Blackwell gets tech position

Former principal starts new district job Monday

April 26, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — Following a three-month suspension with pay, a date has been set for Jane Blackwell to return to work in Ware Shoals School District 51.
Blackwell heads back to work Monday, but not as principal at Ware Shoals High School.
Superintendent Fay Sprouse said Blackwell will take a position in the District 51 technology department.
Blackwell was suspended in late January after being arrested and charged with obstruction of justice by the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators accuse Blackwell of hindering and impeding their investigation of former Ware Shoals cheerleading coach Jill Moore, who was arrested Jan. 18 and charged with providing alcohol to minors and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The District 51 school board voted Monday night to rescind Blackwell’s suspension. A motion and second on the issue were heard during a closed-door meeting, and the board’s vote in public was unanimous.
However, the board and attorney Bruce Davis announced early Tuesday morning — when the meeting that began Monday afternoon actually ended — that Blackwell would work elsewhere within the district, at least until the results of her upcoming criminal trial are known.
Sprouse said Tuesday the position Blackwell will start in Monday was recently vacated.
“We had a fellow in the technology department that recently put in his notice,” Sprouse said.
“So Jane will fill that slot for now.”
Sprouse did clear up the question of whether Blackwell will work at Ware Shoals High next year.
“We will not be offering her a contract at the high school,” Sprouse said. “I just think that is best. Best for her, best for the district, considering all the circumstances. She will be offered a contract for another position within the district, though we don’t know what that will be just yet.”
Sprouse said she did not know what Blackwell’s salary would be for next year, as she does not know what Blackwell’s position will be. Sprouse did say Blackwell will close out the school year in the technology department at the same pay she has received throughout the 2006-07 school year.
According to the District 51 Web site, the last day of school is May 24.

Plans for park taking shape

Land in question is at Bypass 72 and Grace Street

April 26, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Following almost seven years of negotiations, a deal is nearly in place for the construction of a new 44-acre park in Greenwood.
Greenwood County Council has passed a resolution that authorizes the acceptance of a deed to the Grace Street water plant property from the City of Greenwood, and has agreed to hold the property for the Greenwood County Parks Commission.
The land is at the corner of the Highway 72 Bypass and Grace Street.
The resolution calls for Commissioners of Public Works to deed a portion of the land (44 acres) to the city, which would then convey the land to Greenwood County. The county parks commission will then construct and operate a public park on the property.
The resolution still needs approval from CPW, which likely will consider the issue at its meeting at 10 a.m. today.
“We are excited about it,” said Billy Nicholson, chairman of the parks commission. “I think the success of the park at West Cambridge and the use of that facility is a good example of what this could be.”
Nicholson said that the “greenspace” the park could provide off the bypass — an area that is, for the most part, commercially developed — is an attractive prospect.
As part of the resolution, the county included several terms and conditions upon which it would accept the deed.
One condition is that the deed must convey the property to be used for the construction of a public park. Another requires the deed provide that the county has the option of conveying the property to CPW at any time, without restriction or limitation.
The resolution also calls for the county to release the city from any liability the city might incur in its interim ownership of the property. The resolution also offers that the property will revert to the city, or alternatively CPW, if the parks commission does not construct a park on the land within five years of conveyance of the deed or if the property ceases to be used as a public park.
The county also proposes to provide liability insurance covering the property. The insurance is said to be consistent with the liability coverage the county provides for other properties it owns.
Some plans for the park call for one of the two ponds on the property to be refurbished and the other filled to create a meadow. The existing water plant building will be cleared of any hazardous materials and refurbished to provide shelter, offices and restrooms for the park.
Nicholson also offered that the building could be used for educational purposes such as a museum. Playgrounds would be distributed throughout the property, and 2 1/2 miles of trails would be built to utilize the pond, meadows and scenic forested hillsides.

Vikes take Dist. III title

EHS gets 5 runs in second, fifth innings for win

April 26, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Emerald Vikings appeared to be on a mission Wednesday in their 11-3 win over Palmetto in the Class AA, District III title game.
The Vikings scored five runs in the second and fifth innings, and Palmetto just couldn’t match their offensive output.
Emerald’s Josh Lovvorn led the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 at the plate while scoring two runs.
“I just kept my hands back and waited on the ball today,” Lovvorn said. “I had been out in front trying to pull everything.”
Defensively, the Vikings made a few plays to avoid an extra game against Palmetto.
In the top of the fifth inning, Louden Brooks picked off Palmetto’s Michael Walpole at the plate.
Walpole prepared to score but was upended by Lovvorn, who made the tag right before he had a chance to score.
“I just turned around and he was there,” Lovvorn said. “I dropped my shoulder and he went flying over.”
Emerald’s Stephen Gary got things going for the Vikings after hitting a single in the bottom of the second.
Gary and Derek Moore would score the Vikings first two runs of the game after a bunt by Hunter Dowis was mishandled.
John Woolston, who picked up the win for the Vikings, then knocked in Dowis with an RBI single to push the score to 3-0 with no outs.
The surprise run of the inning came by way of Ryan Wilkie, who laid down a textbook bunt, allowing Tyler McGraw to score an additional run.
Although the Vikings led 5-0 heading into the top of the third inning, trouble was brewing. Gary, who started the game on the mound, opened the inning by walking the first two batters he faced.
Palmetto scored its first run of the inning and had no outs with the bases loaded when Vikings coach Chad Evans replaced Gary with Woolston.
“He was just having a little trouble locating his pitches,” Emerald coach Chad Evans said. “We feel like we have three or four good, quality starters. I felt like Stephen didn’t have his good stuff today and I figured John might. I was in a bit of a dilemma before the game and I didn’t really know who I wanted to start.”
The Vikings defense performed damage control for the rest of the inning and led 5-2 until the top of the fifth inning.
Palmetto’s Jeremy Beacham was able to close the gap to 5-3 when he hit an RBI single, knocking in Mark Cochran.
Palmetto coach Tim Broome, who had received a warning from the umpire earlier in the game, was sent to the dugout in the top of the inning after a second play at the plate went in favor of the Vikings when Brandon Miller made a nice grab in the infield and was able to get the ball to Lovvorn.
Broome was eventually tossed in the bottom of the fifth inning as Emerald sent nine batters to the plate.
The Vikings capped off their scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning when Derek Moore hit an RBI double.
“We were fortunate today,” Evans said. “The guys have been working real hard in practice and we hit the ball a lot better today. I hope we can continue to do that.”
The Vikings return to action Saturday when Gilbert comes to town for the opening round of the Upper State playoffs.

EHS picks up assistant coordinator

April 26, 2007

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

Emerald High School has a new assistant offensive coordinator on its football staff, and he will only have to change directions of travel when he leaves home for work.
Emerald athletic director and head football coach Mike Clowney said Wednesday that Sentell Peake is leaving Greenwood High School and joining the Vikings’ staff.
Peake spent the past three years at Greenwood, where he coached running backs two years and wide receivers one year in his first journey into coaching after graduating from Newberry College.
In high school, Peake played on the 1995 Union state championship team, following in the steps of Clowney, who also attended Union.
Peake lettered four years and started 27 games at Newberry, where he was a wide receiver.
“I’m excited about it,” Peake said of the move across town. “I am looking forward to the opportunity and challenge of trying to help them go from 3-7 (last season) to a region championship.”
Clowney said Peake would take over full time the duties Clownes shared with Mark Sorrow last season.
“I think Sentell will do a good job for us,” Clowney said. “He has been around the game and is very knowledgeable of it. And he has been a good coach.”
Peake’s philosophy of the game is play 11 on 11, keeping the quarterback involved in the running and passing game.
“I try to split it between running and passing and stay focused on what the defense gives you,” Peake said.
Peake said he might use some of the same drills he learned at Newberry to get the players to play the game the way it should be played.
“We feel he will make a difference, and along with the guys we have here, adding him will give us a solid opportunity to be successful,” Clowney said. “It will be a team effort.”
May 7 is the date for the start of spring practice at Emerald.

Obituaries

Patricia L. Henderson

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Patricia “Pat” Louise Henderson, 60, of Lincolnton, NC, died Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at her home. Born Nov. 21, 1946, in Spartanburg, SC, she was the daughter of Jack C. Henderson of Port St. Lucie, FL, and Zelma Tipton Still of Inman, SC, and the stepdaughter of the late Alvis C. Still. A graduate of Spartanburg High School, she was a resident of Louisville, KY, from 1987-2007, and a former resident of Atlanta, GA. She was retired from General Electric in Louisville, KY, and was formerly employed at General Electric, Pepsi Cola, and Goodyear Tire and Rubber, all in Atlanta, GA, and Trailways Bus Lines in Spartanburg.
Surviving in addition to her parents are three sisters, Martha Murdoch and her husband, Bob of Boiling Springs, Janice Wright and her husband, Chet of Stanley, NC, and Gail Robbins and her husband, Kenneth of Greenwood; and numerous special nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tipton.
Visitation will be 10-10:45 a.m. Friday, April 27, 2007, at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Dale McAbee. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Lincoln County, 107 North Cedar Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092.
An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com.
Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel.

Gloria ‘Toot’ Thomas

Gloria “Toot” Thomas, 45, of 317 Gray St., died on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Greenwood County, she was the daughter of the late Hughey Childs and the late Sarah Thomas. She was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include two sons, Isaac Thomas of Tampa, Florida and Frankie Thomas of Greenwood; two daughters, Shenika Thomas of Greenwood and Kesha Thomas of Tampa, Florida; one brother, Michael Thomas; one sister, Cynthia Thomas of Greenwood; and nine grandchildren. The family is at the home of a daughter, Shenika Thomas, 1524 Parkway Drive, Apt. 713. Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com.

John Roger Thomas

HODGES — John Roger Thomas, 53, husband of Roxanne Smith, died at his home April 25, 2007.
He was born in Massachusetts, a son of Jemima Riddex Thomas, Kilmarnock, Scotland, and the late Summie Lee Thomas. He served in the Army, 82nd Airborne, for a brief period and was a retired automotive technician. Mr. Thomas had volunteered with Meals on Wheels since 1996.
Surviving, besides his mother and his wife of the home, are a brother, Donald Thomas, Kilmarnock, Scotland and a sister, Jem Duncan, Australia.
Graveside services will be conducted Friday at 3 p.m. at Ware Shoals Cemetery, with Rev. Charles Caldwell officiating.
Memorials may be made to Piedmont Agency on Aging, 808 Emerald Road S., Greenwood, S.C. 29646 or to the Humane Society, P.O. Box 242, Greenwood, S.C. 29648. The family will be at the home of June Smith, 22 W. Main St., Ware Shoals, S.C.
Parker-White Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dessie Lee McGowan Workman

Dessie Lee McGowan Workman, 90, formerly of 6 Lark St. in Greenville, widow of William “Doc” Workman, died on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Laurens County, she was the daughter of the late John Wesley McGowan and the late Hattie Jacob McGowan. She was a member of St. Vaughnville Baptist Church in Chappells.
Survivors include a foster son, Willie Andrews Lindsey of Greenwood, one sister, Mary Cannon of Greenwood, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Services are 11 a.m. on Friday, April 27, 2007, at St. Vaughnville Baptist Church in Chappells, conducted by Rev. Ray A. Pilgrim. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family is at the home of her sister, Mary Cannon, 1424 West Alexander Dr. (Cannon Dr.).
Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com.

Opinion

Will rising costs exclude the average sports fan?

April 26, 2007

South Carolina has some outstanding college athletics programs. Teams in baseball, football and basketball - on occasion - consistently stay in the national rankings, along with soccer, softball, swimming. tennis and maybe others.
Look at Winthrop University’s basketball team, coached by Greenwood native Greg Marshall. It once again made it to the NCAA playoffs this year. The Clemson, USC and other baseball teams at times rank high and excel year after year. Fans can point to them with pride and indeed can pretty much predict their teams will represent their schools and South Carolina well.
There are, to be sure, some malcontents who are never satisfied. They show it in a variety of ways. Overall, though, Palmetto State sports fans support their teams in attendance, ticket sales and financial backing.

SOME MAY HAVE SERIOUS concerns these days and wonder what lies ahead for them as costs continue to spiral upward.
The foundation of any fan base, of course, is made up of good but average fans. They create the numbers seen in the stadiums and coliseums for every game. Sometimes there is standing room only. That’s not unusual, especially for this time of year as winning baseball holds the spotlight.
Fans of all college athletics teams in South Carolina are as loyal as they come. That’s obvious even in some teams’ losing seasons. Furthermore, over the years they have dug deep to buy tickets. As the prices rose the deeper they dug .... and gladly. Waiting lists for season tickets are not unusual.
Tickets have gotten more expensive every year in recent times as revenue has been needed to improve facilities and run winning (or hopeful) athletics programs.

CHANCES ARE FANS WILL continue to ante up, regardless of the higher prices ..... at least some of them will, for sure. There must be some fans, though, who wonder how long it will be before they are priced out of participation.
Improved facilities, etc., are helpful, naturally, and they must keep pace with others in their conferences. At some point, though, there has to be concern that prices will become prohibitive for “regular” fans who have indeed been the backbone of support for college sports.
You always get what you pay for, to be sure. There’s likely to come a time, though, when the price will be too high to pay, especially for the average fan. Unless something changes, how long will it be before college sports will be only for the very rich?