Suspect in fatal wreck pleads not guilty

August 25, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

A 26-year-old man charged with three counts of felony DUI pleaded not guilty to all charges Thursday.
The families of Tanner Chaise Cason and Amber Nicole Hamilton wept silently while listening to the charges against Antwon Lanier during his bond hearing in the Greenwood County Courthouse.
Lanier has been charged with three counts of felony DUI and two counts leading to deaths, along with a list of other charges, after a wreck Aug. 1 that took the lives of Cason, 23, and Hamilton, 16.
The wreck occurred at the intersection of S.C. Bypass 225 and Florida Avenue.
Cason was driving east on Bypass 225 when a stolen vehicle, driven by Lanier, ignored the stop sign on Florida Avenue and collided with the driver’s side of Cason’s SUV.
Cason died at the scene. He would have been 24 years old on Aug. 2.
Cason’s wife, Racquel Michelle Cason, 24, was a passenger in the SUV. She was sent to Self Regional Medical Center in critical condition after the wreck.
Lanier showed little emotion as Judge Sonya Williams read the charges against him Thursday.
Lanier, who was released from the hospital Thursday, was in a wheelchair with a white cast on his right leg, a result of his injuries in the Aug. 1 wreck.
Lanier has also been charged with two counts of reckless homicide, three counts of failure to stop for police, driving under suspension, third offense or more and receiving or possessing stolen goods over $5,000 or more.
He could face more than 105 years in prison if convicted.
Williams said she set the bail at $340,000, including fines from all charges and court fees, because Lanier has ties outside of the state.
Cpl. R. H. Collins of the South Carolina Highway Patrol asked that Lanier receive a high bond to prevent him from leaving the state.
Lanier has a prior escape charge in South Carolina and a conviction record from New York.
“We would most likely have to be looking for him,” Collins said.
Cason’s mother, Tiara Cason, said she was extremely disappointed by Lanier’s plea.
She said she wished that no bail or a higher amount would have been set for Lanier.
“My son deserves no less,” she said.
Tiara said she was afraid that Lanier would make bail and leave the area.
Her daughter-in-law, Michelle Cason, is healing after the wreck, but doctors say she might walk with a limp for the rest of her life.
Michelle was totally immobile right after the wreck.
Tiara said she hopes Lanier is convicted and receives life in prison.
She said his family could visit him in prison, even if a plastic wall is between them.
“We don’t have that option,” Cason said.
Lanier has another court date scheduled for Oct. 27, and another set for Jan. 19.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol filed most of the charges, except for a stolen vehicle charge from the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office.
Lanier said at the hearing that he was hiring his own attorney.
Williams told Lanier that he would still have the opportunity to chose a public defender if he wanted before any trial date was set.

Public weighs in on bonds

School district takes questions on proposed construction plan

August 25, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood School District 50 officials wanted to hear what residents thought about a proposed installment purchase bond program, so they went straight to the people for the answers.
The district listened to questions about the program Thursday night during a public at Brewer Middle School, which attracted about a dozen participants.
Many people took notes during a presentation narrated by Superintendent Darrell Johnson and Gary Johnson, assistant superintendent of business and operations for the district. They asked questions afterward.
Questions ranged from whether locally owned firms could be hired for the possible $115 million construction project, to children’s safety, to possible repercussions to taxpayers from the new bonds.
The bond project would build new elementary schools and repair the high schools within five years, Darrell Johnson said. A new high school wouldn’t be built, but after the 15-year financing period, it could become a possibility.
Bonds are typically sold by government agencies, like District 50, to the public and investors to fund large projects. The money derived from the bond sale is given to the issuing agency and paid back over an established period of time.
Pierce Stockman said he was concerned about how different bonds might affect people in the area.
The current 61.4 millage rate has increased taxes for the city and county, Stockman said.
District 50 is currently paying back $13 million a year in bond debt to its financial institution with the same 61.4 millage rate, Stockman said.
Stockman said he didn’t understand how the district spending more money than it uses now could be a good thing.
Gary Johnson told Stockman that the project’s millage rate could possibly be increased if it needed more funding, but that he didn’t anticipate any need right now.
Lee Dorn asked district officials if the new project had a built-in percentage of funds that would help it avoid going over budget as the middle schools construction project had.
Gary Johnson said that any money left over from the new project would be used to stop over budgeting.
Dorn also said that by the time many of the possible elementary schools would be built, they would be outdated.
Darrell Johnson said that the elementary schools need more work than the high schools, so they get priority.
Spreading out help to most of the schools is better than putting all the money into a few schools, Darrell Johnson said.
Brian Robertson, a structural engineer, admitted to district officials that his motives for asking which architectural design company would be hired for the new project were less than pure.
Gary Johnson said that they already had an agreement with an architectural firm for future projects, but the scale of the new plan was so large that they would need more than one firm.
“We are very much interested in doing business with local firms,” Johnson said.
Sarah Hartung has a child at Merrywood Elementary School and another on the way, so she wanted to know if a new Merrywood would be in a different location.
Gary Johnson said Merrywood was dealing with an undersized campus in a dangerous location for parents’ cars and buses to travel.
He said it was a possibility that a new Merrywood could be located in a new building at the former Northside Middle School.
The school board will meet again on the bond program next Thursday at 6 p.m.

Carol Bateman

GREENWOOD — Carol Vaughn Bateman, 64, a registered pharmacist with Self Regional Medical Center and former Chairman of the South Carolina Board of Pharmacy, died August 19, 2006 at the Hospice House of Greenwood. She had lived in Greenwood for 16 years.
Throughout her career, Ms. Bateman was actively involved in state, regional and national pharmaceutical activities. She held many leadership roles within the S.C. pharmaceutical community, including serving as Vice-President and President of the S.C. Pharmaceutical Association (SCPhA). The Association chose her as “Pharmacist of the Year” in 1978 — one of many honors and awards she received within her profession.
Ms. Bateman was born in Richmond, VA December 23, 1941 a daughter of the late Harold B. and Verna Vaughn Bateman. During her childhood, her family enjoyed living in numerous states across the US, including Florida, Texas, New Jersey and Tennessee. She spent her adult life in South Carolina.
Ms. Bateman attended Van-derbilt University in Nashville, TN and completed her B.S. degree in Chemistry at the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA. She received her B.S. degree in Pharmacy from the University of South Carolina, College of Pharmacy in Columbia, SC.
In 2001, Ms. Bateman was the national recipient of the prestigious “Bowl of Hygeia” Award, honoring her outstanding service in pharmacy, healthcare, community and civic activities. Her wide-spread volunteerism included work with the SCPhA, the S.C. Board of Pharmacy, the Colleges of Pharmacy, The Greater Greenwood United Ministry Free Clinic and Volunteers in Medical Missions making her a member of the first American medical team to visit Bulgaria.
Ms. Bateman enjoyed a wide range of special interests which she pursued with enthusiasm. She loved to travel in the US and abroad, was a student of Asian cultures, dreamed of retiring in Hawaii, and had a passion for antiques and historic sites. She was a tireless member and advocate of the Abbeville County Historical Society where she had served as president.
Ms. Bateman is survived by her sister, Merry A. Bateman of Hedgesville, West Virginia and a host of very good friends. Memorial services will be conducted Saturday at 3:00 pm at the Main Street United Methodist Church with Reverend James Dennis and Dr. Tom Summers officiating.
Inurnment will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park at 5:30 PM Saturday.
The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 211 North Main Street, Greenwood, SC 29646; Abbeville County Historical Society, PO Box 12, Abbeville, SC 29620; to the S.C. Pharmaceutical Association Foundation, c/o SCPhA, 1350 Browning Road, Columbia, SC 29210.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Bateman family.
PAID OBITUARY

Rev. Ray Brewer

The Rev. Bobby Ray Brewer, 53, of 417 Panacea Road, husband of Donna Blackstone Brewer, died Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home & Crematory.

Hoyt Enlow

SALUDA, SC — Hoyt Enlow, 82, of 437 Trinity Rd., died Thursday, August 24, 2006 at his residence.
Born in Saluda County on November 5, 1923 to the late Will and Aminee McCarty Enlow, he was the husband of Bobbie Hurt Enlow. He was a retired U.S. Army and Air Force Veteran of 21 1/2 years having served 3 years during World War II in the Army 103rd Infantry 43rd Division and for 18 1/2 years in the Air Force, serving during the Philippines Liberation and in New Guinea, New Zealand and Japan and during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. He retired in 1988 from the State Division of Meat and Poultry Inspection after 20 years. Mr. Enlow was a 32nd degree mason and a member of Travis Lodge #241 in Saluda and Valley of Columbus Masonic Lodge in Columbus, Ohio. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and a member of J. N. Deloache Sunday School Class.
Surviving is his wife, Bobbie Hurt Enlow of the home, two sons and daughters in-law, Greg and Virginia Enlow of Ninety Six and Jeff and Marcie Enlow of Batesburg, four grandchil-dren, Carey Shealy of Ninety Six, Addy Enlow, Bailey Enlow and Cale Enlow all of Bates-burg, a brother and sister in-law, Gene and Sarah Enlow of Batesburg, a sister in-law, Mrs. Thomas (Dorothy) Denby and nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM, Friday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 11 AM, Saturday, August 26, 2006 at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Dr. Thomas Norrell and Rev. Dennis Campbell officiating. Interment will follow in West Travis Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Green-wood, SC 29646 or to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 102 E. Butler Ave., Saluda, SC 29138.
PAID OBITUARY

Nora Frances Melvin

Nora Frances Melvin, of 161 Robinson Ave., died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2006 at her home.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late Robert Cannon and Connie Longshore. She was a beautician and a member of Weston Chapel AME Church, a church class leader and steward.
Survivors include grandsons.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

James Reese III

Services for James Reese III are 2 p.m. Saturday at Parks Funeral Home, officiated by the Rev. Ulysses Parks. Burial is in The Evening Star cemetery.
Pallbearers are Shedrick Reese, Sidney Boozer, Charvis Reese and Kelvin Reese.
Flower bearers are Angela Reese, Frances Reese, Pamela Perkins, Sharon Jones, Takeshia Arnold and Beverly Pearson.
Visitation is at the home of a daughter, Janice Reese, 229-A Brooks Stuart.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.

Bill Seymore

Glenn Ray “Bill” Seymore, 78, of 849 Sunset Drive, widower of Nora Ruth Slay Seymore, died, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006.
Born in Anderson, he was a son of the late Lee Roy and Myrtle Murphy Seymore. He was formerly employed by Spector Freight and was a member of Judson Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Susan Denise Hollaway, of Greenville, and Angela Ruth Cox, of Greenwood; four sons, Donald R. Seymore, of Powdersville, James Larry Seymore, of Taylors, Thomas E. Seymore, of Greenville, and Kenneth L. Seymore, of Piedmont; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren.
Services are 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Williamston Church of God, conducted by the Revs. Michael Hanley, George Moore and Duree Propes. Burial is in Graceland Cemetery.
Visitation is noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday at the church.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer, is in charge.

James S. Wightman

GREENWOOD — James S. Wightman, 85, of Morningside Assisted Living and formerly of 413 Lanham Street, husband of Brunell Crouch Wightman, died Thursday, August 24, 2006 at Hospice House.
Born in Saluda, he was a son of the late Wesley and Clarice Brooks Wightman. He was retired from Overnite Transportation and was a US Army veteran of World War II. He was a member and former deacon of Laurel Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a son, James David “Jimmy” Wightman and two sisters, Polly Mitchell and Miriam Shealy, both of Saluda.
Surviving is his wife; a daughter and son-in-law, Betty Wightman Bryant and the Rev. Glenn Bryant of Simpsonville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronnie and Carolyn Wightman of Mendenhall, MS and Larry and Debbie Wightman of Greenwood; a daughter-in-law, Brenda Wightman of Greenwood; a sister, Carrie Koon of Batesburg; nine grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Anthony Burns officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be grandsons.
Honorary escort will be the staff of Morningside.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The family is at the home of his son, Larry Wightman, 115 Benjamin Street, Fairforest.
It is requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to Hospice House, c/o HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Swim teams prepare for season

August 25, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

While there will be athletes all across the Lakelands area running on fields, courts and cross country courses this fall, there will be indoor action as well.
That action will be in the swimming pool, to be precise.
Emerald High, Greenwood High and Cambridge Academy will field varsity swimming teams this fall.
This will be the seventh year in which high school swimming teams have competed within the county.
The Greenwood swimming program will be breaking in a new coach. Leighann Butler will be taking over for Susan Thompson. Ken Spruill, much as he did during Thompson’s tenure, will be an assistant for the Eagles.
Butler, who has not coached on the high school level, but has been a swimming instructor for years, said things have gone smoothly so far.
“The kids have been putting in a lot of hard work,” Butler said at a recent Eagles practice at the Lander University indoor pool. “So far they’ve been a joy to work with.”
Greenwood has more new faces than it does returnees this year.
The returning swimmers are Henry Spruill, Amelia Nixon, Kaitlin Simpson and Haley Smith. Spruill had a stellar season for the Eagles in 2005.
As far as newcomers, Greenwood has Chris Messer, Diana Rodriguez, Michael Hellman, Sarah Colby, Carrissa DeBoer, Leighann Voiselle and Erica Danks.
Butler said there has been a fairly steep learning curve for the squad in the two weeks since practice opened.
“We have so many that are new to competitive swimming,” Butler said. “They are working on conditioning and learning about what it means to compete in a meet.”

Education not emphasized where it’s needed the most

August 25, 2006

Public education in South Carolina is better than some might think. At least that’s what a study funded by some South Carolina businesses indicates.
For example, the report says that Palmetto State students in the fourth and eighth grades show more improvement on some of the tests administered than anyone in the nation. At the same time, though, it’s also reported that South Carolina continues to have the lowest percentage of high school graduates. There are numerous reasons cited for this poor showing. The study looked at many factors that might help explain the low graduation rating when compared to all other states. It included teen pregnancy, poverty and credits needed to graduate.

THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT all of those factors have a negative effect overall. Still, there is at least one other consideration that should help put the graduation problem in perspective. In short, it’s attitudes on the home front.
Too many parents have failed to graduate, to be sure, and have not created much of an environment where the importance and possibility of education are emphasized. That, of course, affects attitudes, and that in turn has a negative effect on education in general.
As it happens, many parents don’t expect much from their children, particularly when it comes to getting an education. They didn’t get one so the relative importance of education for their children doesn’t rank very high.

THE PROBLEM, THEN, IS that when parents don’t put a premium on getting an education, too many times that seals the fate of their children in a life of mediocrity or worse.
It’s often said that we get what we expect. That’s true in so many situations. In education, though, it’s critical. We may be focusing on many of the right things about education, but at the same time we may be neglecting to get the right message across to parents who could do a better job of stressing it to their children.
Working to change attitudes of many parents about the need to graduate just might help solve part of the problem. The problem is, when education hasn’t been a priority historically, how can we turn that around?