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But in a sign that those days are over, Starbucks Corp. announced Tuesday it will close 600 company-operated stores in the next year as the faltering U.S. economy hastened the pain caused by the company's own rapid expansion.

Starbucks did not say which stores will be closed, only that they are spread throughout the country. But it did say 70 percent of those slated for closure had opened after the start of 2006.

To put it another way, Starbucks is closing 19 percent of all U.S. company-operated stores that opened in the last two years, Chief Financial Officer Pete Bocian said during a conference call.

About 12,000 workers, or 7 percent of Starbucks' global work force, will be affected by the closings, which are expected to take place between late July and the middle of 2009, spokeswoman Valerie O'Neil said.

When it’s done, a three-story glass corner will allow passers-by to see into the lighted lobby. Inside, patrons will have more restrooms and an elevator to reach balcony seating.

The $12 million project, paid for with taxes Richland County collects on restaurant meals, will add about 40 percent more space, front and back.

The expansion “will add the ‘wow’ factor and glamour that the building needs,” Township board member John Whitehead said.

And new amenities backstage will make the 3,200-seat venue more appealing to performers and their promoters — which director Sally Roach hopes will mean more dates booked and bigger names on the marquee.

A fully functioning 20-foot boat found adrift Saturday on Lake Murray, with fuel in its tank and life jackets on board, but no sign of its two missing occupants, and no clues to indicate what happened to them.

Ever since Randy and Kimberly Adkins from the Red Bank area went missing Saturday night on the lake, the case keeps presenting more questions than answers.

“It’s out of the ordinary to have two people missing on the lake at one time,” McCullough said. “We’re holding out hope they’re alive somewhere, but as time goes on, it’s less and less likely.”

‘WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED, WE DON’T KNOW’

What’s not to like?

Plenty, as it turns out.

The jugs have no real spout, and their unorthodox shape makes consumers feel like novices at the simple task of pouring a glass of milk.

“I hate it,” said Lisa DeHoff, a cafe owner shopping in a Sam’s Club here.

The additional 13 weeks of unemployment checks arrive as the economy continues to deteriorate nationally and in South Carolina. The number of South Carolinians applying for unemployment benefits rose this year for the first time in five years, while the state’s unemployment rate went up to nearly 6 percent in May.

About 160,000 South Carolinians have filed for unemployment benefits so far this year, 16 percent more than during the first half of 2007, according to data from the S.C. Employment Security Commission.

And about 1,000 people a week are exhausting their unemployment benefits before finding a job.

“People are suffering right now,” said Allen Larson, who has directed the state’s unemployment insurance program since 2001 and has been with the agency since 1976.

Investigators also do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved.

Asia LeeShawn Ferguson IV, 17, was killed at about 2 p.m. Saturday when he was struck by the “Batman the Ride” roller coaster — which he was not riding — at Six Flags Over Georgia.

Authorities said Ferguson and a cousin scaled two six-foot fences and wandered into a restricted area that was posted with warning signs. No one else was hurt.

Ferguson and his parents were at the park with a group from Oakey Spring Baptist Church, near Springfield in western Orangeburg County.

The 51 Miss S.C. and 41 Miss S.C. Teen hopefuls will begin competition at 2 p.m. at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium.

This year 12 Midlands women and girls will participate in the swimwear, evening gown, talent, on-stage question and interview phases through Thursday. The final round will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday for the Miss S.C. Teen and 8 p.m. for Miss S.C.

Generally the top 10 women with the highest cumulative scores advance to the final round but this year there is a little twist.

One of the requirements for participation was to set a goal to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. The woman who raises the most money will automatically be placed as the 11th top finalist in the Miss S.C. competition.

Mack takes over leadership of a district with 50 schools, including two — A.C. Flora and Dreher — recently named among the nation’s best high schools by Newsweek magazine and The Washington Post.

The district also is home to five chronically low performers — Alcorn, Gibbes and W.A. Perry middle schools, C.A. Johnson and Eau Claire high schools — the most of any community in South Carolina. The results of concentrated efforts to get them off that state Department of Education “watch list” won’t be known until after the new school year begins.

Enrollment this fall is projected to be 22,935 students, or roughly 1,000 fewer than a year ago. Dayton had a similar problem when Mack took over.

Earlier this year, the Richland 1 board established a partnership with Columbia City Council to collaborate on shaping strategies to give low-performing schools a boost. That work is still in the planning stages, so Mack will have a say in shaping the plan.

“I believe that the popular vote should be what determines or who determines the president.”

Listen to Taylor and other S.C. voters describe their feelings on the issues and candidates at thestate.com/choosing and look for a new voice every Tuesday.

PHOTOGRAPH BY C.A. BERRY/CABERRY@THESTATE.COM

The upgrade could prompt automatic watering restrictions in some areas of Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg and Cherokee counties. But the state drought response committee stopped short of asking Gov. Mark Sanford to declare emergency measures.

“We’re firing a warning shot,” said committee member Dennis Chastain of Pickens County. “We don’t want to wait until late July and just drop a bomb” in the form of severe water use restrictions.

“In Pickens County, we’re in as extreme a situation as we were in the fifth year of the last drought (in 2002), and it’s only June,” Chastain said. “That’s scary.”

The committee told water companies, industries and residential water users they need to be conserving water now. If July proves dry — as expected — water supplies will drop sharply.

Brig. Gen. James Schwitters, the local base’s boss for three years, is retiring. He will turn over command to Brig. Gen. Bradley May, who most recently was head of the Army’s Enlisted Personnel Directorate at Alexandria, Va.

From staff reports

Feather Run Trail, 2000 block: Officers were called to an apartment complex Sunday after a woman reported she had been assaulted and a mattress was taken from her apartment. The victim said her roommate’s mother and a friend came inside the residence while she was sleeping and pulled her off the mattress. She said the roommate’s mother held her down while the friend grabbed the mattress and left. When questioned by the officers, the roommate said her mother gave her the mattress. The victim told officers she was not interested in having the mattress returned. But she did want to press assault charges against the two suspects.

Emmanuel Church Road, 2000 block: Officers were called by a security guard to the scene of a burglary in progress Monday at a fireworks stand. The security guard said he heard noises coming from inside the stand and saw someone walking back and forth inside with his or her legs visible from the bottom of the stand. When officers arrived, they noticed a person running toward woods and pursued on foot. The suspect got away, and nothing was reported stolen. Officers were able to get fingerprints from the stand’s door and were investigating.

RICHLAND COUNTY SHERIFF

Martin Luther King Boulevard, 2000 block: Officers were called to a residence Thursday after a woman reported that someone broke into her chicken coop and took 10 hens. The woman said she just recently bought the black-and-rust-colored hens and had no idea who might have taken them. The victim told officers she secured the coop before the crime had taken place, but they observed no signs of forced entry to the coop door. The estimated value of the hens was $250.

What’s the first thing on your agenda?

Well, No. 1 is always public safety. I want to make sure that our police department has the resources that it needs. I’m looking forward to hearing more from our chief about his plans. He’s been on board now since, I think, May 1, so I’m excited about seeing where he sees our needs and especially how his office is going to be interacting with our neighborhoods and neighborhood business districts.

What do you think your role will be on this council?

I just hope I’m the go-to person for good government working on a host of issues.

“Once you’re blind, you have to set new goals,” Castro said.

He set them higher.

Not content with just staying in the Army, he is the only blind officer serving in the Special Forces — the small, elite units famed for dropping behind enemy lines on combat missions.

As executive officer of the 7th Special Forces Group’s headquarters company in Fort Bragg, Castro’s duties don’t directly involve combat.

Rick Brundrett, a reporter who covers crime and courts, won the Gonzales award, and photographer C. Aluka Berry won the Hampton award. The awards are named after founders of the newspaper.

Each received $1,000 and a trophy. Their names will be added to a framed list of honorees, which extends back to 1968.

“Chris and Rick represent the best practices in journalism,” executive editor Mark E. Lett said. “They are penetrating newsmen who pursue important stories as a service to the community. In images and words, their storytelling puts readers in the know, fully and fairly.”

Brundrett and Berry were nominated by their peers and selected for the awards by Frank Denton, vice president of news for Morris Communications.

Zion Benevolent Baptist Church on Meeting House Road was burglarized May 28 and May 29 after someone pried open the outside door of the church and removed valuables from the pastor’s office.

Two computers, two computer monitors and a television DVD system were reported stolen. The property and damage is valued at about $7,000.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (888) CRIME-SC or go to sccrimestoppers.com.

From staff reports

Barry Scott Martin Jr., 27, began serving the sentence in February, according to the prison system’s Web site. He will be charged with felony escape, which carries a sentence up to 15 years in prison upon conviction.

Martin is white, 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has brown hair and eyes. He has scars on both arms and multiple tattoos on his arms, legs, neck, chest, stomach and back.

Anyone with information about Martin is asked to call (877) 349-2130 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. After 5 p.m. call (800) 896-2258 or (803) 737-9000 or 911. The Corrections Department offers $500 for information leading to the capture.

From staff reports

The body of Lunar Lim, 28, was found at about 6:45 p.m. Saturday in about 8 feet of water, nearly three hours after he disappeared, Silvia said.

Lim was with relatives and friends on an island in the middle of the lake when he walked out into the water after a storm and disappeared, Silvia said. Relatives said he didn’t know how to swim.

From staff reports

A 16-year-old football player at Spartanburg High School has drowned during a team outing at Lake Bowen.

Jarvis Lee Walker drowned Monday in about 7½ feet of water while trying to swim back to shore, Spartanburg County coroner’s investigator Dwayne Corn said. Several players and other people jumped into the water and tried to rescue him.

From The Associated Press

The council on Monday announced these candidates:

• David L. Parks Jr. of Murrells Inlet

• William Avery Frick of Cheraw

• Anthony L. Carson Jr. of Selbyville, Del.

GOVERNMENT

• All federal offices will be closed Friday.

• Fort Jackson offices will be closed Friday. Some offices will be closed for a training holiday Monday.

• All state government offices will be closed Friday.

Ron Alexander has long been intrigued with the true story of a young idealist who met his death in Alaska’s unyielding wilderness in 1992.

The film adaptation of the book “Into the Wild” only cemented the mystique for Alexander and others heading to Alaska this summer hoping to retrace the last steps of Christopher McCandless along the Stampede Road near Denali National Park.

Alexander and his fellow travelers want, in particular, to see the old abandoned bus where the 24-year-old Virginian starved to death after more than three months alone in the harsh landscape.

“That’s sort of the heart of the story,” said Alexander, 44, of Arlington, Va. “It’s almost like a Jim Morrison grave site, where people just want to go see it.”

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Monday it is charging a Saudi Arabian with “organizing and directing” the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole — and will seek the death penalty.

Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Hartmann, legal adviser to the U.S. military tribunal system, said charges are being sworn against Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, a Saudi of Yemeni descent, who has been held at the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, since 2006.

It seeks to try him by military commission at the U.S. Navy base in southeast Cuba and to execute him if convicted.

Nashiri is accused of testing explosives and equipping what looked like a small civilian garbage barge with bombs. The barge, piloted by two al Qaeda bombers who died in the explosion, pulled up next to the American destroyer on Oct. 12, 2000.

1867: Canada became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain as the British North America Act took effect.

1898: In the Spanish-American War, U.S. forces, including Theodore Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders,” waged a victorious assault on San Juan Hill in Cuba.

1946: The United States exploded a 20-kiloton atomic bomb near Bikini Atoll in the Pacific.

1948: New York International Airport (now John F. Kennedy International Airport) at Idlewild began operations.

Patriotic concert, 8 p.m., Dreher Island State Park. Featuring the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra. Admission: adults, $2; seniors, $1.25; 15 and younger, free. Fireworks display from Spence Island and Dreher Island, 9:15 p.m. (803) 781-5940

The incorrect date was published in the Metro section on Saturday and Sunday.

Asked if one might assume that meant Pastides remains a contender for the USC presidency, USC presidential search committee Chairman Miles Loadholt said, “I’m not going to disagree with that.”

Loadholt would not identify the other leading candidates to succeed President Andrew Sorensen.

“It’s my job to protect the confidentiality of the search,” Loadholt said.

There will be additional interviews on July 8, Loadholt said.

Clemson University, with current resident undergraduate fees just under $10,000, has not yet set its fee schedule for next fall. The next Clemson board meeting is scheduled for July 18.

University of South Carolina trustees approved last week a $1 billion-plus budget plan that includes a 5.9 percent tuition increase for the Columbia campus. About two percentage points of that increase are attributable to $4.3 million in state budget cuts, Chief Financial Officer Rick Kelly said. One percentage point in student fees yields about $2 million in additional revenue, Kelly said.

Tuition on the USC Columbia campus will rise $492 annually to $8,838.

At USC-Aiken, annual in-state tuition will rise $526 (7.5 percent) to $7,532; at USC Beaufort, by $750 (12 percent) to $7,000; and at USC Upstate, by $582 (7.5 percent) to $8342.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. June 2, 2008, at Samaria Missionary Baptist Church, Springfield, with burial in Oakey Spring Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Officiating will be Reverend Doctor John Corbitt and presiding will be Reverend Leander Jones. Active pallbearers will be cousins and honorary pallbearers will be the MUSC faculty and staff and the Wagener-Salley War Eagles Softball team.

Mrs. Corbett was born June 18, 1975, in Wagner, SC, to Mr. Thomas and Linda Brown Jenkins of Summerville, SC. She was a graduate of A&T University of Greensboro, NC, and received her Bachelor of Science/biology degree in 1997. She completed her internship in internal medicine at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, AL, in 2002. She was a current fellow in the Dept. of Neuphrology Fellowship Program in Charleston, SC.

Survivors are a husband, Andre Corbett; 1 daughter, Khalin Corbett of the home; 1 stepson, Savion Z. Manuel of Texas; 1 sister, Deidre Jenkins of Summerville, SC.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 1, 2008, from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 7396 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC (Rev. Dr. Augustus Robinson presiding). Friends may call at the residence of Mrs. Clara Williams of Salley, SC, and Fulmers Funeral Home of Springfield, SC.

Mrs. McCall, wife of the late Palmer Eugene McCall, died Sunday, June 29, 2008. Born in Honea Path, she was a daughter of the late Brooks Nelson and Sadie Campbell and was a member of Chiquola United Methodist Church.

Surviving are son and daughter-in-law, Phillip and Robin McCall of Columbia; daughters and son-in-law, Betsy and Randall Freeman of Maggie Valley, N.C., and Patty Kane of Columbia; sister, Nancy Harvey of Honea Path; grandchildren, Lacey McCall, Adam Glover, Brandon Freeman, Mark Kane, Michelle Kane, Mason McCall, Cody McCall and Kelly McCall; and great-grandchildren, Gloria Clark and Ryan Clark. She was predeceased by son-in-law, Allen Kane.

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

«Obituary posted: July 1, 2008»

Mrs. Glymph, daughter of the late Mr. Henry Williams and the late Mrs. Ruby Hare Williams, died Sunday in Lexington Medical Center.

She was a member of First Nazareth Baptist Church in Columbia, SC.

She was employed by South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as Motor Vehicle Pool manager (Defensive Driving instructor).

Surviving are her husband, Jerome Glymph and son, Christopher Jermal Glymph of the home; one brother, Henry James Williams (Annie) of Chesapeake, VA; three sisters, Mary Ellen Young and Annie Bell Wicker (Allen) of Newberry, SC, and Addie Wicker (Reverend Cecil) of Chesapeake, VA; nine aunts, one uncle; father-in-law, Adam Glymph Jr. of Newberry, SC; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

«Obituary posted: July 1, 2008»

Mrs. Truesdale, widow of Harry Hampton Truesdale, died Sunday, June 29, 2008, in Kershaw County Medical Center. Born in Kershaw, she was the daughter of the late Yancy Lee and Edna Barfield Copeland. She was a bookkeeper and had served as clerk of the Town of Kershaw for many years. Mrs. Truesdale served on the Kershaw Town Council and was Mayor pro-tem. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she was a member of the Ladies Circle.

Surviving are 1 son, Harry Kay Truesdale and his wife Sherry of Kershaw; 3 daughters, Patricia T. Hendrix of Kershaw, Brenda T. Lester of Asheville, N.C., and Leanna T. Funderburk and her husband Nathan of Camden; 5 grandchildren, Beverly Culp, David Truesdale, Stephen Hendrix, Natalie Jeffcoat, Heather Neal and 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by 2 brothers, Ira Lee Copeland and James W. Copeland.

The family will receive friends, Tuesday, July 1, 2008, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. prior to the service at Baker Funeral Home and other times at the home of her son, 263 Shop Road, Kershaw.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 67, Kershaw, SC 29067.

Born in New York, NY, she was a daughter of the late Pasquale Caravano and the late Catherine Mahon Caravano. Mrs. Duggan was a member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church where she served as church secretary for twelve years.

Survivors include three sons, William Robert “Billy” Duggan of Sumter, Stephen Patrick Duggan of Surfside Beach, and Joseph Howard “Joey” Duggan (Tess) of Sumter; two daughters, Elaine Marie Booker (Jeff) of Summerville and Catherine Ann Bish (Rob) of Charlotte, NC; eight grandchildren, Clayton Howard Duggan, Jordan Joseph Duggan, Molly Catherine Duggan, Caleb Patrick Duggan, Lindsey Morgan Bish, Christy Faith Booker, Ashley Booker and Teal Hope Leviner; a great-grandchild, Jaley Johnson; a brother, Robert “Bobby” Caravano (Patty) of Stoney Point, NY; and a dear friend, Jo Hamby of Sumter.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Jude’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Anthony Rigoli officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be sons and grandsons.

Mr. Hendrix, born in Statesboro, GA, May 23, 1953, passed away Monday, June 30, 2008. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. C.G. Hendrix, formerly of Savannah, GA. Mr. Hendrix was a member of the Church of Christ in Savannah, GA. He loved fishing, NASCAR racing and going to UGA football games.

Mr. Hendrix is survived by his wife, Dorothy S. Hendrix; daughters, Candice Rabon (Jason) and Amanda Hendrix; sons, Frank Moorer III (Tammy) and Chandler Moorer (Carmen); granddaughter, Madisyn Moorer; expected granddaughter, Heather Rabon; sisters, Jean Sherrod of Guyton, GA, Janice Peters of Savannah, GA; brother, Joe Hendrix (Charlotte) of Hilton Head, SC; and numerous nephews and nieces. Mr. Hendrix was predeceased by his brother, Bobby Hendrix and sisters, Betty Harris and Patricia Knapp.

www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.com

«Obituary posted: July 1, 2008»

Mrs. Falls, loving wife of Williams R. Falls Jr., passed away Monday, June 30, 2008, after an extended battle with cancer. Mrs. Falls was a loving and compassionate wife, mother, daughter, sister. She was held in the highest esteem by family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and all who knew her. She will be missed by all whose life she had touched. Born in Columbia, she was the daughter of Lewis C. Ballington and the late Jureline Davis Ballington. Mrs. Falls was a lifetime area resident and a member of Riverland Hills Baptist Church. Mrs. Falls was a long-time employee of U.S. Food Service prior to her retirement.

Surviving, in addition to her husband, William R. Falls Jr. of Lexington; are sons, Kevin Douglas Falls of Lexington and Michael Jason Falls and daughter-in-law, Meredith Falls of Gilbert; father, Lewis C. Ballington and his wife, Peggy Ballington of Columbia; sisters, Deborah Shuler and her husband, Michael Suchy, Lisa Gillam and her husband, Cam, Cynthia Jackson and her husband, Randy; brother, Lewis C. “Clint” Ballington and his wife, Brenda.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark, Columbia, SC 29210.

www.thompsonsfuneral.com

Born in Sanford, Florida, August 31, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Norman Cary Toole Sr. and the late Genie Wicker Toole.

Mrs. Harvin grew up in Newberry, SC, graduated from Newberry High School and magna cum laude from Newberry College. She majored in English and Latin, and then later received a Master of Education from the University of South Carolina. In 1936, she moved to Pinewood and began her 30-year career in teaching, 22 of that time in the Sumter County public school system and 8 years in private schools. She was a member of Pinewood United Methodist Church, a charter member and the first president of both the Pinewood American Legion Auxiliary and the Pinewood Garden Club. She was also a member of the Sumter County Museum and the University of South Carolina Associates.

Surviving are two nieces, Genie Middleton Towery and husband Neil of Sumter, Margaret “Peggy” Toole Bozard and husband Jim of Walterboro; two nephews, John Cary Toole and wife Beth of Mount Pleasant, Stephan Lawrence Toole and wife Rhonda of Summerville; great-nephews, Robert McCurry Towery and wife Stephanie, Olin Dannerly Towery Sr. and wife Elizabeth, all of Sumter, Brian James Bozard, Allan Cary Bozard, both of Summerville, John Cary Toole Jr. of Mount Pleasant, Charles Norman Toole and Alex Leigh Toole, both of Summerville; great-great-nephews, Robert Jackson Towery, Jacob Daniel Towery, Olin Dannerly Towery Jr., all of Sumter; a great-great-niece, Emily Sue Bozard of Summerville; two half aunts, Jean Simmons and husband Charles of Newberry SC, Patsy Crouch and husband Fayette of Johnston, SC; two half uncles, Ray Wicker of Newberry, SC, and David Wicker and wife Chris of Silverstreet, SC, and a special friend, Annie Mae Greene of Sumter.

Mrs. Harvin was preceded in death by her sister, Martha Toole Middleton, and three brothers, Oliver Lewis Toole, John Lawrence Toole and Norman Cary Toole Jr.

She was married to Lewis Chestnut Sr. for 43 years. Born in Winnsboro, SC, she was the daughter of the late Dan E. Sr. and Mildred L. Mobley. She graduated from the local public schools and from Allen University in Columbia where she received her B.S. degree in elementary education. From the University of South Carolina, she received her Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree, specializing in elementary education.

She taught at Gordon Elementary School in Fairfield County for 30 years, and retired to spend time in church work at Mt. Pisgah AME Church in Dixiana, SC, where her in-laws are longtime, active members. She served with dedication as a member of the Pull Together Club and Missionary Society of Mt. Pisgah as well as the Aberdeen Avenue/Newman Park Community Group of the Eau Claire Section of Columbia.

Mrs. Chestnut is survived by her husband, Lewis Chestnut Sr., a retired veteran; her son, Lewis Chestnut Jr., Columbia, SC; granddaughter, Keneisha A. Chestnut, Columbia, SC; great-grandson, Keshawn A. Chestnut, Columbia, SC; other immediate family members are sisters, Loyvone M. (Joseph) Washington, Columbia, SC, Phyonica M. (Charlie) Huff, Columbia, SC, Gail M. (Harrison) Davis, Winnsboro, SC, Felicia M. (Willie) Roberson, Winnsboro, SC, and Betina Mobley, Columbia, SC; brothers, Dan E. (Shirley) Jr., Winnsboro, SC and Leslie (Maggie) Mobley, Winnsboro, SC. One deceased sister, Jannie M. McCants.

Viewing will be from 12-9 p.m. and a wake will be held from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 1st at Russell-McCutchen Funeral Home, 324 S. Vanderhorst St., Winnsboro, SC (phone: 803-635-4313). Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 2nd at Mt. Pisgah AME Church, 129 Dixiana Road, West Columbia, SC. Condolences may be sent to the funeral home or to the residence at 162 Aberdeen Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203.

Mr. Saleeby went to join our heavenly father on Sunday, June 29, 2008. Born in Wilson, NC, he was the son of the late Gibran and Najla Saleeby. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of WWII. Until his retirement in 1995, Mr. Saleeby owned and operated restaurants and delicatessens, the last being Sambino’s Deli on Main Street. He was a very generous and giving person, always ready to help the needy and homeless, teaching his children at an early age that it was always better to give than to receive. Mr. Saleeby’s life was always about his family. He accepted the challenges of numerous obstacles in his life and believed that with God in his life, his strong faith, enduring power of strength and determination, anything could be accomplished. His strength and love for life was and will continue to be an inspiration to all of those who knew him.

Mr. Saleeby is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Georgette C. Saleeby of West Columbia; sons and daughters-in-law, Lloyd Ronald and Catherine R. Saleeby, Alan G. and Angelia Saleeby of Lexington; daughter and son-in-law, Vivian S. and Robert Knuckley of West Columbia; grandchildren, Michelle Knuckley McMackin of Greenville, Bryan A. Knuckley of West Columbia, Stephanie S. DiMarco of Lexington, Angela C. Saleeby of Charlotte, NC, Sammy G. Saleeby of Astoria, NY, Joseph R. Knuckley of Greenville, and Ronald G. Saleeby of Lexington; great-grandchildren, Charles and Deacon DiMarco; brothers, Elias Saleeby of Wilson, NC, and Dr. Richard Saleeby of Raleigh, NC; sister, Samera Saleeby Hayhurst of Raleigh, NC; also numerous nephews and nieces.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jay Patel, Dr. Paul Plante, VA Medical staff and Tri County Hospice for all their special care and services. A very special thank you to Sharon Brown for her caring and loving help over the last several months.

www.thompsonsfuneral.com

Roger’s life was full of love, music, sports, family and friends. Born in Camden, he was the son of Russell “Rusty” Jennings, owner of Davis & Sons’ Guitar Shop, and Jean Smith Davis, retired school teacher. At almost every live concert that Rusty or his brother Patrick played you could find the tall, good-looking redhead in the crowd singing along, helping set up the show or spreading the word. When he wasn’t working as everyone’s favorite bartender and waiter at Carolina Cafe, The Old Armory Steakhouse and Indigo Jones he was hanging out with his niece and nephews, friends, family and longtime sweetheart, Vivian. He was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves, Dallas Cowboys and South Carolina Gamecocks. Roger was loved by so many and will be dearly missed by all. He will be remembered for bringing laughter and joy to everyone who knew him. Roger died Sunday, June 29, 2008.

Surviving are his parents; brother, Patrick Davis (Virginia) of Nashville, TN; sisters, Megan Davis McCaskill and Dorothy Davis of Camden; maternal grandparents, Murray and Virginia Smith of Camden; paternal grandmother, Laura Lee of Lugoff; niece, Savanna Rose McCaskill; nephews, Jackson McCaskill and David Chandler Davis, all of Camden; and his girlfriend, Vivian Watkins of Camden.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Russell Jennings Davis and stepgrandfather, Jim Lee.

Active pallbearers will be John Acker, Alex Goodale, Michael Hartis, Stephen Jones, Caleb McCaa, Joshua McCaa, Ben Marshall, Steven Mooneyhan, Landon Reeves, Trey Sachs, Nic Sadanya, Aaron Scheuer, Tobias Schrieber, John Paul Smith, Willis Trapp, Woody Whitaker and Tyee Williams.

Mr. Wainwright, 84, of Lexington, died Saturday, June 28, 2008, in Lexington Medical Center. Born July 21, 1923, in Warsaw, IN, he was a son of the late Charles Oplinger Wainwright and the late Irene Mollenhour Wainwright. Mr. Wainwright was a 25-year veteran of the United States Navy, having served during World War II, and worked as an electrician and carpenter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally Jean Wainwright.

Survivors include daughters, Mildred J. Lilly of Pelion, SC, and Margaret M. Porter of Lexington; sons, John C. Wainwright, Jr., Daniel M. Wainwright and Michael E. Wainwright, all of Lexington; sister, Sarah King of Tucson, AZ; and grandchildren, Ronald E. Wainwright, Robert M. Jamieson, Faith N. Wainwright, Kyle Wainwright, Christopher C. Wainwright, Craig A. Jamieson, Mark D. Wainwright, Kristin M. Wainwright, Bradley A. Wainwright, Shelby L. Wainwright and Amber N. Wainwright.

Please visit SouthCarolinaCremation.com to leave a note for the Wainwright family.

«Obituary posted: July 1, 2008»

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association of S.C., Memorials & Tributes, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058.

Mrs. Morrison died Thursday, June 26, 2008. Born in Columbia, she was the daughter of Eva Prewitt LeGrand and the late Joel Odell LeGrand. Mrs. Morrison was a secretary/office assistant with the U.S. Court System and a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. She was an avid horse enthusiast and a member of the thoroughbred rescue. She was also the secretary of the Kershaw County Amateur Radio Club.

Surviving are her husband, Kirk Morrison; mother, Eva Prewitt LeGrand of Lugoff; sister, Laura Branham of Lugoff; brothers, Joel O. LeGrand, Jr. of Columbia, Edward LeGrand, Kenneth LeGrand and Donnie LeGrand, all of Lugoff; nephews and nieces, Aaron Branham, Michael Branham, Amber LeGrand, Joseph LeGrand, Katie LeGrand, Bridget LeGrand, Kindyl LeGrand, James and Erin Mathney and Bethany Chohan.

Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

She was born July 19, 1926, in Marion County, a daughter of the late W. Arthur and Alice Alford Brown. Mrs. Tate retired from Roses Stores as a southeast regional manager and she also retired from J.C. Penny as an office manager. She was a member of Gapway Baptist Church.

Surviving Mrs. Tate are her sisters and brother, Grace Brown Capps of Myrtle Beach, Ruby Brown Pittman of Conway, Jean Brown Harrelson of Mullins and Don L. Brown of Mullins; a brother-in-law, Ransom Tate of Forest City, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Tate was predeceased by a brother, A. Lavern Brown and a sister, Lois Brown Permenter.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 in the Chapel of Cox-Collins Funeral Home, with the Rev. Chip Scruggs officiating. Burial will follow in Cedardale Cemetery.

Born in Sumter, he was a son of the late Frank D. Strange and the late Lois Weldon Strange.

Mr. Strange was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He was a graduate of Edmunds High School, attended Newberry College and had retired from General Telephone Company.

Surviving are his wife of Sumter; two sons, Warren Hamilton Strange, Jr. and wife Anne, Christopher Todd Strange and wife Kristi; a daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Keeble and husband James; a stepson, Edward C. Scofield and wife Barbara; a stepdaughter, Mary Ellen Harvin; four grandchildren, Hamilton Harvin, Conyers Harvin, Taylor Scofield and Caiden Scofield; three brothers, Paul M. Strange and wife Bonnie, R. Fred Strange, Michael S. Strange and wife Judy; two sisters, Allie Marie Boyer and husband Thomas, Carolyn Moses-McGee and husband T. Michael; an uncle, A. L. Ardis; numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Frank D. Strange, Jr.

A graveside service will be Tuesday, July 1 at 5:00 in Lake View Cemetery in Lake View, South Carolina. Services will be directed by Cook Funeral Home with Pastor Lynn Anderson officiating.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:45 Tuesday, July 1 at Cook Funeral Home.

Eddie was born in Marion County, the son of Isla Frances Edwards Ford and the late William Jesse Ford of Lake View. Eddie leaves a large family.

Surviving are his mother of the home; one brother, William Jesse Ford, Jr. (Mary Sue) of Dillon; three sisters, Florinette Ford Renfrow (Jimmy) of Lake View, Isla Frances Ford Graham (Art) of Camden, and Becky Ford Duke (Jesse) of Fernandina Beach, Florida; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Mrs. Raybon, widow of Braxton Isbon Raybon, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2008. Born in Akron, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Marion Lynnwood Childress and Alma Steele Childress. Mrs. Raybon had been a Midlands area resident, which includes St. Matthews, since 1962. Formerly of Fernandina, FL, she was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. She retired from Raybon Brothers Produce. Mrs. Raybon was former vice president of South Carolina Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association.

Surviving are her daughter, Candi Franklin of Cayce; sons, Ronald Wayne Fisher of Lexington, John A. Fisher and his wife, Victoria of Lexington; stepsons, Douglas Raybon of Lexington and David E. Raybon and his wife, Angela of Tampa, FL; fifteen grandchildren; sister, Della Adams of Lexington. Mrs. Raybon was preceded in death by her son, Hank Raybon, her sister, Nancy Leonetti, and her brother Marion Lynnwood “Buddy” Childress, Jr.

www.thompsonsfuneral.com

«Obituary posted: July 1, 2008»

«Obituary posted: July 1, 2008»

«Obituary posted: July 1, 2008»

That’s the upshot of a number of e-mail and phone responses following my recent column prior to Judge Arrington’s trip to speak at Brookland Baptist Church’s men’s day breakfast.

Judge Arrington made national headlines when he kicked white lawyers out of his courtroom so he could have a heart-to-heart with black defendants. While some questioned his motives for clearing the courtroom to deliver words that, frankly, people of all races need to hear and heed, the judge’s message is unassailable. He wants black people to get their acts together and do something positive with their lives.

He’s right. Too many black men and boys in particular have veered too far off-track, filling unemployment rolls, jails and prisons. It’s time they turn their lives around. No excuses. Stop the robbing, stop the killing, stop dropping out of school. Drop in for a change to, say, church, or work, or to see your children.

Those aren’t easy things to say. Racists and extremists who try to blame black people for everything from crime to global warming will take that and run with it. But this isn’t about them. It’s about saving this generation and generations to come.

Voters in the Midlands soundly rejected the governor’s efforts, financed by out-of-state extremists, to use South Carolina as a lab rabbit to test their pet ideologies.

That’s what was at stake in the runoffs between Sheri Few and David Herndon in the state House 79 Republican primary, and between Katrina Shealy and Jake Knotts in Senate District 23. It would be hard to imagine this newspaper endorsing Sen. Knotts under any other circumstances. But things being as they were, we did. We believed that if the governor and his allies managed to take him out as they were trying to do, it would have intimidated other lawmakers into doing their will — even though the lawmakers and their constituents know better. So the governor needed to lose this one. Fortunately, the voters agreed.

That would lead me to say that Tuesday’s voting demonstrates the unmitigated wisdom inherent in our system of democracy — if not for what happened, on the same day, with the Richland County clerk of court and the same county’s council District 7.

Of course, we have insisted for years that it makes little sense to elect the clerk of court — or auditor, or coroner, or any office that is highly technical and has nothing to do with setting policies. It would be far better to let county administrators — who report to the elected councils — hire people to do highly technical, ministerial jobs, based on experience and demonstrated competence.

I wanted to be sure I sent a note of thanks to your community and the University of South Carolina track team for the wonderful show of support to the Des Moines, Iowa, area while in town for the NCAA track tournament.

While I was coordinating volunteers at the United Way on June 13 for sandbagging in areas threatened by flood waters, a group of 14 of your athletes arrived to pitch in and do some hard labor to save our communities.

I was overwhelmed that a group of kids here to compete would work so hard for strangers in a community so far away from their own, even though it could have affected their performance in the tournament.

I thank you, and Des Moines thanks you. You’ve scored a new Gamecocks fan with your generosity!