Guard probe ongoing

2 soldiers might face discipline for scandal

January 27, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — The South Carolina National Guard is continuing a thorough investigation into the actions of two National Guardsmen who are involved in the Ware Shoals High School alcohol-fueled sex scandal.
According to a supplemental report by the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, Guardsman Jeremy Pileggi, 21, has admitted a sexual relationship with a then-16-year-old WSHS cheerleader whom he was introduced to by former Ware Shoals cheerleading coach Jill Moore and fellow Guard member Thomas Fletcher, 29. According to the report, Moore and Fletcher, both of whom are married, were engaged in an extramarital affair.
Moore, who has two children, has been charged with providing alcohol to minors and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The sheriff’s office does not plan to bring any criminal charges against the Guardsmen since the cheerleaders “directly involved” in the case were of consensual age according to state law.
On Friday, the National Guard issued a statement regarding its investigation.
“The state judge advocate general has advised me that until the investigation is completed, and the court martial, if any is also completed, the alleged individuals are entitled to the presumption of innocence and will be treated as such,” said Maj. Gen. Harry B. Burchstead, the state deputy adjutant general. “Nonetheless, the soldiers in question will remain suspended from performing any recruiting duties.
“The result of the investigation is currently being reviewed by the state JAG for legal sufficiency and compliance with applicable law and regulations.”
If the National Guard’s investigation confirms the findings of the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office investigation, the soldiers could be charged with a number of violations under the state Military Code, the release said.
Among the violations the soldiers could face are failure to obey a military order, dereliction of duty, false official statement, accessory after the fact and wrongful appropriation of government property.
If convicted of one or more of these military charges, the soldiers could face a bad-conduct discharge, confinement, fines, reduction to the lowest pay grade, forfeiture of pay and allowances, a reprimand or any combination of the above.
“This type of misconduct is intolerable and we are currently reviewing recruiting policies and procedures to ensure something like this cannot and will not happen in the future,” Burchstead said. “As we conduct this investigation, over 7,000 members of the South Carolina National Guard have been mobilized in support of the global war on terrorism, serving honorably in harm’s way.
“The alleged actions of these individuals in no way reflect the standards of conduct of the members of the South Carolina National Guard.”

Community still reeling
It’s been a topsy-turvy week in Ware Shoals following Moore’s arrest and the subsequent charges of obstruction of justice against WSHS Principal Jane Blackwell. The scandal has led to Moore’s resignation from the school, where she also was a guidance office clerk, as well the resignation of her father, Marcus Bishop, from the Ware Shoals District 51 school board.
Thursday saw yet another development in the case, with the sheriff’s office supplemental report indicating a male student, who other sources have told The Index-Journal is a member of the Hornets’ football team, also had a sexual relationship with Moore.
As more and more comes out about the case, the reaction from residents of the small riverside community, home to the annual Catfish Feastival, continues to roll in.
At Brad’s Barber Shop, where conversation always flows freely, one customer made clear where he thinks the fault lies in the reported relationship between Moore and the male student.
“That’s not his fault,” the customer said. “I know what I would have done when I was 18 or 19 years old and was in that situation. She was the one that should have known better.”
Marshall Culpepper, a clerk at the Corner Stop in Ware Shoals, said he thinks Blackwell made a mistake by not going to authorities when she initially heard of Moore’s impropriety with students. The sheriff’s office, executing a search warrant on Blackwell’s office, confiscated several items — including a journal that includes notes about the situation dated Dec. 1-6. In addition, several cheerleaders and their parents have told authorities that Blackwell intimidated them and told them not to talk to anyone about the situation during a special closed-door meeting at the school.
Blackwell’s attorney, Lance Sheek, didn’t return a phone call Friday for this story.
Chief Deputy Mike Frederick also has said Blackwell, who is the first cousin of District 51 Superintendent Fay Sprouse, initially denied any knowledge about the scandal. The sheriff’s office report also says Blackwell allegedly locked down bathrooms during school hours to prevent students from sending text messages about the scandal.
“You have to take the proper steps in that situation, right away,” Culpepper said. “You just cannot try to cover it up.”
Culpepper used as an example a situation his brother was involved in at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind. He said his brother, a school employee, found out two students had sex with each other on school grounds. The students had major roles in a play Culpepper’s brother was directing at the school.
“They had big parts in the play,” Culpepper said. “But he had to cancel the show. Because that was the right thing to do.”
Like many Ware Shoals residents, Culpepper said he had long heard rumors about Moore’s fraternizing with cheerleaders and the male student.
“Oh, you heard it all the time,” Culpepper said. “I know I heard (Ware Shoals Police) Chief (Mickey) Boland started looking into it shortly before Christmas, but the rumors were around a long time before that.”
Though he also had heard rumors about Moore’s alleged activities with students, Harold Morse said he was thrown for a loop when he heard two National Guardsman were involved.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” Morse said. “National Guardsmen? They are supposed to be protecting the U.S.A. I don’t know what got into them.”
Culpepper agreed.
“There are people over in Iraq and Afghanistan dying in that uniform,” Culpepper said. “I know it’s a strong thing to say, but what they are accused of, when they are supposed to be doing recruiting, is a disgrace to the uniform.”
The small town of 2,300 has endured an onslaught from the national media, with the likes of Fox News, CNN and MSNBC fixing their gaze upon Ware Shoals. Friday held a bit more of a serene tone in the business district. Largely absent was the tension from previous days. Some shops, however, did display signs advising no members of the news media were allowed inside.
Culpepper said the town is simply ready to put the incident behind them.
“Most people in this town are good people — hard-working folks that have pride in Ware Shoals,” he said. “They are ready for this to be over with and to move on with their lives.”

Making it happen

Without volunteers, Shrinkdown ‘not possible’

January 27, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Barbara Etters loves to smile.
She loves to interact with all the people.
She shares in their success, while comforting and encouraging them when it has been a tough week.
Etters is a volunteer for the Greater Greenwood Shrinkdown.
“I participated in (the Shrinkdown) last year, but this is my first year as a volunteer,” she said Friday. “I enjoy people and this is a good place to meet people.”
As two ladies approached her on Friday evening, she put her best grin on display as she bade them hello.
After a few moments, Etters learned that Sandra Yeldell and Cynthia Brown were newcomers to the program.
She became absolutely giddy as she signed them up.
Etters is one of the more than 50 volunteers who make the Shrinkdown happen.
Without them, success wouldn’t be a possibility, according to spokeswoman Denise Manley.
“There’s no way that we could do it without them,” she said. “It just wouldn’t be possible. Especially with us adding the three new sites this year. We have a staff member going to Abbeville, but volunteers are going to Ninety Six and Ware Shoals.”
With any public initiative, from elections to fundraising events, the people who stand ready, willing and able to help behind the scenes are often the most crucial. The Greater Greenwood Shrinkdown is no exception.
“The volunteers are here because they believe in the program,” Manley said. “Most of them are participating as well. They’re interested in it. We have some students from Lander (University) that are doing internships as well.”
Jonathan Miller is one of the Lander interns.
“I like it,” he said of the Shrinkdown. “I think it’s a really good program. A lot of people are coming in and seeing weight lost and they’re getting encouraged.”
James Scrubbs is in his final semester at Lander.
“It’s not bad at all working here,” he said. “It’s good experience for the future, for jobs on down the road.”
Lenox Brathwaite, who comes from the island of Barbados, was also ready to help.
He had a bit of encouragement, though: His future wife is a volunteer, too.
“I just wasn’t doing anything, so I volunteered,” he said. “I’m still adjusting to everything here (after moving here in December). It’s been fun. I’ve seen people drop some (pounds) and some have gained, but I was 183 when I got here and now I’m at 197.”
Many folks reported that it had been a rough week. Either they didn’t make any progress or they lost ground by gaining back some weight.
Manley encourages all participants to not give up.
“This is just the fourth weigh-in, so don’t let a bad week discourage you,” she said. “Start with a new focus.”
As of Friday evening, participants — the number of which has now gone over the 1,400-mark — have lost a total of 3,285 pounds since starting on the Shrinkdown.
Next week’s “Health Talks” will feature the topic “Starting an Effective Exercise Program,” where Shrinkdown participants will learn to maximize the results gained from exercise programs within a minimal amount of time.
The discussion will cover common misconceptions about exercise and certain techniques that will enhance the benefits of any participant’s training regimen.
Each session of “Health Talks” takes place at Lander University’s Centennial Hall. They are held each week during the Greater Greenwood Shrinkdown, on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m.
For directions to Lander’s Centennial Hall, contact Lander information at 388-8204.
For additional information on the Greater Greenwood Shrinkdown, visit the event’s Web site at www.greatergreenwoodshrinkdown.com or call the Greenwood Family YMCA at 223-9622.

Powerhouse Clarke

Lady Hawks get easy win over Spartanburg Christian

January 27, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

Greenwood Christian’s Caroline Clarke scored a game-high 26 points Friday night in the Lady Hawks’ 55-35 win against Spartanburg Christian.
“Before the game, we just sat in the locker room and talked about what we each needed to do individually. For me, I said that I just needed to focus on getting a lot of rebounds and just making the right decisions,” Clarke said. “That’s what I was thinking about during the game. With the rebounds, kind of come the points.”
Clarke was honored between the third and fourth quarter of the game for reaching the 1,000-point mark earlier this season in the Augusta Christian Tournament.
The senior was presented a game ball for her accomplishment.
“It kind of crept up on me and I never really thought about it,” Clarke said. “With it being in the middle of the game, it was hard to get my head out of the game. I thought we were really playing well as a team, and so I was kind of focused in on the game.”
The Lady Warriors (1-18, 0-5) raced out to a 6-0 lead with 6 minutes, 5 seconds remaining in the first quarter, taking advantage of three turnovers by the Lady Hawks (16-4, 4-1).
Rebecca Carrigan finished with 11 points for the Lady Warriors.
Clarke finally got the Lady Hawks on the board when she drove inside for a lay-up, sparking a 6-0 run.
Carolyne Cain gave the Lady Hawks their biggest lead of the first quarter, 16-11, when she scored with less than one minute remaining.
The Lady Warriors cut the lead to two points, 18-16, early in the second quarter when Amanda Belcher hit a long-range jumper, but the Lady Hawks were in no mood to trade baskets.
Beginning with a power-move in the paint by Clarke, the Lady Hawks outscored the Lady Warriors 14-1 over the final 6:38 of the first half and held a comfortable 32-17 halftime lead.
Things didn’t get any better for the Lady Warriors in the second half as the Lady Hawks’ lead grew to 39-21, prompting coach Wendy Duke to call a timeout with 3:24 remaining.
Katie Fyock helped the Lady Hawks increase their lead to 20 points at the 3:14 mark and, from that point, they never looked back.
“I thought we played well as a team. We really executed well defensively and offensively,” Lady Hawks coach Ted Hinzman said. “They all can shoot. Caroline Clarke does a good job getting the ball to them. She’s not only a scorer but she distributes the ball and they all play hard defense.”

Teamwork lifts Lady Tigers to win

January 27, 2007

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports editor

SALUDA — Maralissa Coleman practically carried the Saluda High School girls basketball team to the front door, but she was unable to walk the team through.
Coleman left that for teammates Ashley Proctor and Kim Springs.
Coleman scored 13 of her game-high 20 points in the second half to help erase a nine-point deficit before fouling out in the final minutes. Proctor and Springs then combined to score the Lady Tigers’ final nine points in a 52-48 victory over Newberry Friday night in Saluda.
Coleman scored 10 of Saluda’s 13 points in the third quarter. Her third 3-pointer of the night put the Lady Tigers up 41-40 with 4 minutes, 44 seconds remaining. It was Saluda’s first lead since the team was ahead 19-17 in the early in the second quarter.
“Maralissa got hot and got us some key points we needed,” said Saluda coach Patsy Rhodes, whose Lady Tigers improved to 3-3 in Region III-AA play. “I told the girls ‘If we could go up by a point or two that would do it.’ I think our momentum picked up and our intensity picked up.”
But the Lady Bulldogs (3-3 region) regained the lead behind a 5-2 run, making it 45-44 with 1:48 to play. However, during the run, the team had its leading scorer, Courtney Skippy, foul out at the 2:20 mark. Skippy finished with 16, but none in the fourth quarter.
That’s when Proctor took over. The Lady Tigers’ point guard penetrated down the right foul line, stepped back and popped a 5-foot fadeaway to give Saluda the lead for good at 46-45. Proctor, who finished with 10 points, followed that with a layup off an out-of-bounds play.
After a pair of Newberry free throws cut the Lady Tigers’ lead to one (48-47), Springs toed the charity stripe and connected on four rainbow free throws to put the game away. Springs chipped in nine points and 10 boards off the bench.

Obituaries

Missy Cogdill

Melissa “Missy” Garren Cogdill, 36, of 307 Lowell Street, wife of Lonnie Cogdill, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2007 at her home.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late Ernest Carl and Sylvia Yates Garren. She was a member of the First Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ and attended Durst Avenue Church of God.
Surviving is her husband; two daughters, Brittny Garren and Sylvia Cogdill and a son, Allen Cogdill, all of the home; three sisters, Brenda Gail Bryant, Patricia Bolt and Carolyn McKinney, all of Greenwood; and two brothers, Carl Garren of Hodges and Johnny Garren of Greenwood.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. Ray Sawyer and the Rev. David Milcher officiating.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Monday from 12-1 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Harley Funeral Home, Missy Cogdill account, PO Box 777, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

William A. Lewis

ABBEVILLE — William A. “Willie” Lewis, 68, of 788 Central Shiloh Road, husband of Sharon J. Lewis, passed away on Friday, Jan. 26, 2007 at his home.
Services will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Les Shattuck officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:30-4 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Opinion

Both Super Bowl coaches represent best of America

January 27, 2007

Before the National Football League playoffs ended there was much talk about the possibility that an African-American head coach would make history by taking his team to the Super Bowl. As it turned out, though, the head coaches of both Super Bowl teams made it.
The two are Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears and Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts. Both deserve all the honors and accolades that come their way. Both are well known and respected by players from USC, Clemson and other South Carolina schools.
Almost invariably the talk has gotten around to this being another first for African-Americans. It is, to be sure, and it should be a source of pride for all Americans, no matter their color.

THERE ARE SURE TO BE OTHER firsts to come, and even if they should have come sooner, it will be another step in the right direction. Eventually, maybe we will arrive at the point where there will be no racial doors to open. Only then can we truly say that in this country every person has the opportunity to rise above his or her upbringing.
Meanwhile, it also should be a source of pride that we live in a nation where our problems can be and are addressed, whether social, economic, educational, religious or anything else. The pace may not satisfy everyone, of course, and that should be expected. Still, we try ..... and eventually overcome. There aren’t many nations in history that have been so resolute in working to solve some of their internal problems.

WE MAY HAVE OUR STUMBLING blocks, of course, but we face our troubles and that’s a strength of purpose that fortifies freedom ..... and the equality that is the foundation of the American dream. As long as we do that we will persevere, despite those prophets of doom that are sure the demise of the United States ... this greatest experiment in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness the world has ever known.
There are many, of course, who want to see the U. S. as history and predict it will happen. The successes like Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy, though, defy the naysayers and show us all that freedom is still the biggest ally of longevity and prosperity.