Long lines at pumps as gas prices soar

September 1, 2005

From staff reports


Gas prices spiraled upward throughout Greenwood and the Lakelands so fast Wednesday that stations seemed to change their signs every hour.
In scenes reminiscent of the 1970s oil embargo-fueled gas crisis, hundreds of motorists scurried to the pumps, waiting in long lines and paying high prices to pump before the Labor Day weekend.
Li’l Cricket’s lowest-in-town price had people cutting in front of each other to get to the pumps, causing tempers to flare. By dusk Wednesday, with gas prices more than $3 a gallon for some grades, the lines were there again — at North Pointe Exxon, at a store in downtown Due West and back at a Li’l Cricket in Greenwood.
The governor asked people to stay calm, and people with the oil industry said S.C. motorists should drive less.
A friend told Cynthia Brown, of Greenwood, to purchase her gas at the Li’l Cricket convenience store. “I wanted to get it before it goes up,” she said, adding that everywhere else she had been the prices were about 20 cents higher.
Towanda Middleton, manager of the Li’l Cricket on the S.C. 72 NE Bypass, Greenwood, said the store experienced lines nonstop all day since about 6 a.m.
“People were arguing over gas,” she said. They waited in lines that overflowed into the streets along the bypass.
Middleton had been keeping a close eye on the pumps for fear of drive-offs. “It’s hard to tell if it’ll run out,” she said.
“This is the cheapest I’ve seen,” said Abbeville resident Gladys Terry, adding that she usually fills up her tank no matter the price of gas.
Greenwood resident Floyd Weaver said he’s had to drive less since recent spikes in the price of gas.
“Pleasure driving is out,” he said.
“We heard it was about $3.70 at different places. They (Li’l Cricket) are usually reasonable,” said Peggy Burrough, of Greenwood, who was there with husband Tom to purchase gas.
“We are pinching our pocketbooks,” he said. They filled their minivan and a gas can to fuel their lawnmower.
Greenwood pastor Ray Boggs had surveyed other stations and found prices 20 to 25 cents higher than at Li’l Cricket.
“It’s the cheapest in town,” he said as he filled his tank.
Boggs said he drives his children to school on the west end of town and had seen gas prices much higher than what he was getting. “It was a big jump overnight,” he said.
Citgo Manager Sonja Gray said she had to place a sign letting her customers know she had only premium gas available.
The convenience store receives its gas from terminals in Belton and Spartanburg. “They are rationing off the gas,” Gray said of the Belton terminal.
At North Pointe Exxon on U.S. 25/S.C. 178, about 50 cars were in line around the gas pumps at 6:15 p.m. Gas prices were $2.99 a gallon for regular, $3.09 for plus and $3.19 for premium.
About noon, gas prices across the city were $2.79 for regular, $2.89 for plus and $2.99 for premium.
Prices were in the $2.99-$3.19 range at the BP in Donalds with a line of cars, and at Pavan Food Store in Due West at 5:45 p.m., more than 20 cars were lined up, where gas prices were $2.89 for regular Exxon, $2.99 for plus and $3.09 for supreme.
On busy Montague Avenue in Greenwood, gas prices at two convenience stores were much higher — $3.29 for regular and $3.39 for plus — and the price for super was not even on the board at a Sunoco. Gas was $3.34 a gallon for regular and $3.44 for plus at an Amoco.
At Wal-Mart’s Murphy USA, regular gas was $2.75 a gallon with at least 15 cars lined up at the pump about 2:15 p.m. At about 4:30 p.m., the price had risen to $2.98 with motorists in line.
Customers at the Li’l Cricket on the corner of Reynolds Avenue and Grace Street saw a hike about noon. The price of regular was $2.51 a gallon and at about 4:30 p.m., it reached $2.75.
Officers with the Greenwood Police Department stepped in at convenience stores to provide traffic control until the lines subsided, Police Chief Gerald Brooks, said.
By 3 p.m., operators at Cherokee Trail in Abbeville had run out of gasoline, had purchased a new load and were anticipating running dry again by midnight.
The store ran out the first time at about 10 p.m. Tuesday, store owner Vickie Bowie said. For hours before that, it had only premium gas left, but people had still been flocking to the pumps to fill up, she said.
“They still wanted it because, even buying premium, it was still cheaper than regular just down the street,” Bowie said. “It’s just been unusual.”
At that time, premium gasoline had been selling for $2.60 a gallon, while the nearest station had been selling regular for about $2.80.
The station was able to get a new shipment in the early afternoon, but was allowed to purchase only 4,000 gallons.
“We have gas now, but it won’t last long,” Bowie said just before 3 p.m. “I doubt it will last ’til the morning.”
By then, the price on premium gas had risen to $3.19 a gallon, while regular was being sold for $2.99. Diesel was still being sold for $2.46, but a new shipment hadn’t been received.
At C&J Food Mart in Abbeville on S.C. 72 west, regular was being sold for $2.85 a gallon and premium was going for $3.05. Mid-grade had sold out.
“We have some gas left, but I’m not sure how long it will last,” operator Udayan Thakore said. “A lot of the stations are out and we have cars lined up. At this rate, I may run out, too.”
“We still have plenty here, but I’ve heard some other stores are running out,” said Tommy Thomasson, a clerk at Evan’s Crossroads on S.C. 28 Bypass. “This is some kind of crowd, though. I’m 21 and I’ve been working here since I was 14, but I’ve never seen anything like this. They’ve been lined up all day.”
At the Shell on S.C. 72, manager Marie Harrison reported that the store was “keeping busy,” but wasn’t experiencing a shortage. The cost was $2.82 for regular. At the Bypass BP, Bob Faggart said he was expecting to run out of gas by midday today.
“We had a fair amount when we started this morning, but I’ve already sold three times as much as I usually do,” he said. A lot of customers bought two or three gallons, just to fill their tanks.
Gas woes were reaching Saluda stations by afternoon. Prices ranged from $2.79 to $2.99 a gallon for regular unleaded gas, and some stations were experiencing an increase in demand.
By 3 p.m., Fulmer’s 378 Pit Stop in Saluda had run out of mid-grade and premium gasoline, and manager Frankie Bedenbaugh said she didn’t know how long the regular gasoline would last.
“By the weekend, we’ll be out (of regular). We’ll sell it until we don’t have anymore,” she said. “It’s crazy here. People are filling up everything they’ve got.”
“It’s important for everyone to remain calm and patient, and to conserve gas while we continue to work toward determining how to best address this situation,” Gov. Mark Sanford said. “Right now, we’re doing a couple of things to respond. One, we’re asking all state agencies to cut nonessential travel. Two, we’re working with folks in the gas industry and with the federal government to find ways to keep gas flowing.”
Kay Clamp, executive director of the South Carolina Petroleum Council, said the industry is facing the worst set of circumstances imaginable because the hurricane damaged oil platforms and refineries in the Gulf of Mexico.
At least nine refineries were shut down because of Katrina, affecting nearly 11 percent of the nation’s fuel supply.
“Right now we have very little, if any, product coming into the state. So what people are seeing that’s available at the pump is probably from reserves, but there are not a lot of reserves,” Clamp said.
Sims Floyd Jr., executive director of the South Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association, said there might be enough in reserves for less than a week.
“Once we get the pipelines back up and get the refineries back in order, then we should go back to normal product supply, but it won’t feel short-term,” he said. “It’s going to be exacerbated by the Labor Day weekend.”
Clamp and Floyd urged motorists and businesses to cut back driving only to necessary trips.

Index-Journal employees Richard Whiting, Greg Deal, Kathryn Elrod, Jackie R. Broach, Megan Varner, Vic MacDonald and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Answering the question

After beating Wildcats, Panthers’ offensive line has tough test with Eagles

September 1, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

Abbeville High School football coach Jamie Nickles’ biggest preseason question mark put forth a good response in its first showing.
The Panthers’ offensive line, which includes six brand new starters, opened holes big enough for the Abbeville backs to run for 299 yards — including 225 yards and seven touchdowns from sophomore back Toquavius Gilchrist — in the team’s season opening 49-18 win over Ninety Six.
The Abbeville coaches know senior right tackle Richard Turnage, junior right guard Shaylor Wells, junior center Ethan Ellis, senior left guard Josh Fernandez, senior left tackle Adam Baughman and junior tight ends John Baughman and Chris West will have a difficult task to produce an encore performance at 7:30 Friday night against Class AAAA No. 5 Greenwood.
“I never would have thought they would have improved to this point so early in the season,” Panthers offensive coordinator Mark Smith said. “They are an unselfish bunch that don’t care who gets the credit as long as we move the football.
“But we certainly haven’t done anything yet because one game doesn’t make a season.”
Even before the Panthers opened their preseason summer practices, as Abbeville doesn’t workout on the field during the spring, the coaching staff knew that for the first time in more than five years they wouldn’t have a returning player on the offensive line.
“We kind of knew what we had to deal with it before the season started,” said Smith, who only had two returning starters on the line last season. “We say if you know it before it happens, it’s not an excuse.”
In fact, only Turnage and Fernandez saw playing time last season; Turnage in spot duty and Fernandez as a tight end. Wells, Ellis, John Baughman and West all played on the Panthers’ jayvee team a year ago.
“There was so much work to do and not much time to do it in,” Turnage said. “So, we’ve had to get everything together quick.”
To combat the relative inexperience in working together as one cohesive unit, offensive line coach Dick Williams had the entire crew, which also included reserve juniors Matt White and Justin Burton, spend as much time as they could together on the football field.
“We started in the summer taking that bunch, just them, to do their weigh lifting and conditioning, just the offensive line,” Williams said.
“We started doing that for that reason. To get some cohesiveness, some kind of chemistry, some kind of feeling between them.
“It does help, getting to know each other and getting used to each other. So, they can kind of feed off each other.”
The specialized offensive line work was something Smith, who doubles as the Panthers’ baseball coach, noticed with great admiration.
“I know when we were having baseball camp this summer, he (Williams) would have them out there to do their running,” he said. “But it wasn’t just running. He’d have them huddle, make a call and start them with a snap count to get them running. And they would do it for every group.
“It might have seemed a little corny to them, but they have to understand that what ever success we have is a direct result to them.”
But the players said that it was easy for the group’s chemistry to come together after being such good friends off the field. For them, it was just a matter of bringing that friendship to use on the field.
“We’ve all known each other for a long while, but there was a difference when we got on the field,” Ellis said. “It’s took a little time to get used to these guys on the field.”
Wells, whose older brother Trey plays on the Newberry College offensive line, agreed.
“I feel like I know them better now. I feel like I can trust them more,” Shaylor Wells said.
“It’s very important to be able to trust the person next to you. You have to play as a team and if you don’t like the person next to you, you might not play as hard for them.”
But the Abbeville offensive line hasn’t just had to overcome inexperience this season. For the most part, they are also smaller than most average high school linemen. Wells is the perfect example of that situation. The junior right guard stands at 5-foot-10 1/2 and 170 pounds, leaving him noticeably smaller than Gilchrist. Ellis and Adam Baughman are the biggest scale-tippers on the Panthers’ line, with both weighing in at 260 pounds.
“We knew we were going to be smaller,” Baughman said. “We have to beat people off the ball. We have to be lower and quicker than they are. We have to be fundamentally sound and give it our all on every snap.”
Turnage said that overcoming the size disadvantage has just as much to do with what you have inside.
“It’s about your intensity and how much you want it,” the senior right guard said. “There’s a certain pride you have to have when you’re undersized.”
One thing that has helped given the six linemen time to come together as one unit is the play of Gilchrist, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards as a freshman. Having him in the backfield gives the linemen something to rally around, as well as help make up for any mistakes.
“We definitely get motivated in blocking for a guy like Quay (Gilchrist),” Fernandez said. “He’s the type of back that if you happen to miss a block, he can still make the play on his own.”
Gilchrist and the Abbeville running game gives the Greenwood defense a completely different style to prepare for after the Eagles’ 27-0 shutout of Emerald’s spread offense last week.
“It’s definitely quite a challenge for our defensive staff,” Eagles coach Shell Dula said, “it’s a challenge for our football team because it’s two totally different schemes to prepare for.
Things we did against Emerald we won’t necessarily do against Abbeville. We’ve certainly had some late nights this week getting ready for this one.”
And the Eagles have a pair of effective backs of their own, with tailback Robert Robinson, who gained 110 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback Armanti Edwards, who had 73 yards rushing and 99 passing.
While the game against the Panthers doesn’t help Greenwood in seeding for the Class AAAA, Division II playoffs, it is a game that Dula, his coaches and his players looked forward to playing.
However, with Region I-AA having seven teams next season because of realignment, Abbeville will have six region contests, forcing the school to drop one non-region game, which is the matchup with Greenwood.
“We’re excited about playing Abbeville,” Dula said. “But we’re saddened that it’s going to be the last time because they didn’t renew the game with us. It’s a shame to see it go because it’s a good game for this area.”

Opinion

Character shines through in the wake of disasters

September 1, 2005

It’s been noted many times, but every time there’s a natural disaster we witness the two extremes of humanity: the best and the worst.
When Hurricane Katrina unleashed its fury on Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida, we were reminded of how looters always prey on the misfortunes and miseries of others. They are the worst. They deserve to be dealt with harshly.
But, then, almost always we are shown the best. We’ve seen it when aid and workers from Greenwood and the Lakelands area, as well as from other parts of South Carolina, helped so many communities and people get through the nightmares of nature. Food, water, blankets, clothing, blood, and other essentials are given for no reason other than to help those who need it.

LINE CREWS, POLICEMEN and other workers volunteer to go to places traumatized by the weather to help start life back to normal.
The companies and communities that pitch in are owed a debt of gratitude, of course. It’s like casting bread on the waters. If or when we need to be treated the same way, there’s always a helping hand.
That’s one thing that many people around the world fail to recognize about the people of this nation. They’re always there when needed. Sometimes it’s hard to understand the attitudes of some of those we help. Somewhere, somehow, some of them grow to despise us and our way of life. Still, when the time comes, no matter what others may think or how they act toward us, the American people respond when disaster strikes.
Take Charleston, for example, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. When Hurricane Hugo smashed into the Lowcountry in 1989, causing widespread damage and pain, other Americans came to the aid of South Carolinians.

THOSE SOUTH CAROLINIANS have remembered ….. and acted. In fact, since then, Charleston people have rushed to the aid of others every time they’re needed.
Now, more than 50 Charleston police officers have headed to the Gulf Coast to help restore order. Other people and organizations from S. C. also have heeded the call, by volunteering and by giving whatever they can to ease, where possible, the anguish and hurt that only the unpredictable and powerful forces of nature can cause.
There is never enough, of course, no matter how much we give or help. Imagine, though, what it would be like if we didn’t care about each other.
Too bad some people elsewhere don’t always see that. Worse, though, some don’t want to see it and if they do, don’t care. Still we give and give and give ….. to each other and the world. That speaks volumes.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Johnny Holmes Aiken

DONALDS — Johnny Holmes Aiken, 64, of 102 Olin Smith Road, husband of Viola Brownlee Aiken, died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Abbeville, he was a son of the late Oliver Aiken Sr. and Annie Mae Holmes Aiken. He was an employee of B.F. Adams and a member of Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, Hodges, where he was a member of the All Male Chorus and former trustee board secretary.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Cathy Aiken Byrd of Hodges and Raweewah Aiken Ross of Piedmont; three brothers, Cornell Aiken of Abbeville, Oliver Aiken of Promised Land and Fletcher Aiken of Hodges; three sisters, Margie Nance and Joretha Milford, both of Donalds and Louise Tolbert of Hodges; and a grandchild.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Jannie Allen

ABBEVILLE — Jannie Allen, 87, of 202 Whitehall St., widow of James Allen, died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005 at Abbeville Nursing Home.
Services will be announced by Richie Funeral Home.

Lillie Mae Benson

Services for Lillie Mae Benson, formerly of 217 Cambridge Avenue Apartments, are 1 p.m. Saturday at Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church, McCormick, conducted by the Rev. Paul Jennings, assisted by the Rev. James Daniel Jennings. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are grandsons. Flower bearers are granddaughters and nieces.
The family is at the home of her daughter, Annie Lee Brown, 617 Pelzer St.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Jean Harbin

Jean Elizabeth Burnett Harbin, 55, of 404 Morgan Ave., died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 at The Hospice House.
Born in Greenville, she was a daughter of the late James Clinton and Annie Grace Burnett. She was a graduate of Parker High School, an honor graduate of Piedmont Technical College and attended Greenville Tech. Employed as activity director at Magnolia Manor, she was a member of Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church in Laurens.
Survivors include a son, James Lee Harbin III of Greenwood; a daughter, Donna Harbin Farrow of Laurens; two sisters, Janice B. Fowler of Greenville and Judy B. Woods of North Carolina; a brother, James Edward Burnett of Florida; and two grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Friday at Oakbrook Mausoleum Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Tom Cartledge. Burial is in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are James Lee Harbin III, John A. Morgan Jr., John Patrick Morgan, Robert Wade “Trey” Mann Jr., Jacob Robert Farrow and Furman Robert “Robb” Farrow.
Visitation is after the service at the Oakbrook Memorial Park visitation room.
Memorials may be made to The Hospice House, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Frank ‘Salt’ Puckett

McCORMICK — Services for Frank “Salt” Puckett are 2 p.m. Friday at Zion Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church, Greenwood, conducted by Elder Harry Williams, assisted by Pastor Patrick Carter. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in The Evening Star cemetery, Greenwood.
Pallbearers are friends and church members.
Flower bearers are granddaughters.
The family is at the home of a son Frank “Kenneth” Puckett, 612 Bryant St.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.

Henry Mitchell Wilkie

ANDERSON — Henry Mitchell Wilkie, 68, of 704-A Kings Road, died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 at Anderson Area Medical Center.
Born in McColl, he was a son of Janie Lee Wilkie and the late Roy Glen Wilkie. He served in the Army and was a professor at Tri-County Technical College for 30 years. He was a member of Mount Zion Presbyterian Church, Sandy Springs.
Survivors include his wife, Lynn Patterson Wilkie of the home; a daughter, Sally Wilkie Rickenbaker of Greenwood; his mother of Anderson; a brother, Joel Daniel Wilkie of Anderson; and two grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Friday at Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Elizabeth Patrick. Burial is in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Visitation is after the services at the mortuary.
The family is at the home and at the home of a brother, Joel Wilkie, 100 Victorian Drive.
Memorials may be made to American Red Cross, 115 Whitehall Road, Anderson, SC 29625.
Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel, is in charge.