Greenwood, Abbeville agencies receive
update on new domestic violence laws

February 24, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

According to the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA), nearly 40,000 cases of domestic violence were reported in this state in 2002, and South Carolina ranks sixth in the nation in the number of women killed by intimate male partners.
In 2003, Greenwood County ranked seventh in the state in domestic assault, with more than 1,100 reported cases.
It is a crime that has far-reaching effects, going beyond just the victim and abuser to have a dramatic impact on the community and economy, and SCCADVASA reports that businesses spend about $5 billion a year on medical expenses related to domestic violence.
Legislators have taken notice of the issue of domestic violence, and, on Jan. 1, new criminal domestic violence statutes took effect across the state. On Thursday, representatives from agencies in the Greenwood and Abbeville Domestic Violence Coordinating Council heard from legal experts about those changes and what they mean for victims of the crime.
“Since most of the people on the Council will work with domestic violence victims at some point, they wanted to get updated on these new laws and services,” said Alice Hodges, executive director for MEG’s House, a local women’s shelter and sponsor of the training seminar.
“Criminal domestic violence is a big problem in South Carolina. That’s no surprise to anyone in this room,” Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace told the audience, which included representatives from local service, government and law enforcement agencies. “These are difficult cases to handle because by the time the case gets to court, (the victim and abuser) have made up and they want to drop the charges.”
Peace gave an example of one case where a victim recanted her claim of abuse during a trial, leading the jury to reach a not-guilty verdict.
“The jury came out with a question: If the victim wants to drop the charges, why is the state prosecuting the case?” Peace said. But because of the gravity of the crime, Peace said his office generally will not drop charges in a domestic violence case.
“I can guarantee you that we will do our best to wrestle with this problem,” he said, adding that government grants to hire domestic violence prosecutors in each circuit have helped.
Elizabeth White, an attorney who handles domestic violence cases with the solicitor’s office, briefed the crowd on new criminal domestic violence definitions and penalties that went into effect this year. Under state law, it is unlawful to cause or attempt to cause physical harm or injury to a household member, causing that person reasonable fear of imminent danger.
Before the law change, first and second offenses carried penalties of 30 days in jail or fines of up to $500. The new law places jail time at 30 days to a year and fines that can reach $5,000. Third offenses, previously punishable with 90 days to three years in prison, now carry a penalty of one to five years in prison.
Criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, which White said is usually reserved for attacks that result in significant injuries or hospital stays, now carries a mandatory one- to 10-year sentence.
“We’re expecting to see more trials under the new law,” she said, adding that because they are difficult cases to try, it is important for victims and their advocates to gather evidence. “You can never have too much evidence. Document everything, make notes, take pictures. That carries a lot of weight with a jury.”
She said required domestic violence training for judges has also been an important part of the law change, allowing judges to gain a better understanding of the crime and its effects.
“In the few months that I’ve been here, I’ve noticed a real shift in judges’ attitudes toward criminal domestic violence,” she said. “They are starting to pay a lot more attention to this.”
Frank Cannon, managing attorney with the South Carolina Centers for Equal Justice, updated participants on the state’s divorce law as well as statutes detailing protection against domestic abuse. Unlike restraining orders that can be filed during a divorce, Cannon said orders of protection can be granted quickly in emergency cases, and the court can address the issue in as little as 24 hours.
Hodges said the seminar was one of several training sessions planned for agencies in the Council, giving participants insight to better serve the victims of domestic violence.

Looking for a final pin

Five area wrestlers will compete in this weekend’s state tournament

February 24, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

It all comes down to this weekend for five high school wrestlers from Greenwood and the Lakelands area.
The Individual State Wrestling Tournament begins at 4:30 today and continues at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Timmons Arena at Furman University in Greenville.
The meet is composed of wrestlers who were in the top four finishers in their weightclasses at the Upper and Lower State meets.
The athletes competing in the state meet from the area are Greenwood’s John Hamrick in the 189-pound weightclass in Class AAAA, Abbeville’s Shaylor Wells at 171 and Emerald’s Adam Newton at 189, Zane Newton at 135 and Kyle Logue at 160, all in Class AA-A.
It will be the first trip to the finals for all five competitors, though Logue qualified last year but was forced to sit out because of a concussion he sustained the day before the meet.
Wells, a junior, is the first wrestler from Abbeville to qualify for the state meet. Abbeville coach Anthony Martin said he is pleased to have a wrestler in the finals considering the Panthers’ wrestling program is in just its second year of existence.
“It’s unusual,” Martin said. “We ran our practices just like my college coach did at Cumberland College, and the guys picked up on it. We did well for a second-year program.”
Martin said he will be very supportive of Wells this weekend, partly because Martin remembers when he participated in the state meet when he was in high school. Martin said the experience can be overwhelming for first-time competitors, which is why he plans to help Wells do his best to focus on wrestling.
Wells said he is keeping an open mind heading into the event.
“Since it’s my first time, I just want to go do the very best I can,” Wells said. “My teammates have shown me a lot of support so far.”
Wells, the No. 4 seed from the Upper State, will face Bishop England’s Bubba Walters in today’s opening round.
For Hamrick, the state meet could serve as the culmination to a steady career.
The senior finished the year with a record of 33-2 for the Eagles, taking third at the Upper State meet. Hamrick was thought to be a serious candidate to qualify for the state finals last year, but missed the last month of the season with mononucleosis.
Greenwood coach Greg Brewer is enthusiastic about Hamrick having a shot at a state title in his senior year.
“Anytime you get a guy in the state finals it means a lot to your program,” Brewer said. “The meet will be tremendous, with some of the best wrestlers in the state.” Brewer said that he thinks Hamrick has a legitimate opportunity to win a state title at Timmons Arena this weekend. He said that he believes Hamrick will place in the top three, perhaps even higher.
Hamrick said he has one opponent in particular in his sights: Summerville’s Bryant Blanton.
“Blanton is the one that I’m looking forward to facing the most,” Hamrick said. “He is ranked number 20 in the nation. Actually, all of the guys qualified for state will be talented wrestlers.”
Hamrick opens the tourney against Irmo’s Justin Trone.
Emerald coach Bo Smith said his team has had a unique week of practices.
“It’s weird, because you want to stay on a normal schedule,” Smith said. “At the same time, we’re only working with three wrestlers. So we’ve had to have some subtle adjustments this week.”
One thing the Vikings trio of competitors has done is trek to the Greenwood Family YMCA and conduct joint practices with Hamrick. Adam Newton, who, like Hamrick, wrestles at 189, said the joint workouts were beneficial.
Zane Newton, a freshman, made his feelings about his first foray into the State championship meet clear.
“I’m a little nervous,” he said. “I do have high expectations, though. I expect to win.” Newton, the Upper State champ at 130, opens the tourney against Aynor’s Chris Black. Adam Newton, a junior, said he hasn’t been particularly nervous leading up to this weekend’s meet, but he has been anxious.
“I hate having to wait,” he said. “I’m just ready to get up to Greenville and get going. Waiting all week has been the worst.”
Newton wrestles Bamberg-Ehrhardt’s Daniel Lane in the opening round.
Logue said having to miss out a year ago has made him appreciate this year’s trip to State even more.
“It was tough not getting to go last year, especially since I got hurt the day before,” Logue said. “It feels good to be going this year. There will be some high caliber competition up there.”
Logue opens the tourney against Bishop England’s Joe Boykin.

Opinion

What’s best way to use unexpected state money?

February 24, 2006

In the motion picture, “Field of Dreams,” there’s a recurring mysterious whisper, “If you build it, they will come.” That meant, of course, that if the title character, played by Kevin Costner, built a baseball field, old-time players would come from the beyond and play on it.
Now, fast-forward that idea to the 2006 South Carolina Legislature. Change the words to “give state lawmakers more money and they’ll spend it.”
You see, the Legislature was told recently that it will have almost $240 million more to spend than previously expected.
That created a dilemma for lawmakers. They could give the money back to South Carolina taxpayers, as Gov. Mark Sanford suggests, or spend it, maybe on property tax swap legislation.

SANFORD ISSUED A STATEMENT that said, “I’d challenge the budget writers in the House and Senate to put this additional money back into the hands of hardworking South Carolinians so we can grow the economy.”
Sanford has long been an advocate of smaller government, which means, of course, less spending. Lawmakers on the other hand obviously aren’t too carried away with that idea. After all, spending is almost always the name of their game.
For once, it would be interesting to find out how the taxpayers feel. Do they want a tax rebate, or do they want unexpected money to be spent? It’s not likely they’ll ever be asked, though. When the governor announced his executive budget he proposed a $5.9 billion package that capped spending at 5.5 percent and gave $151 million back to the taxpayers.

WITH THE NEW REVENUE, HE said the $150 per family rebate could increase to almost $400. The way things are right now, every taxpayer could use the money. It may not seem like much individually, but taken all together, it could provide a considerable boost to South Carolina’s economy.
There is only one sure way to shrink government, no matter on what level, and that is to take away the money. Who can and should spend it better than those who earn it in the first place?
If there is a stalemate on what to do with the extra cash, though, go another way. Pay off some debts. That, also, helps taxpayers.

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

Obituaries

Caronell Berry

SALUDA, SC — Caronell Jones Berry, 95, passed away on February 23, 2006, in the Saluda Nursing Center surrounded by her loving family. Born November 17, 1910 in Aiken County, she was the daughter of James Buchanan and Mildred Cornelia Kirkland Jones. She was the widow of the late John Raymond Berry of the Richland Community in Saluda County.
Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, John Faye and Sybil Berry of Saluda, SC, Al and Evelyn Berry of Peak, SC; two daughters and sons-in-law, Marguerite and Ashley Johnson, of Rock Hill, SC and Ranelle and Charlie Hughey of Simpsonville, SC; 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Throughout her life she served her church, family and community in the church and association, she served the Women’s Missionary Union and Baptist Young Women Director as its leader. She also taught Sunday School for over 50 years.
As a devoted wife and loving mother, she took great pride in providing for her husband and family. Her life exemplified a life of service to others above herself.
She served her county and community through the Clemson University Extension Service Home Demonstration Club. She was one of the founding leaders in the Richland Community Club to convert the old Richland School into an active commu-nity center.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 25 from 1:30 - 2:30 at the Richland Springs Baptist Church, 1895 Duncan Road, Ward, 29166 with services beginning at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Steve Jones offi-ciating. Interment will follow at Saluda Memorial Gardens.
Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers and members of the T.E.L. Sunday School class will serve as honorary escorts.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to be made to Richland Springs Parsonage Fund or Saluda Nursing Center, P.O. Box 398, Saluda, SC 29138.
Ramey Funeral Home is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY

William Harvey

William S. “Buddy” Harvey, 81, of 225 Duncan Ave., widower of Doris Elizabeth Hodges Harvey, died Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006 at McCormick Health Care.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late John Henry and Lula Holder Harvey. He retired from Greenwood Mills, Durst Plant, was a hospital ministry program volunteer and was of the Pentecostal faith.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Randall (Ann H.) Reese and Mrs. Don (Helen H.) Smith, both of Greenwood; a son, Miley Harvey of Hodges; a sister, Margaret Price of Greenwood; six grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Blyth Funeral Home, conducted by the Revs. Charles Caldwell, Craig Hughes and Frank Thomas. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Donnie Smith, David Hill, Brian Smith, Chris Harvey, James Lindley, Brant Rodgers, William B. White, Jimmy Brock and Robert Rodgers.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of Don and Helen Smith, 110 Haltiwanger Road.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 658, Greenwood, SC 29648 or HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com
Beggs Funeral Home, 200 May Ave., Lincolnton, Ga., is in charge.

Tina Rush

Erline Long “Tina” Rush, 78, of 103 Nottingham Lane, wife of E. Carson Rush, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2006 at Williamsburg Community Hospital in Williamsburg, Va.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Edward G. Stribling

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Edward Gene Stribling, 64, husband of Mary Stribling, died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005.
Born in South Carolina, he was a son of the late Ed and Evelyn Stribling. He was a Navy veteran and a manager for Southland Corp.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Jeanne LaFountain of Fort Myers, Bobbie Whitmore of St. Louis, Mo., and Elizabeth Stribling of Rio Rancho, N.M.; two sons, Walter Stribling of St. Louis and Robert Stribling of Florissant, Mo.; a sister, Laurel Ann Fowler of Calhoun Falls, S.C.; two brothers, Neil Stribling of Kershaw and Melvin Stribling of Greenwood, S.C.; nine grandchildren.
A memorial service was in Cape Coral.
Announcement courtesy of Harley Funeral Home & Crematory, Greenwood.

Willie Lee Williams

NINETY SIX — Willie Lee Williams, 81, of 130 Wilson Bridge Road, died Friday, Feb. 17, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late Ethridge “Hornie” Williams Sr. and Sallie Bell Richards Williams. He was a former member of Liberty Baptist Church, Honea Path, a retiree of The Housing Authority in Asheville, N.C., and a World War II veteran.
He was the last survivor of his immediate family.
Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, Highway 702, conducted by the Rev. J.E. Palmer, assisted by the Rev. Clyde Cannon.
No wake is planned.
The family is at the home of a niece Mrs. Olin (Esther) Pearson, 16 Carver St. Extension, Due West.
Daniel and Sons Funeral Home is in charge.