Sister of rape suspect charged

Sheriff’s office says she threatened victim

June 15, 2007

From staff reports

The sister of a Greenwood man charged with rape has been arrested in connection with the alleged incident, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office reports.
Donna Michelle Jenkins, 32, of 218 Lakeshore Drive, has been charged with intimidation of a witness after investigators say the victim of the alleged assault and rape last week reported receiving death threats.
Investigator Brandon Strickland said the victim in last week’s rape, which resulted in the arrest of Charles Wayne Jenkins, reported that Donna Jenkins telephoned her several times in the early morning hours of June 13.
During those calls, Donna Jenkins reportedly threatened her with death if she refused to “get my brother out of jail,” according to a news release.
Strickland said the calls were recorded and entered into evidence. He also said that during questioning after her arrest Donna Jenkins admitted to making the calls.
She was being held in Greenwood County Detention Center pending a bond hearing before a magistrate.
Charles Jenkins remains in jail on a $500,000 bond.
“Victims of crime, especially violent crime, have to know that the system won’t fail them,” Sheriff Dan Wideman said, “and that we’ll do everything in our power to ensure their protection.”

Dandy gifts for Dad

Gadgets, golf balls popular

June 15, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

Sunday is Father’s Day, and so comes the question: what to get Dad?
You could give him another tie, or try some gifts that say “Thanks, pop” just a little better.
Golf Doctor manager Phil Rosenberg said Thursday a number of gifts have been selling well for the special Dad’s day.
Employee David Able said the Titleist V1 golf balls are always popular around holidays like Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Christmas.
“We can’t keep them in the store,” Able said.
For a high-tech gift there’s the Technasonic Check-Go Sweet Spot Finder, which Rosenberg said “finds the seam so you can line it up. It makes your putts true.”
The manager spoke highly of the tool.
“It’s something most golfers don’t have that they could use,” he said.
But there are a number of golf gifts that fathers could use — such as a range finder or a golf swing speed measurement device.
However, if Dad has all the gadgets that go along with golf, then a shirt to keep him cool during competition might be the ticket.
Rosenburg suggested the Adidas Climate Cool golf shirt.
Speaking of shirts, if Dad is more into his outward appearance, then a local clothing store might be the place to go.
Greenwood Old Navy store manager Wes Rivers said the top items are clearly men’s shorts and polo shirts. When customers ask what to get for fathers, Rivers said his employees point them directly to those hot items.
Sometimes men like their clothing to blend in with the outdoors — especially when they’re hunting.
Greenwood sporting goods store, Sportsman’s Friend, is selling a couple of very popular items this Father’s Day.
Owner Billy Hoole said Cap-Eyes, a cap with a light on it, is selling well.
“It (the light) snaps on the bill of the cap,” he said. “Wherever you look the light shines.”
He also mentioned an item that is always popular for picky dads.
“Gift certificates,” he said. “It’s a little tough to pick out what they want.”
Rosenberg made nearly the same observation, saying gift certificates are popular because men can be choosy about gifts.
“Golf is such a personal sport,” he said. “Guys only like certain products.”

Bobcat bite puts Saluda on alert

June 15, 2007

From staff reports

COLUMBIA — A Saluda County man who was attacked by a bobcat is under the care of a physician after the bobcat tested positive for rabies, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said Thursday.
“The man was attacked as he got out of his car,” said Sue Ferguson, of DHEC’s Bureau of Environmental Health.
Ferguson said once the rabies virus reaches the brain, the disease is fatal to humans and animals, so the man is receiving preventive inoculations.
According to Ferguson, anyone bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed to the saliva of a rabid animal must undergo immediate measures to stop the virus from reaching the brain.
“Avoid wild animals acting tame and tame animals acting wild,” Ferguson said. “About 400 South Carolinians must undergo preventive treatment for rabies every year, with most exposures from being bitten or scratched by a rabid or suspected rabid animal. Wild animals carry the disease most often, but domestic pets can contract rabies as well.
“Therefore, to protect both the pets and their owners, we strongly encourage residents to make sure their pets are regularly vaccinated against the disease. State law requires that all pets be vaccinated against rabies.
“If you think you have been exposed to the rabies virus through a bite, scratch or the saliva of a possibly infected animal, immediately wash the affected area with plenty of soap and water. Then be sure to get medical attention and report the incident to DHEC.”
This is the fourth confirmed rabid animal in Saluda County in 2007. Last year, there were four rabid animals confirmed in the county. In 2006, there were 180 confirmed cases of rabies in animals in South Carolina.
So far this year, there have been 68 confirmed cases of infected animals in the state.
For information about rabies, visit www.scdhec.gov/rabies or contact Bob Bailey at 227-5928.

Rain can’t dampen Post 20’s bats

June 15, 2007

By SCOTT J. BRYAN
Index-Journal sports editor

With dark clouds looming and lightning flashes off in the distance, the big question entering the fourth inning was which would break out first — Post 20’s bats or the clouds?
Greenwood’s American Legion baseball club scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth and a strong downpour interrupted play in the bottom of the sixth inning, halting the game and giving Post 20 a 6-0 victory over Easley at Legion Field.
The victory pushes Greenwood’s record to 9-5 overall, 6-1 in League VII play. Post 20 plays in the Lander Tournament today at 7 p.m.
Greenwood had 10 hits in the contest, including four in the crucial sixth inning.
“It’s always good to get a win,” Post 20 manager Billy Dean Minor said. “We had 10 hits, so we hit the ball well. You know it’s hard to get up for so many games, but we’re doing a good job.”
Drew Willingham led off the fourth inning with a hard-hit double to the left-centerfield wall and scored when Corey Lloyd reached on a throwing error by the Easley first baseman. Josh Lovvorn singled and Brent Wham walked to load the bases.
Tyler McGraw and Mack Hite walked with the bases loaded, which scored two runs, and Brandon Miller got an RBI on a fielder’s choice.
A run also scored during Cruse Tollison’s at-bat. With rain bearing down on Legion Field, Tollison intentionally got caught in a rundown between second and third, so Post 20’s defense could get on the field for the top of the fifth and make the game official.
“We got a couple walks and hits, and they kicked it around,” Minor said. “All of a sudden, you can get four or five runs.”
Entering Thursday’s game, Post 20 was hitting .312 as a team. Post 20 has recorded nine hits or more in its last eight games.
“If we can bunch them up, we’ll be fine,” Minor said of his team’s hot bats. “We’re working the pitchers into a hitter’s count. We’re getting better at doing that.”
Willingham was 3-for-3 for Greenwood, while Tollison was 3-for-4.
On the mound, Justin Collier picked up the victory. He allowed six hits and one earned run, plus he struck out three and walked one. He deftly pitched out of jams on three occasions, as Easley left eight runners on base.
“Justin pitched really well,” Minor said. “He got us out of some tough spots.”

Obituaries

Alan Cameron

SALUDA — Alan Martin “Bird” Cameron, 48, of 1242 Barr Woods Road, died June 13, 2007 at Lexington Medical Center.
A native of Saluda and the son of Melvin Wilmot and Patricia Martin Cameron, he was the husband of Susan Ladell Schumpert Cameron. Mr. Cameron was an electronics technician at Union Switch and Signal in Batesburg and was a member of Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a member of Herlong Branch Hunting Club and West Hunting Club.
Surviving are his wife, Susan Ladell Schumpert Cameron; a daughter, Allie Louise Cameron of the home; his parents, Melvin Wilmot and Patricia Martin Cameron of Saluda; a brother and sister-in-law, Dennis Melvin and Evelyn Cameron of Clover’ and a sister, Patricia Lynn Cameron of Mt. Pleasant.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 16, 2007 at Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church, with Pastor Dave McCarty and Rev. Norman Rogers officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church, 391 Hickory Grove Road, Saluda, SC 29138.

Robin ‘Cotton’ Goode

LAURENS — Robin “Cotton” Goode, age 23, of 111 Cedar Grove Church Road, died Thursday, June 14, 2007.
He was born in Laurens and was the son of Robert and Vickie K. Goode of Laurens.
Robin was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served in Iraq and was a member of the Hodges 111th Signal National Guard Battalion.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his maternal grandparents, Clifford and Mildred Kuykendall of Laurens; a daughter, Nevaeh Alexandria Goode of MN; one brother and sister-in-law, Christopher Ray Goode and Carla of Ninety-Six; and two sisters, Bridget Nicole Goode and Tiffany Marie Goode, both of Laurens.
He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Robert “Bobby” Goode and Minnie Susie Goode.
Funeral services will he held on Saturday, June 16 at 3 p.m. at the Temple Baptist Church, with interment in the Bellview Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com.
Gray Funeral Home of Laurens.

Margaret Dodson Milford

ABBEVILLE — Margaret Dodson Milford, 90, formerly of 2985 Hwy. 20, Abbeville, passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at NHC Healthcare – Greenwood. She was the widow of Thomas Jasper Milford and the daughter of the late Robert Furman and Ida Jane Brock Dodson. She was the oldest living member of Bethlehem ARP Church, where she was a member of the Ladies Circle and had perfect attendance for over 40 years. She was also a former member of the Wildflower Garden Club and was previously employed with Abbeville County School District.
She is survived by one daughter, Jane M.and husband, Jerry Scott of Greenwood; two sons, Andy M. and wife, Vickie Milford of Abbeville and Jim Milford of Waterloo, SC. She is also survived by five grandsons; three great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased in death by one sister, Ruth D. Woodcock.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 11 a.m. from Bethlehem A.R.P. Church, with the Rev. Webster Curry and Rev. Jim Loughner officiating. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.
The body is at the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6 until 7:30 p.m. Friday evening.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Bethlehem ARP Church, c/o Marion Simpson, 3612 Hwy. 20, Donalds, SC 29638.
Online condolences may be made to the Milford family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

Robert F. Rodgers

MOUNT CARMEL — Mr. Robert F. Rodgers, age 68, of Brooklyn, NY, died June 6, 2007 at Peninsula General Hospital. He was born in McCormick County and was the son of the late Eliza Ann Rodgers and the late William Lomax. He was a retired employee with the City Shelter as a Security Guard.
He is survived by three children, Christina M. Brown, Frank Broughton and Tawanna Broughton, all of New York; a sister, Gennie (Ike) Middleton of Mt. Carmel, SC; a brother, Braxton Richardson of Calhoun Falls, SC; a special friend, Savannah Allen.
The family will receive friends Friday, June 15, 2007 at Brown and Walker Funeral Home from 7 until 8 p.m. Graveside services will be Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 4 p.m. in Spring Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Roy Andrews officiating. The family will be at the home of his sister Gennie Middleton, on Ike Road in Mt. Carmel, SC. Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

James Edward Worsley

James Edward Worsley, 78, of 336 East Creswell Avenue, widower of Paulette Roundtree, died Thursday, June 14, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Scotland, NC, he was the son of the late Levi Worsley and the late Ellen Bennett. He was a retired cook from the U.S. Army.
Survivors include two sons, James (Angela) Roundtree of Greenwood and Teddy Worsley of Miami, FL; one daughter, Cheryl Worsley of Greenwood; two sisters, Della Worsley of Baltimore, MD, and Anne Mims of Crystal River, FL; three grandchildren, Freddie L. Warthen III of Augusta, GA, Talliyah Davis and Jamiya Roundtree of Greenwood. The family is at the home of his daughter, 109 Barley Drive (Wheatfield Subdivision). Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc.

Opinion

New criminal gang law right thing for the times

June 15, 2007

Some law enforcement officers in South Carolina have said in recent years they would crack down on gang members and gang activities ..... if! The only problem, they said, is that it’s difficult to determine just what constitutes a gang, so, in effect, their hands have been tied to a great extent.
That should be a problem no longer. The State Legislature has passed and Gov.. Mark Sanford has signed a new law dealing with this growing threat to the people of the Palmetto State. It is titled the “Criminal Gang Prevention Act,” and its supporters say it gives law enforcement officers more tools to prosecute gang activity. It didn’t come without opposition, though. But, then, what criminal law does?

SOME PEOPLE, NO DOUBT, will still maintain there are no gangs around and, therefore, no gang activity as such. In fact, Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington, says the biggest obstacle to the law was getting some communities to understand they have a problem. There have been any number of circumstances, however, that prove a problem exists. Believing there is no problem is a false assumption ..... either that or it’s an effort to derail stronger enforcement of the law where gangs are concerned.
According to officials the new law will better define a criminal gang, therefore making it easier for law enforcement officials to act. Furthermore, the new law will establish a State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) database for tracking gang activity in the state. Better yet, it gives the State Grand Jury additional powers in prosecuting gang activity.

GOVERNOR SANFORD SAYS “Bills like this are incredibly important, because at the end of the day how safe we are in our homes and neighborhoods is a quality of life issue.”
It is indeed. According to SLED, gang-related crimes are increasing, with about 700 committed last year. Before 1990, the governor’s office noted, six percent of law enforcement agencies in South Carolina had reported gang-related activity. By 2001, more than half - 52 percent - reported gang activity within their jurisdictions.
New tools to fight this blight were long overdue. Now the laws have been enhanced to help get the job done..... and there’s only one thing left to do: Use the laws as intended, not just by law enforcement agencies, but all the way through the justice system.