Daily Archives: 11/11/2015
Superintendent gets contract extension from school board
EASLEY — The Pickens County School Board voted Monday night to extend superintendent Dr. Danny Merck’s contract.
District policy dictates that the board is required to conduct an annual evaluation of the superintendent, and Merck was evaluated in the areas of student achievement, learning environment, quality personnel, communications and resource management, according to officials.
Following the evaluation, board members concluded Merck had performed above or exceeded expectations in student achievement, learning environment and quality personnel, met expectations in the area of communications and met or exceeded expectations in the area of resource management.
“While we strive for continuous improvement, we feel that Dr. Merck performed above our expectations for his initial overall evaluation,” school board chairman Dr. Brian Swords said in a statement issued by the school district Tuesday.
In light of Merck’s evaluation results, the board agreed to extend his contract by one year, and will review the compensation of his contract during the 2016-17 budget discussions.
“We value Dr. Merck’s service to our school district and we feel he is taking our school district in the right direction,” Swords said. “We look forward to working with him as we continue to strive to provide the best educational opportunities for our students.”
Sheriff to seek grant to help combat addiction
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark said he is committed to cleaning up the county’s drug problem, evidenced by the results of the recent “Operation Community Response.”
But Clark also acknowledges that simply putting those charged with illegal possession or distribution of drugs behind bars isn’t the solution.
“We can’t arrest our way out of this problem — we know that, and we’re not naïve,” Clark said at a Thursday afternoon news conference. “What’s not working is arresting people and turning them out.”
As a result, Clark said he planned to submit an application Monday for the Recovery Program Transformation and Innovation Fund Grant.
The grant’s purpose is to mitigate the long-term social and economic costs of substance abuse and move clients from an active chronic disease state into recovery.
The grant is open to all agencies and is for collaboration and integration of services, specifically partnerships with criminal justice agencies, such as jails and courts, as well as healthcare providers and schools.
Clark said the sheriff’s office is working with Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services on the grant application.
“Our main goal is not to have that person hooked on meth or having mental issues come back to the jail,” Clark said. “Methamphetamine is such a divisive and consuming drug — it’s destroying their families, and we have to address it.
“Approximately 70 to 80 percent of those arrested as a result of this investigation are the same individuals arrested in the past, especially with meth, because it is so addictive. It’s the same people over and over, and we’re doing the same thing that’s not working. So we’re wanting to do something different through mental health and behavioral health.”
Shortly after becoming sheriff in January 2014, Clark said he created a position manned by a narcotics officer “right off the bat.”
In addition, the sheriff’s office’s community action team was created to enable the public to assist the sheriff’s office in reporting crimes — including drugs — throughout the county.
“That has been a huge success,” he said.
From July 2014 through Oct. 31 the sheriff said there have been 153 cases of methamphetamine, two heroin, five involving cocaine and 88 cases of possession of marijuana.
“People know when there’s something wrong in their neighborhoods, and we encourage them to contact us,” Clark said. “We’re asking neighborhoods to be our partner in trying to stop them, and the community has been a tremendous help.”
But the sheriff said treatment for addiction problems, highlighted by meth, is the way the sheriff’s office is going to have to go to address the drug issue in Pickens County.
The jail situation in Pickens County remains overcrowded, with no relief in sight — to the point where Clark said the 38 drug arrests that recently occurred had to take place “when the jail wasn’t as full.”
As recently as last week, chief deputy Creed Hashe reported that the jail population had spiked to 226 even though it has a rated capacity of only 93.
Clark said there are a limited amount of grants awarded and many agencies seeking them.
“I would say within a month and a half, we should hear something (on whether the sheriff’s office grant application is approved),” Clark said.
goliver@upstatetoday.com | (864) 973-6687
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Dozens caught in county drug sweep
Rex Brown/Courtesy The Journal
Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark points to a map pinpointing the locations of drug suspects during a news conference last Thursday.
Sheriff’s office announces 38 arrests in ‘Operation Community Response’
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
PICKENS — A drug sweep conducted throughout Pickens County by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Easley Police Department and South Carolina Department of Probation and Parole had resulted in the arrests of 38 people, with another 18 still at large, at the time of a news conference last Thursday.
During the news conference, held at the Pickens County Law Enforcement Center, Sheriff Rick Clark said the focus of “Operation Community Response” was to identify and target those involved in the illegal possession or distribution of illicit drugs — predominantly methamphetamine — within the county.
The sheriff said this phase of the overall strategy was to identify the end user providing the “demand” to the dealer who is facilitating the “supply.”
“Our target is low-level dealers — out on the streets buying and selling,” Clark said.
A total of 79 charges have been lodged against the 56 total suspects involved, with 38 arrested since Monday of last week.
Clark said the investigation was initiated last fall, and the operation is one facet of an overall strategy to combat narcotics use in Pickens County.
“It’s called ‘Community Response’ for a reason — our community reached out to us and were wanting to get these drug dealers out of our community and off the streets,” he said.
Most of the charges for those arrested or are being sought involve methamphetamine.
“Meth is a scourge on our society, and we’re going to try and wipe it out,” Clark said.
While the sweep was conducted throughout Pickens County, some of those arrested or who are being sought are from Oconee, Anderson and Greenville counties.
Clark said five of the 38 arrested remained in jail as of Thursday morning. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the 18 other suspects is asked to contact the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office at (864) 898-5500 or 1-888-CRIME-SC.
“We’re going to get the remaining 18 rounded up,” Clark said. “We hope to get tips from citizens. We value the cooperation and trust from the public and hope to have assistance.”
The 38 arrested, their status at the time of the news conference and bond amounts are listed below:
Jennifer Dianne Bagwell, Denise Road, Easley — possession of methamphetamine, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; and possession of a controlled substance, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Marcie Etrulia Brooks, Moorefield Memorial Highway, Liberty — possession of a controlled substance, $1,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Nicole Diane Burrell, Golden Creek Road, Liberty — distribution of marijuana, $10,000 surety bond; and possession of methamphetamine, second offense, $5,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Justin Allen Chappell, Robert P. Jeanes Road, Easley — possession of methamphetamine, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Kris Clark, Hunting Hollow Road, Six Mile — distribution of methamphetamine, $15,000 surety bond; still in jail.
Jessica Louise Davis, Friendship Drive, Seneca — possession of a controlled substance, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; and possession of methamphetamine, $1,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Tommy Allen Davis, Sunny Lane, Pickens — possession of methamphetamine, third offense, $2,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Brian Lee Dodgens, Tommys Trail, Pickens — possession of methamphetamine, second offense, $5,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Jackie Lamar Dodgins, Golden Creek Road, Liberty — distribution of methamphetamine, $15,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Kieky Dawn Durham-Williams, Moorefield Memorial Highway, Liberty — possession of methamphetamine, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; and bench warrant magistrate court, $1,000 cash; released from jail.
William Timothy Gantt, Elm Street, Pickens — three counts of possession of methamphetamine, second offense, $7,500 surety bond for all three; released from jail.
Sommer Leigh Goss, Garden Drive, Pickens — possession of methamphetamine, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Steven Douglas Graham, Mountain Estates Road, Pickens — possession of a controlled substance, $5,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Roger Brian Hembree, Barr Road, Easley — possession of methamphetamines, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Travis Mitchell Hendricks, Windy Hill Road, Central — possession of methamphetamine, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Joy Mary Hurley, Sunny Lane, Pickens — possession of methamphetamine, third offense, $20,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Blake Marvin Johnson, Pine Cliff Drive, Seneca — possession of a controlled substance, second offense, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Terance Gene Johnson, Garden Drive, Pickens — possession of methamphetamine, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; still in jail.
Laura Jean Jones, Effie Court, Liberty — possession of methamphetamine, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; and magistrate court bench warrant, $210 cash; released from jail.
Mark Donald Karr, Hedgepath Road, Liberty — distribution of methamphetamine, second offense, $20,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Ronald Eugene Kelley, Gentry Memorial Highway, Easley — possession of methamphetamine, $5,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Terri Ellen Lawson, Georges Creek Road, Easley — possession of crack cocaine, $5,000 surety bond; possession of marijuana, $5,000 surety bond; and probation violation, $5,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Carla Shawn Morgan, Friendship Road, Seneca — possession of methamphetamine, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Lindsey Brooke Morgan, Five Forks Road, Liberty — possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, $15,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Charles Junior Mosley, Old Greenville Highway, Liberty — possession of a controlled substance, second offense, $1,000 surety bond; possession of methamphetamine, second offense, $2,000 surety bond; and possession of cocaine second offense, $2,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Jennifer Tracy Gillespie Mowen, Longview Terrace, Easley — distribution of methamphetamine, $20,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Christopher Eugene Nichols, Welby Way, Liberty — distribution of methamphetamine, second offense, $20,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Eddie Coleman Powell, Avis Lane, Liberty — possession of a controlled substance, $1,000 personal recognizance bond; and possession of methamphetamine, second offense, $5,000 personal recognizance bond; still in jail. Powell was already being held within the Pickens County jail on unrelated drug charges from the Liberty Police Department.
James Doyce Reeves, Moorefield Memorial Highway, Liberty — distribution of methamphetamine, $15,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Johnny Clifford Reeves, Friendship Road, Seneca — possession of methamphetamine, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Christopher Robert Robinson, Penrose Circle, Pickens — two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, $15,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Betty Jean Shirley, Golden Creek Road, Liberty — two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, third offense, $40,000 surety bond; still in jail.
Jonathan Keith Simmons, Person Road, Easley — distribution of methamphetamine, $10,000 surety bond; two counts of distribution of a controlled substance, $2,500 each; and distribution of a controlled substance within a half mile of a public park, $5,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Gregory Paul Simon Jr., Robert P. Jeanes Road, Easley — distribution of methamphetamine, second offense, $20,000 surety bond; family court bench warrant, no bond; and magistrate court bench warrant, $1,270 cash bond; still in jail.
Jeffrey Lavern Stone, Mountain View Church Road, Pickens — possession of methamphetamine, second offense, $5,000 surety bond; and unlawful carrying of a pistol, $5,000 surety bond; released from jail.
Alvin Clark Sutton Jr., Argonne Drive, Easley — distribution of marijuana, third offense, $10,000 surety bond; possession with intent to distribute marijuana, third offense, $10,000 surety bond; three counts of possession of a controlled substance, second offense, totaling $5,000; released from jail.
Toni Leigh Trent, Mom Lane, Pickens — possession of methamphetamines, $3,000 personal recognizance bond; released from jail.
Corey Glenn Whiten, Brookway Drive, Easley — distribution of marijuana, second offense, bond pending; currently being held in the South Carolina Department of Corrections for other convictions.
The 18 remaining people being sought for arrest as part of the investigation, their age, last known address, description and charge are listed below.
Eric Lee Bailey, 40, of Greenville — white male, possession of methamphetamine.
Jimmy Wayne Benton, Jr., 29, of Easley — white male, possession of methamphetamine.
Albert Vernon Catoe, 28, of Easley — white male, distribution of methamphetamine.
Dustin Williams Collins, 34, of Cleveland, S.C., — white male, distribution of methamphetamine.
Zachary Allen Donald, 25, of Six Mile — white male, trafficking methamphetamine, third offense; possession of marijuana; possession of a firearm during a violent crime; and unlawful carrying of a firearm.
Matthew Shane Durham, 23, of Pickens — white male, possession of methamphetamine.
Craig Allen Gayheart, 40, of Easley — white male, possession of methamphetamine.
Philip Ernest Gilbert, 29, of Liberty — white male, possession of methamphetamine.
Jonathan C. Grover, 34, of Taylors — white male, possession of methamphetamine.
Kristy Lynn Hendricks, 29, of Six Mile — white female, possession of methamphetamine, second offense.
Frances Elizabeth Holder, 48, of Easley, white female, possession of methamphetamine.
Felicia Christine Kersey, 30, of Easley, white female, possession of methamphetamine.
Cameron Nicole Lecroy, 31, of Liberty, white female, possession of methamphetamine.
Laci Kay Meadows, 21, of Liberty, white female, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance.
Cathy Michelle McAlister, 41, of Pickens, white female, possession of methamphetamine.
Robert Franklin Miller, Jr., 27, of Pickens, white male, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Lewis Ray Stewart, 24, of Westminster, distribution of marijuana.
Bobby Allen Whitfield, 27, of Anderson, distribution of marijuana.
DAR, church join to salute veterans
Pictured, from left are David Chamlee, Melody Lutz, Royd Lutz and Tom Smith at a Veterans Day event Monday at Pickens Presbyterian Church.
By Lynda Abegg
For The Courier
news@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Pickens Presbyterian Church was buzzing with preparations to honor the veterans of Pickens County on Monday, ahead of Wednesday’s nationwide Veterans Day celebration.
A group of volunteers had been preparing breakfast since 6:30 a.m., the ladies from the Daughters of the American Revolution were hanging a Vietnam commemorative flag, and other volunteers set the tables with placemats and napkins.
The Fort Prince George Chapter of the DAR joined with Pickens Presbyterian Church to thank and honor veterans from Pickens County. Marianne Holland, Ph.D., was there to play a medley of service songs for the veterans.
Tom Smith, a Navy veteran, who has been coordinating the breakfast for eight years, looked over the room filled with more than 85 attendees. He said he enjoyed seeing the families, especially the ones who brought their children and grandchildren.
“Children always look to comic-book heroes like Batman and Superman,” Smith said, “while the real heroes and role models are the people sitting at the table with them.”
Ashley Dodgers asked for a moment of silence to remember Wilbur Simmons, a 20-year Air Force veteran who passed away on Aug. 9.
David Chamlee introduced Melody Smith Lutz, a former Army captain and helicopter pilot, as the featured speaker. Lutz played basketball and tennis at West Point and was inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame for her athletic accomplishments and recently had her basketball jersey retired.
“She was the first South Carolina female to graduate from West Point,” Chamlee said.
Lutz met her future husband, Royd Lutz, while she was attending West Point.
“It was the 1980s version of North meets South,” she said. “He’s from New York, and I’m from South Carolina.”
Royd Lutz, a former Army Captain, served as an Airborne Ranger artillery officer. Their son, Cliff, also a graduate of West Point, is currently serving as an Airborne Ranger artillery officer. Their daughter, Marjorie, is a Clemson ROTC graduate serving as a Medical Services Corp officer.
“I vividly remember the wake-up call that hit home that I was in a unique profession,” Lutz said. “I was 23 and a 2nd Lieutenant attached to an aviation task force to serve in Honduras. The Sandinistas had taken over Nicaragua, and the U.S. wanted a presence in Central America. After we flew a successful mission to San Salvador, our two Huey crews moved to a house on a small compound in the city. We were awakened in the middle of the night and told to hastily move to the roof with our weapons. There was a truck of armed men circling our compound. No one was certain of their intent, so for hours we waited and said little. As I sat on the roof in the darkness, I felt a world away from Pendleton, from West Point and from Fort Hood. The armed men finally grew tired of their intimidation tactic or for some other reason decided not to attack.”
Lutz said there are many emotions as a member of the Profession of Arms. The first emotion is a feeling of shared hardship, the second is a feeling of excitement that can quickly turn into fear, and the third is a feeling of pride.
“Our profession in military service — even if it was our reality for a brief time — resulted in a unique experience that imparted unique emotions,” she said.
Anne Kilpatrick, regent of the Fort Prince George DAR Chapter, told the group that DAR had partnered with the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration, established by Congress, to “thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war (POW) or listed as missing in action (MIA), for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.”
Each veteran was presented a flag pin from DAR to thank them for their service. Mildred Brewer, serving as the chairman of the Vietnam Commemoration Committee, presented each Vietnam veteran with a special commemorative certificate.
The Vietnam Veterans receiving special recognition included Robert Allison, Army; Jack Black, Army; Joe Christopher, Army; Tom Collins, Navy; Ben Cole, Navy; Raymond Dawkins, Army; Ron Erickson, Navy; Roger Gettys, Army; Al Henderson, Army; Tom Jurkovich, Navy; Norm Rentz, Army; Dennis Schwab, Army; Steve Sally, Marines; Wil Simmons, Air Force; Tom Smith, Navy; Roy Stoddard, Navy; and Tommy Wires, Marines.
‘Rock the Fall Ball’ planned Friday night
Cornerstone Christian and Music Store, located at 1895-C Gentry Memorial Highway in Easley, donated a beautiful acoustic guitar with hard shell case with other extras to be given away at the Rock the Fall Ball on Friday at Pickens’ historic Bruce Field.Cornerstone owner Art Maco, left, is pictured presenting the guitar to Larry Allison, who is representing the Pickens Azalea Festival Committee.
PICKENS — Country music fans are invited to join in the fun as “Rock the Fall Ball” will be held this Friday, Nov. 13, at historic Bruce Field in downtown Pickens.
The stadium will come alive at 7 p.m. with Upstate artists Matt Tucker and J. Adam Broome, along with headliners Benton Blount and Confederate Railroad, who will grace the stage for a great night of country music.
America’s Got Talent made Blount a household name, and the music of nationally renowned recording artists Confederate Railroad will have everyone on their feet with their rockin’ country sound.
The event is sponsored by the Pickens Azalea Festival planning committee. The PAFPC has announced that $2 from every advance ticket sold will go to benefit Upstate Warrior Solution. Upstate Warrior Solution provides community-based solutions for warriors and their family right here in our neighborhood. Their programs help restore our warriors with a sense of purpose by offering outreach, healthcare, education, housing and family support. Tickets for the “Rock the Fall Ball” provide local, affordable entertainment for friends and families and support those who have put their lives on the line for our freedom.
The Pickens Azalea Festival planning committee is working overtime to provide quality and fun events to the Pickens Community as well as making the 32nd annual festival in April 2016 the best ever with hard work along with community support.
Advance tickets are on sale now at pickensazaleafestival.com. Prices are $14 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Tickets will also be available the day of the show for $19 for adults and $15 for children.
Blue Ridge plans annual tree lighting
PICKENS — The public is invited to join Blue Ridge Electric employees and their families at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24, for the annual lighting of the Blue Ridge Electric Christmas tree.
The ceremony will take place on the front lawn of the co-op’s office at 734 West Main St. in Pickens.
World War II veteran Alvin Henderson, a recipient of the South Carolina POW award, will light the tree following a short meditation by Rev. Guy Roberts of Concord Baptist Church. Music will also be provided by Concord Baptist. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served immediately after the tree lighting.
“Please join us during this special celebration that marks the beginning of the holiday season,” Blue Ridge Electric president and CEO Charles Dalton said. “Bringing family and friends together for this longstanding tradition is always a special time. We invite you to come and share in this community heritage event.”
