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Those figures — filed Thursday — do not include spending from third-party groups, such as the S.C. Club for Growth and South Carolinians for Responsible Government, which were unavailable. Those groups, which endorsed Shealy, bought television ads and sent out issue-related mail to Lexington voters.

Knotts enjoyed a flood of money during the final weeks of the campaign, raising more than $118,000 after the final campaign finance deadline prior to election day. Many of his donors included Democrats — Sen. John Land; former Gov. Jim Hodges; Columbia ad exec Bud Ferillo — as well as political action groups such as those representing payday lenders.

For Shealy, tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-state contributions poured in after the final deadline. In total, out-of-state donors accounted for $57,000, or 41.5 percent of what Shealy raised. Shealy reported about $65,000 in contributions after the final pre-election deadline.

Those totals are more than twice what was spent in two competitive Richland County Senate races, according to partial State Ethics Commission reports.

Juan Carlos Cruz-Estrada, 38, of Charlotte, initially denied any involvement in the disappearance of Ada Torruco, 33, also of Charlotte, who was last reportedly seen on May 27, Sheriff’s Capt. David Thomley said.

Torruco’s remains were found Wednesday in a wooded area off S.C. 97 in Lancaster County, though investigators believe she was killed earlier off Kelly Road — a dirt road near S.C. 97 — in the Liberty Hill section of Kershaw County near the Lancaster County line and Lake Wateree, Thomley said.

Cruz-Estrada and a co-defendant, Javier Aguilar Rosas, 29, of Charlotte, are each charged with murder and remain in the Kershaw County jail, Thomley said.

Both men are Mexican nationals and are in the U.S. illegally, said Barbara Gonzalez, the Southern regional U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman. The nationality of Torruco is unknown, and immigration officials had no prior contact with her, she said.

The damage was not caused by a tornado, but rather by a “straight-line wind downburst,” which is characterized by very high winds that leave damage in a straight line, said Michael McMasters, the county’s Emergency Preparedness Division manager.

McMasters said officials were still gathering information this afternoon, but preliminary estimates put total damage at $100,000 to $150,000. No injuries were reported, he said.

Damage was reported to homes on Granny Drive, Harmon Street, Hendrix Street, Heritage Trail and Laurel Street, all located within about a mile of the county administration building on South Lake Drive.

A thunderstorm hit Lexington about 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, McMasters said.

Pastides, a research funding expert who has been at USC since 1998 and turned down opportunities to leave, would succeed Andrew Sorensen. Sorensen said last year that he would step down by the end of this month.

“It will be a great day for South Carolina if he is named president,” said Dr. Ray Greenberg, president of MUSC, who has worked with Pastides. “I know from conversations with him that this is the job he wanted. He wanted to stay in South Carolina.”

Board chairman Herb Adams said no official decision on the presidential search would be made until today.

“We don’t vote until (today),” Adams said.

Isabella Cosnita, left, Joshua Harris, and Evan Fleck from the Little People Daycare, played their kazoos Thursday during the seventh annual Kids Celebrate America sponsored by the Richland County Recreation Commission. The State House grounds were filled with children playing and singing patriotic songs.

The damage was not caused by a tornado, but rather by a “straight-line wind downburst,” which is characterized by very high winds that leave damage in a straight line, said Michael McMasters, the county’s Emergency Preparedness Division manager. The storm hit Lexington about 8:15 p.m.

McMasters said preliminary estimates put total damage at $90,000 to $120,000. No injuries were reported, he said.

McQueen Smith III’s house was one of several that were damaged. A massive oak tree crashed through the middle of his Harmon Street residence, and a tree-removal company said the home likely will be considered totaled.

Smith’s father, McQueen Smith II, stopped by the home Thursday to survey the damage. He said his son and a roommate were at home when the tree fell, but were able to get out.

Harman said there is no evidence of foul play. Toxicology samples will be sent to the State Law Enforcement Division for analysis, Harman said. He hopes to have results within a week.

Adkins, 44, last was seen June 28 with her husband, Randy Adkins Jr., 46, on their boat on the lake, leaving Jakes Landing and heading toward Pine Island, authorities said. The 19½-foot CrownLine vessel was found later that day, adrift and unoccupied.

Randy Adkins has not been located. Lt. Robert McCullough, state Department of Natural Resources spokesman, said the search was continuing.

Kimberly Adkins’ sister-in-law Rachel Dempsey said the family had been holding out hope she would be found alive. “She was kind and loving to everyone she met,” she said.

The campaign, tied to gay pride week celebrations in London, included ads that proclaimed “South Carolina is so gay.” A handful of other U.S. destinations joined the campaign, including Atlanta, Boston and New Orleans.

After learning last week the state had agreed to spend tax money on the campaign — and spurred by a post on The Palmetto Scoop blog — the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism said Thursday it would not pay the tour operator.

Parks, Recreation and Tourism director Chad Prosser said an agency advertising manager signed off on the contract, proposed by the agency’s London advertising contractor.

The agency will not pay the roughly $4,942 fee to take part in the campaign.

The city’s new police chief laid out his plans to seek more state and federal grant money and encouraged the business leaders to start a foundation that can raise money to buy equipment.

“This is a community that requires a lot of attention,” Carter told the Foundation for Columbia’s Future, a group formed in 2002 to discuss city issues. “The big question is: ‘Do the demands for police services balance the demand for police resources?’”

Speaking to a group that included State Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Richland, and public relations specialist Bob McAllister, Carter shed his usual blue uniform for a coat and tie and spoke of lowering crime rates as “economic tools” and criminals as his “clients.”

He outlined an ambitious goal: cutting Columbia’s 8,500 reported violent crimes in half in five years.

On “Price of Gas,” the English indie rock band sings “The price of gas keeps on rising / Nothing comes for free.”

Nowadays, a lot of bands are singing similar complaints. Four-dollar-per-gallon gas has made them rethink how they tour.

Villanova, a local alt-funk five-piece, plays four to five regional shows a week, said DJ and keyboardist Eric Adams, whose stage name is Able 1.

“We started driving our new van in December, and when we first started filling up it was $50,” he said. “Now it’s $70.”

“The Pulse of Columbia” was registered by The Foundation for Columbia’s Future at GoDaddy.com, a company that hosts Web sites. Dave Wilson, the foundation’s executive director, is listed as the administrative and technical contact for the site.

Wilson said he registered the Web site under the foundation’s name by mistake. He said he and a number of the foundation’s board members write for the Web site, but it is not officially affiliated with the foundation.

“We’re not journalists. We are people who have ideas,” Wilson said. “The whole point of it is throwing ideas out into the community so that things can be discussed.”

The foundation, which promotes itself as nonpartisan, was formed in 2002 to bring community and business leaders together to work with city government.

Juan Carlos Cruz-Estrada, 38, of Charlotte, initially denied any involvement in the disappearance of Ada Torruco, 33, also of Charlotte, who was reportedly last seen May 27, Sheriff’s Capt. David Thomley said.

Torruco’s remains were found Wednesday in a wooded area off S.C. 97 in Lancaster County, though investigators believe she was killed off Kelly Road — a dirt road near S.C. 97 — in the Liberty Hill section of Kershaw County near the Lancaster County line and Lake Wateree, Thomley said.

Cruz-Estrada and a co-defendant, Javier Aguilar Rosas, 29, of Charlotte, are each charged with murder and remain in the Kershaw County jail, Thomley said.

Both men are Mexican nationals and are in the U.S. illegally, said Barbara Gonzalez, the Southern regional U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman. The nationality of Torruco is unknown, and immigration officials had no prior contact with her, she said.

A Richland County woman has embarked on a petition drive to run for clerk of court, calling it “outrageous” that the Democratic nominee is behind on her taxes.

Sherri Abbott, who was the clerk for Magistrate Michael Davis for 18 years, also said she has the experience Jeanette McBride lacks.

Abbott has until noon Tuesday to gather 10,000 signatures to qualify for a listing on the Nov. 4 ballot, director of elections Mike Cinnamon said.

“There will be very little sleep between now and next Tuesday,” Abbott said at a news conference in front of the courthouse.

Elaine Crump, listed as personnel manager for House of Raeford Farms, was arrested a day after she was indicted by a federal grand jury.

The Republican governor’s campaign finance report Thursday showed he had $1.7 million on hand at the end of June.

Sanford is in his second term.

The chase ended Thursday afternoon on Interstate 585 a few miles south of I-85 after the tires on the suspect’s car were deflated by spikes officers had set in the road, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Maj. Dan Johnson said.

Marcus Wilkins, 35, was shot several times in the chest while he was at home with his parents and son, Anderson County Deputy Coroner Don McCown told The Greenville News. McCown said Wilkins’ brother, 38-year-old Steven Wilkins, was later taken into custody.

Harry Lee Singleton was arrested Wednesday at his home and charged with receiving stolen goods and obtaining goods under false pretenses, The Beaufort Gazette reported. Authorities say he stole the bleachers from a St. Helena ball field last week.

Gwen Rice was arrested Thursday in the June 16 death of her husband, sheriff’s spokeswoman Susann Griffin said Thursday. Rice had been recovering in a hospital after she cut her arms and tried to overdose on medication after the attack, Griffin said.

Investigators think Rice’s husband, Paul Norman Rice, was playing solitaire on a computer June 16 when he was hit. He died the same day of a heart attack on his way to the hospital.

Contributing: Staff writers Rick Brundrett, John O’Connor and Dawn Kujawa; The Associated Press

That money does not include figures from third-party groups, such as the S.C. Club for Growth and South Carolinians for Responsible Government, which were unavailable. Those groups endorsed Shealy.

Knotts enjoyed a flood of money during the final weeks of the campaign, raising more than $118,000 after the final campaign finance deadline before election day. Many of his donors included Democrats — Sen. John Land, former Gov. Jim Hodges — as well as political action groups.

Out-of-state donors accounted for $57,000, or 41.5 percent, of what Shealy raised. Shealy reported about $65,000 in contributions after the final pre-election deadline.

Finally, as the navy blue car with the vanity plates “Sly 1” pulled up to the Ocean Isle Beach Community Center, several gave up their spots and shot photographs through the windshield of the car as if they were paparazzi shooting a movie star.

Their target was a far less common sighting than celebrities.

As the endangered Kemp’s ridley turtle made its way to the roped off area, carried by Animal Planet’s 2007 Hero of the Year Jean Beasley, volunteers cleared a path so eager spectators wouldn’t get too close to the animal that just made a trip from The Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Beach, N.C.

As if on cue, the turtle flapped its front right flipper as the crowd clapped and flashes from digital cameras flickered.

Sunset Boulevard, 2700 block: Deputies were called to a hospital Wednesday after a man assaulted a health-care worker. The man had come into the hospital for treatment and is well-known to hospital employees as a “doctor shopper” for pain medication. He became loud and boisterous for an unknown reason and the worker tried to calm him down. The man spit at the victim and punched him in the face. A security guard at the hospital was able to subdue and arrest the man. He was charged with disorderly conduct and two counts of assault.

St. Andrews Road, 500 block: Officers were called to a grocery store after an employee said a man had shoplifted items. The cashier told officers a man with one leg and on crutches came into the store and she helped him with his shopping. They both came to the counter for the man to write a check to pay for the items. The cashier became suspicious of the check and went to the back to verify it. When she returned, the man was gone and had taken the food items with him. The transaction was caught on store surveillance cameras; police are investigating.

RICHLAND COUNTY SHERIFF

Garners Ferry Road, 7600 block: A woman called police Wednesday to report that her tax-refund check had been stolen. The victim told officers she paid a woman to prepare her taxes, but not file them. She said the preparer, who also works for a tax-preparation company, instead had the refund deposited into her own account, and the victim does not know how to contact her. The woman did not report the exact amount of the theft, but she told officers the suspect was paid $30 to do her taxes.

Brian A. Myers, 36, died of multiple injuries, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said. Myers was wearing a helmet, he said.

The wreck occurred about 7 p.m. in the 1200 block of Bluff Road, Watts said.

A U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday found there are still exceptional drought conditions — the most severe category — centered near Greenville. Severe drought conditions eased slightly, scaling back in the eastern half of North Carolina.

Otherwise, conditions were largely unchanged from a July 1 report, and a drought still covers most of the three states.

Wayne Shumpert is running against Shari Lee, who filed as a write-in candidate. The winner will serve the remaining two years of the seat held by Bobby Vining, who moved to the mayor’s post in April.

Polls are open to registered voters from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at South Congaree Town Hall.

Mrs. Parrish was born in Corryton, TN, the daughter of the late John Tillman and Lavernia Hatfield Lawson. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Carson Newman and her Master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Mrs. Parrish was a devoted pastor’s wife, Sunday School teacher, and church pianist during her husband’s ministries. She was also a first grade teacher for many years. In her retirement years, she was a member of Valley Grove Baptist Church.

She is survived by a son, Dr. John C. Parrish, III and wife, Mary of Columbia; grandchildren, Anna B. Parrish, Peter J. Parrish, both of Columbia, Robert M. Parrish of Charleston. She was predeceased by her husband, Reverend J.C. Parrish, Jr., 3 sisters and 4 brothers.

www.ShivesFuneralHome.com

(803) 754-6290

«Obituary posted: July 11, 2008»

Dr. Wimer, born in Stuttgart, AR December 20, 1936, passed away in Savannah, GA, Tuesday, July 8, 2008. He was the son of the late John W. and Vesta Jones Wimer. Dr. Wimer was a 1957 graduate of Phillips University, earned his Master’s degree in 1959 at Rice University and his Ph.D. in 1962 at the University of Virginia. Dr. Wimer was chairman of the Biology Department at the University of South Carolina for 10 years and taught in the Biology Department from 1964 until 2005.

Dr. Wimer is survived by his wife, Sharon Wimer; children, Mike, Greg and Julie and grandchildren, Cole and Megan.

www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.com

«Obituary posted: July 11, 2008»

Born December 9, 1917, in Bellville, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Lloyd Barton Teeter and Virtha Williams Teeter. She graduated from Bellville High and Mansfield Business College before becoming the wife of her dearly beloved Gerald Kerr Kunkle of Butler, Ohio, in 1942. In 1948, she and Gerald moved to Columbia where they raised their family. Thelma loved the south where she developed lifelong friendships and a deep devotion and commitment to Shandon United Methodist Church. She will be fondly remembered for her joyful embrace of life and enormous generosity.

She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Kay Jones of Columbia, S.C.; her son, Gerald K. Kunkle, Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren and five great-granddaughters.

Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Shandon United Methodist Church with the burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive visitors Saturday 9-10:30 a.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shandon United Methodist Church, Older Adult Fund, 3407 Devine St., Columbia, SC 29205.

Michael was a Class of 2000 graduate of Wade Hampton High School, and also was a 2002 graduate of Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. Michael had a great love of the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a six year employee of Scotsman Ice Systems where he had gotten several awards for attendance and performance. Michael was an active member of Bethel Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 13, 2008, at Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Jule Young and Rev. Ted Still officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

He is survived by his parents, Jim and Linda Platts of Fairfax, S.C., two brothers and a sister-in-law, Scott of Manchester, Tenn., and Robert and Rhiannon, both of Faifax, S.C., and his grandmother, Doris Collins. He was engaged to Jessica Cheek of Barnwell, S.C.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2008, at Keith Smith Funeral Service, 128 Water Street, Allendale, SC 29810.

Jimmy was born April 9, 1937, in Barnwell County. He was the son of the late Sidney E. and Rosalie Morris Sanders. He was a retired officer with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and a farmer.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Friendship Baptist Church with Rev. Harry Warren officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 Friday evening at Mole Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife, Janet Webb Sanders of Olar, SC; two daughters, Susan (Bob) Wright of Barnwell, SC, and Darlene Sanders of Olar, SC; two sons, Sandy (Angela) Sanders and Robbie Sanders of Olar, SC; two stepsons, Adam (Erin) Causey of Williston, SC, and Alex Causey of Olar, SC; one sister, Marjorie S. Bramlett of Marietta, GA; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

«Obituary posted: July 11, 2008»

Surviving are her daughter, Linda (Robert Mason) Shannon, Laurie (Herbert) Shannon Bailey and Lisa (Jose) Velez; and grandchildren.

www.leevy.com

«Obituary posted: July 11, 2008»

She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Florence for over 50 years. She taught a Ladies’ Sunday School class, helped start the Singles Ministry, worked with the prayer ministry and was involved in missions serving in a women’s missions group and teaching GAs. Dessie Lee had a passion for teaching young girls and their leaders about missions. She was also very involved in missions in her own community and saw Florence as her mission field.

Dessie Lee played the piano, sang and was famous for her imitation of Minnie Pearl. Dessie Lee was also one of the first lady realtors in the Florence area and was a member of the Florence Rotary Club, where she played the piano. She was also a member and past president of the Tea and Topic Literary Club.

Dessie Lee dearly loved and was loved by her family and friends. She will be remembered especially for her joy, gift of laughter, hospitality, kindness and her tireless efforts on behalf of her church, community and family. She will always be known to many as the “GA Lady.”

Dessie Lee is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Webbie Keels of Chester, SC; her daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Dr. J. Stokes of Georgetown, SC; and daughters, Robin Keels of Jackson, MS, and Kim Keels Nelson of Murrells Inlet, SC. She also had four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her four siblings, John Chandler, Clyde Chandler, Margaret Herring and Julia Hutto; and her daughter, Shirley Lynn Keels.

Mr. Hyder died Thursday, July 10, 2008, in Lexington Medical Center after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Born in Fayetteville, N.C., he was the son of the late Clarence Gillus and Marie Holcombe Hyder of Hendersonville. A veteran of the Army National Guard, he received a business degree from Kings College, Charlotte, N.C. Retired after thirty-one years with United Guaranty/AIG, he was a member of the President’s Club for twenty-one years, served on the President’s Council and was awarded the President’s Trophy in 1994.

Among Mr. Hyder’s interests were golf, fishing and spoiling his grandchildren to whom he was known as “Papa.”

Surviving are his wife, Sandra Evans Hyder; son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Gretchen Coble of Helena, Mont.; daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly C. and Jonathan Vaughn of Atlanta, Ga.; grandsons, John Thomas Vaughn, Weston Vaughn and Evan Coble; granddaughter, Emma Coble; and half brothers, Charles Hyder of Atlanta and Jim Hyder of Tampa, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made Riverland Hills Baptist Church, Building Fund, 201 Lake Murray Blvd., Irmo, SC 29063. Please sign online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Born July 13, 1935, in Fort Payne, Alabama, Ed was a son of the late Wallace and Katie Lou Hall. He served his country with great pride for twenty years in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the Moose Club, the American Legion and Salem United Methodist Church. He was Director of Procurement at Palmetto Health Richland Memorial Hospital for twenty-three years.

Ed loved helping others, traveling, woodworking, gardening, part-time farming and just being outdoors. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Surviving are his wife of forty-nine years, Kathryn “Kay” Hall; daughter, Suzette Hall of Florida; son, Mark Hall of Lugoff; granddaughter, Monique Wilson and her husband, Mike, of Florida; grandson, Samuel Hall of Clemson; great-grandsons, Ethen and Dylan Wilton of Florida; sister and brother-in-law, Nell and Howard Kaminsky of Georgia; brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Susan Hall of Georgia; sister-in-law, Vivian Walvoord and her husband, Ken, of Nebraska; fourteen nieces and nephews; and other relatives and dear friends. He was predeceased by brothers, Gordon, Doyle and Clarence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 66, Elgin, SC 29045.

Mr. Varn graduated from Clemson University in 1953 with a BS degree in chemical engineering.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Joyce Enright Varn; his devoted children, Debbie and Al Carter of Columbia, SC, Harry and Margaret Varn of Hickory, NC, Rex and Kathy Varn of Hartsville, SC, Guy and Kathy Varn of Charlotte, NC; eight grandchildren and one brother, Herb Varn and his wife, Dottie Varn, of Seabrook Island, SC.

A celebration of Harry’s life will be Friday, July 11, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 146 East Main Street, Martinsville, VA. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 146 East Main Street, Martinsville, VA 24112, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Mrs. Trotter died Wednesday, July 9, 2008. Born in Lexington County, a daughter of the late Wilbur Frank and Lettie Mae Poole Shealy. She was employed with Hartwell Industries and was a member of Beulah Baptist Church.

Surviving are a son, Robbie (Carla) Trotter of Leesville; daughter, Tena (James) Helms of Leesville; brother, Frank Shealy of Saluda and Marvin Shealy of Gilbert; sisters, Virginia Beasley of Gilbert, Patsy Smith and Ellen Wheeler of Batesburg; grandchildren, Shannon Trotter, Briana Adams, Leann Trotter, McKayla Adams, Robert Adams and Carson Trotter; great-grandchild, CheyAnn Shealy. She was predeceased by her husband, George Robert “Hop” Trotter.

Online register at Barr-Price.com.

(803)532-4411

«Obituary posted: July 11, 2008»

She attended First Nazareth Church in Columbia. She was a 1984 graduate of Greer High School, 2001 Graduate of USC and 2008 graduate of University of Phoenix. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., she was an employee of Palmetto Baptist Hospital and USC.

Survivors include brother, James T. (Toshua) Kennedy Jr.; maternal grandmother, Clara W. Johnson; niece, Elizabeth G. Kennedy; nephew, James T. Kennedy III.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2008, at Lower Shady Grove Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Online condolences maybe emailed to www.sullivanbrosmortuary.com.

The family is at the home of grandmother, Clara W. Johnson.

«Obituary posted: July 11, 2008»

Mr. Hurst was born March 27, 1924, in Chesterfield, SC, and was the son of Novella Campbell and Finley Thomas Hurst. He was a loving and much loved and adored husband, father and grandfather. He attended Clemson University and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, having served in the European Theatre. He was employed by the United States Postal Service for 34 years and worked in the Chesterfield and Rock Hill, SC, offices. He retired as Postmaster in McFarlan, NC. He was a devoted Christian, a kindhearted and generous man with unquestionable integrity. He was affectionately known as “Pop.” His great pastime and avocation was the training of field trial bird dogs. He received the H. Cooper Black, Jr. Sportsmanship and Sportsman of the Year Award in 1998-99. In 2002, he was inducted into the South Carolina Bird Dog Hall of Fame. He served as President of the Chesterfield Field Trial Club for many years. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Chesterfield, where he was a member of the Wesley Fellowship Class, the Men’s Club, and served on the Administrative Board. Mr. Hurst was preceded in death by his brothers, Leverne Thomas Hurst and Billy Campbell Hurst, and a sister, Myrtis Hurst Teal.

Survivors include beloved wife of 61 years: Sue Gulledge Hurst of the home; daughter: Susanne Hurst McGuire and her husband, William Bulgin McGuire Jr. of Charlotte, NC; son: Alvin Dewain Hurst Jr. and his wife, Anna Young Hurst of Morven, NC; grandchildren: Caroline Robinson McGuire of New York, NY, William Hurst McGuire of Charlotte, NC, Molly Lauer McGuire of Charlotte, NC; sister: Ruby Hurst Teal of Winnsboro, SC; also numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to: St. Paul United Methodist Church, 305 W. Main Street, Chesterfield, SC, or to the Chesterfield Field Trial Association, C/o Emsley A. Laney Jr., 703 E. Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709.

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield, SC, (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) is serving the Hurst family.

Mrs. Richardson was born January 21, 1918, in Prosperity, a daughter of the late James A. and Alma Shealy Long. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and the Ladies Bible Class. She was a former member of the Ladies Aid Circle and the church choir and also had served as a Sunday School teacher. She was a former employee of G.E. in Irmo and was a retired employee of C.W. Anderson in Prosperity.

Mrs. Richardson was married for 66 years to the late Horace C. Richardson. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, H. Wayne and Kay Richardson of Little Mountain; two granddaughters, Susan Richardson Fulmer and Melanie Richardson Stone, both of Prosperity; and two great-grandchildren, Erica Lynn Stone and Corey Edward Stone. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Retha L. Richardson.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2008, at St. Paul Lutheran Church by the Rev. Brent Nichols. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2496 S.C. Highway 773, Pomaria, SC 29126, or the Little Mountain Rescue Squad, 234 Depot St., Little Mountain, SC 29075.

Helen was born May 10, 1926, in Calhoun County, the daughter of the late J.S. Stabler Sr. and Maggie Staley Stabler. She graduated from St. Matthews High School and then picked a bale of cotton for money to enter USC, where she earned her BA degree. Along with her husband, George, Helen was a longtime member of USC Alumni and the Gamecock Club. She worked at the IRS in Columbia, the DuPont Company at the Savannah River Plant, and retired from the Kershaw County School System. Helen was a member of Camden First Baptist Church. Her prior church memberships where she excelled in teaching young children were at Williston First Baptist, Northgate Colonial Baptist and Orangeburg First Baptist. She loved to sing in choirs, travel, play bridge and square dance. Helen’s mother and father were married twice and raised sixteen very successful children. She was number fifteen. Helen spoke often about uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters. Among her favorites were aunt Mae and uncle Charlie Staley whom she lived with during employment with the IRS; uncle Oscar Staley who helped her mother after her father died and especially during depression times. Also uncle John Stabler, Chief Justice of the S.C. Supreme Court, who helped her father every day during his illness. Of course she dearly loved all of her brothers and sisters, now deceased. Mention must be made of longtime friends, Tommy Adams (Al), Pat Senn (Clifton), Bobby Wright (Tee), and Jean Fulmer (McRainey).

Surviving are her husband of over 57½ years, George; son, Rev. Brant Freeman and his wife, Mandy; granddaughter, Hannah Freeman; sisters, Mrs. Jewell Riley (Gregg) of Swansea, and Mrs. Lula Wannamaker (Guy) of St. Matthews. She was predeceased by brothers, J.S. Stabler (Alese), Colonel Dr. Peeler Stabler, Wesley Stabler (Mary Etta), Douglas Stabler (Sophie), Carlile Stabler (Virginia), Delbert Stabler (Margaret), Powell Way Stabler (Vida), and Oren Golson (Ola); sisters, Sadie Bradley (Jack), Addie Smoak (Philip), Eva Clark (Dewey), Marie Rising, and Crystabell Cook (Elkin).

Serving as active pallbearers are: Dr. John Bradley, Gregg Riley, Joe Riley, Berley Stabler, David Wannamaker and Bill Granger.

The family wishes to thank Heartland Hospice, Kershaw County Hospice, and all the doctors, nurses, and workers at Kershaw County Medical Center and Springdale Healthcare for their care and concern given to Helen during her illness.

She was born in Saluda County April 24, 1915, to the late George Tillman and Mattie Daisy Padgett Padgett. She was a member of Gassaway UMC and retired from the Upper Savannah Health District of DHEC.

Surviving are sons, William Henry (Ann) Powell of Fort Mill and George Wendell (Desiree) Powell of Axton, VA; daughters, Betty Louise P. Ipsaro of Fort Mill, Daisy Alice P. (James) Porter of Saluda, Gwendolyn Anne P. Shuler of Saluda; daughter-in-law, Reka T. Powell of Saluda; stepsons, Robert (Dell) Fulmer of Wagener and Leroy (Mattie Lou) Fulmer of Leesville; stepdaughters, Mildred F. (Dewey) Carver of New Holland, Louise F. (Charlie) Stone of North Augusta; a stepdaughter-in-law, Julia Fulmer of Aiken; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by husbands, Ralph Bailey Powell and Frank Fulmer, sons-in-law, Robert Joseph Isparo Sr. and Charles Richard Shuler Sr., stepson, Gerald Fulmer, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Our Mother was a dedicated Christian woman who freely shared her faith in Jesus Christ and believed that each of us should be “ambassadors for Christ.”

Online register at Barr-Price.com.

www.leevy.com

«Obituary posted: July 11, 2008»

They, like most, never got the proverbial 15 minutes of fame, but they were diligent in their vocations and work on behalf of others. They were a college professor, a builder and a retired veteran who volunteered in the community and schools.

The three are among a number of our neighbors who died in the first half of this year.

From time to time, I write a column about some of the many people whose names are published every day on the obituary pages of this newspaper. Some we know personally, others by reputation. Many are new to us.

Whether we know them or not, these are neighbors who have added to the fabric of our community. They’ve lived, loved, worked, worshipped and laughed in this Midlands home we share. They'll be missed.

Truer words have not been written, nor so well, than Dr. William J.M. Hrushesky’s moving essay in Sunday’s paper about the need to help the homeless (“Homeless solution as close as history, and State Hospital”).

Far too many of our neighbors are fearful of the harmless homeless, rather than taking reasonable precautions against truly likely criminals. A prominent local attorney who served on the failed Homelessness Task Force told me that the task force found that the homeless are no more likely to commit crimes than the population at large, and then largely nonviolent crimes such as public intoxication and public urination.

A reasonable conclusion is that the homeless are less dangerous than the rest of us. The same goes for the mentally ill. Add to that the fact that some of the same folks who are fearful of the homeless wrap themselves in the flag about wars, yet do little to support the care of returning veterans who make up a hugely disproportionate number of the homeless and mentally ill, and I just want to scream. We can do so much better.

KATHRYN BRAUN FENNER

What’s unique: The appointment puts an outsider at the helm that has historically promoted home-grown executives to the corner office. Steel replaces Ken Thompson, a company lifer who was ousted June 1 as Wachovia faced mounting losses from its troubled 2006 acquisition of mortgage specialist Golden West Financial.

What he said Thursday: Steel acknowledged problems at the bank and pledged to face them head on. “There’s work to be done,” the 56-year-old Durham native and former Goldman Sachs vice chairman said.

Immediate headaches: A federal investigation on alleged money laundering, a second-quarter loss that could reach $2.8 billion and credit-rating agency Moody's Investors Service reviewing the bank's long-term debt ratings for possible downgrade. Wachovia’s shares hit a 17-year low Thursday.

Question marks: He doesn't have experience running a retail bank, Wachovia's forte. And Wachovia faces ongoing speculation that it could be a takeover candidate. Steel provides new stability, but his presence could stoke rumors of a possible tie-up with Goldman. Wachovia last month said it hired Goldman to analyze its troubled loan portfolio.

The Player-designed golf course would be part of a 5,000-acre mountain resort being built by the Cliffs Communities along the North Saluda River in Greenville County. The project is in South Carolina’s mountains, a thin slice of the southern Appalachians under increasing development pressure. Less than 2 percent of the state’s land area is mountains.

At a hearing Thursday, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control board members said the golf course work won’t have enough impact on the North Saluda River to deny key water quality and navigation permits. Mountain land along the river is now used for crop farming, which has already degraded the North Saluda, project developers said.

A golf course would have less impact on the river, board members and developers said. The bridges are designed for golfers to cross the North Saluda while playing the course.

“This will be a better stream after this project ... than before,’’ current board chairman Bo Aughtry said, adding that the North Saluda “is not pristine in my mind.’’

“One of the things we’re consistently hearing in this day and age (is), even though budgets are tight, they still don’t want to give up life’s little luxuries,” said Brad Stevens, vice president of customer relationship management at Starbucks. “They consider Starbucks one of those luxuries.”

The promotions vary by region and timing. Starbucks would not say how many stores are planning promotions, only that the majority of its more than 11,000 U.S. stores will offer some sort of deal between now and early September. For example:

• Through July 23, Starbucks is giving away 12-ounce iced coffees on Wednesdays to customers in New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, Boston and Detroit who present an “iced brewed coffee card,” a reusable voucher distributed in stores and newspaper inserts.

• Through July 14, coffee drinkers in Atlanta and Indianapolis can get a free 12-ounce hot or iced coffee every day with a similar card.

In the United States, phones will be available at 8 a.m. in each time zone.

Because of time differences, the new iPhones went on sale first in New Zealand, then Australia. Japan and Hong Kong are to follow.

In downtown Sydney, a few hundred people who had camped outside an Optus telecom store on a cold and windy winter night were treated to free pizza, coffee, massages and entertainment as the clocked inched toward midnight.

Brett Howell had sat outside the store since 1 p.m. Thursday, bringing a small blanket and a book, and was the first to buy the phone.