Bagged pumps signal fuel shortage in area
September 2, 2005
By
SHAVONNE POTTS
Index-Journal staff writer
After people flocked to the gas pumps in droves throughout
Greenwood and the Lakelands two days ago, scenes at convenience
stores and gas stations were much calmer Thursday.
In place of long lines of motorists — many frustrated,
frightened and angry about the skyrocketing price per gallon
— there was a new sight: Bagged pumps showed motorists at
some locations there was no gas to be had — at any price.
After getting a little gas for her SUV the day before at a Li’l
Cricket, Crystal Smith returned to the store Thursday to get
more.
“It took me $82 and some change to fill up my tank and about
$20 for another car,” she said Thursday. “That could’ve
gone toward a light bill or for part of rent.”
She said she drove around for 15-20 minutes looking for a more
affordable price since her “SUV burns a lot gas.”
Debra Quarles, of Greenwood, waited 45 minutes in line for gas
Wednesday but had no wait Thursday.
“I’m getting it today before the price goes up,”
she said.
At one Li’l Cricket, things were less hectic than the day
before. “It’s okay today,” store manager Towanda
Middleton said.
She said the store ran out of regular gas about 10 p.m.
Wednesday, but now it has a steady flow.
For Pam Ferrell, of Greenwood, gas prices have hit her family
hard.
Ferrell said she didn’t dare venture out Wednesday for gas.
“I’m out today getting gas, and this is the third or
fourth place I’ve been at,” she said.
Ferrell said she heard about the lines of people flocking to the
pumps. She said she and her husband had a long talk about the
prices and what their options were if prices continued to rise.
Ferrell said it costs them so much to keep two vehicles filled
with gas at the current prices that they might consider driving
only one vehicle.
Gas prices have jumped at convenience stores in the past two
days, including at Sunoco on Bypass 72, which posted $2.79 for
regular unleaded Wednesday, but then raised the price to $3.29
for the same gasoline Thursday.
Wal-Mart’s Murphy USA, which had a line of customers
Wednesday with gas at $2.75 for regular, had a $2.98 price
Thursday.
The BP and Shell stations at the corner of Calhoun Road and
Bypass 72 had no gas or diesel as of early Thursday afternoon.
Valero convenience store on Cambridge Avenue also had no gas as
of Wednesday night, store manager Sheneka Brooks said.
“We will get more,” she said, “but I don’t
know when.”
She said the store had to place plastic bags on all of its pumps.
Most of the gas that comes into this area is obtained from the
Gulf of Mexico and then received from terminals in cities such as
Greenville, Spartanburg, Charleston and Belton.
“The majority is sent through the pipeline. They’ve
shut down most of those (because of Hurricane Katrina) and
refineries, because of the power outages, they aren’t able
to ship,” said Larry Whitworth, project manager with
Greenwood Petroleum.
The price of the gas is determined, he said, by when the
companies receive the gas and from whom they get it.
“Branded stations such as Shell can get better prices
because it has to be transported to the individual station,”
Whitworth said.
For example, Shell will want to sell only Shell to its gas
station.
“It’s like keeping it in the family,” he said.
Whitworth said, normally, Greenwood Petroleum receives its gas
from a terminal in Belton but, instead, has received it from
Augusta.
He said he expected the gas prices to peak Thursday and today and
ease a bit throughout the subsequent couple of days.
Whitworth said he needs 50,000 gallons and can obtain only 9,000.
“It probably won’t get back to normal for the next
three days, and it should stabilize in the next couple of days,”
he said.
Whitworth said the company sold three times as much gasoline
Wednesday as normal.
“The main thing is, what we went through yesterday, it
created or exacerbated the problem,” he said.
The one thing on the minds of oil distributors is the panic that
ensues when worried people rush to the gas stations.
“There was a concern for many (yesterday) if we’ll have
gas,” said Chip Stockman, of Stockman Oil. “We do.”
He said the United States has a number of days of capacity of oil
in storage.
“When you panic, you throw all of that out,” Stockman
said. “It is my opinion that everyone that lined at the
pumps yesterday compounded the problem.”
Stockman addressed the issue of price gouging by saying the term
is relative.
“(Customers) really have to have no other choice” of
where they can obtain gas, he said.
According to the state attorney general, it is illegal to rent,
sell or offer to rent or sell a commodity such as gas at an
“unconscionable price” during times of state
emergencies.
Such an emergency has not been declared by the governor.
GHS girls sweep Lady Vikings
September 2, 2005
By
RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer
After winning only one of its first four games this season,
first-year coach Shawn Stratton had a heart-to-heart conversation
with his Greenwood High School volleyball team Wednesday night.
The Lady Eagles responded a day later with a straight-set victory
over crosstown rival Emerald at the Greenwood gymnasium.
Greenwood (2-3) won with game scores of 25-10, 25-13, 25-17.
“I let them know where I stood and where they stood and I
think I touched a nerve in them,” Stratton said. “I
think tonight they played with more emotion. Of course, it helps
playing our crosstown rival, where they always play better. They
really showed me something today.”
The Lady Eagles jumped out early on the Lady Vikings (2-1) in the
first game, taking an 18-8 lead.
Emerald cut the deficit to 11, at 20-9. But Greenwood’s
Ashlee Roof took over serving and rattled off four straight
points, benefiting from a pair of kills from Brantley Sacoco, to
bring the Lady Eagles to game point.
Emerald regained serve to make it 24-10, but when Greenwood sent
back Lady Vikings’ Brittany Connor’s serve, Emerald
couldn’t return the favor, hitting the ball out of bounds to
give Greenwood the 25-10 win.
The two teams traded points throughout most of the second game,
with each squad enjoying a lead. After Greenwood pushed out to a
13-8 advantage, the Lady Vikings cut the deficit to two, at
13-11. Emerald’s Kate Davis started the rally with a pair of
aces.
“I saw a lot of good things today, but Greenwood High is
very strong,” Emerald coach Sondra Clendenin said. “It’s
probably the strongest team they’ve had in years. I told my
girls to walk out of here with their heads high. We’re
young. We started three sophomores all three games. I felt like
we showed a lot of potential and we’ll be strong by region
time.”
But the Lady Eagles put the game away behind the serving of Keve
Anty. The senior’s serving extended the lead to 17-11.
Fellow senior Allie Gray put the game away for Greenwood. Taking
the service line with a 19-13 score, Gray, who finished with nine
kills and two digs, had only one of her next six serves returned.
Gray closed the game out with three booming jump serves, picking
up two of her team-high five aces.
“Serving has been our strength and our weakness, but it was
on today,” Stratton said. “We’ve had games where
we gave away half the points on serves.
“I was really impressed with the way they regrouped tonight.”
Like the game before, the two teams went back and forth through
the final game.
Game three was tied from 2 to 9 until Sacoco stepped to the
service line and rattled off six straight service points, two on
aces. Gray and Roof had consecutive set tips for points to make
it 16-9.
An ace from Gray gave the Lady Eagles their biggest lead of the
game, at 23-12. And before readying for her next serve, several
Greenwood students began chanting “jump serve, jump serve.”
Gray obliged, but Connor ruined Gray’s chance at making it
game point. Connor tapped the return into the left front corner
for a point, 23-13.
Emerald would draw to within 23-17, behind the serving of Alix
Anderson, before the Lady Eagles claimed the final point for the
match win.
Sayer leads Lady Eagles by EHS girls
September 2, 2005
From
staff reports
Haley Sayer rallied from a four-game deficit at No. 1 singles to
lead the Greenwood High School girls tennis team to a 4-2 victory
over Emerald Thursday at the Gatewood Racquet Club.
Sayer, playing No. 1 singles for the Lady Eagles (2-0), was
losing to Emerald’s Elizabeth Nicholson 5-1 in the opening
set before rallying for a 7-5, 6-1 victory.
“That was a real boost for (Sayer’s) confidence and I
think a lot of the other matches fed off that one,”
Greenwood coach John Epplesheimer said. “When you play a
rival, you’re never really sure what’s going to happen.
All the matches were close.”
The closes match of the day was at No. 4 singles, where Emerald’s
Meredith Martin defeated Greenwood’s Jacquelyn Butler in
three sets, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (11-9).
“I thought they were going to play until 2007,”
Epplesheimer joked.
Besides Sayer, the Lady Eagles got victories from Brigitte Briere
at No. 2 singles, Samantha Funke at No. 5 singles, and the
doubles team of Jeannie Flick and Emily Moore.
Catherine Tolbert, at No. 3 singles, notched the other win for
the Lady Vikings.
“I think we played really well,” Emerald coach Susan
Timmerman said. “They (Greenwood) were just a little more
consistent that we were.”
Greenwood plays Aiken on Tuesday, while Emerald visits Clinton
Tuesday.
Opinion
Natural disasters ... and the consequences
September 2, 2005
One
thing you can bet on. It would be all but impossible to convince
many motorists they’re not being gouged at the gasoline
pumps.
With rumors of shortages and outages, the lines at most pumps
Thursday were long ….. and hot. That includes some tempers
as well as the thermometer.
Fortunately, at least in South Carolina, we haven’t heard of
any real violence, unlike New Orleans, where shots have been
fired at a relief helicopter, news reporters and apparently some
individuals. Anyone caught firing guns, whether there’s
martial law or not, ought to be prosecuted to the maximum. In
some cases, it might even be appropriate for law enforcement
officers – civilian or military – to fire back. If
shooting to kill appears justified, do it.
* * *
One more thing. Anyone who uses the Katrina tragedy for politics
deserve the scorn of every American. Like looters, some do
exploit the situation seeking political gain. We can hope the
voters remember and act accordingly.
* * * * *
Speaking of gouging on gasoline prices, Senator Lindsey Graham,
R-S. C., might do well to expand his effort to investigate the
situation.
Graham proposed recently that Congress investigate the big oil
companies to determine if they’re using the situation to
inflate prices. After the problems caused by Hurricane Katrina,
he might make the investigation industry-wide.
If price gouging is going on, those guilty also should face the
toughest penalties that can be handed out.
* * *
A bit of a panic hit Greenwood, Abbeville and other spots around
South Carolina Wednesday as rumors of gasoline shortages started.
That mob anxiety should make one thing clear. Research on
alternative fuels must be accelerated. We should also tap every
natural source available. That includes drilling for the oil in
Alaska and offshore areas where oil might be.
* * *
Remember the devastating tsunami that hit nations in the Far East
last year? The U. S. was quick to help, and former Presidents
George Bush and Bill Clinton raised millions for relief. The
United Nations, too, jumped into the act.
That begs the question now. Where has the U. N. been on Hurricane
Katrina? It may yet do something, but as of about midday Thursday
there was not a peep.
That makes it even more surprising when you consider that
Venezuela almost immediately offered fuel and other assistance.
That nation, of course, hasn’t been much of a friend to the
U. S. in recent times, so it’s offer is gratifying. Saudi
Arabia, too, has offered help ….. and others have expressed
concern. But, as one Greenwood reader asked, where is the U. N.?
Indeed!
Editorial
expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.
Obituaries
Johnny Holmes Aiken
DONALDS
— Services for Johnny Holmes Aiken are 11 a.m.
Saturday at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, Abbeville County, conducted
by the Rev. Albert L. Thompson, assisted by the Revs. Jacqueline
C. Aiken, Guy Ross Jr., Willie J. Choice, Melton Aiken and Norris
Turner. The body will be placed in the church at 10. Burial is in
Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are nephews.
Flower bearers are nieces and cousins.
The family is at the home, 102 Olin Smith Road.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.
Jannie Allen
ABBEVILLE
— Jannie Allen, of 202 Whitehall St., widow of
James Allen, died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005 at Abbeville Nursing
Home.
Born in Abbeville, she was a daughter of the late Georgia
Williams. She was a domestic worker. A member of Mulberry A.M.E.
Church, she was a missionary and senior choir member and a member
of Order of the Eastern Star Wilson Chapter 162.
Survivors include two daughters, Rosa Rodes of Atlanta and Sadie
Allen of Abbeville and three grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Sunday at Mulberry A.M.E. Church, conducted
by the Rev. William Boozer.
Burial is in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
Viewing begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Richie Funeral Home.
Visitation is at the home.
Richie Funeral Home Inc. is in charge.
Annie H. Houston
CHARLOTTE
— Annie Holloway Houston, 63, died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005
at Presbyterian Hospital.
Born in Saluda, S.C., she was a daughter of Sarah Phillips
Holloway and the late Jessie Holloway Sr. She was a member of
Weeping Willow A.M.E. Zion Church.
Survivors include her mother of Ninety Six, S.C.; five sons,
Herbert Holloway, Robert Lewis Houston, Worth Houston III, Ronnie
Houston and Derrick DeWayne Houston, all of Charlotte; a
daughter, Mrs. Leander (Carol Diane) Moses of Charlotte; three
brothers, Jessie Phillips Holloway Jr., James Cleveland Holloway
and Irby Gene Holloway, all of Charlotte; seven sisters, Mary F.
Widerman of Ninety Six, Mrs. Robert (Julia) Angella of Los
Angeles, Mrs. Samuel (Shirley) Anderson of Pageland, S.C., Mrs.
Gilbert (Laura) Hooper, Maggie Hamilton, Mrs. Frank (Gloria)
McDonald and Mildred Turner, all of Charlotte; seven
grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Services are 11 a.m.
Saturday at Weeping Willow A.M.E. Zion Church, conducted by the
Rev. Dr. Wardell Henderson Jr. Burial is in Gethsemane Memorial
Gardens.
Visitation is 10-11 Saturday at the church.
Long & Son Mortuary is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.,
Greenwood, S.C.
Stewart Rea
ST.
AUGUSTINE, FL – Graveside services for Stewart Alexander
Rea, 49, will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, September 3, 2005 in
Greenlawn Memorial Park Northeast. Chaplain Rick Floyd will
officiate.
Mr. Rea died Wednesday, August 31, 2005. Born in Riverside, CA,
he was the son of Robert John and Verna Dillon Rea. Mr. Rea
taught Physical Sciences at Flagler Palm High School in Florida
for 16 years and practiced as a research lawyer for many Florida
law firms. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the
University of Oklahoma in 1978 and his Juris Doctorate in 2000.
Mr. Rea was an accomplished AAU and collegiate swimmer and a
Black Belt in Tae Kwan Do.
Surviving are his parents of Columbia, brothers, Robert Rea and
his wife, Diane, of Lugoff, David Rea of Camden, and John Rea and
his wife, Stacey, of Walterboro, sisters, Kathleen Rea of
Altamonte Springs, FL, Barbara Rea of Greenwood, Laura Rea of
Easley, and Lt. Col. Maria Gervais and her husband, Maj.
Christopher G. Gervais of Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, Gina Williams,
and her husband, Bill of Joanna, several nieces, nephews, aunts
and uncles. He was predeceased by a nephew, Robert John Rea, II.
PAID OBITUARY
Margaret Satterfield
SIMPSONVILLE
— Margaret Gregory Satterfield, 84, of 1646 Jones Mill Road,
wife of A.B. Satterfield, died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005 at Summit
Place.
Born in Cross Hill, she was a daughter of the late Wade Lee
Gregory and Anna Pearl Sox Gregory. She was an alumna of Lander
College and a schoolteacher at Bethany Grammar School and West
Gantt High School. She was a member of Clear Spring Baptist
Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; a son, Ansel
Satterfield Jr. of Simpsonville; a daughter, Mrs. Bill (Karen)
Smoak of Beaufort; two sisters, Thelma Cullum of Greenwood and
Doris Whiteford of Cross Hill; four grandchildren; and a
great-grandson.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. today at Cannon Memorial Park,
Fountain Inn, conducted by Dr. Howard Foster. Entombment is in
Cannon Memorial Mausoleum.
Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hospice, P.O. Box 1353, Greer,
SC 29652 or Clear Spring Baptist Church, 301 Bethany Road,
Simpsonville, SC 29681.
Fletcher Funeral Service, Fountain Inn, is in charge.
Henry M. Wilkie
March
29, 1937-August 30, 2005
ANDERSON – Henry Mitchell Wilkie, 68, of 704-A Kings Road,
died Tuesday, August 30, 2005, at Anderson Area Medical Center.
Born in McColl, he served in the U.S. Army, and was a Teacher at
Tri-County Tech-nical College for 30 years. He was a member of
Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church at Sandy Springs.
Surviving are his wife, Lynn Patterson Wilkie, of the home; one
daughter, Sally Wilkie Rickenbaker, of Greenwood; his mother,
Janie Lee Wilkie, of Anderson; one brother, Joel Daniel Wilkie,
of Anderson, and two grandchildren.
He was the son of the late Roy Glen Wilkie, and was preceded in
death by a son, David Mitchell Wilkie.
Services will be at 2 P.M. Friday at Sullivan-King Mor-tuary,
Northeast Chapel, by the Rev. Elizabeth Patrick. The family will
receive friends at the Northeast Chapel, 3205 North Highway 81,
following the service. The family is at the residence, and at the
home of his brother, Joel D. Wilkie, 100 Victorian Drive.
Flowers are omitted. Me-morials may be made to the Anderson Red
Cross, 115 Whitehall Road, Anderson, SC 29625.
Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel, in charge of
arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY
Douglas Eugene Wilson
HODGES — Douglas Eugene Wilson, 54, of 108
W. Sandy Run Road, husband of Mary Frances Ligon, died Wednesday,
Aug. 31, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Abbeville County, he was a son of Willie Lee Coates
Wilson and the late Leroy “Roy” Wilson Sr. He was a
truck driver with Tri-State Paving Co.
Survivors include his mother of Greenwood; his wife of the home;
a son, Evan Wilson of Greenwood; a daughter, Kyla Robinson of
Greenwood; five brothers, Leroy Wilson Jr. and Zachary T. Wilson,
both of Greenwood, James A. Wilson of Spartanburg, Vincent C.
Wilson of Birmingham, Ala., and Alvin K. Wilson of Hodges; seven
sisters, Willie A. Neal of Gastonia, N.C., Patricia Wells of
Atlanta, Marie Garrett of McCormick, and Linda Bussey, Gloria
Wilson, Gwyn Wilson and Juanita Gilbert, all of Greenwood; and
two grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Saturday at Robinson & Son Mortuary,
conducted by the Rev. Amos Harling, assisted by the Revs. James
Brightharp and Stanley Haltiwanger. Burial is in Oakbrook
Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are nephews.
Flower bearers are nieces.
Visitation is 7-8 tonight at the mortuary.
The family is at the home of his mother, 106 W. Sandy Run Road.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com