Local Radar

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No contract approved for Superintendent
web posted June 30, 2007
JOHNSTON – With June coming to a close the Edgefield County School District could find itself without a superintendent of schools. Dr. Sharon Keesely’s contract ends on June 30 as she retires and the School Board has not approved Dr. Frank Roberson’s contract. The board met again on Friday and refused to accept the contract as it was presented.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Governor Thanks Taxpayer Heroes, Calls Senate's Lack Of Deliberations "A Dereliction of Duty"
web posted June 30, 2007
COLUMBIA – Governor Mark Sanford issued the following statement on the House sustaining 15 of 243 items vetoed by the governor, for a total of $1.8 million out of the $167 million vetoed. This means the Legislature saw fit to trim just one-tenth of one percent of the new money coming into Columbia this year.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Trenton resident avoids collision with 600 pound bear
web posted June 29, 2007
TRENTON – Trenton resident Keller Harmon said he received the “scare of my life” while driving on Luke Bridge Road just 2 miles from Highway 191 on Thursday evening. “It was about 7:15 (pm), just before the creek on Luke Bridge Road,” Mr. Keller said, “I encountered the biggest black bear you ever seen in your life.” The bear, which Harmon estimated to be between 500 and 600 pounds, ran across the road. “I had to stop to keep from hitting him.”
EdgefieldDaily.com

Couple returns to home of abandoned pets
web posted June 29, 2007
MERRIWETHER – The couple that is the base of an investigation of animal neglect returned to the home on the 100 block of Pin Oak Drive Thursday afternoon around 6:30. The home was searched with a search warrant on Tuesday and six or the seven animals were captured and taken to a holding facility after they were found to have been left without food or water inside the vacant home for several days.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Renew to face charges in Aiken County
web posted June 29, 2007
NORTH AUGUSTA – Myron Renew, 44, of Sandrock Way in Trenton, has been transferred to the Aiken County Detention Center to face charges with North Augusta Public Safety for alleged criminal sexual contact with a minor under the age of 11. Renew was arrested in Trenton on March 8 on charges of criminal sexual conduct and has been held since then on a $50,000 bond at the Edgefield County Detention Center.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Governor Sanford Issues Budget Vetoes
web posted June 29, 2007
COLUMBIA – Governor Mark Sanford vetoed 243 items from the legislature's spending plan, for a total of $167 million that the governor said would be better spent paying down the state's liabilities, or providing for additional tax relief. The governor today also signed off on $220 million in tax relief that he has pushed for throughout the year, but did line item veto two lines contained in the tax-relief appropriations bill.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Stop Squirming and Then the Big Thumb
By: Dr. Skip Myers
EdgefieldDaily.com Columnist
web posted June 29, 2007
COLUMN – The church has incorporated many wonderful innovations over the last twenty years but none as great as Children’s Church. I don’t consider myself old, yet, but when I was a kid you had to sit through the entire worship service included the “dreaded sermon.” Our pastor was a wonderful man but at the age of five I had no earthly idea what that man was talking about. So I did like most kids around me, I colored the bulletin, flipped through the hymnal, and hoped my mom had packed some Vanilla Wafers for her little boy.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Several dogs, other pets found abandoned inside Merriwether home with no food or water (Photos)
web posted June 28, 2007
MERRIWETHER – The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a concerned neighbor on Pin Oak Drive on Monday that a couple moved last week and left several animals inside the home. A Sheriff’s Deputy arrived a short time later and spoke to neighbors that confirmed the couple was last seen on June 22 and the couple stated they would not be returning. When the deputy went to the home and looked in the window he saw “approximately five dogs” that “appeared bony, sickly, and malnourished”.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Car thefts continue
web posted June 28, 2007
JOHNSTON – Another car has been reported in the Johnston area Tuesday night. The owner told a Sheriff’s Deputy that the car was last seen on Monday night and discovered missing Tuesday night around 9 pm.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Veteran angered over response from Sen. Graham on imigration
web posted June 28, 2007
COUNTY – Local residents, talk radio, and the national attention has peaked again as the US Senate passed a cloture vote on the unpopular “immigration bill” this week. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has taken center stage in national coverage along side of liberal Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy, who also helped craft the bill the President himself called “amnesty”. Sen. Graham, a Republican, has found himself at odds with over 80% of South Carolinians and the nation. One local resident wrote Sen. Graham and was astounded at the “cookie cutter” response he received. “This is laughable,” he said.
EdgefieldDaily.com

6th Annual "Thunder Over Thurmond" set for July 7
web posted June 28, 2007
MCCORMICK – The Lincoln and McCormick Counties invite you to celebrate our country’s independence at the 6th Annual Thunder Over Thurmond Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday July 7th! Join Kicks 99 on location at Savannah Lakes Resort as the skies over Lake Thurmond explode to thunderous applause.  The largest fireworks display on Lake Thurmond will begin at 9:30 PM over the 378 bridge between Lincoln and McCormick Counties.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Turner given four years for second distribution of drugs conviction
web posted June 27, 2007
EDGEFIELD – Travis Leon Turner, 24, was set to face a jury trial for multiple drug charges by at least two law enforcement agencies on Tuesday in General Sessions Court. Turner, whose latest arrest stemmed from a May 2006 license check at the intersection of Highway 25 and 378 where he took off running trying to dispose of over 160 grams of marijuana in his escape.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Thieves take seven vehicles from storage yard
web posted June 27, 2007
JOHNSTON – A Johnston man notified the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office Monday afternoon reporting seven vehicles stolen from a storage location on Bland Baptist Road in Johnston. The theft is believed to have occurred over the past week.
EdgefieldDaily.com

President Bush admits “immigration” bill is amnesty
web posted June 27, 2007
WASHINGTON D.C. – In what White House Officials are calling a “misspeak” by President Bush, the President stated that the immigration bill actually provides amnesty to illegal aliens. “You know, I've heard all the rhetoric -- you've heard it, too -- about how this is amnesty. Amnesty means that you've got to pay a price for having been here illegally, and this bill does that.”
EdgefieldDaily.com

How Senators voted
web posted June 27, 2007
WASHINGTON D.C. – The official vote count of US Senators on the immigration cloture vote.
US Senate
 
Aiken Sheriff's Office seeks suspected shooter
web posted June 27, 2007
AIKEN – Aiken County authorities have identified the suspected shooter in the murder of Najee Preister on Sunday, June 24. Koran M. Sapp (AKA “Little Bit”), 24, is being sought in connection to the shooting and will be charged with murder in the case. Sapp is described as a black male, 5’ 8” tall weighing 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. If you have any information you are asked to call the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-922-9709.

Carolina Defense Company Tests Vehicle Near Edgefield
web posted June 27, 2007
This "Cheetah" was on the prowl. It's the latest vehicles from the Charleston, South Carolina, area company called Force Protection, and this prototype is catching the eyes of the military for possible use in Iraq.
WJBF News 6

All in U.S. Should Speak English, Say Americans
web posted June 27, 2007
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in the United States believe everybody who calls themselves an American citizen should speak the national language, according to a poll by Hart/Newhouse released by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News. 89 per cent of respondents support having all immigrants applying for citizenship being required to learn English.
Angus Reid Global Monitor

Woman arrested after driving into man's house
web posted June 26, 2007
EDGEFIELD – An Aiken County woman is being held at the Edgefield County Detention Center on $3,500 bond from a domestic situation gone bad on Sunday morning. Shirley Joanne Cannon, 25, of Old Bell Road, Aiken was arrested after an altercation with the father of her child and driving her car into his house on Outz Road.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Stolen truck found wrecked in Saluda County
web posted June 26, 2007
NORTH SIDE – A Walker Road woman came home from the lake on Sunday morning to find her 2003 Ford F-150 truck missing from her driveway and reported the theft to the Sheriff’s Office. The 63-year-old woman told the deputy that she keeps a spare set of keys in an outdoor cabinet and they, too, were missing.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Sanford Signs Workers' Compensation Reform Bill
web posted June 26, 2007
COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford joined with business groups from across South Carolina on Monday to sign the workers' compensation reform bill, a measure aimed at curbing recent business insurance cost increases that harm businesses and consumers.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Gov. Sanford to make a stop in North Augusta on three city tour
web posted June 26, 2007
NORTH AUGUSTA – Gov. Mark Sanford will make a stop in North Augusta today to talk about the need to limit government spending and the impact that not doing so will have on the state and its citizens. Last week, the General Assembly completed work on its spending plan for the coming year, a plan that would grow South Carolina's budget by double-digits for the third year in a row - a rate far faster than the rate of growth in average South Carolinians' incomes. Gov. Sanford is currently considering which items to veto in the $7.4 billion spending plan. The Governor will be at the North Augusta Carpet Shop, 210 Georgia Avenue, at 1:30 pm.

NOTICE: Iranian forces cross Iraqi border
web posted June 26, 2007
"It is an extremely alarming development and raises the stakes considerably. In effect, it means we are in a full on war with Iran -- but nobody has officially declared it."
Breitbart.com

Off The Wall - Dog Registered to Vote: It's So Easy!
web posted June 26, 2007
The second time Duncan M. MacDonald sent in an absentee ballot, an election worker in Federal Way, Wash., called to ask about the paw print on the envelope. But it took three ballots before the prosecutor contacted the voting dog's owner. Jane Balogh said she registered the Australian shepherd-terrier mix to vote in protest of a 2005 state voter-registration law that she says makes it too easy for noncitizens to vote.
Off The Wall

Alien Watch: Former Adelanto City Councilwoman faces deportation
web posted June 26, 2007
APPLE VALLEY — Zoila Meyer has been in America since the age of 1. She has been living the American dream; marrying her high school sweetheart, raising their four children, working on a college education and winning a seat for city office.
Her only problem — she isn’t an American — and now faces deportation for illegally voting in the 2004 election.
Victorville Daily Press

EdgefieldDaily.com tops 10,000,000 hits
web posted June 25, 2007
WEBNEWS – EdgefieldDaily.com broke the 10,000,000 hits mark over the weekend.  With thousands of stories read each day by thousands of readers EdgefieldDaily.com continues to grow as Edgefield County’s number one source for daily local news and the undisputed leader in breaking local news. In addition to the June record setting 10,000,000 hits, EdgefieldDaily.com saw May provide the largest readership ever with over 15,000 unique readers for the month. As of Saturday EdgefieldDaily.com has recorded 10,036,056 hits,

Three escape serious injury in roll-over crash (Photos)
web posted June 25, 2007
MERRIWETHER – A one-car crash left the driver and two passengers with minor injuries Saturday afternoon. A 17-year-old North Augusta teen, his stepfather, and a family friend were returning from a shooting range in Edgefield County when the teen ran off the eastbound side of Martintown Road near High point Drive and struck a road sign, causing him to lose control of the Nissan Pathfinder the three were traveling in.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Paul Martin should have been fired, not transferred
web posted June 25, 2007
OPINION – Thursday night the Edgefield County School Board held a special called meeting in order to hear a grievance filed by former Strom Thurmond High School vice-principal Paul Martin regarding his transfer to a teaching position with the same pay as his former position. School Board Chairwoman Sallie Cooks stated that a transfer cannot take place due to a disciplinary measure and that is why Martin’s pay was not cut at the time. Martin’s pay should have been cut completely and he should have been shown the door.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Missing Ohio Mom's Body Found; Boyfriend Charged
web posted June 25, 2007
CANTON, Ohio (AP) - A massive search ended in sadness Saturday when authorities announced they found a body believed to be a pregnant woman who vanished from her home a week earlier. A police officer believed to be the father of the unborn child was arrested on two counts of murder. Jessie Davis, 26, who was due to deliver a baby girl on July 3, was reported missing after her mother found Davis' 2-year-old son home alone, bedroom furniture toppled and bleach spilled on the floor.
Breitbart.com

Sen. Barack Obama: Christians "highjacked" faith
web posted June 25, 2007
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Sen. Barack Obama told a church convention Saturday that some right- wing evangelical leaders have exploited and politicized religious beliefs in an effort to sow division. "There was even a time when the Christian Coalition determined that its number one legislative priority was tax cuts for the rich," Obama said. "I don't know what Bible they're reading, but it doesn't jibe with my version."
Breitbart.com

Off The Wall: Two-year-old 'Matilda' becomes youngest ever girl in Mensa
web posted June 25, 2007
Her parents knew Georgia Brown was bright. After all, she could count to ten, recognised her colours and was even starting to dabble with French. But it was only when their bubbly little two-year-old took an IQ test that her towering intellect was confirmed. Georgia has become the youngest female member of Mensa after scoring a genius-rated IQ of 152.
Off The Wall

Two teens "injured" in mock crash at Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Photos)
web posted June 23, 2007
COUNTY LINE – The Mt. Zion Baptist Church capped off their weeklong Vacation Bible School “Rescue Zone” with a mock crash scene with the help of the County Line Fire Department. The staged scene was a car crash of two teens, one trapped inside the car and the other ejected during the crash.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Governor Vetoes "Open Enrollment" Bill
web posted June 23, 2007
COLUMBIA – On Friday Gov. Mark Sanford vetoed the bill referred to by some as an open enrollment bill, saying that the bill would not provide true choice but would actually inhibit it.  Gov. Sanford said the bill would represent a step backwards in the education reform movement because it would create the illusion of reform where none would actually exist.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Man with marijuana tucked behind ear asks cop for directions
web posted June 23, 2007
PORT ST. LUCIE — A 20-year-old ended up in jail Wednesday when the police officer whom he asked for directions noticed a marijuana "blunt" tucked behind his ear, police say. Maurice Stuckey, of Dolton, Ill., was arrested on a charge of marijuana possession.
Off The Wall

School Board upholds transfer of former STH Vice principal Martin (Photos)
web posted June 22, 2007
JOHNSTON – After a grueling five hour meeting the Edgefield County School Board voted 5-2 to affirm the transfer and reassignment of former Strom Thurmond Vice-principle Paul Martin out of his administrative post at the school. Martin, who appealed his transfer asked that his grievance be held in open session, claimed that his transfer was “done for personal reasons” and he intended to prove his claim with documents. One of the contentions by the Administration with Mr. Martin was that he misrepresented his credentials at the time of his application for the job.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Soccer camp announced for county youth
web posted June 22, 2007
COUNTY – The Edgefield County Youth Soccer Association and the Aiken Soccer Club will host soccer camps on June 30th and July 14th. The camp is open to youths between the ages of 8-17 and registration is due by June 29 and July 13 at a cost of $10. More information and an application are available below.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Governor Issues Statement on Tax Relief Plan
web posted June 22, 2007
COLUMBIA – Governor Mark Sanford issued the following statement Thursday on the General Assembly's approval of more than $220 million in tax cuts for the people of South Carolina. "We've said consistently that with $1.5 billion in new money coming into Columbia this year, there was no reason in the world that we couldn't cut both income taxes and grocery taxes, and we're pleased to see that the General Assembly ultimately agreed," Gov. Sanford said.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Rogue Prosecutor Caught in His Own Web
By: Carl Langley
EdgefieldDaily.com Guest Columnist
web posted June 22, 2007
GUEST COLUMN – In the summer of 2006 there was general agreement among anyone with half a brain that Durham County. N.C., prosecutor Mike Nifong’s charges of rape, kidnap and sexual assault against three Duke University lacrosse players eventually would blow up in his face.
EdgefieldDaily.com


Holmes Receives State Awards at State FFA Convention
 web posted June 22, 2007
COUNTY – Jonathan Holmes, left, received the top State FFA award for the Mid State Region during the annual State FFA Convention held at Clemson University on June 14th. Mr. Holmes was also honored with the Star FFA Award in Agricultural Placement for the Mid State Region. Standing with Mr. Holmes is Hugh Bland, Ag Instructor and FFA Advisor from STCC.

County morns tragic death of teacher
web posted June 21, 2007
EDGEFIELD – Edgefield County has lost a great teacher and friend with the untimely death of Jennie Stiner Rodgers, 56, on Monday, June 18. Mrs. Rodgers, a skilled equestrian, left the couples home on Log Creek Road to go horseback riding. When she did not return as anticipated her husband, Tom Rodgers, went looking for her and made the discovery.
EdgefieldDaily.com

One injured in violent crash (Photos)
web posted June 21, 2007
NORTHSIDE – A one-car crash on North Martintown Road sent a Greenwood County man to the hospital Wednesday afternoon. The call came in to 9-1-1 just before 2:30pm reporting that a car had left the roadway and was in a heavily wooded area just across from China Grove Baptist Church. Sheriff’s Deputies and EMS were dispatched to the scene.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Johnston Police arrest one in burglary
web posted June 21, 2007
JOHNSTON – Johnston Police have made an arrest in the burglary of a Johnston business that was discovered Friday morning. Johnston Police responded to the business on the 300 block of Lee Street to be shown where someone had entered the offices sometime during the night and moved some items around and leaving with at least one item.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Gov. Sanford taps Wingate as interim Treasurer
web posted June 21, 2007
COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford named Columbia attorney Ken Wingate as interim Treasurer to conduct day-to-day operations of the state Treasurer's office on Wednesday. State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel was removed from office after a federal grand jury indicted him on a single charge of distribution of cocaine stemming from an investigation by Charleston Police that began in April of 2005.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Truck blocks traffic on Highway 25 Bypass for over two hours (Photos)
web posted June 21, 2007
EDGEFIELD – A tractor-trailer truck that missed the exit from Highway 25 to the Bypass ended up blocking traffic for over two hours when the rear wheels of the trailer went into a ditch at Gary Road as the driver tried to re-enter the bypass. All southbound traffic was diverted to Sweetwater Road and northbound traffic was diverted to Gary Hill Road.
EdgefieldDaily.com

New Democrat controlled Congress sees all-time low in approval ratings: 86% give thumbs down review
web posted June 21, 2007
WASHINGTON– Just 14% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in Congress. This 14% Congressional confidence rating is the all-time low for this measure, which Gallup initiated in 1973.  The previous low point for Congress was 18% at several points in the period of time 1991 to 1994.
USA Today

Off The Wall: Students take field trip to Planned Parenthood, official loses job over back-lash
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The YMCA's community outreach director is resigning after an after-school program run by the organization with the Manchester School District ended up taking some middle school students to visit Planned Parenthood.
Off The Wall

Sanford suspends State Treasurer Ravenel 
Governor is empowered to suspend officials indicted on criminal charges for crimes of "moral turpitude"
web posted June 20, 2007
COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford issued an executive order today immediately suspending state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel following the release of an indictment against the Constitutional officer:
EdgefieldDaily.com

Governor issues request that all flags be lowered to half mast to honor fallen firefighters (Photo)
web posted June 20, 2007
CHARLESTON – Nine firefighters lost their lives on Monday in Charleston fighting a fire at a mattress warehouse and firefighters across the state and the nation morn the loss of those who placed their own lives at risk to save all others. The Merriwether Fire Department placed a sign at the main station Tuesday afternoon in remembrance of those who gave all to save others. EdgefieldDaily.com would also like to honor those who pushed fear aside and entered an area all others would run from.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Six injured in Trenton crash Monday
web posted June 20, 2007
TRENTON – According to various reports a two-vehicle crash sent six people to area hospitals after a crash at the intersection of Greenhouse Road and Highway 19 in Trenton Monday evening. Two of the injured were airlifted from the scene in critical condition and four others transported by ambulances to the MCG Trauma Unit in Augusta, Ga.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Aiken man charged with furnishing contraband to prisoners at Edgefield Detention Center
web posted June 20, 2007
EDGEFIELD – An Aiken man has been charged by the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office for furnishing contraband to an inmate at the Edgefield County Detention Center on June 14. Alonzo Rashad Ingram, 27, of Lawrence Street, Aiken, was taken into custody late Thursday afternoon on a custody order until a warrant could be secured on Friday.
EdgefieldDaily.com

North Augusta's finest at their best (Photo)
A Column by the Editor
web posted June 20, 2007
COLUMN – Well, my vacation is over and to get back into the swing of things I had to respond to a wreck just fifteen minutes after returning home. To top it off, the wreck involved my son. I just want to be sure that everyone knows the wreck involved my son because of the things I will be saying in this column are not going to be well received by certain officials in the North Augusta Public Safety Department. When you read this you will understand why.
EdgefieldDaily.com

The Great Escape to Right Here
By: Dr. Skip Myers
EdgefieldDaily.com Columnist
web posted June 20, 2007
COLUMN – I was talking with a magician years ago who worked for a cruise line and the conversation came around to vacations. I mentioned how difficult it could be as a minister to escape the reach of the needs within the church. He gave me that false sympathetic smile and then told me a story that made me ashamed that I had even opened my mouth.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Upgrades begin midnight Friday
web posted June 15, 2007
WEBNEWS – Our yearly upgrades begin Friday night at midnight. This will be the last update until Wednesday morning. During the next few days all pages of EdgefieldDaily.com will be accessible, though at times they made load slower than normal. Please take the next few days to scan through the archives or browse through the Country Cooking Section.
 
Graduation money stolen in burglary
web posted June 15, 2007
EDGEFIELD – An Edgefield woman contacted the Sheriff’s Office after discovering the family home Wednesday afternoon. The woman told deputies that she returned from a camping trip and noticed the screen from a window was removed. Once inside she found the window lock broken and lying on the floor next to a screwdriver and a pry bar.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Johnston Police Chief injured in drug arrest after car chase
web posted June 14, 2007
JOHNSTON – A traffic stop for loud music ended with a car chase, the Johnston Chief of Police injured, and one man going to jail on multiple drug charges. Randall Yelldell, 21, of Courtney Road, Trenton, is currently being held on a custody order at the Edgefield County Detention Center and is facing multiple charges stemming from the event Wednesday morning Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Randy Doran said.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Car-jacker identified by authorities (Photo)
web posted June 14, 2007
AUGUSTA – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office released information stating they have identified the suspect in the carjacking of an Edgefield woman last Thursday. Lucia Bradham, of Edgefield, was at the Top Notch Car Wash on 2841 Washington Rd, Augusta, when she was approached by a white man that engaged her in a conversation. Shortly afterwards he forced his way into Ms. Bradham’s GMC Yukon and fled the scene. Police say video surveillance tapes later showed 31 year-old Gary Lee Murphy, of Wagner, using Ms. Bradham’s charge card to make purchases at the Dillard’s store on Wrightsboro Road.
EdgefieldDaily.com

35 mailboxes vandalized around Edgefield
web posted June 14, 2007
EDGEFIELD – Mailbox vandals have struck again, this time in the county and in the Town of Edgefield. According to police reports at least thirty-five mailboxes were vandalized Tuesday night. The destruction stretched from the 800 block 0f Highway 25 north, along the Bypass, and on to Marigold Street in Edgefield.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Your dollars at work
web posted June 14, 2007
EDGEFIELD – EdgefieldDaily.com is always watching and observed Edgefield County Water and Sewer workers supervising work being done on Norris Street in Edgefield. The sad part was that six people, five of which are pictured, were watching a single worker digging in a hole. When the workers discovered they were being photographed they had a few voiced comments. EdgefieldDaily.com wanted to be sure the public was aware of what the money paid in water bills is being used to support. More of your local government at work. Evidently there were no extra shovels for those watching to lean on during the work process.

Johnston Police seek stolen car
web posted June 14, 2007
JOHNSTON – Johnston Police are looking for a stolen 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass that was reported stolen late Tuesday. The owner of the car told Johnston Police that he returned from a trip out of town to find the car missing from his home on the 60 block of Walker Street.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Sanford nixes Feds "Real ID" in South Carolina
web posted June 14, 2007
GREENVILLE – Gov. Mark Sanford today traveled to Greenville to sign S449, a bill that keeps South Carolina from participating in the costly federal mandate known as the REAL ID Act.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Judge Suing Dry Cleaner Cries Over Pants
web posted June 14, 2007
WASHINGTON— A judge had to leave the courtroom with tears running down his face Tuesday after recalling the lost pair of trousers that led to his $54 million lawsuit against a dry cleaner. Administrative law judge Roy L. Pearson had argued earlier in his opening statement that he is acting in the interest of all city residents against poor business practices. Defense attorneys called his claim "outlandish."
Off The Wall

Mass casualty drill puts emergency personnel to the test (Photos)
web posted June 13, 2007
EDGEFIELD – A mock “mass casualty” event on Tuesday on Star Road was used as a training exercise for several emergency departments. The setting: an escaped convict stole a car and drove into a crowd of people at a festival and then fled the scene. In the wake of the crash were several injured persons as well as some fatalities.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Edgefield County Law Officers Association
honors donors, elects leadership
web posted June 13, 2007
EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield County Law Officers Association held a steak dinner for the sponsors of the Jimmy Shay Memorial Youth Fishing Rodeo on Tuesday night. The fishing rodeo is organized each year by the association in an effort to get area youth interested in activities to help prevent drug use and other illicit activities. “If we save one child we’ve done something,” Johnston Police Chief Chris Aston said adding that it would not be possible without the help of the many sponsors’ contributions.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Governor Sanford Signs Gang Prevention Act
web posted June 13, 2007
COLUMBIA – Governor Mark Sanford signed S.141 Tuesday, a new law aimed at cracking down on criminal gangs in South Carolina by giving law enforcement more tools to prosecute gang activity.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Seller beware: car for sale ad nets $1,500 loss
web posted June 13, 2007
EDGEFIELD – An Edgefield man may have been the victim of a scam by a man that responded to an advertisement of a car for sale. According to police reports the two men met and discussed the car and agreed on a selling price of $900. The supposed purchaser said he would send a bank check to pay for the car. Two days later a “bank check” for $2,500 arrived in the mail.
EdgefieldDaily.com

How to display your flag for Flag Day, Thursday, June 14
web posted June 13, 2007
COUNTY – Flag Day is tomorrow, Thursday, June 14 and EdgefieldDaily.com thought providing the rules for displaying the flag properly might be helpful. Show your pride by flying the flag from your home, business, or by wearing a lapel pin.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Two jailed after bridge built by blind man collapses
web posted June 13, 2007
A Chinese court has jailed two officials after they let a blind contractor build a bridge which collapsed during construction and injured 12 people, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Off The Wall

Disaster trailer adds to county emergency response abilities (Photos)
 web posted June 12, 2007
COUNTY – Edgefield County Emergency Management Director Mike Casey allowed EdgefieldDaily.com to tour the Disaster Response and Forward Command trailer that is being outfitted by the county for response to mass casualty situations or disasters such as a tornado or other similar disaster. “With the contents of the trailer,” EMA Director Casey said, “we can treat between thirty and fifty patients.”
EdgefieldDaily.com

Johnston Mayor explains tax increase, sees need for more funding from county
web posted June 12, 2007
JOHNSTON – The Johnston Town Council held their June meeting Monday night with a short agenda that turned out long on information and a call to hold a special called meeting to discuss the FY 07/08 budget. J. H. “Chip” Satcher spoke during the public comments period and was concerned, “I was informed about – Well, I saw it on EdgefieldDaily(.com) – a tax increase that the citizens of Johnston are facing.” Mr. Satcher asked the town council not to take the “easy way out” and just raise taxes to cover the shortfalls.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Community Emergency Response Team members sought for county
web posted June 12, 2007
COUNTY – The Edgefield County Emergency Management Aministration is seeking individuals that would like to volunteer to become part of the Community Emergency Response Teams for Edgefield County. EMA Director Mike Casey said the volunteers would be the first line of responders in the event of a mass casualty or disaster situation for the EMA Department to treat “walking wounded” and assisting First Responders, EMS, and Fire Departments responding to an event. “The need for CERT came from 9/11,” Mr. Casey said.
EdgefieldDaily.com

STHS Athletic Department to Start Cross Country Team
web posted June 12, 2007
COUNTY – The Strom Thurmond High School Athletic Department will be starting a Girls and Boys Cross Country Team for the 2007 – 2008 school year. These teams are open to all Strom Thurmond High School students and 7th and 8th grade students attending JET or Merriwether Middle Schools.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Gov. Sanford Signs Coastal Insurance Bill