2 injured in wreck

Police say 3-car wreck in Ninety Six caused by improper passing

June 4, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

NINETY SIX – Three vehicles were involved in a wreck just after 4 p.m. Sunday on S.C. Highway 34.
Lydia Biais, the driver of a white Pontiac Grand Am, was about to make a left turn off the highway when a violet four-door Nissan Altima, driven by Dejon A. Perkins, of Ninety Six, collided with her car while trying to make a pass.
“He just hit me and then hit the other car,” Biais said, visibly still shaken from the wreck.
“I think he tried to miss me, and it didn’t work.”
Lance Cpl. Bob Beres of the S.C. Highway Patrol said Biais was “stopped westbound on S.C. 34 attempting a left on (S.C.) 131 when the Nissan sideswiped her and then struck the Mazda, injuring both .”
The driver of the Mazda, Latanya L. Crosby, and passenger Shirley Johnson, of from Jenkinsville, were taken to Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood to be treated for injuries. Both were wearing seat belts.
Biais was not hurt and remained at the scene; Perkins also stayed with no visible injuries.
Biais’ vehicle sustained damage to the driver’s side, but the Pontiac was in much better condition than the other two vehicles involved.
The Nissan activated its airbags and was missing the entire rear driver’s side axle. The Mazda had substantial damage to the front driver’s side.
Three tow trucks carried away the vehicles.

Self checkout: Making grocery shopping faster

June 4, 2007

By LARRY SINGER
Index-Journal staff writer

For many grocery shoppers, the supermarket checkout line can be a place that frequently elicits the full spectrum of emotions, ranging from tedium and frustration to barely suppressed rage.
This is especially true if your entire purchase consists of a jar of mustard, two cans of soup and a carton of milk, and the two carts ahead of yours appear to contain more than 100 items.
About 11 years ago, the major supermarket chains, having sensed a fair degree of customer dissatisfaction with traditional checkout lane scenarios, began testing checkout systems that would let customers — especially those with only a few items — check out by themselves.
This simple concept allows shoppers to scan and bag their own goods, pay with cash or plastic, and get out of the store quickly.
Officially, those supermarket chains that have adopted the do-it-yourself checkout system have done so because the productivity of the supermarket is maintained; no significantly increased floor space is required; one supervisor of the self-serve checkout system is able to carry out his or her duties effectively; and the co-existence of the do-it-yourself checkout lanes with conventional checkout lanes is seamless.
Unofficially, using a do-it-yourself checkout lane empowers grocery store customers by allowing them to think they have conquered a new, cutting-edge technology and retaken control of at least one small part of their lives.
Most of the do-it-yourself systems use computer-generated voice and visual directions on a touch-screen monitor to guide shoppers through the checkout process. Most use scales that detect attempts to steal unscanned merchandise.
While trained cashiers can scan and bag goods faster than even the most adept dilettante, self-checkout lets the shopper think that, because they are taking an active part in the ritual, the checkout seems to go faster.
And when there are long lines at the old-school registers, a self-checkout system seems even speedier.
To enhance this illusion of speed and empowerment, the three main vendors of do-it-yourself systems — Optimal Robotics, NCR and PSC — have dubbed their respective products U-Scan, FastLane and QuickCheck.
In 2007, while the do-it-yourself checkout lane has not replaced cashiers, the novelty’s popularity has expanded remarkably, and its use by grocery stores and their customers grows daily.
The do-it-yourself checkout system is now being used by grocers across the country, from the three largest chains — Kroger, Albertson’s and Safeway — to smaller regional or upscale chains such as A&P, Pathmark and Harris Teeter.
“Bi-Lo operates 228 stores,” said a spokesman for the multi-state grocery chain. “Of those, approximately 130 stores have U-Scans.”
According to Wal-Mart, the chain has 2,200 stores in four countries — including the store in Greenwood — with self-checkout lanes.
“Customers tell us they choose to use this process for a variety of reasons, including shorter lines and greater privacy,” said Wal-Mart spokesman Kory Lundberg.
At the Northside Plaza Bi-Lo, four out of the 10 checkout lanes are of the do-it-yourself variety.
One recent morning, Delsie Horne, of Greenwood, was quickly grabbing items out of her grocery cart, dragging them across the glass scanner in front of her, and adeptly filling plastic bags on a carousel with her purchases.
“I use the do-it-yourself checkout lanes because they’re convenient,” Horne said. “When I scan my groceries myself, I’m in and out in the time I’d just be standing in line.”
Ted Boyd has been the manager of Northside Bi-Lo for eight years, and said the do-it-yourself checkout lanes have only been in place for three or four years.
“When I first heard the U-Scans were going in, I thought it was a great idea,” Boyd said. “A good percentage of our shoppers use them.”
The primary reason for their popularity, Boyd said, is they are easy to learn and simple to use.
“They are convenient for our consumers,” he said. “Our customers really like it. We show the folks who haven’t used it how to use it, and a lot of times they come back and use it all the time.”

Obituaries

Amon Brock

McCORMICK — Amon Brock, 67, husband of Elizabeth Brock, died June 2, 2007.
Living in McCormick for 17 years, he was a heavy equipment operator. Survivors include his wife and two sons, Kalven and Chriss. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Monday, June 4, 2007 at Strom Funeral Home. Burial will be in Lesil, Kentucky. Strom Funeral Home is in charge.

Frances J. Hendrix

EASLEY — Frances James Hendrix, 79, of 103 Grant Street, died Sunday, June 3, 2007, at Palmetto Health Baptist in Easley.
Born in Central, she was a daughter of the late Odie James, Sr. and Betty James James. Mrs. Hendrix retired from Glenwood Mill and was a member of Enon Baptist Church and the TEL Sunday School Class.
Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and Tommy Eddy, of Ninety Six; two brothers, Charles O. James, of Huntsville, Alabama and Odie “Shot” James, Jr., of Greenville; three sisters, Evelyn Crane and Norma Owens, both of Pendleton, and Betty J. Honea, of Westminster; two grandchildren, Tommy Eddy, Jr., of Simpsonville, and Allen D. Eddy, of Ninety Six.
Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Enon Baptist Church conducted by the Reverend Josh Jennings. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Family members are at their respective homes and will receive friends at the church Tuesday from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Enon Baptist Church, 871 Enon Church Road, Easley, SC 29640 or to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 85, Ninety Six, SC 29666.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home - Downtown, which is assisting the family.

Cathy Reyes

ABBEVILLE — Cathy J. Reyes, 36, of Abbeville, wife of Mike Reyes, died Saturday, June 2, 2007. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Harris Funeral Home.

Jennie Steifle

Jennie Young Steifle, 82, formerly of Cambridge Apartments, widow of William W. “Bill” Steifle, died June 3, 2007 at Magnolia Manor.
Born August 1, 1924 in McCormick County, she was a daughter of the late Thomas O. and Martha Ellen Wiley Young. She was a member of Troy United Methodist Church.
Surviving are two daughters, Jo Latham of Greenwood, and Patsy Corley and her husband, Jimmy, of Edgefield; four grandchildren, Amanda Latham, Jacy C. Crocker, Tyler Corley, and Cody Corley; a sister-in-law, Nina Young of Troy; four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Steifle was predeceased by a grandson, Josh Latham.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at Troy United Methodist Church with Dr. Keith Polk and Rev. George Boyd officiating. Burial will be in Troy Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be nephews and great-nephews.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
The family is at their respective homes and will receive friends from 6-8 Monday evening at the funeral home.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the dedicated staff of Magnolia Manor and Hospice Care of the Piedmont for the love and care their mother received.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Steifle family.

Opinion

Common sense trend ...
... could it really happen?

June 4, 2007

There have been many debates in Greenwood and elsewhere over when public schools should start for the fall semester. As starting dates were being set earlier and earlier around South Carolina, there was such a backlash state lawmakers mandated that public schools could not start before the third Monday in August.
There were, to be sure, arguments on both sides of the issue. Even though many still believe earlier starts would be beneficial, the later start is now state policy.
In yet another school dispute, one school official may have put the whole situation in perspective, one that makes a lot more sense than some “plans” proposed.
New Charleston County Superintendent Nancy McGinley addressed a controversy there that would put starting times for county schools at odds.
She’s right, too.

BECAUSE HIGH SCHOOLS wanted to change their daily starting times to a later hour, that would, if put into effect, set much earlier daily starting times for elementary schools. Bus schedules, for one thing, impacted the situation. Elementary school parents balked ..... big time.
McGinley wisely noted that more time was needed to get parents’ thoughts on the changes. She also observed that schools enroll families, not just children and the district needed to be respectful of parents’ wishes before making such big decisions.
Now, there’s a commentary on common sense ..... something that doesn’t seem to be all that common anymore ..... in some school districts or anywhere else. If we’re lucky, that could start a whole new trend: Common sense.