Sen. Massey takes Oath of Office at alma mater Thursday (Photos)
web posted November 30, 2007
JOHNSTON – District 25 Senator Shane Massey was sworn in to office Thursday at Strom Thurmond High School in front of a packed room of the school’s cafeteria. Circuit Judge William P. Keesley was present to administer the oath of office as Sen. Massey’s wife Blair held their family Bible during the ceremony.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Transcript of Sen. Massey's remarks at swearing-in ceremony
web posted November 30, 2007
JOHNSTON – Thank you for coming out today ... a day we can officially say is the beginning. I'd be remiss if I didn't begin with a few thank yous. First, to all of you, I sincerely appreciate the support you showed me during the recent elections. I'm gratified, and I'm humbled. I thank the faculty and students of Strom Thurmond High School for allowing us to be here today. I am proud to be an alumnus of this school.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Suspected burglar arrested in Johnston
web posted November 30, 2007
JOHNSTON – Johnston Police and Edgefield County Deputies apprehended a suspected burglar Wednesday afternoon. The event played out just after 4 pm when a woman on the 1100 block of Calhoun Street called to report their lawnmower and a weed-eater stolen as she and her husband witnessed the theft.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Second Merriwether homeowner returns from work to find back door open
web posted November 30, 2007
MERRIWETHER – Another Merriwether resident reported returning home from work and finding a rear door open. The call came in to the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch just before 3 pm Thursday and deputies were sent to the Phoenix Court home in Currytown Station to make sure no one was inside.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Richmond County woman charged in murders of her two children
web posted November 30, 2007
AUGUSTA – Augusta police were on the scene of an apparent murder of two young children at a Texaco gas station in south Augusta, at the intersection of Richmond Hill Road and Lumpkin Road Thursday afternoon. They say a woman used a knife to stab her two children resulting in the one-year-old child's death at the scene, and the three-year-old was rushed to MCG in critical condition, where the second child later died.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Daytime burglary reported in Merriwether
web posted November 29, 2007
MERRIWETHER – A young Merriwether couple arrived home after work Wednesday to discover their home on the 400 block of Sweetwater Road had been the scene of a daylight burglary. The couple arrived at the home just after 4 pm to find the side door of the home forced open and called the Sheriff’s Office to report the crime. Deputies arrived and called for an investigator to respond to the scene after checking to make sure no one was still in the home.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Suspected car thief captured
web posted November 29, 2007
EDGEFIELD – An arrest has been made in an investigation that has continued since late September into the theft of cars from the Edgefield area Sheriff’s Investigator Jimmy Smith said Wednesday. 52 year-old Larry Robert Lewis, of Augusta, Ga., was taken into custody on Tuesday and is being charged with the theft of a white Cadillac that was taken from a Jeter Street home in Edgefield on September 18.
EdgefieldDaily.com

9-year old suspended for 'hate crime' for saying “brown people”
web posted November 29, 2007
A Glendale elementary school principal has admitted to telling a 9-year old boy that it is OK to have racist feelings as long as you keep them to yourself. “As we said to (the boy) when he was in here, in your heart you may have that feeling, and that is OK if that is your personal belief,” Abraham Lincoln Traditional School Principal Virginia Voinovich said in a tape-recorded parent-teacher conference. The boy was suspended for three days this month for allegedly committing a “hate crime” by using the expression “brown people.”
Off The Wall

More Democrat "plants" discovered: Hillary plants question in Republican debate
web posted November 29, 2007
It turns out that Keith Kerr, retired Colonel., U.S. Army; retired Brigadier General, California National Reserve, who submitted a YouTube question about gays in the military, is actually a member of Hillary Clinton's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual Americans For Hillary Steering Committee.  He's also part of a film production crew trying overturn the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
TownHall.com

Strom Thurmond High School Receives Exxon Mobil Grant (Photo)
web posted November 29, 2007
EDGEFIELD – Strom Thurmond High School received a $500 grant from the Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance program to support the school’s Mock Trial program. Kent’s Corner of Edgefield worked with school officials to secure the grant which is one of 4,000 available to schools across the country served by Exxon or Mobil stations. The grants were made possible by funding from the Exxon Mobil Corporation.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Opinion: It’s Christmas Stupid!
A Column by the Editor
web posted November 29, 2007
COLUMN – It is that time of year, Christmas - when everyone is running around talking about peace, joy, and goodwill towards mankind, that giving is better than receiving, and the birth of Jesus. And then you ride by our county high school and see a sign that says, “Winter Break”. I’m sorry, that just gets my goat. Just how “politically correct” has our rural, heritage rich, county become? It is not just our schools, our local municipalities and county government are also just as “PC” and it makes me sick.
EdgefieldDaily.com

"Good Bill" vs "Bad Bill"
web posted November 29, 2007
DES MOINES, Iowa - As only he can do, Bill Clinton packed campaign venues across eastern Iowa and awed Democratic voters with a compelling case for his wife's candidacy. He was unscripted, in-depth and generous. He also was long-winded, misleading and self-absorbed.
Yahoo!News

Arrest made in steel tank thefts (Photo)
web posted November 28, 2007
EDGEFIELD – Edgefield Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Randy Doran said Tuesday that they have arrested one man in connection to the November 17 theft of four large stainless steel tanks from a Trenton company. The tanks were discovered in Richmond County on 3000 block of Deans Bridge Road after a tipster saw a repeat of EdgefieldDaily.com’s report on a local television news broadcast. Charged in the theft was Teddy Jeff Miller, 22, of the 2400 block of Wrightsboro Road in Augusta.
EdgefieldDaily.com

One injured in near head-on collision in Merriwether (Photos)
web posted November 28, 2007
MERRIWETHER – One woman was injured in a near head on collision on Martintown Road early Tuesday morning around 7:30. The crash stalled heavy morning traffic for over an hour as deputies directed traffic through the scene which closed most of the roadway during the busiest hour of the day.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Governor Asks Court to Revisit Decision on Budget and Control Board
web posted November 28, 2007
JOHNSTON – Gov. Mark Sanford called on the S.C. Supreme Court Tuesday to revisit its decision to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the existence of the S.C. Budget and Control Board, and said if they do not he will continue pushing for legislative change to the chronically inefficient and unaccountable agency.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Man run over by pick-up driven by grandfather
web posted November 28, 2007
WESTSIDE – An Edgefield County man was injured Monday night when his elderly grandfather ran over him with a pick-up truck while spreading fertilizer in a field near Walker Road and Highway 283 around 7 pm. An ambulance responding to the scene became stuck on the dirt road due to the rain on Monday and EMS personnel continued towards the scene on foot to provide first aid to the injured man.
EdgefieldDaily.com

High School Students Ready for Mock Presidential Debate
web posted November 28, 2007
JOHNSTON – Members of the Strom Thurmond High School Aspiring Political Leaders of America will present a 2008 Presidential Mock Debate on Saturday December 8th beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the JET Middle School Cafeteria.
EdgefieldDaily.com

NJROTC Thanksgiving Food Drive a Success
web posted November 28, 2007
JOHNSTON – Since November 1st, the cadets have been collecting food for Thanksgiving from students, faculty, janitors, administrators and parents. The National Wild Turkey Federation donated 40 turkeys through the Turkey Hunter’s Care Program to Strom Thurmond’s NJROTC Unit. This year the cadets, boosters and instructors delivered food to 46 families in Edgefield County. This was the largest food drive in the past seven years, surpassing last years’ delivery to 36 families.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Notice from Edgefield Fuel and Convenience
web posted November 28, 2007
EDGEFIELD – After months of renovations at our store on Main Street, we are getting ready to move in! Beginning Wednesday, November 28th, we will start the process of moving all of the stock from our store across from Piedmont Tech to the renovated store. We anticipate both Main Street stores being closed Thursday and Friday while this is going on. On Saturday, December 1st we will open for business at the location next to Carolina First Bank and our other Main Street store will remain closed. Please use our other Edgefield stores during this 2 day transition and thank you for very much for your patience.

Merriwether firefighters called to early morning fire (Photo)
web posted November 27, 2007
MERRIWETHER – The Merriwether Fire Department was called to a home on the 1000 block of Cannon Mill Drive just after 5 am Tuesday with a report of a structure fire. When the first firefighters arrived on the scene the family was outside of the home and the father was using a water hose to stop the fire underneath the home from spreading.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Hit and run driver identified, charged
web posted November 27, 2007
EDGEFIELD – The hit and run driver has been identified and is facing multiple charges stemming from the incidents. Virginia A. Key, 36, of Dusty Lane in North Augusta, was identified as the driver of the blue Oldsmobile that crashed on Stephens Road after fleeing a minor fender bender at Greg’s Gas Plus on Saturday evening.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Merriwether home burglarized during holiday
web posted November 27, 2007
MERRIWETHER – A Stephens Road man called the Sheriff’s Office over the Thanksgiving holiday to report his mother’s mobile home being burglarized. The report came in to the Sheriff’s Office just after midnight on Friday.
EdgefieldDaily.com

A Season to Begin Working Together
By Senator Shane Massey
web posted November 27, 2007
GUEST COLUMN – We are so behind on our Christmas shopping. As you know, my wife, Blair, and I have been pretty busy since July.  Three elections and a whirlwind of activity since has been the order of the day.  We haven’t had much time for anything else.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Southern Bank & Trust Welcomes New Bankers (Photos)
web posted November 27, 2007
AIKEN – Mr. Frank Townsend, President of Southern Bank & Trust, has announced the addition of three new bankers to his growing team. Beginning in December, all three will be serving customers at the bank’s new downtown Aiken branch located at 149 Laurens Street NW.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Donations and Awards Received by School District
web posted November 27, 2007
JOHNSTON – Three local citizens were special guests at the last Edgefield County School District Board of Trustees meeting to present donations to county schools through various fund raising projects and an incentive program. Mr. Joel Jolly, Chairman of the Edgefield Heritage Jubilee presented the district with a $6,000 check from funds raised at the local festival to go towards the “Children’s Book Program”.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Obituary
Col. Thomas Calhoun Wright
web posted November 27, 2007
WARD –  Tom C. Wright, USAR (Ret.), 86, husband of Julia Anne (Judy) Wright, died Sunday, November 25, 2007. He is also survived by a daughter, Judith (Stuart) Smith; a granddaughter, Andrea (Nick) Wates; two great-grandchildren, Seth and Avery Wates; a brother, Jacob Wright (Eleanor); and sister, Lois Kaiser (Wilson). He was predeceased by a son, Thomas C. Wright, Jr.; and a granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Graham.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Off The Wall: Chapin man's dog painted orange after USC-Clemson game
web posted November 27, 2007
CHAPIN, SC (WIS) - One Chapin man says the big Carolina-Clemson rivalry was taken a little too far Saturday night when he woke up to find his dog spray-painted orange.
Off The Wall

EdgefieldDaily.com's Free Classifieds work for you

Hit and run driver airlifted after second crash (Photos)
web posted November 26, 2007
COUNTY LINE – A minor collision at Greg’s Gas Plus on Highway 25 Saturday ended with one of the drivers being flown to MCG Trauma Center after fleeing the scene and crashing on Stephens Road. A Sheriff’s Deputy on routine patrol spotted the collision and radioed for Aiken County Deputies to respond to the scene. Then one of the drivers took off in a blue Oldsmobile heading north on Highway 25 at speeds over 100 mph.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Vandals strike Merriwether Middle School over holiday (Photos)
web posted November 26, 2007
MERRIWETHER – Vandals struck the Merriwether Middle School sometime Friday night or early Saturday morning. School officials reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office around 11 am and met with a deputy who processed the scene for evidence. Several windows were shot, one broken completely out, and a large area of the windows were “egged”.
EdgefieldDaily.com

STH students to host blood drive to honor Shawn Patton
web reposted November 26, 2007
JOHNSTON – Strom Thurmond students are preparing to host a blood drive for one of their own next month. Shawn Patton, 19, who was critically injured in a horrific crash on August 26, is still recovering from his injuries at MCG where he was kept in a drug-inducted coma for nearly two months. Shawn has made tremendous strides in his recovery recently and his recovery was made possible by blood donors. To help Shawn, and the countless others that depend on the gift of blood, the Shepeard Community Blood Center and Health Occupations Class will have a blood drive at STH on December 14 from 8 am until 3 pm.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Town of Edgefield to Host Christmas Parade Saturday
web posted November 26, 2007
EDGEFIELD – Historic Edgefield is gearing up for this weekend’s main event – the Edgefield Christmas parade.  Downtown Edgefield will be transformed this Saturday, December 1st with the joyous sounds of parade participants and spectators.  The parade is set to begin at 4pm on the square. 
EdgefieldDaily.com

EdgefieldDaily.com Sports
Rebels kick-off basketball season with loss to Glenn Hills
web posted November 26, 2007
AUGUSTA –  Things started well for Strom Thurmond, but the Glenn Hills Spartans took control and went on to a 95-65 victory in the100 Black Men of Augusta
Tournament Friday. The tournament, played at the Richmond Academy gym, was tied 4-4 when the Rebels went on a 7-2 spurt that started with a 3-pointer by Justin Smith.
EdgefieldDaily.com

A Chatty Girl Helps Spring the Jaws of Justice
By: Carl Langley
web posted November 26, 2007
GUEST COLUMN – With the threat of jail removed by a judicial order, Tim loitered around town for several weeks, always managing to elude the mayor’s watchful eye Meanwhile, the mayor and several of his friends turned into night riders. He and his buddies patrolled at night with axe handles, hoping to come across Tim and his friends spray painting cars, overturning dumpsters, leaving bags of feces on people’s porches and engaging themselves in other civic pursuits.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Americans get fed up with 'Happy Holidays'
But many Democrats in new poll can't stomach 'Merry Christmas'
web posted November 26, 2007
A new poll finds Americans overwhelmingly prefer that stores use the phrase "Merry Christmas" in their seasonal advertising rather than "Happy Holidays. The Rasmussen survey found 67 percent favor "Merry Christmas" while just 26 percent prefer "Happy Holidays."
WorldNetDaily.com

Study: Democrats the "party of the rich"
web posted November 26, 2007
Democrats like to define themselves as the party of poor and middle-income Americans, but a new study says they now represent the majority of the nation's wealthiest congressional districts.
Washington Times

Off The Wall: 15-year-old girl jailed with 20 men
web posted November 26, 2007
A 15-YEAR-old girl was put in a Brazilian jail cell with more than 20 men, and for a month was raped relentlessly and forced to have sex for food, human rights groups say. "She was raped from day one'' at the jail in Para state, a Children and Adolescent Defence Centre spokeswoman said.
Off The Wall

Off The Wall: Jim Rex Believes In “Hope …”
WELL, AS LONG AS SHE’S “PHOTOGENIC” AND BETWEEN THE AGES OF 4-6
FITSNews - We hate to spoil a nicely-themed press event for S.C. Superintendent of Education Jim Rex, but we figure the more time he spends fixing our state’s pathetic public schools as opposed to spoonfeeding meaningless drivel to a fawning press corps, the better off our state’s kids are going to be.
Off The Wall

Tips lead to recovery of stolen tanks
web posted November 22, 2007
EDGEFIELD – Edgefield County Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Randy Doran said Wednesday that the four stainless steel tanks stolen over the weekend from Trenton have now been recovered thanks to tips from the public. The tanks were found on Deans Bridge Road in Augusta Georgia behind a car lot. No arrests have been made in the case and the investigation is ongoing.
EdgefieldDaily.com

STH students host blood drive to honor Shawn Patton
web posted November 22, 2007
JOHNSTON – Strom Thurmond students are preparing to host a blood drive for one of their own next month. Shawn Patton, 19, who was critically injured in a horrific crash on August 26, is still recovering from his injuries at MCG where he was kept in a drug-inducted coma for nearly two months. Shawn has made tremendous strides in his recovery recently and his recovery was made possible by blood donors. To help Shawn, and the countless others that depend on the gift of blood, the Shepeard Community Blood Center and Health Occupations Class will have a blood drive at STH on December 14 from 8 am until 3 pm.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Story leads to tips; Sheriff's Office seeks additional public support to solve crime (Photo)
web posted November 21, 2007
COUNTY – After our story on the theft of four large stainless steel tanks from Trenton on Sunday, Edgefield County Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Randy Doran said they have received information as a result and are seeking more of the public’s input in trying to identify the person or persons responsible. A black “farm type” flatbed truck, possibly an early 1980’s model, was spotted carrying a tank matching the description of the one shown on Highway 25 Sunday afternoon around 1pm.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Sportsman's Corner prepares for reopening (Photos)
web posted November 21, 2007
MERRIWETHER – Sportsman’s Corner is set to reopen this week as the finishing touches are being worked out owner Greg Kenrick said Tuesday. “We should be able to open midday Wednesday,” Mr. Kenrick said, but added a few details and permits were still awaiting approval. The landmark location, known for a rich history in the Merriwether Community and as a favorite gathering spot for local hunters and fishermen, still maintains its country appeal, but with many modern amenities.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Edgefield Police Officers act as good Samaritan to lost woman
web posted November 21, 2007
EDGEFIELD – Though enforcing the law often places police officers on the unpopular list with some residents, it is the simple and kind gestures they undertake that often go unnoticed by the media. One such incident, that almost went overlooked, occurred in Edgefield last week.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Relay for Life "Kick-off" set for Nov. 30
web posted November 21, 2007
EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield County Relay for Life will be holding their annual Kick off with the theme of “Stars and Stripes for a Cure” on Friday November 30 at 6:30 pm at the Edgefield Gym. Entertainment, refreshments and information about the 2008 event will be available. The public is invited to attend and to join the volunteers to aid in finding a cure for cancer. EdgefieldDaily.com will be featuring our Relay for Life Riddle again next year and more than doubling our donation to the cause. Come out and help support those who are seeking a cure to cancer.

"Sarah's Santa's" gears up for Christmas
web posted November 21, 2007
EDGEFIELD – Sarah’s Santa’s is gearing up for Christmas and is seeking donations and information regarding those in need during the Christmas season. Founded in 2004, the non-profit group has delivered Christmas joy to hundreds of area children who would not otherwise have such a bountiful Christmas.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Closings for Thanksgiving
web posted November 21, 2007
PSA – The following government offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. EdgefieldDaily.com will also be making limited updates during the holiday period to allow for our contributors to spend time with family. Coverage of breaking news and the Wandering Minds will continue uninterrupted.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Off The Wall: Nude Man Accused of Causing I-95 Crashes
web posted November 21, 2007
BRANDYWINE HUNDRED, Del. (AP) - Delaware State Police have arrested a Chester, Pennsylvania, man who they said was running naked and drunk on Interstate-95 and caused three accidents.
Off The Wall

National: Former Aide Blames Bush for Leak Deceit
web posted November 21, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) - Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan blames President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for efforts to mislead the public about the role of White House aides in leaking the identity of a CIA "so-called" operative.
MyWayNews

"Kicks 99" knocked offline by $80,000 theft
web posted November 20, 2007
COUNTY LINE – Workers for WKXC “Kicks 99” radio station called the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office around 10 pm Sunday to report almost $80,000 of radio transmitting equipment being stolen from the station’s radio tower located off Highway 25. The discovery was made when the radio station lost its signal and went off the air. When the deputy arrived he was shown where the door had been pried open to gain entry into the building.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Business sees 24,000 pounds of stainless steel stolen overnight (Photo)
web posted November 20, 2007
TRENTON – The theft of metals has continued with one business on the 5000 block of Edgefield Road being hit twice since Thursday. In the Thursday theft over $200 worth of copper was taken from the business. When the owner arrived he found a warehouse door pried open and around eighty pounds of copper missing. That was nothing compared to the theft that occurred over the weekend when 28,000 pounds of stainless steel tanks were discovered missing from the business on Sunday.
EdgefieldDaily.com

Local Authors Showcased with a Book Signing in Edgefield Saturday
web posted November 20, 2007
EDGEFIELD -- The Region 2 Discovery Center is showcasing two authors, Bobby Edmonds and Orville Vernon Burton with a book signing on November 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm at 405 Main Street. Light refreshments will be served. Bobby F. Edmonds, a student of local history, has spent his life recording local history, combing through records in courthouses, archives, and private collections, searching in graveyards, reading microfilm and volumes of books, collecting historic photographs, and photographing historic sites. Edmonds was born in a two-room cabin on the family farm, "Cedar Hill" in McCormick County, South Carolina, during the Great Depression to fifth generation South Carolinians.
EdgefieldDaily.com