Man faces burglary charges

Authorities say spree targeted local churches

July 18, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

ABBEVILLE — City law enforcement officers combed wooded areas throughout the early morning hours Friday to catch a suspect in a rash of burglaries and break-ins since the opening months of 2006.
Abbeville churches were the most frequent target in the spree.
The suspect eluded city officers briefly, making his getaway through the woods at night. Later that morning, however, Johnny Leon Grant, 36, of 104 Lisa Drive in Greenwood, was arrested on a construction site — at a church — in McCormick County. He has been charged with 13 counts of second-degree burglary, nine counts of petit larceny, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of malicious injury to real property.
Officers with the McCormick County Sheriff’s Office and officers of the the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services assisted in the arrest. The suspect also has arrest warrants (on various burglary charges) pending with other law enforcement agencies in Abbeville and Greenwood counties.
The arrest closes a lengthy and determined investigation by police.
“We’re glad for the victims of these burglaries,” said Abbeville Police Lt. Detective Curtis Killian. “We’re glad they can have some closure with this. There were a lot of man hours involved and a lot of equipment utilized in this.”
Items stolen included mostly electronics and things that could be sold quickly. Officers said the suspect committed the crimes to support a drug addiction.
Abbeville Police Chief Neil Henderson praised his officers after the arrest.
“I want to thank our officers for their efforts throughout this investigation,” Henderson said. “If not for their hard work, this suspect would still be able to continue breaking into these different places in the city of Abbeville.”
The burglaries — targeting churches, funeral homes, a health care facility and a mental health facility — began in early 2006 and continued until around April or May 2006, when police determined Grant left the area to work in New Orleans. When officers were told he had returned to the area in early 2007, additional burglaries began to occur with regularity.
Using new technology, Grant has been linked through evidence (including DNA) to the burglaries of six churches and two funeral homes.
In 2007, that number includes four churches and the health agency buildings.
Authorities say the most recent in the string of robberies occurred after dark Thursday at a church on Cambridge Street.
Officers received information Friday afternoon that Grant had been spotted inside the Abbeville city limits and confirmed the tip later in the day.
Grant was riding as a passenger on the back of a motorized bicycle when law enforcement officers attempted to make an arrest.
He fled and entered the woods, before being apprehended and arrested later Friday.

Meeting highlights budget concerns

Ware Shoals councilman says budget
should be reviewed ‘line item by line item’

July 18, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — Sonny Frederick made his feelings very clear.
While addressing the other members of Ware Shoals Town Council and gathered residents during Tuesday’s meeting, Frederick said council members should take another look at the 2007-08 budget (approved during last month’s meeting), and do it quickly. The former mayor and now councilman said issues he brought forth in February 2005 and 2006 still have yet to be addressed.
Frederick said council members should review the new budget “line item by line item” no matter how long it took them to get the job done.
“Had the council reviewed the monthly budget report for the year end in June 2007, they would have realized that we have $200,000 more than what was budgeted for town operations,” Frederick said.
“If they had looked ... they would have realized that we exceeded our budgets in (2004 by $486,315, 2005 by $277,538 and 2006 by $129,227). How was the town able to operate under such losing conditions and where were the overages spent and where did the moneys come from?
“The answer to both questions is very simple. The money was spent to run the town and the money came from inflated water rates and sewer revenues from Honea Path.” In the remainder of Frederick’s comments, he said of 19 community water rates he had reviewed, Ware Shoals’ were highest. He also claimed the town had vastly overcharged Honea Path for sewer service - to the tune of $2.5 million since 1990.
“There’s something wrong when our citizens avoid taking a bath or flushing their toilets until the last minute,” Frederick said. “There’s something wrong when a resident’s water bill is higher than their power bill. When I ran for office I personally made it a big deal about whether we actually owed Honea Path for any overcharges.
“I now regret to say that I was wrong and that Honea Path was and is correct. Honea Path did a great service to us.”
Several residents, including Gwen Whitfield, made their displeasure with the water rates clear during the public comment period.
“My water bill is as high as my light bill, and the water is brown,” she said.
“Our water bill is the highest in the area,” another resident said. “It’s started skyrocketing and there is no end in sight. It’s getting out of hand.”
Councilman Pete McGrew said his committee (which includes city water) has been working to resolve the problem and lower rates.
“I’m the man everyone hates,” McGrew said. “I would like to remind everyone that the bills include not only your water, but trash and sewer. We’re doing our best to bring those rates down, we really are.”
Other matters handled by council Tuesday included:
** Ware Shoals Mayor George Rush addressed the town’s efforts to make the Saluda River area near Pitts Park safer for residents. He said further contact with local agencies and government entities will continue. Temporary signs have been placed at the park, but permanent signs are being looked at.
Ware Shoals Police Chief Mickey Boland said a SLED report on the drowning death of Nasjma Keller is due soon.
** Russell Burns, town director of economic development, also presented council with a conceptual drawing of proposed beautification of the town square. Council voted 6-1 to approve the basic design of the drawings, which adds new trees, installs sidewalks and includes a general war memorial commending veterans of all America’s wars.
** In other public comment, residents asked for help on certain streets with flooding and water being directed onto their property; that something be done to give young people something to do in town; and cited the need for more eating establishments in Ware Shoals.

9-year-old’s motocross interest still growing

July 18, 2007

By JESSICA SMOAKE
Index-Journal intern

Motocross rider Taylor Barnett’s interest in racing began early.
At age 3, Barnett was given his first bike by his parents. He wasn’t allowed to ride it until age 4, but he managed to win his first national race by age 5, which was the first year he was able to compete. Barnett is now 9 and will compete in the 26th annual AMA/Air Nautiques Amateur National Motocross Championships July 29 at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee.
You could say motocross racing runs in Barnett’s blood.
His father began racing at age 7, but stopped once son Taylor started to race. His father made it to a national race every year but two years. He is still involved with racing as Taylor’s mechanic at every race. Taylor’s younger brother, Chandler, has started to follow in his footsteps. He is 5 and also enjoys motocross racing.
The Barnetts make traveling to races a family affair. Every race is attended by his mother, father, younger brother and grandparents.
“They (grandparents) are into racing just as much as we are,” said Sharon Barnett, Taylor’s mother. “And they will travel with us on the way to nationals.”
Barnett has won and placed in many races, but his proudest moment was winning the national race at 5. He has a first-place trophy from the race, and the bike he rode that day sits in his trophy room as a reminder of the win.
To receive a spot in a national race, a rider must participate in an area qualifier race and finish in the top eight out of 60 to 70 riders. The top eight from each area qualifier move on to a regional race where they must finish in the top seven to advance. The top seven from each regional race, together totaling 42 riders, compete at the national race.
Barnett enjoys racing no matter where he rides, but he prefers a challenge when riding.
“I like the tracks that are rough with rocks,” he said. “It keeps it interesting.”
He has experienced difficulties during races such as his muffler falling off and tires going flat, but Barnett always finishes every race.
“No matter what, he’ll finish the race,” Sharon said. “Even if he has to push the bike. He doesn’t quit.”
Even though Barnett spends most of his time practicing for races, he has gained other interests such as swimming and running. He won this year’s Midnight Flight triathlon, sponsored by the Anderson YMCA. Barnett participated in a triathlon in Laurens where he ran off the beaten path.
“I missed a turn and ended up running five miles when I was only supposed to run three,” said Barnett, a rising fifth-grader at Hodges Elementary, where his favorite subject is spelling.
Barnett went to an Atlanta supercross race at age 7. He was picked as one of the top 16 riders out of the thousands of who applied for the chance to ride at the Georgia Dome. During intermission, Barnett signed autographs and walked the track with professional motorcross riders who were competing that day.
Barnett received a sponsorship from Fox Racing, a company that specializes in Motocross, BMX, and mountain biking clothing and videos, after winning the national race at age 5. He is also sponsored by Capital Cycle, a Macon, Ga. motorcycle shop, and Oakley, a manufacturer of performance eyewear.
Barnett is interested in making motocross racing his career. By doing so, he would be following in the footsteps of his heroes, professional motocrossers James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael, who have both won AMA Amateur National Championships.
Barnett’s mother says it’s too early to say what his future holds, but she knows he will be doing something outdoors.
“He loves anything outdoors,” she said. “He definitely won’t be at a desk.”r Jay Guidry. Guidry was wild, walking five and hitting five Post 20 batters, but was able to work out of early jams.

Obituaries

Bernice Price Cunningham

PLUM BRANCH — Mrs. Bernice Price Cunningham, wife of Walter “Ted” Cunningham, died at HospiceCare of the Piedmont July 14, 2007. Mrs. Cunningham was born in McCormick County Oct. 6, 1932, the daughter of the late James Price and Mrs. Marie Hill Price. She was a member of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Plum Branch and was a homemaker.
Survivors are her husband of the home; four daughters, Ms. Shela E. Cunningham of Atlanta, GA, Ms. Jacqueline Cunningham of Plum Branch, SC, Mrs. Claudine (Isaiah) Gary of McCormick, SC, and Mrs. Sharon Y. (John) Callahan of Beaumont, TX; three sons, James W. (Alberta) Cunningham, Joel Cunningham and Ronnie E. (Tracy) Cunningham, all of Plum Branch, SC; one sister, Mrs. Julia (James) Cunningham of Washington, DC; two brothers, Rev. James (Ruth) Price of McCormick, SC, and Larry Price of Laurens, SC; nineteen grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are Thursday at 1 p.m. at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Plum Branch, SC, with the pastor, Rev. Melvin Gordon and Rev. Otis Cunningham officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family is at her home at 301 Harmony Road in Plum Branch. Services are by Walker Funeral Home.

Lucille Horne

Services for Lucille Lee Kay Horne will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at South Greenwood Pentecostal Holiness Church, with the Rev. Lawrence Johnson and the Rev. Ray Massey officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Larry Judy, Ronald Massey, Larry Bowen, Mark Timmerman, Keith Timmerman and Bill Jarrett.
Honorary escort will be members of the Helping Hands Sunday School Class and the Sunshine Club of South Greenwood Pentecostal Holiness Church.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Harley Funeral Home. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Thursday.
The family is at the home, 211 Kentucky Avenue.
Memorials may be made to South Greenwood Pentecostal Holiness Church, Bus Fund, PO Drawer C, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Mrs. Horne, 95, of 211 Kentucky Avenue, widow of Blease Horne, died Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late Foster and Pearl Brewer Kay. She was retired from the Panola Plant of Abney Mills and was a member of South Greenwood Pentecostal Holiness Church, where she was a member of the Grace Ouzts Sunday School Class and the Sunshine Club.
Surviving is her son, Harold Horne of Greenwood; two sisters, Inez Bowen and Katherine White, both of Anderson; and a brother, Vernon Jarrett of Greenwood.
Online condolences may be sent to the Horne family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Jessie Allen Jones

Jessie Allen Jones, 66, of 105 White Road, Promised Land, husband of Jannie Ruth Thomas Jones, died Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
The family is at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is in charge.

Isebell Jones Kemp

Isebell Jones Kemp, 81, of 1091 Parkland Place, Apt. E-3, died Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center. The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Opinion

Driver’s license tests: Should English prevail?

July 18, 2007

There are good reasons to make English the “official” language of this nation, although there are arguments on both sides of the question. It’s the kind of thing that stirs emotions and that can overwhelm some of the more down to earth realities that influence lives ..... and deaths.
State Senator Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, President Pro Tempore of the Senate puts it in proper perspective that ought to get a lot of attention. He thinks South Carolina should stop giving driver’s license tests in foreign languages. In fact, he says if the Department of Motor Vehicles doesn’t change its policy he will introduce legislation to force it to do so.
There are sure to be critics of that idea, but it’s not a punitive thought. It makes good sense ..... and it could save a lot of lives on the state’s highways.

FOR EXAMPLE, McCONNELL says drivers who don’t speak English cannot read highway message boards, which warn motorists about such things as traffic wrecks and tie-ups, kidnappings and hurricane evacuations. “Is it good public policy to give driver’s licenses to people who can’t speak, read or understand English?” McConnell asked.
The answer to that ought to be obvious to everyone. However, it doesn’t get the support of other officials ..... Governor Mark Sanford, for instance.
The Department of Motor Vehicles now gives the tests in Spanish, French and German in addition to English. A spokesman for the governor says he has no objections to that practice.
There may be practical reasons to give such tests. The governor’s office cited German employees of BMW working at the Greer auto plant. However, if there are special circumstances, why not address them on an individual basis instead of in general.

SURELY, WITH THE NUMBER of lawyers in state government, special provisions could be legally written. Nevertheless, if we continue to give wholesale driver’s license tests in foreign languages, how long will it be before someone brings a class action lawsuit to require road signs - and messages - be displayed in all the languages?
However, contrary to those who agree with multi-language testing, there is another very important consideration ..... or, at least it should be important. It apparently breaks state law. Some disagree with McConnell on this point, but the chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee says it’s the law.
If push came to shove, it’s a pretty good bet that a majority of South Carolinians would take McConnell’s side on this debate. It would not be surprising if the majority said no licenses should be given to anyone who can’t understand English.