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Authorities did not immediately identify the two male and two female victims, nor did they release their ages. But it appeared they were searching for a teenager who lived in the house.

Anderson County Sheriff's spokeswoman Susann Griffin said police were looking for 18-year-old Nathaniel Dickson and named him a "person of interest" in the case.

A neighbor said Dickson lived in the home with his mother and father as well as a brother and stepsister. The teen moved out of his family's home after graduating from high school last year, but had moved back in the past few weeks, said Melissa Funk, whose 16-year-old son was friends with Dickson and his brother.

"I've tried to call him and my son has tried to contact him, but we have not heard anything," Funk said. "I'm just worried about him."

Jenna Hallman said people have been telling her she would become a teacher all her life. But she was studying something else in college when a job at a day care changed her mind.

The administrators and directors at the day care began including her in big projects. "They really sort of molded me," Hallman told the Anderson Independent-Mail.

Hallman, who is currently at Calhoun Academy for the Arts, has been teaching for ten years.

She wins $25,000 and the use of a 2007 BMW Z-4 roadster for one year. She also goes on to compete for National Teacher of the Year and will spend a year working across the state to retain teachers and make them better in the classroom.

Investigators tell the Aiken Standard that Ann Fox Smith did not die of natural causes. An autopsy will be conducted.

Authorities say co-workers at Kennedy Middle School found Smith's body Friday afternoon after she did not show up for work.

The coroner's office says Smith had likely been dead less that 12 hours.

Principal Ben Osborne says fellow teachers were in shock after he told them of Smith's death after students were dismissed Friday.

The shooter fired at the teen during a party at a home on Bradbury Drive. The reason is not known, deputies said. The shooter then got into a black Tahoe and left before authorities arrived.

The victim was taken to Pal-metto Richland with non-life-threatening injuries.

“Our South Carolina soldiers are now returning home, having changed Afghanistan for the better,” said Brig. Gen. Bob Livingston, commander of the S.C. National Guard unit.

Replacing the South Carolinians is the N.Y. National Guard’s 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commanded by Col. Brian K. Balfe.

The task force, which includes members of all four U.S. military services and troops from 22 nations, is responsible for training and mentoring the Afghan army and police.

The Newberry-headquartered brigade assumed command of the task force last May. At one point, the brigade had about 1,800 soldiers here. About 200, having ended their yearlong deployment, left in January. The remaining troops will be returning home in the next two weeks.

The State newspaper on Friday obtained dashboard videos, internal affairs reports and other documents related to 18 incidents from 2003 through last year under the S.C. Freedom of Information Act.

The S.C. Department of Public Safety also provided dozens of pages of documents — though no videos — in 10 other pending or closed matters.

Several dramatic videos in which troopers were exonerated depict them returning fire at suspects who fired at them first, or shooting out the tires of a suspect’s car to end a chase.

In several cases, troopers were found to have acted within department policy — and to have saved lives.

The 52-year-old remembers learning to drive one when he was 5 years old and his feet barely reached the pedals.

“The best fun on the farm was when we’d go take the tractors and plow the fields,” he said.

That thrill never left him.

“I got tractor fever. Once you get the fever, you keep going. I have one tractor of every type my dad owned.”

It was enough to bring hundreds of mourners to their feet Friday in celebration of the life and faith of the humble, purposeful man known simply as “L.P.”

Graham, president of the 230,000-member Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina and Zion’s pastor for the past 14 years, died Sunday after a brief illness. He was 58.

That his span on earth was short was not lost on the mourners, among them Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, Morris College president Luns C. Richardson, state lawmakers and dozens of pastors who are part of the largest black Baptist organization in the state.

But those who eulogized him preferred to dwell on Graham’s supreme confidence that life on earth was simply a preface to glorious life in God’s paradise.

The project’s first phase, set to start in May, will begin at Elmwood Avenue and extend north for 10 blocks to Anthony Street.

“This is transformational for North Columbia,” Mayor Bob Coble said.

Neighborhood and city leaders say the area is lagging behind other areas in private development. The public projects are designed to attract private money.

The two years of work promises to be as invasive as the Gervais Street, Lady Street and Five Points projects that preceded it.

Richard Wendell Walker, 51, is accused of fighting with John L. Delaney at a home on Glenn Avenue, police said. An argument over loud music turned physical when Walker armed himself with a knife and Delaney grabbed a crescent wrench, according to authorities. Delaney was injured and taken to Palmetto Health Richland, where he died early Monday, police said.

Walker is at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

For the Carver-Lyon Elementary School fifth-grader, the regular meetings with Riffle are can’t-miss affairs.

“I get to spend quality time with my buddy,” Takiaya said. “We eat lunch and talk about regular stuff.”

On most days, those discussions take place in the school cafeteria. But this week, the two shared conversation and fellowship as they strolled through the animal kingdom of Riverbanks Zoo.

Riffle and other Palmetto Health employees joined students from Carver-Lyon and E.E. Taylor elementary schools Thursday for the year-end celebration of the Lunch Buddy program. The Richland 1 initiative pairs area adults with students for two hours each month during the school year to share food, fun and friendship.

But baptisms in South Carolina’s Southern Baptist churches appear to be holding steady.

The Rev. Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, blamed the national decline in baptisms in part on a perception that members of the denomination are “mean-spirited, hurtful and angry.”

Other observers say Baptist families are smaller, and congregations also are not doing as much as they could to reach out to minority communities where they might find new memberrs.

Baptisms last year dropped nearly 5.5 percent to 345,941, compared with 364,826 in 2006, according to an annual report released this week by LifeWay Christian Resources, the convention’s publishing arm.

Ciro Bustos-Rosales was sentenced to 70 months in prison, ordered to pay $52,500 in restitution, placed on supervised release for life and must surrender for deportation proceedings.

Bustos-Rosales admitted to being involved with transporting a 14-year-old girl between Mexico and the U.S. and South Carolina and North Carolina to engage in prostitution, the release said.

— Lee Higgins

The 1,800 troops in the Guard’s 218th Brigade Combat Team have received — or are awaiting the award of — more than 1,000 honors for heroism and meritorious service.

The Newberry-headquartered brigade’s year-long tour of duty in Afghanistan ends today, when it hands over command of Task Force Phoenix to the N.Y. National Guard’s 27th Brigade Combat.

The highest medal awarded to the South Carolinians, a Bronze Star for Valor, went to five soldiers.

That medal’s cousin, the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, was awarded to 264 S.C. soldiers. That total includes 58 medals that are pending, awaiting approval from higher officials.

The church at 201 Lake Murray Blvd. in Irmo is inviting the children to fill a large compass with earth moved from the construction site during a May 4 celebration.

The 5 p.m. event will also include a balloon launch and a time for devotions with the theme of “Following God’s Direction.”

The congregation has contracted to have an airplane fly over to photograph the children, ages 5-12, after they have completed filling the compass.

The theme of the celebration, which begins at 11 a.m. worship, is “The Great Adventure: 40 Years of Ministry.”

Orthodox Christians — who number about 1,000 congregants in four Midlands congregations — base their holy calendar on the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar.

At midnight, they will break a 40-day Lenten fast from meat and dairy products, and prepare for Easter Sunday and the glorious celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

“That anticipation of celebration, of breaking the fast is dramatic,” said the Rev. Gregory Rogers, pastor of St. Barnabas Orthodox Church in Lexington, an Antiochian congregation.

The congregation plans to gather at 10:30 p.m. for the procession around the church.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LEXINGTON: Strength Team family event, 7 p.m. through Sunday, 415 Barr Road, Lexington. (803) 957-0686; www.first-baptist.org

NEW LIFE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH: One Day Revival, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, 2316 Julius Felder St., Cayce. (803) 796-7606

EASTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Jubilee service, 5:30 p.m. Sundays, Thompson Hall, 3200 Trenholm Road. Child care provided. (803) 256-1654

CHAPIN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Yard sale, 8 a.m.-noon today, 415 Lexington Ave., Chapin. (803) 345-2801; (803) 345-9148

Brig. Gen. Bradley W. May will command the Army’s largest training post, the Pentagon said Friday. May has been head of the Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate at the Army’s Human Resources Command in Alexandria, Va.

May will succeed Brig. Gen. James H. Schwitters, who is retiring. Schwitters and his wife will live in Columbia.

At Fort Jackson, May will be responsible for training almost 50,000 new soldiers each year. His experience in the personnel field fits Fort Jackson, which trains troops for personnel, maintenance and other noncombat units, said Lt. Col. Anne Edgecomb, an Army spokeswoman.

Fort Jackson also is home to more than 3,600 active-duty soldiers and has 4,200 civilian employees.

Boland said in a letter sent to County Council Thursday that he wants to spent more time with his family and friends.

There had been talk for months that Boland might leave the post he’s held for nearly seven years, following charges last fall that he filed a false police report about what he considered suspicious sewer overflows at four county pump stations.

Those charges were dropped three months ago, with Fifth Circuit Solicitor Barney Giese saying “if Boland had any evidence of tampering with any county property, he had a duty to report that to law enforcement.”

Still, some say the events had an impact.

Margaret D. Stephens, 41, is charged with solicitation to commit a felony of murder, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. She was arrested Thursday after meeting with the officer in a parking lot, the Sheriff’s Office said.

“Mrs. Stephens told our investigator she wanted the death to look like an accident and agreed to a price,” Sheriff Michael Hunt said. “We gave her a chance to change her mind, but she chose not to do it.”

Authorities did not identify the intended victim.

Stephens is at the Aiken County Detention Center.

The school said Friday that Sorensen will speak May 9 to graduates in business, journalism, nursing, pharmacy and public health.

Barbara McConnell Barrett, chairwoman of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, will receive an honorary degree and address the rest of the graduates at two ceremonies May 10.

Pine Street, 2200 block: A woman called police at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday and said her neighbor slashed all four of her tires. The woman said she heard something in the yard, but didn’t investigate. The next morning, she said, she found small, smooth cuts in all four tires, which had gone flat. She said she had been having an ongoing problem with her neighbor, but when deputies spoke to the neighbor, that woman said she hadn’t been home Wednesday night and denied any knowledge of the slashed tires.

S.C. 378, 700 block: Police were called to a grocery store at 6 a.m. Wednesday after employees discovered that almost $1,000 worth of hanging plants had been stolen. Store employees told deputies that in the past month, more than 70 plants had been stolen, and on Tuesday night alone, 39 plants were stolen. The employees said a truck and several people must have been involved.

RICHLANDCOUNTY SHERIFF

Lavendea Street, 6400 block: Police were called to a bank at 3 p.m. Monday after a man brought in a fraudulent $3,700 sweepstakes check. The man said the check was mailed to him along with a letter instructing him to cash the check and then he would also win $50,000. The letter asked the man for his banking information.

Judge Jack Early said Friday the DNA test on James Brown II should be completed within the next 30 days. Trustees handling the singer’s estate questioned the claims of Tomi Rae Hynie that her son is Brown’s son, attorneys representing Hynie and the child said.

The ruling is the latest in the long-running fight over the late Brown’s estate.

Contributing: Staff writers Lee Higgins, Czerne M. Reid and Kelly Davis; The Associated Press

Donnelly can appeal to the S.C. Court of Appeals. If he doesn’t, his license to operate is permanently revoked, said Thom Berry, spokesman for the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The settlement, one of the largest penalties ever demanded by the federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, concludes an 18-month inquiry into Wachovia’s relationships with schemes that investigators say stole from thousands of victims, many of them elderly.

Though Wachovia did not admit or deny wrongdoing, the investigation found that Wachovia, one of the country’s largest banks, engaged in unsafe practices — failing to conduct suitable due diligence, failing to monitor accounts used by telemarketers and failing to follow procedures that would probably have uncovered the thefts.

The bank’s actions were “part of a pattern of misconduct that resulted in” Wachovia collecting millions of dollars in fees, regulators wrote.

Wachovia has agreed to pay a $10 million fine, contribute $8.9 million to consumer education programs and make restitution to victims that could top $125 million. In a statement, the bank said this “situation was unacceptable and we regret it happened.”

“Too many Americans have been harmed by this procedure and it’s about time this message was heard,” said David Shell of Washington, D.C., who had Lasik in 1998 and says he has “not experienced a moment of crisp, good quality vision since.”

Colin Dorrian was a college student when he was told he wasn’t a good Lasik candidate, but went ahead anyway — and his father, Gerald, described six years of eye pain and blurred vision before reading his son’s suicide note to a Food and Drug Administration panel: “I can’t and won’t continue facing this horror.”

Matt Kotsovolos actually worked for the Duke Eye Center when he had a more sophisticated Lasik procedure in 2006, and said doctors classified him as a success because he now has 20-20 vision — something Kotsovolos charged is a deceptive industry practice.

“For the last two years I have suffered debilitating and unremitting eye pain,” Kotsovolos said. “Patients do not want to continue to exist as helpless victims with no voice.”

But the broad sweep — from nursing infants to teenagers — is raising constitutional questions, even in a state where authorities have wide latitude for taking a family’s children.

The move has the appearance of “a class-action child removal,” said Jessica Dixon, director of the child-advocacy center at Southern Methodist University’s law school in Dallas. “I’ve never heard of anything like that,” she said.

Rod Parker, a spokesman for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, contends that the state has essentially said, “If you’re a member of this religious group, then you’re not allowed to have children.”

Attorneys for the families and civil-liberties groups also are crying foul. They say the state should not have taken children away from all church members living at the Yearning For Zion Ranch in Eldorado.

«Obituary posted: April 26, 2008»

Mrs. Ratteree, wife of the late William Leroy Ratteree, died Friday, April 25, 2008. Born in Lexington, she was the daughter of the late Jake and Nannie Aiken Seay. A graduate of University High School, she retired after forty years with SouthernBell.

Mrs. Ratteree was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Frank Harden Sunday School Class, Telephone Pioneers and served on the Garden Council of Columbia.

Surviving are sons, James F. Ratteree of Atlanta, Ga., and William E. “Bill” Ratteree of Columbia; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Carolina Children’s Home, 3201 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29204.

Mr. Poole died Wednesday, April 23, 2008. Born in Columbia, he was a son of John H. and Shirley Tomberlin Poole. A graduate of Wildewood Academy, he received a degree in business from the University of South Carolina where he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma. Employed with the United States Postal Service, he had served as station manager at the Northeast Branch and as postmaster of the Lexington Branch, and was currently serving as postmaster in Myrtle Beach.

Mr. Poole was a member of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, National League of Postmasters and former member of Lexington Kiwanis. He had also been a volunteer with the March of Dimes. He enjoyed being outdoors, particularly at the beach.

Surviving are son, Richard Blake Poole of Columbia; daughter, Haley Danielle Poole of Columbia; his parents of Columbia; brother and sister-in-law, Ryan E. and Anita Poole of Columbia; fiancee, Michelle Orr and her son, Steven Orr, both of Greenville; and nephews, Aaron Poole and Nicholas Poole and niece, Jenna Poole; and many loving family and friends. He was formerly married to Mary Rose Poole.

Memorials may be made to the March of Dimes, 240 Stoneridge Drive, Columbia, SC 29210, or to Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, 6500 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206.

«Obituary posted: April 26, 2008»

Mrs. Wingate, wife of the late Robert Nimrod Wingate, passed away Friday, April 25, 2008, at Columbia Heart Center. She was born on February 15, 1913, in Chester and was a member of Earlewood Baptist Church.

Surviving are children, Robert Evans Wingate and Carolyn of Marietta, Ga., Jack Otho Wingate and Martha of Barnwell, Joanne Wingate Todd and Harry of Griffin, Ga., and Furman Delano Wingate and Polly of Ridgeway; sister, Lillian Forrester of Clinton; ten grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 520 Gervais St., Suite 300, Columbia, SC 29201.

Please sign online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Mrs. West died Thursday, April 24, 2008. Born in Lynchburg, Va., she was the daughter of the late John Wilbert and Mary Kathryn Rudolph Woodruff. She attended Coker College of Nursing and also received nurses training at Baptist Hospital.

Mrs. West was a member of North Trenholm Baptist Church and Joyful Seekers Sunday School Class.

Surviving are her husband, William R. “Bill” West; son and daughter-in-law, John Richard and Patricia Ann West of Gilbert; daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn West Parrott and Jack E. Parrott of Hopkins; and grandchildren, David Richard West, Matthew Edward West and Grace Ellen West.

Memorials may be made to North Trenholm Baptist Church, 6515 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206.

«Obituary posted: April 26, 2008»

Mrs. Neely died Thursday, April 24, 2008. Born in Columbia, she was a daughter of Anne Hinson Brooks and the late Ernest Madison Brooks. She was formerly employed as a telephone operator with MEDCOM.

Surviving are son, Douglas A. Gantt Jr. of Columbia; daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Matthew Smith of Columbia; his mother of Lexington; sister, Barbara Griffin of Lexington; grandchildren, Kimberly Cross and Victoria Smith; and special friends, Russel Dodson and Tammy Cross.

Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hospice, 1505 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201.

Please sign online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Surviving are her daughter, Asia Chandler; father, Henry (Barbara) Halback; sister, Kim Halback; nephew, JoWarren Halback; aunt, Mary (Oliver) Davis; uncles, Wardell, Carroll, Reginald and Rodney Kelley, Dan (Elaine) and Joe (Gladys) Halback

www.leevy.com

«Obituary posted: April 26, 2008»

Born in Nashville, Tenn. May 7, 1930, Mr. Kelly was a son of the late Rev. A.E. and Flora Rhoads Kelly. He was the former superintendent of youth for the Church of the Nazarene Sunday School and a member of the Woodmen of the World. He retired from Swift Chemical Co. in 1979 after thirty-one years of loyal service. After relocating with Swift to Mason City, Iowa, Korea, Lincoln, Ill., and Glen Burnie, Md., he and his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Betty Robinson Kelly, retired home to Columbia.

Mr. Kelly is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter, Deborah Kelly of Columbia; son and daughter-in-law, R. Timothy and Joelyn Kelly of Normal, Ill.; daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Eddie Erisman of Princess Ann, Md.; grandchildren, Rachel and Bob Hinshaw of Bloomington, Ill., Sarah and Jason Alexander of Normal, Ill., Lee and Erin Erisman of Glen Burnie, Md., and Amy and Chris Sarant of Columbia; eight great-grandchildren; and brothers, R. Paul Kelly of San Diego, Calif., and Jerry Kelly of Columbia.

The family extends their deepest love and gratitude to Krista Kell, Kristy Gregory, Alaina Peay and all of the wonderful nurses and staff of Harmony Care Hospice for their incredible services during the last two months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harmony Care Hospice, 100 Ashland Park Lane, Suite K, Columbia, SC 29210.

Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Layton-Anderson Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Byrd Cemetery.

Mrs. Conner was born in Saluda County, the daughter of the late Ben Lewis and Mary Allene (Corley) Merchant. After graduation from Saluda High School, she continued her education at Winthrop College, Rock Hill, SC, graduating with a degree in mathematics in 1933. She held teaching positions in the public schools of South Carolina at Delmar School, Saluda County, Bay Branch, Bon Aire and Timmonsville Schools in Florence County, Sherwood and Maywood Schools in Sumter County. Leaving the public schools, she transferred to Roy Hudgens Academy where she taught and served briefly as Head Mistress.

At the time of her death she was a member of DAR, a long time and active member of Timmonsville Baptist Church. She had been a member and past president of the Florence Pilot Club. She loved traveling and reading.

She was married to the late William Harris (Harry) Conner.

Mr. Fritts died Thursday, April 24, 2008. Born at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., he was a son of Richard Lee and Joan Marie VanEmburg Fritts. He was employed with Palmetto Health Richland Memorial Hospital for seventeen years. He had a love for Gamecock football only surpassed by the love he had for his family. He enjoyed the outdoors through gardening, woodworking and spending time on the beach.

A loving husband and father, he is survived by his wife, Marianne Fritts of Lexington; sons, Nate “Buzz” Gauthier and Aaron Fritts, both of Lexington; his parents of Columbia; brother and sister-in-law, Rick and Debbie Fritts of Columbia; sister, Jayne Maladinich of Lake Charles, La.; and brother and sister-in-law, Jeffrey and Rhonda Fritts of Elgin.

Memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 3608 Landmark Drive, Forest Acres, SC 29204.

Please sign online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Born April 20, 1931, Mrs. Hickman was the daughter of the late Clyde Ramsey of Richland, Missouri, and the late Beulah Kelly of Elloree. She was educated in the public schools of Phelps County and Rolla, Missouri, and attended Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, Missouri. She and her husband moved to Columbia, South Carolina, from Missouri in 1960. She became active in the Columbia Junior Woman’s Club for which she served as President and Chairman of the Red Stockings Revue for the Happy Time Center. She was named Columbia’s Young Woman of the Year in 1966 by the Columbia Jaycees.

Mrs. Hickman and her family relocated to the Santee-Elloree area in 1973. She was appointed by the State Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism as Supervisor of the Santee Welcome Center and served in that position for 17 years until her retirement in the late 1990s. The Tourism Division regularly called on her to lead new Information Specialists at Welcome Centers around the State on Familiarization tours of South Carolina’s attractions and accommodations. Along with other PRT staff she regularly represented the State at travel shows in the Northeast, Upper Midwest and Canada. She also served on the Orangeburg County Advisory Board of the Heritage Corridor program.

Mrs. Hickman was instrumental in establishing the Gift Shop for the Elloree Heritage Museum where she served as a volunteer for five years until she became incapacitated by illness. Other civic activities included membership in the Elloree Garden Club and the Swamp Fox Boat Club.

She was a longtime active member of the Elloree United Methodist Church where she served as a member of the Board of Trustee.

Mr. Murphy, 68, born March 16, 1940, was the son of the late Nathan and Pearl Tager Murphy. He enjoyed working as a saw operator with D and T Steel. His work ethic and old school attitude made not getting to work the hardest struggle of the cancer. He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. Raymond loved his family.

Mr. Murphy is survived by his loving and devoted wife of twenty-eight years who loved him with all her heart, Patricia C. Murphy of Lexington, SC; his children, Richard Murphy of Lexington, SC, Johnny Murphy of Lexington, SC, Angel Gilmore of Lexington, SC, Rodney Gilmore of Horry County, SC, Julia Rice of Sandy Run, SC; his brothers, John N. Murphy of Swansea, SC, Harvey T. Murphy of Swansea, SC; his sisters, Gracie Hooker of Swansea, SC, Sara Pichey of Gaston, SC, Elveen Murphy of Swansea, SC; seventeen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He had a special place in his heart for his niece, Linda Backman. He was predeceased by his brother, James “Buck” Murphy of Wrightsboro, GA.

He was a compassionate man that would give you the shirt off of his back. His fun loving attitude has left so many wonderful memories. The family will miss him and the influence of his character. The family is thankful for his loving impact on their lives.

Caughman-Harman Funeral Home at Southland Memorial Gardens is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Johnson worked for the Beaufort Gazette as the Women’s Editor and later worked as a secretary for the Beaufort County School System.

Services celebrating her life will be held at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel, on Bush River Road at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2008, followed by interment in Bush River Memorial Gardens. The family will receive family and friends at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, James W. Johnson; a daughter, Sandra J. Calore and her husband John; grandson, Jonathan W. Calore and his wife Haley and great-granddaughter, Caroline Jennings Calore, all of Columbia. She was predeceased by one sister and four brothers.

Memorials may be made to Ashland United Methodist Church, 2600 Ashland Road, Columbia, SC 29210.

Mr. Opdyke died Monday, April 21, 2008, in Lexington, SC. Born March 3, 1932, in Elizabeth, NJ, he was the son of the late James Luther Opdyke and Mary Olga Kosten Opdyke.

Surviving are his wife, Kathryn Opdyke of Lexington, SC, his son, James Eric Opdyke of Greensboro, NC, his daughter, Debra Elaine O’Guin of Ocala, FL, three grandchildren, Lauren M. Opdyke, Conner Opdyke and James Dalton O’Guin, and two sisters. He was predeceased by one brother.

Roller-Drummond Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

«Obituary posted: April 26, 2008»

Born in Fairfield County, Mrs. Willie Mae Glover died April 21, 2008. Surviving: daughter, Brenda Delly; sons, Moses and Willie Glover Jr.; brother, Matthew Edwards; adopted daughter, Shirley Cain; other relatives and friends.

«Obituary posted: April 26, 2008»

A member of New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, she served as Superintendent of Sunday School. She was a member of Cooperative Ministries of Enoree, North Enoree, Reedy River & Greenville Baptist Associations, a Youth Advisor, a Life and Board member of the Women’s Baptist Education and Missionary Convention of South Carolina. She also served on the staff of the State Director of Christian Education, Past Loyal Lady Ruler of the Piedmont Assembly 169 of Greenville, SC; Azah Court #140, a life member of the NAACP and of the National Council of Negro Women. She held membership in the Order of Eastern Star of Holly Spring Chapter #31; Past Deputy for the Eastern Star of Greenville County District #1; a past Most Ancient Matron of Naomi Chapter # 18 of Heroine of Jericho, a member of Nu Delta Zeta chapter Zeta Phi Beta Scrority Inc. A member of South Carolina Mortician Association and National Funeral Director and Mortician Association. Owner of Clark’s Funeral Home.

Surviving is her sister, Nancy G. Griggs of Mauldin, SC.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 27, 2008, at New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 135 New Pleasant Grove Church Road, Pelzer, SC, from 6-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, April 28, 2008, 12:00 p.m. at Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church, 1012 Mauldin Road, Mauldin, SC, with burial in New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery with Dove release. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Phillis Wheatley Center “Children Defense Fund’s” “Freedom School,” 40 McCarroll Way, Greenville, SC 29607. Online condolences maybe emailed to www.sullivanbrosmortuary.com. The family is at the home of sister, Nancy Griggs, 107 Meadowood Drive, Mauldin, SC.

«Obituary posted: April 26, 2008»

J.P. Holley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Jones was born in Kingsville, SC, to the late Charlie and Lula Jones. He served 21 years in the United States Air Force. During his military career he lived in Orlando. After retirement, he worked for 20 plus years with Orange County Public Schools Transportation and Security. He spent much of his spare time fishing, working with auto mechanics, attending church, and enjoying his family. Earl was a faithful member of True Gospel Orlando Victory Community Church where he served as an usher.

He is survived by his daughter, Erlene “Dot” (James) Council, Philadelphia; sons, Edward (Shaen) Jones, Ronald (Renaldo) Jones and Larry Jones, all of Orlando; sister, Elizabeth (John C.) Adams, Gadsden, SC; sisters-in-law, Celeste Jones and Lillie Mae Jones, Gadsden, SC; nineteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and former wife, Emma L. Jones, Orlando. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Walter Jones, Charlie Jones and Bernie Jones; one sister, Annie M. Jones; and one son, Bruce Scott.

«Obituary posted: April 26, 2008»

«Obituary posted: April 26, 2008»

“I want to come and have some fun,” the 22-year-old Marine mechanic said. “It’s been a long road, but I’m coming toward the end.”

Lyon, of Crisfield, Md., will be among 30 wounded, but recovering, veterans from around the country attending the BMW driving school near Spartanburg on Monday. Costs for the outing are being shared by BMW and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, a privately funded support group that works to get Marines out of hospitals and back into communities.

“I’ve been a fan of BMW’s since I was 8 years old,” Lyon said. “When I heard about this, I was thrilled.”

Drivers will practice safety tips as they zip through skid paths, lane changes and mini-waterfalls at speeds of up to 55 mph, said course director Dan Gubitosa.

“Starting Monday, the effects of the stimulus will begin to reach millions of households across our country,” Bush said Friday in remarks on the South Lawn of the White House.

The Internal Revenue Service had been saying direct deposits wouldn’t start until next Friday. Bush also said paper checks would begin going out May 9, a week earlier than previously announced.

“The money is going to help Americans offset the high prices we’re seeing at the gas pump, the grocery store, and also give our economy a boost to help us pull out of this economic slowdown,” Bush said.

Bush’s emphasis on fuel and food prices differed from other comments he’s made since signing the economic stimulus legislation, intended to aid the economy by boosting overall consumer spending — which accounts for roughly two-thirds of the nation’s economic activity.

Some alert consumers have noticed it over the years: A pump that seems to hesitate a second when the lever is squeezed. Anywhere from 2 to 6 cents tick off before the rush of gasoline starts.

That’s what happens with a common, hard-to-diagnose and mostly ignored problem with the “check valve,” which is supposed to make sure gas flows at the same time the price meter starts.

But even if your gas pump works, it can still be off as much as $5 for every fill up.

Federal regulators said they had heard of swings of as much as 30 to 40 cents per gallon.