Police capture suspects
in Grier Street shooting

One caught in Abbeville,
another turns himself in

July 29, 2006

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

Greenwood Police have arrested two local men and charged them in connection with a shooting on Grier Street that left a man wounded.
Maj. Kevin Fallaw, who directs the city’s detectives, said suspect Tavon Morton was caught Thursday in Abbeville after tips from “observant” readers of The Index-Journal led Abbeville police to the suspect. Fallaw said suspect Venson Edwards surrendered Friday.
“After a search (by officers), he came to city hall and turned himself in,” Fallaw said.
Both men are charged with assault and battery with intent to kill, possession of a weapon in the commission of a violent crime and possession of a firearm by a person under age 21. Police say Morton, 19, of 506 Magnolia St., and Edwards, 18, of 519 Wright St., fired guns into a crowd that was fighting with bottles and other weapons early Tuesday at an intersection on Grier Street, in the southeastern section of Greenwood.
“It was really unfortunate that the shooting on Grier Street occurred, but we’re really pleased to have made these arrests,” Police Chief Gerald Brooks said. “It’s a good way to wrap up a Friday. Some people say, ‘Thank goodness it’s Friday.’ We say, ‘OK, buck up, the weekend is upon us.’”
Brooks said his department will continue to patrol Grier Street and monitor criminal activity there. The area was the scene of two shootings this month.
In the Tuesday shooting, the victim suffered one gunshot wound to the torso that EMTs feared might have damaged a lung.
In a July 1 incident, a Greenwood man, George Dewitt Sellars, was shot in the head and died two days later at the hospital. McKenzie Dervana Holloway, of Greenwood, was arrested by Greenwood Police and charged with murder and attempted armed robbery. Another Greenwood man, James Oliver Williams, was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact of murder.
At the time of the second shooting incident, Brooks said that because of the increased violence in the area, the police had stepped up patrols of the Grier Street area, which is two city blocks from Mathews Elementary School.
Grier Street also was the initial focus of the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday when vice agents, investigators and deputies conducted a warrants sweep, seeking 33 suspects on a variety of charges.
Officers in that sweep did not find Morton and Edwards but had other successes throughout the city and county, arresting and charging suspects for crimes that included a home invasion and drug distribution and possession.
“We are convinced we can make a difference,” Brooks said. “We are going to help tame Grier Street. Sometimes when you go to the hospital, you need intensive care. Grier Street needs intensive care, and we’re going to provide that.”
A resident of Grier Street, who asked not to be named, said the shooting violence and suspected drug dealing had changed the quiet former mill village area into a dangerous part of the city. “They need a policeman on every block 24 hours a day,” the resident said Thursday.

MORE GCSO ARRESTS

Sheriff’s office nabs
5 more in operation

July 29, 2006

From staff reports


The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office continues to arrest suspects wanted in connection with a four-month-long undercover investigation “designed to infiltrate several unrelated drug-dealing operations simultaneously,” Sheriff Dan Wideman said.
One of the investigations was designed to end the drug-related violence that has engulfed the Grier Street/Mathews Mill Village area in Greenwood in recent months, officials say.
Late Thursday, officers from the Abbeville Police Department located and arrested Harry Brandt Williams at his residence in Abbeville, while Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office VIDOC agents arrested Ashley Trent Ledford in Ninety Six.
Williams is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana within the proximity of a school or park.
Ledford is charged with distribution of marijuana.
Early Friday, VIDOC agents continued to follow leads and located Melissa Jean McClain in Greenwood. Family members then brought McClain to the sheriff’s office just before noon.
Devin Ray Brooks also turned himself in at noon.
McClain is charged with possession of methamphetamine. Brooks is charged with distribution of crack and possession with intent to distribute crack within the proximity of a school or park.
About 4:30 p.m. Friday, VIDOC agents located and arrested James Edward Morris in the bar of a Greenwood restaurant.
Morris is charged with distribution of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana within the proximity of a school or park.
These arrests bring the total apprehensions in “Operation July Blizzard” to 32.
A task force of more than 20 deputies, investigators and vice agents arrested 27 suspects before Thursday night during a 48-hour roundup.
Willie Joe Carter is still wanted in connection with distribution of crack and possession with intent to distribute crack. VIDOC agents think Carter has left the Greenwood area, but residents are encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at 942-8588 with information regarding his whereabouts.
Vice agents caution people who might recognize Carter not to approach him.
“Law-abiding citizens should avoid this guy,” VIDOC Cmdr. Lt. Dale Kittles said. “Drug dealers are dangerous people. Just call us.”
Kittles added that reward money is still available for information leading to Carter’s arrest.
Wideman said residents providing information “have been critical to the success of this operation.”
“I would like to thank every person who has supported our deputies during this operation,” Wideman said. “These guys put in some crazy hours this week and literally risked their lives to take these people out of circulation, but we could never have pulled it off without the assistance from our citizens.”
Some information in this article came from a GCSO press release.

Roses, tigers and travel

Award-winning banker challenges stereotype of ‘money man’

July 29, 2006

By LESLIE DRAFFIN
Index-Journal intern

Thornwell Dunlap Jr. starts every morning in his rose garden, where he likes to check the flower beds and get his thoughts together.
“Its a great way to get ready for the day and helps me gain perspective on the things in my life,” said Dunlap, chairman of the board of directors and a consultant for Countybank.
Dunlap’s love for roses began during his childhood, when his father grew them at their family home in Clinton. “They’re not really that hard to grow,” Dunlap said. “I spend about 20 minutes out here in the morning, checking the buds and picking off suckers, then I spray them every few weeks and prune them in February.”
Growing roses might seem like an unusual pastime for a man who is “technically retired,” but Dunlap says, “I grow the roses because people can enjoy them.”
Dunlap shares his roses with the entire staff at Countybank and says they bloom from the first of May until December. This sharing nature typifies the man who employees affectionately call “Mr. D,” and who respects everyone he meets as he goes about his work.
“I can truly say that, in all my years at the bank, he has been someone in my career who encourages me every day to do my best and always respect others,” said Jean Martin, an employee at Countybank for 30 years this month.
This past June, Dunlap was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, given for extraordinary lifetime achievements and service to the state and nation. In the past, Dunlap served on Greenwood’s first county council and led civic, educational and church organizations. Dunlap serves as second vice president for the South Carolina Historical Society board of managers, vice chairman of the Heritage Foundation Board of Directors and Trustees, director emeritus and chairman of TCB Corp., is a member of the board of directors for Hospicecare of the Piedmont, along with serving as chairman of the board for Countybank.
During the presentation for the Order of the Palmetto, Lloyd Hendricks, president and CEO of the S.C. Bankers Association and Dunlap’s personal friend, spoke not only about Dunlap’s formal accomplishments, but also gave insight into his character.
“I would describe him as a consistent, unselfish and kind man; the epitome of a Southern gentleman,” Hendricks said. Hendricks also acknowledged that, “Dunlap has the uncanny ability to bring out the best in people.”
A good example of this quality, Hendricks said, can be seen through Dunlap’s devotion to a bird dog he called “Bullet.” “Lloyd gave me the dog after his wife basically said he had to go or she would, so I took him, changed his name to Bullet and had him trained,” Dunlap said, remembering the old bird dog. “Well, that trainer said Brittany Spaniels make terrible bird dogs, but I had faith in him, and he turned out to gain a reputation around here as one of the best bird dogs ever, in Greenwood and South Carolina.”
Dunlap’s Southern gentleman characteristics show not only in his devotion to “Bullet” and his love of hunting, but also in his interest in American history.
“Every once in a while I go with some other boys on history travel trips around the state,” Dunlap said. “A few weeks ago we went up to Brattonsville and just had a great time.”
Besides traveling across the United States, Dunlap said the only continents he hasn’t visited yet are Australia and Antarctica.
“I really hope I can go to Australia and New Zealand sometime,” Dunlap said. “But to see everything I’d want to, it would take almost a month, and I just don’t know if I want to be away for that long.”
It was during a trip to Italy that Dunlap found one of his most prized collectors items: a marble tiger. Dunlap said he has more than 180 tiger figurines dating back to when his Aunt Margaret gave him a set of miniature animals at age 6.
“When I left Clemson I thought, ‘Well, everyone should collect something.’ I had been on the cattle judging team and graduated with a degree in dairy science, so I thought I’d just collect cows. But I couldn’t find cows anywhere — all I found were tigers — so, being from Clemson, I thought that might be a good thing to collect.”
Dunlap’s tiger collection has even been featured in Clemson Alumni publications, which he says have actually helped him add to the collection.
“A young girl called me from Washington, D.C., and said she had graduated from Clemson and had gotten a porcelain tiger from a boyfriend who was in Japan. Well, it turns out that she didn’t marry the boy and, when she read that I collected tigers, she called me up and asked if I would like it.”
Dunlap’s tigers have come from all over the world and are made of almost every material imaginable, including marble, porcelain and bronze. “My children have me write where each tiger is from, date them and tell a little about how I came to own each one,” Dunlap said, adding that he tagged number 181 a few weeks ago and hopes to collect even more.

Post 20 out of state tournament

July 29, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

SUMTER — A very solid season came to an end for the Greenwood American Legion Post 20 baseball team Friday.
Post 20 lost, 6-5, to Rock Hill at the American Legion state tournament in Sumter. The loss eliminates Greenwood from the event.
With the game tied 5-5 in the top of the ninth inning, Rock Hill’s Josh Salay laced a single to left field. Teamate Dan Keener scored on the play, giving Post 34 the slim one run lead.
It was all Rock Hill would need, as they held on for the win in the bottom of the inning. Justin Collier took the loss for Greenwood, giving up four runs on 11 hits in seven innings worked.
Meanwhile, Cam Walters got the win for Rock Hill, coming on and working 1 2/3 innings in relief.
Greenwood coach Billy Dean Minor was succinct in summing up his team’s shortcomings Friday.
“They outhit us 14 to seven,” Minor said. “Rock Hill just got big hits when they needed them. We had our chances, right down to the ninth inning. We just came up a little short.”
Minor said Greenwood should remain proud of its 19-7 season and its run to the state tournament.
Collier had a live fastball in the first two innings, sitting down Rock Hill’s first six batters in order. Collier kept his pitches down to that point, forcing numerous ground balls from Post 34.
Rock Hill pitcher Russell Cook seemed set on proving he was ready for the challenge on the mound as well.
After surrendering a leadoff single to Brent Wham in the bottom of the first, Cook also sat down six consecutive batters, seemingly frustrating Post 20.
Collier worked himself out of a small jam in the top of the third.
Rock Hill picked up a pair of singles, one each from Cook and Brian Magyar, and had runners on second and third with two outs. Collier got Randy Rabon to ground out to end the Post 34 threat.
In the bottom of the third, Greenwood again got a runner in scoring position when Brent Wham reached second on a throwing error by Rock Hill’s Kyle Glass.
Unfortunately for Post 20, Kyle Behrendt struck out looking to end the inning, leaving the tally still at 0-0 heading into the fourth.
Also in a carry-over from the Sumter game, Greenwood simply could not get its bats going early on.
Post 20 had only two hits heading into the fifth inning after once again squandering a base runner in the bottom of the fourth when Cruse Tollison grounded into a double play.
After once again stranding two runners in the fifth inning, Greenwood ran its scoreless innings streak to 16, having not crossed the plate since the seventh inning of the Gaffney game.
Rock Hill, however, opened the scoring floodgates in the top of the sixth.
First, Glass laced a single to score Magyar to put Post 34 up 1-0. Then, Rabon came in to score when T.J. White nailed a sacrifice fly to right field.
Glass crossed home plate when Josh Salay smashed a double to center field, giving Rock Hill the 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth.
It was in the bottom of the sixth that Greenwood finally got out of its scoring slump.
Post 20’s Matt Titus was hit by a Cook pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Kyle Behrendt to close the gap to 3-1.
Moments later, Greenwood’s John Wilson legged out a bases loaded infield single, scoring Trey Wimmer and bringing Post 20 to within one heading into the seventh inning.
Post 34 struck back in the top of the seventh when Dan Keener smacked a single to left field, granting Rock Hill a 4-2 lead.
Post 34 tacked on another run in the top of the eighth when Cook scored. Rock Hill held a 5-2 advantage as the bottom of the eighth approached.
Greenwood hung tough, and came back to tie the game in the eighth. Greenwood got its third run of the day courtesy of Michael White.
White popped a single to left field, bringing Hill in to score, making it 5-3.
White scored a run of his own moments later when he raced to the plate from third on a wild pitch by Cook.
Behrendt tied things up when he pounded a single to right, scoring John Wilson and tying the contest at 5-5 heading to the ninth.

Opinion

Law-abiding citizens get support on keeping guns

July 29, 2006

Guns always stir emotions, sometimes in the extreme by both the pros and cons. Nevertheless, the 2nd Amendment to the U. S. Constitution protects the people’s right to keep and bear arms. Be that as it may, there always are some who would take that right away in a heartbeat.
So, then, when the U. S. House followed the Senate in approving a law on gun ownership there were sure to be disagreements aplenty.
What the House did was vote to prevent law enforcement officers from confiscating legally owned guns during a national disaster or emergency, such as when a hurricane hits the South Carolina coast.
That, of course, brought out the naysayers who argued that guns in those kinds of situations would only put people in more danger.
But, the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police said, “A law-abiding citizen who possesses a firearm lawfully represents no danger to law enforcement officers or any other first responder.”
Enough said.

Obituaries

Brenda R. Craven

GREENWOOD — Brenda Rhodes Craven, 59, of Highway 25 North, died Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at Caraway Methodist Medical Center, Birmingham, AL.
Born in Waynesboro, VA, she was a daughter of Malcolm E. Rhodes and the late Ruby Rhodes. She was employed by Belk Department Store and was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving is her father of Mt. Ranier, MD; her husband, Roger Craven of Greenwood; two daughters, Michelle Rice and Valencia Tiller, both of Greenwood; a son, Mark McClellan of Greenwood; a stepson, Dale Craven of Greenwood; eight grandchil-dren, April Eustace, Kayla Eustace, Tabitha Rice, Justin Craven, Alex Tiller, Elijah Sivell, Trip Tiller and Justin Tiller; and two great-grand-children, Blake Ellison and Briana Lake.
Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Chapman officiating. Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Fletcher, George Tiller, Jr., Greg Hughes, Jamie Lake, Gary Lake, Jr. and Keith Langley. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The family is at the home of her daughter, Michelle Rice, 133 Clifton Street, Hyde Park.
Memorials may be sent to the account of Brenda Craven, c/o Harley Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 777, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

David Joseph Mansel

DONALDS — Graveside services for David Joseph Mansel, infant son of Frederick Mansel and Jerrie Warren, are 11 a.m. today at Cokesbury Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. James F. Davis III.
The family is at the home, 9199 Highway 184.
Unity Mortuary, Anderson, is in charge.

Larry Mobley

GREENWOOD — Larry L. Mobley, 66, resident of 155 Crescent Rd., beloved husband of Shirley Silvers Mobley, died July 27, 2006 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, May 20, 1940, he was a son of the late Carl C. and Frances Crawford Mobley. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and was a US Navy Veteran. Larry began his 35 year career in the insurance business in 1971. He met and made many dear friends throughout these years and his greatest passions in life, after his family, were serving the needs of others and planning with them to help make their lives better. He was an avid gardener and was a graduate of the Master Gardener’s class.
He was a faithful member of Harris Baptist Church, currently serving as a church trustee, treasurer of the Master’s Disciple Sunday School Class and was co-chairperson of the Helping Hands Ministry. He formerly served as a deacon and youth teacher of the church.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are his daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Rick Krantz of Charleston; his son, Larry Brian Mobley of Greenwood; his grandchildren, Anna Blythe Jones of Charleston, Malorie Jordan Mobley of Spartanburg and Graylyn Satch Krantz of Charleston; his sister, Mrs. Herbert (Marie) Vaughn of Greenwood; and his brother, Carl Preston Mobley of Greenwood.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Harris Baptist Church with Rev. Frank Thomas and Rev. Rick Scott officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be John Rhodes, James Hawthorne, Dreugh Batson, Joe Henderson, David Crotts, Steve Fleming, Larry Meredith and Carl Weeks.
Honorary escort will be members of the Master’s Disciples Sunday School Class, fellow agents and co-workers of Life of Virginia, Liberty Life, Life of Georgia and David Crotts Associates along with Dewey Ouzts, Bobby Woods, Tommy Buzhardt, Frankie Rhodes, Reid Watterson, John Davis, Vernon Mundy, Marty Green, Sammie Burnett, J.J. Jordan, Chris Wightman, Patty Marut Reagin, Tricia Canny Phillips and Kellee Smith Jones.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.
The family is at the home in Kimbrook and will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 Saturday evening.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646, or to Harris Baptist Church Building Fund or the church Helping Hand Ministry, 300 Center Street, Greenwood, SC 29649.
To make online condolences or for additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Mobley Family.
PAID OBITUARY

Zelma Werts

SALUDA, SC — Services for Zelma W. Werts, a loving and special sister and aunt whom we loved dearly, will be Saturday, July 29, 2006 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 11AM, with Pastor Bill Ebener and Rev. William Hightower officiating. She spent 82 years on earth as a faithful and loving servant, now she is home with God. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 PM, Friday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
She leaves behind a loving sister, Sydell Bradley, sister in-law, Irene Ruff both of Saluda. A special niece, Rhetta (Pat) Doyal and many other nieces, nephews and cousins who meant the world to her and a very special friend, Lois Matthews. All of her host of friends and the loving caring staff at Saluda Nursing Center.
The family is at the home of a niece, Rhetta and Pat Doyal, 115 Bethany Rd. Saluda, SC.
Pallbearers will be her loving family, James, Wayne and Kent Barker, Jason Mitchell, Eddie Werts, Ken Ruff, Dave Werts and Rance Bradley.
She was a daughter of the late Lawton and Ora Werts and was the wife of the late James Carl Werts. She was predeceased by a sister, Lenora W. Berry, brothers, Frank, Willie and Herbert Werts.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Saluda Nursing Center, P.O. Box 398, Saluda, SC 29138, St. Mark Lutheran Church, 3178 Denny Hwy., Prosperity, SC 29127, Bethany United Methodist Church, 363 Bethany Church Rd., Saluda, SC 29138 or memorials of one’s choice.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Ralph Riley and his staff for their care through the years, also Saluda Nursing Center, all the wonderful and loving care, you all are special angels, she always loved you dearly.
PAID OBITUARY