduates from The Citadel SUMTER ITEM FILE PHOTOS AND PROVIDED BY THE McELVEEN FAMILY
DID YOU K NOW? Taxes
City parks
The City of Sumter has maintained a healthy unassigned reserve, which signifies finances are being controlled well and spent wisely. A result is the city has not raised taxes in more than 10 years.
Many city parks have been improved, including a revitalized Memorial Park, a completely rebuilt and upgraded Palmetto Park and construction of North HOPE, Birnie and Crosswell parks. The city’s flagship park, Swan Lake-Iris Gardens, has been continuously improved and boasts many added features, including important sculptures throughout with the latest, Grainger McKoy’s “Seven Swans,” unveiled in 2020.
Sports and recreation The city has expanded its sports and recreational opportunities, with the City of Sumter Aquatics Center and Palmetto Tennis Center becoming widely known and respected competition venues. The award-winning Palmetto Tennis Center hosts several major tournaments and generates millions of dollars per year in tourism revenue.
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A4: Saturday, May 29, 2021
The Post and Courier
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DHEC asking parents to sign kids up for shots BY MARY KATHERINE WILDEMAN
mkwildeman@postandcourier.com
Weekly numbers of South Carolinians opting for a vaccine continue to decline, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show. About 104,000 people got a COVID-19 shot in the past week, compared with a high of nearly 300,000 in one week in early April. In the percent of the population with at least one dose of the vaccine, South Carolina has the 10th-worst score among all U.S. states. Thirty-six percent of South Carolinians are fully vaccinated, and 44 percent have gotten at least one dose, according to the S.C. Department of Health
and Environmental Control. DHEC is also asking parents to consider signing their kids up for vaccines, meanwhile. Everyone age 12 and older is now eligible to get a shot. “Children can easily infect their parents, grandparents, teachers, and others that they will have close contact with who may have a higher risk of severe illness,” Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist, said in a statement.
Statewide numbers
New cases reported: 257 confirmed, 151 probable. Total cases in S.C.: 491,391 confirmed, 101,260 probable. Percent positive: 2.9 percent. New deaths reported: 10 confirmed, 7 probable. Total deaths in S.C.: 8,563
confirmed, 1,163 probable. Percent of ICU beds filled: 70 percent.
How S.C. ranks
South Carolina ranks 42nd in the nation regarding the number of vaccines administered per 100,000 people as of May 27, according to the CDC.
Hardest-hit areas
In the total number of newly confirmed cases, York County (39), Lancaster County (20) and Greenville County (18) saw the highest totals.
What about tri-county?
Charleston County had 14 new cases on May 28, while Dorchester County had 11 and Berkeley County had five.
2021
Hospitalizations
Reported cases per day in SC
Of the 244 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of May 28, 70 were in the ICU and 40 were using ventilators.
Updated: May 26 7,000 6,000
What do experts say?
BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL SECTION
The CDC published a report May 25 that shows breakthrough cases of COVID-19 are rare. Through the end of April, the new 2,000 CDC recorded 10,262 cases of cases COVID-19 in people who were 1,000 198 7-day fully vaccinated in 46 states. By avg. that same date, 101 million peo0 ple had been vaccinated. 3/20 5/20 7/20 9/20 11/20 1/21 3/21 5/21 Many of the infections were SOURCE: SCDHEC STAFF asymptomatic, a sign that the CDC’s tally is a likely undercount Deaths in people age 35 to 64. Six of the of reality. But of the thousands Four of the deaths from CO- deaths were in people age 65 or of breakthrough cases that were identified, just 160 people died. VID-19 confirmed May 28 were older. 5,000
4,000
3,000
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257
MASTER SGT. ADRIAN CADIZ/ U.S. AIR FORCE
CPL. JONAH LOVY/U.S. MARINE CORPS/PROVIDED
SENIOR AIRMAN DENNIS SLOAN/U.S. AIR FORCE
SENIOR MASTER SGT. KENDRA M. OWENBY/ U.S. AIR NATIONAL GUARD
PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS WILL HARDY/U.S. NAVY
FILE/ANDREW J. WHITAKER/STAFF
This Memorial Day weekend, you might see a number of military aircraft in the sky, including: (first column) a Navy F/A-18 Hornet, a C-130 Hercules, a UH-60 Black Hawk; (second column) an AV-8B Harrier II; (third column) an F-35B Lightning II, an F-16 Fighting Falcon, a P-8 Poseidon.
PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS WILLIAM HARDY/ U.S. NAVY
Military aircraft you might see flying over Lowcountry AIRCRAFT, from A1
P-8A Poseidon
This multipurpose patrol plane is used by the Navy primarily for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. It performs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions around the world and participates in search and rescues. Measurements: 129.6 feet long with a wingspan of 123.6 feet Speed: 564 mph Ceiling: 41,000 feet Armament: Missiles, torpedoes and sonobuoys Crew: Nine Fact: It’s a military version of the Boeing 737.
C-130J Super Hercules
A tactical transport plane capable of a wide variety of missions, including aerial refueling, special operations, airlift support, aerial spray, firefighting, disaster relief and weather reconnaissance. Lockheed Martin’s turboprop can carry up to 42,000 pounds and take off and land on short, unprepared strips. Measurements: 97.8 feet long with a wingspan of 132.6 feet Speed: 417 mph Ceiling: 28,000 feet Armament: Cannons, missiles and bombs (on Ghostrider gunship) Crew: Three (two pilots and loadmaster) or more, depending on mission Fact: This is the plane of choice for the Air Force Reserve’s Hurricane Hunters.
AV-8B Harrier II
Although this short takeoff/vertical landing jet has been out of production since 2003, some Marine squadrons are still flying them, including those at Cherry Point, N.C. The planes will be by replaced by F-35s. Measurements: 46.3 feet long with a wingspan of 30.3 feet Speed: 647 mph Ceiling: 38,000 feet Armament: Cannons, rockets, missiles and bombs Crew: One Fact: It takes up to eight Marines to remove or install the Harrier’s RollsRoyce Pegasus turbofan engine.
F-35 Lightning II
The F-35 is the newest multirole stealth fighter being deployed by the Air Force, Navy and Marines. It’s designed to replace aging fleets of F-16s and several other planes, but the program has suffered several delays. Measurements: 51.4 feet long with a wingspan of 35 feet Speed: 1,200+ mph (Mach 1.6) Ceiling: 50,000+ feet Armament: Wide variety of weapons can be carried internally in stealth mode; ordnance payload is more than 18,000 pounds Crew: One Fact: Marine pilots are being trained in Beaufort in the F-35B, the short takeoff/vertical landing version of the jet.
Others to spot A list of transient military aircraft you might also see: C-2A Greyhound: Cargo plane to fleets C-5 Galaxy: Transporter C-12 Huron: Passenger/transport C-27J Spartan: Transporter C-32: Passenger transporter and Air Force Two C-40 Clipper: Passenger/transport CH-47 Chinook: Heavy-lift helicopter CH-53E Super Stallion: Heavy-lift helicopter F-15 Eagle/Strike Eagle: Fighter jets F-22 Raptor: Stealth fighter KC-135 Stratotanker: Midair refueler T-6B Texan II: Pilot trainer T-38 Talon: Jet pilot trainer T-44A Pegasus: Pilot trainer V-22 Osprey: Tiltrotor aircraft VC-25: Presidential transporter Air Force One
ceeded in air-to-air and air-to-surface combat. Its life has been extended due to delays in the F-35. International demand remains high for the versatile jet. The plane is flown by the S.C. Air National Guard. Measurements: 49.4 feet long with a wingspan of 32.7 feet Speed: 1,500+ mph (Mach 2+) Ceiling: 50,000+ feet Armament: Cannons, missiles and F-16 Fighting Falcon conventional munitions A multirole fighter aircraft that has sucCrew: One or two
Fact: Lockheed Martin moved the lifesaving operations after hurricanes. F-16 production line to Greenville. The facility also has a contract to UH-60 Black Hawk This helicopter can transport an entire overhaul the fighters for the Air Force. 11-person, fully equipped infantry squad F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet in most weather conditions. The S.C. The Navy and Marine Corps deploy Army National Guard flies the chopper. Measurements: 64.8 feet long with this all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. Several Hornet squadrons operate a rotor diameter of 53.7 feet out of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Speed: 183 mph Ceiling: 19,000 feet Both services can launch the jets from airArmament: Machine guns, missiles craft carriers, but the Marines are moving and rockets solely to the F-35 for carrier duty. Crew: Four (two pilots, two crew) Measurements: Hornet: 56 feet long Fact: Critical components are arwith a wingspan of 40.4 feet; Super Hornet: 60.3 feet long with a wingspan mored, and the airframe is designed to crush progressively to protect occupants. of 44.9 feet Speed: 1,300+ mph (Mach 1.7+ HorE-3 Sentry (AWACS) net and Mach 1.8+ Super Hornet) Ceiling: 50,000+ feet The Airborne Warning and Control Armament: Cannons, rockets, mis- System jet is easily identified because it siles, mines and bombs has a large radar housed in a rotating, Crew: One or two saucer-shaped dome 11 feet above the Fact: The Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight fuselage. The jet provides surveillance, demonstration squadron, now fly the Su- target tracking and early warning of per Hornet after 34 years in the Hornet. enemy actions. Measurements: 152.9 feet long with MH-65 Dolphin a wingspan of 145.8 feet; rotodome: 30 A patrol and search-and-rescue heli- feet in diameter, 6 feet thick copter operated from Coast Guard bases Speed: 360 mph Ceiling: 29,000+ feet and cutters. While the choppers seen in our area are based in Savannah, one is on Armament: None Crew: Flight crew of four plus misduty at the Sector Charleston air facility. Measurements: 44.4 feet long with sion crew of 13-19 specialists Fact: The E-3 can fly a mission profile a rotor diameter of 39.2 feet about eight hours without refueling. Speed: 201 mph Sources: Joint Base Charleston, Ceiling: 18,000 feet Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Armament: Machine guns, rifles Guard, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Crew: Four (two pilot, two crew) Fact: Dolphins are used extensively in Airbus Helicopters.
Celebrating Spoleto’s return woman Carol Jackson stood, too. In a departure from Spoleto’s traditional opening prolast season’s pandemic hiatus. Its 45th season also ushered in a tocol, the mayor also invited new chapter of a city emerging Charleston-based winners of from a yearlong-plus lockdown, the 2021 Governor’s Award for the Arts. Musician Charla shuttering that had hobbled ton Singleton and former S.C. the livelihoods of many residents, chief among them its art- poet laureate Marjory Wentworth took their places, along ists and arts practitioners. with David Platts, executive Behind a low-key podium along the park’s western path director of the South Carolina near Meeting Street, the may- Arts Commission, who had presented the two with their or arranged the dignitaries. Spoleto Festival USA Gener- awards earlier that morning. Citing the rich history of al Director Nigel Redden took their backdrop, the Fireproof his place, gazing pleasantly over the media smattering, an Building, Tecklenburg segued, noting Charleston will “make assemblage representing his history launching the 45th final opening day after more than 35 years with the festival. festival of Spoleto USA today.” Medich then underscored Redden was joined by Bill Medich, chairman of the Spoleto the mission of the festival: “To present performing arts in the Festival USA board, as well as broadest possible way, to be Alicia Gregory, board president able to give young artists’ new and incoming chair. CouncilSPOLETO, from A1
works the opportunity to be performed and to constantly give established artists an opportunity to perform in unique ways.” He acknowledged Redden’s role in achieving that mission year after year. “After a monumental, iconic career, Nigel is going out working as hard as he can to make this festival the best that it can be,” he said, adding a note of promise of the search for Redden’s replacement. “What the city has built, what the community has built, what the organization has built, is attracting the finest minds, the most experienced artistic administrators,” he said. Tecklenburg also noted Redden’s role, having navigated decades of financial complexities, artistic challenges and a global pandemic “with grace and aplomb and above all, an
GAVIN MCINTYRE/STAFF
Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg announces the start of the 2021 Spoleto season during a news conference at Washington Park on May 28 in Charleston. unwavering love for the city of Charleston.” As for Redden, when he took the podium, he met the high praise with, “What I suppose is that I should have retired more often.” He then shifted to focus on Charleston’s attributes, in particular its recep-
tive audiences. “We took these things for granted a year and a half ago. We can’t take them for granted,” he said. The mayor added, “What a way to come out of the pandemic … to have a comprehensive arts festival,” he said.
“I kept thinking in my mind earlier this year that Spoleto marks Charleston being back and … free from this pandemic so let’s celebrate with the opening of this festival so that when the maestro taps his baton and gets ready it causes something wonderful to unfold.” In a nod to local performers, he also cited the return of Piccolo Spoleto. “I think the two festivals really complement each other better this year than ever before,” he said. With a polite thump, a modest flurry of white confetti snowed on the gathering. The bells at St. Michael’s pulled their two-ton celebratory weight, clanging throughout the city as they have done for decades. A Spoleto devotee need only close their eyes and the spectacle of years gone by rang loud and clear, as it will for years to come. Follow Maura Hogan on Twitter at @msmaurahogan.
BLACK LEADERS TO KNOW IN
SOUTH CAROLINA PAGE 10
MAJOR MILESTONES OF THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE IN THE US
CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS, THEN AND NOW, FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE (AND MORE)
MANY IN SC HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO SOCIAL AND RACIAL JUSTICE
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Aiken residents share their goals for 2021 BY LANDON STAMPER lstamper@aikenstandard.com
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Whenever a new year starts, New Year’s resolutions are common for people to adopt. While some people may not always keep these resolutions, they continue to have them each year, and 2021 is no different. Some Aiken residents shared their New Year’s resolutions on Wednesday afternoon in downtown Aiken. While “getting in shape” and “eating healthier” were among the resolutions, there were some that were distinctly 2020. Sophie Lyon and Reagan Kennedy, for example, said they wanted to get the COVID-19 vaccine. PHOTO BY COLIN
STAFF PHOTO BY Juan Ortiz said COLIN DEMAREST his in better shape. New Year’s resolution is to get Ortiz said he was in shape before the pandemic, andstarting to get continue that. he wants to
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STAFF resolution is to her New Year’s s past, such as to Leah Croft said she’s done in year keep the ones . cise exer and eat healthier
Lauren Haley
Aiken Standard
STAFF PHOTO BY COLIN
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shape after resolution is to get in Welsh’s said her New Year’s Gretchen Barina, left, Paulette Welsh, right, during the pandemic. organized and clear out her clutsitting around a lot tion is to be more daughter, said her resolu ter.
STAFF PHOTO BY COLIN
Riley Sander bership and s, left, said his New Yea STAFF PHO TO BY COL IN DEMARE posite app start going to the gym r’s resolution is to get ST roa a gym memher gym me ch with her resolution. Skyla Evangelista took the mbership. , saying she needs to sto opp paying
DEMAREST
she wants to get tion is to not die, and in good health. her New Year’s resolu stay Sophie Lyon, left, said James Scheetz said his resolution is to e. the COVID-19 vaccin
This page takes the mundane subject of resolutions and gives it a beautiful features treatment with photos and cutlines set against a festive background.
Marvin Mo rga STAFF PHO goals and set n said his New Yea TO BY LAN r’s resolu higher standa DON rds for him tion is to achieve diffSTAMPER self in life. erent
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Wednesday, July 28, 2021
The Links at Stoney Point to host Greenwood Junior Championship in August By JAMES BENEDETTO jbenedetto@indexjournal.com
Lauren Clark swings during the 2020 Greenwood Junior Championship at The Links at Stoney Point.
For the third consecutive year, the AJGA makes its return to The Links at Stoney Point. According to a Monday press release, the five-day tournament will consist of 78 boys and girls (ages 12-19). In 2020 the AJGA had players from across 13 states and nine countries. “(The Links at Stoney Point) has a great community around it and the City of Greenwood really pushed
COURTESY OF AJGA
for that,” said Chris Simione, Tournament Director. “It’s a phenomenal golf course and a challenge for our players, but it also helps benefit the community of Greenwood, and that’s kind of what sparked our interest in coming down.” Last year, the tournament generated over $150,000 in economic impact according to Kelly McWhorter, Executive Director at Discover Greenwood. McWhorter said that tournament is supported by county and city hospitality tax funding, as well as accommodations tax fund-
Her own terms
ing from the Discover Greenwood budget. “It’s huge for us because, you’re getting probably 300 visitors that have never been here before, so they’re going to experience Greenwood on all levels,” McWhorter said. “They’re going to see a beautiful golf course, they’re going to see a beautiful lake, and then they’re going to be to around town to some of our restaurants, staying in our hotels and we always make sure that they See LINKS, page 2B
Biles withdraws from gymnastics final to protect team, self
Associated Press
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TOKYO imone Biles arrived in Tokyo as the star of the U.S. Olympic movement and perhaps the Games themselves. She convinced herself she was prepared for the pressure. That she was ready to carry the burden of outsized expectations. Only, as the women’s gymnastics team final approached on Tuesday night, something felt off. And the athlete widely considered the Greatest of All Time in her sport knew it. So rather than push through the doubts that crept into her head as she’s done so many times in the past, Biles decided enough was enough. She was done. For now. The American star withdrew from the competition following one rotation, opening the door for the team of Russian athletes to win gold for the first time in nearly three decades. Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee and Grace McCallum
guided the U.S. to silver while Biles cheered from the sideline in a white sweatsuit, at peace with a decision that revealed a shift not only in Biles but perhaps the sport she’s redefined. “We also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day we’re human, too,” Biles said. “So, we have to protect our mind and our body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.” The Americans — fueled by an uneven bars routine by Lee that not even Biles could match — drew within eight-tenths of a point through three rotations. ROC, however, never wavered on floor. And they erupted when 21-year-old Angelina Melnikova’s score assured them of the top spot on the podium for the first time since the Unified Team won in Barcelona in 1992. See BILES, page 2B
ASSOCIATED PRESS
RB Davis says move to hometown Falcons a ‘dream come true’ Associated Press Atlanta Falcons running back Mike Davis is shown Tuesday after arriving for NFL football training camp in Flowery Branch, Ga. ASSOCIATED PRESS
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Mike Davis couldn’t wait to check in for his first training camp with his hometown Atlanta Falcons. “I’m here early,” Davis said Tuesday. “I think that speaks for a lot. I got here about 8. I’m just ready to go.” Davis had an edge over many of his new teammates. He could pack light for a short drive. “This is all I have, my backpack,” the running back said. “Home is nothing but 30 or 50 minutes from here.” Davis, a native of Stone Mountain,
Georgia, in metro Atlanta, was the biggest addition for the cost-cutting Falcons in the offseason. He signed a $5.5 million, two-year deal after leading Carolina with 642 yards rushing and six touchdowns last season. Davis was the perfect fit for an Atlanta team looking to energize its lackluster running game. “I feel like everybody always dreams of playing at home,” Davis said. “Growing up, I was a Falcons fan. Alge Crumpler, (Michael) Vick, I’ve seen everything growing up. So of course the Falcons were my dream team and to actually play for the Falcons is a dream
Remember your bags. Let’s do good together.
come true.” Davis started 12 games after Christian McCaffrey, limited by ankle and shoulder injuries, played only three games. The Falcons are starting over at running back after finishing next-to-last in the league with their average of 3.7 yards per carry, ahead of only Pittsburgh’s 3.6. Atlanta did not bring back its top three running backs — Todd Gurley, Brian Hill and Ito Smith. Qadree Ollison, a 2019 fifth-round pick, and Cordarrelle Patterson, also a See FALCONS, page 2B
Return of fans excites Darlington Raceway president.
Pee Dee cities also winners in Southern 500.
Top 5 current drivers still seeking 1st Southern 500 victory.
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Myrtle Beach Herald Very well done! The design is creative but clean, with a theme that gives equal recognition to each athlete and school represented on your cover.
2021 Horry County Fall a Football Preview A Supplement of The Horry Independent, Myrtle Beach Herald, Noorth Strand News, Carolina Forest Chronicle and The Loris Scene
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Phyllis Lucas
Pamela Brownstein
The Daniel Island News
The News & Reporter WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 • The News & Reporter • 1B
Great Falls Reporter
Classifieds ........ 6-B Lifestyles ......... 2-B Public Record ... 4-B Religion ........... 4-B
Newly installed cameras bring the Red Devils to you BY TRAVIS JENKINS tjenkins@onlinechester.com
Great Falls fans might not be able to go see the Red Devils in person right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean they ever have to miss a game. Thanks to a donation from Founders, Great Falls High School has purchased a set of cameras, one of which is mounted on the press box in the football stadium, with the other being placed in the gym. With those in place, fans can access a live stream of any events held in those two venues via NFHS (National Federation of High Schools) for a small yearly fee. “It’s amazing how it works,” said Great Falls Athletic Director Garrett Knight, showing off the stadium setup. “It actually tracks the ball.” Obviously, the ability to watch Great Falls sports
Cars passed by as motorists wished George Alexander well on his 100th birthday. Some fellow veterans stopped and saluted the former Marine who served in three wars. U.S. Congressman Ralph Norman sent greetings and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition and a Challenge Coin. Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey sent a Birthday Recognition Certificate. PHOTOS PROVIDED
100 cars for 100 years George Alexander celebrates his 100th birthday From staff reports
It was a cold and rainy afternoon, but many people showed up at his home at Shangri-La Drive on Sunday to wish George Alexander of Lake Wateree a Happy Birthday on his 100th. Many folks in the parade of about 100 cars dropped off cards, plaques, baked goods and home made posters celebrating this three-
time veteran’s birthday. U.S. Congressman Ralph Norman also sent greetings and a Special Certificate of Congressional Recognition. Fellow veterans even stopped, got out of their cars and gave Alexander a salute. Due to Covid-19 and the bad weather, Alexander viewed the parade from a car at the end of his driveway. Chester County Sheriff
Max Dorsey sent a Birthday Recognition Certificate. George remarked he wanted to thank everyone for coming by and said of the pomp and ceremony, “I can’t believe all these folks came out to see me.” The family of George Alexander would like to thank everyone for making his 100th birthday something special.
GFHS Beta Club students lend a hand at GRASP Thrift Store From release
The Great Falls High School Senior Beta Club has partnered with the Great Falls GRASP Thrift Store as part of its commitment to community service that is such an integral part of the Beta Club credo. While the students are providing a service to their community, they are also receiving the joy from giv-
From the Great Falls Police Department: • William Russell
ing of themselves, as well as fulfilling their requirements of 10 hours of community service each semester for each returning member. The Senior Beta Club of Great Falls High School wishes to express their appreciation to the Great Falls GRASP Thrift Store and their willingness to allow members to serve the community in a safe environment. PHOTO PROVIDED
GRASP auction runs through Friday From release
at 8 p.m. This is GRASP’s largest fundraiser of the year and all profits will be used to fund programs that serve neighbors in need. Please go to 32auctions. com/GRASP2021 to check out all the items up for auction. If for some reason you don’t see anything you
need but you would still like to participate, click the donate button and contribute any amount you can. If you have any questions about an item or how the auctions works, call GRASP at 803-482-4407. GRASP thanks everyone for helping make this event a success.
2021 School Garden and Education Assistance Program awardees announced From release
The South Carolina Department of Education has announced the recipients for the 2021 School
Garden and Education Assistance Program. The program, created in 2018, is administered by Clemson Extension’s School Gardening for South Caro-
in having your child attend, contact Marty Roberts at 803-209-3120. Space at the school is limited. GRASP Crisis Relief Center If you or someone you know is struggling to pay bills or purchase food, please call us at 803-4824407. GRASP may be able to help with your utility bill, some prescriptions and/or food from our pantry. GRASP is located at 802 Dearborn St. in Great Falls. Hours of operation are Monday – Thursday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Police beAt
Pictured, members of the Great Falls High Senior Beta Club help out at the GRASP Thrift Store.
GRASP’s fourth annual Winter Wonderland Gala Online Auction event began on Monday, Feb. 1, at 9 a.m. There is still plenty of time to check it out and place your bids. Bidding will end on Friday, Feb. 5,
Upward Grace Academy Upward Grace Academy at Mitford Baptist Church is now taking applications for the 2021-2022 school year. If you are interested
lina Educators. In chester County, Great Falls Elementary was selected to participate See AWARDS, Page 5-B
More Great Falls News on Page 5-B
thedanielislandnews.com
The Daniel Island News ■ June 10 - 16, 2021
Twitty, 23, was charged with domestic violence second degree on Jan. 28.
June 10 - 16, 2021 ■ The Daniel Island News
thedanielislandnews.com
PLUGGING
online is a benefit right now for everybody, with seating limited because of the pandemic and with some fans simply leery of large gatherings. Even once those things are no longer a worry, someone who has to work or lives town can still see all home Red Devils games. Knight said there is a practical benefit beyond the convenience offered to fans. “We can go on every day and record practices. College teams meet every day and review practices. Now we can do that,” Knight said. The chance to go back and review a practice or performance extends beyond athletics. Knight said a band director or JROTC instructor could do the same thing. The cameras are just one of the recent additions at the school. Sideline benches and an athletic training table have also been added.
Notes About towN Rice named to President’s List at Coastal Carolina Coastal Carolina University has announced its President’s List for the fall 2020 semester. To be included, students must earn a 4.0 grade point average. Named to the list was Aaron Rice, an information technology major from Great Falls.
14 | FEATURE
IN
zach@thedanielislandnews.com
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heir presence is growing by the day on Daniel Island and they tend to be stealthy when riding through your neighborhood. Electric vehicles (EV) are more than just a trend, it's an environmental way of life for many. The debate between EVs and vehicles with gas-powered, internal combustion engines is the Ford vs. Ferrari of this day and age. Both have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to practicality and feasibility. On the one hand, EVs are energy efficient, reduce emissions and perform at a high level with low maintenance. On the other hand, EVs aren't able to travel as long of a distance as gas-powered vehicles, they take longer to “refuel” and are usually more expensive in up front costs. Gas-powered vehicles have been mass produced since the early 1900s, while electric vehicles have only been around since the late 1990s. Despite a late start nearly a century later, EVs have grown quite popular on the West Coast and have sparked an increasing demand on the East Coast. Nationwide, California is the leader of the environmentally-progressive automobile by leaps and bounds. Comparatively, South Carolina is late to the party but they are catching on as of late. Well under 1% of vehicles registered in SC are EVs and manufacturers such as Tesla are not legally permitted to operate franchise dealerships within the state. EVs also have higher registration fees
PROVIDED
Daniel Island resident Carla Arnold-Ball poses with her newly purchased Model Y Tesla. than gas-powered vehicles due to gas tax collection. However, a great deal is saved in the long run by paying less to charge up than it takes to fill up at the pump. The number of EVs is persistently growing by the year. In 2018, there were 1,094 EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester region. Statewide, there were 2,213 EVs and PHEVs, according to clean transportation specialist Ben Kessler of the Palmetto Clean Fuels Coalition, part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program based out of Columbia. As of Jan. 1, 2021, there were 6,300 EVs and PHEVs registered in the state. Kessler noted there has been a 30% year-over-year growth, with nearly triple the amount of EVs on the road compared to 2018.
LEVELS OF CHARGING LEVEL 1 — HOME CHARGING
Level 1 charging only requires a grounded (three-prong) 120-volt outlet and can add about 40 miles of range in an 8-hour overnight charge. Overnight Level 1 charging is suitable for all-electric battery electric vehicle drivers with low daily driving usage.
Electric vehicles in SC have evolved from eccentric to essential
ZACH GIROUX
South Carolina as a state has a total of 708 public charging outlets and 70 private charging outlets, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center. The City of Charleston has eight publicly available electric vehicle charging stations located in city-owned parking garages. There are also a number of other private charging stations at hotels and commercial enterprises. The Upper Peninsula Zoning District incentivizes private developers to add electric charging stations as part of new development projects. The city is working on upgrading existing charging stations and adding more charging stations throughout city limits. In the city’s Climate Action Plan, one
of the goals is to increase EV charging infrastructure to the public by 100% by 2023. On Daniel Island alone, Blackbaud and Benefitfocus each have a total of six EV plugs for employee usage. On Clements Ferry Road, there is one EV charging station located at the Gildan headquarters. This is the closest available hook-up for folks who live in Cainhoy. Tesla seems to be the most common EV found on Daniel Island. [See the weekly readers’ poll on page 6.] According to MotorTrend.com, the Tesla Model 3 is the cheapest available, a four-door reardrive standard range plus model starts at $39,690 which includes a $1,200 destination fee. The estimated driving range is 263 miles. The Model S starts at $79,690 due to its long range veraint. This fourdoor car is estimated to travel 412 miles on a full charge with a 0-60 mph time of fewer than 2 seconds and a top speed of 200 mph. The Model X SUV goes for $89,690 with an estimated range of 360 miles. It comes standard with five seats, but a sixth seat can be configured for an extra $6,500 and a seventh for $3,500. The Model Y is Tesla's compact SUV that starts at $51,990 and is estimated to last up to 326 miles on a full charge. Overall, like any vehicle, EVs must fit the personality of the person driving it. A couple of Daniel Island residents who are among the small EV population on the island shared a myriad of reasons why they chose to go electric over gas. Matt Levin has driven a Model 3 Tesla since February 2019 and has not regretted
FEATURE | 15
LEVEL 2 — HOME AND PUBLIC CHARGING
PALMETTO CLEAN FUELS
A Chevy Bolt from Palmetto Clean Fuels Coalition, which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program. The agency promotes “Plug in SC” campaign, which is the state’s educational campaign on electric vehicles and supports the adaptation of standardized charging station signage and branding.
PROVIDED
Daniel Island resident Matt Levin sits in the front truck of his Model 3 Tesla that he’s owned since February 2019.
the decision a single mile. As a car guy but more importantly a husband and a father of two, he’s more than satisfied that he didn’t have to sacrifice speed and agility or safety for the family. “Everything they say is true, it’s been two years and the only maintenance I’ve had to do is rotate tires and fill up windshield wiper fluid,” Levin said. At first Levin was worried about where
he was going to charge his car around town until he realized that 99% of the time he charges it from the comfort of his own home. Another thing Levin doesn’t take for granted is how low maintenance his car is. Since there’s no catalytic converter, no fuel filter, no exhausts, no alternator, there’s a much shorter repair list. The reason Levin didn’t get a hybrid to have the best of both worlds is because of the complexity of two engine types that he believes just makes things more convoluted. He is confident that EVs are going to displace vehicles with internal combustion engines. “Who doesn’t like saving money, who doesn’t like saving time, who doesn’t like breathing clean air and who doesn’t like keeping their kids safe,” Levin added. “And then you don’t even have to talk about climate change, it's a no-brainer.” Levin isn’t the only one who’s pleased with his decision to go electric. A fellow neighbor just down the road is new to the club as she just parked her’s in the driveway. Carla Arnold-Ball previously drove a hybrid, but once she test drove a Model Y Tesla in Atlanta last week she knew there was no going back. She ended up purchasing the car on Saturday and by no means was it an impulsive decision.
One of the main contributing factors was reducing her carbon footprint. The others were not having to look at a check engine light or have it serviced for an oil change. Driving wise, Arnold-Ball loves the way it handles on auto pilot with safety sensors and not having to use the brakes as a crutch. When driving it around the island she said it feels like a golf cart because of the smoothness and silentness. One of the aspects she adores the most is the convenience of charging from home. The 220-volt charging unit in her garage, comparable to the power of a washer and dryer outlet, allows her to charge her car for 8 hours overnight. Statistics show that roughly 80% of EV owners charge at home. The median mileage is about 260 miles of range for EVs sold in 2020, according to Kessler.
Level 2 charging typically requires a charging unit on a 240-volt circuit, like the circuit used to power a common electric clothes dryer. The charging rate depends on the vehicle’s acceptance rate and the maximum current available. With a typical 30 amp circuit, about 180 miles can be added during an 8-hour charge. Level 2 chargers are the most common public chargers, and you can find them at places like offices, grocery stores, and parking garages.
LEVEL 3 — SUPERCHARGERS
Direct Current fast charging is the fastest currently available recharging method. With 480 volts and up to 150 kilowatts it can typically add 50 to 90 miles in 30 minutes, depending on the station’s power capacity and the make of EV. DC fast chargers are most useful for longer trips, cars in use most of the day (like taxis), and drivers who have limited access to home recharging.
BY THE NUMBERS (data retrieved by Palmetto Clean Fuels Coalition)
Total Electric Vehicles and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles in SC: 2014: 357 2015: 628 2016: 2,022 2017: 2,781 2018: 4,202 2019: 5,602 2020: 7,391
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The Daniel Island News
16 | FEATURE
thedanielislandnews.com
The Daniel Island News ■ Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2021
2021
TOUR de
Brew Good times are brewing with local beer tours Marie Rocha-Tygh MARIE@THEDANIELISLANDNEWS.COM
Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2021 ■ The Daniel Island News
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owcountry locals and visitors alike can sample the finest brews in town from the multitude of tours available in Charleston. The historic city offers everything from beer buses to haunted historical walking tours complete with both earthly and ghostly spirits. Becca Lesesne started Original Pub & Brewery Tours of Charleston (pubtourcharleston.com) with her husband, Daniel, in 2008 after moving back to Charleston from Asheville. “When I returned to Charleston in 2008, I went back to doing historical tours, which is what I’ve always loved, tours and beer brewing. I combined my love of both to create the pub tours of Charleston. That year we were not allowed to do brewery tours due to restrictive laws, so I decided to start a company which combined the history of Charleston. I based my tour from an English-style pub crawl, and that is what has been our main focus ever since,” she explained. The Original Pub & Brewery Tours of Charleston was the first beer tour company established in Charleston. The husband and wife team are both certified cicerones, which is like a wine sommelier but for beer. “Both of us, as native Charlestonians, share both the love of history and the love of craft beer. We operate a brewery bus tour on a limited scale, however, our original pub tour has been amazingly popular throughout the years,” Becca said. Customers who hop on the Brew Bus will be treated to a guided tour of a local brewery and travel to three microbreweries. Each rider can sample delicious local brews such as BlackBEERd Ale, Oyster Stout, and some Pluff Mud Porter. Customers will learn about the vivid history of beer in Charleston, along with the art of craft brewing. The pair survived COVID and changed their business to fit the pandemic landscape. “We let go of most of our staff and it felt like starting from day one. The great thing about us is resilience, and we are now back at what we do best! Giving historical tours alongside beer tours, combined into one, which is the best way to experience Charleston and the old French quarter in my opinion. Visitors still have a desire to experience our city, from native Charlestonians, licensed as guides, and to also indulge in the culinary and craft beer flavor of our city. Our holiday pub crawls are the best as well. We simply enjoy sharing our culinary and craft beer tours with folks from all over. It makes us so happy,” Becca said.
thedanielislandnews.com
FEATURE | 17
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If you love beer, the Historic Holy City has plenty of choices to indulge your senses.
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Some of the nurses and doctors who saved Adam Moore’s life took his History and Hops Tour in May 2021.
or licensed tour guide Adam J. Moore, owner of Tour Charleston With Adam (charlestonshistory.com/history-hopsbar-tour), 2020 was life changing. “Last year during COVID-19, the tour company I was working for shut down and never reopened. I decided to start my own LLC and business because I love giving tours and I knew people would eventually come back to Charleston ... I surprisingly became hospitalized — not with COVID — but with a bacterial infection on my heart. I was hospitalized for 25 days. The CVICU at MUSC saved my life. They literally brought me back to life over 10 times,” he said. Fast forward one year later, Moore is healthy and the tourism business in Charleston is booming again. Moore’s History & Hops Tour refers to Charleston as a drinking city with a history problem. Located in the historic French Quarter of downtown Charleston, this one-of-a-kind tour is a history lesson with bar stops. The tour is a collaboration between two tour guides – Moore and Captain Bryan Blalock, owner of Charleston Historic Tours. After a lot of research, the pair created a tour with historically accurate stories from Charleston’s long drinking history. The tour also includes an interesting look back at what people drank 100 to 300 years ago in Charleston. Moore follows strict CDC guidelines to ensure every customer stays safe while having fun. “In order to keep people safe we have been following the rules and ordinances that The City of Charleston puts in place, which of course has been changing. We also keep our group sizes small at 10 and under and the majority of our tour actually happens outside.” The company Crafted Travel Charleston (craftedcharlestontours.com) opened in 2014 and provides a wide variety of luxury tours. One of their most popular venues includes door to door transportation to three Charleston Distilleries and Breweries where the tour group is invited to sample locally distilled spirits and a wide range of local craft beers. The tour ends with a BBQ and beer pairing. A favorite among history and beer buffs is Crafted Travel’s Historic Walking Pub Tour. The three-hour walking tour through the historic old city is hosted by a registered tour guide and a certified cicerone. A special tour for the more adventurous includes ax throwing, booze and barbecue.
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After serious health issues, Adam J. Moore, owner of Tour Charleston With Adam, is back providing tours to beer lovers.
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Becca and Daniel Lesesne started Original Pub & Brewery Tours of Charleston to combine their love of history and beer making.
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Crafted Travel Charleston’s three hour walking tour provides plenty of fun stops where those on the tour can indulge in some local brew.
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oan Dao of Crafted Travel said, “Our tour guides always make sure our guests have an epic time throughout their day. We are proud local diplomats for our beautiful city.” Dao said Crafted Travel is closely following all CDC guidelines to keep customers safe. For those who want to experience ghostly spirits with their liquid spirits, Nightly Spirits (nightlyspirits.com) is the perfect choice. Charleston Ghost Tour Pub Crawl begins with a stroll down the cobblestone streets of historic
downtown Charleston. On the company’s Nightly Spirits Charleston Booze and Boos Tour, customers will view some of the oldest and potentially haunted structures in the area while indulging in some liquid spirits. As the company website notes, visitors will get to “travel through alleyways that still echo with the gunshots of famous duels.” Charleston Ghost Tour Pub Crawl is two and a half hours and explores the ghostly supernatural sites that only a historic city like Charleston can offer.
Great layout. Love the use of the can graphic. Very pleasing to the eye, but attention grabbing at the same time. Very nice job with the photo groupings.
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If you love beer, the Historic Holy City has plenty of choices to indulge your senses.
Inside Page Design
Weekly Over 6,500 Division
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Second PLACE
Laura Allshouse
Laura Allshouse
Greenville Journal ARTS & CULTURE
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Greenville Journal REAL ESTATE NEWS
THINGS TO SEE & DO
profile
FIRST LOOK
Easley Mill Lofts
| square feet
n story by EVAN PETER SMITH | photos PROVIDED
Tomas Prado MYAMI BITES CHEF The restoration of the old Woodside Mill in Easley — commonly known as the Easley Mill — is nearly complete, with residents set to move into the apartment complex by the end of summer. The restoration, spearheaded by Multifamily Select Development, aimed to protect as much of the mill’s history as possible. Completed in 1901, the mill wears its age well. Original wooden floors, bay windows, vaulted ceilings and other details define the 224,000-square-foot structure. The top floor offers clear views of the 160-acre property, with the Easley Silos visible just down the in-progress walking path. Fifty-two of the 128 apartments have been preleased and workers are putting the finishing touches on the amenity spaces of the building, including a fitness center, library, coffee station, sitting area, co-working spaces, privates offices, clubhouse, movie theater, pool and outdoor seating area. “So many people have been stopping by telling us stories about their families working here generations back,” said Property Manager Ashley Dills. “I think more than anything, being an old cotton mill is really driving people to live here.”
n story by ARIEL TURNER | photo JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
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ven on the rare occasion when he’s cooking at home, Myami Bites chef Tomas Prado still plates his dishes as if he’s in the restaurant. “It’s usually pretty simple,” Prado says of his menu at home. “I love a good roasted chicken with potatoes.” His wife and business partner, Lynda Prado, would like to clarify: “He says ‘simple,’ but every pot that we own comes out. It’s the worst dishwashing nightmare you could ever possibly imagine.” Tomas is Cuban-American, born and raised in Miami and a classically-trained chef whose career has taken him to New York City where he worked alongside some big names, including Daniel Boulud and José Andrés, before moving to Charleston and opening Spanglish Cocina + Bar with Lynda. Soon after, they discovered Greenville, had a meeting with Gather GVL co-owner Mack Cross and signed the lease to bring their take on Miami’s sandwich shops to the smallest of the shipping container restaurants in the outdoor food hall.
I’ve always worked in fine dining and now I have a sandwich spot and want to stay creative. Myami Bites, one of many food concepts the Prados are dreaming up for Greenville, features classic Miami street food favorites — Cuban and pork sandwiches, croquetas, empanadas, and whatever special Tomas finds room in their small kitchen to make. On days off, Tomas plans food tourism trips to destinations within driving distance. “I’ve always worked in fine dining and now I have a sandwich spot and want to stay creative,” he says about drawing inspiration from wherever he eats. In the few months they’ve been serving the Greenville community, the Prados discovered a number of their guests are Cuban. Tomas jokes there seem to be more Cubans in Greenville than in Miami. And it turns out, that’s only one of many reasons the Prados plan to call Greenville home for years to come. Between the culinary scene he believes is still untapped to the friendly residents and beautiful natural surroundings, Tomas says Greenville is home, and he and Lynda hope to be a part of what makes it an even better place to live.
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reason to party? Tomas and Lynda just celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary Dog parents
DID YOU KNOW?
8-year-old shitzu, Amanda, is their “child” and has moved with them from Miami to New York to Charleston and now Greenville
The mill was in operation from 1901 to 1991 and is currently among the Upstate properties listed on the National Historic Register. Much of the original floors, beams, windows and other features are retained in the restoration.
Favorite local spots Modal for coffee Jianna The Anchorage Upcountry Provisions Second career option Tomas says if he weren’t a chef, he’d own a brewery
Post-work guilty pleasures Taco Bell Gordita Crunch or the grilled cheese burrito, Cook Out
Favorite Snack?
Apartments range from one- to three-bedroom units across five floors, with square footage ranging from 690 to 2,099 and prices from $1,205 to $2,400 per month. All amenities, as well as internet, are included in the rent price.
Cool Ranch Doritos
GREENVILLEJOURNAL.COM // AUGUST 6
August 2021 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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FROM THE COVER
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FEATURED
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First PLACE Laura Allshouse
Sassafrass Flower Farm Easley 20 minutes from Greenville Instagram: @sassafrass_flowers Sassafrassflowerfarm.com Sarah DuBose runs Sassafrass Flower Farm, just outside of Greenville, to support a burgeoning business as a supplier of local blooms and the booth she shares with her husband George at Saturday Market, Reedy River Farms. Last year she began u-pick events with themes for families, date nights, GNO and more. Private picks are available at times by reservation. Bring a picnic, and there’s often live music and food trucks.
Barefoot Acres Adventure Farm
Fountain Inn 30 minutes from Greenville Instagram: @barefootacressc barefootacresfountaininn.com Jody and Troy Prosser bought 52-acres outside of Simpsonville to create an ideal mix of land and air, Barefoot Acres Adventure Farm. Three sections of high ropes and zip lines traverse ¼ mile, followed by an 800-foot dual racing zip line. On ground, are gardens galore, for vegetables and native plants, a butterfly garden, chickens and ducks and a Carolina fence garden. Jody is a master gardener, and education is a big part of a farm visit here.
The Happy Berry Six Mile 45 minutes from Greenville Instagram: @the_happy_berry thehappyberry.com You may have picked blueberries or blackberries at The Happy Berry on the way to the lake, but The Berry Bunch, as they call themselves, have been busy planting additional varieties of seedless grapes, figs, persimmons and muscadine. This past winter social media announced a u-pick in February and March for willow, yep cut your own pussywillow stems. Mulberries will be new this year too.
Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery
Greenville Journal
York 1 hr, 45 minutes from Greenville Instagram: @windyhillcider windyhillorchards.com A cider bar at an orchard iis worth the drive to Windy Hill, and the cider is delicious. The multi-generation, family-operated orchard is picturesque. There’re apples to pick once the season gets going in August and they fry fantastic apple cider donuts on-site. There’s fresh-pressed cider too. Check the website for summer cider bar hours. One of the original Certified SC Grown farms and farm stands, Windy Hill will convert you from WNC apples.
Agribusiness is South Carolina’s largest industry, with a $46.2
billion annual impact on the state’s economy
Mushroom Mountain Easley 30 minutes from Greenville Instagram: @sporeprints mushroommountain.com Popular farm tours resume June 17 at Mushroom Mountain, an eco-destination for the fungi loving. Workshops, classes and certifications occur too, along with beautiful trails and shopping for fruiting kits and gifts. Olga Katic and Tradd Cotter consider the farm a privately-owned research facility with 200+ species of fungi. Mushroom Mountain is a great destination for novice to experts ’shroom hobbyists.
Our destination picks are available nearly year-round to the public, but there’s another farm that opens its fields for just a few weekends starting now. Twin Creeks Lavender in Williamston grows six varieties on 100-year-old farmland, and you can cut your own local lavender bundles at its annual u-pick. Learn more at twincreekslavender.com
Windy Hill Orchards has been a pick-your-own orchard since 2000
Titan Farms – Sarah’s Fresh Market Ridge Springs 1 hr, 45 minutes from Greenville Instagram: @titanfarms | titanfarms.com
fresh-made local
Clean page, good use of graphics and white space. Just the right amount of information for the page.
peach ice cream
from Sarah's Fresh Market
Sarah’s Fresh Market is a historic stop for peaches a bit southeast of Greenwood. The stand is beautiful, filled with produce, flowers, pickles, jam and fresh-made local peach ice cream, a labor-intensive tradition. In fact, the market sells all four of South Carolina’s officially designated foods: peaches, collard greens, milk and the South Carolina state snack, boiled peanuts. Titan grows a massive amount of the peaches produced in South Carolina and the pastoral drive is lovely from Greenville and back.
photos by: Sassafrass Flower Farm: WILL CROOKS | Barefoot Acres: BAREFOOT ACRES | The Happy Berry: PROVIDED | Mushroom Mountain: PROVIDED | Windy Hill: VISIT YORK COUNTY |Titan Farms: VISITOLD96SC.COM MAY 28 // GREENVILLEJOURNAL.COM
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Bob Simmonds
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Index-Journal News
Friday, December 4, 2020
29 inmates charged 2 years after Bishopville prison riot Associated Press COLUMBIA — Nearly 30 inmates were charged in connection with a riot at a South Carolina prison in 2018 that left seven inmates dead and 22 injured, the state’s attorney general announced Thursday. The charges were filed against 29 inmates at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, Attorney General Alan Wilson said during a news conference. Three were charged with murder. Eighteen others were charged with first-degree assault and battery by a mob resulting in death. One of the inmates charged with
assault and battery by mob is Michael Juan Smith. He is known for a shooting that paralyzed a University of South Carolina student in 2013. The correctional institution, which is located about 56 miles east of Columbia, is a high-security prison that houses violent offenders and inmates who show behavioral issues. Prosecutors said the violence erupted between rival gangs after an inmate, Michael Milledge, was killed. Gang members at the prison then retaliated against the inmate who killed him, The Post and Courier reported. The use of illegal cellphones to communicate led to the “mob riot,” Wilson said.
Index-Journal, Greenwood, S.C. n 5A
Biden to call for 100 days of mask-wearing Associated Press WASHINGTON — Joe Biden said Thursday that he will ask Americans to commit to 100 days of wearing masks as one of his first acts as president, stopping ASSOCIATED PRESS just short of the nationwide manPresident-elect Joe Biden departs a news date he’s pushed before to stop the conference Tuesday after introducing his spread of the coronavirus. nominees and appointees to economic policy The move marks a notable posts at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del. shift from President Donald
Trump, whose own skepticism of mask-wearing has contributed to a politicization of the issue. That’s made many people reticent to embrace a practice that public health experts say is one of the easiest ways to manage the pandemic, which has killed more than 275,000 Americans. The president-elect has frequently emphasized mask-wearing as a “patriotic duty.”
Report: Woman stabbed while giving man ride From staff reports
You’d better mask up. You’d better step back. If you want something from the big toy sack. Santa Claus is coming to town ! (unless it’s locked down)
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTOS
Brad Six, wearing a protective face shield, looks in the mirror as he prepares to work as Santa Claus at Bass Pro Shops in Miami.
Ho, ho — WHOA! Virus outbreak keeping most Santas at a distance
By TERRY SPENCER Associated Press
B
The Post and Courier
MIAMI rad Six becomes Santa Claus, pulling his black boots over his red pants in the office of a Miami outdoor supply company. It’s hot, so he forgoes the traditional heavy jacket for a lightweight vest and grabs his Santa hat. But before sliding it on, the gray-bearded 61-yearold dons a plastic face shield and then takes his chair positioned behind a plexiglass sheet. “Getting paid is nice, but to get your battery recharged and to really get something lasting out of it requires interacting with the kids — you don’t get a lot of that this year,” said Six, who first portrayed Santa 35 years ago. This is Santa Claus in the Coronavirus Age, where visits are conducted with layers of protection or online. Putting hundreds of kids daily onto Santa’s lap to talk into his face — that’s not happening for most. The physical attributes that make the perfect Santa align perfectly with those that make COVID-19 especially deadly. “Most of us tick all the boxes: We are old, we are overweight, we have diabetes and if we don’t have diabetes, we have heart disease,” said Stephen Arnold, the president of IBRBS, an association formerly known as the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas. That has spurred creativity in Santa’s workshops. Santas conducting in-person visits are using some combination of masks, the outdoors, barriers and distance for safety. Others are doing virtual visits, where children chat with Santa online for prices typically ranging from $20 to $100, depending on the length and extras, such as whether customers want a recording. Some Santas are taking the season off. “Santa safety is our No. 1 concern” and negotiated into every contract, said Mitch Allen, president of HireSanta, one of the nation’s largest agencies. He said the pandemic initially dried up his business, but it bounced back, especially online. The average Santa makes $5,000 to $10,000 during a normal season, Allen said. That’s a welcome bonus for men often retired on a fixed income, but many Santas say revenue is down as corporate parties and other lucrative gigs evaporated. Jac Grimes, a Santa in Greensboro, North Carolina, gave up home visits, about a third of his business. He did it not just for his own health, but to prevent becoming a superspreader, fearing he’d pass the virus from one family to the next. At a farmers market he annually works, Grimes and his wife Theo and Sophy Morris, visiting from Hawaii with their family, pose for a photograph with Santa Claus, who is sitting behind a transparent barrier, at Bass Pro Shops in dress up as Santa and Mrs. Claus and sit in a parking lot where they to talk to people who remain inside their cars. Miami.
A Greenwood man is facing charges after a woman said he stabbed her while she was driving him to a store, according to a report. Ricky Lee Thompson, 55, of 119 S. University St., Greenwood was arrested Wednesday by Greenwood police and charged with attempted RICKY L. murder and pos- THOMPSON session of a weapon during a violent crime. Greenwood officers began investigating a stabbing Wednesday evening near Louvenia Avenue, the report said. Officers learned from interviewing people that a man had asked a woman for a ride to a store. They got in her vehicle and left, but at some point during the trip the man stabbed the woman in the back several times with what was described as a black-handled butcher knife. Officers searching the woman’s vehicle found blood on the back of the driver’s seat where she had been stabbed, and officers took DNA swabs of the front, passenger-side door, the report said.
GPA event set for today changing By ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY sdonaghy@indexjournal.com Greenwood Performing Arts’ progressive music walk — Mistletoe and Music on Main — is switching things up today, in lieu of forecasted rain, according to GPA’s executive director Lisa M. Sanders. Take note: Venues for some performers are changing from what was originally scheduled and performances will now be indoors. One group, a sibling trio, has withdrawn, The Smith Boys. Thursday afternoon, Sanders announced that all stops on the walk are now indoors. Greenwood opera tenor Keith Jameson will be at Flynn’s on Maxwell and Granger Smith and Nic Massey will be at Howard’s on Main. Saxophonist Steven Galloway is still performing at Inn on the Square. It kicks off at 6 p.m. Limited tickets: $40. Available at Howard’s on Main, Flynn’s on Maxwell and First Citizens Bank (Main Street branch) and by calling GPA, 864-953-2473. Audience size at each location is strictly limited. Masks and social distancing are expected.
Pick Me! adoption event returns statewide From staff reports Pick Me! SC is back for the holidays through Dec. 12. The statewide adoption event is sponsored by the Petco Foundation, in partnership with BOBS from Skechers, and organized by No Kill South Carolina (NKSC), a program of Charleston Animal Society. The goal is to save 1,500 lives through adoptions in 10 days. The Humane Society of Greenwood will be offering $12 “low-fee” adoptions as part of this event. Visit gwdhumanesociety.org to see available animals up for adoption. All participating locations will be following COVID-19 safety protocols. The Humane Society of Greenwood is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday by appointment only.
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B1 Thursday, August 12, 2021
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DOW 35,484.97 +220.30
Combined stocks
q
p
NASDAQ 14,765.13 -22.95 4,480
S&P 500 4,447.70 +10.95
S&P 500
n
p
10-YR T-NOTE 1.34% ... 14,920
30-YR T-BOND 2.00% +.02
p
Nasdaq composite
CRUDE OIL $69.25 +.96
Local Stocks
p
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GOLD $1,750.40 +21.60
EURO $1.1739 +.0017
Area home sales dip slightly in July
How to read the stock tables Here are the top 271 stocks by dollar volume on the NYSE and NASDAQ. The first column changes daily, following this rotation: TU: Dividend WE: Price-earings TH: Ticker symbol FR: Year-to-date %chg. SA: Wkly chg. Boldfaced type indicates 5% or more change and Last is at least 5.00. Underline indicates the volume rank is at least 10. s indicates a new high for this stock. t indicates a new low for this stock.
4,420 4,360
10 DAYS
Close: 4,447.70 Change: 10.95 (0.2%)
14,740 14,560
4,600
15,000
4,400
14,500
4,200
14,000
10 DAYS
Close: 14,765.14 Change: -22.95 (-0.2%)
Properties still selling at a fast pace and usually above asking price BY WARREN L. WISE
4,000 3,800
13,500
13,000 to preliminary data Aug. 10 from the hands at a median price of $350,000.
TKR NAME LAST CHG wwise@postandcourier.com Charleston Trident Association of That’s $45,000, or 15 percent, higher 3,600 12,500 A-B-C Realtors. F M A M J J Athan in July F 2020Min Charleston, A MBerke-J J A AMC AMCfirst Ent time31.55 -.20 For the since +.07 the eco- While sales declined from the same ley, Dorchester and Colleton counties. T AT&T Inc 28.16 HIGH LOW CLOSE CHG %CHG WKthe MO QTR %YTD For the year, residential sales in nomic lockdown ended ABBV AbbVie 113.72in the -1.10spring month last year when they approached DOW 35,501.16 +220.30 +0.62% s at s s +15.94% ACN 319.79 region35,484.97 are up 22.5 percent to 14,252 of 2020,Accenture the blistering pace-.39 of home a record-smashing level after the the35,300.89 DOW Trans. 14,867.74 14,573.31 14,867.42 +265.67 +1.82% s s t +18.87% ATVI ActivsBliz 85.00 +2.01 a median931.52 price of+6.10 $340,000, a nearly back up, July’s trans- 926.52 sales cooled slightly in July throughout economy NYSE opened NASD ADBE AdobeInc 626.03 +4.29 DOW Util. 935.05 +0.66% s s s +7.74% actions stillNYSE above 2,000 for the16,792.78 17 percent gain from first seven the Charleston region. AMD AMD 107.68 +1.20 Vol. (in mil.) Comp. 16,875.74 16,875.39 +82.61 the +0.49% s s s +16.18% 3,205 were 3,680 ABNB Airbnb A nresidential 148.16 real +.21 estate months14,765.13 of 2020. -22.95 -0.16% t s s +14.56% Last month, fifth3,546 consecutive month across 14,842.05the14,692.41 Pvs. Volume 3,688 NASDAQ BABA Alibaba 194.86 -.87 Advanced 4,449.44 4,436.42 4,447.70 +10.95 +0.25% s s s +18.41% 1792 S&P 500 1761 transactions fell 2753.79 13.3 percent, the region. GOOG Alphabet C -8.14 S&P 400 2,741.91 s s s +18.87% 1499 2,112 Declined Last709 Please see SALES, +22.60 Page B2+0.83% month, homes 2,742.14 changed 2,710.96 first decline inA14 months, according GOOGL Alphabet 2725.58 -10.56 +0.23% s s s +17.21% 124 Wilshire 5000 46,266.44 46,062.00 46,248.91 +103.90 New Highs 173 MO Altria 48.17 +.06 2,221.68 2,250.34 +10.98 +0.49% s s s +13.95% 97 Russell 2000 2,250.37 23 AMZN Amazon 3292.11 -28.57 New Lows AAL AmAirlines 21.23 +.29 AXP AmExp 170.67 +1.18 AME Ametek 137.45 +.65 TKR NAME LAST CHG TKR NAME LAST CHG TKR NAME LAST CHG ANTM Anthem 367.64 -9.73 D-E-F NikeB 171.27 -1.00 IVV iSCorSP500 s445.68 +1.05 NKE AAPL Apple Inc s 145.86 +.26 NorflkSo 265.71 +6.64 iShUSAgBd 115.54 +.11 NSC Danaher 310.57 +1.69 AGG AMAT ApldMatl 134.82 -3.24 DHR Novavx 234.30 +4.09 EEM iShEMkts 52.32 +.14 NVAX DE Deere 386.08 +9.46 ARKK ArkInnova 121.30 -.14 s122.72 +4.62 Nucor iShiBoxIG 133.99 +.21 NUE TNA DrxSCBull 89.29 +1.24 LQD ATO ATMOS 101.14 +.25 Nvidia s 196.99 -2.37 iSh20 yrT 146.48 -.09 NVDA DIS Disney 178.09 +1.02 TLT BP BP PLC 26.07 +.19 Oracle 89.63 -.01 iSh7-10yTB 116.69 +.13 ORCL DOCU DocuSign 293.06 -8.38 IEF BIDU Baidu 164.95 -.60 DLTR OtterTail 53.72 +.43 iS Eafe 81.00 +.55 OTTR DollarTree 102.32 +.90 EFA BCPC Balchem 130.49 -.34 UFS OxfordInds 93.98 +2.05 iSCorSPMid 273.69 +2.20 OXM Domtar g 54.75 -.03 IJH BAC BkofAm 41.95 +.52 DKNG iShiBxHYB 87.12 +.14 P-Q-R DraftKin 52.18 +.20 HYG BACpL BkAm pfL 1439.75 +2.25 DD iShNsdBio 167.85 -5.17 PDCE DuPont 78.30 +1.07 IBB PDC Engy 40.67 +.69 BKSC BankSC 22.50 -.03 DUK iShR2K 223.69 +1.09 PNC DukeEngy 107.14 +.24 IWM PNC 193.90 +2.20 BZH BeazerHm 18.21 +.84 EBAY eBay 68.02 +.71 IYR iShREst 106.03 +.60 PLTR Palantir n 22.35 -.57 BRK/A BerkHa A 438160 +3550 ETN s166.91 -.44 IJR Eaton iShCrSPS 112.40 +.78 PANW PaloAltNet 365.48 -11.52 BRK/B BerkH B 291.28 +2.34 LLY EliLilly 264.10 -5.35 IMKTA InglesMk h 67.10 +1.59 PH ParkerHan 296.00 -2.65 BNTX BioNTech 359.19 -57.31 EVRG s67.55 +.63 INTC Evergy Intel 54.14 +.20 PATK PatrkInd 86.99 +.45 BA Boeing 239.49 +3.71 EXC s48.20 +.63 IBM Exelon IBM 142.13 +.75 PYPL PayPal 276.41 +2.04 BMY BrMySq 66.87 -.51 XOM ExxonMbl 58.35 +.17 IP IntPap 60.06 +.44 PEP PepsiCo 155.04 +.61 CSX CSX s 33.98 +1.03 FB Facebook 359.96 -1.17 KBWB In KBWBkII 67.70 +1.22 PFE Pfizer 46.31 -1.88 CVS CVS Health 84.95 +1.71 FDX FedExCp 276.27 +5.01 QQQ Inv QQQ 366.21 -.63 PM PhilipMor 99.76 -.20 884.04 +16.85 IEMG COF CapOne s174.55 +3.88 FCNCA FCtzBA iShCorEM 63.90 +.12 PINS Pinterest 56.80 -.44 Fluor 18.16 +.55 CCL Carnival 23.99 +.34 FLR PLUG PlugPowr h 27.40 -1.70 J-K-L FordM 13.93 +.11 CAT Caterpillar 221.66 +7.59 F TQQQ PrUltPQ s 134.38 -.73 JPMorgCh 161.16 +1.90 PG FrptMcM 38.73 +.51 JPM CATO CatoCp 16.44 +.10 FCX ProctGam 142.62 +.35 JohnJn 173.80 +.03 SQQQ fuboTV n 31.82 +3.18 JNJ PShtQQQ rs 8.22 +.03 CHTR ChartCm 776.65 +10.15 FUBO LamResrch 608.52 -8.65 QCOM Qualcom s20.20 +1.43 LRCX FulcrThr 146.68 +.81 CPK ChespkUtil 129.86 +.60 FULC LIN Linde 306.30 +4.52 RRC RangeRs 14.66 -.13 CVX Chevron 102.85 +.77 G-H-I LOW Lowes 194.52 +4.79 RYN Rayonier 37.47 +.42 CSCO Cisco 55.86 +.25 GE GenElec rs 106.04 -.04 RF RegionsFn 20.62 +.43 M-N-O C Citigroup 74.30 +1.32 GM GenMotors 54.27 +.01 RiotBlck 37.76 -.73 CLF ClevCliffs s25.75 -.27 GILD MasterCrd 364.24 -3.60 RIOT s69.84 +.60 MA GileadSci Robnhd A n 51.19 -2.75 COKE CocaCons 400.21 +6.10 GPN MercadoL 1887.57 +9.04 HOOD GlobPay 169.56 -.19 MELI Roku 369.21 -10.05 KO CocaCola 56.73 -.07 GS MicronT 75.03 -.88 ROKU s413.89 +5.92 MU GoldmanS RBLX Roblox n 84.69 -.39 COIN Coinbase n 278.40 +8.73 HVT Microsoft 286.95 +.51 Haverty 38.26 -.53 MSFT S-T-U STZ ConstellA 213.40 -4.66 HRC MicroStr 747.49 -3.00 Hill-Rom 129.50 +2.54 MSTR COO CooperCo 408.20 +1.65 HD Moderna 385.33 -71.43 SEIC HomeDp 337.00 +5.52 MRNA SEI Inv 62.19 +.03 COST Costco s444.30 +1.27 HBAN s103.88 +1.84 DIA MorgStan HuntBncsh 15.24 +.37 MS s354.94 +2.21 SpdrDJIA CRWD CrowdStr 239.88 -12.79 EWZ Netflix 512.40 -3.44 GLD iShBrazil 37.52 -.07 NFLX SpdrGold 164.00 +2.23 CULP Culp Inc 14.18 +.10 FXI iShChinaLC 41.97 +.35 NEE NextEraEn 82.37 +1.84 SPY S&P500ETF s443.78 +1.10
Stocks Recap
NAME
TICKER
CLOSE
DIV
Alphabet Inc A Bank of America Bk of SC Corp Beazer Homes USA Benefitfocus Inc Blackbaud Inc Boeing Co Cummins Inc DR Horton Inc Dominion Energy DuPont de Nemours Duke Energy Gen Dynamics HireQuest Inc Home Depot Ingevity Corp Lowes Cos Nucor Corp PulteGroup Inc ScanSource Inc Sonoco Prods South State Corp Synovus Fincl Truist Financial Cp WalMart Strs Wells Fargo & Co
GOOGL 2725.58 BAC 41.95 BKSC 22.50 BZH 18.21 BNFT 12.27 BLKB 70.69 BA 239.49 CMI 241.80 DHI 98.45 D 76.93 DD 78.30 DUK 107.14 GD 200.69 20.60 HQI HD 337.00 NGVT 83.35 LOW 194.52 NUE 122.72 PHM 55.37 SCSC 29.21 SON 64.09 SSB 71.96 SNV 44.40 TFC 58.86 WMT 150.01 WFC 50.66
... 0.84f 0.68f ... ... 0.48 ... 5.80f 0.80 2.52m 1.20 3.94f 4.76 0.24f 6.60 ... 3.20f 1.62f 0.56f ... 1.72 1.96f 1.32 1.92f 2.20f 0.80f
TKR XBI KRE SIVB CRM SHW SHOP SKYW SNAP SON SSB SPOT SQ XLB XLV XLP XLE XLF XLI XLK XLU SBUX RGR SYNL SNV TGT TSLA TXT TMO MMM TTD TFC TWTR UBER UNP UAL X UNH U
CHG
%CHG
%YTD
82 -10.56 -0.4% +55.5% 18 +.52 +1.3% +38.4% 19 -.03 -0.1% +40.4% 7 +.84 +4.8% +20.2% +.17 +1.4% -15.3% cc +1.18 +1.7% +22.8% +3.71 +1.6% +11.9% Charleston19 +8.03 +3.4% +6.5% 10 +2.74 +2.9% +42.8% area home 79 +.49 +2.3% sales+0.6% slipped+10.1% 18 +1.07 +1.4% in July 61 +.24 +0.2% +17.0% compared +1.67 +0.8% +34.9% -.60 -2.8% +101.7% with the 25 +5.52 +1.7% same+3.0% month+26.9% 19 +2.39 +10.1% one year 25 +4.79 +2.5% +21.2% 12 +4.62 +3.9% +130.7% ago but 11 +1.93 +3.6% +28.4% still remain 12 +.56 +2.0% +10.7% healthy. +.73 +1.2% +8.2% 12 +.36 +0.5% WARREN L. WISE/ -0.5% 19 +.70 +37.2% STAFF +1.6% +.90 +1.6% +22.8% 35 +1.33 +0.9% +4.1% 35 +1.03 +2.1% +67.9%
Lumber firm to invest $30M in sawmill in Summerville
NAME LAST CHG TKR NAME LAST CHG SpdrBiot 125.66 -.82 OLED UnivDisp 203.77 -.81 SpdrS&P RB 67.10 +1.12 UPST 171.20 +35.52 UpstarHld n SVB FnGp 594.32 +13.61 V-W-X-Y-Z Salesforce 242.28 -1.11 VanEGold 32.66 +.64 s302.33 +6.26 GDX Shrwin s VnEkSemi 263.63 -.70 Shopify 1485.23 -40.71 SMH VangTotBd 86.01 +.06 SkyWest 42.72 +1.01 BND VangMidC s243.88 +1.08 SnapInc A 76.53 +.73 VO VangTSM s229.38 +.45 SonocoP 64.09 +.73 VTI VangSP500 s407.96 +.98 SouthState 71.96 +.36 VOO VerizonCm 55.57 +.09 Spotify t214.00 -1.48 VZ VertxPh 195.25 -1.21 Square 271.09 -1.99 VRTX VirgnGal 27.36 -3.97 SP Matls 86.51 +1.20 SPCE Visa 235.06 -3.01 SP HlthC 131.82 -1.32 V WEC Engy 96.41 +.31 s71.95 +.24 WEC SP CnSt WalMart 150.01 +1.33 SP Engy 50.06 +.39 WMT Wayfair 310.08 +24.87 SPDR Fncl s38.80 +.44 W 1490.00 -.01 SP Inds 105.53 +1.35 WFCpL WellsF pfL s50.66 +1.03 WellsFargo SP Tech 153.27 +.02 WFC WestRck 52.14 +1.09 s68.13 +.63 WRK SP Util WREN WIX Wix.com t215.49 -44.01 Starbucks 116.50 BY +.56DAVID XeroxHld 24.33 +.33 SturmRug 82.80 dwren@postandcourier.com -.10 XRX ZoomVid 358.56 -13.99 Synalloy 11.15 +.45 ZM SynovusFn 44.40 +.70 Stock Footnotes: g - Dividends and earnings in SUMMMERVILLE Canadian lums263.01 -1.06 Target Canadian dollars. h — - Does not meet continued-listing standards. lf - Late filing to withinvest SEC. n Tesla Inc s 707.82 ber -2.17firm Interfor Corp. plans Stock was a new issue in the last year. pf s74.46 +1.22 -Preferred Textron issue. rs its - Stock has undergone $30 million tostock expand Summerville ThermoFis 537.26 -3.11 a reverse stock split of at least 50% within the sawmill, after acquiring 3M Co 201.57 +2.32 past just year. smonths - Stock has split by at least 20 percent within the last year. vj - Company in bankTradDsA rs 82.40 the -5.13business WestRock Co. ruptcy or from receivership, or being reorganized TruistFn 58.86 +.90 under the bankruptcy law. Appears in of the The name. expansion, designed tofrontboost Twitter 65.46 -.22 Footnotes: ais - Extra dividends were Uber Tch 43.08 production -.42 Dividendcapacity, scheduled for paid, but are not included. e - Amount declared UnionPac 226.39 +4.68 completion by12the end of next or paid in last months. f - Current annualyear rate, UtdAirlHl 48.21 +.53 which was increased by most recent dividend “help position SummerUSSteel 28.35 and +.04 will announcement. m - Currentthe annual rate, which was for decreased by mostand recent dividend UtdhlthGp 407.74 ville -4.04 mill the future ensure it UntySftw n 121.35 +14.20 announcement.
GAVIN MCINTYRE/STAFF
Jesse Mellinger, general manager of a new craft beer collective called The Whale, stands between the two owners, Jesse Van Note and Andrew Ross, with Ross’ dog, Peyto, inside the site under construction at The Refinery on Meeting Street on Charleston’s upper peninsula.
Asheville-based craft beer bar to open in Holy City Ice cream shop, dog grooming and gym also on the way
A
new craft beer venue is headed to a mixed-use office building on Charleston’s upper peninsula, while a new wine bar will set up shop near downtown. The Whale, a craft beer collective with locations in Greenville and Asheville, N.C., will be located in part of The Refinery at 1640 Meeting St., according to Lindsay Nevin, president of property management and contracting firm Flyway, WARREN which developed the three-story office strucL. WISE ture. Retail With plans to open after Labor Day in September, The Whale will serve beer and wine in a 1,400-square-foot space on the ground floor on the back side of The Refinery next to a currently vacant restaurant space. The beer collective will include an upstairs patio overlooking a 1,500-seat capacity amphitheater where musicians and other artists can perform. Garagestyle doors will open to a ground-floor patio as well. “In the world of craft beer, a ‘whale’ means a rare and special beer that is sought after,” according to The Whale’s website. “The Whale: A Craft Beer Collective is a craft beer bar that specializes in these kinds of offerings.” Owners Jesse Van Note and Andrew Ross, who met while working in an Asheville brewery, launched the first location in western North Carolina in 2017. While there was no shortage of beer around them, they felt like something was missing in Asheville.
P/E
Interfor purchased business few months ago
remains competitive throughout all market conditions for many years to come,” Bruce Luxmoore, Interfor’s senior vice president of Southern operations, said in a written statement. Interfor bought the Dorchester County mill for $59 million in February, when it also announced a long-term chip and biomass supply agreement with WestRock’s paper mill along the Cooper River in North Charleston. The company did not say whether the expansion will create any new jobs at the Summerville site. The sawmill produced about 125 million board feet of lumber in 2020, and a new permit will allow Interfor to increase that by about 60 percent to roughly 200 million board feet. Interfor, based in Vancouver, had record earnings during the second quarter at $611 million before taxes, depreciation and amortization costs. Please see SAWMILL, Page B5
Chas. firm raises $40M to grow hydroponics sales BY JODI SHAFTO jshafto@postandcourier.com
WARREN L. WISE/STAFF
Dog-grooming business Scenthound is coming to a shop in Mount Pleasant near Publix in Queensborough Shopping Center.
PROVIDED
OddFellows Ice Cream offers many flavors, including Miso Cherry. The Brooklyn-based dessert shop will open a location on King Street in downtown Charleston this fall.
“After many bottle shares and late nights, the idea of a craft beer collective came about that brought all the best beers from around the world under one roof,” the Whale website states. In 2019, they opened a second location in Greenville. The co-owners believe Charleston’s craft beer industry has grown enough that it’s time to expand and bring the concept to the Lowcountry. “Charleston’s beer scene is similar to Asheville’s a few years ago,” Ross said. “We think the vibe is very similar.”
The beer collective does not carry local craft beers in any of its locations because it doesn’t want to compete with local breweries, and its chief aim is to provide beer that can’t be found where it operates. “It’s our way of supporting local breweries,” Van Note said. “We carry beers that are not local.” For instance, beers produced in Charleston might be found at the Asheville or Greenville Whale locations, while beers made in the Upstate or western North Carolina could be offered in Charleston along with beer and wine selections from around the globe. “We want to keep the selection always fluid,” Ross said.
On the way
A new wine bar is coming to the Charleston peninsula. The Tippling House LLC recently leased 1,000 square feet at 221A Coming
Please see RETAIL, Page B2
A Charleston-based company that combines agriculture and technology has raised $40 million from a stock offering to expand the use of its hydroponic container farms. AmplifiedAg Inc. said this week that it plans to use the funds for a Southeast expansion of Vertical Roots, its indoor hydroponic growing system, and the AmpEdge operating platform that ensures crops are raised under optimal conditions. The company said it currently operates farms in Charleston, Columbia and Atlanta. It plans to build additional farms in Georgia and Florida. The newly raised funding will support an expansion in the north and central sections of the Sunshine State. AmplifiedAg said Vertical Roots has become the largest hydroponic container farm operator in the world over the past four years. The growth is leading to discussions with investors and other strategic partners, CEO Don Taylor said. “We expect to consummate additional financing later this year to further accelerate Vertical Roots’ presence across the country,” he said. AmplifiedAg’s strategy is to operate Vertical Roots at food distribution sites to close the “farm-to-table gap,” minimize emissions and provide Please see OFFERING, Page B5
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SPECIAL REPORT
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First PLACE Chad Dunbar
The Post and Courier
‘I Am
Omar’ A quest for the true identity of Omar ibn Said, a Muslim man enslaved in the Carolinas
RANDOLPH LINSLY SIMPSON AFRICAN-AMERICAN COLLECTION/YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
STORY BY JENNIFER BERRY HAWES PHOTOGRAPHS BY GAVIN MCINTYRE
Striking entry that draws the reader into what sounds like a fascinating story.
D
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center
AKAR — Dust rolling in from the Sahara Desert cloaks the horizon, shrouding the clay structures ahead and disorienting the band of strangers as they approach. Yet they come to this ancient village in search of clarity. Imam Amadou Baîdy Sy, among the most learned men in the area, welcomes the unexpected guests into his home. Gathering around him on colorful mats and tapestries, they clutch two Arabic texts, each laden with a trans-Atlantic mystery. The documents contain words written two centuries ago by a man captured somewhere out here in the sand-swept expanse of northern Senegal. The visitors, who include two Post and Courier
journalists, explain the importance of the author. Draped in folds of royal purple, Sy leans over to grasp the packet. He has never heard of this Omar ibn Said. That’s not surprising. Omar wrote his most historically important text, a brief autobiography, 190 years ago, and it spent much of the last century forgotten in an old trunk in Virginia. When he wrote it, Omar was 61 and more than two decades into a long enslavement in America — first in Charleston and then North Carolina. He lacked the freedom for candor, though he’d become a minor celebrity for his exotic script and born-again zeal for Jesus. Or so they said.
STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 2
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Charles Swenson
Athena Redmond
Coastal Observer Thursday December 31, 2020
COASTAL OBSERVER
Pageland Progressive-Journal
Pawleys Island South Carolina
A long line outside the Georgetown County Voter Registration and Elections Office on Oct. 5 was a sign of how many people were going to vote absentee in the general election. In the end, more than 1.45 million state residents, including 22,654 in Georgetown County, cast an absentee ballot.
ELECTION 2020
Photos by DON WORTHINGTON/Progressive Journal
Chamber president Timothy Griffin speaks at the dedication of the Welcome to Pageland mural. Above, the Central Eagle looks as its ready to attack Wally the Watermelon. At left, something in the parade has caught the attention of Grady Sullivan, 11 months old.
Tom Bradley was among the people who said they didn’t feel they had voted unless they went to their polling place on Election Day.
It's the end of the ride for Bentley Floyd, 10, of Jefferson at the Pageland Watermelon Festival midway. Below, fresh melon slices await festival attendees. At left, Lorraince Smalls of Charlotte takes a bite of an onion laden Polish Sausage.
Connor Troxell, 5, helps his grandfather, Joey Mangum, unload watermelons at Mangum Produce before the festival.
After stopping in Georgetown in February, Joe Biden won the South Carolina Democratic primary. The victory reenergized his campaign and he was elected president in November.
After three elections in one year, Sheriff Carter Weaver won a four-year term in November.
A 22-vote victory by Bob Anderson, above, over Ron Charlton, right, in the election for County Council 2 was upheld by the local GOP executive committee in June. Charlton’s last council meeting was Dec. 8. Days later, he tested positive for COVID-19.
Sen. Lindsey Graham campaigned in Pawleys Island the weekend before the election in November.
Barbara Foy pulls down her mask to talk to a poll worker through a plastic screen.
Jaime Harrison, the Democrat who ran for U.S. Senate against Lindsey Graham, campaigned at True Blue Golf Club in March.
Above, festival director Timothy Griffin gets the parade started Saturday. At left, children ride a giant caterpillar at the festival.
I love the French fries from Jimco’s. They know how to season them. I also like the mini donuts here at the festival.
Susan Melton, Jefferson
The Kono icees are my favorite.
Ryn, 8, Jefferson
I like the honey barbeque wings. They were homestyle.
Jaydyn Sowell, Mt. Croghan
The popularity of absentee voting led to short lines at polling places, including the Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire Headquarters, on Election Day. After a long, contentious campaign season, many people had election fatigue and searched for new candidates, left.
I always like the nice juicy, sweet watermelon. It helps cool you off.
Jeran Miller, Pageland
The turkey legs are my favorite. There’s nothing like them.
Jody Nesbit, Monroe
The turkey legs are my favorite. They are just so good.
Elder Willie McBride, Pageland
I was looking for the blooming onions, but I couldn’t find them this year. They are my favorite. I also like the fried fish and shrimp.
Betty Carol Fowler, Pageland
The seafood is what I like. They had the right temperature I liked the honey barbeque and seasoning. wings. Desmond Sowell, Mt. Croghan
Jalen Rider, Hilton Head
We like the hot funnel cakes. The powdered sugar makes them so good.
Louis and Mary Burns, Peachland
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22 | ISLAND LIFE
thedanielislandnews.com
The Daniel Island News ■ July 8 - 14, 2021
PATRIOTIC PARADE
Community celebrates Independence Day by decorating golf carts and bikes ZACH GIROUX
zach@thedanielislandnews.com
First PLACE Pamela Brownstein
The Daniel Island News
I
t rained on the Daniel Island Golf Cart and Bike Parade, but intermittent showers didn’t spoil the Fourth of July weekend fanfare. The grassroots event was held Friday, July 2 from 5-6 p.m. on the grounds of the Daniel Island School. But the parade never would have happened if it wasn’t for a community-wide effort, explained parade organizer and Daniel Island resident Lauren Barber. “It’s been hard for the community to miss out on gatherings the past year and a half because of covid,” Barber said. “But everyone that I engaged about the parade was quick to support it — residents to decorate their golf carts and bikes, firefighters to participate in the judging and parade, Daniel Island School to let us use their parking lot, and the POA to help us execute the event in a safe manner. Even despite the looming weather, the community showed up and made it a success! I hope this is just the beginning for Daniel Island to come together to celebrate!” Despite the inclement weather, approximately 80 golf carts and 20 bikes participated in the parade. The Charleston Fire Department was present on the scene of the parade route. First responders from the fire department chose the most patriotic participants of the parade. Brittany Lake and Brandon Lake won the best decorated golf cart and Carolina Beaty won the best decorated bike.
PHOTOS BY ZACH GIROUX
The Daniel Island Golf Cart and Bike Parade was held July 2 at the Daniel Island School. Nearly 80 golf carts and 20 bikes participated in the event. Daniel Island residents Brandon and Brittany Lake won for best decorated cart and Carolina Beaty won for best decorated bike.
HUTTON SNELLINGS SCHEEL
From left, Caroline McDermott, Helms Scheel and Blair McDermott celebrate America’s birthday on Daniel Island.
Outstanding. This spread is what captivates readers.
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Kat Velez
Melanie Smith
Morning News SOUTHERN 500
MORNING NEWS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 |
The Sumter Item Local officials give opinions on indoor voluntary masking
C3
THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021
ANDREW BOARDWINE, SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS
Denny Hamlin (11) comes in for a pit stop during the Cookout Southern 500 Sunday evening at Darlington Raceway. Hamlin won the race for the third time.
A2
$1.00
| Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894
ANDREW BOARDWINE, SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS
Aric Almirola prepares for the Cookout Southern 500 on Sunday afternoon at Darlington Raceway.
A DAY AT THE RACES
JANEL STRIETER / THE SUMTER ITEM
Sumter’s Best The Sumter Item holds annual Best of Sumter winners celebration at Sumter Original Brewery
M
ore than 300 category winners were celebrated at Sumter Original Brewery in downtown Sumter on Tuesday night.
JANEL STRIETER / THE SUMTER ITEM
Those who attended ate dinner catered by the brewery, which won Best Bar and Best New Business. Every winner was announced, and winners in attendance received their award and had their photo taken on the red carpet. Thank you to our title sponsor, Thompson; platinum sponsors, Air Solutions Heating and Cooling, Archway Academy, Hodge Systems & Consulting Services, state Rep.
Murrell Smith, Simpson Hardware and Sports and Tanners; and gold sponsors, Carquest Auto Parts, DJ Howie D Entertainment DJs, James Formal Wear, McLeod Health, Prisma Health, Wesmark Ambulatory Surgery Center and Wright Way Plumbing. For more photos, find a gallery online and on our social media and see page A6. Search and share #BestOfSumter on social media.
ANDREW BOARDWINE, SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS
As the sun sets behind the grandstands, a man blows away debris from pit road Sunday during the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
DARLINGTON Another Southern 500 is in the history book at Darlington Raceway. This was the 72nd running of the NASCAR race, which dates to 1950. A big crowd but short of capacity attended. Denny Hamlin won for the third time. See photo galleries at SCNow.com.
ANDREW BOARDWINE, SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS
There was lots of activity on the track and in the pits shortly before the start of the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
DAVID YEAZELL, SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS
A member of Ryan Newman’s crew smiles Sunday in the pits at Darlington Raceway.
PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM
A tire is scraped Sunday at the 72nd annual Cook Out Southern 500 race at Darlington Raceway. DAVID YEAZELL, SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS
VISIT US ONLINE AT MATTHEW CHRISTIAN, MORNING NEWS
Ross Chastain (42) and Erik Jones (43) enter turn 1 Sunday during the opening laps of the 2021 Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
the
.com
DEATHS, A11 Chandra Darlene Ellerbe Benjamin M. Snyder Jr. Minnie Lee Archie George Thomas Jacoby Margaret A. Stubbs
Daisy Bell Grant Wheeler Willie English Helen Williams Maggie Davis Lewis
WEATHER, A14 HOT DAY Partly sunny and hot today; mainly clear, warm and humid at night HIGH 96, LOW 76
INSIDE 1 SECTION, 14 PAGES VOL. 126, NO. 203
Classifieds A13 Comics A4 Opinion A12
Sports A8 Television A7
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First PLACE Chad Dunbar, Lauren Petracca and Matthew Fortner The Post and Courier
RISING WATERS
A10: Sunday, September 19, 2021
The Post and Courier: A11
THE GREENLAND CONNECTION
A cemetery above Ilulissat frames a view of Disko Bay as giant icebergs float out to sea on Aug. 9. A Greenlandic tradition is to bury loved ones in places with beautiful views and close to hunting grounds.
Thunderous roar as melting ice spells trouble for coasts GREENLAND, from A1 CHAPTER 2
The ice has left the building It was the middle of August, and the afternoon temperature was in the low 60s, speeding up the summer melt. Above western Greenland, Josh Willis crouched in the back of a World War II-era DC-3. He wore a blue NASA jumpsuit and cradled a 3-foot-long metal tube. He peeled off a sticker that said “REMOVE BEFORE LAUNCHING.” Setting the tube down, he opened a round metal hatch in the floor. Through the hole, you could see the Ilulissat Icefjord below. Willis has a cherubic face and those long Elvis sideburns. Mention that he looks like Elvis and he lowers his voice and answers with the King’s trademark, “Thank you very much.” He’s a graduate of Second City’s comedy school in Los Angeles and has done shows on Hollywood Boulevard. His performances are a bit of oil and water — climate science and comedy. But he thinks that scientists could do a better job talking about their discoveries, and humor helps. For a science communication contest a few years ago, he and friends did a music video called the Climate Rock. In it, an 11-year-old asks, “What is climate?” Willis, in a 1970s Elvis jumpsuit, sings: “You take a bunch of weather and you average it together and you’re doing the Climate Rock!” Climate Elvis was born. Willis has a more serious day job: climate scientist with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. He leads the agency’s OMG project, which does not stand for “Oh My God,” though Willis does find himself saying that when he looks below and sees Greenland’s cathedrals of ice. It stands for Oceans Melting Greenland, a title he cooked up a decade ago as a catchy way to describe the project’s central question: Do warming oceans affect Greenland’s ice sheet? Which is how he ended up throwing things out of airplanes.
•••
The Ilulissat Glacier is a key OMG target and one of the most important glaciers you’ve probably never heard of. It pours into a large valley near the town of Ilulissat, which is pronounced illoo-lih-sat and means “icebergs” in Greenlandic. The Ilulissat Glacier also goes by other names: Jakobshavn, after a Danish merchant, and still used by many scientists; and the Greenlandic name “Sermeq Kujalleq,” or south glacier. But given all the giant icebergs, Ilulissat fits best. About 40 miles from the sea, Illulisat Glacier forms an 8-mile wall called a calving front. Here, ice moves toward the ocean at 150 feet per day — a pace that tripled during the 1990s and 2000s. As it moves, it creates a great white shelf over the water that breaks off, often violently. On warm days, the ice cracks like cubes after they’ve been dropped in a warm drink, except these cracks sound like thunderclaps and shake your ribs. Chunks as large as skyscrapers crash into the water, launching ice shards and spray. Some fractures release so much energy that geologists call them glacial quakes. Earthquake instruments across the world detect the biggest calving events. In 2008, a crew for the documentary “Chasing Ice ” watched part of the ice wall collapse in a roar of thunder and white. The chunk was larger than 3,000 Egyptian pyramids. All this falling ice flows down a fjord that’s
2,500 feet deep. But near the fjord’s mouth, the biggest icebergs hit an underwater speed bump — a sudden rise in the seabed that’s still about 800 feet deep. This bump creates the world’s most beautiful traffic jam. Icebergs with giant arches crowd ones that look like snow cones, alligator heads and cowboy hats. Blue meltwater rivers speed down shimmering white slopes. Humpback whales swim between iceberg cliffs. Water streams off the cliffs, sounding like a steady rain. Some icebergs lose their balance as they melt. Without warning, they do summersaults, even ones as large as aircraft carriers. This can swamp fishing boats and smear the water with white ice bits for miles. Over time, ice melts below the big icebergs, enough to clear that 800-foot-deep speed bump. Freed from the fjord, they float into the open ocean, propelled now by powerful currents. But this traffic jam had long given OMG fits. The NASA crew needed space in the water to drop their probes, and sometimes the bergs were bumper to bumper. A few days before, they’d found an opening to drop a probe. But it didn’t broadcast any data. Now they were back for another try. And Willis badly wanted the measurements, in part because of what they’d discovered a few years before.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY LAUREN PETRACCA/STAFF
A fishing boat is dwarfed by an iceberg in Disko Bay outside Ilulissat on Aug. 10. The giant ice sculptures are chunks of ice that have broken off of the Ilulissat Glacier, also known as Jakobshavn, 40 miles inland.
•••
The probes do two simple things: measure water temperature and saltiness. But they do this in a complex way: After Willis pushes the tube down the chute, a parachute opens, slowing the probe to about 60 mph before it hits the water. A battery that uses saltwater to generate a charge then triggers a second probe. Tethered by an unspooling wire, the second part sinks toward the seabed, beaming up data to the plane. Satellites and aerial surveys can’t measure temperature and salinity deep in the sea, Willis explained. “So you have to put a thermometer in it.” And they need to do this from a plane because of Greenland’s size — nearly 1,700 miles from its northern tip to its southern, or roughly the distance between Charleston and Denver. The OMG flights began in 2016. Flying low, they dropped about 250 probes around the entire country that year. Almost immediately, they stumbled on something unexpected. The Ilulissat Glacier was growing. This was surprising because Ilulissat is known in scientific circles as a global floodgate. Floodgates are massive faucets that drain the ice sheet, and Ilulissat’s melt is so formidable it may have already contributed more to sea rise than any other single feature north of Antarctica. But the OMG data showed it was expanding for the first time in 20 years. “At first blush, it seemed like great news,” Willis said. It wasn’t. More readings showed that a large blob of cold water had moved into the fjord, temporarily cooling the glacier like a big ice blanket. This allowed the ice above and below to grow. The glacier expanded again in 2017, 2018 and 2019. But in 2020, the cold water left the fjord. Warm water replaced it, and the glacier shrank. Bad news for places like Charleston, New Orleans and other cities at or near sea level. For the OMG scientists, “it was a home run,” Willis said. It proved their hypothesis: What’s happening hidden below the waves affected when and how glaciers melted. And it showed that the warming waters of the Atlantic and its undulating currents drove that melt. Based on this OMG work, scientists were able to calculate that Greenland’s already
The world's largest island Greenland is so large these states could fit within its borders. And nearly all of it is covered with ice. The average thickness of the ice is 1 mile, with some parts as much as 10,000 feet thick.
GREENLAND
CANADA U.S.
NOTE: Sizes are approximate.
CANADA
N .Y. Penn.
Josh Willis, a climate scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, watches through the window for a probe he dropped out of a 78-year-old DC-3 to measure the temperature and salinity around the Ilulissat Glacier on Aug. 14. Willis, who leads the agency’s OMG project, short for Oceans Melting Greenland, says Greenland is shedding ice more than seven times faster than in the 1990s. major contribution to sea rise might be twice as large as previously thought. As Willis readied the probe, summer heat waves had smashed records in the western United States and Europe. Willis wondered: Was the water in the Ilulissat Icefjord still getting warmer?
•••
In the cockpit, a Canadian pilot named Jim Haffey saw a few openings in the ice floe. “This could work,” he said, motioning to a patch about the size of a basketball court. “I like it,” said Mike Wood, a post-doctoral researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. “Let’s give it a shot,” Willis said, loading the probe into the chute. The old plane dove. The icebergs grew larger. The altimeter ticked below 700 feet. 600. 500.
“Now!” the pilot said. “Twelve away,” Willis said, pushing the probe down the chute. The pilot banked left hard, looking for the probe’s splash. In the back, Willis and Wood waited for a signal. CHAPTER 3
Signal That same weekend, 3,000 miles south, Hurricane Grace cartwheeled toward Veracruz, Mexico — the strongest hurricane ever recorded in that region. Tropical Storm Fred pounded the Florida Panhandle, flooding areas with 7 to 9 inches of rain as it moved inland toward the Carolinas. Henri formed off the East Coast, beginning its destructive trek to Rhode Island. You can’t pin climate change as the cause
W. Va . Va .
N.J.
N.C. Ga.
When a glacier no longer meets the ocean, scientists call it a dead glacier, though its meltwater still pours into the ocean. Here, near Ilulissat in western Greenland, a glacier that once created a shelf over the ocean has receded far inland, pictured Aug. 5.
S.C.
Fla. 0
of these storms, but physics and patterns signal whether they’re getting worse. Heat-trapping carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere haven’t been this high for 4 million years, an increase due largely to the burning of coal, gas and other fossil fuels. The average global temperature has risen 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit since 1975, and physicists know that every increase like that means the air can hold 7 percent more moisture. Put another way: In a warming world, the buckets above our heads get larger. At the same time, ocean temperatures are rising, up 1.5 degrees since 1901. Warmer water naturally expands. And more volume
means higher sea levels, more record-breaking floods. Where Charleston typically saw one or two tidal floods a few decades ago, last year we had 68. And that followed 2019’s all-time record of 89. It also means more water in people’s homes and yards, even when it’s sunny. And all this warmer air and water fuels more intense storms, research shows. Hurricanes are intensifying more rapidly; they’re forming earlier in the season; they’re dumping more rain. Last year, the overheated waters of the Atlantic spawned a record 30 storms, so many that forecasters began using Greek letters to name storms.
In the Southeast, this extra heat translates into a 27 percent increase in torrential rainstorms — summertime downpours like one that would soon hit North Charleston. CHAPTER 4
Heart But before that happens, let’s get out of the sweatbox, head back to the Arctic, where flying over the Greenland ice sheet is one way to get a sense of things. Another way is to go even smaller. Put boots with metal crampons
250 mi
j
SOURCE: ESRI
BRANDON LOCKETT/STAFF
onto the ice sheet itself as it melts, hear the clomp, clomp, clomp of your guide, Adam Lyberth, as he steps toward the edge of a blue-and-white chasm that could be your last memory if you slip. The ice itself is hard but soppy. Walking on it, you see more small cracks than you might expect. But it’s the blue hues around you that grab the eyes. Set against the white, the blues are so vibrant they seem at once pure and Please see GREENLAND, Page A12
Good use of photos to illustrate a complicated story. Skillful use of large and small images on the page. Overall nice design.
News Photo
Associate & Individual Division
Third PLACE
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Gwinn Davis
Alexandria Ng
Charleston Regional Business Journal
News Photo
Associate & Individual Division
First PLACE Gwinn Davis
Photo shows an exciting moment from a celebration for veterans with a parachuting Special Forces member flying into view with the American flag. Captured wonderfully!
Spot News Photo
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Johnnie Daniels
Janet Morgan
The Dillon Herald
Myrtle Beach Herald
Spot News Photo
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First PLACE T.J. Martin
The News & Reporter
Perfect timing to get these colors. The photographer catches just enough of the chief’s face to tell the story here. Lucky shot maybe, but it’s a winner.
Spot News Photo
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Tim Kimzey
Tim Kimzey
Herald-Journal
Herald-Journal
Spot News Photo
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First PLACE Lauren Petracca
The Post and Courier
Captures the impact of the water as the woman flees with her parasol.
General News Photo
Weekly Under 3,500 Division
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Second PLACE
Richard Kelly
Michael Lollis
News-Chronicle
The Journal, Williamston
General News Photo
Weekly Under 3,500 Division
First PLACE Vic MacDonald
The Clinton Chronicle
Great job capturing the spirit of the event in one photo. I couldn’t wait to read the cutline to see who the three key subjects were. Great framing, made possible by great planning.
General News Photo
Weekly 3,500-6,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Brian Garner
Janet Morgan
The News & Reporter
Myrtle Beach Herald
General News Photo
Weekly 3,500-6,500 Division
First PLACE Janet Morgan
Myrtle Beach Herald
Whether excellent planning or just great luck, this use of the reflection really spoke to me. Very nice. Congratulations!
General News Photo
Weekly Over 6,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
John A. Carlos
Kenna Coe
The Post and Courier Columbia/Free Times
Moultrie News
General News Photo
Weekly Over 6,500 Division
First PLACE Alexandra Shea
The Fort Jackson Leader
There is a lot of action and excitement in this photo. This photo does a great job conveying to the reader the intense and difficult job the military have. Coupled with the taking and publishing of this pic, the photojournalists lets readers/viewers peek into a world otherwise unseen and misunderstood.
General News Photo
Daily Under 8,500 Division
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Kareem Wilson
Tracy Kimball
The Sumter Item
The Herald
General News Photo
Daily Under 8,500 Division
First PLACE Micah Green
The Sumter Item
This one photo tells many stories. It shows excited graduates. It shows the havoc the rain caused. It shows students not letting the rain dampen their day. It’s a fun photo to unpackage.
General News Photo
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Tim Kimzey
Alex. C. Hicks Jr.
Herald-Journal
Herald-Journal
General News Photo
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
First PLACE Colin Demarest
Aiken Standard
The facial expression of unbridled joy captured here lifts this entry. Well done.
General News Photo
Daily Over 25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Josh Morgan
Grace Beahm Alford
Greenville News
The Post and Courier
General News Photo Daily Over 25,000 Division
First Place and
Best of the Best Andrew J. Whitaker The Post and Courier Creative way to tell a story.
Feature Photo
Associate & Individual Division
Third PLACE
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Gwinn Davis
Gwinn Davis
Feature Photo
Associate & Individual Division
First PLACE Tom Priddy
This photo shows a heartwarming moment with a player and a dog before a baseball game. Great quality!
Feature Photo
Weekly Under 3,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Don Worthington
Michael Lollis
Pageland Progressive-Journal
The Journal, Williamston
Feature Photo
Weekly Under 3,500 Division
First PLACE Jane Alford
Carolina Gateway
Photographer did an excellent job capturing the enjoyment of these kids catching bubbles. Good angle.
Feature Photo
Weekly 3,500-6,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Janet Morgan
Charles Swenson
Myrtle Beach Herald
Coastal Observer
Feature Photo
Weekly 3,500-6,500 Division
First PLACE Janet Morgan
Myrtle Beach Herald
This is technically a good photo. What puts it over the edge is the choice of subjects. It is very brave of the photographer and photo editor to publish such a risky picture. Sometimes photojournalism breaks boundaries and this is a good example.
Feature Photo
Weekly Over 6,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Ruben Lowman
Rick Johnson
North Myrtle Beach Times
The Lancaster News
a month to more than $1,100. On the verge of being evicted and homeless, Kurt, whose real identity is being protected not to worsen his situa-
Feature Photo
“We got backed up on some bills and it was only myself working at the time. In April, I got injured in work. The landlord See RELIEF I Page 3A
First PLACE The Lancaster News
– Kurt, a
Cit wi an
Weekly Over 6,500 Division
Gregory A. Summers
is ready evict.”
Ci Jacki ing walk
From left, Buford High School football players Jamari Hough and Shawn Mangum root for Selvin Jenkins and Logan Brown during the team tug of war competition Wednesday at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Football Camp at Buford High School football stadium. The host Yellow Jackets pulled their way to victory.
Nine years in the works, FCA camp now a reality Gregory A. Summers gsummers@thelancasternews.com
This photo truly captured the players’ grit and determination, which complemented the story perfectly. Lisa Muennich stood in the north end zone at the Buford High School Stadium on a scalding hot Wednesday morning, using her right hand to shield her face from the sun. She watched as linemen from Buford and North Central
photos by GREGORY A. SUMMERS/ reporter
Players from Lancaster and Great Falls high schools vie for the football
Harr her f La appr 13, t hand city l Bu coun Th pass by C mini Tw were the agree Th word prov Lanc
Feature Photo
Daily Under 8,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Greg K. Deal
Audra Grant
Index-Journal
Morning News
Feature Photo Daily Under 8,500 Division
First Place and
Best of the Best Audra Grant Morning News This photo captures the high kicks at just right the time and from an angle that puts the viewer right there in the middle of the parade.
Feature Photo
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Jason Lee
Tim Kimzey
The Sun News
Herald-Journal
Feature Photo
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
First PLACE Ken Ruinard
Independent Mail
Good composition.
Feature Photo
Daily Over 25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Joshua Boucher
Gavin McIntyre
The State
The Post and Courier
Feature Photo
Daily Over 25,000 Division
First PLACE Gavin McIntyre
The Post and Courier
Great community shot with cute kids playing hoops.
Sports Photo
Associate & Individual Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Tom Priddy
Gwinn Davis
Sports Photo
Associate & Individual Division
First PLACE Gwinn Davis
Photo shows the intensity and passion on the athletes face while coming up for a breath during a competition, creating an amazing shot. Great work!
Sports Action Photo
Weekly Under 3,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Michael Lollis
Michael Lollis
News-Chronicle
The Journal, Williamston
Sports Action Photo
Weekly Under 3,500 Division
First PLACE Michael Lollis
The Journal, Williamston
Pretty much everything you want in an action shot. Plenty of action (especially with the player airborne), you can clearly see the ball and excellent focus. Just a good overall job to take the top prize in a category that had numerous, numerous strong entries.
Sports Action Photo
Weekly 3,500-6,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Janet Morgan
Chris Sokoloski
Myrtle Beach Herald
Coastal Observer
Sports Action Photo
Weekly 3,500-6,500 Division
First PLACE Pete Cochran
Union County News
Great timing. Great use of action and emotion.
Sports Action Photo
Weekly Over 6,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Susan Griggs
Bob Sofaly
The Link
The Island News
Sports Action Photo Weekly Over 6,500 Division
First Place and
Best of the Best Bob Sofaly The Island News This is a phenomenal photo. Having a clear view of his eyes almost makes you feel as if you’re in the moment with him as he contorts his body to clear the bar.
Sports Action Photo
Daily Under 8,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Greg K. Deal
Scott Chancey
Index-Journal
Morning News
Sports Action Photo
Daily Under 8,500 Division
First PLACE David Yeazell
Morning News
A split second either way and this image would not have captured the moment of the catch. Great framing and timing, and great color, focus and clarity. Excellent work that was the best of a competitive field.
Sports Action Photo
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Artie Walker, Jr.
Artie Walker, Jr.
Aiken Standard
Aiken Standard
Sports Action Photo
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
First PLACE Ken Ruinard
Independent Mail
Very tough to get an action shot that low. No idea how the photographer pulled it off!
Sports Action Photo
Daily Over 25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Gavin McIntyre
Josh Morgan
The Post and Courier
Greenville News
Sports Action Photo
Daily Over 25,000 Division
First PLACE Grace Beahm Alford
The Post and Courier
Outstanding. Unique angle and perfect timing.
Sports Feature Photo
Weekly Under 3,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Michael Lollis
Samantha Winn
The Journal, Williamston
The Star
Sports Feature Photo
Weekly Under 3,500 Division
First PLACE Artie Walker, Jr.
The Star
Fantastic shot of the championship celebration. Reader can feel his excitement.
Sports Feature Photo
Weekly Over 6,500 & 3,500-6,500 Combined Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Pete Cochran
John A. Carlos
Union County News
The Post and Courier Columbia/Free Times
Sports Feature Photo
Weekly Over 6,500 & 3,500-6,500 Combined Division
First PLACE Janet Morgan
Myrtle Beach Herald
COVID has permeated our entire society and daily lives. This photo captures a small new tradition that has arisen in the age of COVID. Good storytelling.
Sports Feature Photo
Daily Under 8,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Micah Green
Donny Knight
The Sumter Item
The Times and Democrat
Sports Feature Photo
Daily Under 8,500 Division
First PLACE Micah Green
The Sumter Item
Caught a great moment. I feel can feel the energy and excitement of these players.
Sports Feature Photo
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Alex C. Hicks Jr.
Ken Ruinard
Herald-Journal
Independent Mail
Sports Feature Photo
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
First PLACE Alex C. Hicks Jr.
Herald-Journal
Excellent job of capturing emotion.
Sports Feature Photo
Daily Over 25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Lauren Petracca
Lauren Petracca
The Post and Courier
The Post and Courier
Sports Feature Photo
Daily Over 25,000 Division
First PLACE Andrew J. Whitaker
The Post and Courier
Great close up an emotional kid making a football move.
Personality Photograph or Portrait
All Weekly Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Janet Morgan
Janet Morgan
Myrtle Beach Herald
Myrtle Beach Herald
Personality Photograph or Portrait
All Weekly Division
First PLACE Charles Swenson Coastal Observer
Captivating. Extremely well done with lighting and the use of light to convey emotion. Outstanding portrait to supplement the story.
Personality Photograph or Portrait
Daily Under 8,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Micah Green
David Yeazell
The Sumter Item
Morning News
Personality Photograph or Portrait
Daily Under 8,500 Division
First PLACE Micah Green
The Sumter Item
Love the photo. Everything is lined up properly; subjects in the right 1/3 of the photo, the court in the background. Good eye.
Personality Photograph or Portrait
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Ken Ruinard
Alex C. Hicks Jr.
Independent Mail
Herald-Journal
Personality Photograph or Portrait
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
First PLACE Ken Ruinard
Independent Mail
Creative way of shooting what could have been another boring trophy shot.
Personality Photograph or Portrait
Daily Over 25,000 Division
Honorable Mention Josh Morgan, Greenville News
Third PLACE Grace Beahm Alford, The Post and Courier
Second PLACE Josh Morgan, Greenville News
Personality Photograph or Portrait
Daily Over 25,000 Division
First PLACE Gavin McIntyre
The Post and Courier
Excellent environmental portrait, makes you want to know more about this man.
Photo Series or Photo Story
Weekly Under 3,500 & 3,500-6,500 Divisions Combined
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Janet Morgan
Janet Morgan
Myrtle Beach Herald
Myrtle Beach Herald
Photo Series or Photo Story
Weekly Under 3,500 & 3,500-6,500 Divisions Combined
First PLACE Janet Morgan
Myrtle Beach Herald
Photography is beautifully shot and artistically cropped and edited. Excellent work - I hope the story that accompanied it was just as compelling.
Photo Series or Photo Story
Weekly Over 6,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Jay Lewis and Joan Yates
Ruben Lowman
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Connecting Chesterfield County, One Week At A Time www.thelinkpaper.com
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
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North Myrtle Beach Times The Times
Thursday, June 3, 2021 — 9
NMB Memorial Gardens salutes fallen heroes
Photos by Ruben Lowman
North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens and the Little River Elks Lodge #2840 hosted the cemetery’s 61st veteran community event, Memorial Day Service 2021 on Monday. Many of the Memorial Day events and parades were canceled or modified last year due to the pandemic. North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens continued to hold true to the importance of Memorial Day to remember those who sacrificed their lives serving our country to give us our freedom. “It is a very emotional time for most veterans and we are thankful to those volunteers who participate in the event, veterans and community who attend and a special ‘thank you’ to the senior living facilities taking the time to transport their resident veterans to our service to remember their fellow service men and women,” said Trish Heine, NMB Memorial Gardens. “Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials around the country. Ceremonies like these are important to remind people Memorial Day means much more than just a three-day weekend. Memorial Day is just not the beginning of summer, where you have picnics and go to the swimming pool or beach. We as a nation and community should remember and honor the veterans who have served our country and afforded us the freedoms we have. We are very privileged in the United States of America to have the freedom to do these types of events freely.”
Joan Yates/Editor
Jay Lewis/Special to The Link Cheraw Packing Plant is a total loss after fire ravaged the building last Friday. A track hoe from Flames light up the pre-dawn sky last Friday morning as firefighters begin battling the fire at Furr Grading and Paving dismantles the roof and part of the structure so firefighters can reach the interior of the building. Cheraw Packing Plant.
Over 70 years up in flames
Early morning fire destroys Cheraw Packing Plant JOAN YATES
Editor – The Link “My whole life just burned down.” Marion Burch Crawford watched fire consume the business her family had run since 1950. No one knows exactly how or when fire broke out at the Cheraw Packing Plant on Highway 1 just south of Cheraw. The building was
unoccupied. The early crew wouldn’t have come in till 7 a.m. Everyone else would have been in about 8 a.m. A neighbor who worked at the packing plant said he heard a boom about 4:30 a.m., but he didn’t know what caused it. Then Crawford received a call from the security company and learned smoke was coming out of the top of the building. The Cheraw Fire
Department and Cheraw Police Department were already there. In the blink of an eye, community members joined forces to help however they could. Duke Energy immediately cut power, and neighbors understood why their power was out. Carolina Canners sent a tractor over to move trailers holding product out of the way and followed up with
Family argument leads to attempted murder JOAN YATES
Editor – The Link
medical clinic in Union County, N.C., that was on lockdown.
down and staff members were treating the victim at that time.
cases of drinking water for everyone who was at the fire. Best Trucking sent a yard jockey tractor to remove a trailer that was tricky to get out. Personnel and equipment from nine other departments began arriving to help the Cheraw Fire Department. “It was frustrating because our big aerial truck is in the shop in Spartanburg,” said Cheraw Fire Chief Marvin
Murray. Bennettsville and Darlington County were right there with their trucks, however, one pouring water from the front and another from the side. As the water flowed from the fire trucks, lifetimes of history flowed, as well. “Granddaddy started the business here in 1950, Dewey Burch. Before that, it was at the market downtown. They
would kill the animals and sell meat by the piece,” said Crawford. “Then he was a meat cutter for A&P and started here in 1950.” Crawford said her parents, Ida Mae and Joe Burch ran the packing plant for 50 years. Crawford then ran it with John Weeks for 14 years. After Weeks died, she continued to run it for a few
Wreck blocks traffic in Chesterfield
The Chesterfield Fire Department was dispatched to a car wreck on S.C. 9 near Teal’s Woodshop at 5:58 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18. The Chesterfield Police Department, Chester-
Fire, Pg. 12
Photo Series or Photo Story
Weekly Over 6,500 Division
First PLACE Catherine Kohn
Moultrie News
These photos show the long process of disassembling the water tower. The expressions of some of the work crew are also visible in some photos. I like being able to see the steps in the photos.
Photo Series or Photo Story
Daily Under 8,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Micah Green
Donny Knight
The Sumter Item
The Times and Democrat
Photo Series or Photo Story
Daily Under 8,500 Division
First PLACE Micah Green
The Sumter Item
Good effort to include varying angles, types of photos.
Photo Series or Photo Story
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Jason Lee
Jason Lee
The Sun News
The Sun News
Photo Series or Photo Story
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
First PLACE Ken Ruinard
Independent Mail “Mask Life” was the first entry viewed and we thought “Wow,” which set a bench mark for some amazing entries in this category. Some other entries came close, but this presentation gets top nod for taking something right under our own noses, literally, and turning it into something special.
Photo Series or Photo Story
Daily Over 25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Gavin McIntyre
Josh Morgan, Matt Burkhartt
The Post and Courier
Greenville News
Photo Series or Photo Story
Daily Over 25,000 Division
First PLACE Andrew J. Whitaker
The Post and Courier
Excellent job telling the story of a small town newspaper. Great variety of shots.
Pictorial
All Weekly Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Janet Morgan
Charles Swenson
Myrtle Beach Herald
Coastal Observer
Pictorial
All Weekly Division
First PLACE Janet Morgan
Myrtle Beach Herald
This photo features great composition, and excellent use of depth of field draws the eye into the scene. Great job!
Pictorial
Daily Under 8,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Micah Green
David Yeazell
The Sumter Item
Morning News
Pictorial
Daily Under 8,500 Division
First PLACE David Yeazell
Morning News
This is a skilled take on what could have been a routine photo of a player catching a pass.
Pictorial
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Alex C. Hicks Jr.
Colin Demarest
Herald-Journal
Aiken Standard
Pictorial
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
First PLACE Jason Lee
The Sun News
Great shot from a great angle.
Pictorial
Daily Over 25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Tracy Glantz
Lauren Petracca
The State
The Post and Courier
Pictorial
Daily Over 25,000 Division
First PLACE Grace Beahm Alford
The Post and Courier
Excellent timing and use of silhouette technique.
Humorous Photo
All Weekly Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Andrew Wigger
Jonathan Vickery
The Newberry Observer
The People-Sentinel
Humorous Photo
All Weekly Division
First PLACE Charles Swenson Coastal Observer
Great shot of capturing all the action! Santa’s face is hilarious!
Humorous Photo
Daily Under 8,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
David Yeazell
Micah Green
Morning News
The Sumter Item
Humorous Photo
Daily Under 8,500 Division
First PLACE Micah Green
The Sumter Item
Nice moment captured here.
Humorous Photo
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Tim Kimzey
Dede Biles
Herald-Journal
Aiken Standard
Humorous Photo
Daily 8,500-25,000 Division
First PLACE Ken Ruinard
Independent Mail
Light-hearted way of telling part of the pandemic story. Made me chuckle.
Humorous Photo
Daily Over 25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Josh Morgan
Lauren Petracca
Greenville News
The Post and Courier
Humorous Photo
Daily Over 25,000 Division
First PLACE Andrew J. Whitaker
The Post and Courier
Takes a brave photographer to stand in front of an alligator.
Public Relations Program
Associate & Individual Division
First Place
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Carl Lindquist and Kevin Pontiff Tidelands Health
Goes beyond financial figures to tell a story about impact on community. Concise with good selection of art, colors and fonts. Thank you, #helpers.
Website
Associate & Individual Division
Honorable Mention
Staff
Municipal Association of South Carolina
Website
Associate & Individual Division
First PLACE Carl Lindquist
Tidelands Health
Go-to resource about COVID-19 and other health and wellness topics. Well designed, well organized and full of good, credible information.
Website
All Weekly Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Staff
Staff
Myrtle Beach Herald
Charleston City Paper
Website
All Weekly Division
First PLACE Staff
The Gaffney Ledger Website features polls for user interaction and easy access to their E-edition, schedule of community events and top staffproduced stories. Shows their main focus is their community.
Website
All Daily Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Staff
Staff
The Times and Democrat
The Island Packet
Website
All Daily Division
First PLACE Staff
The Post and Courier The Post and Courier does an excellent job of creating a different experience for each time the user visits their site with a morning and evening edition. They make sure to highlight their investigative work and keep their stories and information easily accessible. Great job!
Newspaper’s Use of Social Media
All Weekly Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Staff
Betsy Finklea
Greenville Journal
The Dillon Herald
Newspaper’s Use of Social Media
All Weekly Division
First PLACE Travis Jenkins, James McBee and Brian Garner The News & Reporter
They used social media to keep followers up to date on breaking news ranging from school closings to arrests to sports scores. Great job!
Newspaper’s Use of Social Media
All Daily Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Staff
Staff
The Island Packet
The Post and Courier
Newspaper’s Use of Social Media
All Daily Division
First PLACE Caroline Watkins, Nikki Naik and Staff
The State
Content was innovative and easy to share, helping to create conversation within the community. Well done.
Individual Use of Social Media
All Daily Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Alexandra Koch
Chris Trainor
Aiken Standard
The State
Individual Use of Social Media
All Daily Division
First PLACE Avery G. Wilks
The Post and Courier Wilks uses his Twitter to create casual conversations with readers that builds trust and a sense of community, while also using the platform to promote his and his colleague’s work.
News Video
All Weekly Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Janet Morgan
John Olson and Rick Spruill
Myrtle Beach Herald
Greenville Journal
News Video
All Weekly Division
First PLACE Janet Morgan
Myrtle Beach Herald
This video tells the history of the Dixon family with excellent clarity and beautiful shots of them on their farm. The background music isn’t too overpowering and helps set the scene of working on a farm. Great work!
News Video
Daily Under 8,500 & 8,500-25,000 Divisions Combined
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Tim Kimzey
Tracy Kimball
Herald-Journal
The Herald
News Video
Daily Under 8,500 & 8,500-25,000 Divisions Combined
First PLACE Jason Lee and Mary Norkol
The Sun News
This video highlights the tremendous struggles so many with COVID have battled. Great job of putting a local face to the story by following someone throughout the journey. Timely and moving account that informs the viewer in a powerful way. Very well done.
News Video
Daily Over 25,000 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Matt Burkhartt
Brandon Lockett & Tony Bartelme The Post and Courier
Greenville News
News Video
Daily Over 25,000 Division
First PLACE Josh Morgan
Greenville News
What a wonderful story about two seemingly very different people with vastly different backgrounds that formed a close friendship after a BLM protest. Great job and exactly the type of journalism that helps bring the community together.
Feature Video
All Weekly Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
John Olson, Jay King and Rick Spruill
Janet Morgan
Greenville Journal
Myrtle Beach Herald
Feature Video
All Weekly Division
First PLACE Steve Robertson
Myrtle Beach Herald
Great dea to profile someone who is remembering Myrtle Beach history in such a unique way.
Feature Video
Daily Under 8,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Studio Sumter Staff, Micah Green and Elise Osteen
Tracy Kimball
The Sumter Item
The Herald
Feature Video
Daily Under 8,500 Division
First PLACE Richie Weber, Kayla Green and Micah Green The Sumter Item
This is a great example of how newspapers can use video effectively. First class production that does a wonderful job of highlighting an event that many in the community will definitely be interested in. Well done.
Feature Video
Daily 8,500-25,000 & Over 25,000 Divisions Combined
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Drew Martin
Jake Shore & Cameron Clark
The Island Packet
The Island Packet
Feature Video
Daily 8,500-25,000 & Over 25,000 Divisions Combined
First PLACE Grace Beahm Alford
The Post and Courier
Video perfectly captures a beautiful friendship between two people.
Sports Video
Weekly 3,500-6,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Travis Jenkins & James McBee The News & Reporter
Janet Morgan
Myrtle Beach Herald
Sports Video
Weekly 3,500-6,500 Division
First PLACE Travis Jenkins and James McBee
The News & Reporter Great job getting the coach’s comments on the sideline right after the game. A really in-depth post game interview that provided good insight with additional background on the team’s preparation for the season.
Sports Video
All Daily Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Josh Morgan
Micah Green and Studio Sumter Staff
Greenville News
The Sumter Item
Sports Video
All Daily Division
First PLACE Ken Ruinard
Independent Mail
A great opportunity to capture an important local moment in history. It was wonderful to hear the story behind the viral protest sign.
Email Newsletter
Associate & Individual Division
First Place Staff
Municipal Association of South Carolina
Weekly legislative report checks all the boxes – good information, user experience and engagement. Text briefs with video and podcast elements, plus links to more in-depth information.
Podcast
All Daily Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Kyle Dawson and Eric Russell
Micah Green and Kayla Green
Aiken Standard
The Sumter Item
Podcast
All Daily Division
First PLACE Staff
The Post and Courier
The podcast goes in depth on a variety of topics. It is well produced and engaging.
Newspaper Publication
Associate & Individual Division
VOLUME XXX NO. II
Second PLACE SCDOT Communications
S.C. Department of Transportation
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
SCDOT ahead of schedule after year three
WINTER 2020
Strategic 10-Year Plan to improve the state’s roads and bridges is surpassing goals
A
By Ted Creech
fter the third year of its 10-Year road and bridge improvement plan, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is on target or ahead of schedule in each of the plan’s four major programs to improve the quality of the state’s transportation network. SCDOT launched the plan when the S.C. General Assembly enacted the gas tax increase in July 2017. The increase, phased in at two cents per year over six years, is enabling the agency to improve the safety of rural roads, pave aging roads and corridors, repair or replace deteriorating bridges, and improve key portions of South Carolina’s interstates. “We have had a very successful start on the long journey to repair and improve our state’s 42,000mile highway system with sustainable funding we didn’t have for 30 years,” Secretary of Transportation Christy Hall said. “We thank the SCDOT team and our industry partners for their unwavering commitment to the effort and for the progress we’ve made. “State leadership realized the need to invest more in our transportation network, and we have put that investment to work with historic levels of construction, including projects in all 46 of the state’s counties,” Hall said. SCDOT has tripled the amount of road and bridge construction during the past few years to a record $3.3 billion today. The agency and its transportation industry partners have also been completing $1.7 billion of projects annually, compared to completing $500 million annually in previous years. To date under the plan, SCDOT
South Carolina has the deadliest rural roads in the nation. SCDOT is addressing the ‘worstof-the worst’ roads in the state by improving 1,000 miles of non-interstate rural roads with tailored safety solutions.
SCDOT GRAPHICS
The 10-year goal is to make significant progress at bringing the state highway system up to a state of good repair. Eighty percent of the state’s 42,000 miles of roads needed resurfacing or rebuilding. The 10-year goal is to bring half of those roads up to a ‘good’ rating from ‘poor’ or ‘very poor.’ SCDOT is using a performance-based approach to drive the recovery of South Carolina’s roads by repairing existing pavement (preservation), resurfacing roads (rehabilitating) or completely rebuilding roads (reconstruction). has completed work on or advanced to construction: - Improvements to 465 miles of the most dangerous rural roads. The plan’s 10 year goal is 1,000 miles. - Replacements or repair of 161 bridges, compared to the 10-year target of 465 bridges. - Paving of 3,000-plus miles of roadway. SCDOT has increased the percentage of roads in “good”
condition for all categories of roads. - 80 miles of interstate highway improvements, compared to the 140-mile 10-year target. Since the enactment of the new gas tax and the trust fund desigSee 10-YEAR PLAN page 18
Approximately half of SCDOT’s 750 structurally deficient bridges are being replaced. SCDOT is specifically targeting two types of bridges: 1) load-restricted bridges, 2) structurally Deficient bridges. In 2016 there were 348 load-restricted bridges across South Carolina, SCDOT is planning or which impacted the implementing at least 11 movement of goods, school interstate widening projects. bus routing, and emergency This will improve mobility and response times. There were capacity by widening more also 51 structurally deficient than 100 centerline miles bridges not yet programmed of interstate and address for replacement or repair major freight ‘pinch points’ that could hinder the ability at interstate-to-interstate to move freight across the interchanges. state’s major routes.
Newspaper Publication
Associate & Individual Division
VOLUME 14 NUMBER 8 ■ COLUMBIABUSINESSREPORT.COM
Part of the
MAY 24-JUNE 20, 2021 ■ $2.25
network
Special Focus: Cayce/West Columbia Growth Report, pages 16-21 People mingle on State Street in West Columbia during Art on State, an event showcasing local businesses, earlier this month. (Photo/City of West Columbia)
Best of the best
Chapin High English teacher named S.C’s top educator. Page 2
First PLACE Staff
Columbia Regional Business Report
A big boost
Midlands Gives sees record $3.34 million in donations. Page 4
Moving right along Brewery, medical school back on track at BullStreet. Page 8
Capturing history
Columbia artist’s mural pays homage to Black Wall Street. Page 10
INSIDE
Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 4 In Focus: Cayce/West Columbia growth report ..... 16 List: Urgent Care Centers ... 15 At Work ..............................22 Viewpoint ...........................23
GROWTH SPURT Melinda Waldrop
T
mwaldrop@scbiznews.com
wo bridges span the Congaree River, connecting Richland and Lexington counties while separating downtown Columbia from a pair of rapidly growing cities forging identities beyond state capital suburbs. Cayce and West Columbia each take advantage of that river, ringing it with business and art districts. Each strive to create a welcoming atmosphere for residents and workers alike,
Cayce, West Columbia drawing attention across river VOLUME 14 NUMBER 14 ■ COLUMBIABUSINESSREPORT.COM
with an emphasis on helping people and providing easy access to government services. Each city is also home to two powerful female leaders. Elise Partin’s ability to form alliances has led to a downtown revitalization during her 13 years as Cayce mayor, while Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy’s energetic focus has made the pharmaceutical company an industry leader and top job creator. The women share a love for their communities and a dedication to improving daily life for those who call those places home. “Lou is a plow-ahead, charge-forward,
network
OCTOBER 11 - 24, 2021 ■ $2.25
Hometown impact
Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy takes pride in bringing jobs, development Growing rewards to Lexington County. SC17Biz News honors Page high-growth companies. Page 4
Midlands Technical College held a ribbon cutting for its renovated Welding Technology Center on Sept. 22. (Photo/Melinda Waldrop)
BUILDING DEMAND
Eviction worries
Expiring moratorium stresses tenats, landlords. Page 6
New MTC welding center aims to feed workforce pipeline By Melinda Waldrop
BullStreet addition Luxury apartment complex to add 500-plus residents. Page 14
INSIDE
Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 In Focus: Architecture, Engineering and Construction .......................................... 13 List: Landscape Architecture Firms ................................. 18 At Work .............................. 21 Viewpoint ...........................23
Strong reporting full of business, growth/development and industry leader news and features. Nice design and photography.
Part of the
do-what-needs-to-be-done, impatient-in-allthe-right-ways leader,” said Meghan Hickman, executive director of nonprofit economic development organization EngenuitySC who has worked extensively with both women on initiatives to improve the Midlands’ comTreasure hunt petitiveness and livability. “Mayor Partin is a Clemson seekinvesting in the diplomat, andarchaelolgists she is all about Revolutionary fort.time in building relationships and War-era spending Page 3 ” the foundation. In this issue, the Columbia Regional Business Report takes a closer look at what makes each woman and each city successful.
J
mwaldrop@scbiznews.com
ust before the groundbreaking for the Obama Presidential Center on Sept. 28, Michelle Obama stopped by a welding class at the Chicago Women in Trades career training and support center. In an Instagram post, the former first lady reflected on how her father provided for his family through his job as a pump operator, and noted that the welders she visited – some of whom will work on her husband Barack’s center – are pursuing a career that “can help them build a good life for themselves and their families.” According to May 2020 numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 33,150 workers employed as welders, solders, and brazing machine setters, operators and
tenders (which does not include self-employed workers) made a mean annual wage of $41,320, with top-tier positions paying as much as $58,660. What’s more, a shortage of welders is looming: the American Welding Society estimates the U.S. will need 400,000 welders by 2024 as older workers retire. The average age of a welder is 55, the organization said, with fewer than 50% of welders under the age of 35. That’s where Midlands Technical College’s latest capital improvement comes in. A $4.5 million renovation to what is now the college’s new Welding Technology Center continues a $50 million modernization campaign the school embarked on in 2015. The center, now housed in the former Industrial Building on MTC’s Airport campus, features 64 state-of-the-art welding bays and fume extraction capabilities, multi-purpose class-
rooms, a computer lab and external covered work areas, among other upgrades. “We almost doubled our capacity in terms of welding booths, and so we’re going to be able to double the production of students,” MTC President Ronald Rames told The Columbia Regional Business Report after a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new welding center on Sept. 22. “What we do know is the welding and welders are in high demand. By increasing this capacity, we’re going to be able to help business and industry meet their needs.” Along with welding fundamentals and qualifications certificates, MTC also offers the first college degree in welding available in South Carolina through its Associate of Applied Science degree in welding technology. See CENTER, Page 17
Infusion of cash
New Wells Fargo program adds to coffers of three S.C. Community Development Financial Institutions. Page 10
General Excellence
Weekly Under 3,500 Division
Third PLACE
Second PLACE
Jonathan Vickery
Staff
The People-Sentinel The hare would boast about his speed, but can a tortoise really win a race against the hare? Aesop
New weekly had the answer. This week’s Kid Scoop page Warhorses fall retells Aesop’s story. children’s to Calhoun Each week, Kid Scoop brings students interactive games, activities, puzzles and more in a bright & County, activity pages, bouncy, award-winning feature kids and their family members can enjoy together. Sports / 1B Feature / 3-4B
BUSINESS | A3
SPORTS | B1
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
VARSITY BASKETBALL
Aunt B’s Treasure Chest offers eclectic assortment of goodies
JDA boys lose season opener
The Star INSIDE: Jacket’s Nest comes alive for 1st North Augusta home game, 2A
Star
PUBLICATION DATE HERE
SPORTS: Fox Creek and North Augusta fall in Week 4 of prep football, 7A VOLUME 145, NO. 19
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
2 SECTIONS / 16 PAGES / $1.00
Officer loses COVID battle Jonathan Vickery Publisher jvickery@thepeoplesentinel.com
A local law enforcement officer received a hero’s escort home after losing his battle with COVID. A procession of dozens of law enforcement officers from various agencies escorted the body of Dustin Beasley from the hospital to Folk Funeral Home in Williston on Monday evening, August 30. Local firefighters also participated by lining the downtown area of Williston. The 30-year-old law enforce-
ment officer and Blackville native passed away August 30 following a battle with COVID. He was the son of Blackville Mayor Michael Beasley and Cynthia Beasley. “I’ve watched Dustin from little league ball fields into his law enforcement career,” said Barnwell County Sheriff Steve Griffith. “He was always so respectful to everyone and and as a law enforcement officer he was a role model for others with his professionalism and character. He will be dearly missed. Prayers for all of his family and friends.” Dustin had worked for North
Augusta Public Safety since December 2020, but previously served with the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office, Williston Police Department and S.C. Highway Patrol. “He faithfully served behind the shield of many departments during his time in law enforcement,” said North Augusta Chief John Thomas on Facebook. “Wherever he worked or lived, he would be described as a man of integrity, high moral standards, devoted husband and loving father. His colleagues, both past and present, across the state are mourning the loss of a great man.”
Misty Adkinson shared a memory of how Dustin impacted her son, who is obsessed with police. One day her son saw Dustin and another officer at Duke’s BBQ in Blackville. “Colton kept staring until finally I had to apologize that he wouldn’t stop. They both let Colton and Annagrace get in their cars and were so kind to two little kids that think they are Superman. Thank you for being so kind and humble to my little boy” said Adkinson, who prays for “peace, comfort, and the love that can only come from Jesus.” See OFFICER, 8A
Barnwell City Councilwoman Alicia Davis (left) presents Robert Miller a framed proclamation from the Barnwell City Council in honor of his retirement after 43 years of service with the Barnwell Police Department. Also pictured are Sgt. Shawn Howze and retired BPD administrative assistant Tonya Carroll. Photos by: Jonathan Vickery / Publisher
Barnwell police officer retires after 43 years of service
The City of Barnwell’s longest-serving officer has signed off for the final time. Robert Miller Sr. officially retired from the Barnwell Police Department on July 27, 2021 after 43 years of service. He was hired on June 26, 1978. “Thank you for 43 years of dedication, loyalty and service,” said Barnwell City Councilwoman Alicia Davis during a drop-in retirement celebration on July 27. On behalf of the mayor and city council, Davis presented Miller with a framed proclamation that proclaimed July 27 as Robert L. Miller Sr. Day in the City of Barnwell in honor of his “exemplary public service.” After graduating from Allendale-Fairfax High School and working five years at a local plant, Miller decided to pursue his dream of becoming a police officer. The late Luke Gadson, who was Barnwell’s first AfricanAmerican police officer, told Miller about a job opening at the Barnwell Police Department. Miller interviewed and was hired by the late Bob Dixon, who was police chief at the time. Chief Dixon asked him why he wanted to be an officer. Miller responded he had always admired police and firefighters since he was a child. Miller got the job and became the department’s third African-American officer. Aaron Odom was the department’s second AfricanAmerican officer. While it’s been his job to enforce the law, he’s always aimed to do Robert Miller (left) is shown with Aaron Odom, a so in a fair and respectSee RETIRE, 8A retired Barnwell police officer. Jonathan Vickery Publisher jvickery@thepeoplesentinel.com
WHAT’S INSIDE
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Opinion....................................4A Arrests......................................5A Sports................................1-2B C a l e n d a r. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 B Classifieds............................7-8B Puzzles...................................4,8B
COVID is already altering some school operations, just three weeks into the school year. The school year started with in-person learning on August 16 at schools across the county. A virtual only l e a r n i n g o p t i o n wa s n o t offered this year; however, some schools have temporarily switched to virtual learning with rising COVID numbers. The S.C. Department of Education has offered guidance to districts on the circumstances under which they can temporarily switch to virtual learning. “Districts and schools, except virtual charters, are not permitted to offer only virtual instruction unless the district or school can no longer safely operate and provide face-to-face instruction due to staffing shortages resulting from COVID-19 or a similar in-
Dustin Beasley
By Jonathan Vickery
Jones
Key
of 18-year-old Barnwell resident Sir'Kyrio Ansley. “Anyone who thinks they can run far enough away needs to keep on looking over their shoulder,” said Orangeburg County Sheriff
Leroy Ravenell. “You may not see us, but we’re right behind you.” The two males were taken into custody in a business district in Jacksonville, Fla. after U.S. Marshals and Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office investigators developed information of their whereabouts. They have since been extradited back to South Carolina. Jones and Key were formally charged during their
SANTA’S NEW ‘SLEIGH’
A new event aims to promote shopping local. The Barnwell Development Association (BDA) is launching the Wall Street Market on Sept. 11 in downt o w n B a r n we l l . A n o t h e r market will be held on Oct. 9. “It’s about community The Wall Street Market spirit and drawing attention to downtown. The BDA will do that by drawing venreally wants to support our dors and shoppers to Wall community and find ways Street, which runs off of the to engage those in the com- Circle. The BDA is seeking food munity,” said BDA board member Tricia Gordon. See MARKET, 8A
OBITUARIES, 7A Jerry Ray Roberts, Williston Betty Collins Still, Hilda Juanita ‘Nita’ Zissett, Olar
first court appearance on Wednesday, Dec. 2. The sheriff said that on November 4, a 911 call was received in which the caller reported a vehicle off the roadway near Cavalry Church Road near Neeses. The caller stated the driver of the vehicle had suffered what appeared to be an injury to the upper body. That injury was later determined to be a gunshot wound, according to the report.
See MURDER, A12
SRNS announces major apprenticeship commitment
HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS...IN A PORTALET: Santa rode in a porta potty on the float for Quality Septic Services during the Dec. 5 Barnwell Christmas Parade. The business is owned by Randy Reece. Find more parade photos on page A10. [JONATHAN VICKERY / MANAGING EDITOR]
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) joined S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster on Nov. 20 at the State Capitol to announce a regional task force commitment to create hundreds of new registered apprentice opportunities over the next year in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). “The challenge has been issued for our region to promptly create 300 registered apprenticeships within the South Carolina Technical College System from the counties of Aiken, Barnwell, Allendale, Bamberg, Edgefield and Orangeburg,” said SRNS President and CEO Stuart MacVean. “We’re working to do our part, and we have set a goal to facilitate the creation of 100 apprenticeships at SRS by October 2021.” SRNS is the management and operations contractor at the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site near Aiken. T h e C S R A Apprenticeship Task Force is led by Apprenticeship Carolina and Denmark Technical College
President Dr. Willie Todd, and includes the Barnwell County Career Center, Aiken County Public School District Career and Technology Center, Aiken Technical College, Aiken Works, Economic Development Partnership, Lower Savannah Council of Government, Manufacturer’s Council, SRS Community Reuse Organization and the SouthernCarolina Alliance. “This apprentice effort is a great addition to the outstanding work that Apprenticeship Carolina and the S.C. Technical College System are building upon across our state,” said Gov. McMaster. “We know that apprenticeships can help South Carolina create a stronger workforce development pipeline that can help create career opportunities for our people and encourage economic growth across the entire state.” Registered apprenticeship programs traditionally support careers related to manufacturing and construction but can also include a See APPRENTICE, A12
LEAP winners hold grand opening of ‘The Finicky Bean’ By Laura J. McKenzie Contributed
A huge red ribbon was draped across The Finicky Bean’s mobile gourmet coffee store Saturday, November 21 in Allendale to signify a year-long culmination of a dream. Earlier this year, Mae and Nate Hartley competed with 9 other finalists in a Local Entrepreneur Acceleration Program (LEAP) sponsored by the South Carolina Community Loan Fund (SCCLF) in the South Carolina Promise Zone. In
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June they learned they had won the $20,000 in seed money to start their new business and have since been making the purchases necessary to get brewing. “We used the money to purchase the coffee wagon and vehicle to tow it,” said Mae Hartley. They also purchased supplies to stock it. “It’s been a journey but we hope that it is something Allendale will enjoy, especially bringing fellowship and friendship to our town,” said Nate Hartley. They both see it as a blessing to their lives and their
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community. Friends, family and government officials – including Al Jenkins of U.S. Senator Tim Scott’s office - gathered at Freedom Park in Allendale to witness the cutting of the ribbon and sample the roasted coffee, herbal tea and homemade scones. The Hartley couple credited Lottie Lewis of Allendale for giving them the original idea and motivation to start the business. Lewis is an Allendale Town Council member and Allendale See COFFEE, A12
Calendar .................... A8 Classifieds ..............B9-10 Education ................... A6
Friends, family and officials gathered Nov. 21 at Freedom Park in Allendale to sample coffee at the grand opening of ‘The Finicky Bean’, a new mobile gourmet coffee shop. [LAURA J. MCKENZIE / CONTRIBUTED]
Obituaries ................... A7 Opinion ...................... A4 Sports.......................B1-2
Wednesday’s weather 59°/36° Sunny
SPORTS: North Augusta debuts new basketball arena, 7A
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Passing motorists told investigators that earlier they had seen the victim’s Kia on the property of nearby Lebanon United Methodist Church. They said they saw a black male with long dreadlocks exit a green or blue Jeep Cherokee parked beside the Kia. After the subject approached the vehicle, there was some type of altercation resulting in the
Contributed, SRS
fectious disease. Should staffing shortages exist and the school or district feels it cannot safely offer face to face instruction, the school or district should contact the local or regional public health office and allow public health officials to assess the situation and provide a recommendation on current operations and additional options for infection control,” according to a memorandum sent to schools by the state on August 24. Schools/districts are only permitted to temporarily move to virtual learning if all local or regional public health recommendations for transmission reduction have been exhausted or are unable to be implemented and if the number of positive cases and quarantines warrant such a change. There is no defined standard or threshold for closing schools or classrooms, but the S.C. Dept. of Education must be notified prior to an announcement of a temporary change. See COVID, 3A
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Blackville men charged with murder Two young Blackville men have been charged in connection to an Orangeburg County murder. The Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office arrested 21-year-old Davion Jones and 18-year-old Kelleyon Key, both of Blackville, last week. Both have each been charged with one count of murder in the shooting death
Wall Street Market launches Sept. 11
Doris Ready Hiers, Barnwell Lena Green Johnson, Blackville Julie W. Polson, Edisto Island
thepeoplesentinel.com
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COVID impacts school operations Jonathan Vickery Publisher jvickery@thepeoplesentinel.com
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
INSIDE: Riverside Village property bidders revealed, 2A
The North Augusta
WEDNESDAy, December 9, 2020
N O R T H A U G U S TA’ S H O M E T O W N N E W S PA P E R S I N C E 19 5 4 WEDNESDAY, September 15, 2021
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2021 Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee canceled “We feel that we have made the best decision and, honest to goodness, I hope that everything changes faster than expected and things get better, but safety is always the first and foremost thing to keep in mind.” Rick Meyer, PRT director
BY SAMANTHA WINN swinn@aikenstandard.com North Augusta City Council held its first study session of the month after a brief hiatus. During the meeting, the council and the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department announced the cancellation of the Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee festival. The annual festival, usually held around Halloween, features a musical artist and
other fall activities. This is the second year in a row the event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was an unanimous decision. It wasn’t what we wanted and all of us are sad, but you look at all the factors involved and things that have happened, you look at the numbers in South Carolina, you look at employees that have been affected – there is just no way around it in our decision,” the city’s PRT director, Rick Meyer, said. “We feel that we have made the best
decision and, honest to goodness, I hope that everything changes faster than expected and things get better, but safety is always the first and foremost thing to keep in mind.” Other Halloween and fall festivities within the city are still planned in North Augusta. SRP Park is hosting a Dugout Theater Movie Experience on the field to watch Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” movie. Please see JUBILEE, page 4A
Sharing his gift
Group protests vaccine mandate near SRS BY COLIN DEMAREST cdemarest@aikenstandard. com N EW E L L E N TON — More than two dozen people on Monday gathered within walking distance of a Savannah River Site barricade to protest vaccine mandates and fight for freedoms they believe are currently under siege. The low-key demonstration near Williston Road was spearheaded by the Aiken Citizens for Freedom, a grassroots organization that bills itself as a bulwark for individual rights, liberty, personal choice and the truth. Some said the impetus for the protest was the vaccine requirements being rolled out at the Savannah River Site, a Department of Energy complex where radioactive waste is processed and nuclear weapons work is conducted. Savannah River Please see VACCINE, page 4A
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Index Classifieds ......................... 9A Opinions ........................... 8A Religion ............................. 3A Starring You ..................... 2A Sporting Life .................... 7A
Vol. LXVI, No. 15 || NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.
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City OKs bonuses, election dates BY LINDSEY HODGES lhodges@aikenstandard.com North Augusta City Council met Monday to consider a handful of items, including municipal election dates and an employee bonus. City Council approved a onetime 1% bonus payment to eligible employees. The payment is in lieu of a pre-
5 new virus deaths in past week
viously planned 2% merit-based raise that would have been in effect beginning July 1, 2020. Due to coronavirus concerns, the city adopted a budget adjustment mid-year that retained the pay increase “with the implementation date subject to review of the City’s financial performance amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.” Instead of the 2% merit-based
increase that would have been in effect for six months, the city approved the one-time bonus of 1% carried over the whole year. A 2% merit-based employee increase will also go into effect in 2021, as adopted in the 2021 budget. The resolution authorizing the raise passed 5-1, with Bob Brooks voting against the raise.
Brooks stated he was in favor of keeping the 2% merit increase as it would benefit employees’ retirement accounts. City Council also passed the second and final reading of an ordinance setting the dates for the upcoming municipal election. The election is set to take place April 27, 2021, with a runoff, if necessary, on May 11.
Filing for candidates to be included in party primaries or conventions will be from 9 a.m. Dec. 14 until noon Dec. 21. Those wishing to run for office should file with the chairperson of the respective parties. Primaries will be held on Feb. 9, 2021, and conventions, if chosen Please see DATES, page 4A
Hope is renewed
BY LINDSEY HODGES lhodges@aikenstandard.com
STAFF PHOTO BY SAMANTHA WINN
Tony Aaron Hambrick has been teaching at North Augusta Middle School for four years, winning Teacher of the Year in his second year there.
N.A. teacher to compete on ‘The Voice’ PHOTO PROVIDED BY TONY AARON HAMBRICK.
Tony Aaron Hambrick is pictured here performing.
BY SAMANTHA WINN swinn@aikenstandard.com Perseverance. Resilience. Prayer. Timing. For North Augusta Middle School choral teacher Tony Aaron Hambrick, the combination of these traits led him to be cast on the upcoming season of NBC’s “The Voice,” premiering Sept. 20. Hambrick grew up on the Southside of Augusta and spent a majority of his time in Live River Baptist Church. He started singing at five years old in the church. “It was one of the most liberating things, ever since then, that I have done,” he said. “It’s my place of peace. It is the place that I go to. Music is my saving grace.” Hambrick started to make music his career, forming a gospel Christian band, Tony Aaron and the Truly Anointed. The group booked gigs around the Southeast, however when he decided to go solo, he saw his career start to fall. He switched gears and turned to music education. Hambrick graduated from Augusta University and he started working as a choral teacher in Aiken County. “I worked rea l ly hard. I wasn’t the best teacher, you know – I made a lot of mistakes but I felt at home. I was able to share my gift and my talent and do
“I got the call that I am going to Hollywood and that was back in April and that was amazing … The joy of my life, my sunshine, the reason now why I breathe, came into existence.” Tony Aaron Hambrick, North Augusta Middle School choral teacher what I truly love which is music and truly live that every day, but not only live it ... to share it,” Hambrick said. “I got to inspire my students. And I tell my students, ‘I am more than just your music teacher. I am going to teach you more than just music, but I am going to teach you about life,’ and the beauty about my class is that I am able to encourage them,” he said. Hambrick, now in his fourth year at NAMS, leads the chorus and theater departments. In 2019, he was named Teacher of the Year at the school. Encouragement from his family and his teaching award ultimately led him to start pursuing music professionally again. He started traveling to churches around the area and sharing his talent. “When I started back up it was no longer about me,” he said. “And that is one thing that I learned from my earlier years. It was about me, about me wanting to be great. And I wanted to make a name for myself. I wanted to have money. I wanted to have Please see GIFT, page 4A
Aiken County has seen 510 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and five new virus-related deaths between Tuesday, Dec. 1 and Tuesday, Dec. 9, according to data from South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. As of Tuesday, there have been 6,174 confirmed cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus in Aiken County since the start of the pandemic. Eighty-seven cases were announced by the agency in Tuesday’s daily data report. Ninety-one people in the county have died from coronavirus-related illness. Statewide there have been 220,961 confirmed cases and 4,253 confirmed deaths. DHEC also updated its Please see VIRUS, page 4A
STAFF PHOTO BY LINDSEY HODGES
North Augusta Mayor Bob Pettit, right, speaks ahead of the Christmas tree lighting in North Augusta. Also pictured are Molly, Terri and Dawson Glenn.
N.A. holds Christmas tree lighting BY LINDSEY HODGES lhodges@aikenstandard.com
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Index Classifieds ......................... 8A Opinions ........................... 9A Religion ............................. 3A Starring You ..................... 2A Sporting Life .................... 7A
STAFF PHOTO BY LINDSEY HODGES
Dawson Glenn, 5, switches on the city of North Augusta Christmas lights.
Chilly weather didn’t keep the Christmas spirit away from North Augusta, as the city flipped on the Christmas lights for the 2020 season on Tuesday, Dec. 1. The city held its annual Christmas tree lighting in Calhoun Park. Dawson Glenn, grandson of Mayor Bob Pettit, had the duty of flipping the switch to light up the Christmas tree and all the lights in the city. Pettit told the crowd that Christmastime is when hope is renewed. “We’re all anxious to get out of the house, to mingle with friends, and to just do something other than be confined.
Christmas is the perfect opportunity, the perfect start to safely go shopping, go caroling, visit friends, family and just enjoy the season,” Pettit said. The city encouraged face masks and social distancing, and the usual hot chocolate and s’mores were foregone due to coronavirus concerns. The city also streamed the event to Facebook Live. “We’re happy to do this for the community,” said Mandy Nelson with the city’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism department. “We needed a sense of normalcy, so it’s nice that we can do this outside, be socially distanced. It’s cold outside, so it feels Christmas-y, so I think everyone’s just ready to get in the Christmas spirit.”
Locals remember 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor BY BILL BENGTSON bbengtson@aikenstandard.com The slogan “Remember Pearl Harbor” rose to quick prominence in Americans’ vocabulary generations ago, and several local residents have clear memories from Dec. 7, 1941. The Japanese attack in Hawaii proved to be the tipping point to plunge the U.S. into World War II. Wagener resident Spencer Smith was 19 and returning to school to continue his studies in his second year at Clemson Agricultural College. “I was on a Greyhound bus, riding back to Clemson on a Sunday evening, and the bus driver went into the Seneca office, and when he came back, he broke the news to us about Pearl Harbor, and ... of course, that changed a whole
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lot of our thinking, as students at Clemson. Most of us was ready to go,” Smith said. Smith, who is now largely known for his decades of service as the agriculture teacher and FFA leader at Wagener-Salley High School, completed his sophomore year at Clemson, registering for the draft that spring and then reporting to Fort Jackson in September 1942. “I could have got
Smith deferred and advanced in ROTC, but I was ready to go, so I went.” The future educator grew up in Oconee County, on acreage that is now underneath Lake Hartwell, near the now-defunct town of Madison. He is now 98. “I’m very thankful, and always have been, that my training and everything directed me toward the Please see HARBOR, page 4A
“I was on a Greyhound bus, riding back to Clemson on a Sunday evening, and the bus driver went into the Seneca office, and when he came back, he broke the news to us about Pearl Harbor, and ... of course, that changed a whole lot of our thinking, as students at Clemson. Most of us was ready to go.” Spencer Smith, 98-year-old Wagener resident
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City to get in holiday spirit Saturday cal businesses, dance troops and more. Before Santa makes his parade appearance, he will greet guests at the Hartsville Museum for free photo opportunities from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The third annual Gospel in the Park tree lighting ceremony will be held immediately following the Christmas parade. The
MATTHEW CHRISTIAN
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HARTSVILLE, S.C. — The city with a Hart will be filled with holiday cheer on Saturday. The annual Hartsville Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday in downtown. This community parade will feature Hartsville’s first responders, lo-
ceremony will feature caroling, hot chocolate and holiday cookies. Everyone attending the tree lighting ceremony is asked to bring toys for the Hartsville Head Start program and nonperishable items for a local food bank. This is the season for giving, said Barbara Carraway, founder
of the Gospel in the Park Series, and with this pandemic, “we must continue to help others where it’s needed,” she said. “Pastor Roderick Cummings will put us in the holiday spirit with a word from God. We will have a mailbox for letters to Santa. Trey Nickelson and Tara J from Glory 98.5 FM /540 AM Florence SC will emcee. We will
follow the CDC rules. Everyone must wear a mask, and social distancing will be enforced! We will have masks available if needed, thanks to the the city of Hartsville. Thanks to all our wonderful sponsors for helping to make Gospel in the Park Series happen each year. We must continue to bring unity and love into entire Hartsville.”
HARTSVILLE MUSEUM
First PLACE Staff
The Hartsville Messenger
THE SHOW GOES ON
Two new permanent exhibits open
Dunkin’ opens in Hartsville.
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ARDIE ARVIDSON
Hartsville Messenger aarvidson@hartsvillemessenger.com
ARDIE ARVIDSON PHOTOS, MORNING NEWS
Were a Lite-Brite, Tonka toys, a record player, roller skates or Hello Kitty on your Christmas list as a child? If so, visit the Hartsville Museum this Christmas season for a little nostalgia. These and many more toys from the past are on display in Santa’s workshop.
Santa won’t visit, but Christmas Exhibit is ready ARDIE ARVIDSON
Hartsville Messenger aarvidson@hartsvillemessenger.com
H
ARTSVILLE – The Hartsville Museum is decorated for Christmas. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the Christmas Exhibit filled with toys, twinkling lights, wreaths and trees. There is Santa’s Workshop, Santa’s Office, a Christmas village and lots of trees depicting the holidays over the years. Entire families – mom and
dad to grandma and grandpa and certainly children – will enjoy reminiscing about Christmases of the past while viewing the toys and trees filled with lights and ornaments. Santa’s annual visit to the museum on the day of the Christmas parade, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12, has been canceled this year in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, the museum will be open Dec 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Hartsville Museum will also be open on Thursday evenings on Dec. 10 and 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. Regular museum hours during COVID are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Take a step back in time at Santa’s Workshop at the Hartsville Museum. Toys from the past are on display.
HARTSVILLE – A ribbon cutting was held on Dec. 1 at the Hartsville Museum marking the opening of two new permanent exhibits at the museum. One exhibit showcases Hartsville’s first commercial photographer, Claude Hart, 1920-1940. Hart moved to Hartsville and set up his first studio, and by 1910, he had settled his studio in an upstairs location in the first block of Carolina Avenue. He captured the growth of Hartsville in photographs. The other exhibit is Sonoco’s legacy with an artful collage of photographs along with the dynamo generator artifact. The museum worked with Alleyway Printing to design the new exhibits. The Claude Hart exhibit features full length photo panels of Hart’s studio, giving the feeling of walking into his studio. Also featured in the exhibit is a display case that holds many cameras over the past century. And for the first time on display at the museum is Claude Hart’s Brownie Box camera, Tripod and camera case. The Sonoco exhibit also features a full length photo panel of many favorite images from our Sonoco collection.
HARTSVILLE — Courtney Gainey, an eighth-grade student at Hartsville Middle School, is the winner of the Darlington County School District’s 2020 Holiday Card Art Contest. Courtney’s winning artwork was revealed during the Darlington County Board of Education’s November meeting and streamed live on Facebook. Courtney’s drawing features a friendly snowman wearing a scarf and top hat. The artwork, titled “Let it Snow,” will be printed on the front cover of the district’s holiday card. This year, the Holiday Card Art Contest included Darlington County School District students in grades 6-8. The contest rotates
Courtney Gainey, an eighth-grade student at Hartsville Middle School, receives a pack of official Darlington County School District holiday cards from HMS Principal Brian Hickman. Gainey won the district’s Holiday Card Art Contest and the cards feature her drawing. She also received a check for $50. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ DARLINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Members of the Butler Heritage Foundation attending the open house Sunday afternoon pose in front of the stage in the newly renovated Gymatorium at Butler Community Center, located at 1103 S. Sixth St. in Hartsville.
Hartsville Middle student wins Holiday Card Art Contest
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A ribbon cutting was held on Dec. 1 at the Hartsville Museum marking the opening of two new permanent exhibits at the museum. Cutting the ribbon is Andrea Steen, museum manager. Helping her are (from left) are Lauren Bake, director of tourism and communications; Matt Winburn, museum assistant manager; and Murphy Monk, president of the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce.
DARLINGTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
INDEX
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
BUTLER COMMUNITY CENTER
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OPINION PET OF THE WEEK PUZZLES
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grade levels each year and will include grades 9-12 in 2021. Employees in DCSD’s Administrative Offices chose Courtney’s painting as the winner from among four finalists submitted by art teachers. Courtney will receive a certificate, $50 and a packet of holiday cards featuring her drawing. Her art teacher, Michelle McCall, will receive $100 for art supplies for Hartsville Middle School. The three other finalists for this year’s competition: Kyleis Kennedy, Seventh Grade — Rosenwald Elementary and Middle School Austyn Lawrence, Seventh Grade — Darlington Middle School Peyton Mendiola, Sixth Grade — Spaulding Middle School
OLD SCHOOL, NEW CENTER Butler Heritage Foundation hosts open house to view renovations ARDIE ARVIDSON
Hartsville Messengeraarvidson@ hartsvillemessenger.com COURTNEY GAINEY/DARLINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Courtney Gainey, an eighth grade student at Hartsville Middle School, won the Darlington County School District’s 2020 Holiday Card Art Contest with this drawing of a snowman.
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HARTSVILLE – The smell of fresh paint greeted guests Sunday as they entered the Gymatorium at the Butler Community Center. The lobby walls were filled with a display of photographs. The Butler Heritage Foundation hosted an open house to celebrate the renovations to the Gymatorium. The Butler Community Center campus is located at 1103 S Sixth St. in Hartsville. “We are extremely pleased with the completed renovation of the Gymatorium,” said Sheila Squire, vice chair of the Butler Heritage Foundation in a release. “We know it will serve as a great asset to the community.” A newly installed basketball court, two flex rooms, five bathrooms, along with a new created hallway that connects all rooms in the back of the gymnasium are part of the renovations, along with a newly upgraded air-condition system. The restrooms in the
step was the floor, which was done after Butler Heritage Week in July. “We still have a little more work to do,” Wilson said. Kenzie DeLaine said the flex rooms are available for community meetings. DeLaine said this is a legacy for the community, especially the seniors and youth. The Rev. Christopher Fraizer, chairman of the foundation, said the renovations were financed from funds of Butler Heritage Foundation membership, graduates of Butler High School and grants from the Byerly Foundation, the Sonoco Foundation and Longleaf Fund at Foundation for the Carolinas. The Gymatorium has an 804seat capacity. Ricky Fink ConWillie and George Cannon (left), Robert Green and his mother, Margie struction was the general conGreen, attended the open house on Sunday at the Butler Community tractor, Frazier said. Center, former Butler High School, to show the community the newly The Foundation is planning renovated Gymatorium. more renovations to the campus lobby are all ADA compliant, said Wilson said the renovation on the Fifth Street side by way of Gerald Wilson, a member of the cost a little more than $500,000 a grant from the Environmental Butler Heritage Foundation giving to complete and took about nine Protection Agency Brownfields tours on Sunday. months to complete. The final Program.
He said the renovations at the Butler Community Center will benefit the entire community. Frazier said they want to be inclusive and invite the whole community to use the facility. He said the Greater Hartsville Ministerial Alliance has an outreach group that meets at least once a month for breakfast to find ways to bring the community together. “We are soliciting youth’s ideas,” Frazier said. He said they hope to get more youth involved and are working with youth at Hartsville High School because many of their parents are graduates of Butler. The first Butler class to graduate in the Gymatorium was in 1964. The last class to graduate in the Gymatorium was in 1982. Wilson, a member of the class of 1968, said the stage at the far end of the basketball court was also used for events such as theatrical performances, the Glee Club’s spring and Christmas programs Please see BUTLER, Page A3
City councilman again riding in charity bike event MATTHEW CHRISTIAN
Morning Newsmchristian@ florencenews.com
HARTSVILLE – Hartsville residents soon will be seeing more of Councilman Kenzie “Pete” DeLaine on a bike. DeLaine confirmed to the Morning News last week that he will ride again in The Great Cycle Challenge to raise funds to help fight children’s cancer. Great Cycle Challenge USA was founded in 2015. It has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in the country. In just six years, more than 350,000 riders from 50 states have ridden 24.8 million miles, raising more than $39 million for the Children’s Can-
A crisp, clean appearance enhances a good lineup of content. Nice job.
cer Research Fund. The fund works to further research and the development of better treatments and cures for childhood cancer. This year, it is hoped that more than 80,000 riders will help raise more than $10 million. “Over 15,000 American children are diagnosed with cancer every year and, sadly, 38 children die every week,” said Daniel Gumnit, CEO at Children’s Cancer Research Fund. “Thanks to riders like Kenzie, we’re fueling groundbreaking research to save lives and give kids the brighter future they deserve.” DeLaine plans to ride 150 miles during the month and hopes to raise $500.
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“This is the second time I have participated in Great Cycle Challenge,” DeLaine said. “During those years, I rode 147 miles and raised $2,826.32. This year, I am aiming to raise $500 and ride 150 miles.” DeLaineaddedthatbikingaround the city also offers him a chance to seehisdistrictandtherestofthecity fromadifferentangle,learningmore aboutneedsofthecityintheprocess. TolearnmoreabouttheGreatCycle Challenge USA or to make a donation to DeLaine’s campaign, visit greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/ MATTHEW CHRISTIAN, MORNING NEWS KenziePeteDeLaine. To participate in Great Cycle Kenzie “Pete” DeLaine (center) is riding in the Great Cycle Challenge to Challenge USA, visit GreatCy- raise money to help fight children’s cancer. He is supported by teammates cleChallenge.com. Jennifer Heusel, Seraphin Kibonge, Tyler McCoy and Mykel Bowman.
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SC flooding group targets Irmo creek cleanup. Critics say long-term fixes needed.
BY MIKE FITTS mfitts@postandcourier.com
Other large S.C counties saw sharper increases in median household income during the same period: Charleston County, up 54 percent to nearly $71,000; Greenville County, up 41 percent to $64,000; and Horry County, up 32 percent to $53,650.
Steve Price finally had hired long-sought dishwashing help for his Irmo restaurant, Bistro on the Boulevard — or so he thought. The applicant had shown up dressed to start kitchen work right away, which Price invited him to begin. That was fine, the applicant said, but I just need to put this paperwork in my car. Price never saw him again. That story is just an extreme example of the frustration and challenges that hospitality businesses have faced getting enough staff during the coronavirus pandemic. To keep going, companies have been limiting services, cutting hours or simply asking fewer staff, including managers to do more. Other companies have reported similar interviewing issues, too. Local restaurant chain El Jimador has had issues with applicants who come in but don’t take any further action toward getting a job, said Jorge Gomez, a a manager for the local restaurant chain’s Lexington location. Perhaps, Gomez wonders, they are doing just enough to meet the requirements of the unemployment system. His restaurant has been advertising to add wait and kitchen staff but has had little luck,
Please see INCOME, page A4
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billion nuclear power project in South Carolina, many in the Palmetto State assumed the criminal probe would end with the prosecution of a pair of high-ranking SCANA Corp. executives who served as the public face of the construction effort. Instead, after three years of intrigue and speculation, the investigation into the V.C.
Even as South Carolina has enjoyed a robust period of economic expansion, income growth in Richland County fell behind almost every other county in the state over the past decade, according to
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Former SCANA CEO Kevin Marsh and Santee Cooper officials tour the construction site at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Power Station in Fairfield County on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. The plea deals of two former executives could serve as a launching point for others to be charged in the failure of the state’s V.C. Summer nuclear reactor project. File/Grace Beahm Alford/Staff
Richland County was next to the bottom in wage growth over the past decade, according to 2020 census data. Lancaster County was number one. File/Grace Beahm Alford/Staff
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U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The state’s second-largest county saw its median household income rise 15 percent, to about $53,000, from 2010 to 2019, according to the latest data available. In that time it took the largest plunge in the ranks, going from the county with the seventh highest income statewide to 16th.
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om Mullikin, chief of South Carolina’s special flooding task force, stood boot deep in Rawls Creek. The creek runs west of Interstate 26 in Irmo at the bottom of a neighborhood called Friarsgate. Part of the area’s flooding problems, Mullikin contended while leading a recent tour, is a blockade of downed trees and other debris that chokes the creek’s water flow, causing it to fill like a swimming pool and overflow during downpours. For its latest project, Mullikin’s group is sending a volunteer crew of log-cutters and trash-pickers for a daylong cleanup of the creek on Dec. 12. He describes the work as a key function of the S.C. Floodwater Commission, the 56-member group formed by Gov. Henry McMaster to investigate flooding fixes around the state. But critics have said the commission — with the backing of the governor, and whose recommendations may help steer legislation — should keep its eyes set on loftier goals, such as moving people out of flood-prone areas like Friarsgate. Bill Stangler, the Congaree Riverkeeper, said clearing debris amounts to little more than a stopgap.
FT3-1959114-1
ost people of a certain age can tell you exactly where they were on Sept. 11, 2001. Like the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., or the explosions of the Challenger and Columbia space shuttles, vivid sights and sounds enrich our memories of that day in ways that make it unforgettable. I remember it was a Tuesday morning, and I had just risen after working late the night before at the newspaper. I rolled off my side of the bed and reached to grab the remote for the little television atop the dresser. I pressed the red power button and waited to see what the news of the day might be. My wife had left the house already to take the children to school, and my only company was the little flatscreen coming to life. The “Today” show was responding to reports of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. Images on the screen showed smoke pouring from the North Tower. Early speculation was there had been some sort of horrible mistake by air traffic controllers. I flipped channels, trying to see what the other networks were broadcasting. I heard my wife’s keys jingle as the front door opened at the other end of the hallway. She called out, “What is going on?!? The people on the radio are saying ...” As she spoke, a second plane appeared on the television screen and vanished into the side of the South Tower. “Turn on the TV!” I yelled. “Somebody is trying to blow up the World Trade Center!” A fireball erupted from the other side of the building and debris rained onto the street below. We watched with the rest of the world as smoke billowed from the
Sept. 14. As of press time, Spalding had not responded to an email from The Island News seeking comment. According to the City of Beaufort website, “Members of the Beaufort Elections Commission assist at polling places in the City of Beaufort during elections. They also are present during the certification
SEE RALLY PAGE A4
Tony Junker, right, of S&K Signs and Designs, adjusts one of his cameras on Dr. Luke Baxley, left, an emergency room physician with Beaufort Memorial Hospital, prior to the start of the online “Community Conversation” on Tuesday at the home of Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray, center. Beaufort has seen an explosion of new COVID-19 cases. Dr. Baxley said he has written COVID as “cause of death” far more times than he ever thought he would. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
A Community Conversation Beaufort Mayor Murray, BMH doctor sit down to discuss COVID, vaccines as cases remain high in county, state
By Mike McCombs In what he referred to as his “first” Community Conversation, hinting there might be more to come, City of Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray sat down Tuesday, July 31, with Dr. Luke Baxley, a, Emergency Room physician at
The City of Beaufort invites area residents to a ceremony Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park to mark the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
– Staff reports
sation with Spalding later in the week. Spalding could be removed from the position, but the City Council would have to vote to remove her. Murray said that the Council needed time to do its homework and would likely seek legal advice, as well, and discuss the matter in executive session at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. That meeting is slated for Tuesday,
DECEMBER 10–16, 2020
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Burton firefighter wanted on charges for soliciting sex from 13-year-old Firefighter linked to case involving death of Trey Pringle By Mindy Lucas An area firefighter accused of using a chokehold on a Seabrook man who died after an altercation with authorities in 2018, is now wanted on charges of soliciting sex from a
13-year-old girl, officials say. The Beaufort Police Department has taken out warrants for Brandon Cory Thomsen, 46, of Beaufort. The warrants include one count of criminal solicitation of a minor and one count of disseminating obscene material to a person under 18, according to the department’s spokesman Capt. George Erdel. Thomsen is a firefighter with the
Burton Fire District. As of press time on Tuesday, his whereabouts were unknown and no arrests had been made, Erdel said. The mother of the 13-year-old contacted police on Nov. 28 after she discovered her daughter had received illicit messages from Thomsen via Snapchat, according to a redacted police report obtained by The Island News.
Snapchat is a popular mobile app that allows users to share photos or send messages that are available for a short time only before becoming inaccessible. Described as a “good family friend” in the report, Thomsen had asked to add the 13-year-old to his Snapchat a few days before the incident. He then sent the girl illicit song lyrics.
On Friday, Nov. 27, Thomsen contacted the 13-year-old asking her to “invite a friend” and that he was having a “get together” at his residence. He also sent her explicit messages of a sexual nature, according to the report. The 13-year-old became “extremely uncomfortable” and asked why he
SEE WANTED PAGE A4
BILL RAUCH
CITY TO MARK 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets to the ceremony.
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The 7 p.m. ceremony will pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the attacks and those who saved countless lives. The ceremony will feature the Parris Island Marine Corps Band and the Beaufort Mass Choir. USMC Col. Timothy R. Dremann, chief of staff at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, will speak. Luminarias will be lit in the park as part of the ceremony.
She publicized the rally before and afterward on her social media pages, and her email address was listed on a flier advertising the event as the RSVP contact. Mayor Stephen Murray said that he learned of Spalding’s involvement in the rally on the night of Monday, Aug. 30. He characterized his feelings on the matter as “disappointment” and said he conveyed that message in a phone conver-
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Beaufort election official helped organize right-wing rally By Mike McCombs In February, Helen Spalding was appointed to a six-year term on the City of Beaufort’s non-partisan Election Commission by the City Council. Now her presence on the commission is in question. Spalding was involved in the organization of the far-right Audit The SC 2020 Vote Rally held Aug. 30 at the Olde Beaufort Golf Club.
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Beaufort Memorial Hospital, in Murray’s home to discuss COVID and vaccines as the numbers remain high at BMH and across the county and state. S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 3,757 new cases of COVID and 28
weekend, there were 16,628 news cases reported, along with 164 deaths statewide, according to DHEC. There were 91 new cases reported in Beaufort County on
EDITOR’S NOTE To watch the entire video, visit https://bit.ly/3jRvMzq.
COVID deaths on Tuesday with a positivity rate of 12.3 percent. Over the three-day holiday
SEE DOCTOR PAGE A6
Recruit found dead Tuesday at Parris Island
By Mike McCombs A U.S. Marine recruit was found dead Tuesday morning at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. According to Beaufort County Coroner David Ott, a recruit from 3rd Recruit Training Battalion was “found deceased at about 7:30 a.m., apparently from a fall from the balcony.” He said that is all the information that would be released at this time.
An autopsy is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston. According to MCRD Parris Island spokesperson Capt. Philip Kulczewski, the incident is under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS). The recruit’s identity will be released 24 hours after the next of kin notification. “Again, this incident is currently
under investigation, no further details can be released at this time,” Kulczewski said in a statement. “The Marine Corps maintains high training standards as well as thorough safety precautions. All safety incidents are taken seriously.” Tuesday’s death marks the second time this year a recruit has died at Parris Island. Nineteen-year-old Dalton Beals of Pennsville, N.J. died in June
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Public hearting held to discuss Shell Point Stormwater rising.
USCB Center for the Arts opens season with All Shook Up.
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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–6 Arts A7 Health A8–9 Voices A10–11 Military A12–13
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while taking part in The Crucible, the extremely difficult exercise recruits undertake near the end of their training to become Marines. The more-than-two-day exercise concludes with a 9-mile hike. Beals suffered heat injuries and could not be revived.
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Mike McCombs is the editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
New mayor, council face Beaufort's unfinished business
W
elcome Mayor Stephen Murray and the new Beaufort City Council. There are great challenges before you. But looking across your ranks, I believe you are up to the job, that you will multitask as necessary, and that you will be a council that is remembered fondly for many years to come. You take office at a terrible time. The worst of the pandemic may still be to come; unemployment is high and may get worse before it gets better; the economy continues to teeter while Washington fiddles; and while it appears property tax revenues may hold up, the bed tax, the meal tax and other essential city revenues are way off. Be not afraid. In adversity, there is always opportunity. With that can-do spirit in mind let’s have a look at some of the city’s unfinished business that has been ignored for the past decade. Mayor Murray, I was
Beaufort Municipal Judge Ralph “Ned” Tupper, left, swears in Stephen Murray as Beaufort’s new mayor during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. Holding the Bible for Mayor Murray is his wife Melissa. At right are Murray’s twin daughters, Genevieve and Josephine. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
Ready for the job
Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray, city council members sworn in By Mindy Lucas Beaufort business owner and former city councilman Stephen Murray was sworn in as Mayor of Beaufort on Tuesday night. Murray was joined by new council members Neil Lipsitz and Mitch Mitchell, who also won seats on the council in November’s General Election. The swearing in ceremony, pre-
SEE MAYOR PAGE A4
sided over by Municipal Judge Ned Tupper, took place at City Council’s most recent meeting, on Dec. 8, in council chambers. “Tonight, I begin my journey in a new capacity of service for our remarkable home town,” said Mayor Murray. “I realize that I’ve got very big shoes to fill and much to learn,” Murray went on to say. “But I’m
committed to the work, and I’m thankful for so many of you that stand with me always ready to share your knowledge, take up the work that needs to be done or pick me up when I stumble.” A native of Beaufort, Murray has served on City Council since 2014. He owns two Beaufort-based
SEE SWORN PAGE A6
NEWS
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County libraries, pools re-open on limited basis.
Royals and Avengers squared off for the Beaufort County Adult Men's Baseball Championship.
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Lowcountry Life A2 News A2–6 Health & Wellness A7 Sports A8 Education A8
MORE ONLINE What Will “Mayor Billy” Be Doing Next? Former Mayor Billy Keyserling, 72, announced in July he would not seek re-election for a fourth term as Beaufort’s mayor. To find out what he’ll be doing next, read our feature “Longtime Beaufort Mayor finds fulfillment in work outside mayor’s office” online now at www.yourislandnews.com.
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Lancaster News Lancaster County’s biweekly newspaper
DECEMBER 12-13, 2020
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Virus rockets past state, local records 3,500
New COVID-19 cases per day in South Carolina
3,000
2,500
4,332
1,500
Mac Banks
3,137
mbanks@thelancasternews.com
positive test results were added Friday, bringing the state’s total infections to
of South Carolina’s residents have died with COVID-19 since March 16.
2,000
228,261.
67
of them were from Lancaster County.
1,000
500
3 schools go virtual until after holidays
7-day moving average
0 March 6
June 1
Mac Banks and Gregory A. Summers The Lancaster News
COLUMBIA – One week after setting a daily record of 2,470 new COVID-19 infections, South Carolina exceeded that number by 700 cases Friday. Records also fell in Lancaster County, which report-
Sept. 1
Dec. 10
Source: S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
ed its highest daily case count at 65 and its highest number of active cases at 487. Active cases are those within 14 days of diagnosis. “Unfortunately, this was a record-breaking day across many categories,” said Stuart Barfield, Lancaster County Emergency Management, citing the statewide and local figures, which came two
weeks after the worrisome Thanksgiving travel period. Two more Lancaster County COVID deaths were reported Friday by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. The Lancaster ZIP code had 295 active cases, the highest number since the pandemic began in March. There were 136 active cases
in Indian Land, 17 in Kershaw and 32 in Heath Springs. The ZIP code location of seven cases is unknown. The 65 new cases reported in the county on Friday came after 40 new infections Wednesday and 21 Thursday. In the last seven days, DHEC has reported 16,940 See VIRUS I Page 8A
A surge in coronavirus cases has forced three more Lancaster County schools to go all-virtual starting Monday, and students won’t return to campus until early January. Lancaster and Indian Land high schools, along with A.R. Rucker Middle, will close to students Monday and offer only online instruction until winter break begins Dec. 23. This is the second time that LHS and Rucker have been shut down this semester because of staff shortages due to coronavirus illness or quarantines. Andrew Jackson High went all-virtual this past Monday and plans a return to campus next Monday. “All health experts said there would be a surge after Thanksgiving,” said Lydia Quinn, the school district’s chief operating officer. “We were warned.” Quinn said more than 15 staffers were out at both Indian Land and Lancaster High, and 12 are out at Rucker. For schools that are not shut down, the district plans to have just one more week of inperson classes. It is converting all schools to online only for Dec. 21 and 22, heading into winter break. At all middle and high schools, A-day students will resume in-person instruction See SCHOOLS I Page 2A
Phipps: Plexiglas blocks views, deadens sound Mac Banks
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In a category of very impressive entries, this one stands out because it’s clear the people at this paper have their finger on the pulse of the community, and they package the information in a way that’s reader-friendly and consistent. Great job!
mbanks@thelancasternews.com
Plexiglas dividers clutter the view of students at their desks and make it harder to hear the teacher.
Elementary students returned to four-day-a-week classroom instruction Monday, separated by Plexiglas shields atop their desks. The adjustment has not been easy, and the dividers are not getting rave reviews so far, school board members learned at their Tuesday night meeting. Students in the back of the
classroom are looking through a forest of dividers that block clear views of the teacher and the whiteboard. Teachers have trouble seeing their students. Dividers are also deadening sound, making it hard to hear what everyone is saying. “I don’t know how they are doing it,” school Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Phipps said. “I think our teachers are troopers and pushing through and are very opti-
Top-cop award for Investigator Preston Simpson Mac Banks mbanks@thelancasternews.com
Preston Simpson, an investigator with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, has been named the state’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Simpson, 34, received the honor Thursday at a ceremony in CoSimpson lumbia. “Preston is dedicated to law enforcement and to the greater
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good,” said Sheriff Barry Faile, who nominated Simpson for the award. “I can think of no better officer to receive this honor for 2020.” Faile noted Simpson’s unusual route into law enforcement. A Lancaster native, Simpson played baseball at Presbyterian College and graduated with a business degree, then received his master’s from Clemson University in construction science and management. He got a job as a construction project engineer, moving around to different parts of the country.
Christmas basket tops goal by far Mac Banks mbanks@thelancasternews.com
The Ward Faulkenberry Christmas Basket has topped its goal in two short weeks. The drive now stands at $9,711, surging past its goal of $8,000. The drive took in $3,716 during the week ending Dec. 11. “HOPE is so grateful for the outpouring of kindness this Christmas. We have now completed a wonderful drive- through holiday event for seniors, which is the first half of our Ward Faulkenberry Christmas Basket distribution,” said Bekah Clawson, executive director of HOPE in Lancaster. See BASKET I Page 3A
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He got married in 2012 and wanted to settle down in one place. “I was home for a wedding and a friend mentioned he was in law enforcement,” Simpson said Friday. “I looked at it as a career, and it checked all the boxes. I didn’t realize I would enjoy it as much as I have.” He joined the sheriff’s office in 2014, starting as a patrol deputy. “Preston came to us after having worked as an engineer because he had an interest in law enforcement and wanted to make a difference in people’s lives,” See SIMPSON I Page 2A
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Church News ..................6B Classifieds .......................7B Coming Events ...............2B Education .........................5B
mistic. We are getting through it, but there are some challenges…. “I have concerns with kids being able to hear and see and be engaged,” said Phipps. The trifold dividers came from the S.C. Department of Education and aren’t what the district had originally wanted. They have wide white borders that obscure vision. The school district has See PLEXIGLAS I Page 8A
Just for Fun ................... 4B Opinion ........................7A Sports ............................5A TLN Weekend ............ 1B
Rodgers Baker Jr. Scott Faile Arlene Grier Blanche Thompson Michelle Lowery
Leona Perry Dessie Reeves Lester Reeves Timothy Sims Clyde Steele Carl “Buddy” Watkins
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WEEKENDER VOL. 103, NO. 170
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2021
4 SECTIONS, 28 PAGES
COVID-19 in SC Cases statewide: 4,685 new, 608,946 total Total confirmed cases in the Lakelands Greenwood - 8,876 Abbeville -2,470
Saluda - 1,783 Laurens - 7,572
McCormick - 908
Deaths statewide: 31 new, 9,434 total Saluda - 42 Laurens - 155
Vaccine percentages Saluda - 42.1% Laurens - 39.4%
McCormick - 53.1%
48.1% DATA PROVIDED BY SCDHEC
INCLUDED IN TODAY’S EDITION
VOL. 102, NO. 269
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2020
DAILY $1, WEDNESDAY | WEEKENDER $2
Setting a new record
COVID-19 in SC Casesstatewide:3,208 new, 228,1261 total
CasesintheLakelands
Greenwood - 3,274 Abbeville - 930
Saluda - 815 Laurens - 2,741
McCormick - 346
Deathsstatewide:42 new, 4,332 total
DeathsintheLakelands Greenwood - 78 Abbeville - 18
Saluda - 23 Laurens - 69
McCormick - 7
SC shatters daily record with nearly 3,200 COVID cases Associated Press
By DAMIAN DOMINGUEZ ddominguez@indexjournal.com
Eligible SC residents fully vaccinated
To get vaccinated
Benji Tedards doesn’t leave the house without hand sanitizer now. He wears his mask when he goes out, and the sounds of people coughing are enough to make him want to head back home. He no longer likes being in a crowd, and when he gets a drink at any SUBMITTED restaurant he has to drink it with a straw to avoid Benji Tedards spent nearly two putting his mouth on a cup anyone could have weeks on a ventilator after con- touched. tracting COVID-19. He said the Thirteen days on a ventilator experience changed his perspective on the virus. See GASPING, page 5A
Anyone age 12 or older can get vaccinated against COVID-19 at no cost. To find vaccine providers near you, visit vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov or call 866-3658110 for vaccine questions and provider information. Self Regional Medical Center offers a drive-thru vaccination clinic from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays at 303 W. Alexander Ave. The Abbeville Area Medical Center offers vaccines by appointment; to schedule one, call 864-366-1647 or email aahcvax@AbbevilleAreaMC. com. Carolina Health Centers offer vaccines daily at its medical sites; to schedule your shot, call 864-8890565. Pharmacies, doctor’s offices and state-run clinics offer vaccines as well.
here are more than $103.45 in coupons inside
INSIDE TODAY’S EDITION
SUBMITTED
Nikki Christmas poses for a photo with her children, Sophie and Blaise.
Not just a number
A crowded cafeteria was commonplace as “family” gathered for meals.
De la Howe alumni looked back on their time at the school.
Greenwood woman’s death Seek help While there are myriad local organizations that from overdose bears stark can help provide resources to those struggling warning against lethal drug with addiction, the Substance Abuse and
INSIDE TODAY’S EDITION ByDAMIANDOMINGUEZ ddominguez@indexjournal.com
N
ikki Christmas had turned her life around — her loved ones could all see how well she was doing. She had been addicted to pills, but with support from her mother, she sought help going through recovery at the Faith Home in Greenwood. After getting clean, she started working there and helped other women in recovery keep tabs on their medications and appointments. She had found her purpose helping other women “NIKKI” who were getting the same CHRISTMAS help she had sought. She called them “my girls.” At home, she was building a better life for her two young children. But when a challenging time left her hurting, she tried to self-medicate again, her mother said. She bought a pill and took it sitting in her car in a parking lot on Calhoun
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Two people are running. Will anyone join them in the race for Greenwood County Council District 5? Who iled? Find out on 6A INSIDE TODAY • ABBY • CLASSIFIEDS • DEAR DAVE • OBITUARIES • COMICS • SPORTS • TV LISTING • VIEWPOINTS • WEEKENDBREAK
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John de la Howe alumni reflect on attending the school and say they’re pleased with its transformation into a governor’s school
It’s home
John de la Howe alum Sandi Boazman, right, poses for a photo with schoolmate Butch Canfield.
John de la Howe alumni carry vivid memories of their time at the school By LINDSEY HODGES lhodges@indexjournal.com
A
t the entrance to John de la Howe school, there are two low walls, curved and made of brick. When alumnus Sandi Boazman first arrived at John de la Howe as a child, the walls were the first thing
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2 weeks on ventilator changes Tedards’ view on COVID-19
McCormick - 19
Eligible people in each Lakelands county who are fully vaccinated Greenwood - 46.6% Abbeville - 42.9%
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‘Gasping for breath’
Total confirmed deaths in the Lakelands Greenwood - 158 Abbeville - 35
GHS edges past EHS
Unwind, ‘Charlie Brown’ cast talks Page 1C about working during COVID
she noticed. “To me, it symbolized arms reaching out for you,” she said. Boazman and other John de la Howe alumni still have fond memories of the McCormick County campus that became home and family they met there — not blood-related family, but family either way. The school was established in 1797 by the will of its namesake, who decreed the
acreage must be used to provide students with agricultural education. Eventually, the school became a state agency and offered a home for children in need. It’s now in its second year as the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe. Gene Swygert, who lives in White Rock, See ALUMNI, page 5A
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Martha Tavernier and her mother, Kayla, ring the bell Friday night during Christmas at the Train at Greenwood’s Railroad Historical Center. GREG K. DEAL | INDEX-JOURNAL
Mental Health Services Administration can connect anyone with resources at 1-800-6624357. The association is also available online at samhsa.gov Anyone in need of help can also reach out to the Association for Addiction Professionals, which is online at naadac.org, or by phone at 703-741-7686. Locally, Faith Home Christian Recovery is available at 864-223-0694, while Cornerstone addiction treatment center can be reached at 864-227-1001.
Road. “She didn’t stand a chance when she took that,” said Norma McCutcheon, her mother. “She didn’t stand a chance.” Nikki’s body was found the next morning, still in the driver’s seat and holding her cellphone. The pill she took contained fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opiate used in anesthesia. The drug can be fatal even in small doses, and when administered incorrectly, it will slow the body’s functions down so much the heart and lungs stop working. Nikki was found dead Nov. 7, 2017, one of See OVERDOSE, page 5A
COLUMBIA — A week after announcing a record-shattering 2,470 COVID-19 cases in one day, South Carolina health officials said Friday the state had eclipsed that figure by several hundred. The Department of Health and Environmental Control reported 3,137 confirmed cases and 47 additional deaths Friday. More than 220,000 cases have been recorded in the state since the beginning of the outbreak, and 4,332 South Carolinians have died due to COVID-19, according to the health agency. The rising numbers come as the state lays out its plan to vaccinate frontline healthcare workers and then eventually the rest of the population. Officials say that with limited supplies, the vaccine isn’t an immediate solution. “While the arriving vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel, it will be months before there is enough vaccine available for everyone,” said a statement from Brannon Traxler, the state’s interim public health director. “It is incumbent upon all of us to continue to take actions aimed at saving lives.” Top state health and hospital officials have said case and hospital numbers are returning to levels not seen since the state’s last spike over the summer. See OUTBREAK, page 7A
DAILY UPDATE IN THE LAKELANDS COUNTY Abbeville Greenwood McCormick Laurens Saluda
NEW CASES 11 66 2 60 7
ASSOCIATED PRESS
State epidemiologist Linda Bell speaks as Gov. Henry McMaster, listens during a COVID-19 briefing April 3 in West Columbia.
Railroad center has Christmas spirit ByGREGK.DEAL gdeal@indexjournal.com There was a train of young people lined up Friday night at the gate outside Greenwood’s Railroad Historical Center. They arrived to play games, sip cocoa, eat cookies, ring the bell on the train and watch performances by members of the Greenwood High See SPIRIT, page 6A
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COVID lessons continue as the vaccine arrives MATTHEW ROBERTSON
Morning New smrobertson@scnow.com
FLORENCE — Nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic — and with a vaccine just around the corner — what started out as a learning experience for medical professionals continues to be so with a big difference, the medical professionals have learned. And for patients, that’s a good thing. “Everything about the plague
has been an innovation. Constant learning, surprises around every corner and massive effort,” said Dr. Michael Rose, chief innovation officer for McLeod Health. The response from the medical center’s staff to the challenge has been “phenomenal,” Rose said. The virus has exposed cracks in the system as it has disproportionately hit some of the most vulnerable — communities of color, communities that don’t have their chronic health conditions under
good control and communities that lack ready access to the health care system. “Vulnerabilities exposed have been needs that have been there,” Rose said. The virus has highlighted the need for health professionals to be able to reach out to communities to educate members about managing their risks.
ways of understanding how a virus like this carries out its attack, which is quite different from other illnesses. It’s quite unique in what it does to the body and how it launches its attack against multiple body systems,” Rose said. “It behaves different from influenza and pneumonia.” All of these things have created the need for the invention of a new approach and a novel use of therThe virus is the challenge apeutics, such as the medication “This disease has initiated new the president received — mono-
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Staff
Morning News
20 years later, more than 20 local memories
clonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies, Rose said, are just antibodies created in the lab and then pumped into the patient to “juice up” the immune system. Effective therapeutics have not been limited to the new. Dexamethasone is a “really old drug that’s been around for decades and decades, but it’s had a use in this illness that’s quite Please see COVID, Page A2
JOHNSONVILLE
County to own golf course MATTHEW CHRISTIAN
Morning News mchristian@florencenews.com
DAVID L. YEAZELL PHOTOS/SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS
Adults and children lined the route at the Hartsville Christmas parade. HARTSVILLE elighted youngsters and their parents joined the crowd for Saturday’s Hartsville Christmas parade. Santa arrived on top of a fire truck.
D
FMU graduates 336 at fall commencement events STAFF REPORTS
FLORENCE — Francis Marion University held five in-person commencement ceremonies celebrating the fall 2020 graduating class Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday in in the Smith Center on the FMU campus. The university awarded 227 baccalaureate degrees and 109 master’s or specialist’s degrees throughout the five ceremonies. Attendance for both guests and university personnel was significantly limited to allow for social distancing. There were approx-
imately 65 graduates at each ceremony. The attendance at each of the five events was below 10 percent of the Smith Center’s capacity. No honorary doctorates were awarded and no special speaker was invited to deliver a commencement address. However, FMU President Fred Carter spoke briefly at each of the five ceremonies. Carter told the graduates that experiences missed due to the pandemic should be balanced by a sense of accomplishment.
JOHNSONVILLE — Florence County will own the ground under the golf course that the city of Johnsonville plans to revitalize. The Florence County Council voted 7-2 Thursday morning to authorize the purchase of the former Wellman Country Club for $600,000 of the county’s economic development capital fund balance. As implied during the meeting Thursday, the county will likely lease the land to the city for the revitalization of the golf course. Johnsonville will, in turn, use the money allocated to it under the recently approved third penny sales tax to revitalize the course. The two members to vote against the acquisition were Chairman Willard Dorriety Jr. and Councilman Frank J. “Buddy” Brand II. Brand originally made a motion to defer the purchase so he could learn more about the necessity of it. His motion died due to lack of a second. At the same time Brand spoke, Councilman Jason M. Springs made a motion to approve the purchase. Councilman Kent C. Caudle seconded Springs’ motion, which was approved by the council. Dorriety said he voted no because he had promised during several community meetings about the penny sales tax that the county would not own the course and he wanted to keep his word to those people he promised.
CONTRIBUTED Please see FMU, Page A3
FMU President Fred Carter hands a graduate her diploma.
Please see GOLF, Page A3
INDEX ABBY AGRIBIZ CLASSIFIEDS CROSSWORD
C3 D1 D3 D4
HEALTH & WELLNESS OBITUARIES OPINION SPORTS
C1 C6 A7 B1
The Tribute in Light rises above the lower Manhattan skyline on Sept. 11, 2019, as taken from Bayonne, N.J. EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS
28 PAGES
Car show brings in toys for needy. PAGE A5 S
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WHAT: 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacked. WHEN: 8:30 a.m. At 8:46 a.m. there will be a moment of silence and doves will be released. WHERE: Florence Veterans Park, at the 9/11 memorial. NOTE: Seating is limited. Attendees are urged to take their own lawn chair, observe the courtesies of the pandemic (socially distancing) and be prepared to cross the park to get to the event location.
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NEW DYNASTY OR SURPRISE CHAMPS? Seattle Sounders aim for their third MLS Cup title in five years but Columbus Crew eyes first since 2008.
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ʤŠɻʤɻ ÿȅŊ Ƚ˄ʤ ȽɴŠɻɻ˄ɴŠ ȝȅ ȝƆƆǔǒ ĵǔÿǨɻ ʤȝ ɴŠǨŠÿɻŠ ƆȝȝʤÿƳŠ ȝƆ njǔɻ ƆǔȅÿǨ ǷȝǷŠȅʤɻŇ ˪ǔŠˬŠŊ ȝȅ ȅŠˬɻ ĚɴȝÿŊĵÿɻʤɻ ÿĵɴȝɻɻ ʤnjŠ ĵȝ˄ȅʤɴ˴Ɏ ȝ˄ȅʤ˴ ȝƆƆǔĵǔÿǨɻ ÿȽȽɴȝ˪ŠŊ ÿ ŗȨ̅ ǷǔǨǨǔȝȅ ɻŠʤʤǨŠǷŠȅʤ ˬǔʤnj njǔɻ ƆÿǷǒ ǔǨ˴Ň ˬnjȝ ˄ǨʤǔǷÿʤŠǨ˴ ˬÿʤĵnjŠŊ ÿɻ ÿ ʤȝȽ ȽɴȝɻŠĵ˄ʤȝɴ ŊŠĵǨǔȅŠŊ ʤȝ Ƚ˄ɴɻ˄Š ĵɴǔǷǔȅÿǨ ĵnjÿɴƳŠɻ ÿƳÿǔȅɻʤ ǡÿǔǨ ȝƆƆǔĵŠɴɻ ǔȅ˪ȝǨ˪ŠŊɎ ˄ʤ Ŋȝ̀Šȅɻ ȝƆ ȝʤnjŠɴɻ njÿ˪Š ŊǔŠŊ ˬǔʤnj ǨǔʤʤǨŠ ȝɴ ȅȝ ÿĵǥȅȝˬǨǒ ŠŊƳǷŠȅʤ ƆɴȝǷ ǡÿǔǨ ÿŊǷǔȅǔɻǒ ʤɴÿʤȝɴɻŇ ǨŠʤ ÿǨȝȅŠ ÿȅ˴ Ƚ˄ĚǨǔĵ ɻĵɴ˄ʤǔȅ˴ ȝƆ ʤnjŠǔɴ ȽÿɻɻǔȅƳɻɎ ÉȅǨǔǥŠ ȽɴǔɻȝȅɻŇ ˬnjǔĵnj njȝǨŊ ȽŠȝȽǨŠ ÿǨɴŠÿŊ˴ ĵȝȅ˪ǔĵʤŠŊ ȝƆ ɻŠɴǔȝ˄ɻ ĵɴǔǷŠɻŇ ʤnjŠ ɴȝ˄ƳnjǨ˴ ʎ̅ ǨȝĵÿǨǨ˴ ɴ˄ȅ ŊŠʤŠȅʤǔȝȅ ƆÿĵǔǨǔʤǔŠɻ ǔȅ µȝ˄ʤnj ÿɴȝǨǔȅÿ njȝ˄ɻŠ ʤnjȝ˄ɻÿȅŊɻ ˬnjȝ njÿ˪Š ĚŠŠȅ ÿɴɴŠɻʤŠŊ ÿȅŊ ÿɴŠ
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Wait is over for new park in Hilton Head’s Colignyarea 3A
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Beaufort County schools enrollment takes a 5.2% drop
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At Millcreek Mall on Saturday in Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania, Madalynn Brooks, 7, of Canadohta Lake, visits with Santa Claus, who was safely seated behind a sheet of Plexiglas due to COVID19 safety measures.
VACCINES HEAD TO STATES, LAUNCHING HISTORIC EFFORT BY ABBY GOODNOUGH, REED ABELSON AND JAN HOFFMAN
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At Novant Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the new ultracold freezers are ready – enough to eventually house more than 500,000 doses of the first coronavirus vaccine approved in the United States. In Los Angeles, the Cedars-Sinai medical center has installed extra security cameras to protect the secret location of its soon-to-arrive supply of the vaccine. In Jackson, Mississippi, the state’s top two health officials are preparing to roll up their own sleeves in the coming days and be the first to get the shots there as cameras roll, hoping to send the mes-
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sage, “We trust it.” The Food and Drug Administration’s emergency authorization Friday night of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has set in motion the most ambitious vaccination campaign in the nation’s history, a challenge of staggering proportions choreographed against a backdrop of soaring infection rates and deaths. This weekend, 2.9 million doses of the vaccine are to begin traveling by plane and guarded truck from Pfizer SEE VACCINES, 18A
LYNNE SLADKY AP
Maggie Gerson receives a COVID19 test at a walkup testing site Saturday in Miami Beach, Florida. The Pfizer vaccine for the disease received emergency authorization from the FDA on Friday. The first injections are expected to be given by Monday to highrisk health care workers.
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Hospitals in Beaufort, Jasper counties make preparations for coronavirus vaccines BY SAM OGOZALEK VD ] VC D'b T
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sogozalek@islandpacket.com
The COVID-19 vaccines are on the way, but it’s still unclear when they’ll arrive in Beaufort and Jasper counties. The state’s sprawling
vaccination campaign is set to begin as early as Monday, after federal regulators approved Pfizer and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use late Friday. The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette have confirmed that Beaufort Memo-
rial, Hilton Head and Coastal Carolina hospitals are all enrolled in the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s vaccine distribution network. Providers in the network will receive shipments of Pfizer’s vaccine directly, ac-
cording to DHEC. But the state has yet to name 15 specific locations that are getting the initial supply of doses. The 15 sites can redistribute vaccines to their “affiliated” locations, meaning there could be up to 56 sites by the end of this week, according to DHEC spokesperson Laura Renwick. Hospital spokespeople told the newspapers last week that some Prisma Health and Medical University of South Carolina medical centers are anticipating vaccine allocations right away.
‘Flawless’ PHOTOS BY JERRY BEARD | THE JOURNAL
Dedication of Oconee 9/11 Memorial draws hundreds BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR
Associated Press
The elections lawsuit pushed by President Donald Trump and dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court was filled with claims that failed to withstand basic scrutiny. The high court on Friday threw out a complaint filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that directly attacked four other states that President-elect Joe Biden won: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Widely expected by legal experts to fail, the lawsuit still drew the support of 18 Republican attorneys general and 126 Republican members of Congress, including House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy. Together, Trump and his allies argued that the high court should set aside all four states’ votes, allowing Republican-
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OUR VIEW
TO READ A RELATED EDITORIAL, TURN TO PAGE A4.
An attendee stands near an inscription of a quote from World Trade Center architect Minoru Yamasaki on Saturday morning.
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Warm, some sun
71°/62° See 2A
“We have obtained all of the easements for the privately owned properties,” executive director Chris Eleazer told the sewer Eleazer authority board at its meeting on Monday SEE SEWER, PAGE A3
Upstate bees get new digs, thanks to Walhalla girl
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Dismissed election case pushed failed claims
SENECA — The last privately owned easements needed for the Sewer South Phase 2 project to bring sewer service to southern Oconee County have been obtained, avoiding eminent domain action by the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority.
WALHALLA
WALHALLA — onor, dignity, courage and respect.” Oconee County Sheriff’s Office 1st Sgt. Alan Sayre said those five words Saturday morning while speaking at the dedication ceremony for the Oconee 9/11 Memorial near the entrance to Walhalla Middle School on Razorback Lane.
A woman holds two American flags during a ceremony Saturday morning at the Oconee 9/11 Memorial in Walhalla.
WALHALLA — Bees in the Upstate recently received some swanky new lodgings — a bee hotel built by senior Girl Scout Lili Galloway.
Galloway, a freshman at Walhalla High School and member of Troop 1543, completed the project to earn her Girl Scout Silver Award. A silver-worthy projSEE BEES, PAGE A3
UPSTATE
Resource guide inside today’s Journal THE JOURNAL STAFF
SENECA — The Upstate Today Resource Guide — included free in every issue of today’s paper — has information on everything one needs to know about the Golden Corner. The 46-page guide is a help for everyone — from those who have lived here
their whole lives to visitors staying for a long weekend in the area or transplants who’ve just moved into their retirement home on the lake. Need to find a school? Want to get the best sandwich in town? The guide has it all. The guide covers all of Oconee County, as well as Central, Clemson and Pendleton, and includes
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Oconee County Sheriff’s Office 1st Sgt. Alan Sayre speaks during a dedication ceremony at the Oconee County 9/11 Memorial on Saturday, the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
SEE ENROLLMENT, 14A
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CUSTOMER SERVICE
OJRSA obtains final easements for project
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directories for recreation, worship, health, education and government. Whether it’s getting the water turned on at a new home or finding a way to access one of the area’s many waterways, the Upstate Today Resource Guide can help. Several advertisers that
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VIRAL SPREAD: Americans paying the price for Thanksgiving. B1
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Walhalla High freshman Lili Galloway recently built a bee hotel to earn her Girl Scout Silver Award.
WILLIE SAYS: Here’s the source of the stink. A6
‘Everybody is struggling’
BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reported 3,137 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and 42 virus-related deaths. A total of 16,897 tests were administered the previous day, with a percent positive rate of 18.6 per-
THE JOURNAL
SENECA — South Carolina shattered its previous COVID-19 daily case count record and then some on Friday, nearly nine months into the pandemic. In its daily update Friday afternoon, the
SEE RECORD, PAGE A8
OCONEE COUNTY
County offices close temporarily THE JOURNAL STAFF
WALHALLA — A handful of Oconee County offices closed temporarily on Friday after positive COVID-19 cases. County administrator Amanda Brock issued a news release at noon Friday an-
nouncing the auditor, assessor and treasurer offices were closed temporarily “due to staff members testing positive” for COVID-19. The move came a little more than a week after the county elected to close offices to the SEE OFFICES, PAGE A8
WALHALLA
Police find stolen Walhalla High School band trailer
SENECA — The Walhalla High School band trailer that was reported stolen last week was found Friday in Anderson County. Interim Seneca Police Chief Casey Bowling said investigators Mike Teramano and Amber
Watts were searching for a city-owned trailer stolen about three weeks ago when they found the band trailer. “Our investigators were following up a lead with a stolen trailer, so they went to a residence in Iva, which then led to another SEE TRAILER, PAGE A6
PHOTOS BY LAUREN PIERCE | THE JOURNAL
Though a few people were out and about Friday afternoon shopping in downtown Clemson, foot traffic has been down for area businesses for months.
Clemson officials, businesses skeptical of holiday season boost after tough year BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR AND GREG OLIVER THE JOURNAL
CLEMSON — While the COVID-19 pandemic has seemingly worsened by the day since Thanksgiving, Clemson businesses have had to separately deal with another set of unfortunate circumstances. University students were asked by school leadership not to return after the Thanksgiving break to prevent community spread, which has seemingly put a dent into any holiday season sales boost.
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More space to ride, more space to stow and be spontaneous. The 2021 GLA 250 SUV
Greenville, SC 29607
THE KEOWEE LIFE
At Hair South on College Avenue, stylist Wendy Duemmel told The Journal business has been a lot slower since the students went home to finish the semester. She said the majority of the salon’s clients are students and professors. “We’ve taken a pretty good hit with everything going on,” Duemmel said. “We have to take it day by day. We knew it was coming. We normally slow down at about Christmas time, but this is hitting us a little bit earlier.” She added it has been a “scary time” SEE SKEPTICAL, PAGE A5
Nick’s Tavern and Deli in Clemson received more than $20,000 through a crowdfunding effort on GoFundMe to keep the bar going through the beginning of next year. The bar is set to celebrate its 45th anniversary in February.
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Clemson junior guard John Newman shoots near Maryland guard Eric Ayala during their game Wednesday at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson. The 4-0 Tigers will close their nonconference schedule today with a game against Alabama as part of the Holiday Hoopsgiving event in in Atlanta. To read more, turn to page C1.
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CHANGE OF PLANS: West-Oak moves football game, adds another. C4 ‘IT’S A REALITY’: Biden points to wildfires to push for big rebuild. D1
BY RACHEL JONES
In a massive shift from previous school years, Beaufort County School District’s total enrollment dropped by more than 1,000 students this fall, according to newly released attendance numbers. South Carolina’s Department of Education typically uses attendance taken on the 45th and 135th days of the school year to calculate a school district’s average daily membership. That total is then used to determine how much money the district gets from South Carolina’s Education Finance Act, and to project population growth for schools, which can lead to school expansions, mobile classrooms or building
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After win over S.C. State, Tigers’ Uiagalelei still working through early kinks. Page C1
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Store owner opens up on challenges BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR AND GREG OLIVER THE JOURNAL
CLEMSON — The owner of a store in Clemson is optimistic her business will be able to learn from the once-in-a-lifetime challenges of 2020. Even in the middle of such pressing and strange times, Tiger Sports Shop owner Ibrahim Julie Ibrahim said she was grateful for such loyal community support. “I really can’t complain about a thing. I love where we are, our customers, the Clemson family, and wouldn’t go anywhere else,” she said. Ibrahim added she learned a lot from vendors who “supported us greatly” and “other vendors who didn’t help us at all.” “But I would say 85 percent of our vendors have been awesome,” she said. SEE CHALLENGES, PAGE A5
WILLIE SAYS: I’ve covered this before. B5 113 Tranquil Cove MLS #20232125 Architectural perfection in this beautiful home in the Cliffs at Keowee Springs! 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms! Screened porch! Outdoor kitchen!
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A transportation study of Bettis Academy Road, pictured here, in Graniteville is scheduled to be conducted. A study also is planned for the southern portion of Whiskey Road.
Plans for area road studies advance
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CDC
BY DEDE BILES dbiles@aikenstandard.com
STAFF PHOTOS BY LANDON STAMPER/SUBMITTED
Clockwise from top left, Hattie Thomas, Keith Glover, Allyson Langley, Brady Lucas, Quatisha Knight, Dr. Anh Le, Jeannie Hart and Barbara Coleman.
Frontline leaders
Healthcare workers discuss hospital experiences BY LANDON STAMPER lstamper@aikenstandard.com
“I can’t even remember not wearing a mask at work. I can’t remember just little things, like being able to walk freely into a patient’s room and not having to think twice about it or walking into the hospital without getting my temperature checked. It’s all normal now.”
W
hile the coronavirus pandemic has forced many people to work from home, health care workers don’t have that option. Many employees at Aiken Regional Medical Centers have been working daily on the frontline of the pandemic response since it began. While there have been changes in protocols, these employees have stepped up to the plate to help fight against COVID-19. Brady Lucas, a registered nurse at ARMC, said it’s hard for him to imagine the old way of doing things. “I can’t even remember not wearing a mask at work,” Lucas said. “I can’t remember just little things, like being able to walk freely into a patient’s room and not having to think twice about it or walking into the hospital without getting my temperature
Brady Lucas, registered nurse at ARMC checked. It’s all normal now.” “At first, it was a little scary; but now, as it’s progressed, we’re pretty used to it,” said Hattie Thomas, a supervisor at ARMC. “It’s like a normal everyday for us.” As one might expect, the hospital also has gotten a lot busier and a lot more hectic over the last several months as workers tried to keep patients safe, as well as themselves and the rest of the staff. Allyson Langley, an intensive care unit nurse at ARMC, said it can be overwhelming at times. “So, a normal 12-hour shift
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which would sometimes be stressful in the ICU, is definitely magnified,” Langley said. “You have to do some mental gymnastics to make sure that you’re following all the proper protocols and helping keep each other safe.” Langley said patients are assessed three times a day in the ICU, as well as any additional times that are needed. She said they place patients in the prone position in the unit. “If they’re in respiratory decline because of the virus and on a ventilator, we have to lay them on their stomach,” said Langley, de-
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Please see BOARD, page 6A
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‘Real growth potential’
Board talks shortage of substitute teachers Members of the Aiken County Board of Education brainstormed solutions to the school district’s substitute teacher shortage at its Dec. 8 meeting. A lack of substitute teachers was part of the board’s Nov. 17 decision to move schools back to hybrid instructional models – a combination of in-person classes and distance learning days. The Back-to-School Laurence Advisory Committee reported declining fill rates for classrooms in need of substitutes that month, when district-wide quarantines peaked as students attended full-capacity classes. North Augusta High, for example, reported regularly assigning aides and teachers in their planning periods to cover for absent faculty. The district reported a 69.8% fill rate for the first half of November. At the Dec. 8 school board meeting, board member Cameron Nuessle asked if the district would be able to fill in for up to 25% of faculty at once amid the substitute shortage. One of the thresholds for moving individual schools to hybrid or virtual next semester will be if more than 25% of instructional staff is quarantined or in isolation. Superintendent King Laurence said it wouldn’t be easy to fill in for those positions, but it will be possible to move staff members around to keep schools open. The 25% number includes faculty besides classroom teachers, Laurence explained. “When we’re looking at that 25%, we’re looking at all the instructional staff,” Laurence said. “So we’re also looking at instructional aides, paraprofessionals, we’re looking at the activity teachers, we’re looking at media specialists. We’re looking at every professional staff person and anyone associated with instruction.” Board member Brian Silas asked district officials what the district’s substitute teacher provider, ESS, has been doing to recruit more staff. Jennifer Hart, chief officer of human resources for the school district, said the provider has enhanced its recruiting advertisements and has been holding weekly orientations. In the week after Thanksgiving, substitute fill rates averaged around 70% to 80%, Hart said. “We’re continuing to have discussions on performance and how we can improve our fill rates and identify additional subs,” Hart said. Silas asked if Hart is satisfied with the provider’s efforts to improve. Hart said, “No, sir.” Dwight Smith, who served as chairman that night, asked Hart how the provider is advertising for substitutes. Hart said the company mainly uses internet job boards, like GlassDoor and Indeed. Board member Dr. Patricia Hanks expressed concern that the current advertisements only reach people who visit online job boards. “I mean, media blitz should be the goal for [ESS]. If newspaper doesn’t work, try something else. TV, radio, whatever,” Hanks said. Board member Patrice Rhinehart-Jackson suggested asking parents and community members to help fill the substitute teaching gap. “We have not because we ask not, so why
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scribing the prone process. “They stay that way for 16 hours, and then we have to roll them back.” During the onset of the pandemic, Langley said one side of the ICU was walled off to keep the COVID-19-positive patients on one side. Keith Glover, director of security and communications at ARMC, had a different perspective as he deals with people when they come into the hospital. Glover said these people often have anxiety setting in when they Please see FRONTLINE, page 6A
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Student organizes coat drive to help kids in need BY LINDSEY HODGES lhodges@aikenstandard.com Hundreds of kids in Aiken County will be warmer this winter, all thanks to middle school student Noah Cato, who for his 12th birthday chose to give back to the community. Cato, along with a variety of helpers and volunteers, held a coat drive outside Sam’s Club on Saturday morning, and collected new and used coats at different locations during the week. Cato approached his mom, Key-
“I just think it’s something that we need to instill in our kids that when you are giving towards others, it comes back to you tenfold…” Patrice Rhinehart-Jackson, Aiken County school board member
atta Priester, and told her he wanted to hold a car show for his birthday to raise money for United Way of Aiken County to help those affected by COVID-19. She told him she didn’t know how to put on a car show, but he didn’t take no for an answer. Cato woke up
the next morning, made his mom breakfast, and told her he wanted to hold a coat drive. “He said ‘Well mom, I’m telling you there’s like a lot of kids at school that don’t have coats, I know this,’” Priester recounted, “And he was like ‘I don’t want anything for
my birthday,’ he said ‘I’ve got everything I need, I don’t want anything for Christmas, can we get some coats for some kids?’” So, the Noah’s Way coat drive was a go. Please see COAT, page 5A
After a delay, plans are moving forward to conduct transportation studies on two busy Aiken County thoroughfares, where the potential for additional commercial and residential development is high. Plans call for the close examination of the southern portion of Whiskey Road in the Aiken and New Ellenton areas and Bettis Academy Road in Graniteville. During Aiken County Council’s meeting Sept. 21 at the Aiken County Government Center, the panel approved resolutions to award contracts conditionally to consultants to carry out the research. One resolution recommended putting AECOM Technical Services Inc. of Columbia in charge of the Whiskey Road Feasibility Study. The other recommended KimleyHorn and Associates Inc. of Columbia to oversee the Bettis Academy Road Corridor Study. The contracts with them still must be negotiated. The Aiken Regional Transportation Study (ARTS), Aiken County Transportation Committee and Edgefield County Transportation Committee will provide funding. ARTS is a Metropolitan Planning Organization. Joel Duke, Aiken County’s chief development officer, told the Aiken Standard in July 2020 that he hoped consultants would be hired and working on the studies by September or October of that year. But “progress on each was disrupted by COVID-19,” he wrote in an email sent to the Aiken Standard recently.
STAFF PHOTO BY DEDE BILES
More homes are going up in Powderhouse Landing in Aiken.
Local officials discuss results of 2020 census BY DEDE BILES dbiles@aikenstandard.com In Clay Killian’s opinion, Aiken County’s population should have been higher in the U.S. census data for 2020. “I think we were undercounted a little bit – by a couple thousand or 3,000 is my guess,” said the county administrator recently. Based on the nationwide survey, there were 168,808 people living here last year. That total represented an increase of 5.44% from 2010’s total, but there was a significant decline in Aiken County’s rate of growth. During the 10-year period from 2000 to 2010, the local population rose by 12.31%, from 142,552 to 160,099. South Carolina has 46 counties, and Aiken County was the 11th most populous, according to the 2020 census. It also was among the 22 counties where the number of residents increased. In addition, Aiken County enjoyed the 17th-highest growth rate. Greenville County had the most residents, 525,534, and Horry County grew the fastest with a 30.35% upswing. The U.S. Census Bureau’s estimate of Aiken County’s popula-
Please see ROAD, page 4A
STAFF PHOTO BY DEDE BILES
Aiken County Administrator Clay Killian speaks during the work session prior to a previous County Council’s meeting at the Aiken County Government Center. tion in 2019 was 170,872. Killian blamed the novel coronavirus pandemic for Aiken County’s lower than anticipated total in 2020. “The Census Bureau had a hard time hiring door-to-door canvassers to count the people who didn’t return the surveys,” he said. A greater number of Aiken County residents would have
meant a higher amount of financial aid locally in the future, so that’s the main reason why Killian was hoping for a bigger surge. “A lot of the federal grants and things … are tied to the population growth and the amount of population that you have,” he explained. But Killian was more philosophical than frustrated by the
“The key going forward is to grow in a way that meets the expectations and the values of the community. We also have to make sure that our infrastructure keeps up with the growth, which is why we have embarked on infrastructure improvements for our water, sewer and stormwater (systems).” Stuart Bedenbaugh, city manager final 2020 census count. “Obviously, we have to live with it,” he said. “We grew and some counties around us didn’t and Please see GROWTH, page 4A
Wild West Fest underway at Battle of Aiken site BY BILL BENGTSON bbengtson@aikenstandard.com
Inside
One of Aiken County’s biggest reenactment events is underway this weekend, with emphasis on the late 19th century and the territory linked to such characters as Doc Holliday, Annie Oakley, Sitting Bull and Jesse James. Wild West Fest, a two-day gathering held at the Battle of Aiken site, on Powell Pond Road, is to conclude today, with activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., emphasizing cowboy culture and offering a family-friendly look at some of the customs and culture from the days of Geronimo and Billy the Kid. Saturday’s high-profile visitors included Joe Long, the South C a rol i na C on feder ate Rel ic Room and Military Museum’s curator of education, who gave a talk on gunslingers linked to South Carolina and Georgia history.
For more photos from the event, see page 10A Some participants also represented other periods in American history, with Revolutionary War uniforms being part of the scene, as was the attire brought by Leesville resident Dane Coffman, who focuses on World War I and the Mexican Expedition. Among the younger re-enactors on hand Saturday was Edgefield County resident Joshua Garrison, 18, who was the oldest of eight homeschool siblings. “My dad’s been taking me to these things since I was about 5,” he said, describing the experience as “a fun way to learn history.” LaDonna Heise, who runs a local business (The Party Ponies), was in multiple roles, offering Please see WEST, page 4A
STAFF PHOTO BY BILL BENGTSON
Joe Long, curator of education at the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room, explains real-life and Hollywood-style quick-draw techniques Saturday at the annual Wild West Fest.
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