Wreck jams bypass

‘Jaws of Life’ free 1 driver

March 24, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Judy Smith could only shake her head.
The Laurens resident sat calmly, taking deep breaths inside her car Friday afternoon as emergency personnel whisked by her.
They were working to stabilize a woman trapped in a mangled Ford Explorer XLT in the middle of a busy intersection marking the crossroads of the Highway 72/221 Bypass and West Cambridge Avenue in Greenwood.
She continued to shake her head — the woman inside should have been her.
“You know what they say about cheating death?” Smith asked. “That was supposed to be us. We were supposed to be the ones that got hit by that truck right there. She took our hit.”
Witnesses say as Kendra Chamberlain, who was traveling east on West Cambridge, attempted to turn left onto the bypass, she was struck nearly head-on by a white, older model extra cab Ford Ranger pickup truck.
Smith said the pickup was trying to beat the red light.
“He ran the red light,” she said.
While EMS workers climbed inside the Explorer to attend to Chamberlain, other emergency personnel scrambled to free her from the vehicle.
Eventually, workers removed the windshield with an axe before two “Jaws of Life” cutters were used on various parts of the sport utility vehicle.
Crowds began to gather at each corner of the busy intersection.
Also standing on the sidewalk were members of Chamberlain’s family. They had been reached on their cell phones and told the grim story.
Now they had to stand by and watch helplessly as their loved one grimaced in pain – while emergency workers hammered and cut away at her vehicle.
The driver of the white Ford pickup – unidentified as of press time – was removed from the scene within 15 or 20 minutes of the wreck.
Dana Lyons was stunned by what she saw.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” she said while the top portion of her cousin’s cab was peeled away. “Even in the movies I’ve never seen anything like that. That’s just crazy.”
“I’m just glad that she’s moving and that she’s alive,” said Jessica Jackson, another of Chamberlain’s relatives. “God I hope she’s going to be all right. I felt like I was in a video or something when they were pulling her out of there. It was like a movie. They did a wonderful job of getting her out of there. They slid her right out.”
Greenwood Police Capt. Hugh Butler, one of several officers on the scene. could not comment on the cause of the wreck, adding that neither of the victims could be questioned.
He added that any possible charges stemming from the wreck would likely not be forwarded until at least Monday by the investigating officer.

Pet scare keeps retailers vigilant

Massive recall of dog/cat food has buyers wary

March 24, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Tommy Dixon was suspicious of the Cadillac-brand cans of “cut & gravy”-style dog food he saw on the shelf at a local store Wednesday.
He knew the brand had been included in a massive national recall of pet food (both dog and cat food brands) produced by Menu Foods of Canada that has been blamed for animals’ kidney failure and numerous pet deaths.
But as it turns out, the dog food — on the shelf at a local Dollar General — was quite safe. None of the cans being sold were included on a list of production dates and lot numbers that have been recalled.
The cans at Dollar General were safe because assistant store manager Linda Kidd had long since pulled the affected products.
“We got to it before the doors opened,” Kidd said after receiving notification of the recall Monday. “As soon as we got the information we pulled it.”
None of her Cadillac-brand cans matched the recall numbers, but Kidd did throw out two small boxes of Mighty Dog-brand food pouches, although she was not positive that they matched any particular lot numbers.
“I went ahead and threw them out as a precaution,” she said.
Word of the expanding pet food recall — which has affected several local chains including Wal-Mart and Food Lion — went out to stores quickly.
Any affected items should have been pulled at each local location, and retailers are also posting signs on their empty shelves.
Incoming stock trucks are also being checked carefully.
In a new development Friday, a spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets told The Associated Press that rat poison has been found in the tainted products produced by Menu Foods.
Over 60 million cans and pouches have been recalled, and products include 95 brand names distributed across North America.
One of the most popular national brands to have been included in the recall is Purina’s Mighty Dog. In a press release issued on the company’s Web site at www.mightydog.com, the company says:
“Only Mighty Dog 5.3-ounce pouch products are being withdrawn by Nestlé Purina, including those pouches contained in multi-packs. No Mighty Dog canned products, or any other Purina products are affected by Menu’s recall. The Mighty Dog pouch products and pouches in multi-pack cartons have code dates of 6337 through 7073, followed by the plant code 1798. This information should be checked on the bottom or back panel of the individual pouches. Specifically, if the code following the “Use By” date begins with four numbers from 6337 to 7073 followed by the plant code 1798, then the pouch is included in this voluntary withdrawal.”
A listing of the entire scope of affected products — as well as specific lot numbers — is available online at www.menufoods.com/recall.
Dixon was relieved to hear that local stores and national retailers are taking such notice and precaution. He knows what it’s like to lose a pet — and a close friend.
Dixon lost his 7-year-old Boxer “Trevor” earlier this month in a mysterious and sudden manner.
While he admits his pet’s death did not happen in any known connection with the recall — “Trevor” was never fed any of the brands listed — he still feels that pet owners should stay on the lookout.
“People should still be careful what they’re feeding their pets,” Dixon cautions. “Losing a pet is like losing a relative. It’s traumatic. I’m just glad that they didn’t have any of (the recalled dog food). Thank goodness.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report

Obituaries

Charles Blaich Jr.

Funeral services for Charles Allen Blaich of Greenwood, S.C., and formerly of Kershaw, S.C., 73, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2007 at Baker Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Kershaw City Cemetery. Rev. Hugh McKinney will officiate.
Mr. Blaich died Thursday, March 22, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood, S.C. Born in Birmingham, Ala., he was the son of the late Charles Allen, Sr. and Elizabeth McLane Blaich. Mr. Blaich served in the United States Marine Corps and retired from the Charleston Naval Weapon Station after 30 years of civil service. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Kershaw, S.C. Mr. Blaich was a loving, devoted husband and father.
Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Sally Byars Blaich; three daughters, Kitty Lewis and her husband, Ray of Greenwood, S.C., Anita Watkins and her husband, Tommy of Quinton, Va., Rebecca Smith and her husband, Doug of Blythewood, S.C.; 7 grandchildren, Stephanie Fries, Ray Lewis, II, Lindsey Lewis, Brynna Watkins, Christina McDaniel, Justin Smith and Kyle Smith; 3 great-grandchildren, Kathryn Fries, Madison McDaniel and Landry McDaniel; a sister, Susan Blaich Burton of Kershaw, S.C.; two brothers, John McLane “Mack” Blaich of Florence, S.C., and Robert L. “Bobby” Crawford of Kershaw, S.C.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2007, prior to the service at Baker Funeral Home and other times at the home of Nick and Ruth Lucas, 309 W. Welsh Street, Kershaw, S.C.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, S.C. 29210 or your local Humane Society.
Condolences may be e-mailed to bakerfh@windstream.net and will be delivered to the family.
Baker Funeral Home, 210 E. Hilton Street, Kershaw, S.C. 29067 is serving the family of Mr. Blaich (803) 475-3771.

April D. Bryan

April Dawn Davenport Bryan, 21, of 127 Clifton Street, wife of John Bryan, Jr., died Wednesday, March 21, 2007, from injuries received in an accident.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home and Crematory.
The family is at the home of Paul and Eunice Horne, 301 Parker Avenue.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Mary Emma Burton

Mary Emma Burton, 80, of 113 N. Bethune St., widow of Wallace Burton, died Friday, March 23, 2007, at the Hospice House of the Piedmont.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

James Emert

James E. Emert, 80, of 101 Crooked Road, husband of Ina Ball Emert, died Thursday, March 22, 2007, at Hospice House.
Born in Jonesborough, TN, he was a son of the late John Leroy and Dinah Hyatt Emert. He was retired from Daniel Construction and was a US Army veteran of World War II. He was a member and past master of Eureka Lodge No. 47 A.F.M. and was a member of Siloam Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters and was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Surviving are his wife of 57 years; four children, Kathy Alewine and Darryl Kuenzer of Hodges, Jimmy and Cathy Emert, Randy and Sharla Emert, and Tim Emert and Terrell Cameron, all of Ninety Six; a son-in-law, Gene Alewine of Belton; ten grandchildren, Kim Jones, Jodi Shenal, Bill Alewine, Jeremy Alewine, Kevin Alewine, Whittney Emert Walton, Jenna Emert, Jonathan Emert, Blake Emert and Alex Emert; seven great-grandchildren, Austin Colson, Katelyn Jones, Tristen Jones, Tyler Shenal, Harlee Alewine, Kaylee Ricks and Andrew Emert; several nieces and nephews; special niece, Ruby and last, but not least, his pet dog, Peanut.
Services will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Jason Webb and the Rev. Dale Ball officiating. Burial, with Masonic rites, will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be grandsons.
Honorary escort will be Masons.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice House, HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Syble Scoggins Hall

ABBEVILLE — Syble Scoggins Hall, 86, of 102 Look Out Lane, wife of the late J.W. Hall, passed away Thursday, March 22, 2007, at the HospiceCare of the Piedmont Hospice House. She was born in Iva, SC to the late Flora Scoggins Williams.
Mrs. Hall retired from the Abbeville Sewing Plant after many years and was a member of Westside Baptist Church, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post No. 6087, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post No. 2, and a proud supporter of the Lowndesville Community Senior Center.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a son, Benny O’Neal Cheek.
Surviving Mrs. Hall is her son, Buddy Cheek, a daughter-in-law, Margaret Campbell Cheek, both of Hilton Head Island; a brother, James “Jimbo” Scoggins of Greenwood; two sisters, Reba Higgenbotham of Elberton, GA, and Jackie Brown of Abbeville; three grandchildren, Kelly, John, and Jodi; and three great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2007, at the Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2007, in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery. The family is at the residence.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Hall may be sent to the Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, PO Box 1178, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hall family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Hall family.

Larry Hughes

Larry Hughes, 67, of 152 Kimberly Lane, husband of Elaine Hurt Hughes, died Friday, March 23, 2007, at St. Francis Hospital, Greenville.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Rice Memorial Baptist Church, with the Rev. Alvin Hodges officiating. Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home of his daughter, Kitty Coker, 108 Applegate Court.

Randall Hughes

ENOREE — Randall Hughes, 61, of Enoree, SC, husband of Joan Dellinger Hughes, died Friday, March 23, 2007, at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice House. He was born in Abbeville County to the late Carl Basil and Ruby Norrell Hughes. He attended Enoree Church of God.
Surviving Mr. Hughes is his wife of 39 years of the home, a son, Nevit Hughes of Greer, SC, a sister, Gwen Martin of Abbeville, and a host of extended family and friends.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2007, at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, March 26, 2007, at the Abbeville Pentecostal Holiness Church. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions in memory of Mr. Hughes may be sent to the Spartanburg Regional Hospice, 686 Jeff Davis Dr., Spartanburg, SC 29302.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hughes family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Hughes family.

Gwendolyn Key

COLUMBIA — Gwendolyn Renia Key, of 133 Chaunticlear Drive, died unexpectedly Thursday, March 22, 2007.
The family is at the home of her parents, Larry and Patricia Key, 735 Highway 283, Plum Branch.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home, McCormick.

William J. Meece

WARE SHOALS — William J. Meece, 68, husband of Betty Oulla Meece, of 5689 Highway 252, died at his home Friday, March 23, 2007.
The family is at the home of Don and Ruby O’Dell, 503 Maddox Bridge Road.
Services will be announced by Parker-White Funeral Home.

Pearlie Mae Watson

VERDERY — Pearlie Mae Watson, 98, widow of Clarence A. Watson, died Friday, March 23, 2007 at the Abbeville Nursing Home.
The family is at the home of her daughter-in-law, Maude Watson Bell, 119 Muckaway Road, Bradley.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home and Crematory, Greenwood.

Opinion

Helping lives and people what drives United Way

March 24, 2007

The words “caring,” “giving” and “helping” say all that needs saying about the United Way. However, this umbrella organization that turns those words into living symbols of the very essence of community would not be the same without the many volunteers that share themselves with their neighbors.
It happens every year, of course, and we’re all better for it. And, year after year, the common effort increases and the caring, giving and helping are given new life and more people are able to share the warmth that comes with that community compassion that appears to have no end.
Once in a while, though, a volunteer sums it all up succinctly and puts it all in perspective.

THIS YEAR, ANGELA S. Williams, a secretary for public information and publications with Greenwood School District 50 and recipient of the Campaign Volunteer of the Year Award for the United Way of Greenwood and Abbeville Counties, did just that.
“This organization is all about helping lives and people. We come together as a team to help people within our community who are in need.”
Remember those words when next year’s campaign begins. They are never outdated, and they say more about where we all live than we can sometimes imagine.
When a community cares, like this one, who could ask more?