Mercury hits 105

Weather great for ice cream, not so great for health, pets

August 10, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

Thursday saw another day of 100-plus-degree temperatures, and Lakelands-area residents and businesses experienced the effects.
As of 6 p.m., Weather.com posted a balmy 103 degrees for Greenwood — down from an afternoon high of 105. Wednesday’s 104-degree high was the state’s third-highest, the National Weather Service reported, trailing only Florence (106) and Columbia (105).
Today’s high is forecast for 105, with a 30 percent chance of isolated storms and a five- to 10-mile-per-hour breeze blowing west by northwest, Weather.com reports.

The good side

Bruster’s Ice Cream, for one, is benefiting from the blazing heat.
“Yeah, they’re coming out more than ever,” employee Brittany Sykes said of customers seeking a brief, cool, tasty reprieve.
“It was very busy last night,” manager and owner Mark Compton said, adding most customers are using the drive-thru, though some are sitting on the benches outside the Greenwood eatery.
Compton said those folks are discovering how quickly ice cream melts.
“It’s easier to just go through the drive-thru,” he said.

Hot time for VBS

The solution to the oppressive conditions isn’t that easy for everyone.
Salvation Army Church’s Vacation Bible School faced a dilemma with a broken air-conditioning unit. Capt. Dieter Zimmerer said the group had to change its plans because of the heat inside the chapel.
With two handfuls of kids, the church group had to find something cool to do. Zimmerer’s wife, Barbara, had the idea to take the children on a field trip to Connie Maxwell Children’s Home. “The field trip just came in perfectly,” Dieter said.
On their trip, children were introduced to mules, horses, llamas, chickens and rabbits, which Zimmerer said worked out well because some of the children had never touched animals such as those at the home’s farm.
Zimmerer said someone was supposed to look at the chapel’s air conditioning unit Thursday, adding he hoped the problem would be repaired in time for today’s VBS finale.

Dog days

Karen Pettay, executive director of Greenwood Humane Society, said she received a complaint Thursday about a dog spotted in a parked car in the Food Lion parking lot.
Pettay warned against leaving pets in steaming vehicles.
“We need to let them know they can call the police if they see a dog or an animal in a car in the heat,” she said.
“If you see a dog alone in a parked car on a hot day, go into the store and ask the manager to page the owner,” the Humane Society’s Web site reports. “If this is unsuccessful, call the police to free the dog. If the dog is obviously in trouble and in danger of dying before they can arrive, then get the dog out.
“People are generally not cited for taking that action; instead, the owner will likely be cited for animal cruelty. Once freed, if the dog is suffering, apply the following first aid: Get him into the shade, pour cool (not cold) water on him or use cool towels to gradually lower body temperature. Give him cool water or ice cubes to lick.
“Take him to a veterinarian immediately for a thorough examination.”

Heat-related illnesses

Conditions are equally dangerous for humans.
M.D. Martin Johns with Self Regional Healthcare’s Montgomery Center, said there are four major heat-related illnesses. From least to most serious, they are:
Heat cramps. Johns said this condition occurs when sodium, water and mineral levels drop because of excessive sweating. Heat cramps can lead to muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and fatigue .
Heat stress. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness and rising heart rate can result from heat stress. Johns said that during this condition, body temperature is still normal, but the person might be close to passing out.
Heat exhaustion. The person’s temperature rises, but to no higher than 102 degrees. He or she might be confuse and irritable, and they might pass out.
Heat stroke. The endangered person’s body temperature is over 104 degrees, and he or she might have stopped sweating. They might even seem cold with goosebumps. Heat stroke can be lethal.
Johns said the first three can be “reversed fairly quickly,” by finding the person a cool area or shade. The person also should drink plenty of cool water.
Johns said it’s important the water be cool but not ice cold, which could put the person in shock. The same thing can be said of getting the endangered person in a cool shower. An ice bath would be too drastic of a change for an overheated person.
Finally, Johns said taking the person to the hospital might be necessary, as he would need an IV.
As far as preventing such dangers, Johns advised residents to drink lots of water, stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., wear loose and light-colored clothing, avoid sodas and tea, and do not drink alcohol or use drugs.
Self Regional Medical Center has not admitted anyone for heat-related illnesses during the current heat wave.
“We haven’t seen more cases, but certainly people are at risk with athletics starting up,” he said.

2 face robbery, kidnap charges

August 10, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Two men are in custody following a reported home invasion in Greenwood late Wednesday.
Greenwood police arrested Michael Demont Anderson, aka “Pep,” 19, of 306 Acorn Lane, Greenwood, and charged him with kidnapping, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, armed robbery, burglary and possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.
Police also arrested Brandon Parker, 22, of 121 Williams Ave., Greenwood, and charged him with kidnapping, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, armed robbery and burglary.
According to police reports, four victims were at an Edgefield Street home about 11 p.m.
Wednesday when they heard a banging at the front door. Moments later, three suspects reportedly burst through the door, all wearing black clothes with black masks on their faces and holding handguns.
One of the gunmen reportedly approached the first victim, pointed a gun in his face and demanded the victim “give it up.” That victim reportedly surrendered $2,000 in cash.
Another gunman reportedly hit another victim in the head with a gun and demanded more money.
After none of the other victims could produce any money, the gunmen allegedly ransacked the home in search of money and valuables. The report said the three suspects abducted one of the victims at gunpoint, dragging him into the front yard.
The man who was abducted told authorities the three masked gunmen walked him to his house — displaying the guns all the while — and asked him who was inside once they got there. The victim told them he had no more money, and the suspects reportedly left him there.
The abductee told police he saw two of his assailants’ faces during the incident. He said the two men were Brandon Parker and “Pep,” later identified to be Anderson. The victim told police he thought “Pep” lived nearby the home where the incident took place.
Officers went to the home where they thought Anderson lives, but he was not there. However, they did find the following items at the side of the house in plain view: a black pair of jeans, a black shirt and a black stocking. Those items were shown to the victims, and they all reportedly agreed they were consistent with clothes worn by one of the gunmen.
Later that night, officers went to a nearby residence, where they spotted Parker and Anderson standing by a red SUV in the back yard. Parker allegedly ran when he saw the officers, while Anderson was apprehended standing by the vehicle.
Parker reportedly ran behind area homes and eventually back out onto the street. As he was being chased by city detectives, including Lt. Chris Gray and Sgt. Steve McGee, Parker was reportedly seen throwing a wad of money under a nearby parked car.
Upon returning to the red SUV, Gray reportedly saw a pair of black pants in the front seat, consistent with a size that would be worn by the 265-pound Parker. In the pants pocket, Gray said he found a cell phone that was reported stolen from one of the Edgefield Street victims during the invasion.

Reports: 20-year-old admits sex with minor

August 10, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — A man who reportedly admitted to having sex with and providing beer and marijuana to a 14-year-old girl has been arrested by the town’s police.
Christopher Holden Calvert, 20, of Sparks Avenue, Ware Shoals, has been charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Police chief Mickey Boland said a woman who looks after the victim when her parents are gone came home earlier this week and found the victim with Calvert. After Calvert left, Boland said the woman saw pictures on the computer of Calvert and the victim kissing.
Police later confronted Calvert with the photos, and reportedly Calvert initially said the pictures were a joke to make the victim’s boyfriend jealous. After being warned of the consequences of lying to the police, Calvert was asked whether he had had sex with the 14-year-old.
Reports say that, after some hesitation, Calvert admitted he had sex with the victim four times. Calvert reportedly insisted the sex was consensual, but added he did know the victim was only 14.
Police then reportedly questioned the victim, who said she went to Calvert’s residence late Monday. She said Calvert tapped on her bedroom window while she was sleeping, and she slipped out the window with him.
The 14-year-old girl said she then went to Calvert’s house and drank beer and smoked marijuana. Reports say the girl tried to sneak back through her window, but it was nailed shut, so she had to go in through the front of the house.
Authorities apparently were told she was missing during the time she was off reportedly drinking and doing drugs with Calvert.
During the interview with the victim, authorities say she corroborated Calvert’s story, saying she had sex with him multiple times. She said it was consensual and didn’t feel afraid of him at any point.
The age of sexual consent in South Carolina is 16.

Back under the lights

GHS looking for stronger defense in jamboree

August 10, 2007

By MATT ANDERSON
Index-Journal staff editor

When Greenwood High School was last seen playing football under the lights, the Eagles were at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.
That December nighttime appearance yielded a 2006 AAAA state championship.
The stakes will be considerably lower for Greenwood’s 2007 night debut against Abbeville High School tonight at Abbeville’s jamboree.
The Abbeville Jamboree is one of three this weekend in the region. Ware Shoals High School hosts a Region 1-A jamboree on Saturday night, and six teams will play at Ninety Six High School in its Saturday night jamboree.
Although the contests won’t count for anything in the standings, they still do have some importance.
“I think after the jamboree (tonight), you’ve got to start narrowing down a little bit and figuring out who you’re going to play,” Greenwood coach Shell Dula said.
“Then next week we’re going to have to concentrate on those we’ll have playing us.”
Taking the field against Abbeville will also give the Eagles’ coaching staff the chance to see their team on the field in a setting other than the practice field.
The jamboree will be the second time this week Greenwood suited up against an opponent.
Tuesday, the Eagles scrimmaged Gaffney, and Dula said he would like to see a better defensive effort tonight.
“We’ve got to get better defensively,” he said. “At times, we weren’t aligned correctly, and all that was correctable and we’ve corrected that. We didn’t tackle real well.”
Ware Shoals coach Jeff Murdock, whose Hornets will play in two jamborees this weekend — tonight against Crescent at Abbeville and Saturday against Calhoun Falls at home — said the biggest thing he’s looking for from the jamborees is aggressiveness on defense and a fundamentally sound performance from his offense.
Murdock said the jamboree setting gives him a better read on whether his team has accomplished those things than practice does.
“It definitely helps you get ready for the season,” Murdock said. “It gives you a game-situation look at how kids are going to perform against good-on-good. Usually it’s your first-team against their first-team, then when they rotate, we rotate and so-on.”
But while the coaches at Ware Shoals and Greenwood are looking at their jamborees as teaching tools, players at Dixie High School are coming into Saturday’s jamboree matchup against McCormick at Ware Shoals with a different mindset.
Senior linebacker Elijah Proctor said he is hoping his team can put a win on the board against the Chiefs.
“That’d be a real big statement,” Proctor said. “They’re a whole lot faster than we are, and actually bigger this year. (A win) would make us look a whole lot better in the region .”

Lander signs 3 to replace
hoops players lost to graduation

August 10, 2007

By SCOTT J. BRYAN
Index-Journal staff editor

With the loss of four seniors off a 20-11 squad that won the Peach Belt Conference tournament, Lander men’s basketball coach Bruce Evans has searched high and low for capable replacements. On Wednesday, Lander announced it found some qualified candidates.
Lander announced the signing of three players for the 2007-08 season, adding guards Travis Allison and Ford Lawrence, and 6-foot-8 post player Justin Mann, to a team that advanced to the NCAA South Atlantic Regional tournament.
“We’re very pleased to have these guys not only join our program and our university, but this community as well,” Evans said. “They are quality student-athletes with good character.”
Allison, a 6-foot-2 combo guard from Lilburn, Ga., joins Lander as a freshman guard. Allison averaged 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and four assists per game. He also connected on 83 3-pointers during his career.
“Travis is a combo guard, who can play the 1 or the 2,” Evans said. “I don’t have a problem playing two point guards. He’s a strong, athletic kid who can run the point and also score.” Lawrence is a 5-foot-10 guard from Shelby, N.C.
Lawrence is an intriguing addition; he’s played for two years on UNC Pembroke’s squad and graduated from Pembroke in three years. In his final season at UNC Pembroke, Lawrence averaged seven points, 5.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds, while shooting 79 percent from the free-throw line.
“We’re bringing in somebody who has Peach Belt Conference experience,” Evans said. “He’s been in the league for two years and he has an understanding of the level of competition and talent in our league. He’s played against us for two years, so he’s familiar with what we’re doing offensively and defensively.”
The final addition to the Bearcats is Mann, a sophomore transfer from Kishwaukke Community College in Malta, Ill. Mann, who Evans estimates is 6-foot-8, averaged 10 points, 8.5 rebounds and two assists per game.
“He’s a guy we found late,” Evans said. “We saw him on film, and we really liked some of the things he could do.
“He’s very similar to (recent graduate) Emanuel Hodrea. He can step out and shoot it and put it on the floor, even though he has good size.”

Obituaries

Gerard Brownett

ABBEVILLE — Gerard Joseph Brownett, 44, resident of 71 Carwellyn Road, died Monday Aug. 6, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood, S.C.
Born in Red Bank, N.J., he was the son of Harry Andrew Brownett, Jr. and the late Joan Cavanagh Brownett.
He was a graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in N.J. and attended Lander University. He was a Trading Specialist at The New York Stock Exchange until 2001. He was also of the Catholic faith.
Survivors include, his son, John “Jack” Cavanagh Brownett of Garden City, N.J.; his father, Harry Andrew Brownett, Jr. of Lake Secession; 2 sisters, Joan Jones of Beaufort, S.C., and Patricia Brownett of Abbeville, S.C.; 2 brothers, Harry A. Brownett of Branchburg, N.J., and John Brownett of Abbeville, S.C.
A memorial service was conducted Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007 at 3 p.m. from The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel. The family received friends prior to the services. The family is at the home of his brother John Brownett, 115 Cedar Hill Drive, Abbeville, SC.
Memorials may be made in memory of Mr. Brownett to a charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be made to the Brownett family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, S.C., is in charge of arrangements.

Willie Andrew Chandler

SALUDA — Willie Andrew Chandler, 17, died on Aug. 5, 2007.
He was born in Greenwood, SC, son of Elliott Van Chandler, Jr. and Martha Brown Chandler. He was a rising Senior at Saluda High School.
He is survived by his father, Edgefield; mother of Greenwood; three brothers, twin, Willie Warren Chandler, and Elliott V. Chandler, III of Saluda and Antoine Brown, Greenwood; four sisters, Antoinette Brown and Allison Jones of Saluda, Emma Chandler, Hopkins, and Eaisha Chandler, Greenwood; paternal grandfather, Elliott V. Chandler, Sr., Edgefield; maternal grandfather, Andrew Minick, New York.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Saluda High School Gym, conducted by Reverend Sylvester Smith. Burial will follow in the Penn Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

Daisy Chastain

Services for Daisy Dooley Chastain will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. A.L. “Bud” Tumblin officiating. Entombment will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be Woody Owensby, Tim Etters, Tony Campbell and Bubba Gunter.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m.
The family is at the home.
Mrs. Chastain, 92, of 301 Lowell Avenue, widow of Leo Chastain, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007 at Hospice House.
Born in Hart County, GA, she was a daughter of the late Robert William and Cindy Stone Dooley.
She was retired from the Greenwood Shirt Company and was a member of Laurel Baptist Church.
Surviving is a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Wideman of Greenwood; a grandson, Bryan Keith Wideman and his wife, Leisa Wideman; and a great-granddaughter, Anna Grace Diane Wideman.
Online condolences may be sent to the Chastain family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Willie Ree McGee Dodson

DONALDS — Willie Ree McGee Dodson, 99, formerly of 8245 Highway 184 E., Donalds, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007 at NHC of Greenwood, SC. Born in Abbeville County, SC, she was a member of Forksville Baptist Church where she served on the Deaconess Board, church choir and was ordained a Deacon in 1978. She was also the mother of the church and mother of the County-Wide Crusade.
She was the widow of James S. Dodson, Sr., the daughter of the late Paul Mays and Emmaline McGee and was also preceded in death by son, Arthur Dodson, daughter, Mary Elizabeth Dodson, formerly of Chicago, sisters, Carrie McGee, Evelyn Posley, Malinda Keller and Ruth Freely and brother, Capurs Mays.
She is survived by her son, James Samuel Dodson, Jr., daughters, Sallie Mae Hicks, Donalds and Emmaline McNeal, Chicago, IL; sisters, Leila Patton, Honea Path, SC, Katherine Timms, Dayton, OH; and one granddaughter raised in the home, Dr. Janet Dodson Miller, Donalds, SC; 25 other grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren and 44 great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Azalee Dodson Gray of Due West; brother-in-law, John Freely of Ware Shoals.
Funeral services are 1 p.m. Saturday at the Dunn Creek Baptist Church by the Reverends James F. Davis III and Delores Henderson and Bishop Emmanuel Spearman. The body is at Robinson-Walker Funeral Service and will be placed in church Saturday at noon. Burial will be in the Forksville Baptist Church Cemetery, Highway 178, Donalds.
Flower bearers will be granddaughters and great-granddaughters.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons.
Honorary escorts will be the Deacon and Deaconess Board of Forksville Baptist Church.
The family is at the home of her granddaughter, Dr. Miller, 8245 Highway 184 E., Donalds.
Arrangements by Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, SC.

Claude Duncan

McCORMICK — Mr. Claude Duncan, of 235 Quarles Road, McCormick, died Aug. 7, 2007 following a sudden illness. He was born in McCormick, SC, June 23, 1954, a son of the late Henry Paul Duncan, Sr. and the late Janie Frances Dorn Duncan. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors are a son, Claude McDaniel of Promised Land Community; three brothers, Erthy (Louise) Duncan, Sr. and James Edward Duncan of McCormick, SC, and Robert (Brenda) Duncan of Plum Branch; one sister, Ms. Delores Quarles of Buffalo, NY.
Services are Saturday at 1 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Albert Bell officiating. Interment is at Overbrook Cemetery in McCormick. The family is at the home of a brother Erthy Duncan at 2006 U.S. Highway 378 East in McCormick. Services are by Walker Funeral Home.

Rose Lee ‘Sug’ Hill

PHILADELPHIA — Rose Lee “Sug” Hill, 90, widow of John Henry Hill, died Aug. 2, 2007 in Philadelphia. Born in Greenwood, SC, she was the daughter of the late John Henry Dean, Sr. and the late Sallie Carter Dean. She was the eldest of twelve brothers and sisters. She was preceded in death by one son, Ira T. Dean.
Survivors include two sons, Rev. Waddell Hill and Willie Hill, both of Philadelphia and four sisters, Bessie Dean Bellard of Beaumont, Texas, Marian Stanley (Charles) of St. Albans, New York, Juanita Kinard (Sam) and Voneva Kinard (Isaiah), both of Hodges.
Services were Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 at Shalom Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
Announcement courtesy of Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc.

John B. Kitchens

LYNCHBURG, Va. — John B. Kitchens, 81, died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007 after a lengthy illness. He was born 1925 in Lancaster, SC, the son of Robert Edward Leigh and Madeline Grantor Kitchens.
He lived in Fort Mill for the first 45 years of his life. He served in the US Navy 1942-1946 and was a veteran of WWII. His service was aboard USS LCI 226 and 531 (Landing Craft Infantry). He was retired from Limitorque Corp.
Mr. Kitchens is survived by his wife of 40 years, Helen Elizabeth Staton Kitchens of Lynchburg; two daughters, Patricia K. Blankenship of Atlanta, GA, and Christine K. Snipes of Greenwood, SC; one sister, Leazelle McKenney of Fort Mill; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Cecil Lamar King of Rock Hill.
Interment will be in Virginia Memorial Park.
Diuguid Wiggington Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Robert ‘Bob’ Mosley

NINETY SIX — Robert “Bob” Mosley, 89, of 923 Enoree Church Road, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at his home. Born in Greenwood, he was the son of the late Annie Mosley.
Survivors include one sister, Sarah Pope of the home and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and other relatives and friends.
Services are at Noon Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007 at Enoree Zion Baptist Church in Ninety Six, conducted by the Rev. Anderson Robinson. The body will be placed in the church at 11 a.m.
Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family is at the home. Services are by Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com.

William ‘Billy’ Parker Jr.

ABBEVILLE — William Edwin “Billy” Parker, Jr., 74, resident of 33 Pine Drive, husband of Alice Parker, died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007 at Abbeville Area Medical Center in Abbeville, SC.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007 at 11 a.m. from the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel, with Revs. Arnold Johnson and Robbie Burton officiating. The burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, Abbeville, SC.
Online condolences may be made to the Parker family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

Robert J. Turman

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Robert J. Turman, 34, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007 in Brooklyn.
The family is at the home of his father, Robert E. Galloway, 538 Fort Charlotte Road, Mount Carmel, S.C.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home, McCormick, S.C.

Opinion

Confusion on sales taxes and property tax boosts

August 10, 2007

If one thing has been heard around Greenwood in recent weeks it’s talk about how confusing the sales tax picture is. Most taxpayers are wondering if it’s 5 cents, 6 cents, 7 cents or 9 cents ..... or what!
There is an added tax, of course, approved by Greenwood voters to finance work on the Lake Greenwood dam and to build a new county library on South Main Street, just off the Uptown Square. There are other additions, too, such as a restaurant tax and more. Considering the various levels of taxation, it’s not hard to see why there is some confusion among local consumers.

ONE ADDITION TO THE STATE sales tax was to help property owners lower the tax they pay on what they own. There should be evidence of that in the not too distant future.
Nevertheless, it could turn out to be something that most taxpayers wouldn’t expect ..... and, no doubt, would be awfully upset if it happens.
It has happened, for example, in Berkeley County. There the school board has taxing power and, guess what! They need money so what happens? The board increased the property tax. It argues that the tax increase is necessary to fund salary raises for administrators and bus drivers, instructional initiatives and operations at new facilities.
Salary hikes may be needed, of course. Still, the question has to arise: What relief will property owners realize?

WHEN THE INCREASED SALES tax is supposed to reduce property taxes but is offset by a school board or anyone else having the ability to raise property taxes, what kind of relief is that? The first time extra revenue is needed by a taxing authority, it raises the property tax?
And ..... we wonder why taxpayers and the people in general have a healthy skepticism when it comes to tax-and-spend lawmakers? Then, in school districts all over the state, there are millions of dollars in bonds that must be paid off by taxpayers. The whole rigmarole appears to be deja vu all over again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!
Skepticism? It’s more like old-fashioned distrust ..... and it appears to get worse, never better.