TheState.com: Local News

Pet of the Week, May 22: Gabby

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:11 EDT

Meet Gabby! This sweet Walker Hound is two years old and full of life. She is gentle and loves to meet new people. Gabby is fun and energetic, especially when it’s time to go outside and play. One of her favorite toys is a tennis ball. Though found as a stray, she is still a happy girl who needs only some stability and a place she can finally call home. Can you give Gabby the love and home she longs for?

Come visit Gabby and her friends at the Columbia Animal Shelter, located at 127 Humane Lane, off Shop Road. For more information, please call (803) 776-7387.

Please remember that all of our pets need loving homes. To view other animals available for adoption, visit Petfinder.com.

Columbia Animal Shelter

South Congaree administrator back on the job

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:48 EDT

South Congaree town administrator Melisha Shumpert was back at work Wednesday overseeing the daily operation of Town Hall after three weeks off.

She returned after a divided Town Council agreed to bring her back from a leave on which she was placed following a May 1 raid in which federal and state investigators took documents and other items.

The probe is not aimed at the community, Mayor Jerry McCormick said.

“It has nothing to do with the town,” he said, declining to say what investigators explained in subsequent meetings with town leaders.

Town Council members agreed 3-2 late Tuesday to bring back Shumpert immediately.

Moped driver killed in Kershaw crash might have been on cell phone

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:19 EDT

A woman who died driving a moped in Kershaw County might have been on her cell phone when she crashed into an oncoming pickup truck shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday, Kershaw County coroner Johnny Fellers said Wednesday.

The woman, who was in her 40s, died at the scene and was not wearing a protective helmet, SC Highway Patrol Trooper Lance Cpl. Brent Kelly said.

Fellers identified the woman as Carolyn Morrison, 57, of Camden.

“We found her cell phone open,” Fellers said. “She was calling somebody about the same time this accident happened.”

Kelly said the incident happened on Brewer Springs Road near Williams Road when the moped drifted over the center line in the road and collided with an oncoming 1990 Ford pickup, Kelly said.

Bolton: Why put weight of obesity in SC just on food stamp recipients?

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:25 EDT

NOT EVERYONE who receives food stamps in South Carolina is overweight.

As a matter of fact, most overweight people in our state aren’t in the food stamp program.

You couldn’t tell that by the way people are jumping on the bandwagon as Gov. Nikki Haley, Department of Health and Environmental Control Director Catherine Templeton and others mount a crusade to stop every soul who receives food stamps (in the form of an EBT card, of course) from using them to purchase sodas, chips and other fattening foods.

Gov. Haley and others argue that government shouldn’t allow food stamps to be used to buy unhealthy food. They’re hoping the U.S. Department of Agriculture will grant South Carolina a waiver that allows it to place restrictions on what people can buy using the public assistance.

There’s no doubt that government has the right to — and in most instances should — dictate what is bought with taxpayer-provided dollars. But I’m struggling in this instance because this crusade is directed toward all poor people, not all overweight people or the fat-inducing products.

Fort Mill convenience store sells $2 million Powerball ticket

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:11 EDT

The business sign is K 1 Mart. The paperwork with the state is K Won Mart.

Regardless, one person won big Saturday, purchasing a $3 Powerball ticket worth $2 million at the convenience store in Fort Mill.

The ticket was one of two $2 million tickets sold in the richest Powerball drawing ever. One person took the top prize of $590.5 million, buying a ticket at Publix grocery store in Zephyrhills, Fla., outside Tampa.

The person who purchased the $2 million ticket in Fort Mill matched all of the winning numbers – 10, 13, 14, 22 and 52 – but not the Powerball number 11. The ticker holder also purchased the Powerplay option for $1, doubling the winnings to $2 million.

The other $2 million winner purchased their ticket in New York.

Community Calendar for the Midlands, May 22

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:24 EDT

THURSDAY

THE LOURIE CENTER: Storytelling/oral history workshop led by Julia McKinney, 10-11 a.m. Thursdays through Aug. 1 (except July 4) at 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park). Lunch and learn, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, “Eat This, Not That,” Mary Katherine Benya, a gerontologist at USC will speak on restaurant and nutritional pitfalls, what to eat and what to avoid when dining out. West African drumming workshop, 1 p.m. Thursday. Dick Moons of the Next Door Drummers will lead a rousing yet easy group drum lesson, followed by a drumming session. All skill levels are welcome. These programs are free and open to the public. (803) 779-1971; http://www.louriecentersc.com

JAYNE BOWERS BOOK SIGNING: 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday at Books on Broad, 944 Broad St., Camden. The Camden native will discuss and sign “Eve’s Sisters” and “Crossing the Bridge: Succeeding in a Community College and Beyond.” (803) 713-7323; http://www.booksonbroad.com

RHYTHM AND BLOOMS, MUSIC AND ART IN THE GARDEN: Reggie Sullivan Trio (jazz), 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Riverbanks Botanical Garden, 1300 Botanical Parkway, West Columbia. New this year, guests will have an opportunity to visit with and watch local artists dig into their work. Cash bar and food will be available for purchase. $5; members, free with valid membership card and picture ID. http://www.riverbanks.org

FRIDAY

Bill would force SC schools to be more careful with athletes’ concussions

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:47 EDT

A high school athlete who suffers a concussion will have to get approval from a physician before returning to sports activities, according to a bill being considered by the state Senate.

The bill, H.3061, has passed the House, but it was amended by a Senate committee. If the full Senate approves the bill, the House must approve the amended version before it goes to Gov. Nikki Haley.

The bill has the backing of the S.C. Medical Association, the S.C. Athletic Trainers’ Association and the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina, all of which contributed to its content.

“All of the players have done a fantastic job of listening to us on this,” said Craig Clark, head athletics trainer at Furman University and president-elect of the state athletics trainers association. “It’s going to help take care of the athletes in South Carolina.”

Concussions have drawn more scrutiny in recent years as researchers have detailed an increase in the diagnosis of traumatic brain injuries among all athletes — from the National Football League to high school players. While football gets the most attention, concussions are common among basketball, hockey and soccer players.

Columbia’s city parks need cash and care, study advises

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:51 EDT

Columbia’s park system is outdated, underfunded and out of touch with community needs – and without serious attention, it will continue to crumble, according to a consulting study given Tuesday to City Council.

The study, written by the Genesis Consulting Group, cites an array of problems in a park system that includes 16 city pools, 55 tennis courts, 58 parks and some 600 acres of green space.

“It is our professional opinion that many of the facilities have passed their useful life and that needs are now beyond maintenance,” the Genesis study says.

Even Finlay Park, Columbia’s highest-profile community open space for two decades, is showing signs of age, parks director Jeff Caton said. The pond and fountain have structural problems that need attention, Caton said after the meeting.

Genesis Consulting did not say how much it would cost to upgrade Columbia’s park system. Those figures will be developed in the next year and presented to City Council for action, Caton said. Columbia’s park system now operates on a $9.4 million budget.

Moore tornado aftermath

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:40 EDT

Lexington taxes rising to pay for cops, firefighters and medical care

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:26 EDT

Lexington County residents will dig a little deeper into their wallets in coming months to pay primarily for law enforcement, fire protection and emergency medical care.

A divided County Council on Tuesday settled on a $110 million spending plan that includes a property tax increase of $12.15 on a home valued for tax purposes at $100,000, the maximum raise allowed by the state tax cap.

Highlights of the financial plan for the year starting July 1 include:

Four more deputies, well short of the 16 that Sheriff James Metts sought

• 10 more firefighters, part of an effort to reduce response time to blazes to help lower insurance bills for homeowners and businesses.

Heavy rain causes downtown flooding in Columbia

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:13 EDT

By evening rush hour, the water had mostly drained away, but earlier Tuesday, several downtown Columbia intersections were under water and nearly impassible after a line of storms moved over the Midlands.

The intersections particularly hard hit were Sumter Street at Hampton Street, Blossom Street at Saluda Avenue and Whaley Street at Main Street, Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins said.

Community Calendar for the Midlands, May 21

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:44 EDT

TUESDAY

CLEMSON SANDHILL REC FARMERS MARKET: 2-7 pm. Tuesdays until Thanksgiving at 900 Clemson Road (across from the Village at Sandhill). A variety of fresh fruits, produce, baked goods, seafood, meats, crafts,plants and various natural products are available from local farmers and entrepreneurs. This year the market is also a collection point for Harvest Hope Food Bank. http://www.clemson.edu/sandhill/programs/market

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road. Good exercise and fun. (803) 345-0158 or email billmac85@yahoo.com

BEGINNER’S SQUARE AND ROUND DANCE LESSONS: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Yellow Rock Hall, 2211 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia. $20 per month. (803) 740-1344; http://www.yellowrockhall.com

THURSDAY

Don’t come yet, Okla. says, but SC personnel ready to help

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:32 EDT

South Carolina disaster relief teams remained on alert Tuesday to assist victims of the Oklahoma tornado, but for now the word from their Oklahoma counterparts was this: Send financial donations, but hold off on food, clothing and volunteers.

“Right now, they are saying please let the first responders do their job,” said Cliff Satterwhite, vice-chairman of S.C. VOAD, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, and the longtime director of the state’s Southern Baptist disaster relief operation. South Carolina personnel and volunteers, whether they work with the Red Cross, Salvation Army or faith organizations, should know in three or four days whether they will be needed, said Satterwhite, who retired from his position with the S.C. Baptist Convention but remains as an adviser.

Many of the state’s emergency rescue personnel are participating in a massive emergency exercise this week in the Lowcountry, overseen by the S.C. National Guard. In an email, the head of the Oklahoma VOAD, urged other states to begin taking inventory of all available resources, personnel and volunteers that may be called on to assist. The S.C. Baptist Convention has 141 teams, ranging in size from 4 to 44 people, that can be deployed to provide meals, chaplaincy services, child care and debris removal, among other duties.

Tuesday night, the Palmetto SC region of the Red Cross updated its activity, noting that the agency has now deployed three volunteers, two to Oklahoma and one to Washington to assist with Oklahoma tornado relief from the Red Cross’ Disaster Operation Center.

In 1999, Southern Baptists responded to a devastating tornado in the same area of Oklahoma, although it cut a much narrower swath through the community of Moore. Satterwhite noted that states close to Oklahoma now have significant Baptist disaster relief operations that can come to the aid of victims of natural disasters. He said South Carolina Baptists have been deployed most recently along the East Coast aiding victims of Hurricane Sandy, with one team returning home this month.

Super tornadoes rare, but possible, in SC

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:32 EDT

Tornadoes with the ferocity of the one that hit Moore, Okla., on Monday are rare in South Carolina, but they have struck here before.

The Moore twister was an EF5 tornado with winds of more than 200 mph. The worst S.C. storm on record was an F4, using an earlier rating scale. However, that April 30, 1924 storm had some similarities to the Moore disaster.

Multiple twisters hit South Carolina on April 30, 1924, including an F3-rated tornado that wreaked havoc from Anderson County to York County, and an F4-rated tornado that left destruction from Aiken County to Florence County. The more southern of those storms became known as the “Horrell Hill Tornado” because it destroyed a small elementary school in that eastern Richland County community.

Four children in the school were among the 77 South Carolinians who lost their lives in the two April 30, 1924, tornadoes. Another 778 people were injured and 465 homes destroyed, according to the S.C. State Climatology Office.

The next day, every one of the 12 stories on the front page of The State dealt with some aspect of the tornado outbreak, including a plea for donations to help those who lost their homes. In photos, Horrell Hill School looks like nothing more than a pile of sticks. (See May 1, 1924 front page at the bottom of this story.)

Truck filled with explosive chemical catches fire in Newberry County

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:56 EDT

NEWBERRY, SC Crews in Newberry County spent more than 5 hours overnight Monday diffusing a potential explosive situation after a tanker truck full of ammonium nitrate caught fire on a rural road near Chappells.

After a mechanical failure about 10:30 p.m. Monday, the truck’s axles and tires caught on fire at SC 39 and Rose Bud Lane, according to Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster. Firefighters spent an hour dousing the truck with water and foam before the last flame was licked. Then, Foster said, crews were on scene until 4 a.m. Tuesday cleaning up spilled ammonium nitrate and clearing the road.

Crews from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, Newberry County Haz-mat team, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Department of Health and Environmental Control and Chappells Fire and Rescue have all responded to the scene.

Ammonium nitrate is a chemical commonly used in fertilizer, but has also been used to construct makeshift bombs. Explosives used in the Oklahoma City bombings in 1995 contained ammonium nitrate.

Unattended cooking causes $50,000 mobile home fire in Lower Richland

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:47 EDT

Unattended cooking in a double-wide mobile home caused a fire that destroyed the structure, Columbia Fire Department officials said Tuesday morning.

No one was injured in the fire, which happened in Lower Richland on Harmon Road about 10:30 p.m. Monday, spokesman Brick Lewis said.

The fire did an estimated $50,000 worth of damages, he said.

“It was a really hard fire to get to,” Lewis said. “Down a winding dirt road.”

Lewis didn’t know how many people were living in the mobile home. But it was an occupant of the structure who called the fire in, he said.