Local Radar

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Strom Thurmond vs Batesburg-Leesville Football game available on live Webcast tonight
web posted August 31, 2007
WEBNEWS – The Strom Thurmond - Batesburg-Leesville Football game will be available online beginning at 7:00 EST. A full recap of the game will be available Monday by EdgefieldDaily.com's Sports. The score will be posted online within 3-5 minutes of the game ending. The webcast is made available by the Edgefield County School District and 92.7 FM.
Strom Thurmond/92.7FM

Baby ejected in SUV rollover (Photos)
web posted August 31, 2007
NORTH AUGUSTA – Shortly before 4 pm Thursday emergency personnel were called to a crash on Martintown Road just inside Aiken County. Rescue workers were notified one of the occupants, a baby in a car seat, had been ejected from the vehicle in the crash.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Gov. Sanford Signs Executive Order to Require Spending Transparency
web posted August 31, 2007
COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford issued Executive Order 2007-14 on Thursday, a new directive aimed at providing citizens with a greater degree of information about how their tax dollars are being spent. The Spending Transparency Executive Order was developed in concert with Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom's office, with the goal of bringing more accountability to where tax dollars are being spent.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Closings for Monday
web posted August 29, 2007
COUNTY – The following will be closed on Labor Day, Monday September 3. All Edgefield County Government Offices and Court House, Edgefield, Johnston, and Trenton Town Halls, and the U.S. Postal Service.

Watson pleads guilty to murder of infant 
web posted August 29, 2007
EDGEFIELD – Devin Antoine Watson, 26, of Edgefield has escaped a possible death sentence by pleading guilty to a charge of murder by child abuse on Wednesday. Watson and his girlfriend Mary Christina Dey, now 21, were both charged after bringing their 13-month old son to the Edgefield County Hospital because he stopped breathing on August 5, 2003. Doctors called police when it became obvious the infant had been the victim of long-term abuse. Darrell Watson died shortly after 8 am on August 7.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Baby killer takes coward's way out
web posted August 30, 2007
OPINION – After four years in the Edgefield County Detention Center Devin Antoine Watson, 26, copped a plea agreement on Wednesday to avoid being put to death for the murder of his own 13-month old son. Watson is awaiting a sentencing hearing on September 10 at the Edgefield County Courthouse that is said to carry a possible sentence of between 15 to 30 years in prison. Watson is a coward and once he refused to plea a deal offered on Monday, he should have been forced to face trial.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Gov. Sanford announces statewide victim notification system
web posted August 30, 2007
COLUMBIA – Governor Mark Sanford and S.C. Department of Corrections Director Jon Ozmint announced Wednesday morning an expanded victim notification system in South Carolina. The expanded notification system will provide online notification and information as well as a 24-hour toll free number victims can call to find out the status of an offender.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Strom Thurmond Seniors out Rank Nation on the SAT
web posted August 29, 2007
COUNTY – For the first time in history college bound seniors at Strom Thurmond High School out performed students across the nation on the SAT, the nations most prestigious measure of academic achievement.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Death of Trenton woman ruled accidental
web posted August 29, 2007
EDGEFIELD – The investigation into the death of a Trenton woman has been completed and ruled accidental Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Randy Doran said Tuesday. Hazel Rosier, 37, of Nicholson Road, died last Wednesday from injuries she received in a horseback riding accident at Mount Vintage Plantation on Thursday, August 16.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Vision 20/20 Kick-Off Meeting Scheduled
web posted August 29, 2007
JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Edgefield County Council will conduct a public forum on Monday, September 17, 2007 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at J-E-T Middle School located at 1095 Columbia Road (SC Hwy. 23) between Edgefield and Johnston.  This will be the first of five meetings that lead to the completion of the Edgefield County Vision 20/20 Plan.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Gov. Sanford Names Remainder of Adoption Task Force
web posted August 29, 2007
COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford named the remainder of his Children in Foster Care and Adoption Services Task Force on Tuesday, a group created last month by Executive Order and tasked with identifying ways to improve the efficiency and quality of the state's foster care and adoption processes. In particular, the group will focus on reducing the time it takes to find permanent adoptive homes for the most vulnerable children across South Carolina.
EdgefieldDaily.com

A Column by the Editor: U.S. - the most well armed nation in the world
A Column by the Editor
web posted August 29, 2007
COLUMN – The Untied States of America is the most well armed nation in the world. That may come as no surprise to some with our superior military might, but it is not the military that owns the guns, it is American citizens. Almost one third of all of the world’s 875 million guns are owned by U.S. citizens, a report by the Small Arms Survey 2007 by the Geneva-based Graduate Institute of International Studies shows. Over half of the 8 million guns produced each year are purchased by American civilians.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Source of Clinton's Cash Is an Unlikely Address
web posted August 29, 2007
DALY CITY, Calif. -- One of the biggest sources of political donations to Hillary Rodham Clinton is a tiny, lime-green bungalow that lies under the flight path from San Francisco International Airport.
Wall Street Journal

Off The Wall: 100-year-old celebrates her birthday by smoking 170,000th cigarette
web posted August 29, 2007
An iron-lunged pensioner has celebrated her 100th birthday by lighting up her 170,000th cigerette from a candle on her birthday cake. Winnie Langley started smoking only days after the First World War broke out in June 1914 when she was just seven-years-old - and has got through five a day ever since.
Off The Wall

Obituary
Helen B. Reese
web posted August 29, 2007
MERRIWETHER – Mrs. Helen B. Reese Clarks Hill, SC—Graveside Services for Mrs. Helen B. Reese, 79, of Woollawn Road, Clarks Hill, SC, who entered into rest August 27, 2007, will be conducted Thursday morning at 10:30 A.M. in the Pineview Memorial Gardens.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Edgefield County Magistrate's Office announces limited business hours during training
web posted August 28, 2007
EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield County Magistrate's Office will be closed from 8:30 am until 1 pm beginning on Monday, September 10 through October 5, 2007, in order to attend training sessions for the Case Management Computer System that is being implemented by the SC Court Administration. The office will open at 1 pm during this time.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Republican Senate candidate Bill Hixon responds to survey
web posted August 28, 2007
WEBNEWS – Answers to the questions for Republican Candidates for District 25 Senate by Bill Hixon.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Landmark site of copper theft
web posted August 28, 2007
EDGEFIELD – Edgefield Police were called to the Village Inn on the Edgefield Town Square Monday morning after construction workers arrived and found someone broke into the hotel, which is currently under renovations, and made off with at least $2,000 in material.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Vandals target Pine Ridge
JOHNSTON – The Pine Ridge Country Club has been the scene of vandals over the past week and now a theft with someone removing the flags for holes 14 through 18. The yellow flags with “Pine Ridge Country Club” printed on them, valued at $100 each, were discovered missing Saturday.
EdgefieldDaily.com

McCormick County Republican Party hosts picnic with Senate candidates today
MCCORMICK – The McCormick County Republican Party is hosting its annual picnic at Hickory Knob today from 6 until 9 pm. Among those in attendance will be US Rep. Gresham Barrett as the featured speaker. The Republican candidates for the District 25 Senate seat will also be on hand and will be speaking at the event. The public is invited to attend.

Advance ticket sales for Rebel's Friday night home opener on sale now
COUNTY – Advance tickets for the Strom Thurmond vs Batesburg-Leesville football game Friday night are on sale now. Ticket price is $6 and can be purchased at Strom Thurmond High School, Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle School, Merriwether Middle School, Monk’s Corner in Johnston, and Edgefield Office Supply in Edgefield. Advance ticket sales will end at noon Friday.

So You Think You Know Everything?
web posted August 28, 2007
CARL LANGLEY – The following is a weekly quiz compiled by retired newspaper reporter, editor and columnist Carl Langley. It is aimed at expanding a reader’s word power and general knowledge. Take the quiz and write down your answers to see how well you score.
EdgefieldDaily.com

NOTICE: Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce cancels candidate forum
web posted August 27, 2007
PSA – The Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce released that it is canceling the candidate forum previously scheduled for August 30.

Rebels drop season opener to North Augusta
web posted August 27, 2007
NORTH AUGUSTA –  North Augusta ended a three-game losing streak to Strom Thurmond in resounding fashion with a 27-17 win at Yellow Jacket Stadium Friday
night. After electrical storms caused a two-hour delay in the second quarter, Strom Thurmond scored two touchdowns on the way to a 17-0 halftime lead.
EdgefieldDaily.com Sports

Republican Candidate survey responses
web posted August 27, 2007
WEBNEWS – EdgefieldDaily.com submitted ten questions to the Republican candidates for the District 25 Senate seat. Only three candidates, Shane Massey, Chris Corley, and Jack Montgomery completed the survey and returned it to us. Read their answers as an aid in making your choice in the September 18 Republican primary.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Related Opinion: Will unresponsive candidates make unresponsive electors?
web posted August 27, 2007
OPINION – The deadline for providing the answers to the survey sent to the Republican candidates for the District 25 Senate race has passed. The candidates that did not return the survey were contacted and some “promised” to return the survey this past week. Of the six candidates, only three responded in time, the others either did not return calls, emails, nor fulfilled their “promise” to do so.
EdgefieldDaily.com

315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron:  Ready at a Moments Notice
web posted August 27, 2007
CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. -- When the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron is called upon for help, there is never a doubt that they will be ready. Seventeen Reservists from the 315th AES answered the call on Sunday and were deployed to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to stand at the ready for looming evacuations caused by Hurricane Dean.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Couple reports rattlesnake in neighbor’s home
web posted August 27, 2007
MERRIWETHER – About 4:30 Saturday afternoon a Merriwether woman called 911 to report a snake inside her neighbor’s home. The neighbors were out of town and she was caring for the family cat when she discovered the snake in the living room. “It’s about two feet long”, she said, with markings on its back and what looked to be a “rattle” at the end of the tail.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Soccer Registration ends this Saturday, forms available online
web posted August 27, 2007
PSA – Soccer registration forms have been delivered to the elementary and middle schools in the county. The forms should be sent home with all students by the end of the week. Forms are available at registration from 10:00 to 1:00 this Saturday,  September 1, at the soccer field in Edgefield. As usual, parents can mail the registration forms to the address listed on the top of the form. You may also download registration forms from EdgefieldDaily.com.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Vick Should Play, but for his Prison Team
By Carl Langley
EdgefieldDaily.com Guest Columnist
web posted August 27, 2007
GUEST COLUMN – The headline in the Augusta Chronicle read, “NAACP says Vick should play.” I agree. Vick, the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons professional football team caught running a dog fighting and gambling operation, should play for the football team at the federal prison he is heading for, unless the presiding judge gives him a probationary sentence.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Off The Wall: More "Thugs" and pit bulls: Pit Bulls, Guns Seized In Raid Of DMX's Home
web posted August 27, 2007
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Authorities raided the home of rapper DMX in Phoenix on Friday morning, Access Hollywood has learned.
Off The Wall

Illegal Alien Watch: Two Va. counties OK immigration crackdown
web posted August 27, 2007
Resolutions to deny a potentially wide range of public services to illegal immigrants have thrust two northern Virginia counties into the nation's immigration debate. The measures passed in July in Prince William and Loudoun counties join a flurry of recent efforts by local governments nationwide that believe the federal government has not done enough to stop illegal immigration.
Yahoo! News

Meet the Candidates (Photos)
Last updated August 13, 2007
WEBNEWS – With the campaign for the Republican nominee for the District 25 Senate race in full swing, EdgefieldDaily.com is featuring a Meet the Candidates page where each candidate will be listed along with their platforms and contact information. This page will also feature the questionnaire that is being sent to all candidates facing opposition in the Republican primary when it is completed and returned to us and will be updated as additional information is provided by the candidates.
Meet The Candidates

Strom Thurmon 17  North Augusta 27
web posted August 24, 2007
NORTH AUGUSTA  – The Strom Thurmond Rebels blew a 17 point lead to lose to North Augusta by a score of 17 to 27. North Augusta scored 27 unanswered points in the second half. Read the full story on Monday's Sports Report.

Thieves target trailers
web posted August 25, 2007
JOHNSTON – A Johnston business owner reported a Haulmark 8x10 trailer loaded with furniture and other items stolen from the side of the store located on the 200 block of Lee Street to the Johnston Police Department. The trailer was last seen on two days ago. The white trailer has a “Lazar” sticker and a small hole on one of the sides.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Letter to the Editor: Chamber thanks businesses and individuals for school supply drive
web posted August 25, 2007
Dear Editor,
On behalf of the Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce, I would personally like to thank all the businesses and individual persons who gave to our Back to School Supply Drive.  Your support of this great endeavor is greatly appreciated not only by the Chamber of Commerce, but also by the Edgefield County School District.  Your generous donations of supplies and or monies help get the school year off to a great beginning.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Strom Thurmond at North Augusta Football game available on live Webcast
web posted August 24, 2007
WEBNEWS – The Strom Thurmond - North Augusta Football game will be available online beginning at 7:30 EST. A full recap of the game will be available Monday by EdgefieldDaily.com's Sports. The webcast is made available by the Edgefield County School District and 92.7 FM.
Strom Thurmond/92.7FM

Trenton woman becomes second to die after fall from horse this summer
web posted August 24, 2007
MERRIWETHER – A Trenton woman has become the second person to die from injuries relating to horseback incidents this year. Hazel Rosier, 37, of Nicholson Road, died Wednesday from injuries she received in an apparent riding accident at Mount Vintage Plantation last Thursday, Deputy Coroner David Burnett said. Mr. Burnett said the results of an autopsy performed on Thursday in Newberry were not available at this time and could not provide a cause of death. The death is under investigation by the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Vaughn Presents Valorous Unit Award to Edgefield S.C. Unit (Photo)
web posted August 24, 2007
WEST COLUMBIA, SC – Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, Director of the Army National Guard, and Maj. Gen. Harry Burchstead, Deputy Adjutant General for the S.C. Army National Guard, presented the Edgefield-based 122nd Engineer Battalion with the Valorous Unit award on Saturday, August 11, 2007, here at Airport High school in West Columbia. 
EdgefieldDaily.com

Citizen News' Johnson receives heartfelt farewell (Photo)
web posted August 24, 2007
EDGEFIELD – After coming to Edgefield County last year to become Editor of the Citizen News, Frank Johnson bid farewell to friends and coworkers at a gathering at the Park Row Market No. 1 in Edgefield. Mr. Johnson has accepted a position with the Goose Creek Gazette, a member of the Charleston Post Courier media family.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Strom Thurmond High School and Career Center offer Pre-engineering Curriculum
web posted August 24, 2007
JOHNSTON – Penny Morris and Lee Williams have teamed Strom Thurmond High School and Career Center to offer a pre-engineering curriculum for students interested in entering a career in engineering or related fields. 
EdgefieldDaily.com

Off The Wall: Marbury Defends Vick - Calls Dogfighting a Sport
web posted August 24, 2007
NEW YORK (AP) - New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury defended Michael Vick, calling dogfighting a sport and comparing it to hunting.
Off The Wall

Fire turns up the heat on firefighters (Photos)
web posted August 23, 2007
MERRIWETHER – As temperatures topped 100 degrees Wednesday afternoon a man decided to burn some debris behind his house on the 2300 block of Martintown Road. He burnt the debris, and a little over two acres of adjacent pasture and forest bringing the Merriwether Fire Department to the area to fight the growing fire.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Soccer Registration starts this Saturday
web posted August 23, 2007
PSA - EDGEFIELD – Soccer registration forms have been delivered to the elementary and middle schools in the county. The forms should be sent home with all students by the end of next week. Forms are available at registration from 10:00 to 1:00 this Saturday, and will also be held Saturday, September 1 at the soccer field in Edgefield. As usual, parents can mail the registration forms to the address listed on the top of the form.

Gun stolen in burglary
web posted August 23, 2007
EDGEFIELD – A Buncombe Street man arrive at his home just before midnight Tuesday to find his home had been burglarized and called police. When Edgefield Police Officers arrived on the scene they observed the doorjamb of the front door to be consistent with someone kicking in a door.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Back to School Supply Drive a success
web posted August 23, 2007
JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce sponsored their annual Back to School Supply Drive this year and made the donations to Dr. Dr. Frank Roberson, Interim Superintendent by Janice Cleveland, representing Little Stevens Creek Baptist Church donors, and Donna Livingston, Executive Director of the Chamber.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Here's your card
web posted August 23, 2007
MERRIWETHER – A Merriwether man called Sheriff’s deputies to his Sweetwater Road home due to a disturbance. The man claimed there were four agents from a bonding company looking for another man at his home. When deputies arrived they spoke with the man who stated that his “drug supplier” had borrowed his truck and tried “to run over” one of the agents earlier in North Augusta, incident reports stated.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Accused Carjacker of Edgefield woman now in custody (Photo)
web posted August 22, 2007
AIKEN – The man police say is responsible for a series of carjackings, one including an Edgefield County woman, is now behind bars after an 11-mile car chase. Gary Lee Murphy, 31, a registered sex offender, is being held in Aiken County after a robbery at the Mani's Mart on Cary Drive in Beech Island on Sunday. Later a North Augusta Police Officer spotted Murphy driving a stolen car and gave chase into Augusta before returning to Aiken County where he was captured after a short foot chase when he abandoned the car.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Prowler suspect in theft of gun
web posted August 22, 2007
TRENTON – Early Tuesday morning a Trenton man called the Sheriff’s Office to report a prowler and the theft of a pistol from his Jeep Cherokee parked in his yard. The Winding Road man made the call about 2:46 am records show.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Off The wall: Judge Has Unprepared Lawyer Arrested
Off The Wall: An Ohio judge angered state and national defense lawyers after he had a public defender arrested for being unprepared for trial. Portage County Judge John Plough had assistant public defender Brian Jones arrested for contempt of court last week after Jones refused to begin a misdemeanor assault trial because he said he was unprepared. Jones was assigned to the case one day earlier.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Burglar cuts power to avoid alarm, video surveillance – caught on film anyway (Photos)
Investigators seek help from public to identify suspect
web posted August 21, 2007
MERRIWETHER – An employee arrived at Sportsman’s Corner around 5 am to discover the store had been burglarized finding the front door glass broken and the power meter removed from the building. Edgefield County Sheriff’s Investigators arrived a short time later and began investigating the crime and collecting evidence. Investigators said they believe the burglar thought knocking out the power would disable video surveillance cameras in the store, but he was wrong. Thinking the cameras were off the man did not cover his face or wear a mask. That is a break for investigators and they are seeking the help of the public to identify the suspect.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Car Wash site of weekend burglary
web posted August 21, 2007
TRENTON – A Trenton carwash was burglarized sometime early Saturday morning causing more damage to the business than the burglar stole in cash. The business owner arrived around 8:30 Saturday morning to clean the bays and found the door open and called police.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Local media to pose questions to Senate candidates at Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce sponsored forum
web posted August 21, 2007
JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a public forum to hear from the candidates for the upcoming Republican primary for the District 25 Senate seat. The event will be set in a format of candidates answering questions posed to them by a panel chosen from the local media.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Teacher, Citizen of the Year Banquet draws near – Citizen of the Year nominations still open
web posted August 21, 2007
JOHNSTON – Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce and the Edgefield County School District Invite you to our 4th Annual Celebration of Success Banquet where we honor our Citizen of the Year and Teachers of the Year.  The event will be held at Pine Ridge Plantation on September 4th, beginning with a social time at 6:30 PM, with dinner to follow at 7:00 PM.  Cost for this event will be $25.00 per person.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Here’s Your Card
web posted August 21, 2007
MERRIWETHER – It has been suggested that the Here’s Your Card stories are fictional. They are not. They are actual events that are publicly recorded by police or EdgefieldDaily.com. Our most recent candidate hails from Merriwether. And, like all of the others, you just cannot make this stuff up.
EdgefieldDaily.com

So You Think You Know Everything?
web posted August 21, 2007
CARL LANGLEY – The following is a weekly quiz compiled by retired newspaper reporter, editor and columnist Carl Langley. It is aimed at expanding a reader’s word power and general knowledge. Take the quiz and write down your answers to see how well you score.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Harvest Festival Beauty Pageant set for September 22
web posted August 21, 2007
RIDGE SPRING – The Ridge Spring Miss Harvest Festival Beauty Pageant applications are now available.  The Miss Harvest Festival pageant will be held Saturday, September 22, 2007 at the Fine Arts Center at Batesburg-Leesville High School, Batesburg, SC.
EdgefieldDaily.com

30th Annual Gold Rush Days Festival
web posted August 21, 2007
PSA - MCCORMICK – McCormick County is holding its 30th Annual Gold Rush Days Festival Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007 downtown and surrounding areas of McCormick from 7:00am until 6:00pm.  Free Shuttle provided.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Found Dog
web posted August 21, 2007
WESTSIDE – Found, young male black mix dog, Highway 23 W area. Please call to identify at 637-1940.

Fox Creek Predators become prey in home opener with 38-7 loss to Panthers
web posted August 20, 2007
NORTH AUGUSTA – MeBee High set the tone early and went on to post a 38-7 win over Fox Creek High Predators at Lions Memorial Field Friday in the season opener for both teams. That statement came in the form of a 17-play drive after the opening kickoff that took over eight minutes off the clock.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Mount Vintage Junior Doubles Championships (Photos)
web posted August 20, 2007
MERRIWETHER – A premiere junior tennis event took place at the Mount Vintage Town Center and Athletic Club the weekend of August 12. The Mount Vintage Racquet Club hosted the tournament that incorporated 8 events with 70 entrants including two mixed doubles exhibitions.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Welcome back to fundraising... I mean school
A Column by the Editor
web posted August 20, 2007
COLUMN – Today is the first day back to school for Edgefield County students so please slow down and “watch that child”. The addition of busses and parents taking their children to school will result in traffic delays, so leave a little earlier than normal. Above all, do not get angry about that bus in front of you that keeps stopping making you late because you did not plan for the first day of school and then try to get around it dangerously. Take time to be the adult when children are watching.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Letter to the Editor: Writer questions school fees
web posted August 18, 2007
LETTER TO THE EDITOR – I found (EdgefieldDaily.com) several months ago and feel that it is a service this county has needed for several years. Thanks. I am over sixty and my children all finished school nearly twenty years ago. Therefore, I am no longer directly involved in the day to day activities of the system.  I am, however a voter and taxpayer in the community.  I have been following with keen interest the postings regarding the school fees, beginning with the person with the four year old who seems to have started this controversy. 
EdgefieldDaily.com

Library News
web posted August 20, 2007
PSA - EDGEFIELD – The Summer Reading Program was a great success. We would like to congratulate those of you who completed the program. 139 of our children read at least 10 books this summer! We would also like to extend a special pat on the back to our teens. A total of 16 of our teens completed it! Let’s beat this number next year guys!
EdgefieldDaily.com

Off The Wall: Scientists hail ‘frozen smoke’ as material that will change world
A MIRACLE material for the 21st century could protect your home against bomb blasts, mop up oil spillages and even help man to fly to Mars. Aer