Restaurant robbed

Suspects escape after robbing Zaxby’s at gunpoint

January 30, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood Police are investigating an armed robbery at a local fast-food restaurant.
According to police incident reports, the Zaxby’s on S.C. 72 Bypass was robbed at gunpoint late Sunday night. No one was injured in the robbery, but the suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money.
Officers were called to the restaurant shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday. While they were on the way, they were advised the suspects, three black males wearing black ski masks and black shirts, had run toward Applebee’s.
At Zaxby’s, officers found the three employees who called in the robbery and separated them for questioning. They then made sure everything was secure inside the restaurant.
The first victim told police she was in the restaurant office doing paperwork when she heard a knock at the office door. Thinking it was one of the employees, she opened the door, only to see one of the suspects enter.
She said the suspect had a deep voice and said he would “kill her” if she tried anything. He demanded money from the store safe, and she pointed out where it was. The suspect went through the cash drawers and took an undisclosed amount of cash. The first victim said she remained in the office until the suspects ran out of the building.
The second victim said she was washing dishes when one of the suspects crept up and put a gun on the left side of her neck. She said the suspect told her “Don’t look at me or I’ll kill you.” She told officers she saw that the gun was a black pistol. She later saw the suspect who accosted her and the one who accosted the employee in the office.
She said she only heard the third suspect talking at the rear of the restaurant.
The second victim said she heard another of the suspects yell, “We got it, let’s go!” The suspect holding the gun on her forced her to the back of the restaurant and told her to stay there. She said she then saw the men run through the kitchen and out the side door, heading toward Applebee’s.
The third victim said he was on his knees cleaning out a cooler in the food prep area. He said he didn’t know anything about the robbery until he heard yelling. He said he came out of the cooler only to see the suspects running out the door.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office bloodhound tracking team was called to the scene. One of the canines, “Joe,” locked onto a scent on the east side of Zaxby’s and began following the scent behind the McCravy law firm and up behind Zaxby’s. The scent continued on a trail that led up to the Leland Place subdivision. The trail ended near Pin Oak Drive, and officers did not see anyone matching the description of the suspects there.
Greenwood Police Chief Gerald Brooks said a trail ending so abruptly is often evidence that suspects got into a getaway vehicle at that point.
Officers back at Zaxby’s watched security tapes at the restaurant with the general manager and assistant manager. They said the tape showed the three suspects entering from the front counter/ kitchen door area.
Officers gel lifted a footprint from the surface of the front counter and from behind the front counter. They also gathered fingerprints from the door on the east side of the building.
“I don’t know how (the robbers) got in,” Zaxby’s manager Steve Moore said Monday. “Everyone was OK, no one was hurt. Things are back to normal today.”

NTSB releases findings in crash that killed four

January 30, 2007

By CHRIS TRAIONOR
Index-Journal staff writer

After more than two years, the National Transportation Safety Board has released findings in the airplane crash that claimed the lives of a McCormick family.
On Jan. 7, 2005, James Strom, along with his wife Robin and their two children, Bradley and Brittney, was flying from McCormick County Airport to Greenwood County Airport. James, who were a pilot with 150 civilian flight hours logged, was piloting the Piper PA-28-181 plane when it crashed into a bank of trees around 7 p.m. near Sumter National Forest in Bradley.
According to the NTSB report, James had radioed a flight service station in Anderson to get a weather report for the family’s impending flight to Marlboro County, where they were going to meet relatives after they left the Greenwood airport.
The report said that, shortly after the crash, 911 calls came from residences around the crash site. The report credited one witness as saying the plane’s engine sounded like it was “idling high” before the crash.
The airplane had a routine inspection in November 2004.
James received a private pilot certificate for single-engine airplanes in 1999. He got a third-class airman medical certificate in 2004.
The report also cited an occurrence among pilots known as Pilot’s Spatial Disorientation. It discusses the lack of natural horizon visibility at night in sparsely populated areas. It suggests pilots who encounter PSD may “place the aircraft in a dangerous altitude.”
A toxicology report found no alcohol or drugs in the pilot’s system.
Wreckage debris and broken tree limbs were scattered about 175 feet along a cluster of scraped and broken trees at the crash site. A separated section of the outboard left wing and an outboard section of the left aileron were lodged in one of the damaged trees at the beginning of the debris path.
A crater about 3 feet deep, 20 feet long and 10 feet wide was observed on the ground about 90 feet southwest of the initial cluster of broken trees, and the fuselage was found about 40 feet southwest of the crater. The fuel tanks were breached, and fuel odor was detected in the general area where some fuel tank pieces were found.
From one side of the debris path looking toward the main wreckage, the tree in which the outboard section of the left aileron was lodged showed scrapes and damage higher than the break and scrape damage in the other trees.
The NTSB will take its factual findings and combine them with its preliminary report to come up with a probable cause for the crash at a later date.

Jackson hoping for more ups

January 29, 2007

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports editor

Jarred Jackson has experienced plenty of ups and downs during his time in a Lander University basketball uniform.
The Bearcats’ leading scorer for the past three seasons has taken those highs and lows in stride, but now he’s ready to see his squad’s recent up-swing continue a little while longer.
Behind 15.2 points a game, including an 18.1 average in Peach Belt Conference play, Jackson has helped keep the Bearcats on top the North Division, with a 6-2 conference record while going 12-7 overall.
“We’ve talked about winning the North Division and that’s our focus,” Jackson said. “But there’s a chance for us to win the whole conference. We can’t let any game slip by us. We can’t give games away.”
Jackson, a senior from Columbia, was a freshman when the Bearcats managed only seven total wins — three in the Peach Belt Conference — in 2003-04. He was the prime target, as a sophomore, when Lander finished tied for second in the North Division after posting 17 victories. But that team fell in its first PBC tourney game.
Last season, the Bearcats won only four conference games, but clawed their way to the PBC tournament semifinals after an upset win over top-seeded Columbus State.
“When I got here, we had a whole new team and it was my first year in college basketball, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Jackson said. “We went through a horrible year, but I never felt like I was going to leave Lander and go somewhere else. And then when coach (Bruce) Evans came in, the way he was coaching, we were going to have a good year.”
And Jackson and Co. might be saving their best for last. The Bearcats will take a three-game winning streak — and a run of seven wins in their last nine — into Finis Horne Arena when they take on UNC Pembroke at 7:30 Wednesday night.
Jackson credits Evans’ penchant for defense along with the play of his teammates for the Bearcats’ success in conference play.
The Bearcats are only averaging 66.9 points a game, and only 69 points in conference play. But defensively, the team has been able to put a clamp on the opposition, holding opponent’s scoring to 58.3 a night — and 57.1 in PBC action.
Jackson remembers one time this season where he found himself getting an opportunity to take a breather on the bench. It wasn’t long after that he said Evans barked at him about taking a charge. He quickly got the message.
“Coach Evans has always said ‘you can go down there and take any shot, but if you want to play, you have to play defense,’” Jackson said. “He’s serious about it. Either you play defense or you’re not going to play.”
Jackson has led the Bearcats in scoring in 10 of the team’s 19 games this season. But since conference play has opened five of his teammates have — like him — increased their offensive output, including fellow senior Michael Griffin. The Lander point guard is averaging 13.6 points against PBC foes.
“I have as much confidence in them taking the shot as me taking it,” Jackson said. “I’ve told them (teammates) ‘if I’m open, pass me the ball because I’ll do the same to you.’”
The ups and downs — and current ups again — shared by this year’s senior class — which also includes guard Jason Davis and power forward Emanuel Hodrea — have helped that group become closer.
“We’re like friends. We’re like brothers almost,” Jackson said. “Especially, me, Mike (Griffin) and E-Man (Emanuel Hodrea) because we’ve been here four years. But Jason (Davis) has been here three years, so the chemistry is crazy.
“It’s off the court and it shows up on the court.”

Ron Cox is the sports editor for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: rcox@indexjournal.com.

Stephen Burdette

HONEA PATH — Stephen Randolph Burdette, 70, husband of Peggy Wright Burdette, of 809 Paige Road, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2007 at his home.
Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late Samuel Ernest and Lila Todd Burdette. He was a member of Barkers Creek Baptist Church and was retired from Clark Schwebel.
Surviving are his wife of the home, two sons, Jeffrey Stephen Burdette of Honea Path, Michael Burdette of Abbeville, one daughter, Sandra Uldrick of Donalds, one brother, Orion Burdette of Iva, a granddaughter raised in the home, Storm Burdette of the home, and eight grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter Holly Burdette and two brothers, Hoyt and Calvin Burdette.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Bob Miller and Rev. Nellie Clonninger officiating. Burial will follow in Barkers Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pruitt Funeral Home. The family is at the home.

Alverda M. Gainor

Alverda M. Gainor, age 90, of Alliance, died at her home at 10:55 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007.
She was born Aug. 19, 1916 in Wind Ridge, Pennsylvania to William and Cleo (Clutter) McDermott and lived in Alliance most of her life.
Mrs. Gainor retired from LoDano’s Shoes in 1981 after working there for four years. She also worked for the former Marvin Shoes.
She was a member of First Christian Church, where she was a member of the McCallum Club and Sunday School Club. She also belonged to the AARP and volunteered at the Alliance Senior Citizens Center.
Survivors include her daughters, Janice (John) Prevot, of Malvern, and Nancy (Donald) Grigsby, of Greenwood S.C.; five grandchildren, Jeff (Denise) Prevot, Jill (Duane) Kandel, and John J. (Jenny) Prevot, all of Malvern, Keith Grigsby and his fiancee, Sheri Mozley, of Atlanta, and John Eric Grigsby of Greenwood; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John Gainor, whom she married March 22, 1941, and who died Dec. 4, 1999, two sisters, Emma Krauss, and Thelma Lyberger, and one brother, Russell McDermott.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, with Pastor Pam Bruno and Sue DeHoff officiating. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Alliance City Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alliance Senior Citizens Center, 602 W. Vine St., Alliance, Ohio, or Alliance Visiting Nurse Hospice Association, 885 S. Sawburg, Alliance, Ohio 44601.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, Alliance, Ohio. Friends may register online at: www.ctcfuneral.com.

Eula Pettit Jones

Mrs. Eula Pettit Jones, age 84, of 101 Brook Court, Greenwood, SC, died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Jones was born in Union, SC, May 19, 1922, a daughter of the late John C. Pettit and Estelle Johns Pettit. She graduated from Union High School and retired from Ford Motor Co., Detroit, MI. Mrs. Jones was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Greenwood.
Mrs. Jones was the beloved mother of Norma Olsen of the home. Also surviving are a brother, Robert Pettit and wife, Mary and a sister-in-law, Mary L. Pettit, all of Union, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Mrs. Jones was predeceased by five brothers and a sister, Paul Pettit, JC Pettit, Wesley Pettit, Jasper Pettit, David Pettit and Laura Jenkins.
Funeral services will be held 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 at Welcome Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Robert Jarvis and Rev. Joe Chapman. Burial will be in the Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 6-8 Tuesday night at the S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Bible Institute, 2775 Montague Ave., Greenwood, SC 29649. The family is at the home of her niece, Ruby Boulware, 1347 Neal Shoals Road, Union, SC.
S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home (www.holcombefuneralhomes.com.)

George Ligon Sr.

HODGES — George Ligon Sr., 83, of 1223 Miller Road, widower of Alice Thelma Smith Ligon, died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, at the Hospice House of Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Ray D. McMahan

ABBEVILLE — Ray D. McMahan, 83, of 396 Ray McMahan Road, husband of Colleen Suttles McMahan, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, at Anderson Area Medical Center.
Services will be announced by The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.

Gertrude S. ‘Gertie’ Sprouse

ABBEVILLE — Gertrude S. “Gertie” Sprouse, 80, of Abbeville, wife of the late John Lewis Sprouse, Jr., entered into rest Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007 at the Hospice House in Greenwood. She was born in Abbeville to the late Otis and Lillian Newell Smith. Mrs. Sprouse was an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church, where she was involved in the church choir and circle group 4.
She is survived by two sons, Mike Sprouse and his wife, Barbara of Waterloo, SC, and Danny Sprouse and his wife, Teresa of Greenwood, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, one step-great-grandson.
The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 at Main Street United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery.
The families are at their respective homes.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Sprouse may be sent to the HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander St., Greenwood, SC 29646, or to Main Street United Methodist Church, PO Box 656, Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Sprouse family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Sprouse family.

Opinion

School criminal checks is not asking too much

January 30, 2007

It’s hard to take people at face value these days. Everything is different now from the days of old when a person’s word and handshake were the epitome of trust. Now anyone could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing ..... and too many are, it seems. It pays to be sure, not to mention safe.
Back in September the Beaufort County School District decided to run a criminal background check on new volunteers.
Volunteers already in the system were required to submit to checks if they were to accompany students on class trips.
Needless to say, that didn’t sit well with some critics. However, school officials say the background checks, which are done by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). have gone smoothly. It’s surprising that all school districts in South Carolina don’t institute a criminal check system.

NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT than making sure our children are safe, whether in school or any other setting. These are troubled times in too many respects and too many children become victims of one type of criminal or another. Under the circumstances it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Requiring criminal background checks is not asking too much. In fact, it’s foolish not to do everything possible in the name of security, especially where children are concerned. It may not eliminate every danger, but it covers a multitude of possibilities.
Volunteers who have nothing to hide should have no hesitation to agree to background checks. After all, school volunteers usually are parents, and who better to appreciate the safety concerns than them?