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Sheriff's Lt. Jim Edwards tells The Sun News of Myrtle Beach that the girl from Columbia was bitten in the foot around 2 p.m. Saturday and will likely need stitches.

Midway Fire Rescue spokesman Bob Beebe says no one saw the shark, but the marks left on the teen's foot are consistent with a shark bite.

They called the media, leaned on politicians and pressured owners to ramp up security.

We want to be safe, they said.

The murders focused the city’s attention on the sprawling area of 40 neighborhoods called North Columbia. City manager Charles Austin even called the area a “community in crisis” and said “things must change.”

Which is what North Columbians had been saying all along.

Perry, a Florence resident, was awarded a $20,000 college scholarship and will represent the state in the Miss America pageant.

First runner-up was Miss Columbia Grace Wepner, and second runner-up was Miss Whitmire Danielle Wilson.

Taylor Fitch, Miss Upstate Teen, is the new Miss South Carolina Teen. The 17-year-old from Anderson won a $5,000 savings bond and an opportunity to compete nationally in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant.

Earlier, Wepner had scored a rare three-preliminary victory in the pageant Thursday evening with a win in the talent competition. Wepner played Josh Groban’s popular hit “You Raise Me Up” on the harp.

Expensive diesel fuel is biting into her husband’s business so Ouzts is pounding the pavement looking for a job with benefits and a paycheck to add to her family’s income.

“The economy is so bad you have to get back out there,” she said.

South Carolina’s jobless rate rose to 6.5 percent in May, the highest mark since January 2006. Those who monitor employment trends attributed that jump to people such as Ouzts, who are re-entering the job market because of economic pressure on their household budgets.

Sam McClary, labor market analyst with the S.C. Employment Security Commission, said that trend should hold through the summer.

Members of the faith typically are only baptized at conventions. To be baptized, the members must participate in classes with a mentor and be able to answer 100 questions about their decision to join the faith.

“It ain’t pretty, but it’s fun,” he added once they had secured all the corners with silver duct tape.

The father and son team dedicated Friday and Saturday morning to preparing their boats for the annual boat parade at the Lake Murray 4th of July Celebration.

On Saturday, hundreds of boats were registered to follow the 65-foot, double-deck cruise boat The Southern Patriot on the parade route around Bomb Island. This year’s theme was “Rockin’ in the USA,” and hundred-dollar prizes went to the top three boats with the best decor.

“This year I think we have a pretty good chance,” 15-year-old Graham said. “We worked really hard this year.”

Under state law, magistrates are nominated by their county’s Senate delegation, appointed by the governor and then confirmed by the full Senate.

By law, senators can’t remove magistrates once they are appointed to four-year terms; only the S.C. Supreme Court has that authority.

But the law allows senators to keep magistrates on indefinitely after their four-year terms expire. That allows senators to fire magistrates whenever they wish during the “holdover” period.

Critics say that gives senators too much influence over the state’s 314 magistrates — especially senator-attorneys who practice before the magistrates they nominate.

If such a messianic description really is there, it will contribute to a developing re-evaluation of both popular and scholarly views of Jesus, because it suggests that the story of his death and resurrection was not unique but part of a recognized Jewish tradition at the time.

The tablet, probably found near the Dead Sea in Jordan, is a rare example of a stone with ink writings from that era — in essence, a Dead Sea Scroll on stone. It is broken, and some text is faded, though its authenticity has not been challenged.

Daniel Boyarin, a professor of Talmudic culture at the University of California at Berkeley, said that the stone was part of a growing body of evidence suggesting that Jesus could be best understood through a close reading of the Jewish history of his day.

“Some Christians will find it shocking — a challenge to the uniqueness of their theology — while others will be comforted by the idea of it being a traditional part of Judaism,” Boyarin said.

Cesar V. Lorenzo, 28, of Columbia, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 9:04 p.m. accident, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said. He died of multiple traumatic injuries, authorities said.

Lorenzo’s 1996 Dodge Neon was traveling east on Kilbourne Road when it struck a 2001 Toyota Tacoma traveling west on Beltline Boulevard. The driver of the Tacoma was taken to Palmetto Health Richland in stable condition, Lewis said. It’s unclear if either driver was wearing a seat belt.

Contributing: Lee Higgins

Obama’s campaign is mum on how many staffers are coming and how much they’ll spend in the state.

But it’s part of an unconventional move by Obama — sending staff and money into Republican strongholds, including the Carolinas.

Already, hundreds of S.C. volunteers for Obama, organized into various groups around the state, are hosting Obama events and registering voters.

Their goal?

However, S.C. emergency preparedness officials do not rely on those predictions. And for good reason: Seasonal hurricane predictions have not improved in accuracy in the past 25 years.

“As far as, ‘Do the numbers have any influence on what we do to get prepared or how we get ready?’ The answer is, ‘No,’” said Cathy Haynes, director of emergency preparedness in Charleston County.

“The numbers are a good guide as to the activity of the season, but we prepared for the one that could potentially strike South Carolina. It only takes one storm striking South Carolina to make it an active season for South Carolina.”

Officials at the S.C. Emergency Management Division see things much the same way. They say they have not altered their preparations because of the predictions of a busy season.

McCoy was a retired brick mason and a WW II Army veteran. He was a member of Union Lutheran Church for over sixty years.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marjorie Shealy; one daughter, Kathy Bennett (Brian) of Kingsport, TN; one son, Steve Shealy of Leesville; a former son-in-law, Robert Crumpton Sr. of Salley; two grandchildren, Robby Crumpton (Leigh Anne) of Salley and Ronnie Crumpton (Dawn) of Columbia; two great-grandchildren, Cooper Crumpton and Brooklyn Crumpton of Columbia; two sisters, Nettie Lee Asbill of Leesville and Melverta Shealy of Leesville; one brother, Henry Shealy of Leesville. He was predeceased by one infant son, his parents, two sisters and four brothers.

Visitation will be held at 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home, other times at his residence. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Union Lutheran Church Building Fund, 4077 Hwy 378, Leesville, SC 29070. Milton Shealy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

«Obituary posted: July 6, 2008»

He was a retired baker with Family Mart and a member of Fellsmere First Baptist Church, where he was a former Sunday School Superintendent. Mr. Watts loved to travel.

Survivors include his son, James C. Watts Jr. of Browning, MT; brothers, Robert Watts and John Watts, both of Lexington, Ben Watts of Asheville, NC; sisters, Annette Lucas of Swansea, Barbara Ann Sox of Lexington, Carolyn Spurling of Swansea, Evelyn Watts of Warrensville, SC, Sara H. Breedlove of Clarksville, GA; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons; He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia Marie Watts, brothers, Carl and William Watts and a sister, Margaret Y. Smith.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. July 2, 2008, at Fellsmere First Baptist Church, Palm, Bay, FL, with The Rev. Buddy Johns officiating. Seawinds Funeral Home assisted the family in Florida.

www.Seawindsfh.com

Born in Waynesville, N.C., he was a son of the late Larry Lee and Gertrude Rogers Guy.

He was a retired co-owner of Guys Poultry Farm and Wayne and Sons Deer Processing. He was a member of Little River-Dominick Presbyterian Church, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, and past member of Silverstreet Young Farmers. He was a faithful listener to radio station WKDK in Newberry.

He is survived by sons, David (Stacy) Guy, Don (Marian) Guy, both of Kinards, and Jamey (Ashley) Guy of Greenwood; brothers, Joe (Linda) Guy of Easley, Tom (Elaine) Guy, and Gary Lee (Ann) Guy, both of Newberry, Ernest Guy of Kinards, and Ronnie Guy of Pomaria; grandchildren, Brendon, Brittany, Riley and Reid Guy; his former wife, Gaye McKittrick, former mother-in-law, Gladys McKittrick, and former sister-in-law, Gloria Owens; and a special friend Mary Cunningham.

Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2008, in the Little River- Dominick Presbyterian Church Cemetery by the Rev. Lawrence Peebles. The family will receive friends following the service. His casket will be placed in the church at 9:00 a.m. Monday.

«Obituary posted: July 6, 2008»

The relatives and friends of Barbara H. Rourke are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2008, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy, this Sunday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church, Building Fund, 5 St. Theresa Dr., Charleston, SC 29407. Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. 766-1365

«Obituary posted: July 6, 2008»

Mr. Rawls died Friday, July 4, 2008, after a long struggle with dementia. Born in Columbia, he was a son of the late J. Stuart Rawls Sr. and Carrie Fleming Rawls. Until he entered The Haven, a dementia facility, he lived in the Wales Gardens area (formerly known as Rose Hill) in the same home, built by his father, since 1926. He graduated from Columbia High School and attended the University of South Carolina. He served in the 361st Airdrome Squadron (European Theatre) of the United States Army during World War II. After his honorable discharge from service, he entered his father’s painting and contracting business. Later, he acquired the business where he served the Columbia area as a general contractor for more than fifty years.

Mr. Rawls was an active member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church serving on many committees and boards. His interest and ability made him a valuable member of the Property and Grounds Committee. He served faithfully remodeling and repairing in both the church and in the minister’s home. Also, he was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoying many Saturdays hunting in the Summerton and Pinewood area, as well as fishing at White Pond in Elgin.

Surviving are his wife of fifty-five years, Thelma Meetze Rawls; son and daughter-in-law, George B. Jr. and Angella Drafts Rawls of Aiken; daughter and son-in-law, Gail Rawls and E. Russell Jeter Jr. of Columbia; sister, Carrie Lucille “Sis” Rawls Burnett of Columbia; grandson, E. Russell Jeter III and William Rawls Jeter, both of Columbia and G. Benjamin Rawls III of Aiken; numerous nieces and nephews; and dear friends, Charles and Faye Couillette of Pinewood. He was predeceased by brothers, J. Stuart Rawls Jr., William F. Rawls Jr. and L. Townes Rawls.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers of the Greenville unit of The Haven and the nursing staff of The Haven for their loving care. Also, the family expresses much gratitude to his devoted Lutheran Hospice Team.

Mr. Elmore died Saturday, July 5, 2008. Born in Bishopville, S.C., he was the son of Sadie Grantham Elmore and the late James Benson Elmore. He attended the University of South Carolina and also served in the National Guard for 9 years. He retired as a general mechanic from DuPont after 36 years.

Mr. Elmore enjoyed fishing, hunting, NASCAR racing, and yard work. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He loved his family and will be greatly missed.

Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Lucy Barfield Elmore; mother, Sadie Grantham Elmore of Oswego, S.C.; daughters, Kathy Elmore Arnett of Elgin, Linda Atkinson (Herbert) Stabler of Columbia, and Cynthia Atkinson (Jim) Fruth of Dallas, Texas; son, Christopher Zealon (Wendy) Elmore of Elgin; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Barfield Clanton of Lydia, and Patricia Barfield (Jim) Weidner of St. Petersburg, Fla.; grandchildren, Megan R. Arnett, Taylor A. Elmore, Amanda D. Argoe, and Allison D. Argoe, all of Elgin, Angela B. (Mike) Drinkard of Columbia, Jonathan P. (Jaclyn) Bell of Charleston, Matthew S. (Melissa) Bell of Charleston, Jake Fruth and Jay Fruth of Dallas, Texas; a great-grandson, Justin M. Drinkard of Columbia; and numerous cousins.

Sign the online register at www.powersfuneralhome.net.

He was born in the Pond Branch Community of Lexington County to Elzie and Estelle Roof Smith. Mr. Ed, as customers affectionately called him, was the retired owner of Ed Smith Lumber Mill in Gilbert. He will be remembered for his love of his customers and for his dedicated service to the community. “Mr. Ed” began his business in October of 1949 with a portable sawmill. He moved the business to the present location on Hampton Street in Gilbert in January of 1966. He has proudly served the surrounding community. Mr. Smith, a member of Leesville Baptist Church since the late 1960s, served faithfully in his church in many capacities, which included Sunday School and deacon. He was always deeply committed to his church family and to his church.

He is survived by his wife, Irene Hall Smith; sons and daughters-in-law, Ray Smith (JoAnn) of Leesville, Wayne Smith (Rene’) of Leesville; daughter and son-in-law, Cathy Rice (DuWayne) of Gilbert; sister, Laura Ann Hall of Gilbert, brothers, Wyman Smith of Gilbert, Morris Smith of Red Bank, Theron Smith of Batesburg; grandchildren, Jamie Smith, Neil Smith, Justin Smith and Derek Smith; great-grandchildren, Andy and Coy Smith, Raegan and Ashlyn Smith.

Family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home, other times at his residence. Memorials can be made to: Hospice Tri-County or Leesville First Baptist Church, c/o Building Fund. Milton Shealy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

«Obituary posted: July 6, 2008»

«Obituary posted: July 6, 2008»

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Robin Patterson Rutkowski, a daughter, Emily Katherine (Emy-Kate) Rutkowski, and stepson Christopher Tyler Goss; three brothers: William Francis Rutkowski, wife Roseann and son Joseph of Arlington, VA; Michael Thomas Ibbetson, wife Beth and triplet girls, Deanna Joy, Miranda Grace, and Emma Marie of Warwick, NY; Joseph Coates Ibbetson, Jr., wife Mary and daughters Nicole Alexandra and Cassandra Joy of Selkirk, NY; paternal grandmother, Lucy Margaret Shaudys Rutkowski; sister-in-law, Terry Patterson Harrison of Houston, TX; sister-in-law and husband, Tammie and Harold Barfield of Laurens, SC; sister-in-law Pamela Patterson Robson of Greer, SC; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother, Ruth Joyce Spear Ibbetson; stepfather, Joseph Coates Ibbetson, Sr.; father, Conrad John Rutkowski; maternal grandmother, Ruth Fippenger Spear; maternal grandfather, William H. Spear; and paternal grandfather, Conrad Bruno Rutkowski.

He was born February 28, 1960, in Warwick, NY, where he attended and graduated high school. Having been exposed to music through the hands of his maternal grandparents, Gary began studying piano during his 7th grade of school. While attending Warwick Valley High School, Gary played french horn in the marching band and was a member of the Hudson Valley Junior Philharmonic. He often spoke fondly of those days when as a member of the Florida American Legion Marching Band, he would march in parades celebrating holidays such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Piano was still his greatest joy and upon graduating high school, Gary attended Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia where he received a BA with honors in Music in 1982. He applied and received a Teaching Fellows Graduate Assistant position at Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma, where he again graduated with honors in 1984 with a Masters in Music Pedagogy. In 2000 he began his doctoratal studies at the University of South Carolina towards a degree in Music Performance and Pedagogy. All of his classes were completed, but a disertation was put on hold because of family illness.

During his education Gary received many awards and scholarships: John Phillips Sousa Music Award, Women’s Club Scholarship, Lissette Black Music Award, Who’s Who Among College Students, Emily Vail Award, Senior Honor’s Recital, and many other awards and honor societies too numerous to mention.

Upon graduating from Oklahoma, Gary was invited to teach class piano at The National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan, during the summer months between 1985 and 1989. In the fall of 1984, Gary came to Presbyterian College to teach in the Preparatory Music Department for pre-college-age students and was later made Director of the Department. He went on to start the first class piano classes for college level instruction, kindermusic, and other pre-school music classes as well as summer music camps. He also gave the initial gift, in memory of his mother, to start the Jubilate Choir. The Prep Department grew from less than 20 students to more than 300 during his twenty-three years. The youngest student he taught was age 4 and the oldest was 81, a retired resident of Presbyterian Home. His philosophy was “No one was too old to learn piano if they had a desire to play.” Students could study piano, organ, violin, guitar, dulcimer, french horn, obo, clarinet, precussion, as well as other instruments. He was called upon to judge music festivals throughout South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. He was a member of SCMTA and SCMEA.

Surviving are a daughter Pattie Mills of Alabama; sisters, Corrie Shipes, Inez Dawes, Betty Dairy; and brother, Rev. Eugene Donahue; three granddaughters, one grandson and five great-grandchildren. The family extend special thanks to the caregivers at Lexington Medical Center Extended Care. Barr-Price Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, is in charge.

Online register at Barr-Price.com.

(803) 356-4411

«Obituary posted: July 6, 2008»

Mr. Merrell passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Born in Hendersonville, NC, he was the son of the late James Merrell and Ellen Sinclair Merrell. Formerly of Hendersonville, NC, he had been an area resident for the past 45 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952 and was stationed in France during the Korean War.

Mr. Merrell was owner of Chappy’s Fish and Chips. He moved to Columbia in 1963 and was Vice President of Operations of Chappy’s and Cedric’s Fish and Chips. He loved Nascar racing and the Atlanta Braves and was an avid bird watcher. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be missed dearly.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Marilyn Merrell of West Columbia; daughter and son-in-law, Ramona and Michael Crolley of West Columbia; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Vicki Merrell of West Columbia; and two grandchildren, Lauren and Evan Merrell; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mr. Merrell was preceded in death by six brothers and one sister.

Born in Sumter, he was the son of the late Alfred Edmund Tisdale Sr. and the late Caroline Hood Tisdale.

Mr. Tisdale graduated from Edmunds High School in 1943 and graduated from Clemson College in 1950. Mr. Tisdale was a WW II veteran where he served in the 8th Army Air Corps. He was awarded the WW II Victory Medal, Occupation Medal Japan and the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Service Medal. Mr. Tisdale worked six years as the assistant superintendent of A.Q. Mills in Timmonsville and 39 years with Korn Industries Inc. with 20 years serving as President. Mr. Tisdale was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Sumter Optimist Club, Progressive Club, Riverside Hunting Club, American Legion Post 15 and a charter member of SCRAM. Mr. Tisdale was also a S.C. State Constable.

Surviving is his wife of Sumter; one son, William M. Tisdale Jr. of Sumter; one daughter Elaine Tisdale Frank and husband Joe of Sumter.

He was preceded in death by his brother Alfred Edmund Tisdale Jr.

Rev. Braswell was born in Bluff Springs, FL, a son of the late Thomas Homer and Lucy Jewel Hardee Braswell. He graduated from the Columbia Bible College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Bible and graduated from the Dallas Seminary in Dallas, TX, with a Master’s Degree in Bible. Rev. Braswell is a veteran of World War II having served with the U.S. Army. He served in Italy during WW II in a 500 bed hospital as a Registrar, resulting in his being awarded two Bronze Stars. He was the founding President of the National Association of Christian Service Personnel. He served on the Board of the Ambassador Camp and on the Board of Christar. Rev. Braswell was Ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister and was a member of the faculty and staff of the Columbia Bible College for 38 years. He served as Pastor for several churches in the Pee Dee area and was a member of the Bethea Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kenneth Braswell; and a brother, Hubert Braswell.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Laura Ann Williams Braswell of Darlington; four children, Keith (Alice) Braswell of Whiteville, NC, Ronald (Faith) Braswell of Yukon, OK, James (Peggy) Braswell of Florence, and Robert (Kim) Braswell of Greensboro, NC; twelve grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2008, at the Bethea Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Florence National Cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.

Mr. Hass passed away Tuesday July 1, 2008. Born in Milwaukee, WI he was the son of the late Leslie and Margaret Zantow Hass. He retired after 40 years as a Postal Carrier, served in Korea, Desert Storm and was an Army veteran. He enjoyed being outdoors, particularly at Lake Murray.

He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Ann Marie Hass; sons, Keith Hass (Jenny) of Marietta, GA, and Kevin Hass (Angie) of Leesville; stepsons, Kevin Metz (Karen) of Auburn, GA, and Michael Metz (Melinda) of Cummings, GA; sisters, Sharon Jantz, Janelle Kadd and Margo Parker and their families, all of WI; grandchildren, Devin, Britney Brandon, Miranda and Kristofer; many loving family and friends.

He was predeceased by a sister Audry Schappe.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the Doctors, Nurses on CSR, 6 Heart and ICU Critical Care at Providence Hospital.

General Reid was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Cardo of Charlotte, North Carolina, whom he married in 1941. They have four daughters, Diane Gross of Flagstaff, Arizona; Patricia Conk of Woodbridge, Virginia; Catherine Reid of Geneva, Switzerland; and Julia Burgess of Orangeburg, South Carolina. His funeral service will be held at 0900 on 30 September 2008 in the Fort Myer Chapel with internment immediately following at Arlington National Ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Capitol Hospice, Attn: Development Office, 6565 Arlington Blvd., Suite 500, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.

«Obituary posted: July 6, 2008»

Mr. West, formerly of Princeton, IN, and New Ellenton, SC, was born in Swainsboro, GA. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, a Millwright with the Local Union 1090, and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Swainsboro. He was a former volunteer firefighter, a rescue squad member, a former coach with the Dixie Youth League and a member of the South Carolina High School Umpires Association.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 319 West Main St., Swainsboro, GA 30401, or United Hospice Inc., 667 S. Main St., Swainsboro, GA 30401 or the Swainsboro Humane Society.

Funeral services will be Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Tomlinson Funeral Home with Reverend Wayne Defore officiating. Interment will be in the Antioch Primitive Baptist Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dave Henry, Tim Coleman, Robert Wren, Chet Chester, Charlie Waller, Alex Waller, Mitch Henry and Brett Henry.

She was born in Leesville, daughter of the late Hampton Holley and Edith Harmon Holley. She was a member of Rehoboth United Methodist Church. She retired from Epworth Children’s home as a house mother.

Surviving are her sister, Cleo Bradley of Leesville; brother, Leo Holley of Leesville; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Milton Shealy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

«Obituary posted: July 6, 2008»

Rev. Kirby died, July 05, 2008. Born in Timmonsville, S.C., he was a son of the late Aught Kirby and Anna Carraway Kirby. He was a 1953 graduate of Free Will Baptist College in Nashville, Tenn. He served in the United States Navy during WW II and was a gunner’s mate on the USS Cassin Young in the Pacific Theater.

He retired as pastor of Bethesda Free Will Baptist Church in Camden and was very instrumental in establishing Free Will Baptist Churches in Oklahoma and South Carolina.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Joyce Cook Kirby; sons, David (Debra) Kirby of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Charles W. (Kimberly) Brown of Columbia; daughters, Anna (George) Helms of Anderson, S.C., and Linda Gail (Keith) Morgan of Springfield, Tenn.; sister, Darlene Weathersby of Sumter, S.C.; and 12 grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Clemmie Heath Kirby.

Mr. Sherman, 61, died Friday in the Medical University of S.C. in Charleston.

Born in Dillon County, May 2, 1947, he was the son of the late Paul Stewart Sherman and Dorothy George Sherman. He was a member of Latta Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon, Elder, and Trustee and was a member of the Dillon County Soil and Water Conservation Committee. He retired from the S.C. Department of Transportation as an Engineer.

Survivors include his wife, Delores H. Sherman of Latta; son, Donald T. “Tommy” Sherman of Latta; granddaughter, Savannah Grace Sherman; sister, Barbara Sherman of Sellers; brother, Dickie Sherman of Minturn; nephews, Stewart Sherman and Ethan Sherman of Minturn.

Memorials may be to the Latta Presbyterian Church of the Latta Rescue Squad.

They’re also lucky that the Energy Party exists only in my head, because I believe its nominee could tap into a longing, among the very independent voters Messrs. McCain and Obama need to court for victory, for a pragmatic, nonideological, comprehensive national energy policy. This independent voter longs for it, anyway.

What is the greatest failure of George W. Bush as president? If you answered “Iraq,” you lose. His greatest failure was summed up well by Sen. Joe Biden, who said at the 2006 Galivants Ferry Stump Meeting, “History will judge George Bush harshly not for the mistakes he has made... but because of the opportunities that he has squandered.”

The biggest wasted opportunity was when he failed, on Sept. 12, 2001, to ask Americans to sacrifice, to work together to shake off “the grip of foreign oil oligarchs,” and “plan the demise of Islamic fundamentalism.”

Gasoline was between about $1.40 and $1.50 a gallon then. If we had applied a federal tax increase then of $1 or $2 — as voices as varied as Tom Friedman, Charles Krauthammer, Jim Hoagland and Robert Samuelson have urged for years — we’d still have been paying less per gallon than we are now, and the money would have stayed in this country, in our hands, rather than in those of Mahmoud Ahmajinedad, or Hugo Chavez, or our “friends” the Saudis (you know, the ones who underwrite the Wahhabist madrassas).

I was very distressed to read in The State Thursday that our newly elected clerk of court has not paid her taxes. It is a sad state of affairs to see people who are breaking the law get elected to an important job in the county court system.

How is it you can run for office and not be up-to-date on your national responsibility? We all work hard and have to pay our taxes.

You should not be allowed to run for public office unless your affairs are in order.

Ms. McBride’s statement, “I don’t do my taxes; Frank has someone to do them for us,” is absurd. Everyone in this country knows your taxes are due on April 15.

Not really.

Despite what you hear on the news about expensive fuel and food, the prices of some consumer items — from women’s clothing to electronics — aredropping faster than you can say disinflation. And last month, the Consumer Price Index — the yardstick for what people pay for things — showed prices are moderating, as long you exclude the big two.

It’s time to buy some stuff while it’s still cheap, thanks to good weather, inexpensive microchips and the supreme law of the land — supply and demand:

ELECTRONICS

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and state regulators across the country say they have seen an increase in “advance fee” loan schemes in which companies charge would-be borrowers upfront fees but never seriously try to find financing for their projects.

The FBI says it recently received “several hundred” complaints about advance-fee loan schemes. “We saw some in 2007, but not nearly to the level we’re seeing this year,” says Cathy Milhoan, an FBI spokeswoman in Washington. On its Web site, the agency includes “advance fee scheme” in a warning to the public about “common fraud schemes.”

“Clever con artists will offer to find financing arrangements for their clients who pay a ‘finder’s fee’ in advance,” the Web site states. “Victims often learn that they are ineligible for financing only after they have paid the ‘finder.”‘

The FDIC says consumers should be wary of companies that request fees via a wire system, and of upfront fees, saying that “loan fees are normally paid to a business after the loan has been approved.”

It takes a lot of moneyto finance a new business

The typical start-up only requires about $25,000 to get going. The successful entrepreneurs who don’t believe the myth design their businesses to work with little cash. They borrow instead of paying for things. They rent instead of buy. And they turn fixed costs into variable costs by, say, paying people commissions instead of salaries.

Go to venture capitalistsfor start-up money

Not unless you start a computer or biotech company. Computer hardware and software, semiconductors, communication, and biotechnology account for 81 percent of all venture capital dollars and 72 percent of the companies that got VC money over the past 15 or so years. VCs fund only about 3,000 companies per year, and only about a quarter of those companies are in the seed or start-up stage. In fact, the odds that a start-up company will get VC money are about one in 4,000. That’s worse than the odds that you will die from a fall in the shower.

Amounts below $100,000 are federally insured. But with today’s low interest rates, they don’t pay very much. CD holders are lucky to keep abreast of inflation.

So there’s a lot of interest lately in callable CDs, which may pay up to one-half to 1 percentage point more than the conventional kind. Trouble is, savers run the risk that the issuing bank will yank the CD from them should rates decline. That would force savers to reinvest in lower-yielding instruments.

That doesn’t stop brokers, who sell most of the callable CDs, from pushing them. They argue that this is the perfect time for callable CDs because the Federal Reserve has indicated that it isn’t planning to lower short-term rates in the immediate future. And a good argument exists that it won’t increase them soon, either.

Not surprisingly, callable CDs aren’t everything they’re cracked up to be. For one thing, brokers get a commission for selling them, cutting into the already thin returns. (The quoted rate is after the broker has taken his cut.)

USE MAIL ORDER

Whether your pharmacy benefits manager has a mail-order service like Express Scripts (www.express-scripts.com) or you order from an online pharmacy like www.drugstore.com, you can often save 25 percent or more.

Depending on your drug needs, you may also be able to delay entry into the Medicare “doughnut hole” coverage gap, which allows Medicare drug plans to kick in only after your out-of-pocket expenses reach a certain level (in 2008, that level is estimated to be more than $3,200).

If you opt for an online pharmacy, do your homework. Many aren’t licensed and might sell counterfeit or substandard medicine. The Food and Drug Administration recommend purchasing only from Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites, or VIPPS, which have a seal from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.

• They pay slightly higher yields than traditional CDs.

• Issuing banks can redeem these before maturity, which can work against investors in both rising and falling rate environments.

• It's best to stick with short-term maturities, and pay attention to the various caveats.

Several good Web sites provide useful information related to credit card selection and use. Here are a few:

• Bankrate.com (www.bankrate.com): Contains 13 tips for credit card selection and use.

• Bond Market Fund (www.tomorrowsmoney.org): Offers insights for using credit cards wisely.

• Consumer Action (www.consumer-action.org): Provides good overview of credit card basics, including calculating interest and tips to lower costs.

If you are known to bounce a check from time to time, you need a system in place to keep you from paying hefty fees.

But be aware of what protection you’re signing up for — “bounce coverage” for many people can be a waste of money.

What is overdraft protection? It’s an agreement that if you make a payment that exceeds your bank balance, your bank will pay the merchant automatically. Essentially, it’s a very temporary loan from your bank, so you can stay in good standing with the seller and avoid a returned-check fee from the merchant.

A bounced check with no protection usually results in a $20-$30 fee from the bank, as well as a $20-$30 fee from the merchant. With the typical overdraft protection plan, this penalty is cut in half — you only have to pay the bank’s $20-$30 fee as long as you put money back into the account quickly.

Ask your veterinarian

Chances are the vet has heard all the news, whether it be good or bad, about insurance plans from other policy holders. See which one gets the best reviews.

Choose the insurance company carefully

Be sure the firm is licensed in your state. That gives you some confidence the company has met some minimum standards, and it often means the plan will have the coverage you need.

Say it on the Internet, and you'll find that free speech and other constitutional rights are anything but guaranteed.

Companies in charge of seemingly public spaces online wipe out content that's controversial but otherwise legal. Service providers write their own rules for users worldwide and set foreign policy when they cooperate with regimes like China. They serve as prosecutor, judge and jury in handling disputes behind closed doors.

The governmental role that companies play online is taking on greater importance as their services - from online hangouts to virtual repositories of photos and video - become more central to public discourse around the world. It's a fallout of the Internet's market-driven growth, but possible remedies, including government regulation, can be worse than the symptoms.

Dutch photographer Maarten Dors met the limits of free speech at Yahoo Inc.'s photo-sharing service, Flickr, when he posted an image of an early-adolescent boy with disheveled hair and a ragged T-shirt, staring blankly with a lit cigarette in his mouth.

Financial terms weren't disclosed, but a person familiar with the matter who insisted on anonymity said the purchase price was $3.5 billion in cash. NBC was joined in the deal by the private equity firms The Blackstone Group LP and Bain Capital LLC.

In addition to The Weather Channel, which can be seen by 97 percent of U.S. cable subscribers, the deal also includes several related assets such as weather services for newspapers and radio stations and the widely used Web site Weather.com.

NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric Co., became the sole bidder for The Weather Channel last month after Time Warner Inc. dropped out. CBS Corp. and cable industry leader Comcast Corp. had also expressed interest earlier.

NBC already operates a digital weather and news service called NBC Weather Plus that was launched in 2004 and would make a logical fit with The Weather Channel. NBC Weather Plus is owned by NBC and its affiliated TV stations and can be seen on digital cable services and digital subchannels operated by NBC stations.

Terra says its Olympic Games site will go live Aug. 1. It will include 13 different channels where users can choose whatever event they want to see 24 hours a day.

Terra says users will have access to streaming and live coverage, as well as photo galleries and the latest Olympic news. It will also give access to cell phone users by SMS.

The deal was announced Thursday by Terra and the International Olympic Committee.

Terra, owned by Spain's Telefonica, is Latin America's largest Internet company with presence in 17 Latin American countries and the United States.

Bish Tyson made the introductions, and Haywood shook the girl’s hand.

“Bish was right; You’re not much bigger than a minute,” Haywood told the girl. “But he tells me you’ve got quite an arm.”

The girl, sporting the confidence innate to all 18-year-old know-it-alls, was obliged.

“Thank you, sir,” Mamie Johnson said. “I might be little, but I can throw as hard as any man.”

DEI swept the front row in qualifying for Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 and ended up with three drivers in the top eight positions.

Paul Menard won the pole when he covered the 2 1/2-mile superspeedway with a fast lap of 185.916 mph, just ahead of teammate Mark Martin. Rookie Regan Smith was eighth.

DEI's other driver, Martin Truex Jr., was well back in 35th. He was driving a backup car after his primary car failed inspection Thursday and was seized by NASCAR.

Truex's setback - he could be docked points for an illegal body modification - combined with Martin's Friday announcement that he was moving to Hendrick Motorsports gave DEI a rough start to the weekend. But the team rebounded with its strongest qualifying effort of the season.

The game marks the first time all season that the Blowfish (9-21) have been held scoreless.

Starters Michael Moore and Gaines allowed four hits combined through the first four innings.

Wilmington solved Moore in the fifth. Ryan Graepel and Matt Kirchner hit RBI doubles to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead after five innings.

Wilmington added to its lead with two more runs in the seventh. Graepel added another RBI with a sacrifice fly, and Daniel Parker followed with a RBI single to left to score John Nester.

Advantage, Miss Venus Williams.

She defeated Serena 7-5, 6-4 Saturday for her fifth Wimbledon title and second in a row. Venus avenged two previous losses to her younger sibling in the final at the All England Club and reasserted her dominance on her favorite court and favorite grass surface.

"I can't believe that it's five," said Venus, who now also has seven Grand Slam championships. "But when you're in the final against Serena Williams, five seems too far away."

Venus came from 3-1 down in the first set to turn around the match, breaking Serena four times while dropping serve twice in a final that produced breathtaking tennis despite swirling wind.

Scatter notched her fourth consecutive Amateur Shooting Dog title, including Derby Dog of the Year in 2005.

“To my knowledge, only one dog has ever won the Amateur Shooting Dog of the Year three times in a row,” Denton said. “That was Quailcross Hawk, owned by Gilbert Webber of Prosperity, who is one of the cornerstones of field trialing in South Carolina, but, never has a dog won four years consecutively, including Derby dog of the year.”

Denton also was named handler of the year for the second year in a row. His other young pointer female, Woodie Roost Itchie, also placed among the top-five pointing dogs in the state.

Grateful Spirit, owned and handled by Sammy Geddings, was runner-up Amateur Shooting Dog.