EdgefieldDaily.com l February 2007 Archive

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Featured Columns Dr. Myers Outdoors Technology Editor's Column Registered Sex Offenders for Edgefield County 2005 Crime Stats Video & Audio Updates Video Archive Audio (inactive) Contact us Contact Info School System EC District Office School Board Strom Thurmond Fox Creek Private Schools Wardlaw Academy Public Offices Edgefield County Edgefield Johnston Trenton State and Federal Legislative Contacts Chamber of Commerce Edgefield County Chamber Historical Edgefield Genealogical Society News links Edgefield Advertiser The Citizen News Aiken Standard North Augusta Star The State Augusta Chronicle Atlanta Journal United Press Associated Press FOX News Reuters CNS News WorldNet Daily Newsmax Drudge Report GoogleNews Yahoo!News New York Times New York Post Los Angeles Times Washington Times Washington Post	February 2007 Archive Gov. Sanford Calls for Passage of Additional Restructuring Legislation web posted February 28, 2007 COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford today called for passage of two recently drafted bills aimed at bringing a greater degree of coordination and efficiency to the state's healthcare and administrative functions. EdgefieldDaily.com Students Inducted into Millennium Club (Photos) web posted February 28, 2007 JOHNSTON – A total of fifty students were recognized as new members of the STHS Millennium Club this past week. In order for a student to earn the privilege of becoming a Millennium Club member they must score a 21 or better on the ACT, are 1000 or higher on the SAT. EdgefieldDaily.com Bradley takes First Place in World Qualifying hunt (Photos) web posted February 28, 2007 EDGEFIELD – Brent L. Bradley owner of Bradley’s Big Time Sally won First Place in the 2nd Annual Carolina Classic Elimination Style Squirrel Hunt, a World Qualifying Event. The event is held by the Red Hill Houndsmen Association of Edgefield; SC. There were a total of fourteen entries. The Huntmaster was Richard Waits EdgefieldDaily.com Convenience store burglarized web posted February 28, 2007 MURPHY VILLAGE – A convenience store in Murphy Village was discovered broken into on Monday afternoon by the owner. When a deputy arrived on the scene the owner showed where a vent on the east side of the store had been pulled away and the security bars were pushed in causing around $200 in damage. EdgefieldDaily.com Clintons' Charity Not Listed On Senate Disclosure Forms web posted February 28, 2007 WASHINGTON DC – Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former president Bill Clinton have operated a family charity since 2001, but she failed to list it on annual Senate financial disclosure reports on five occasions. Washingtonpost.com Al Gore's "Inconvenient truth" is he uses more than 20 times more power in his home than most homes web posted February 28, 2007 Last night, Al Gore’s global-warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, collected an Oscar for best documentary feature, but the Tennessee Center for Policy Research has found that Gore deserves a gold statue for hypocrisy. Gore’s mansion, located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES). Off The Wall Trenton Foster mother arrested for child abuse on video (Photo) Woman allegedly had another child video tape abuse web posted February 27, 2007 TRENTON – A Foster mother has been arrested and a search warrant has been executed at her Heritage Drive home in Trenton following an investigation of child abuse. Edgefield County Sheriff’s Investigators have arrested Belinda Cooper, 53, of Trenton, and charged her with one count of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and one count of unlawful neglect, Corporal Robbie Harter of the Sheriff’s Office said Monday after the arrest. EdgefieldDaily.com Teen's death marks first traffic fatality of 2007 web posted February 27, 2007 TRENTON – A weekend collision resulted in Edgefield County’s first fatality of 2007 when Oquendo Jones, 17, of Johnston died after being ejected from the 2003 Chevy Blazer he was a passenger in when the collision occurred just after midnight Saturday night on Highway 19. According to Lance Corporal Scot Edgewood of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Mr. Jones was not wearing a seatbelt at the time the crash occurred. EdgefieldDaily.com STH Mock Trial Team advances to State Competition web posted February 27, 2007 JOHNSTON – Strom Thurmond High School students competed in the Piedmont South Carolina Bar High School Mock Trial Competition on Saturday, February 24, at the Greenville County Courthouse. EdgefieldDaily.com Gov. Sanford orders "Top-to-Bottom Review of Budget and Control Board" web posted February 27, 2007 COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford today issued an Executive Order creating the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review Committee, a new task force charged with examining the Budget and Control Board from top to bottom and recommending changes aimed at greater efficiency and accountability. EdgefieldDaily.com Al Sharpton claims ancestors were slaves of Strom Thurmond's family web posted February 27, 2007 OFF THE WALL EdgefieldDaily.com A Veil of Secrecy Protects the Worst of the Worst web posted February 27, 2007 GUEST COLUMN – There are few crimes that rank on the loathsome scale with murder and rape. But there is one, when ranked in the category of moral depravity, that can equate with murder and rape. It is child pornography, a betrayal of all things good and kind and sincere and loving and compassionate. The child pornographer ranks at the very bottom of the scale when it comes to singling out those whose moral depravity defies description. EdgefieldDaily.com Training Session Scheduled For Summit Initiative web posted February 27, 2007 JOHNSTON – A training session for the establishment of Reading Comprehension Sites in Edgefield County will be held on March 3, 2007 at Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle School. The training will begin at 9 a.m. and concluded at 11:00 a.m. EdgefieldDaily.com Probate Court joins Clerk of Court in pulling of records from Archives web posted February 26, 2007 COUNTY – The Edgefield County Probate Court is following the lead of the Clerk of Court’s Office by retrieving thousands of records presently stored in the County Archives. Clerk of Court Shirley Newby is bringing almost 15,000 files from the Archives back to her office at a cost of $7,677.61. Probate Judge Bobby Peeler said his office would retrieve eleven more years of estate records from the Archives and place them in his office. No estimated cost of that transfer was provided. EdgefieldDaily.com One critically injured after being ejected from truck during crash web posted February 26, 2007 TRENTON – An early Sunday morning crash left one person critically injured on Highway 19 near Windy Ridge Road just after midnight. Reports on the crash are incomplete but the passenger of the truck was reported to have been ejected from the vehicle and was found lying unconscious at a tree line near the scene. EdgefieldDaily.com Edgefield Community Development Association (ECDA) monthly meeting announced web posted February 26, 2007 PSA – The Edgefield Community Development Association (ECDA) will hold their monthly meeting on March 8th from 8:30 am - 9:45 am at the Edgefield Town Hall. All businesses and interested residents are invited to attend. The primary topic to be covered will be the SCETV road show scheduled for May. The group will discuss how members of the ECDA can participate. Those planning to attend should email eharm@scprt.com. Shocking Encounters of the Electrical Kind Skip-ology by: Rev. Skip Myers EdgegfieldDaily.com Columnist web posted February 26, 2007 Column – I was dropping my wife off at work the other morning and of course, I leaned in to get the traditionally expected “have a good day” kiss. WOW! And what a kiss it was! It was shockingly electrified. Now, I would like to think that the shock we felt at that moment came from my electrifying personality but I know better. It was a dry winter’s day, cloth seats in the car, and a wool coat that caused the sparks to fly. But in my own mind I still like to think that I added something to the electrification of that moment. EdgefieldDaily.com Country Cooking Section conitues to grow in recipes web posted February 26, 2007 WEBNEWS – The Country Cooking Section added a dozen more tastey recipes over the past week. The Section now contains almost 350 dishes and grows each week. Send in your favorites to share with other readers. EdgefieldDaily.com maintains the only free online archive of local recipes. EdgefieldDaily.com NOTICE: EdgefieldDaily.com Classifieds receives overhaul web posted February 26, 2007 WEBNEWS – The Classifieds Section of EdgefieldDaily.com has been reworked and expands the categories of items for sale, trade, or wanted. Classified ads for individual reader's sales are free. Yard Sales are given the prominent spot in the Section in Edgefield County's only local daily updated Classifieds available. Pistol stolen during armed robbery in Edgefield web posted February 24, 2007 EDGEFIELD – An Edgefield woman escaped injury during a strong-armed robbery that took place on Morange Street in Edgefield. The woman is said to have been approached by a man and an argument ensued. The man then snatched the woman’s pocketbook knocking her to the ground and took a 9 mm pistol from her purse and fled the area in a red vehicle. EdgefieldDaily.com "Snoring too loud" leads to 911 call web posted February 24, 2007 EDGEFIELD – You have to love the job to work in law enforcement. It could not be for the pay and it certainly is not for the cushy and safe job setting. However, every now and then police respond to a call that we get to laugh at when all is said and done. In the early hours of Thursday morning a woman called 911 to have police sent to her home. When officer’s arrived the woman said her husband had been “snoring too loud”. EdgefieldDaily.com Open House this Sat. 10-11 & Sun. 1-2 at 608 Edisto St. in Johnston web posted February 24, 2007 Paid Advertisement JOHNSTON – Beautiful 4 br, 2 ba historic home with approx. 2,744 sq ft. Detached carport w/storage. Call Mary Derrick for directions or more details. Derrick Realty, Inc. (803) 275-4090. Click for a view. Gov. Sanford Names Dr. Kathleen Hayes as DSS Director (Photo) web posted February 24, 2007 JOHNSTON – Gov. Mark Sanford today nominated Dr. Kathleen Hayes of Columbia as the Director of the Department of Social Services. Dr. Hayes has served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Juvenile Justice since 2003. Prior to her role at DJJ, from 2000 until 2003 Hayes served as the coordinator for Nexuskids, a partnership between USC and DSS aimed at providing opportunities to foster children. Before that, Hayes served from 1995 to 2000 as the Director of South Carolina Families for Kids, a collaborative effort between DSS and the United Way to promote and facilitate adoption. EdgefieldDaily.com Desperately needed records purchased by county now on "permanent loan" to private entity web posted February 23, 2007 EDGEFIELD – In July of 2006 County Archivist Patricia Glenn appeared before the Edgefield County Council requesting possession of the marriage license records housed in the Probate Court. After a discussion with Probate Court officials present at the meeting the County Council voted to order a set of the records on microfilm for the County Archives at a cost of $300 to $400. EdgefieldDaily.com War vote could switch Senate power to GOP web posted February 23, 2007 Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut said today while he has no immediate plans to become a Republican, he might change his mind if Democrats oppose funding the war in Iraq. WorldNetDaily.com House Speaker Pelosi touts plan for student funds for illegal aliens web posted February 23, 2007 Illegal immigrant students brought to this country as children deserve a path to citizenship and affordable higher education, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said during a visit to Arizona State University on Monday. East Vally Tribune Man escapes serious injury in violent crash (Photos) web posted February 22, 2007 WESTSIDE – An Edgefield County man escaped serious injury in a mid-day crash on West Martintown Road Wednesday around noon. While traveling west the man lost control of the Honda sedan and left the eastbound side of the road and continued down a steep embankment. The car then began to flip and went up another embankment before coming to rest upside down in the tree line. EdgefieldDaily.com Convenience store burglarized, over $2,000 in cash stolen web posted February 22, 2007 COUNTY – The owner of J&L’s Convenience store on Highway 25 arrived Wednesday morning to find the store had been burglarized during the night. Sheriff’s Deputies and an Investigator arrived just after 8 am and found a side door had been ripped from the building to gain entry. It is possible that the perpetrator(s) may have used a vehicle and a chain to pull the frame and door away from the building. EdgefieldDaily.com Gov. Sanford Calls for Small Businesses Reforms web posted February 22, 2007 COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford today made stops at small businesses in Aiken and Charleston to call for reforms aimed at improving South Carolina's climate for small businesses. The governor's three-point plan - outlined in his State of the State last month - would lower income taxes, reform the workers' compensation system and remove barriers for small businesses looking to provide more affordable health insurance for their employees. EdgefieldDaily.com Woman reports burglary to Edgefield home web posted February 22, 2007 EDGEFIELD – A Covington woman reported a burglary to her deceased father’s home on the 300 block of Macedonia Road Tuesday afternoon to the Edgefield Police Department. The woman returned to check on the property when she discovered two large pieced of furniture missing from the home. The last time she checked on the home was in early January. EdgefieldDaily.com Man reports car stolen after walking to store web posted February 22, 2007 COUNTY – A Sweetwater man has earned his Here’s Your Card recognition after reporting his car stolen from the J&L Convenience store on Tuesday afternoon. Edgefield County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the area in an effort to recover the stolen vehicle. EdgefieldDaily.com Free Movie Night hosted by STHS Chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) postponed web posted February 22, 2007 PSA – The STHS Chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions hosting of a Friday Free Movie Night on Feb. 23rd, 7PM in the STHS cafeteria has been postponed. No alternate date was provided. Family pet lost (Found) web posted February 22, 2007 PSA - EDGEFIELD – Lost dog: He is black and white, fluffy fur, weighs about 19 lbs, and has red collar and tag. His name is Charlie and he is a very friendly dog. He was last seen in Edgefield Sunday evening. He is a beloved family pet, and we all miss him greatly. If you have any information on him please call 637.4946. Click on the picture for larger view. Edgefield Community Development Association seeks involvement on SCETV filming web posted February 22, 2007 PSA – The Edgefield Community Development Association (ECDA) will hold their monthly meeting on March 8th from 8:30 am - 9:45 am at the Edgefield Town Hall. All businesses and interested residents are invited to attend. The primary topic to be covered will be the SCETV road show scheduled for May. The group will discuss how members of the ECDA can participate. Those planning to attend should email eharm@scprt.com. Drug dealer arrested during recent SWAT raid given nine years (Photo) web posted February 21, 2007 EDGEFIELD – A Johnston man taken into custody on February 2 after a SWAT raid on his home has been sentenced in General Sessions Court to nine years in prison. Cedric Sebastian Washington, 25, of McQueen Street, Johnston, plead guilty to one of the eight drug charges against him. The other seven charges were dismissed. EdgefieldDaily.com STHS Students Attend Science Bowl Competition (Photo) web posted February 21, 2007 JOHNSTON – Strom Thurmond students competed in the 2007 Savannah River Regional Science Bowl Competition at USC – Aiken on February 10. The competition was a "round robin" format with four divisions. Questions for the students came from the areas of physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, astronomy and mathematics. The competition was fast and furious with students having only five seconds to answer the questions once they buzzed in. EdgefieldDaily.com STHS Presents Black History Month Celebration web posted February 21, 2007 PSA- JOHNSTON – Strom Thurmond High School will present a Black History Month special event beginning Thursday evening, February 22, with the showing of the first six part series of the movie “Roots”. On Sunday, February 25, Professor Mike Searles-“Cowboy Mike” from Augusta State University, will be speaking on the significance of the mini series “Roots”. His presentation begins at 3:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. The remaining parts of “Roots” will continue February 26-28, and March 1. New York: Let illegals vote web posted February 21, 2007 Immigrant-rights activists yesterday renewed their push to allow illegal noncitizens to vote in the Big Apple. NewYorkPost.com Merriwether woman identified as Good Samaritan web posted February 20, 2007 MERRIWETHER – As EdgefieldDaily.com reported last week on a lost and then recovered moneybag that contained a school’s bank deposit, we are able to identify the good citizen as Shenna Williams of Merriwether. Ms. Williams attended Merriwether Middle School before graduating from Strom Thurmond in 1999. She now is Physical Therapist in Aiken and a graduate of USC-Aiken. EdgefieldDaily.com Gov. Sanford to Call for Tougher DUI Laws web posted February 20, 2007 COLUMBIA – Governor Mark Sanford will hold a news conference today with members of law enforcement and the state legislature to call for the swift passage of stronger DUI laws in the General Assembly. The event will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Statehouse in the First Floor Lobby in Columbia. EdgefieldDaily.com Here's Your Card web posted February 20, 2007 SWEETWATER – A woman called the Sheriff’s Office around 2 am Saturday to report a man coming to her house and knocking on the doors and windows trying to get her to let him inside the home. The man was an acquaintance of the woman. When deputies arrived at the Trailside Drive home the man was gone but while deputies were talking to the woman he began calling her phone and cell phone. EdgefieldDaily.com Board of Trustees seeks input into Superintendent search, first meeting tonight web reposted February 20, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County Board of Trustees will hold three public meetings to hear citizens input and concerns in regards to the selection of a new superintendent for the school district. Citizens that wish to offer input into the selection of the new superintendent may sign up to speak as they arrive at the meeting. Comments will be limited to five minutes. EdgefieldDaily.com When in Rome? - Hillary in SC Objects to Confederate Flag web reposted February 20, 2007 ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that South Carolina should remove the Confederate flag from its Statehouse grounds, in part because the nation should unite under one banner while at war. EdgefieldDaily.com February Proclaimed Oral Health Month for School District (Photo) web posted February 19, 2007 JOHNSTON – Strom Thurmond Career Center Health Tec II students visited the Kindergarten classes at Johnston Elementary and presented a program on Dental Health. The month of February is designated as Dental Health Month. The high school senior’s agenda for each class began with the singing of songs on dental health and reading of books about dental health. The students participated in an activity that taught them how to brush and floss their teeth so they would practice good dental care. The kindergarten students were presented a video on dental health prior to the high school students visiting their classes. Each kindergarten student was presented with an activity book created by the Health Tec II students that had fun activities to help the students learn more about good dental health. EdgefieldDaily.com Letter to the Editor: Writer defends Mayor Campbell web posted February 19, 2007 Dear Editor, I look at Mayor Willie Campbell of Johnston, South Carolina with an optimistic eye as he has been attempting to remove the lines a demarcation between the different sides of the town whether they be black or white, rich or poor, two parent or single parent. In doing so, Mayor Campbell has struck a nerve within the heart of every type of prejudice that exists in the town of Johnston and seemingly beyond as well. This is not merely about "beating a dead horse" but about carrying on what was promised to all citizens of Johnston and planned in the previous administration concerning recreation. EdgefieldDaily.com Public Notice: Homestead Exemption web posted February 19, 2007 PSA – Please be advised that the sign-up for Homestead Exemption is now open and will continue through December 31, 2007. The Exemption is granted to persons who are at least 65 years of age as of december 31, 2006, blind or 100 percent totally and permanently disabled as of December 31, 2006, and exempts them from paying property taxes on the first $50,000 of the appraised value of their home, if living in the home. Persons who are eligible must file with the County Auditor's Office. Should you have any questions concerning Homestead Exemption, please contact the County Auditor's Office at 637-4034 or 637-4045. Bill Gilchrist, Edgefield County Auditor. A Column by the Editor: I believe in coincidence (Photo) web posted February 19, 2007 COLUMN – I am a firm believer in coincidence. It happens all the time. Sometimes it happens repeatedly to the same person. I know it has happened to me. Every time that Fox Creek Charter High School is reported on by EdgefieldDaily.com or issues surrounding the school enters the fray in the Wandering Minds Section somebody drops by our house and destroys our mailbox and those of two of our neighbors. EdgefieldDaily.com Notice Me, I’m Noisy By: Rev. Skip myers web posted February 19, 2007 COLUMN – I was sitting at a stoplight just minding my own business when I suddenly became aware of what I knew had to be an approaching jet. The only problem was that I was no where near an airport. Well, if it wasn't a jet then it had to be some poor NASCAR driver who had taken a right turn by mistake. So I nervously stared in my rearview mirror waiting to see what was about to run me over. With each passing second, the decibel level increased along with my anxiety level. The least I expected was a muffler-missing dump truck. So I gritted my teeth and prepared for the worst. EdgefieldDaily.com Where has all the good music gone? By: Carl Langley web posted February 19, 2007 GUEST COLUMN – Johnny Mercer’s grandmother knew the infant she was holding in her lap would someday be famous for his musical talents. The legend has it that the doting grandmother told family members and friends that the six-month-old baby she was rocking in Savannah in the early years of the 1900s would begin humming a tune each time he heard a piano playing. EdgefieldDaily.com Mummified body found in front of blaring TV web posted February 19, 2007 NEW YORK (Reuters) - Police called to a Long Island man's house discovered the mummified remains of the resident, dead for more than a year, sitting in front of a blaring television set. Off The Wall Section Strom Thurmond 79, Timberland 67 STH Rebels advance in 3-AAA Tournament web posted February 17, 2007 COUNTY – The Strom Thurmond Rebels boy’s basketball team advanced in the 3-AAA Championship run Friday night with a 79 - 67 win over Timberland. Scorers for the Rebels were Jakar Hamilton 27, Jonah Lanham 10, Adre Brooks 6, Rick Hillary 5, Justin Smith 23, Joe Cook 2, Leroy Gilchrist 6. Strom Thurmond will face Lake Marion on Tuesday on an away game. Students, Schools and Employees Recognized By Board of Trustees (Photo) web posted February 17, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County Board of Trustees held their “Spotlight” program at the February 13th board meeting and recognized student and employee achievement. School Spelling Bee winners were presented certificates and star student pins. EdgefieldDaily.com Gov. Sanford Names Climate Change Group web posted February 17, 2007 COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford today issued an Executive Order naming nine members to his Governor's Climate, Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee, a group tasked with reviewing possible climate change impacts in South Carolina and formulating strategies to address those changes going forward. EdgefieldDaily.com Building Construction class presents Chamber with podium web posted February 17, 2007 JOHNSTON – Students in the Building Construction class met a request from a community partner by putting their skills to work and constructing a podium. Shown is Mrs. Donna Livingston, Executive Director of The Edgefield Chamber of Commerce, accepting the podium that will be used to display exhibit books at the office of the county chamber. Mrs. Livingston represents the Chamber in numerous activities throughout the school district by supporting students and educators through an effective partnership. Click here to view the photo Former student returns lost school funds web posted February 16, 2007 MERRIWETHER – A Merriwether Middle School teacher called the Sheriff’s Office to report losing money as he drove away with a bank bag on top of his car when he left Merriwether Middle School Wednesday afternoon on his way to make a deposit. The bank bag contained an estimated $1,200 in cash and checks. EdgefieldDaily.com Merriwether Middle School’s Math Counts Team Places 3rd At Regional Competition (Photo) web posted February 16, 2007 MERRIWETHER – The Merriwether Middle School Math Counts team, coached by Ms. Georgie Rohr, came in 3rd place in the Regional Math Counts Competition held at Aiken Technical College. Twelve teams from throughout the CSRA were in the competition. EdgefieldDaily.com SHOCKER: Hillary pays black SC State Senator's firm $200,000 - then gets "endorsement" web posted February 16, 2007 STATE – Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign reached a deal to pay a key South Carolina black leader's consulting firm more than $200,000 just days before he agreed to endorse her run for president, it was revealed yesterday. The arrangement involves South Carolina state Sen. Darrell Jackson, a well-connected African-American leader and pastor whose support is coveted by national campaigns. NewYorkPost.com Traffic stop leads to drug possession and distribution charges web posted February 16, 2007 MERRIWETHER – An Edgefield County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted a car Wednesday night driving on Murrah Road with no tag light and stopped the driver to inform him of the faulty lighting. The driver stopped on Mealing Road near Holly Circle and as the deputy approached the car he noticed, “a strong smell of marijuana,” coming from the car. EdgefieldDaily.com NOTICE: Final registration for County Softball and Baseball Leagues to be held Saturday web posted February 16, 2007 COUNTY – The Edgefield County Baseball and Girls softball leagues are having its final registration date for this upcoming season this Saturday, February 17th. There will be three locations to signup: Edgefield Baseball Complex, Johnston National Guard Armory, and Bettis Park. Registration will be from 10am to 12pm. The cost is $35 (baseball) and $30 (girls Softball) to signup. Ages are 4-12(Baseball) and 7-15(girl’s softball). DUI stop results in third drug offense for Trenton woman web posted February 16, 2007 BETTIS ACADEMY – A Sheriff’s Deputy on patrol noticed a white Cadillac Escalade swerving as it traveled southbound on Highway 25 early Thursday morning and initiated a traffic stop near Casalina Drive. When the deputies approached the driver’s side window they reported noticing a strong smell of liquor inside the car. When the driver consented to a search of the vehicle the driver and passenger were asked to step out of the SUV. EdgefieldDaily.com Aiken authorities arrest Edgefield man for internet chat with supposed 14-year-old girl web posted February 15, 2007 AIKEN – An Edgefield man chatting online with a supposed 14 year-old girl found himself in jail when he went to meet the young girl a few hours later in Aiken. The “girl” was actually an Aiken County Deputy with the Governor’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). Michael Leonard Williams, 30 of the 400 block of Bauskett Street was taken into custody and has been charged with one count of criminal solicitation of a minor and one count of attempted criminal sexual conduct with a minor. EdgefieldDaily.com Congressman Barrett defends troops web posted February 15, 2007 WASHINGTON – Congressman Gresham Barrett (SC, 3) delivered the following remarks expressing his continued support for the troops and concerns he has regarding a non-binding resolution expected to be offered by the Majority party this week. "Mr. Speaker, This week we will debate a non-binding resolution that will do nothing more than under- mind the mission in Iraq, weaken the moral of our troops, and embolden our enemy". EdgefieldDaily.com Johnston to hold Public Meeting Monday web posted February 15, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Town of Johnston will be holding a Recreation Meeting on Monday, February 19 beginning at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Town Hall to establish a board, policy, and guidelines for future recreational activities. The public is invited to attend. Just who is Mayor Campbell listening to? A Column by the Editor web posted February 15, 2007 COLUMN – For the record, I do not live in Johnston and I could care less where they install a walking trail. The ongoing battle over whether to put it at the Jaycee Park or the Watson Park is silly. The obvious choice would be the Jaycee Park location. Placing the trail around Watson Park, which is not completed, would mean that in a year or two the walking trail would be destroyed when the grading of the ball fields take place. It would be throwing money away. EdgefieldDaily.com Johnston Police seek three local men on drug charges (Photos) web posted February 14, 2007 JOHNSTON – Johnston Police Chief Chris Aston said his department is looking for three wanted alleged drug dealers that are on the run from police. Michael Deon Norris, 26, Rico Antonio Norris, 23 both of the 600 block of Ridge Road, and Blake Marcell Clark, 18, of Lakeview Drive in Johnston are wanted for drug warrants stemming from a drug raid in Johnston a little over two weeks ago. “They’re running right now,” Chief Aston said, adding that his department wants to bring them into custody as soon as possible. EdgefieldDaily.com Tornado warning leaves downed trees, widespread power outages, and property damage web posted February 14, 2007 COUNTY – A severe storm moved across the county late Tuesday afternoon causing power outages, wind damage, trees across roadways and power lines, and was responsible for at least one crash. Just before 6 pm reports came in to Edgefield County 911 Dispatch that a severe weather event was taking place with a report of a tornado crossing into Edgefield County from McCormick County in the area of Highway 23. No funnel cloud was spotted but Doppler Radar indicated a “tornadic” or “rotation” signature. EdgefieldDaily.com Ga. Congressman Charlie Norwood dies (Photo) web posted February 14, 2007 AUGUSTA, GA – Congressman Charles “Charlie” Norwood (R-Ga) died early Tuesday afternoon. The seven-term House of Representatives member was the leading force behind a Patients Bill of Rights bill that was at the center of the 2000 election. Norwood received a lung transplant last year and later developed cancer that spread to his liver. He served until last week when he returned home and refused medical treatments to battle the spreading cancer. South Carolina Congressman Gresham Barrett expressed his thoughts on Rep. Norwood upon learning of his death. EdgefieldDaily.com Gun raises stakes during traffic stop web posted February 14, 2007 JOHNSTON – Traffic stops are routine for law enforcement officers but sometimes a simple traffic stop can make even a seasoned officer’s heart skip a beat. Saturday night a Johnston Police Officer observed a car that appeared to be speeding. Once confirmed on radar that the driver was traveling 52 mph in a 35 mph zone the officer gave pursuit. The driver was crossing over the centerline several times as the officer got close enough to make the stop. All things seemed fairly routine at the time. EdgefieldDaily.com "Back in the Act" fundraiser set for the Class of 1997, free Movie night moved to the STH Gym web posted February 14, 2007 PSA/COUNTY – The Class of 1997 is preparing for their ten year class reunion and is planning a fund raiser for the reunion. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to STHS fine arts department in an effort to begin giving back to STHS as well. "Back in the Act" is a spin off the STHS fine arts production "Caught in the Act" and some former students will be coming back to hit the stage one last time. The production will include singing, dancing, and also a lot of improvisation. Organizers promise a wonderful show that will be very energetic and humorous. EdgefieldDaily.com Public Hearing on Johnston Walking Trail gets contentious web posted February 13, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Johnston Town Council held a Public Hearing at its February monthly meeting Monday night that started slow but ended up consuming a large portion of the near two-hour meeting. At issue was an application for a Rails Trails Program Grant for a walking trail, a “name change” according to Mayor Willie Campbell, from “walking track”. At first there were no takers for comments but after some urging of the Mayor and Administrator Olin Gambrel several people got up to support the Mayors preference of placing the walking track at Watson Park, at times drawing the ire of Councilman Tommy Burton. EdgefieldDaily.com Johnston Town Council February meeting web posted February 13, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Johnston Town Council held their February meeting Monday night and after disposing of the approval of minutes and reports went into a Public Hearing on a Rails to Trails Program. Several local citizens supported the Mayor’s recommended Watson Park location. Afterwards Roger Lamb of the Johnston Lions Club asked the town council for permission to use the vacant room next to the library for their annual flea market during the Peach Blossom Festival, which will be held on April 7. The Council approved the request. EdgefieldDaily.com Gov. Sanford Calls for Passage of Virtual Schools Legislation web posted February 13, 2007 COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford today called for the passage of the South Carolina Virtual Schools Program, a program recommended in his Executive Budget aimed at creating more learning options for our state's students. EdgefieldDaily.com No tail lights lead to arrests for drug possession and distribution charges web posted February 13, 2007 MERRIWETHER – A simple traffic stop turned into a drug bust and three people facing charges. A deputy on routine patrol Friday night observed a dark colored Dodge Dynasty traveling on Highway 25 with no working lights on the back of the car after dark. The deputy initiated a traffic stop near Stephens Road. When the driver rolled down his window to speak with the deputy the deputy noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car and asked the driver to step out of the car to show him the non-working taillights. EdgefieldDaily.com A starlet’s death exposes the empty minds of millions web posted February 13, 2007 COLUMN – All she ever did was stand there, flashing a manufactured smile, tossing her bleached blonde hair in come hither fashion and mumbling the one-syllable words that exposed her intelligence - and all the while looking as pretty as she could. EdgefieldDaily.com Free Movie Night, Pirates of the Caribbean "Dead Man's Chest" hosted by STHS Chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) web posted February 13, 2007 PSA – The STHS Chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions will be hosting another Friday Free Movie Night on Feb. 23rd, 7PM in the STHS cafeteria. The movie will be "Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest". This is a FREE movie, but there will be a charge for concessions. We encourage families, teens and members of the community to attend. Web Warning: Computer experts warn of viruses in Valentine messages web posted February 12, 2007 WEBNEWS – Security experts are warning PC users to be on guard against viruses masquerading as Valentine's Day messages, which could damage computers. "Computer users should keep a wary eye on any romantic messages received by e-mail, as many of them could contain malicious code," said US security firm PandaLabs after detecting an increase in a worm it dubbed Nurech.A. Breibart.com Students enjoy Career Day (Photos) web posted February 12, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County School District held a Career Day for county eighth graders last week with thirty-eight speakers talking on their area of expertise. The event was held at Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle School. EdgefieldDaily.com Lady Patriots get "Cocky" in Columbia (Photo) web posted February 12, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Wardlaw Academy Lady Patriots took a team trip to the Colonial Center in Columbia on Sunday, February 4th to see the women’s USC Gamecocks play the 7th ranked LSU Tigers. The LSU Tigers recorded the narrow victory with a score of 49-46 in a hard fought game that provided a more exciting contest than the Lady Patriots had expected from the two college teams. EdgefieldDaily.com Mud Puddles By Rev. Skip Myers EdgefieldDaily.com Columnist web posted February 12, 2007 COLUMN – It drew me like a magnet. Its force was beyond anything I could ever imagine resisting. I had been warned against it and threatened that if I got too close there would be a high price to pay. But its beauty and perfection was just too much for me. I had to give in to its power and allow myself to experience the pure joy it had to offer. It didn’t matter what my new Easter suit cost my parents that mud puddle had to be mine. So without regard to life or limb, I jumped right in the middle of it. The mud went everywhere—on me and everyone around me. At that moment this little boy was in heaven. EdgefieldDaily.com UKC Coon Hunt High Point Winner announced web posted February 12, 2007 EDGEFIELD – High Point Winner High Cotton Home Run Trot pictured with owner Patrick Nettles. Nettles' hound took the overall top spot in the February 9 coon hunt at the Brunsen’s Community Center. The Red Hill Houndsmen Association would also like to announce the squirrel hunt on February 24th (Saturday). The UKC World Qualifying Squirrel Hunt will be held at the Brunsen’s Community Center - Edgefield, South Carolina. For more information call Wayne Agner at (803)637-6219. Click on the picture for a larger veiw. Opinion: America is in dire need of a leader in Presidential race web posted February 12, 2007 OPINION – The Republican nominee for President in 2008 will be decided in the South Carolina primaries and the Democrats will be paying attention as well. Republicans historically stick with the early front-runner and that makes the South Carolina primaries the most important to them. No candidate can win the election without winning the south and the south generally votes conservative. The scary part is no true conservative is running under any party label and with all the current contenders it seems to be a vote for the lesser of evils. That is never a good thing. EdgefieldDaily.com Johnston Town Council meeting agenda web posted February 12, 2007 JOHNSTON – Below is the agenda for the Johnston Town Council meeting scheduled for tonight at the Town Hall beginning at 6:30 pm. EdgefieldDaily.com Global warming? web posted February 12, 2007 OBSERVATION – The always panicked "global warming" crowd always gets quiet when nature flexes its muscle. The northeast has seen over 139 inches of snow and more is on the way this week. Click on the picture for a larger veiw. Minimum wage boost puts squeeze on teenage workers web posted February 12, 2007 Arizona – Oh, for the days when Arizona's high school students could roll pizza dough, sweep up sticky floors in theaters or scoop ice cream without worrying about ballot initiatives affecting their earning power. That's certainly not the case under the state's new minimum-wage law that went into effect last month. Some Valley employers, especially those in the food industry, say payroll budgets have risen so much that they're cutting hours, instituting hiring freezes and laying off employees. The Arizona Republic Related: You heard it here first, Minimum wage increase will not raise wages, but will devalue the dollar web posted January 5, 2007 COLUMN – Now that the Democrats have taken control of Congress there is no question they are going to raise the minimum wage to $7.25. Now, that might sound like a great thing, but it isn’t. There are only three winners with a raise in minimum wage increases, the Democrats, unions, and the government, everybody else pays. EdgefieldDaily.com Board of Trustees seeks input into Superintendent search web reposted February 12, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County Board of Trustees will hold three public meetings to hear citizens input and concerns in regards to the selection of a new superintendent for the school district. Citizens that wish to offer input into the selection of the new superintendent may sign up to speak as they arrive at the meeting. Comments will be limited to five minutes. EdgefieldDaily.com School District announces Kindergarten and Preschool registrations web posted February 10, 2007 PSA / JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County School District has announced the following registrations, locations, and age groups for the 2007-2008 school year. EdgefieldDaily.com Garrison to Compete at State Competition (Photo) web posted February 10, 2007 JOHNSTON – Strom Thurmond Career Center student Andrew Garrison and Andrea Dillon traveled to Spartanburg Community College on February 8 for participation in the Skills USA 2006-2007 District Skill Competition for computer assisted drafting. EdgefieldDaily.com Barrett Continues Support of Alternative Energy web posted February 10, 2007 WASHINGTON DC – Congressman Gresham Barrett (R-SC) joined other members of the House in approving H.R. 547, the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act, a bill to help reduce America's dependence on foreign energy by stimulating the development of a few alternative fuel sources. Immediately following the vote, Congressman Barrett had a few comments on the measure. EdgefieldDaily.com Crash halts traffic between Trenton and Johnston for over 4 hours (Photos) web posted February 9, 2007 TRENTON – A 1 pm wreck on Highway 121 blocked all traffic for over four hours Thursday afternoon. According to the drivers of the two southbound tractor-trailer trucks involved, a car entered the southbound lane in the curve just past Ridge Recycling near Bouknight Road. The first truck swerved off the right side of the road and overturned, spilling its full load of agricultural lime on the roadway and the side of the road. The second truck swerved off the left side of the road into a small field in an effort to avoid hitting the truck in front of him. Neither driver was injured in the crash. EdgefieldDaily.com Johnston man arrested for alleged rape, kidnapping of Aiken teen web posted February 9, 2007 AIKEN – A Johnston man has been arrested in Aiken County and will be charged with kidnapping and sexual assault from an event Tuesday night. Wayne Gibson Jr., 27, of Johnston, was arrested after the 17 year-old teen he is accused of raping was befriended by a convenience store clerk who called authorities. The clerk reportedly locked the girl in a bathroom to protect her. Aiken authorities took Mr. Gibson into custody a short time later. EdgefieldDaily.com Lt. Governor's Writing Awards Program winners announced web posted February 9, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County School District announced the winners of the 2007 Lt. Governor's Writing Awards Program Thursday. The District 8th grade winner is Elizabeth Holmes from Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle School. The District 5th grade winner is Sally Mickelsen from Johnston Elementary. The outstanding writers will be recognized by Lt. Governor Andre’ Bauer at a ceremony in Columbia to be held in April. They will also be special guests at a “Spotlight” program sponsored by the Edgefield County Board of Trustees. EdgefieldDaily.com Out-of-control debris fire burns acres (Photos) web posted February 9, 2007 MERRIWETHER – The Merriwether Fire Department responded to a brush fire on the 700 block of Sweetwater Road just before 3pm Thursday. According to those on the scene the property owner was burning debris when the fire got out of control and spread to a hilly field. EdgefieldDaily.com Golf Team Fund Raiser Winner Announced (Photo) web posted February 9, 2007 JOHNSTON – Mr. Fred Munns held the winning ticket for the recent Strom Thurmond High School Golf Team fund raising project and is the owner of a custom made grill that was designed and construction by the ST Career Center Welding Class. Shown drawing the lucky ticket if Travis Rushton, left, from Coach Nick Lorime, STHS Golf Coach. The organization appreciates the support of this fund raising project. All proceeds will be used to help the operations of the golf teams during their season schedules. Government at Work: Fed's admit lying to Congress in case to convict border agents web posted February 9, 2007 WASHINGTON DC - A heavily redacted Department of Homeland Security report on the prosecutions of Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean was issued by Assistant Inspector General Elizabeth M. Redman, one of four investigators called upon to resign for lying to Congress. WorldNetDaily.com Arrest warrant issued for sex offender (Photo) web posted February 8, 2007 COUNTY – The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a sex offender that has failed to register in Edgefield County. 50-year-old Leroy Langford is wanted and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Langford is described as being a black male, 5 foot 7 inches tall weighing approximately 150 pounds. He is believed to be in the Trenton area. If you see Leroy Langford or know of his whereabouts you are asked to call the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office at 803-637-5337. Langford was convicted on Feb. 22, 1999 for third degree criminal sexual conduct. He was formerly a resident of Aiken County. Edgefield man threatens officers during arrest web posted February 8, 2007 EDGEFIELD – An Edgefield man with a warrant for his arrest on a charge for shoplifting made matters worse on Tuesday afternoon when Edgefield Police located him at an Edgefield laundry mat. Police arrived and saw Earl Deandra Cook, 21, sitting in the passenger seat of a car in the parking lot and advised him he was under arrest and to step out of the car. Mr. Cook allegedly replied, “(expletive) you, go get the warrant.” EdgefieldDaily.com STCC FBLA members all place in competition (Photo) web posted February 8, 2007 JOHNSTON – Fourteen members of the Strom Thurmond Career Center-FBLA traveled to Daniel Morgan Technology Center in Spartanburg on Saturday, February 3rd for FBLA District Competition. There were 135 competitors in attendance from District I for the state of SC. EdgefieldDaily.com Barrett named to the House Committee on Standards and Official Conduct, offers comment on the President’s Budget web posted February 8, 2007 WASHINGTON DC – Congressman J. Gresham Barrett (SC, 3) was named to the bipartisan House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, commonly known as the Ethics Committee. Barrett released the following statement regarding his appointment by Minority Leader John Boehner. EdgefieldDaily.com Gov. Sanford Names Sen. Scott Richardson as Insurance Director web posted February 8, 2007 COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford today named Senator Scott Richardson of Hilton Head as the Director of the Department of Insurance, pending Senate confirmation. Richardson, 55, was elected to the South Carolina Senate in 2000, and previously served in the S.C. House from 1993 through 1996. EdgefieldDaily.com NOTICE: Charlie Amos Catfish Stew Benefit to be held Friday web posted February 8, 2007 EDGEFIELD – A fund raiser is being held for Charlie Amos. Charlie is the 4-year-old son of Jason and Rebecca Amos who is undergoing heart surgery on Wednesday, February 14th in Charleston. The Northside BP on Highway 25, Edgefield, will be cooking the catfish stew and quarts will be available for a $5 donation. Turkeys enjoy warm temperatures (Photos) web posted February 8, 2007 MERRIWETHER – A few turkeys were spotted in Merriwether enjoying the spring like temperatures Wednesday afternoon. EdgefieldDaily.com's Editor stopped and shot a few pictures from a couple hundred yards away. Below are some of the photos taken. EdgefieldDaily.com County Council approves new Fire Contract, Merriwether loses funds web posted February 7, 2007 EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield County Council held their February monthly meeting Tuesday night with a light attendance of citizens in the audience. Among the four ordinances receiving first or second readings was the new county contract with the seven local fire districts. The new contract raises the minimum amount of money that a department can receive from $25,000 to $45,000, a big boost for Johnston, Trenton, Northside, and Westside Fire Departments. EdgefieldDaily.com Assessor's Office comes under fire again: Chairman Kneece admits; "there’s problems there" web posted February 7, 2007 COUNTY – The Edgefield County Council heard yet another complaint of the recent reassessment and problems with the Assessor’s Office, their findings, and the inability of taxpayers to get information or have their concerns handled in a competent way. Mr. Glen Whitlock addressed the county council concerning three tracts of adjoining properties he owns and not being contacted by the Assessor as promised. “I think if this is the kind of service they give out of Edgefield County then we’re in bad shape,” Mr. Whitlock said. EdgefieldDaily.com Burned SUV discovered in Merriwether (Photos) web posted February 7, 2007 MERRIWETHER – The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a SUV found burned in a wooded area on Murrah Road Tuesday afternoon by a neighboring property owner as he strolled through the woods. The Ford Explorer had no tag and was completely destroyed by the fire. EdgefieldDaily.com Edgefield Police make arrest in burglary web posted February 7, 2007 EDGEFIELD – Edgefield Police have made an arrest in a burglary that resulted in the theft of a .357 revolver among other items from an Edgefield home. Edgefield Police have arrested Brent Paul, 35, of the 200 block of Columbia Road in relation to the case. EdgefieldDaily.com County roads get new speed limit web posted February 7, 2007 EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield County Council approved speed limits on various county roads to make them enforceable by law enforcement. Building and Planning Director Howard Gibson told the county council that complaints about people speeding on county roads and some dirt roads leaves the Sheriff’s Office unable to issue speeding tickets due to there being no posted speed limits. EdgefieldDaily.com Board of Trustees seeks input into Superintendent search web posted February 7, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County Board of Trustees will hold three public meetings to hear citizens input and concerns in regards to the selection of a new superintendent for the school district. Citizens that wish to offer input into the selection of the new superintendent may sign up to speak as they arrive at the meeting. Comments will be limited to five minutes. EdgefieldDaily.com Wanted man calls police for assistance then resists arrest web posted February 6, 2007 JOHNSTON – Johnston Police were dispatched to a motorist in need of assistance on Academy Street near Bland Avenue late Sunday night. When officers arrived they discovered the man requesting assistance was wanted for General Sessions bench warrants and a probation violation. When officers informed the man he was under arrest he decided he would rather run than be arrested. EdgefieldDaily.com Gov. Sanford Urges Citizens to Call for DOT Reform web posted February 6, 2007 COLUMBIA SC – Gov. Mark Sanford traveled to auto shops in Greer, Rock Hill and Florence, urging citizens to "pick up a wrench" and work for change by calling their local legislators to voice their concerns on the need to reform the S.C. Department of Transportation on Monday. EdgefieldDaily.com Lowery Captures Spelling Bee Title (Photo) web posted February 6, 2007 JOHNSTON – The Edgefield County School District held the 2006-2007 spelling bee competition last Wednesday. Dr. Frank Roberson Associate Superintendent for Instructional Services was the "caller" of words for the students. Each elementary and middle school sent representatives to the contest. EdgefieldDaily.com Fox Creek falls victim to vandalism web posted February 6, 2007 MERRIWETHER – Fox Creek Charter High School in Merriwether was the scene of vandalism over the weekend leaving an estimated $1,500 in damages behind. According to police reports a teacher left the school around 1am Saturday morning and saw no evidence of the vandalism. EdgefieldDaily.com Edgefield Town Council addresses upgrades at PD, street lights, and Fire Contract web posted February 6, 2007 EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield Town Council held their February meeting Monday night with Gary Clontz, of Piedmont Technical College Pottery, speaking as the Visitor of the month. After the adoption of the previous meetings minutes and approval of the financial report Mr. Clontz showed the council a piece of the pottery that is being produced in the classes and explained some of the upcoming classes and events centered on pottery. EdgefieldDaily.com Man escapes arrest after car chase, wreck web posted February 6, 2007 JOHNSTON – A Johnston Police Officer was notified by a reserve officer that a man who’s driver’s license was under suspension was seen driving in Johnston on Saturday night. When the responding officer spotted the man he was at a convenience store and he turned in the opposite direction. The officer turned around and the man sped away. As the man ran a stop sign at the corner of Walker and Edisto Streets the officer initiated a traffic stop but the driver increased his speed and fled. EdgefieldDaily.com PSA: God’s Little Angels Preschool opens registration web posted February 6, 2007 Pre-registration for God’s Little Angels Preschool at Edgefield First Baptist Church begins for church members and currently enrolled students February 1 through February 16. Pre-registration for the general public begins Saturday, February 17, 10:00am - 12:00pm and Saturday February 24, 10:00 - 12:00pm. Classes include Mothers Day Out, 2K, 3K, and 4K. Call 637-6139 for more information. Handgun stolen in Edgefield burglary web posted February 6, 2007 EDGEFIELD – An Edgefield man reported a burglary to his apartment after returning from an extended time away. According to the resident he has been out of town since Thanksgiving and returned to find his home broken into. Police observed a broken windowpane of the front door used to gain entry. Among the items stolen was a Smith and Wesson .357 revolver with two speed loaders and ammunition. EdgefieldDaily.com Thefts, damage from burglary tops $50,000 web posted February 6, 2007 JOHNSTON – The damage and amount of stolen property in the burglary on Friday morning were made available on Monday. In all the property stolen or damaged in the theft totaled $54,700, of which $45,000 in vehicles were recovered. EdgefieldDaily.com Rep. Barrett Joins New Anti-Terrorism Caucus web posted February 5, 2007 WASHINGTON DC – U.S. Representative Gresham Barrett (SC, 3) will help educate fellow Members of Congress, and the general public, about the threat to our country from extremism and jihadist terrorists as a member of the newly formed bipartisan Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus. EdgefieldDaily.com Miss Peach Blossom Beauty Pageant accepting applications web reposted February 5, 2007 PSA – The Johnston Jaycees Peach Blossom Festival is now accepting applications for the Miss Peach Blossom Beauty Pageant that will be held Saturday, March 10, 2007, at the Johnston Elementary School Gym. The event is sponsored by the Little Stevens Creek Baptist Church World Changer’s Mission Team. The pageant will be in two divisions, the first at 10 am and the second at 3 pm, in ten age divisions. EdgefieldDaily.com More states rebuke National ID, feds to ask: "your papers please" for local travel web posted February 5, 2007 COLUMN – Every day it seems the federal government is flexing its restrictive muscles more and more towards an imperial type of government, something the Founding Fathers sought to prevent with the Constitution. Recent surveys have shown that those educated in government schools largely believe government gives rights to the people. Rights are granted by “The Creator” (God) and are enumerated as off limits to the government. Now the federal government wants a national drivers license so they can keep an eye on you. In effect, the historically rebuffed national ID card. EdgefieldDaily.com Langley Column: Nation's Slide in Education Is Picking up Speed web posted February 5, 2007 GUEST COLUMN – For the second time in the last several months an interesting e-mail has arrived at my desk, and this time it was passed along to me by a friend who has long shared my fearful outlook on the decline of American education. EdgefieldDaily.com Court: Man had a right to curse at government meeting web posted February 5, 2007 DETROIT, Michigan (AP) -- An officer who arrested a man for cursing in a public meeting violated the man's right to free speech, a federal appeals court ruled Friday. CNN.com Drunk driver "checks in" to police outpost thinking it was hotel web posted February 5, 2007 FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- An intoxicated man who mistook an Indiana State Police post for a hotel, telling a dispatch he wanted "to get a room," got his wish -- but his lodgings turned out to be at the county jail. Off The Wall Suspected N. Augusta shooter arrested in Johnston (Photos) web posted February 3, 2007 JOHNSTON – The shooting of an Aiken County school bus driver around 6:45 Friday morning left one woman fighting for her life and the suspect hiding out at a Johnston home. 54-year old Beryl Kensey of Graniteville had just arrived at the bus parking lot behind North Augusta Middle School to begin her route, police say, when 69 year-old Booker T. McKenney Jr. from Belvedere shot her at least four times in the chest area with a .22 caliber pistol. Kensey was able to drive about 100 yards in an attempt to flee before collapsing over the steering wheel of her bus before being discovered by another bus driver. EdgefieldDaily.com Johnston Police, SWAT Team take suspected drug dealer into custody (Photo) web posted February 3, 2007 JOHNSTON – Johnston Police, Edgefield County Sheriff’s Narcotics Investigators, and the Sheriff’s SWAT Team conducted another raid in Johnston early Friday at the home of yet another alleged drug dealer and recovered a “substantial” amount of cocaine during the raid. Johnston Police Chief Chris Aston said his department is “cracking down” on drug dealers in the town adding, “If you come to Johnston to deal drugs, you will go to jail.” EdgefieldDaily.com Burglar evades arrest after multiple auto thefts and high speed chase (Photos) web posted February 3, 2007 JOHNSTON – Shortly after 5am an Edgefield County Deputy spotted a suspicious truck parked at the back fence line of Forrest Tire Company in Johnston and went to investigate. When the deputy got close enough he noticed the man had several tires loaded in the back of a black Dodge 1500 pick-up truck and ordered the man to stop. The man refused and fled the area with the Deputy and Johnston Police units in pursuit. The chase reached speeds in excess of 100 mph on Highways 121 and 25 southbound. EdgefieldDaily.com NOTICE: Charlie Amos Catfish Stew Benefit web posted February 3, 2007 EDGEFIELD – A fund raiser is being held for Charlie Amos. Charlie is the 4-year-old son of Jason and Rebecca Amos who is undergoing heart surgery on Wednesday, February 7th in Charleston. EdgefieldDaily.com School Delay: Edgefield County Schools will be operating on a 2 hour delay today web posted January 31, 2007 COUNTY – Edgefield County Schools will be operating on a 2 hour delay Friday morning. Sleet - snow causes numerous wrecks Thursday morning (Photos) web posted February 2, 2007 COUNTY – As the temperatures dropped and the sleet and snow came down Deputies were busy working numerous wrecks across the county. Sleet and snow began to accumulate on roads in the northern part of the county making driving conditions hazardous. One of the earlier wrecks of the morning occurred on Highway 25 when the driver of a Ford F150 pickup left the roadway and overturned. EdgefieldDaily.com Gov. Sanford: Cost Study Shows Need for Higher Ed Coordination web posted February 2, 2007 COLUMBIA SC – February 1, 2007 - In response to this week's report that South Carolina is home to the highest tuition rates in the Southeast, Gov. Sanford today reiterated his call for a governing board for higher ed to bring a coordinated approach to an all-too-fragmented system. EdgefieldDaily.com One Lesson Not Learned in Kindergarten by: Dr. Skip Myers Pastor of Smiths Station Baptist Church web posted February 2, 2007 I once read a book entitled, Everything I Needed Know I Learned in Kindergarten. The author said that as he matured, he discovered that most of the valuable lessons he had learned and now used were taught to him in kindergarten. So he decided to make a list of these lessons and this little book of basic life lessons became a huge bestseller. EdgefieldDaily.com Let it snow (Photos) web posted February 2, 2007 COUNTY – Let it snow. Below are a few pictures taken during the snow and sleet event Thursday. EdgefieldDaily.com Police Chief Writes Himself Ticket web posted February 2, 2007 KEWASKUM, Wis. -- It's not usually news when a police officer writes a ticket -- unless it's the chief and he gives the ticket to himself. Off The Wall "Cash bar" at public school sponsored event raises questions web posted February 1, 2007 MERRIWETHER – The first annual Valentine Dinner/Dance and Raffle sponsored by Fox Creek Charter High School has a lot of people talking but not due to the $10,000 cash prize offered in the raffle. What has most people upset is a “cash bar” at the school sponsored event. EdgefieldDaily.com began receiving a large influx of e-mail and calls after a posting in the Wandering Minds Section earlier this week alerting readers to the “cash bar”. One reader wrote, “How can a public school sell liquor? Isn’t that against the law?” EdgefieldDaily.com Edgefield Police offer reward for information on vandals web posted February 1, 2007 EDGEFIELD – Edgefield Police Chief Ronnie Carter announced a reward for information leading to the arrest of vandals responsible for a rash of vandalism that occurred on January 12 causing over $5,000 in damage in the town. Included in the cases is a report of a gas can being set on fire at the side of a home on Penn Street. “They’re all related,” Chief Carter said. EdgefieldDaily.com More counterfeit checks reported in Johnston web posted February 1, 2007 JOHNSTON – More counterfeit American Express Travelers Checks have been reported to Johnston Police. Once again the checks lead back to Nigeria. This time the checks were given to a local convenience store. The checks, both for $100, were returned as counterfeit. EdgefieldDaily.com Clemson President Responds To 'Black-Face' Party web posted February 1, 2007 GREENVILLE, S.C. – Clemson University's president and several campus organzations have reacted quickly after photos of students at a racially themed party ended up on the Internet. The party was held over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend at an off-campus apartment. Some students said it was just for fun. Others say that it was racist. WYFF4.com Minister calls himself Jesus Christ web posted February 1, 2007 Off The Wall Return to main page For all past articles please visit our Archives All original material is property of EdgefieldDaily.com and cannot be reproduced, rewritten or redistributed without the expressed written permission of Edgefield Daily.com	EdgefieldDaily.com is a member of the Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce New Link Below Information and Activities Parting Shots A new book by Columnist Carl Langley ----- JAM Straight Customs Featured Dining La Cantina '08 Debate Get involved NOTICE: We still need recipes for Cooking Section WEBNEWS – Send in your favorite or favorites. There is no limit to the number of recipes you can send in. With the Editor’s wife being the driving force behind her own personal section, help her create an exchange of local favorites, home cooking, grilling, sauces, and deserts! Send in your submissions here.