Year in Review Part II: Lake City area’s top stories of 2008

Fulmore home repaired

Area homes were repaired during the 2008 Salkehatchie Summer Service Camp. Ninety-one-year-old Celia Fulmore said she felt fine about her home being remodeled after so many years. The Fulmore home is one of 11 homes repaired by campers of the 2008 Salkehatchie Summer Service. Her home was built in 1953 in the Beulah Woods Community on Connecticut Road and her daughter Patricia Blake-Fulmore said this is the first time the house had extensive remodeling done. “We couldn’t ask for a better gift from God,” Blake-Fulmore said in July as she sat in a rocking chair on the front porch of her house, which is in walking distance to her mother’s home.

McAllister joins police

James McAllister joined the Coward Police Department as an officer in July, after serving most recently as a patrol officer with the Lake City Police Department. McAllister, a Coward native, began his career in law enforcement with the Summerton Police Department. McAllister graduated from Lake City High School in 2001 and the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in August 2007. McAllister said he likes the small town atmosphere and the schedule allows him to preach at churches when he can.

New businesses opens

The town of Coward was the home of new businesses in July, offering residents the opportunity to shop and dine locally. Coward’s Truck Stop and Southside Diner are both in a 4,000-square-foot building on U.S. 52. The truck stop offers, snacks, coffee, ice tea, novelties, lottery tickets, money orders and check cashing. In addition to the gasoline station, Southside Diner, next-door, serves customers breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering pork steaks, seafood, chicken and burgers. The full-service restaurant with waiters and waitresses, and the truck stop were recently built in Coward on U.S. 52. But this isn’t the only new place for residents to get something good to eat locally. Coward Stop & Shop, a grocery store, opened in 1967, has added Corner Cabin Kitchen. The 1,200-square-foot building offers chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, fries, steak and breakfast biscuits.

Accident

A two-vehicle accident sent a driver to the hospital in July. An International truck collided with and 18-wheeler on U.S. 378 Bypass. Both trucks were traveling west on U.S. 378 Bypass, when the International Truck turned in front of the 18-wheeler, according to S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins. The driver of the International Truck was charged with improper turning, Collins said. The driver of the 18-wheeler was taken to the hospital.

Business recovers from fire

Scranton Metal recovered quickly from a small, smoldering fire in July. According to South Lynches Fire Department Administrator/Deputy Chief John Baker, metal was being cut in an interior room when the ceiling caught fire. Baker said it was a smoldering fire with no flames and no one was injured. The building, at 630 N. Old Georgetown Road, just outside of Lake City, was built in the early 1950s as Camerontown School. After the school closed, a sewing factory, Camerontown Industries, occupied the building before its most recent tenants opened the salvage business.

Brown joins police

Simon Brown returned to Lake City Police Department as a patrol officer in July and brought nearly 10 years of experience in law enforcement to the job. Brown, 36, graduated from Hemingway High School in 1990 and the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy in 2000. He is a Hemingway native. He was a city of Marion police officer until 2001 and then moved to the Lake City Police
Department and stayed for about 10 months. He worked for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for about five years, in various capacities, including as a patrol deputy and drug agent.

Special operation

Police were on the hunt for illegal activity on a Friday night in July where nearly 35 law enforcement officers united on a hunt for illegal activity in Lake City. The special operation lasted for about six hours and several arrests were made. Lake City Police Chief Billy Brown said crack cocaine; marijuana and powder cocaine was discovered along with liquor and open container violations.

Fitness center opens

A fitness and massage center opened on Main Street in Lake City in July. ALPH (A little piece of heaven) Fitness and Massage Center opened in Lake City under the leadership of Veronica Graham and Jessica Wheeler. The business offers personal training, group training, aerobic and massage services. In addition, some of their specialties include hot stone therapy, body scrubs, ashiatsu therapy, kid-I-cise and pra-I-cise.

New principal

In August, Renee Kirby became the principal of Lake City Elementary. Kirby replaced Barbara Woodbury, who became Florence School District 3’s senior director of Curriculum and Instruction. With 28 years of experience in education, including seven as an administrator, Kirby worked for the past four years as an Executive/Regional Master Teacher through the South Carolina Department of Education’s Teacher Advancement Program. Kirby earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Winthrop University.

Survivors honored

The Lower Florence County Relay for Life sponsored a Survivor Dinner in August at the Lake City Senior Citizens Center. Cindy Wall Beard, author of “His Message,” told the about 110 individuals in attendance that she was diagnosed with cancer 12 hours after she accepted Christ as her savior. Beard gave her testimony of battling the disease. The first Relay for Live Survivor’s Pageant winners, Pauline Adams and Charles Gideon Green were recognized.

Williams takes office

After nearly 21 years of serving the citizen of Lake City, Bobby Williams to the oath of office to become the assistant police chief in August. Recently, Williams served as the Captain in the Lake City Police Department. Williams, a native of Laurens, is a 1984 graduate of Claflin University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education. He graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in 1998. Williams began his career with the Lake City Police Department in March 1988 after serving three years in the United States Army. Williams is married to Gayle B. Williams, a teacher at J.C. Lynch Elementary School. They have one son, Bryson, a senior at Lake City High School.

Boys State

A Lake City student earned an office at Boys State. There was never a doubt Kentrell Palmer would emerge into a leader. Being the oldest of three children, Palmer said he is always in charge of his sibling and being a leader comes easy to him. During the summer months, he was named Secretary of Palmetto Boys State, the third highest office held at the University of South Carolina. Palmer, a Lake City native, is a senior at Lake City High School.

Tropical Storm Hanna

Hanna was no more than a light rain shower to folks of the Pee Dee in September. Because Hanna decreased to a tropical storm by the time it hit the coast of South Carolina, southern Florence County didn’t see much more than rain and a few gusts of wind.

Graduation

Florence County School District 3’s Adult Education Program presented 29 high school diplomas and 19 General Equivalency Diplomas (GED) to graduates during their Adult Education graduation ceremony in August. Superintendent Beth Wright was the Keynote Speaker for the graduation and congratulated the graduates on taking the initiative to earn their diplomas.

Talent Search Winner

Alisa Green uses music to inspire others. Green has been singing for more than 20 years, sharing the love of God and inspiring people to be blessed through songs. Her father, Edgar Gaddy, who is also a singer, molded her at a young age to become a singer. Betty Gaddy, her late mother; was also a singer and encouraged her daughter’s gift. Green, a Charleston native, is the 2008 winner of the Gospel Talent Search and was competing against more than 100 contestants. She was announced as the winner in June and is the recipient of a national recording contract.

Festival

The S.C. Tobacco Festival highlighted heritage during its festivities in September. After the tobacco is harvested, it is strung on racks and put into barns to cure. Competitors in the 2008 S.C. Tobacco Festival took turns stringing tobacco while onlookers got a glimpse at how the process was once done. Rides and carnival-type activities provided entertainment for the younger crowd.

Unsolved murder

It’s been four years since the murder of Lake City native Lindsey LaShawn Simmons and police still searched for clues in September to lead them to their killer. On Sept. 5, 2004, police found Simmon’s body rolled up in carpet at 305 Kroger Circle in Cole Road Apartments. The report said she was barely clothed and had been stabbed repeatedly in the neck. “I think it’s a solvable case,” said Lake City Police Chief Billy Brown, explaining officials are continuing to match DNA samples. Brown said officers have followed every lead in the case, with assistance from SLED, Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. One of the issues, Brown said, is that some people who have been questioned have not cooperated with police.

Pharmacy to relocate

CVS Pharmacy started construction in October to move into a new 13,000-square-foot facility being built on the corner of Ron McNair Boulevard and Thomas Street. CVS Pharmacy Public Relations Director for Retail Operations Mike DeAngelis said when stores relocate, existing store employees move to the new store and additional hiring will take place as necessary. DeAngelis said they look for opportunities to open larger, freestanding stores to replace older stores, which generally are located in shopping malls. He said free standing stores offer more opportunities for customers.

Sparrow honored

For 32 years Walter M. Sparrow dedicated his life to serving the Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board and was honored in October for his work. In spite of the clouds and rain, more than 100 people gathered at a new Sparrow Pointe CTH II training home at 704 Twin Oaks Circle that was named in his honor. According to his biography, Sparrow was hired as the first executive director of the Florence County DSN Board when it began July 1982 and became director of the Florence County Disabilities Foundation in 1995.

Residents share ideas

Scranton residents got an opportunity to express ideas and enjoy good food Southern food during a citizens meeting at the Schoolhouse Restaurant on Oct. 6. The restaurants banquet room, which has a seating capacity of more than 200, reached its limit when the meeting began. Florence County Planning Services Officer Scott Park explained a draft of the future land-use map of Scranton. Park said the map serves as a vision document and takes different facets of governing such as priority investments, community facilities, transportation and trends for the future into consideration.

McNair’s legacy

Early morning rain showers in October didn’t stop the fourth Annual Dr. Ronald E. McNair Memorial 5K/Run Walk from taking place in October. Claflin University Professor and Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dr. Verlie A. Graham Tisdale was the honorary chairperson. Tisdale is a 1971 biology/chemistry graduate of Claflin University and a received a Master of Science degree in biology in 1974 and Ph.D. in biology in 1979, both from Atlanta University. “Rain doesn’t stop citizens from showing their dedication,” said Lake City Police Chief Billy Brown.

Little red caboose

A little red caboose joined the National Bean Market Museum of South Carolina in October. National Bean Market Museum of South Carolina Briley Altman christened the caboose in memory of the late Eugene “Gene” Moore in October as the caboose briefly stopped on Ervin Street while making its way to its permanent home near the old train depot in Lake City. Moore, who died in October, has been credited with spearheading the efforts to develop the National Bean Market Museum of South Carolina in Lake City.

Sweet potato

Roland Foxworth, a local citizen was the owner of a five-pound sweet potato in November. Foxworth, who grows many types of fruits and vegetables, said he has not grown a 5-pound sweet potato since 1967. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service of the Pee Dee, County Agent Tony Melton, who specializes in horticulture, said sweet potatoes are one of the best things you can eat. He said sweet potatoes usually grow about 3.5 inches. Patricia M. Chandler, a retired public school teacher and administrator, who has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Science Education from Clemson University with an said sweet potatoes are great sources of vitamin A and fiber.

Cook murder unsolved

The 2005 murder of Lake City native Ricky Lamar Cook Jr remained unsolved and individuals who knew him continued to hope that all persons responsible would be brought to justice. Cook’s barely clothed body was found Nov. 18, 2005, lying face down on a rural road in Nesmith, which is located in Williamsburg County, according to the incident report. Williamsburg County Sheriff Kelvin Washington said the case is still under investigation and officers are still actively pursing individuals responsible for the murder.

Ford Mustang found

Authorities were notified Nov. 19 at about 1: 30 p.m. that a car was submerged in a pond just outside of Lake City on Church Street. Property owner Stewart Altman said a Fed Ex driver noticed the car while delivering packages to Marshall’s Marine earlier in the day. Emergency personnel arrived to find a green Ford Mustang with no license plate completely submerged, making the vehicle barely visible. There were no occupants found in the vehicle.

Main Street store opens

Ward’s Comfort and Style Shoes at 136 E. Main St. in Lake City opened in December. “I would like to see the downtown area grow and with the support of the community, we can do it,” said owner Clark Ward. Ward, a native of Kingstree, brings nearly 13 years of experience in retail to his new business. Ward said his store carries such brand names as Naturalizer, Vaneli, Florsheim, J.Renee’, Trotters and Soft Walk. The store currently sells men’s and women’s casual and dress style shoes. Ward is definitely not a stranger to retail, having managed B.C. Moore’s Department Store in Lake City from 1985 until 1991.

Students excel

Charles Albert Crosby Jr. and Amy Lee Kirby are in the top 10 percent of the 2009 Lake City High School graduating class and gave their recipes for success in November. Principal Kasey Miles Feagin said Crosby and Kirby perform well academically and are very positive-minded students.

Missing files

During the Olanta town council meeting on Dec. 2, citizens were informed of personnel files and other pertinent information missing from Town Hall.
Mayor Betty Sims said personnel files and audit books were noticed missing during the process of collecting information for the town’s audit. Sims said a report was filed with Florence County Sheriff’s Office and person(s) responsible will be prosecuted. Sims said the town’s certified public accountant is continuing to work on the town’s audit and it won’t be ready by the end of the year. The audit is hard to complete, she said because of the turnover in town employees and files being stolen.

Guest speaker

A professional development program for Florence School District 3 employees featured Stephen Peters as the guest speaker in December. During his 28 years in education, Peters has been a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal and director of secondary education. Peters is founder of the nationally recognized Gentlemen’s & Ladies Club programs, which provide options for thousands of at-risk and honor students throughout the U.S. He is the author of the best-selling book “Do You Know Enough About Me To Teach Me,” which is being used in the U.S. as a tool for reaching disadvantaged and at-risk youth. His newly released book is also a best-seller Teaching to Capture and Inspire all Learners (Corwin Press) and will serve as a catalyst for changing and sustaining school culture.  Peters has served on panels as an education expert with former U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Rod Paige in Washington, D.C.