Neglected horses rescued

One animal euthanized; owner faces charges

March 16, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

NINETY SIX — Horses are a common sight in fields along the highways of Greenwood County, and drivers might glance out their windows in awe at the animals as they gallop through the green fields or quietly graze upon the grass.
But two horses in a lot on Golf Course Road caught the attention of drivers for a different reason.
In a small, fenced area, officials say a 10-year-old male horse and 15-year-old female horse were forced to stand in mud and feces, with hardly any grass or hay for food and a tarp, held up by four posts, for shelter.
“When I rode by, I just couldn’t even look at them. They were that bad,” said Jama Duckett, a classifieds consultant with The Index-Journal who first saw the distressed animals in January. “You could see their ribs.”
Duckett told co-workers, including Mundy Price, director of communications at the newspaper, who rides and shows horses competitively.
“I drove down there and I noticed that the area had no grass, and it didn’t appear that they had any other source of food,” Price said, noting that the horses did not appear to be in good health. “I told (my co-workers) that it was definitely something that needed to be reported.”
Other passersby had similar thoughts, and the Humane Society of Greenwood and Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Officer Marvin Grimm received a number of calls about the horses over the past two months.
According to a sheriff’s office report, in early January, Grimm made the first of three visits to the home at 3403 Golf Course Road after receiving a complaint through 911. The report said the horses were kept in an area one-fourth to one-half acre, and the area was muddy with “little dry ground for relief.”
Water was provided by a large tub, but no hay was kept inside the fence, the report said, though 20 bales were on hand.
The female horse had an abscess covering the right eye, though the owner told Grimm that the wound occurred before he purchased the horse about four months earlier, the report said.
The report said Grimm gave the owner several requirements, including to provide a minimum of two acres for the horses with adequate shelter, to get the horses out of the mud and to have the eye injury treated. During the next two months, the report said Grimm made other attempts to contact the owner but was not able to reach him.
On March 8, after being called by a humane society employee, South Carolina Awareness and Rescue for Equines (SCARE) President Jan Carter drove from Lexington to view the horses.
In the time since she has been investigating neglect, this case was one of the “most horrendous” she has seen, she said. Carter said the horse’s wound was so severe that it had “eaten away the eye tissue.”
“It leaves a picture in your mind that you just don’t forget,” Carter said. “I can’t think of any excuse for letting that horse stand there in the agony she was in.”
Carter said she could not make contact with anyone in the home, so she took digital photos of the horses and called Grimm. She showed him the pictures of the horses’ condition.
Based on the deterioration from the initial visit, deputies arrested and charged Jimmy Hastings, 34, of 3403 Golf Course Road, Ninety Six, with ill treatment of animals, warrants said. A call by The Index-Journal to the Hastings residence was not immediately returned.
Carter said SCARE took possession of the horses, which were taken to Lexington. The mare with the eye wound suffered from extreme malnourishment and was euthanized March 10. Carter said she is still waiting on test results to learn the cause of the wound.
Named “Angel” by her rescuers, the mare “had one night of good food,” Carter said, “and she loved the attention.”
The male horse, also very malnourished, is being rehabilitated on a feeding and vaccination program, Carter said. He was named “Mulligan” in a nod to the Golf Course Road location where the horses were found. In golfing terms, “mulligan” means a second chance.
After going through the court process to determine if the animal can be returned to the owners, something Carter said rarely happens, the horse will be placed “in a loving home,” she said.
“He seems to be a really sweet boy, enjoying the attention and food,” she said of Mulligan. “It takes a while (to rehabilitate) but he’s young, and we’ll do everything we can to give him what he needs.”

Bearcats on a tear

Lander baseball hitting stride with 10 wins in last 11 games

March 16, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Like the Dominican Republic baseball team currently wreaking havoc in the World Baseball Classic, the Lander University baseball squad could be described as “en fuego,” or as most Americans would say it, on fire.
After opening the season in mediocre fashion, going 8-6 over the first 14 games, the Bearcats (18-7) have found tremendous success lately, winning 10 of their last 11.
Lander puts its successful run on the line at 6 tonight when it hosts Anderson University (10-19) at Legion Field.
“We’re quite simply starting to pitch and hit consistently,” Lander first-year coach Bill Jarman said. “The guys have begun to relax and just come together overall.”
Before the Bearcats went on their recent tear, they had lost three consecutive games — a Feb. 22 loss to arch-rival Erskine and two defeats at the hands of Peach Belt Conference-foe Francis Marion.
Jarman said he and his coaching staff were partly to blame for the up-and-down play early in the season.
“We were still shuffling line-ups at that point,” Jarman said. “We were trying to find those 10 or 15 guys that were going to be the ones we looked to. I think we’re now at a point where we’ve found some chemistry and guys who are buying into our concept. I’ve been pleased.”
One aspect Jarman has been particularly pleased during the Bearcats’ run is the team’s ability to keep the game close going into the late innings. The coach said that with 24 games under its belt — and 29 left to play — it remains important for Lander to keep that trend alive.
“We’ve always said that if we can keep the game close into the seventh inning, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win,” Jarman said.
“There have been several really close ball games in this stretch that could have gone the other way. But our guys fought and kept us close late in games, and its worked out really well.”
There have been a handful of Bearcats who have been particularly potent at the plate.
Freshman first baseman Jesse Barbaro has been a key component for Lander. Barbaro has a team-high .446 batting average as well as a team-leading 37 hits. He is tied for the team lead with two home runs, and has a team-high 10 doubles. He has also shown patience at the plate, drawing 12 walks.
“Jesse has certainly given us a lift,” Jarman said. “He started just a little slow, but he’s really come on. He’s had some big hits into the gaps and a couple of home runs, which have been huge.”
Senior outfielder James Compo has also been solid at the plate. Compo is batting .386 and has collected a team-high 22 RBI to go along with 19 runs scored.
“Compo was hot early, and he has cooled off some,” Jarman said. “But he has shown the ability to be a great hitter.”
Jarman also praised Gabe McAnn, Radley Raven and Kevin Davis for their work with the bat. The coach said the Bearcats success hitting the baseball has been a total team effort, with different individuals stepping up in key scenarios.
On the pitching front, Chris Munn has been dominating at times for the Bearcats. The tall right-hander, who transferred from the University of South Carolina, has a record of 5-1 and an ERA of 2.00, with a team-high 36 strikeouts.
“Chris has been consistent,” Jarman said. “He’s a very intense young man. We know he can routinely give us 100-125 pitches, which is important.”
After tonight’s game, the Bearcats have an important PBC series with No. 7 Armstrong Atlantic this weekend.
“We know Armstrong will be ready to play and will come in confident,” Jarman said. “If our guys relaxed and stay consistent, we’ll be fine.”

Lady Vikings sweep Greenwood

March 16, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

The list of items the Emerald High School girls soccer team wrote down to take to Greenwood High School Wednesday likely read as follows: soccer cleats, shin guards, jerseys and brooms.
The Lady Vikings swept the season series with crosstown rival Greenwood, pulling out a 2-1 victory on a cold Wednesday night at Greenwood.
Emerald defeated the Lady Eagles, 3-1, last Friday at home.
Wednesday’s game was a physical affair, with members of each team having to be helped off the field during the course of the contest. “We came into today’s game knowing there was nothing between these two teams,” Emerald coach Paul Dodd said. “The physical play came from the fact that these two schools are crosstown rivals, and both teams showed they really wanted to win this game.”
Chief among the injuries was Greenwood’s Lauren Reynolds, who turned her right ankle on a violent collision with Emerald’s Erika Bishop late in the first half. Reynolds was helped off and did not return. Her official status was not known at press time.
“Lauren’s injury is a major concern,” Greenwood coach George Sugden said. “She’s one of our best players, so we certainly hope she can get well and help us.”
The game was a defensive effort by both teams, with all of the scoring in the first half.
The Lady Vikings opened the scoring with some solid execution. Emerald senior Amanda Rowland was awarded a free kick, and took advantage of the opportunity by lobbing a perfectly placed shot over the head of Greenwood goalkeeper Emily McWhorter into the back left corner of the net.
The shot put the Lady Vikings up with 1-0 with 27:50 left in the half.
“We have been working on situations such as that,” Dodd said. “Greenwood really defended that play perfectly, Amanda just placed it perfectly.”
The Lady Eagles struck back minutes later.
In a play that nearly mirrored a goal she scored in last Friday’s game, Greenwood’s Katy Hoover swooped in from the left side, drew Emerald goalkeeper Rachel Baggett out of the goal, and lobbed a left-footed kick into the back of the net, tying the game at 1-1 with 4:19 remaining in the half.
“When I drew the keeper out, I just planted and shot,” Hoover said. “I was able to get it past her.”
Emerald scored the eventual game-winner than a minute later.
When a Lady Vikings kick had dribbled, seemingly harmlessly, in front of the Greenwood goal, McWhorter hustled to the ball and attempted to collapse on it. However, the ball scooted away from her and directly in front of Emerald’s Kayla Sears.
Sears planted a shot into the open net, giving the Lady Vikings the 2-1 lead with 3:38 left in the half.
“We just made some mistakes there,” Sugden said. “Most goals occur when mistakes happen.”

Opinion

Two-party state provides better choices for voters

March 16, 2006

Republicans, it has been reported, have a candidate for every statewide office in the June 13 primary election in South Carolina. Democrats, however, have not fielded candidates for three of those nine offices as campaign filing season opens today.
Chances are other Democratic candidates will provide a full slate, continuing the strong two-party that has come to define South Carolina. Historically speaking, though. it hasn’t been all that long since the Palmetto State had only one party. That was the Democratic Party. For the past half-century, the Republican Party not only transformed South Carolina state into a two-party state, it has grown to dominate it.

REPUBLICANS NOW HOLD the governor’s office, the majority in both the State Senate and House, and most of the constitutional statewide offices. Both U. S. senators and four of the six U. S. House seats are filled by Republicans. Democrats fill the Treasurer’s and the State Superintendent of Education offices.
Before Republicans became a viable political force, with the late Senator Strom Thurmond leading the way when he switched parties, every office in the state was held by a Democrat and every voter was a Democrat. There was no Republican Party and no Republicans to vote had there been one. S. C. was all Democratic. But things change.
For relative newcomers to the state, looks can be deceiving. Back then, South Carolina Democrats were pretty much all conservatives. In fact, the South Carolinians who filled the Republican ranks in the beginning, and added to that party as national Democratic liberals held sway, began as Democratic conservatives who couldn’t accept the liberal ties. They remained conservative, but became Republicans.

OVER THE YEARS MORE South Carolinians, old-timers and newcomers alike, recognized they had a greater political kinship with the GOP. The rest is history.
It got down to a basic fact. More South Carolinians connect with conservative Republicans.
Liberal Democrats did not suit them. That doesn’t mean, however, there are no conservative or moderate Democrats. There are. It seems clear enough that they have to convince other South Carolinians they can also be Democrat and conservative. It appears some progress is being made, too.
A strong and enduring political party needs members from one end of the political spectrum to the other to achieve balance. When two parties have balance, they both reflect varying views. That helps eliminate the extremes. Extremist views create problems for everyone. Like now.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views

Obituaries

Polly Abrams

LAURENS — Polly Owens Abrams, of 110 Shady Lane, wife of David Abrams, died Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at her home.
Services will be announced by Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals.

Iris Hanna

CROSS HILL — Iris Simpson Hanna, 80, widow of H. Kenneth Hanna, died Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals.

Robert Holloway

McCORMICK — Robert W. Holloway, 72, resident of 273 Frank Holloway Road, husband of Polly Pulley Holloway, died March 15, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in McCormick, September 1, 1933, he was a son of the late Frank and Carrie Seigler Holloway. He was a 1951 graduate of McCormick High School and the South Carolina Police Academy. Mr. Holloway was a US Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict and retired from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of South Carolina.
Mr. Holloway was a member of the Republican Methodist Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are two grandchildren, Jeremy Hodges of McCormick and Heather Hodges Cartledge of Parksville; a step-granddaughter, Judy Nowak of Kingsport, Tenn. Mr. Holloway was predeceased by a daughter, Linda Holloway Hodges.
Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 PM Friday at the Republican Methodist Church with Rev. Wade Everett and Rev. Alvin Hodges officiating.
Burial will be in Overbrook Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jason Hodges, Charles Hollingsworth, Tom Dowtin, Randy Young, Donald Cartledge, Sr., Neal White, Rusty Goff and Jody Hodges.
Honorary escort will be Department of Natural Resources of South Carolina Officers along with Bill Sterling and Colby Perry.
The family is at the home and will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of the Republican Methodist Church from 7:30 to 9:30 Thursday evening.
Memorials may be made to the Republican Methodist Church, c/o Billy Lagroon, PO Box 281, McCormick, SC 29835.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood, is assisting the Holloway family.
PAID OBITUARY

Minnie Bell Lee

Minnie Bell Lee, 67, of 206 Louvenia Ave., wife of Thomas Lee, died Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Edgefield, she was a daughter of the late Woodrow and Willie Mae Garrett Fisher. She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where she was a deaconess, Missionary Society and Senior Citizens Bible Study member and a former choir member. Formerly employed with Parker Furniture, she was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star No. 282 and College Heights Community Club.
Survivors include her husband of the home; a daughter, Cherri Lavon Lee of the home; a brother, James Fisher of Orlando, Fla.; two sisters, Bobbie Jean Williams and Effie Morgan, both of Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net

Carroll Ridlehoover

NINETY SIX — Leo Carroll Ridlehoover, 56, of 503 Johnston Road, husband of Vera Turner Ridlehoover, died Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Harvey Leo and Gwendolyn Bartley Ridlehoover. He was a Greenwood High School graduate and a member of Temple Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home and a son, Jason Carroll Ridlehoover of Ninety Six.
Graveside services are 1 p.m. Friday at Elmwood Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Richard Ridlehoover.
Pallbearers are Frank Ridlehoover, Joe Ridlehoover, Steve Ridlehoover, Richard Griffin, Rick Chastain, Billy Sharpe, Tom Emasie and Ray Turner.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at Harley Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Robert Odell Smith

DONALDS — Robert Odell Smith, 70, of 55 Avondale Drive, died Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals.

Gail Lee Stewart

Services for Gail Lee Stewart are 2 p.m. Saturday at Flint Hill Baptist Church, with the Rev. John R. Brightharp officiating and Minister Shirley Kinard presiding. Assisting are the Revs. Doris Brooks and Thessa Smith. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are church deacons.
Flower bearers are church deaconesses.
The family is at the home, 72 Third St.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be made to the family at robson@nctv.com

Clyde Stumbo

Clyde Richard Stumbo, 79, of 450 Clem Road, widower of Margaret Matters Stumbo, died Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at his home.
The family is at the home of Clif and Debra Stumbo, 411 Clem Road.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Marion Symmes White

CALHOUN FALLS – Marion S. White, of 738 Darlington Street Calhoun Falls, SC, died Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at the VA Hospital in Augusta.
Born in Greenwood, SC, June 10, 1935, he was the son of the late Alonzo White and Sadie Sorrow White. He served in the US Army 37th Infantry Tank Battalion, and was a member of Northside Baptist Church. He was also preceded in death by sister, Mildred White Moon and two brothers, Phillip and Jim White.
He was the beloved husband to Dailene Todd White of the home; beloved father to sons, Marty White and wife Susan and Ernie White all of Calhoun Falls, Michael White and wife Necole of Greenwood, SC and daughter, Angie Fields and husband Jackie, also of Calhoun Falls; beloved grandfather to grandsons, Shawn White and wife Crystal, Christopher White and wife Samantha, Brett and Jodie Fields, all of Calhoun Falls, Chandler White of Greenwood, SC; granddaugh-ters, Cheryl White of Calhoun Falls and Emalie White of Greenwood and two great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn White and Colby White of Calhoun Falls. Also surviving are a brother Wallace (Bo) White of Calhoun Falls and mother-in-law, Mrs. Inez Todd of Tignall, Georgia.
Funeral Services will be Friday, March 17, 2006 at 3:00PM at Northside Baptist Church in Calhoun Falls. Burial will follow at Latimer Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00PM at Calhoun Falls Funeral Home and may be contacted at the residence.
Calhoun Falls Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Vera Simpkins Wilson

Services for Vera Ann Simpkins Wilson are 3 p.m. Saturday at Robinson & Son Mortuary, conducted by Bishop Emanuel Spearman, assisted by the Revs. Anthony Boozer and Michael Butler. Burial is in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are nephews, and flower bearers are nieces.
The family is at the home, 127 Wheatfield Drive.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be made to the family at robson@nctv.com