Investigators seek answer to why driver
crossed center line

November 17, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Autopsy results for a Greenwood woman killed Tuesday in a wreck on Northside Drive have been released.
Earline King Pope, 74, died from chest injuries sustained after her SUV collided head-on with a school bus carrying 25 Emerald High School students.
Greenwood County Deputy Coroner Marcia Kelley said no other medical condition contributed to the wreck, adding that no definitive answer could be given as to why Pope’s vehicle crossed the road’s centerline about 3:20 p.m. Tuesday.
Pope had just gotten off from her job as a greeter at Wal-Mart in Greenwood, and was going to her home at 106 Beech Court, which is north of the wreck scene, Kelley said on Tuesday.
The driver of the bus, Annquenettes Puckett Wright, 32, of Greenwood, was taken to the hospital following the wreck, but she had been released from the hospital by noon Wednesday.
One student on the bus also was taken to the hospital after complaining of dizziness, Greenwood School District 50 Superintendent Bill Steed said on Tuesday.
The wreck occurred between Pinecrest Elementary School and the G. Frank Russell Career and Technology Center. The students were being bused from the Career Center to Emerald High.
The wreck was also near the rear entrance to Greenwood High School, which was letting out students for the afternoon.
A power pole alongside Northside Drive was knocked down in the wreck, causing a transformer to explode and leaving 75 customers without power for about 30 minutes.
Traffic was blocked from entering Northside Drive at S.C. 254 and at the intersection of Haltiwanger Road, and the road remained closed for eight hours after the wreck occurred, as investigators with the S.C. Highway Patrol’s MAIT (Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team) reconstructed the scene.
Lance Cpl. Steve Sluder, a spokesman with the highway patrol, said it could be 6-8 months before the results of the investigation are completed.
After the wreck, students were loaded onto a second bus and taken to Emerald, where staff members were on hand to speak with the students, said Sabra Price, principal at Emerald.
Price said several students involved in the wreck were out of school Wednesday, and several students received medical attention Tuesday at the wreck site.
“Overall, I think our kids are doing fairly well. It was a very traumatic event and very sad,” Price said. “It was very tragic. A lot of the students knew the lady that passed away.”
Price said counselors were available at the school for students on Wednesday.
Kevin Roten, co-manager with Wal-Mart, said Pope had been an employee with the store for about 10 years.
“She was a very caring associate and outgoing,” he said, “but at the same time, very quiet and went about her job.”

Megan Varner covers general assignments in Greenwood and the Lakelands. She can be reached at 223-1811, ext. 3308, or: mvarner@indexjournal.com

Local clinic aims to combat nursing shortages

Lander, Piedmont Tech, Self Regional join forces on laboratory program

November 17, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

They can cry, they can laugh, they can cough and they can moan. They have heartbeats and, sometimes, even have wounds.
They aren’t real people, however.
They are sophisticated computerized mannequins, and they are being used to give nursing students from Lander University and Piedmont Tech a realistic glimpse of the medical situations they could encounter when leaving the classroom and entering the hospital.
The mannequins are one component of the new student clinical laboratory at Self Regional Medical Center, and officials with the hospital and two schools gathered Wednesday to celebrate the lab’s official opening.
Located on the west side of the Self Regional campus in the building that used to house Parrish Pharmacy, the lab, designed to supplement nursing facilities at the schools, will be used by about 200 students each year, according to a statement from Self Regional.
Along with the mannequins, the 3,500-square-foot lab houses eight beds, a lecture room and IV insertion simulators, and has computer access. The two colleges will provide nursing faculty to lead students in the lab, which is owned by Self Regional.
In December 2004, officials received a $150,000 grant from the Duke Endowment to help renovate and stock the lab with equipment, said Becky King, director of nursing education at Piedmont Tech.
“We wanted to increase enrollment in the nursing program, yet we needed facilities where (the students) could practice and learn,” King said. “By Self providing an additional site for nurses to practice, we can take in more students.”
King said if higher numbers of students can enter the Piedmont Tech and Lander nursing programs, more students will graduate, thus easing the nationwide shortage of nurses and nursing faculty.
“It’s wonderful. There is more space and more up-to-date equipment,” said Susie McAlister, education coordinator with Self Regional. “(The lab) will give the students more experience using what we have in the hospital.”
Self Regional President and CEO John Heydel said the lab is designed to give students the best clinical experience possible and to serve as a valuable tool in helping them prepare to serve patients.
“It closely reflects the actual provider-to-patient scenario, and simulates what transpires in that experience,” he said to the crowd.
Heydel said the Lakelands, thanks to the growing number of nursing students at Lander and Piedmont Tech, has had some success in decreasing local nursing shortages.
In the past five years, Self Regional’s employment rate of nursing graduates from both schools has increased about 30 percent, according to the statement. Last year, Self Regional recruited 45 percent of Lander’s nursing graduates and 38 percent of Piedmont Tech’s nursing graduates.
Connie Conner, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Self Regional, said the lab has been a goal she has been dreaming about for the past eight years.
She said having the up-to-date equipment should make the transition from student to nurse much easier for the students, faculty and hospitals.
“It’s going to make learning so much easier,” said Kelley Calvert, a nursing student at Lander. “Because of the situations the mannequins can simulate, you can actually do (the procedures), just not on an actual person.”
Piedmont Tech senior nursing student Vivian Cooper said the lab is “cool and interesting.”
“Before, all we had were mannequins that didn’t react. These mannequins can be programmed to do things, and we can get a better idea of what to look for when we go into a hospital,” she said. “It’s the next best thing to having an actual patient.”

Megan Varner covers general assignments in Greenwood and the Lakelands. She can be reached at 223-1811, ext. 3308, or: mvarner@indexjournal.com

Indian Land a mystery to Ware Shoals

November 17, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

Don’t blame Ware Shoals High School football coach Jeff Murdock for not having much playoff information on Indian Land.
Not many do.
While the Hornets (10-2) are making a return trip to the Class A Upper State semifinals, the Warriors will make their first-ever trip to the third round of the playoffs when they arrive at Riegel Stadium for the 8 p.m. matchup Friday.
The Warriors missed the playoffs twice and were bounced in the second round two times in the last six years.
But this season, the fifth under coach Mike Mayer, Indian Land has its best record, 11-1, in school history.
However, of the Warriors’ 11 wins, only one win came against a team with a winning record: 8-3 Buford.
One came against Prince Avenue Preparatory School, while the other nine had a combined record of 23-75.
And the team’s one loss, a 29-18 defeat to Lewisville, cost the Warriors their first region title.
Nevertheless, the Ware Shoals coach isn’t ready to overlook Indian Land, especially after the Warriors won their first two playoff games — 45-7 over Wagener-Salley and 40-7 over Landrum.
“They’re a true 11-1 team,” Murdock said. “I think because they’re so far away from us is why we don’t hear much about them. And history has had a lot to do with it.
“We’re looking for a 48-minute battle.”
The Warriors do present a new challenge for the Hornets. The Indian Land offense operates out of the pro I formation, something Murdock said his team hasn’t seen much of this season.
“This week, we went back to the basics,” Murdock said. “If you looked at us practicing this week, it would resemble what we did in the spring.
“Indian Land runs straight at you. And the reason for us going back to the basics is that we need to make sure we’re solid on the fundamentals.”
Senior tailback Kamaal McIlwain, a North All-Star, leads the Warriors’ offense with 1,012 yards and nine touchdowns rushing.
“He’s made a lot of good plays for us, but he’s also been a key vocal leader for us,” Mayer said of McIlwain.
Tailback Willie Hood is close behind the senior All-Star with 892 yards and 12 touchdowns, while fullback Michael Whetstone and tailback Tony Hood have 377 and 286 yards rushing, respectively.
When Indian Land looks to throw, it turns to 6-foot-5 senior quarterback Jonathon Metzelaars, son of former NFL tight end Pete Metzelaars.
Jonathon has passed for 1,269 yards and 13 touchdowns, including 155 yards and two scores in the win over Landrum last week.
One of those TD passes against the Cardinals went to McIlwain, who also added one rushing to go along with 106 yards on the ground.
“We have to contain the speed, especially the tailback,” Murdock said. “We will need to limit their attempts by playing a little ball control, moving the chains on offense.
“So, not too much out of the ordinary.”
While the Warriors have breezed through the first two rounds of the playoffs, Ware Shoals faced a stiff challenge in last week’s 29-14 win over Ridge Spring-Monetta.
“It wasn’t decided until about five minutes to go in the game,” Murdock said. “It was a tight ballgame. We were up early, but they made a run on us.”
Freshman LaDarius Hawthorne ran back the kickoff to open the second half 80 yards for the go-ahead score, breaking a 14-all tie.
“It was the play of the game,” Murdock said of Hawthorne’s touchdown run. “They had momentum going into the half. We were fortunate to get that return because it swung momentum back to us.”
The Ware Shoals offense struggled against the Trojans. One week after putting up 500-plus yards of total offense, the Hornets gained 265 yards passing and rushing combined, just 13 more than RS-M.
Sophomore wingback Patorious Leverette leads Ware Shoals in rushing, picking up 982 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Junior wingback Tony Lomax has 740 yards and 11 scores, despite missing some time because of injuries, while freshman wingback Lance Richardson has 426 yards and six scores.
“They run a very unique offense,” Mayer said. “It’s very difficult to defend and difficult to simulate in practice. A big key for us is not to let them eat up all of the clock.”
Senior quarterback Keith Stewart continues to add a wrinkle to the Hornets’ quirky offense. Stewart has thrown for 1,107 yards and 12 scores.
Both teams head into the game in familiar territory, of sorts.
Indian Land should be nicknamed the “Road” Warriors. The three-hour tour to Ware Shoals for Friday’s game is the team’s eighth away game. Indian Land is 7-0 on the road heading into this game.
The Hornets, who have home-field advantage through to the state finals, are at Riegel Stadium for the eighth time this season, winning six of the previous seven.
“It’s huge for us to be at home,” Murdock said. “Our crowd has been great, especially after (Hawthorne’s) touchdown run. The players really fed off the crowd after that.”

Vikes get 2nd chance to defeat Newberry

November 17, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

There’s a sports adage that states the difficulty of facing an opponent two times in the same season.
Unfortunately for him, Newberry coach Sam Baird knows all about it.
In fact, it’s something he’s dreading even more now as his Bulldogs (8-4) are preparing to take on Region III-AA-rival Emerald (10-2) for the second time in six weeks at 7:30 Friday night at Frank Hill Stadium in the third round of the Class AA playoffs.
“Playing the same person twice is tough for either team,” said Baird, whose Bulldogs won the first meeting, 42-28, on Oct. 8 in Newberry. “You go out there second guessing what you what to do with what you did before.
“I’ve never like playing the same team twice. Not even someone I’ve scrimmaged before. It gives too much away. It’s just the fact that they know our weaknesses and we know theirs.”
Baird’s anxiety won’t be assuaged with Emerald coach Mac Bryan’s take on his Vikings getting a second chance at the Bulldogs.
“One things for sure, our kids are highly motivated about it. There’s been no problem getting them focused for this week,” Bryan said. “There’s no doubt it’s a big asset for us to have tape of that first game. It’s hard to find someone that plays like us. With that first tape, we can see how their defense responds to what we do.”
One thing Bryan will see on that tape was a pretty evenly matched game, with the exception of the third quarter.
With both teams scoring 28 points in the other three quarters, it was a 14-point third that ended the Vikings’ five-game winning streak.
“The third quarter they took a drive almost seven minutes to score,” Bryan said. “That was almost the entire quarter. Then we had a bad series, and they scored again.
“They took the game away from us in the third.”
The two biggest discrepancies in the first meeting for Emerald were time of possession and third-down conversions. Newberry had the ball for 30 minutes, 47 seconds and converted 7 of 14 third downs, while the Vikings had possession for 17:12 and converted 2 of 11 third downs.
The Bulldogs rushed for 351 yards against the Vikings the first time, getting four touchdowns from Courtney Nance.
Nance also put up four scores in last week’s second-round win over Abbeville to go along with 199 yards rushing.
Running is a big thing for Newberry’s wing T offense. The Bulldogs have accumulated more than five times more yards on the ground as through the air (3,951 to 696).
“We kind of live on the run. That’s what we do best,” Baird said. “We have a lot of backs, and we use as many as we can.
“We’ve run the plays so many times during the season that the kids are pretty good at running it. Just practice, I guess.”
Nance leads the group of 10 backs with 1,159 yards rushing on the season and is one of four with more than 400 yards.
Sanchez Gartman, who added 118 of the 459 yards rushing against Abbeville, is second on the team with 963 yards, while Trey Bates and Dominique Brown have 493 and 462, respectively.
“What you have to do is crowd the box and tackle well,” Bryan said. “And with the wing T, we have to do is get penetration in the backfield to interrupt the flow of their offense.
“We can’t let them go on long drives. But they don’t have to be a grind-it-out team. They seem to score a lot on big plays.”
The Vikings had their fair share of big plays in last week’s 55-29 win over Palmetto, scoring six touchdowns of 30 yards or more.
Emerald cruised to a 42-13 halftime lead before weathering a 16-point fourth-quarter hiccup from the Mustangs to the Vikings their second straight playoff win by more 20 points.
“We were able to get and score 42 points by halftime, and in the second half, it was a matter of moving the ball around,” Bryan said. “But they (Palmetto) played hard. They actually forced my hand and put (starting quarterback) Dan (Wideman) back in for one series.”
That one series came midway through the fourth with Emerald leading 49-29. The North All-Star took one snap and launched a 65-yard touchdown pass – his fourth of the game – to Justin Calhoun.
“I’d like to tell you that I planned it that way, but it just worked out for us,” Bryan said.
Wideman finished the game with 318 yards passing and 90 yards and two touchdowns rushing, bringing his staggering totals to 3,465 yards and 31 touchdowns passing and 811 yards and 16 scores rushing.
Numbers that haven’t gone unnoticed by the Newberry coach.
“He (Wideman) may be more dangerous running the ball,” Baird said. “He’s going to get his yards, and it’s hard to get a good hit on him because he’s smart enough to get out of bounds before taking a good hit.”
While the Bulldogs have a bevy of running backs, the Vikings are loaded with receivers.
Senior Demarco Anderson leads a group of 16 wide outs with 70 catches for 980 yards and 11 touchdowns. Peferio Strong, Nick Lanier and Tavares Gilliam have 30 or more receptions. But the Vikings will be without the services of Terrance and Tony Rapley, who were ejected from last week’s game along with two players from Palmetto after a pushing-and-shoving incident occurred after an Emerald touchdown in the second quarter.
By South Carolina High School League rule, a player or players ejected must sit out the following game, unless an appeal is approved by the league. Bryan said no appeal was filed.

Opinion

Saying ‘Merry Christmas’ is not done to be offensive

November 17, 2005

Christmas is one of the two biggest Christian celebrations in this nation. Christians, which happen to be in the majority, have always been receptive and supportive of all religious observances and celebrations. Now, however, they have become the victims of religious prejudice and unless that changes, it’s likely to intensify.
Christmas Season is one of, if not the biggest reason for giving and that, of course, means it’s a big season for retailers and wholesalers. In short, it’s a shot in the economic arm for Greenwood and every other community from coast to coast.
All through our history, “Merry Christmas” has been a cheerful greeting. It has always been expected and accepted, by all Americans. It has not been offensive to the majority of people, regardless of their religion or background. All of us have used it in the most positive way.

THAT, OF COURSE, HAS BEEN because tolerance of such customs has always been a hallmark of our society. Jews wish Christians a Merry Christmas and Christians wish them a Happy Hanukkah. As Americans, we’ve always been happy to accommodate each other as we each observe our own historic religious, ethnic and social customs. That’s what the real underlying meaning of our “melting pot” society has been.
Don’t be surprised this year, though, when you don’t hear that familiar phrase when you shop or go to the post office. Many who work in places that serve the public have been ordered by their higher-ups to say something like “Happy Holidays,” not “Merry Christmas.”
Since this nation is built on the principle of individual freedom, and our rights are constitutionally protected, it’s a sad day if the time-tested and respected customs of Christmas are so cavalierly cast aside.

THOSE WHO ORDER SUCH nonsense don’t want to offend anyone who is not Christian, or so they say. Do they not realize they are offending the majority of their customers and Americans – the Christian majority – during this important season?
That’s bad enough. However, by eliminating customs – and the tolerance they represent – they are helping destroy the very basics of what this nation is supposed to be.
All Americans should have the right to their beliefs and customs, regardless of what or who they are, and rejoice that we all enjoy the same rights. We should, to the best of our collective ability, uphold this particular right for others, too. If any of us feel threatened by others celebrating their beliefs and customs, how can we call ourselves Americans.
Speak up. Make it clear. Say “Merry Christmas!” wherever you go. If others avoid the issue, that’s their problem ….. and those who require it.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Winnie W. Adams

LAURENS — On November 15, 2005, the Lord welcomed Winnie Wates Adams into His presence.
Mrs. Adams was born June 26, 1909 in Saluda, S.C., the daughter of Joseph Franklin and Belle Banks Wates. She was one of seven children and had a twin brother. Mrs. Adams was married 73 years to her beloved Johnny Adams, who predeceased her, and was the mother of five children, Wates Adams and his wife, Hinky, of Greenwood, John Quincy Adams and his wife, Jane, of San Jose, California, Bill Adams and his wife, Patsy, Herbert Adams and his wife, Gwen, and Alice Adams Brown and her husband, Byron, all of Laurens. She was the loving grandmother of 16 grandchildren, two of whom predeceased her, and she had 34 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Adams knew all of their and their spouses’ birthdays by memory and faithfully remembered each one with a birthday card every year. The total being 75. One brother, Banks Wates, now lives at Bethea Home in Darlington, and she is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Adams had been a member of Laurens First Baptist Church since January of 1936, where she served for 17 years as director and leader of what was then called Sunbeams, a mission organization for little children. She was a member of the Ellie Swofford-Ruth Sunday School Class. In past years, she was a member of the Lioness Club and the Camellia Garden Club. She was a graduate of Summerland College.
She and Mr. Adams provided a loving home, not only for their five children, but for some years for her parents and sister, and for Mr. Adams’ mother. They have left a wonderful example of loving, giving of oneself, and caring for others to their children and grandchildren which will not be forgotten.
The family will receive friends before the service in the Rotunda of First Baptist Church from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Friday, November 18 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Bev T. Kennedy, Jr., Rev. Marc Coker, and Dr. Russell Dean officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Mrs. Adams’ grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Her nephews will be honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center, 1 Martha Franks Drive, Laurens, SC 29360, the Organ Fund of Laurens First Baptist Church, 300 West Main Street, Laurens, SC 29360, or a charity of one’s choice.
The Kennedy Mortuary, Laurens.
PAID OBITUARY

Billy Boswell

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Willie P. “Billy” Boswell Jr., 56, husband of Veronica “Ronnie” Boswell, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005 in Colorado.
Born in Washington, Ga., he was a son of the late Willie and Frances Pearson Boswell. He was a 1968 graduate of Greenwood High School and was employed by Champion Ford in Boulder.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, Shawn Boswell of the home; three sisters, Anne Akins, Kathy Duffie and Cindy Stockman, all of Ninety Six, S.C.
A memorial service is Thursday in Westminster, Colo.
Agape Funeral Service, Littleton, is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Harley Funeral Home.

Bailey Davis

WARE SHOALS — William Bailey Davis, 70, husband of Judith Bagwell Davis, of 11 E. Summit Drive, died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 at HospiceCare of the Piedmont, Greenwood.
Born in Laurens County, he was a son of the late John Asa and Lillie Henderson Davis. He retired from S.C. State Department of Labor and was a member of Harmony United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Wanda Davis Gambrell of Donalds; a brother Johnny Davis of Johnston; a sister, Mrs. Charles (Ida) Dalziel of Savannah, Ga.; and a grandchild.
Services are 2 p.m. Friday at Parker-White Funeral Home, conducted by the Revs. Fred Treaster and Bobby Morrow. Burial is in Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Brad Sims, Russell Phillips, Johnny Cooper, Darrell Bagwell, Roger Davenport, Roger Wideman, Charles Maybre and Tom Thompson.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Parker-White Funeral Home is in charge.

Annie Mae Wims Morton

Annie Mae Wims Morton, 91, of 914 Haigler St., widow of Johnny G. Morton, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005 at McCormick Health Care Center.
A daughter of the late Benjamin and Alice Moore Wims, she was a domestic worker and a member of Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, Promised Land.
Survivors include three sons, John B. Morton, Porter M. Morton, both of Abbeville and Kenneth E. Morton of Atlanta; three daughters, Mary Alice Morton Milford of Columbus, Ga., Gloria Morton Grant of Abbeville and Geneva Morton Gillus of Elizabeth City, N.C.; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren;
Services are 2 p.m. Sunday at St. James A.M.E. Church, conducted by the Rev. Judy M. Richardson, pastor, and Pastor James E. Speed Sr. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in Long Cane Church Cemetery. Visitation is at the home.
Viewing is 12-7 p.m. Saturday at Richie Funeral Home.
Richie Funeral Home is in charge.

Earline King Pope

Earline King Pope, 74, of 106 Beech Court, widow of Willie James Pope Sr., died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Cornelius “Sonnie” and Sallie Dandy King. She was employed as a greeter at Wal-Mart and was a retired weaver of Greenwood Mills Adams Plant. She was a member of Pleasant Rock Baptist Church, Ninety Six, where she was a member of the Senior Choir, Usher Board and Ladies in White. She was also a member of Order of the Eastern Star No. 419.
Survivors include seven sons, Willie James Pope Jr. of Ninety Six, William Ervin Pope Sr., Larry Franklin Pope Sr., Bruce O’neal Pope, all of Greenwood, Sandford Allen Pope of Atlanta, Carl Pope of Hodgenville, Ky., and Marion Lee Pope of Simpsonville; two daughters, Debra Pope of the home and Mrs. Moses (Doris P.) Miller of Greenwood; 21 grandchildren, one of the home, Tycia Pope; 16 great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Georgie Summey in Wednesday’s paper, survivors were omitted from the information given to The Index-Journal. Also surviving are a stepsister, Claudette Madden, and a stepbrother, Jack Simmons, both of Greenwood.