Twin Rivers restaurant burns; arson suspected
July 20, 2006
By
JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer
WATERLOO — Just a few yards from his
restaurant, Rick Bennett sat in a golf cart and hung his head as
smoke rose from what used to be a popular deck at Twin Rivers
Landing and Restaurant.
A fire that destroyed the restaurant and pontoon rental, located
where the Saluda and Reedy rivers come together to form Lake
Greenwood, began early Wednesday morning and is being
investigated as arson by the Laurens County Sheriff’s
Office.
From beneath the shady, charred leaves that cover the more than
20-year-old eatery and general store from the sun, Bennett, who
purchased the restaurant in February, said he received a call
about 6 a.m. from the alarm company, which told him there was
activity at his restaurant only 100 yards from his home.
In his gray Twin Rivers tank top, Bennett said he saw flames
growing from the deck when he called the fire department.
Laurens County Fire Coordinator Ray Blackwell said the call was
received at 6:23 a.m., and the Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department
responded to the site at 6:41 a.m. By the time firefighters
arrived on the scene, Blackwell said the flames had already
spread to the restaurant.
About 35 firefighters from surrounding departments worked for
about five hours to stop the blazes, but the front of the
restaurant facing Lake Greenwood was destroyed, and the rest was
filled with more than a foot of water. Blackwell said workers had
to work quickly to keep the flames from reaching the 500-gallon
propane tank behind the restaurant.
After all the departments left the scene, smoke continued to rise
from the ashes as children could be heard squealing with laughter
as they splashed around at the restaurant’s boat ramp.
Lt. J.D. Shelton, of the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office,
said that because the fire started on the porch, arson is
suspected until proven otherwise. He said the cause of the fire
has not been determined and that there are no leads at this time.
Samples were taken at the scene and will be sent to State Law
Enforcement Division for investigation.
Despite temperatures reaching near 100 degrees by the afternoon,
Blackwell said the departments were able to rotate the
firefighters out of the building to keep them from overheating
and that no one was injured. The coordinator said a pumper truck
was brought down the restaurant’s boat ramp and water was
pumped from Lake Greenwood.
Diane Moore, who lives in Spartanburg but has a camper only yards
away from the restaurant, said it’s a shame to see the
restaurant go when the new owners have worked so hard on it.
New superintendent cheers for ‘district team’
July 20, 2006
By
BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer
Darrell Johnson knows what it’s like to be a team player.
The new superintendent of Greenwood School District 50 played
high school sports and is bringing the team spirit he learned on
the athletic field to his new job.
Johnson has spent the days since he was hired in July learning
about the people on the district’s team.
“The key to anything is the people,” Johnson said.
He thinks it’s important for people in the district to see
each other as teammates. Johnson’s administrative style is
data-driven, people-oriented and positive.
Johnson’s tour of the district’s elementary, middle and
high schools ended Wednesday with trips to Emerald and Greenwood
High School.
The former high school shortstop visited Emerald’s weight
room as part of the tour and talked with coaches and players on
Emerald’s baseball team.
He told student-athletes that the path to victory on the field
starts in the classroom.
Johnson also met many teachers and janitors when he visited
Greenwood in June before his first day of work on July 1.
Building a rapport with people in the district and helping them
understand that they’re all part of the same team is
extremely important, Johnson said. The team involves everyone
from the janitorial staff to employees at the District 50 office.
“Good to see you again, Willy,” Johnson said to a
janitor at Emerald High during his tour.
At Greenwood High, Johnson stopped to talk to student Ayla
Pittman while waiting for Principal Beth Taylor to take him on a
tour of the school.
Pittman plays for Greenwood High’s girls soccer team.
Johnson and Pittman talked about the World Cup finals and French
player Zinedine Zidane’s head-butt of an Italian player.
“You know not to lose your composure,” Johnson said to
Pittman.
Johnson is also interested in the district’s welfare, Taylor
said.
Her first 15-minute talk with Johnson lasted 45 minutes, she
said.
Johnson is also a hands-on administrator.
He high-fived Greenwood High assistant principals Janet Miller,
Travis Blizzard and Warren Hammond and ninth-grade coordinator
Amy Gregory after winding up a talk with them.
“I’m ready to start school tomorrow if y’all are
ready,” Johnson joked.
He is glad teachers, students and coaches are working hard during
the summer. That is rare in schools, Johnson said.
He also stopped by Emerald’s Air Force JROTC office. JROTC
helps change children’s attitudes, Johnson said.
He wants to help students at Greenwood’s alternative school
better integrate back into regular high school. Johnson also
wants to give alternative school students the option of learning
a trade.
He has been impressed by the district and is excited to be
superintendent.
Johnson knows hard times might come, but the district needs to be
proud of its accomplishments.
Bill Steed, the district’s former superintendent, left the
district in great shape, Johnson said.
When it comes to athletic competition between Greenwood and
Emerald high schools, Johnson said it doesn’t matter who
wins because, ultimately, the district is the real winner.
As the district’s people learn to work together, they’ll
be able to accomplish important goals, he said.
“We’re going to be winners,” Johnson said.
Joy W. Callaway
ABBEVILLE
— Joy W. Callaway, 34, of 710 McIlwain Road, wife
of Scotty Callaway, died Tuesday, July 18, 2006 from injuries
received in an automobile accident.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home &
Crematory, Greenwood.
Ella Julie Chambers
Ella Julie Chambers, 63, of 4 Gilliam Court, wife of Charlie
Reid, died Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at her home.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of Rosa Lee Morgan
Palmore and the late Jessie James Griffin. She was formerly
employed by Emerald City Cafe and was a member of Dunham Temple
CME Church, Missionary Society and choir.
Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Curtis
Griffin Jr., Mott Griffin and Charlie Chambers, all of Greenwood;
a daughter, Mrs. Grover (Jamie) Woods of Ware Shoals; two
brothers, James Henry Palmore and Robert Palmore, both of
Greenwood; four sisters, Shirley Nance and Brenda Payne, both of
Greenwood, Lona Mae Hackett and Gladys Palmore, both of Cross
Hill; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson and Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com
Herbert Charlie Dorn
SAN
JOSE, CA — Herbert Charlie Dorn, 86, died July 17, 2006 in
San Jose, CA.
Born in Greenwood, SC he was a son of the late Thomas E. and
Pearl Griffith Dorn and brother of the late former Congressman
W.J. Bryan Dorn of Greenwood. He was a graduate of Greenwood High
School and retired after a career in the US Navy as a officer and
pilot, serving during WWII.
Surviving is a brother, Watson L. Dorn of Greenwood.
Mr. Dorn is predeceased by his wife, Belle Propps Dorn and son
Charlie Elbert Dorn along with three sisters and five brothers.
Services will be held in San Jose, CA.
Announcement courtesy of Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation
Services.
PAID OBITUARY
Karlin Jones
HODGES
— Karlin Jordan Jones, infant daughter of Glenn and
Linda Jones, of 2320 Dixie Drive, died Wednesday, July 19, 2006
at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation
Service.
Shirley Suber Smith
SALUDA — Shirley Suber Smith, 58, of 1713
Fruit Hill Road, wife of Willie Lee Smith, died Monday, July 17,
2006 at her home.
Born in Saluda County, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and
Pearlie Myers Suber. She was a member of Lockhart Baptist Church,
where she was a deaconess and a member of the Everready Club and
the NAACP. She was a retired textile worker.
Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Rodriques
Smith and Willie F. Smith, both of Batesburg; three daughters,
LaDonna Smith and Katrina Smith, both Rock Hill and Shanika Smith
of Charlotte, N.C.; four brothers, Roosevelt Suber, Thomas Suber
and Robert Suber, all of Saluda and Calvin Suber of Aiken; a
sister, Daisy M. Young of Riverdale, Md.; three grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Lockhart Baptist Church,
conducted by the Rev. Herman Jenkins, pastor, assisted by the
Revs. Raymond Adams and Johnny C. Gantt. The body will be placed
in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews, and flower bearers are nieces.
Honorary escorts are members of Riverside High School Class of
1966.
The family is at the home.
Butler and Sons Funeral Home is in charge.
Lewis E. Warren
IVA,
SC — Lewis E. Warren, USN RET., 66, of 200 3rd Ave. Iva,
died Monday, July 17, 2006 at An-Med Health in Anderson. He was
born in Abbeville County to the late Joel E. and Ada Louise Neece
Warren. Mr. Warren retired from the United States Navy and served
in the Vietnam War as an Air Craft Mechanic then retired from
Timken Ball Bearing Plant. He was a member of the VFW Post in
Anderson and was a loving father, brother, grandfather and
great-grandfather.
Mr. Warren was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Warren,
and a brother, Bob Warren.
He is survived by his three daughters, Dena Warren of Iva, Bunny
Warren of Denver, CO, and Tamme Brittain-Sanders of Hartwell, GA,
three sons, Bobby Warren of California, Paul Warren and Wayne
Warren both of Lincolnton, NC, a brother, Joe Warren of Iva,
eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Friday,
July 21, 2006 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services with full
military honors will be 10:00AM Saturday, July 22, 2006 in the
funeral home chapel.
The family will be at the residence 200 3rd Ave. Iva.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Warren may be made to the
First Baptist Church of Iva, Building Fund, 204 E. Green St. Iva,
SC 29655.
Online condolences may be sent to the Warren family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville is assisting the Warren family.
PAID OBITUARY
Annie Mae Williams
HODGES
— Services for Annie Mae Williams are 1 p.m. Friday
at Pine Grove AME Church, officiated by the Rev. Willie Neal
Norman, presided by the Rev. Gregory Singleton, pastor. The body
will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in the church
cemetery.
Pallbearers are grandsons.
Flower bearers are granddaughters.
The family is at the home, 4921 Highway 178 N.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net
Student
debt cuts deep, means a drain on future
July 20, 2006
Every
parent in South Carolina, no doubt, knows there is an increasing
burden for state college students as they try to cope with
ever-increasing costs. Too many are being forced to postpone or
forget college simply because they can’t afford it. Those
who do carry on often build a debt that is intimidating.
Most, if not all, of the “state-supported” colleges and
universities have announced increases in tuition and fees for the
fall semester. It amounts to a pretty hefty hike for in-state
students and more for out-of-state students. Considering
everything, you could see it coming.
ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS, OF course, are
unfunded mandates given the schools by state officials. Since the
schools have no other source of income but student tuition and
fees, that doesn’t leave them any alternative. Add federal
mandates and the problem grows.
It’s also informative to consider that students’ costs
have been going up year after year. Those rising costs, of
course, mean that many students are either priced out of school
or have to go into deeper debt for their education. In fact,
according to “The Project on Student Debt,” a nonprofit
and nonpartisan organization, student loan interest rates are
rising to the highest level in six years. That, the organization
says, prompts many student borrowers to extend their payment
period to 20 years or longer. That, it says, means those
borrowers will be paying off the loans until middle age “when
they should be paying off mortgages and saving for their children’s
college and their own retirement.”
IT’S REPORTED THAT TWO-THIRDS of present
college seniors now have student loan debt when they graduate,
most of them from public universities like Clemson, USC, Lander
and others.
How have things changed? The Project says that as student debt
burdens grow considerably, the need for reforming the student
loan system becomes more urgent.
There’s no question that this growing problem is serious.
When a rapidly changing high tech world demands educated people,
the negative consequences are obvious.
The system needs reforming, in Washington and Columbia. If it’s
not, the problem will continue to expand and eventually will defy
solutions. What happens then?