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Daily Archives: 01/04/2017

District receives state test scores

By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal

goliver@upstatetoday.com

COUNTY — Scores from spring 2016 assessments for end-of-course tests and South Carolina College and Career Ready Assessments have been released by the state, and officials in Pickens County say there are positives and negatives.

The end-of-course tests, which cover algebra 1/mathematics for the technologies 2, biology 1/applied biology 2, English 1 and U.S. history and the Constitution, are based on South Carolina’s College and Career Ready Standards.

In Pickens County, the district exceeded the state with an average score of 82.1 compared to the state’s 81.9. The district surpassed the state in English I, 82.9 vs. 79.8; biology, 82.8 vs. 81.6; but its 76.9 average score in history was below the state’s 77.2.

As far as the percentage of students passing, the district was above the state in English 1, 85.5 percent compared to 78.6 percent and biology, 77 vs. 75.7. However, students in the district were below the passing percentage in algebra, 81.5 vs. the state’s 81.9; and U.S. history, 70.8 compared to 71 for students statewide.

“The gains we made in English are something to be proud of and I hope we can continue building on that going forward,” Pickens County school superintendent Danny Merck said. “In the other subjects, statewide progress has been gradually closing the gap with Pickens County for several years. It’s very important for us to continue to improve so that our students have a competitive advantage after graduation.”

 

Swearing-in held for new councilmen

By Justin Lee Campbell
Courtesy The Journal

justin@upstatetoday.com

PICKENS — The newest members of Pickens County Council assumed office Tuesday in a swearing-in ceremony at the county administration building.

PCSO: Man filed false report after shooting himself

EASLEY — An Easley man was arrested last week after police said he filed a false police report after shooting himself.

Bradford Harrison Noel, 38, was arrested last Thursday and charged with filing a false police report. He was later released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

According to a news release from Pickens County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Creed Hashe, Noel called police on Dec. 17 to say he had been shot in the arm when he opened the front door of his home on Stonewall Farm Road in Easley at around 7:45 p.m.

Noel told police a stranger had knocked at his door and asked to speak with someone who had previously lived in the home, according to police reports, then drew a handgun and shot Noel after learning the person did not live there.

“Through the course of law enforcement’s investigation, it was discovered the entire scenario was a ruse and the defendant had shot himself in the arm,” a warrant for Noel’s arrest said. “The defendant admitted to law enforcement he had made up the entire story.”

 

Tigers shut out Ohio State to earn national championship rematch

Rex Brown/Courtesy The Journal
Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell celebrates after a big play against Ohio State Saturday in the Fiesta Bowl. Ferrell was named the game’s defensive MVP as the Tigers earned a trip to Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

By Scott Adamson

Courtesy The Journal

scott@upstatetoday.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Ohio State detractors — those who thought the Buckeyes didn’t belong in the College Football Playoff after failing to even win their division in the Big Ten — might have felt vindicated on Saturday night.

In a Fiesta Bowl that was, for all practical purposes, over by halftime, Urban Meyer’s team was thoroughly dismantled by Clemson, 31-0, in a CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium.

But this contest in the desert was less about the No. 3 Buckeyes (11-2) failing and much more about the No. Tigers (13-1) succeeding.

After turning in one of the finest defensive performances in school history — and putting up more than 400 yards of total offense — Dabo Swinney’s charges would’ve delivered an epic beatdown of many teams they might’ve lined up against on New Year’s Eve.

clemsoninset

Rex Brown/Courtesy The Journal
Easley High School product C.J. Fuller had the biggest catch of his Clemson career in Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl, hauling in a 30-yard touchdown with an Ohio State defender in his face.

With every win of this magnitude, the program adds to its credentials as one of the elite programs in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

“We’ve been ranked up there in the top five for a long time, so I definitely think that the narrative has changed with our program,” Swinney said. “But it still seems like we’re always the underdog when we get in these big-type games for whatever reason. But until you win one, there’s really only one thing for us to do. We’ve done about everything that you can do multiple times. But we haven’t been able to win it all.

“But you gotta get yourself in position to do that. And so now hopefully we can be a little more consistent with these opportunities and find a way to get it done.

The victory over Ohio State sets up a national championship game rematch with Alabama on Monday in Tampa, where the Tigers will try to deny the Crimson Tide a second consecutive No. 1 finish and avenge a 45-40 loss in January.

Alabama punched its ticket with a 24-7 victory over Washington in the Peach Bowl on Saturday afternoon in Atlanta.

“We get an all-expenses-paid trip to Tampa to play Alabama,” Swinney said. “So that’s going to be another tough week of preparation to get ready to play the best team in the country in Alabama. They’ve earned that. But you can best believe we’re going to show up. And we’re going to lay it all on the line, and see if we can find a way to finish.”

clemsoninset2Brent Venables’ defense was the biggest star in the Fiesta Bowl, and Kendall Joseph and Clelin Ferrell shined the brightest — with the pair spearheading a unit that thwarted Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett and company at every turn.

Rex Brown/ Courtesy The Journal Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson was named offensive MVP during Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl win over Ohio State.

“That was a great team,” Barrett said. “They played hard. I mean, this was unexpected — we didn’t see that coming by any means. We expected to win the game.”

Joseph closed the game with eight solo tackles, and Ferrell had a sack and three tackles for loss — all at extremely opportune times.

“We didn’t really have any illusions they wouldn’t score a point,” Swinney said. “We just wanted to have one more than them. But great preparation. Great preparation. Coach V and our staff, nobody works harder at preparing. Ben Boulware and Kendall and those guys up front, the leadership of Carlos (Watkins), Christian Wilkins, Jadar (Johnson), Cordrea (Tankersley). I mean, these guys are great leaders, and they’re fully committed to being the best they can be.

“And they were highly motivated and excited to go play the game. We knew we had a lot to prepare for and thankful that we had a little extra time, but it all goes back to preparation and buy-in and commitment from those players.”

The Buckeyes’ backs were smothered from start to finish (save for a 64-yard fourth quarter jaunt by Curtis Samuel), and the passing attack never materialized. By the end of three quarters, the Big Ten reps had rushed for a total of 25 yards.

By the end of the game, they totaled just 215 yards and nine first downs.

Deshaun Watson, now 31-3 as Clemson’s starting quarterback, won MVP honors. He was 23-of-36 for 259 yards and a TD, although he did also throw a pair of first-half interceptions.

“If I throw a pick or make a mistake, I’m not going to shy away and not throw it,” said Watson, whose first pass of the game was intercepted. “I’m going to take my chances, take my shots. I feel like the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. I have guts and have that trust in my arm and in my receivers.”

Leading 17-0 at halftime, Clemson put the game out of reach with a 7-yard touchdown run by Watson with 2:06 left in the third quarter.

And at 24-0, the only question was whether or not the Tigers could blank the Buckeyes.

They could.

Samuel’s big run, which put Ohio State in the red zone, was negated by backward yardage — and a fourth-down pick and 86-yard return by Van Smith flipped the field dramatically.

Combined with a personal foul on the interception return, it set up a two-play, 7-yard “drive” that ended with a Wayne Gallman touchdown run with 8:51 to go.

The lowest point total by a Meyer-coached Ohio State team was 14 coming into the Fiesta Bowl. He had never before been shut out in 194 games as a head coach.

“Defensively, really, just indescribable,” Swinney said. “They only had seven first downs the whole game, which is a season low for them. We were dominant up front and had 11 tackles for loss.”

clemsoninset1On Clemson’s second snap of the game, Watson was picked off by Ohio State’s big-league corner, Gareon Conley, putting the Buckeyes in business at the Tiger 33.

Rex Brown/ Courtesy The Journal
For the second consecutive year, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney will lead the Tigers to a showdown with his alma mater, Alabama, in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

But Venables’ defense pushed OSU back, forcing a 47-yard field goal try by Tyler Durbin that missed wide right.

Swinney’s crew got on the board on the next series with a 45-yard field goal by Greg Huegel.

A 37-yard pass from Watson to Williams put the Tigers in scoring position, but the drive bogged down short of the red zone.

Durbin missed another 47-yard kick moments later — this one wide left — and the first quarter seemed destined to be defined by defense.

However, the Tigers found their rhythm on the ensuing drive, moving 70 yards in 10 plays and wrapping up a successful scoring journey with a half-yard scoot from Watson.

The kick made it 10-0 at 2:16 of the opening frame.

The next score came roughly 15 minutes later, and it put the ACC champs in firm control.

Moving 83 yards in eight plays, Watson sparked the drive with a 33-yard run, and then hit C.J. Fuller on a 30-yard TD pass with 2:08 left in the half.

Huegel kicked true, and a 17-0 lead was much more than the winners would need.

With that conquest in the books, the Tiger players and coaches will now give Alabama their full attention.

“I haven’t been watching film on them because we’ve been focusing on the next opponent,” Watson said late Saturday night. “But if you ask me at the next media thing in Tampa, then I could give you some answers (on Alabama).”

Clemson and Alabama (14-0) will meet at 8 p.m. Monday at Raymond James Stadium.

 

Tri-County introduces Tech grad Aman as new campus police chief

A 20-year law enforcement veteran and graduate of Tri-County Technical College’s criminal justice program, Eddie Aman has been named the new chief of campus police for the Pendleton college.

By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal

goliver@upstatetoday.com

PENDLETON — Tri-County Technical College has turned to a 20-year law enforcement veteran to serve as its new chief of campus police.

DHEC offers free resources to quit tobacco in new year

SENECA — The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control is using the arrival of a new year to promote its free tobacco cessation resources.

DHEC said in a news release Thursday that the new year gives tobacco users in any stage of quitting “the perfect opportunity” to quit using tobacco. The DHEC-administered S.C. Tobacco Quitline is a free resource to help tobacco users “kick the habit for good.”

“It’s never too late to quit smoking or using tobacco, because it reduces risk of heart and lung disease, cancer and other illnesses,” DHEC’s Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control director Sharon Biggers said. “Research has shown it takes multiple attempts for smokers to quit for the long term, and DHEC has tools to help South Carolinians be successful.”

Quitline operates 24/7 and offers coaching over the phone, support via the web and text message, help for personalizing quit plans and a Quit Kit. Quitline provides nicotine replacement with patches, gum and lozenges to eligible callers. All services are free.

quitBiggers said the Quitline has provided treatment and counseling to about 100,000 tobacco users in South Carolina.

“Our agency is committed to promoting and protecting the health of all South Carolinians by helping tobacco users quit, preventing tobacco use and reducing the exposure to secondhand smoke,” Biggers added.

Enrolled callers who are uninsured, underinsured, on Medicare or Medicaid or under 18 are eligible for five free sessions with a quit coach. Pregnant and postpartum users qualify for 10 free sessions.

Out of the 110,000 calls that Quitline received over 10 years, 37 percent of callers had no health insurance, while 32 percent remained tobacco-free after seven months, the news release said. More than half of callers suffered from chronic conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease and cancer.

Those interested can enroll online at scdhec.gov by clicking on the “Health” tab. Quitline can be reached at 1-800-784-8669 or 1-885-335-3569 for services in Spanish.

 

Harper earns Eagle Scout

Alex Harper was recently awarded the Eagle Scout rank at a ceremony at Alive Wesleyan Church. The Eagle is the highest award that can be earned in the Boy Scouts of American. Historically, only 4 percent of scouts go on to achieve this award. Harper is a member of troop 37, sponsored by the Easley First Baptist Church. His scoutmaster is Bryan Dickard. Harper is a senior at Daniel High School, where he is a lieutenant colonel in the JROTC. He is the son of Chris and Rebecca Harper.

 

Fiesta Bowl foes Clemson, OSU partner for research

By Clinton Colmenares
Clemson University

news@thepccourier.com

CLEMSON — When the second-ranked Clemson Tigers took on third-ranked The Ohio State Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, players from both teams left it all on the field in a contest for the chance to play in college football’s national championship game on Monday.

But the gridiron history between the teams (3-0, Clemson) is sometimes overshadowed by their collaborations in research. Just as athletes seek equally-matched, or superior, opponents, researchers seek collaborators who compliment and challenge their work.

celesteOne example is a multi-million dollar education project aimed at helping children who have difficulty learning how to read. Education researchers in Clemson’s Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Training Center works with Ohio State colleagues to train teachers who work with struggling readers. Their efforts could dramatically reduce the number of first-graders in each state who have trouble reading and writing.

Clemson education researcher Celeste Bates works with colleagues at Ohio State to help first graders learn to read.

“The intercollegiate relationship helps us understand how our work plays out in different states,” says Celeste Bates, associate professor of literacy education and director of the Reading Recovery center at Clemson. “We can study how children read and write in South Carolina, but because of state policies and mandates, it plays out differently from state to state.”

Earlier this year, Coach Dabo Swinney’s All In Foundation donated $10,000 to Clemson’s Reading Recovery center to provide 10 books each to 300 first graders who participated in the reading intervention program in South Carolina’s Upstate.

“Coach Swinney is committed to academics and the education of his players,” Bates says. “For our children who look up to the Clemson Tigers, that’s a good feeling to know that the coach has invested in the children of South Carolina as well as his own school.”

Another project takes place in the biological sciences realm. Jim Morris, professor of genetics and biochemistry and a researcher at Clemson’s Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, collaborates with two Ohio State researchers on grants from the National Institutes of Health.

“The older is with Mark Drew that has involved working with Mark’s team and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences at the NIH to find small molecule inhibitors of an important protein from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We have recently published the first (and smaller) leg of the work,” Morris says.

morrisThe second project, recently funded by the NIH, pairs Morris with Karl Werbovetz, the chair of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy at Ohio State, and other collaborators from Brigham Young University, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Kansas.

With the grant, researchers will evaluate around 25,000 different molecules that may be able to starve parasites of their only source of energy: sugar.

Clemson’s James Morris works on infectious diseases research with colleagues at Ohio State.

If successful, the work could lead to the development of oral treatments for African sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and Baghdad boil, an infection that has afflicted U.S. troops in the Middle East. Read more about that project here.

Bates, a big college football fan, says her close collaboration with Buckeyes leads her to cheer for Ohio State, unless they’re playing Clemson.

 

Tri-County, SC Works to host job fair January 6

UPSTATE — SC Works and Tri-County Technical College’s Corporate and Community Education Division (CCE) are reaching out to unemployed and underemployed individuals by hosting a job fair this week.

The event will be held for Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties residents Friday, Jan. 6, from 9 a.m.-noon at the Industrial and Business Development Center located on the Pendleton Campus.

Participants will be given the opportunity to meet and interview with area employers that have job openings – in a wide range of businesses including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, retail and services.

In addition, Tri-County is spotlighting the short-term training options in the fields of healthcare, business, industrial/manufacturing, highway construction and truck driving. Attendees can meet the instructors and program managers, see some of the course offerings on displa, and get information about available funding for instruction in these QuickJobs training programs. Rick Cothran, dean of Tri-County’s CCE Division said, “It’s a great opportunity for individuals to begin working on their New Year’s resolutions to find great local employment or to start training for a new career through CCE classes or QuickJobs training programs.”

There are opportunities for scholarships that will be spotlighted at the TCTC/CCE booth.

According to Cothran, this Job Fair is about connecting participants with potential employers. In addition, with new technology increasing the demand for higher entry-level skills, the event will help connect participants to the CCE short-term training certificate programs endorsed by area employers. They also can discuss further opportunities in an associate degree program.

Large and small area employers with immediate job openings and workforce resources such as SC Works, Palmetto Youth, Vocational Rehab and more will attend this event.

For more information, call (864) 646-1700.

 

Weyerhaeuser contributes to Clemson Wood Utilization and Design Institute

CLEMSON — The Clemson University Wood Utilization and Design Institute continues to add to its cadre of founding partners and has received a $50,000 boost to help support the advancement of the South Carolina wood industry.

The gift comes from the Weyerhaeuser Company. The money will be used to help fund the institute, which brings together foresters, architects, engineers, constructors and building industry stakeholders to design advances in wood-based products through education and training, product research and development, as well as development of technical and design solutions.

“This gift will be used to support our institute as we go forward,” said Pat Layton, director of the Wood Utilization and Design Institute. A Weyerhaeuser representative will serve on the institute’s advisory board and will work with other board members to shape the direction of the institute.”

Graham Marsh, area manager for Weyerhaeuser-S.C. Lowcountry, said company officials are excited about working with the Clemson team.

“Weyerhaeuser is delighted to be a founding partner of the Wood Utilization and Design Institute at Clemson University,” Marsh said. “The talented team at Clemson is leading the way to find new and innovative uses of sustainable forest products. Clemson’s work complements our vision to provide great sustainable products that improve lives in fundamental ways.”

Clemson University’s Wood Utilization and Design Institute (WU+D) is a multidisciplinary entity that was established in 2013 to educate, conduct research and provide continuing education of stakeholders across the wood industry. Researchers with the institute currently are testing cross laminated timber (CLT) to determine burn rates, wind resistance and structural load.

The institute recently achieved national attention when a team of Clemson faculty and students competed with universities from across the nation in the 2015 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon in Irvine, California. The Clemson team won second place for architecture and communications and sixth place overall.