EdgefieldDaily.com l A look back on 2006 with top stories and most popular pages

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Sheriff assumes command of Johnston Police Department web posted January 6, 2006 JOHNSTON – Johnston Town Mayor Dean Campbell said Thursday morning in a telephone press briefing that Edgefield County Sheriff Adell Dobey and his Office has assumed the duties of Police Chief for the Johnston Police Department temporarily. “The town requested the Sheriff’s Department come in and, in effect, be our interim Chief.” That change took place at 4:00 pm on Wednesday Mayor Campbell said. EdgefieldDaily.com Hayes faces charges in eight burglaries web posted February 11, 2006 EDGEFIELD – The arrest of James Eric Hayes, 20, of Edgefield on Tuesday night for a burglary on Calhoun Street Johnston shortly after it occurred is bringing resolution to as many as eight of the town’s most recent burglaries. Presently Mr. Hayes is being held in the Edgefield County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing. EdgefieldDaily.com Plane crash leaves one dead, one injured web posted February 17, 2006 TRENTON – A plane crash in Trenton has left one man dead and another man injured Thursday evening. Around 6:30 pm, a call came in to 911 that an ultra-light airplane had crashed in a peach field next to the Trenton airport. EMS, the Trenton Fire Department, and Edgefield County Deputies arrived on the scene a short time later. EdgefieldDaily.com Woman found murdered, husband charged web posted February 21, 2006 COUNTY – The grim discovery of a woman found dead at her home has ben ruled a homicide The Edgefield County Sheriff's Office said. Around 3:00 pm Monday afternoon, Deputy Curtis Morris was responding to a call of a drunken driver on Highway 378 East near the intersection of Highway 430 when a woman stopped to inform him of the discovery of a body. Edgefield County Investigators were called and arrived on the scene to find the woman dead and two small children still in the home. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Forensic Units were also called to the scene. EdgefieldDaily.com Accused killer commits suicide in jail Tuesday afternoon web posted February 22, 2006 EDGEFIELD – Less than 24 hours of being taken into custody, the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office said Maurice Kenneth Wilson committed suicide at approximately 1:15 pm on Tuesday at the Edgefield County Detention Center. An ambulance arrived at the Detention Center around 1:25 pm. Several Sheriff’s Deputies also responded to the scene and the Detention Center was placed on lock-down. EdgefieldDaily.com GUILTY! Rapist given life plus 30 years web posted March 23, 2006 EDGEFIELD – The rape and incest trial of Michael Harris came to an end Wednesday with unanimous verdicts of guilty on charges of criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first degree and incest. The jury deliberated just over an hour before reaching their decision. After polling the jury Judge Williams sentenced Mr. Harris to life in prison without the possibility of parole. EdgefieldDaily.com What the jury did not know, but should have web posted March 23, 2006 A Column by the Editor COLUMN – For the past two days, my time has been consumed with sitting in on the trial of Michael Jerome Harris, 43, of Trenton SC. I have been waiting on this trial for over a year. He was convicted today, March 22, 2006, of the rape of his own daughter and incest. He was given a life sentence without the possibility of parole, plus 30 years. Most would say justice was done. However, when you learn the full story of Michael Jerome Harris you will see the injustice of our judicial system and the devastating effects it leaves in its path. EdgefieldDaily.com Edgefield - Johnston elect new mayors web posted Apri 5, 2006 EDGEFIELD/JOHNSTON – The Towns of Edgefield and Johnston held their mayoral elections Tuesday, which resulted in both towns electing new mayors. In Edgefield Ken Durham will take office next month and in Johnston Willie Campbell upset incumbent Dean Campbell. EdgefieldDaily.com Strange animal sighted, photographed web posted May 1, 2006 MERRIWETHER – A comment of sightings of small “kangaroos” in the Wandering Minds section has drawn many reader comments. Over the weekend, one reader sent EdgefieldDaily.com photos of their sightings in the McCormick-Edgefield County line area near Highway 28. EdgefieldDaily.com EdgefieldDaily.com story goes national web posted May 4, 2006 WEBNEWS – EdgefieldDaily.com reported on the mysterious animals being spotted in the Merriwether and Clark Hill area and identified them as Patagonian cavy’s, native to Brazil. Since we broke our story, other media outlets in the area picked it up and contacted us for permission to use our photos and information. Of course, we granted them the permission and the story has taken on a life of its own, first being seen across the two state areas, and now nationally. EdgefieldDaily.com Edgefield Town Councilman found at home raided by police web posted May 9, 2006 EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office and the Edgefield Police Department conducted a raid of a Rosa Hill Street home Sunday and arrested three persons as a result. In previous weeks controlled buys of illegal alcohol, also known as bootleg or moonshine, were made at the residence. As a result of the investigation police obtained a search warrant and conducted the raid. EdgefieldDaily.com Funnel cloud spotted in Trenton during heavy storms web posted June 3, 2006 TRENTON – Several thunderstorms made their way across the county Friday afternoon bringing much needed rain but also brought heavy rain, high winds, lightning, and a report of a funnel cloud in Trenton around 2:30 pm. Trenton took the brunt of the storms with several trees down and debris scattered across roads and yards. One downed tree blocked Greenhouse Road for about two hours before road crews could remove it. EdgefieldDaily.com Peeler wins re-election with overwhelming support web posted June 14, 2006 EDGEFIELD – The hotly contested race for Edgefield County Probate Court Judge came to an end on Tuesday with incumbent Probate Judge Bobby Peeler winning the race with 60% of the vote and challenger Joan Herlong taking 40%. A total of 2556 votes were cast in the race. Reached by phone Tuesday night Judge Peeler said he was pleased with the results and wanted to thank everyone for supporting him over the past 16 years, “I’ll be back at work tomorrow, as always, and will continue to serve the people of Edgefield County to the very best of my ability.” EdgefieldDaily.com Johnston names new Police Chief web posted June 26, 2006 JOHNSTON – The Town of Johnston hired Edgefield County Sheriff’s Investigator David Chris Aston as the new Chief of Police for the Johnston Police Department on Thursday. “Mr. Aston will be an asset to our organization and to the citizens of Johnston,” Mayor Willie Campbell said in a press release issued Friday. “We look forward to his experience, knowledge, and guidance as we move forward with our department and its commitment to our citizens.” EdgefieldDaily.com "Substantial active meth lab" discovered in Merriwether web posted July 8, 2006 MERRIWETHER – When local, state, and federal agents were seeking to locate a fugitive at a home on Briggs Haven Circle a little after 3:00 pm, they did not locate their target but discovered a “substantial active meth lab”. The man and woman living in the home were placed into custody and fire and police lined the street. EdgefieldDaily.com More information obtained on meth lab web posted July 10, 2006 MERRIWETHER – A day after the discovery of a major meth lab in Merriwether, EdgefieldDaily.com revisited the site and obtained more information on how the lab was hidden and kept from being discovered for so long. The man and woman in custody are believed to have been manufacturing the drug in the home as far back as November of last year. EdgefieldDaily.com Shooting victim airlifted to trauma unit, one man in custody web posted August 2, 2006 COUNTY LINE – A County Line man was shot Tuesday afternoon in the front yard of his home on Sandy Hills Court, just off Highway 25. The 911 call came in to dispatchers at 1:39 pm reporting the shooting. According to the victim’s brother, the 19-year-old man was arguing with a 16-year-old black male when the teen produced a small caliber pistol and shot the man in his back before fleeing the scene on foot. EdgefieldDaily.com Alleged shooter charged in attempted murder web posted August 15, 2006 COUNTY – The alleged shooter in an attempted murder has been charged at the Edgefield County Detention Center on Friday. Toreeze Marquel Moten, 17, of the 4000 block of Fulcher Road in Hephzibah, Ga. was formally charged with assault and battery with the intent to kill, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of an unlawful pistol. EdgefieldDaily.com Edgefield County Administrator Adams takes job in Newberry web posted August 18, 2006 COUNTY – Edgefield County Administrator Wayne Adams announced Thursday that he has accepted an offer as Administrator for the County of Newberry County. In a farewell letter Mr. Adams told county employees and elected officials of his intentions and thanked them for their friendship over the last eleven years. EdgefieldDaily.com Pixley given 10 years in kidnapping of Johnston teen web posted September 7, 2006 EDGEFIELD - Ronald Pixley, 45, of Johnston, had his day in court last week during the week of General Sessions Court. Mr. Pixley, a registered sex offender for a second degree criminal sexual conduct conviction, was charged in the kidnapping of a 17-year-old female from Johnston that occurred on March 30 of this year. Mr. Pixley was arrested in less than an hour after that attack. His initial assault charges were increased to kidnapping after the completion of the investigation. EdgefieldDaily.com Edgefield United Daughters of the Confederacy turns 100 web posted September 11, 2006 EDGEFIELD – The United Daughters of the Confederacy Edgefield Chapter celebrated their 100th anniversary Sunday at the historic Oakley Park. UDC Chapter 1018 President Carolyn Piekielniak welcomed everyone to the celebration as did Edgefield Mayor Ken Durham. Following their welcome the 13th SC Volunteer Infantry, Palmetto Battalion, presented the Colors followed by the invocation by Rev. David Bauknight of the Edgefield United Methodist Church. EdgefieldDaily.com Keesley submits resignation as Superintendent of Edgefield County Schools web posted September 26, 2006 COUNTY – Dr. Sharon W. Keesley submitted her letter of resignation as Superintendent of Edgefield County Schools effective June 30, 2007 at the September 26 Board of Trustees meeting. EdgefieldDaily.com "No property taxes" for Edgefield Town residents approved Monday night web posted October 3, 2006 EDGEFIELD – Edgefield Mayor Ken Durham told the Edgefield Town Council Monday night, “I told ya’ll last meeting that I felt a pulse in town, and I’m ready to supercharge that pulse right this second.” The Mayor said the Town of Edgefield could do away with all property taxes including vehicle taxes levied by the town. The basis of the plan is due to the increase in Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) dollars and an increase in population figures, where the town will receive more in SPLOST Funds than it needs to operate under the current budget. EdgefieldDaily.com Toole given 17 years for meth lab in Merriwether web posted October 6, 2006 EDGEFIELD – George Marion Toole, 31, was arrested July 7 when a meth lab was discovered underneath the Briggs Haven Circle mobile home he shared with Carla Rachelle Baker, 29 in Merriwether. Thursday, Judge William Keesley sentenced Mr. Toole to fifteen years for the operation of the meth lab and to an additional two years for the child endangerment charge for a total of seventeen years. Ms. Baker has not appeared in court, to date, to face her charges. EdgefieldDaily.com Court Bailiff charged in murder of Johnston man Saturday web posted November 20, 2006 JOHNSTON – Retired police officer and Court Bailiff Dwight Hall, 59, of McCrieght Street in Johnston has been arrested and is charged with murder. 911 dispatchers received a call of a shooting on the 100 block of Aiken Avenue at 6:20 pm Saturday night. When police arrived they found Gregory Jones, 54, of Walker Street, dead from gunshot wounds. Mr. Hall was taken into custody across the street from the scene. EdgefieldDaily.com Lynn Rearden is Liz Claiborne’s Most Admired Woman web posted November 22, 2006 EDGEFIELD – EdgefieldDaily.com reported earlier this month about Connie Stillinger nominating Edgefield native Lynn Rearden for the Liz Claiborne’s Most Admired Woman Contest. Both Stillinger and Rearden were overjoyed that the nomination made the top five nationally. Thinking little about the entry form Ms. Stillinger entered a short paragraph about Edgefield native Lynn Rearden. “I filled it out and figured that would be the end of it,” Ms. Stillinger said in an earlier interview. Readers were asked to go to the web site to vote for one of the top five entries. The winner of the contest was announced Tuesday and Lynn Rearden has added another award for her tireless efforts helping others. EdgefieldDaily.com Chief Carter takes shot from Taser during training VIDEO ONLINE web posted December 1, 2006 EDGEFIELD – The Edgefield Police Department received their training with the new Tasers recently approved by the Town Council. For all of them it was a shocking experience, literally. Each officer received a jolt from the gun by having the probes attached manually and given a short jolt of the electric blast. Chief Ronnie Carter went one-step further and let the instructor shoot him with the actual gun, completely immobilizing him instantly. EdgefieldDaily.com Chief Easler cleared of wrongdoing, information withheld by Town web posted December 6, 2006 JOHNSTON – Former Johnston Police Chief Butch Easler has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the investigation conducted by SLED that led to his dismissal according to reports received by EdgefieldDaily.com. Contacted on Tuesday about the news Easler said he had not been notified about the investigation being closed. According to Johnston Town Attorney Greg Anderson the town received a letter from the Attorney Generals Office stating there would be no charges filed as a result of the investigation by SLED. The letter was received by the town in October but has not been released. EdgefieldDaily.com Easler speaks out on investigation web posted December 11, 2006 Editor's note: This is just one of several articles that will appear on former Johnston Police Chief Easler and the investigation. The name of the convicted has been removed at this time due to leading to the identification of the victim who was a minor at the time. Chief Easler sat down with the Editor of EdgefieldDaily.com for a 4 1/2 hour exclusive interview into the case. Below is the first article from that interview. EdgefieldDaily.com Masked man attempts bank robbery in Trenton web posted December 16, 2006 TRENTON – If you are going to rob a bank, it might pay-off to actually plan ahead. A man found that out when he attempted to rob the First Citizen’s Bank in Trenton Friday afternoon around 4pm. After donning his ski mask he tried to enter the doors and found them locked. Getting frustrated not being able to get in the man turned and left, removing his mask. It is unknown at this time if the masked man was armed. After a robbery on January 27, 2003 the bank began keeping the doors locked and customers have to be let in by bank personnel. 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