By AmAndA IrwInStaff writer

In his position as a in-terpretive ranger at Table Rock State Park, Scott Stegengas days are never the same. He serves as a liaison between the pub-lic and the park, forging a connection that helps the public appreciate the park and thus ensure the parks preservation.

We try to inner weave [conservation] in our educational programs you know low-impact. Whether its hiking or be-ing outdoors. People dont understand a lot of differ-ent things that are in the forest. They may be afraid or just ignorant of certain wildlife or plants, (we) try to educate them on how theyre linked together and if you protect one it will help another one, Stegenga said.

Throughout the spring and fall, Stegenga, along with other staff, conducts guided hikes for about three to four school groups

a week to provide a hands-on experience outdoors, reinforcing what students learned in the classroom.

Before moving to South Carolina 24 years ago for a position at Table Rock State Park, Stegenga stud-ied biology and worked as a naturalist in California. In his current position, he says dealing with the pub-lic is the biggest challenge of his job.

We always have natural things that come along, storms, weather and things wearing out over time, which is a natural maintenance thing, but people can bring all sorts of issues, he said.

Issues he has to com-bat include people cutting down trees, killing ani-

mals, digging up plants, vandalizing the park, mis-using or abusing things or not following rules in-tended to keep them safe. However, he recognizes these issues arent always deliberate. Sometimes people are just unaware, but educating the public is part of his job.

You have to be a people person. I mean, you get all kinds, you meet all kinds of personalities and back-grounds and you get for-eign languages. You get all ages, all kinds of attitudes, all kinds of education (lev-els), he said. Its the public, you just have to be

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Greer Idolkicks off Friday

The first round of Greer Idol Season 8 and Greer Idol Teen Season 4 will take place at the Pelham Medical Center Greer Family Festival on the Ryans Steak-house Community Stage.

The auditions will be on Friday, May 2 from 6-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 3 from 1-2 p.m. There is no cost to participate in the competition. For more information, visit greerculturalarts.com or contact Robin Byouk at 848-5383.

official proGram: Festival map, food and entertainment inside

wednesday, april 30, 2014 Greer, soUTh carolina Vol. 101 no. 18 50 cenTs

CouncilOKs texting banBy AmAndA IrwInStaff writer

Following a public hear-ing, a law that bans texting while driving received its second and final reading from Greer City Council last week, during which several amendments were proposed. Randi Jones and Jackson Batson spoke in opposition toward the ban, while Holly Watson spoke in favor of it.

Judy Albert proposed an amendment to change phrasing under ordinance exceptions, The use of voice-operated technology while the device is being used for telephonic com-munication provided the driver is not holding the device while driving, to read The use of voice-op-erated technology.

It was suggested the previous wording indicat-ed only phone calls, not voice-text messaging, were permitted. This amend-ment received approval.

A portion of the ordi-nance allows exceptions. First responders are ex-empt from the ordinance in relation to their job duties. Councilman Jay Arrowood recommended completely removing this portion, but the proposed amendment failed.

The texting ban will go into effect on July 1, and ticketed offenders will pay $262.50, after court fees, for each offense.

see councIl | A6

By AmAndA IrwInStaff writer

Families, residents, visitors and local business owners will fill the streets in downtown Greer this week-end for the Pelham Medical Centers Greer Family Fest from 6 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. 10 p.m. on Saturday.

It really is a little bit of something for everyone. We have the crafts, and business vendors for the adults, Cre-ation Station and the rides for the children, food for everybody, I think food is always a good hit, and well also have entertainment on various stages through out the day. Its just

a good environment for everybody because there is something for ev-erybody, said Katie Witherspoon, director of Greater Greer Chamber of Commerces Your News and Events.

The event is free, but tickets for rides and food are $1 each. After last years festival was rained out, canceling their performance, the Marshall Tucker Band will finally take the stage, performing at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the main stage.

Some of the things I think youll see that will be a little different [are] creation station, which is the free arts and crafts area will be bigger than its ever been. In the rides area for kids and adults, there will be

more rides than weve ever had be-fore. So, I think those are probably two of the biggest changes that folks will see, said Rudy Painter, Family Fest chairman.

This year is the festivals 30th year and Painter has been involved with the festival since he moved to Greer in 1995.

It became a passion to me, Paint-er said. I mean, I was taught at a young age by my father that if you were a business person in the com-munity, you couldnt just take from that community, you needed to give back. So I got involved just as a vol-unteer and started working with

see fesT | A3

family fest weekendGood weather, more crafts and rides in store

file Photo | the Greer Citizen

Now in its 30th year, the Pelham Medical Center Greer Family Fest features live performances, games, crafts and entertainment for all ages.

oddJobs InTerpreTIve rAnger

Citizensdivided on new lawBy AmAndA IrwInStaff writer

In an effort to discour-age distracted driving, Greer will join several other South Carolina cit-ies with its recent decision to enforce a texting-while-driving ban.

Despite mixed responses from residents and differ-ing opinions among coun-cil members, last week, council voted 5-2 in favor of enacting the texting while driving ban first pro-posed at the April 8 Greer City Council meeting. The law will go into effect on July 1, costing offenders $262.50 after court fees.

Greers ban came in the wake of a similar law that went into effect earlier this month in Greenville prohibiting hand-held cell phone use while driving. However, unlike Green-villes stricter law, Greers

see lAw | A6

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Interpretive ranger multitasks

Mandy ferGuSon | the Greer Citizen

Ed Moorer, assistant interpreter, helps educate a group of students from Berea Middle School.

Mandy ferGuSon | the Greer Citizen

Hayden Posey, left, holds a corn snake with Table Rock Park Interpretive Ranger Scott Stegengas assistance.

TUESDAYS ON TRADE: MOMS NIGHT, MAY 6

Tuesdays on Trade: Moms Night will be held on May 6 from 5 8 p.m. The night will celebrate moms before Mothers day. Greer First Baptist Church, 201 W. Poinsett St., will of-fer free babysitting.

LUNG DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP BEGINS MAY 15

The American Lung As-sociations Better Breath-ers Club will hold support group session for anyone living with or families ef-fected by chronic lung dis-ease on Thursdays, May 15 June 19 from 2 3 p.m. at the Pelham Medical Cen-ters Medical Office Build-ing Community Room.

Visit spartanburgregion-al.com for more informa-tion.

ANNUAL LYMANFEST SCHEDULED MAY 17

The Town of Lyman will hold their annual Lyman-fest celebration on May 17, 10 am. 9 p.m. Per-formances will be given by Rock and Roll Reunion, Mudlick, Amanda Cornett, and Motherlode. Several craft, food and communi-ty vendors will take part in the festivities. Visit lyman-fest.net.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR DIABETICS

Pelham Carb Counters will hold a free support group for people living with or at high risk for de-veloping diabetes on May 20 from 5 6 p.m. at the Pelham Medical Center Medical Office Building Community Room.

ROAD TO RECOVERY NEEDS DRIVERS

The American Cancer So-ciety needs volunteer driv-ers to transport patients to local treatment centers. Anyone interested in vol-unteering as a driver must have a good driving re-cord, valid drivers license, automobile insurance and a vehicle in good working condition. The American Cancer Society provides free training for this pro-gram.

For more information on becoming a Road to Recov-ery volunteer, contact the local office at 627-8289.

GODS PANTRYREQUESTS DONATIONS

Gods Pantry needs nonperishable food dona-tions.

Items can be dropped off at: 100 Enoree Road, Greer, on Thursdays from 10 a.m. noon, 2481 Rac-ing Road, Greer, on Thurs-days 1 4 p.m. or 700 E. Main St., Duncan, on Wednesdays 9 11 a.m.

For questions or to vol-unteer call Wendy at 963-4441.

SHARONS CLOSET NEEDS NEWBORN CLOTHING

Sharons Closet needs spring and summer cloth-ing donations, especially for girls in sizes newborn to 6T. New or gently used clothing accepted Monday through Friday 8 a.m. 4 p.m. at 783 S. Line St. Ext., Greer.

GCM FOOD PANTRY NEEDS FRUIT, CONDIMENTS, RICE

The Food Pantry needs canned fruit and condi-ments, boxed gelatin, corn muffin mix and 1-pound bags of rice.

Donate at the ministry, 738 S. Line St. Ext., Greer, between 8 a.m. 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Visit gcminc.org or call 879-2254 for more infor-mation.

GCM SEEKS DRIVERSFOR SENIOR DINING

Greer Community Min-istries needs drivers for Senior Dining pickup for every Monday and every other Tuesday beginning June 2.

Subsitute drivers are also needed and will op-erate the van or bus and pickup senior diners for a morning program and lunch at the ministry and bringing them home. For more information, call Pat-sy Quarels at 877-1937.

A Meals on Wheels driver must be a qualified driver with a valid drivers license and have a heart for serving others. MOW has 19 delivery routes in

the greater Greer area. Meals are delivered Mon-day through Friday.

HANDSHAKES AND HASHBROWNS, MAY 21

Mays Handsakes and Hashbrowns will be held at Davis Audiology, 431B E. North St., Greenville, on May 21 from 8 9 a.m.

The event is free to Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce Members.

FREE CARDIOVASCULARAND STROKE SCREENING

Pelham Medical Cen-ter will hold free cardio-vascular and stroke risk

screenings for individu-als not currently under a cardiologists care on May 22 from 8 a.m. noon at their Medical Office Build-ing Community Room.

Visit spartanburgregion-al.com for more informa-tion.

SEND US YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS

Those wishing to submit community news are asked to email Amanda Irwin at Abradford@greercitizen.com, or call 877-2076.

You may also submit news at our office, located at 317 Trade St.

A2 THE GREER CITIZEN COMMUNITY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

THURSDAY, MAY 1THE GREER CHURCH of God

fellowship building host-ing a Gospel and Blue Grass Jam from 6:30-9 p.m. Call 877-3668.

THE SERTOMA CLUB at Great Bay Oyster House at 6:30 p.m. Call Bob Bowman at 316-2727.

THE TAYLORS LIONS Club at 6 p.m. at the Clubhouse, 500 East Main St., Taylors. Call Allen Culver at 350-6939.

SATURDAY, MAY 3COMMUNITY FOOD BANK

10 -11:30 a.m. at Calvary Christian Fellowship, 2455 Locust Hill Road, Taylors. Limited supplies available on a rst come, rst serve basis.

MONDAY, MAY 5GRACE PLACE in Greer will

have its mini-mall open from 10 a.m. - noon. Grace Place is located at 407 Ridgewood Drive. I.D. required.

THE NEVER ALONE GROUP OF NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS at 7 p.m. at the Greer Recre-ational Center.

TUESDAY, MAY 6GRACE PLACE in Greer will

have its clothing closet open from 6-8 p.m. Grace Place is located at 407 Ridgewood Drive. I.D. required.

THE ROTARY CLUB of Greater Greer at 7:15 a.m. at Southern Thymes. Call 334-6177.

THE NEVER ALONE GROUP OF NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS at 7 p.m. at the Greer Recre-ational Center.

THE LIONS CLUB at Lake View Steak House, Highway 14 at 5:30 p.m.

BARBERSHOP HARMONY CHAPTER at 7 p.m. at Memo-rial United Methodist Church, 201 N. Main St., Greer. Call 877-1352.

UPSTATE LEWY BODY and Related Dementia Support Group from 5-6 p.m. at The Haven in the Village at Chan-ticleer. Contact Gail Stokes at 350-7160 or gstokes@seniorlivingnow.com.

GAP CREEK SINGERS will rehearse from 7:30-9 p.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 200 Jason St., Greer. For further informa-tion or to schedule a perfor-mance contact Wesley Welsh, President, at 877-5955.

Calendar deadline is noon on Tuesdays. Please submit information about area events, meetings, etc. to Amanda Irwin at 877-2076, email to abradford@greercitizen.com or mail to The Greer Citizen P.O. Box 70 Greer, SC 29652.

COMMUNITYCALENDAR

COMMUNITYNEWS

PRESTON BURCH | THE GREER CITIZEN

Best in showCarolyn Jones quilt, pictured, won best in show during the Greer Heritage Museums an-nual quilt show last weekend. Other award winners included Barbara Summer, Barbara Godsey, Johellen George, Jerilyn Ricci, Bobbye Mobley, Marilyn Berends and Charlene Vohs. Judges were Nora Fiske and Nancy Welch.

BY AMADNA IRWINSTAFF WRITER

The Creative Advance-ment Centers sixth an-nual awards luncheon was held at Greer City Hall last Friday. Jim Ridgill, infor-mation technology man-ger for Greer, and Kevin McCraw, North American facility manger for BMW, were both honored for the roles they have played and support they have provid-ed to the learning center.

Dan Dudley, founder of the center, recognized Ridgill emphasizing that he always made time to assist the center whenever he was needed.

Im always happy to help this program out. It does wonderful things for the children in the commu-nity, Ridgill said. Weve got 25 years of education experience. Ive seen many children start out and go down the wrong path, but

its programs like this that help our young children get prepared for the future and be our successorsMy hats off to Dan, who sup-ported this program.

McCraw, who also serves on the organizations board, was recognized as well. McCraw was a driving force in the program being considered for an award for nonprofits, resulting in the organization taking fifth place at an awards ceremony in Munich, Ger-many last November.

I cant say enough about Kevin and his support of our school program, Dudley said. Of course, Kevin submitted informa-tion to Germany about the program and because of information he provided, Creative Advancement Centers, out of hundreds of non-profit organiza-tions, Creative Advance-ment Centers was ranked in the top five in the world

and were talking about over 100 different coun-tries thats a great ac-complishment right there. And we could not have done it without Kevin rec-ognizing and supporting

the program, not only with physical things, but mon-etarily Kevin has given to the program a lot. Im just thankful to him and Im thankful to all of you.

Im truly honored. I

dont know how deserv-ing I really am, but I re-ally appreciate the cause, McCraw said. I think the man beside me (Dudley) really deserves this, but he would have six of these on his wall right now so hed probably be running out of space. This is all due to Dan and the leadership of his vision. I think he offers something really unbeliev-able to the community of Greer

Dudley founded the Cre-ative Advancement After-school Program in 2006. It provides tutoring and homework help, a meal and specialized activities for children in grades K-12 that are from low-income families. Presently, more than 100 students attend.

For more information about the program, visit cityofgreer.org/depart-ments/creative_advance-ment_afterschool_pro-gram.php.

Ridgill and McCraw recognized at ceremony

AMANDA IRWIN | THE GREER CITIZEN

Dan Dudley (right) recognized Kevin McCraw (left) and Jim Ridgill last friday for supporting the Creative Advance-ment Centers.

Professional team own-ers, typically, arent the most esteemed public figures in the world. In addition to be-ing insanely rich, many of them are controlling, outspoken and egocentric. Jerry Jones, Al Davis and Marge Schott are just a few of the owners whove made their share of en-emies over the years.

The firestorm created by Donald Sterlings racist comments has made the Clippers owner one of the worlds most hated men. The scandal exposed an ugly glimpse of Sterlings elitism and prejudice, a side hes tried hard to suppress from the public eye. This incident, how-ever, wasnt the first time the owners supremacist attitudes have reared

their ugly head.In 2006, the U.S. Justice

Department sued Sterling, a real-estate mogul, for housing discrimination when he refused to rent out any of his apartment complexes to blacks and Hispanics. That suit was settled three years later for around $3 million. In 2009, he was sued again for employment discrimi-nation on the basis of race and age, although those charges were even-tually dropped.

And then theres the parcel of property Sterling bought eight years ago in downtown Los Angeles, where he promised to build a $50 million home-less shelter and has yet to lay the first stone. Many believe he got the land with no altruistic inten-tions at all, but merely for the real-estate investment.

But Donald Sterling and the Los Angeles Clippers arent the only entities to have their reputations soiled by this scandal. The LA chapter of the NAACP (National Associa-tion for the Advancement of Colored People) has suffered some embarrass-ing damage as well. In fact, the organization was planning to give Sterling its Lifetime Achievement award during a May 15

banquet. They had to pull the plug on that honor once Sterlings comments were exposed.

Its troubling that Los Angeles NAACP chapter has kissed up to Sterling throughout the last half decade, especially when it was aware of his suprem-acist views. The organiza-tion presented him with his first NAACP lifetime achievement award in 2009, right in the middle of the two racism-based lawsuits. The year before that, Sterling received both the chapters Hu-manitarian Award and Presidents Award.

You hear the phrase selling-out a lot in our culture, but the NAACPs LA chapter lost most of their credibility when its board members got into

bed with Sterling. While it is true that the Clippers owner deserves applause for his financial donations to minority programs in the Los Angeles area, its also clear that he believes minorities are inferior. That the NAACP would take the ridiculous step of handing out TWO Lifetime Achievement awards to the same person tells you that they are far more interested in their money than their message.

As the old saying goes, when you play with fire, youre bound to get burned. The LA NAACP had too many pokers in the Sterling fire, and when it blew up in their face last weekend, their reputation got charred to the bone.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 COMMUNITY THE GREER CITIZEN A3

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The mechanical sorting through my mothers things with empty card-board boxes and piles of newspapers scattered about her empty apartment gave me pause- the moment that strikes all of us after the death of a parent:

Is this it? Is this all there is to show for more than 92 years of life?

Intellectually, I knew better--there are lovely pieces to be bequeathed--but in the end, after all is packed and dispersed, there remains this strange, empty little room, where only three weeks ago wed shared a visit and a cup of tea.

Im not bereft...Ive been mourning and missing my mother for the past two years as more and more pieces of her became missing and doorways to memo-ries quietly closed. And when she passed the morning before Easter Sunday, the symbolism was a sacred one and attend-ing services, I suddenly felt as though, once again, I had all of her with me, not only within the walls of the church, but in each creamy dogwood flower, each shock of fuchsia azalea.

One thing I found quite staggering

was the overwhelming response from friends, neighbors and gentle readers: heartfelt emails, bouquets of flowers swathed in pink ribbon, hearty dinners delivered at my doorstep, an endear-ing basket of breakfast goods: granola, pears, bagels...and the cards! The mail-box was bulging with ivory and pale blue envelopes.

God, I thought, not profanely, but in the hesitation of the moment one begins to open expressions of sympathy. All my life, I had wondered what this day would feel like, opening these cards.

They soften life with sweetness and love, read the sentiments of the first, its words trailing across an illustration of blue sky and wispy clouds. Perplexed, I opened to read the rest of the inscrip-tion:

Anyone who has loved a pet can un-derstand your loss...

Fozzy! This was a card in sympathy for my horse. I hadnt counted on this.

The next card showed red barn doors with a flowered wreath hanging from them and the shadow of a horse as the card was opened: Apart but never forgotten.

There were 12 envelopes to open and I was beginning to get nervous.

How nice, Paul murmured, spying the stack in my hands, as he wandered in from his office, Your Mom was really loved by a lot of folks.

But these arent for Mom, these are

for Fozz! I sighed, placing the third along the ledge of the mantelpiece.

Oh! Paul said, surprised, then, without knowing what else to say to a hormonal woman who has just lost her mother and a beloved horse within a week, Oh.

Mom then scored several cards in a row as it became apparent that those who had initially only sent equine sym-pathies, soon received the news of the second blow and hastily sent their sin-cere condolences with a second envelope arriving merely a day later.

Its OK, I smiled and having earlier stood my mothers cards on one side of the mantel and Fozzys on the other, I now pushed them all together, so that the graceful illustrations of lilies and butterflies found themselves butted up against flower-entwined horse shoes and ghostly herds galloping across eternal green meadows.

Mom would have had gotten such a laugh over this.

Indeed she would. I dare say, she is still.

editorial |

OpiniOnA4thegreercitizen Wednesday,april30,2014

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letterstotheeditor |

Im JuStSayINg

Pam sTone

One thing I found quite staggering was the

overwhelming response from

friends, neighbors and gentle

readers...

theUpperrooM | CurIOuSly amaNda

amanda irwinstaff reporter

Mourning and missing mom

Why local newspapers will always be relevant

Blessingsof the day

Read Colossians 3:15-17

The psalmist wrote, I will praise the Lord, who coun-sels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the lord. With him at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. -Psalms 16:7-8 (NIV)

When my husband left me with three children and a mortgage, I thought my life was close to impossible to bear. I never had enough time, money or help to get through the day. I struggled not to feel sorry for myself, especially when it seemed as if everyone around me had a wonderful life. Then one day I read about someone who practice thinking of three things to be thankful for a the end of each day. I decided to try it.

At first, I could think only of simple things like being thankful for electricity and hot water for showers. Then I realized that I had always taken those things for granted and that I should thankful for them. As I continued this daily practice, it became easier; I began to notice more and more things to be thankful for. I learned to be thankful for a phone call from a friend, the smell and beauty of a freshly mown lawn, the sound of my children laughing, and dinner on the table in the evening. This gratitude has helped me to realize how many blessings God gives us every day that we seldom take the time to notice. In turn, my gratitude has made my burdens easier to bear.

Thought for the day: What three things am I thankful for today?

Prayer: Dear God, help us to always keep our eyes and hearts open to the blessings you send us every day. Amen.

Disserviceto SC youth

State legislatures are ap-proaching a May 1 deadline to pass several bills, includ-ing updating the sex education law. The 26-years-old law is outdated and excludes impor-tant areas of sexual health.

Presently, students are required to be given medically accurate information on teen pregnancy preventions and sexually transmitted diseases, however, the way the law is drafted it reinforces an absti-nence approach, doesnt re-quire HIV/AIDS education and it doesnt require sexual abuse or rape to be addressed as part of sex education.

The idea that if we dont talk about it, it doesnt exist or wont happen is absurd. We may not openly talk about premarital sex, rape or sexual violence, but it happens. Re-inforcing the idea that people cant talk about sexual violence further victimizes them. Fur-thermore, by not openly talking about it, when it occurs, theyre left ill equipped to handle it, especially at younger ages. When someone is sexually as-saulted its usually by someone they knew and trusted. This type of if-we-dont-talk-about-it-it-doesnt-exist education isnt realistic or helpful, and statistics on teen pregnancy, sexual violence rates and HIV and AIDS rates in S.C. reflect this.

In 2011, S.C. ranked 12th nationally for teen pregnancy rates for ages 15-19.

In 2012, S.C. was ranked eighth nationally for the preva-lence of individuals with HIV or AIDS, and more than 8,000 people living with HIV or AIDS in the state and more than 8,700 people died of AIDS in the state the previous year.

Nationally, as of 2009, 61 percent of rape victims are assaulted before the age of 18. That same year in S.C., 30 per-cent of sexual assault victims assisted by sexual violence service programs were under 11 years old, and 26 percent were between 12 and 17 years old. Yet another reason why this type of education, despite how difficult it is to talk about, needs to be addressed in schools as part of sex educa-tion. I truly hope our legisla-tures consider this when updat-ing the outdated 26-year-old standards intended to protect and prepare South Carolinas adolescents and children.

Youve bought The Greer Citizen for a rea-son. For most of you, that reason is because it is the best source of local news youre go-ing to find.

Thats what a community newspaper should be.

All too often, you scavenge through oth-er papers or news websites, trying to find something that relates to your area. Its good to know about whats going on in the coun-try, the state and even in the surrounding communitiesand we try to provide that information as often as we can. But, most people reading our news just want to know whats going on in the Greer area. They want to know whats going on across the street.

The Greer Citizen is never going to be USA Today. We dont want to be. We want to in-form you of whats tangible--whats going on right in your own back yard.

There are a couple of ways we want to ac-complish this on a weekly basis. The most important way is being in the community. We cant help you know whats going on if we dont know whats going on ourselves. We have to be at the events, we have to drive to the crime scenes, we have to attend the long government meetings, but, most of the time, news comes from just striking up a conversation at the coffee shop.

Youour readersare actually the key to all of this. Because of you, we know where to be. Because of you, were plugged into whats going on. Relationships are vital for getting good community news. People in Greer are full of ideas and have a ton of stories to tell. The point of a local newspaper is to give the community a platform to get the word out. We fill our paper with your opinions, your concerns and your news.

Because we live in such a small commu-nity, although it seems its growing by the minute, honesty is a must. Why do we exist if not to tell you the truth and give you both

sides of the story? So much of todays news is polluted with the agendas of the media. Thats not what were about.

Were here to hold government officials accountable, provide sources and tell the truth. If we cant do that, weve failed you as a community newspaper.

While some believe newspapers are a dy-ing breed of media, we tend to think a little differently. While you can go online to just about any news site and find whatever na-tional story youre looking for in less than a minute, the options are quite limited for news in Greer. With the exception of a hand-ful of news outlets, The Greer Citizen includ-ed, nobody is putting the focus on Greer.

Thats why youre not going to find any-thing like what hits the stands on Wednes-day mornings. Youre going to open our pa-per and read your name, your friends name or the name of someone you know.

Community newspapers are going to be the last to die because people still crave community news. One of the great joys in life is being able to settle down, plant your life in a town and invest in it. Theres always going to be a demand for what we do and what other local newspapers do all across the country.

Youve got enough people on television and on the Internet telling you the same sto-ry about something that will have no direct impact on your life. Let us give you the news that matters.

One of the great joys in life is being able to settle down, plant

your life in a town and invest in

it.

The 22nd annual National Letter Carrier Food Drive is Saturday, May 10, and Greer Community Minis-tries (GCM) will be a dona-tion drop-off spot for the event. Each year, the Unit-ed States Postal Service asks customers to leave a non-perishable food dona-tion in a bag by their mail-boxes. Letter carriers pick them up on their regular route.

During the summer months our pantry usually runs low as people head out on vacation, said Kel-ly Lee, GCM food pantry coordinator. A good turn out from our community will ensure that we can help the needy in our area all summer long.

With hundreds of items being dropped off at the ministry between 12:30 and 6:30 p.m., volunteers are needed to help sort the food that will be divided between GCM, Greer Re-lief and Resources and the Greer Soup Kitchen. GCM is located at 738 S. Line St. Ext. in Greer.

Those interested in vol-unteering, please call Lee at 877-1937. Two time slots are available from 12:30-3:30 p.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity for anyone seeking to complete com-munity service hours, Lee said. Close-toed shoes are required.

GCM officials say help-ing support local food pantries in the spring helps keep shelves full during the critical summer months when school meal programs are suspended and families are seeking alternate sources of nutri-tion.

Too many people in this country are still going hungry every day, said Fredric Rolando, National Association of Letter Car-riers president. As letter carriers, we see this first-hand in just about every community we serve. But we arent the type of folks who simply move on to the next delivery and hope someone else will do some-thing about it. Instead, for more than two decades now, our members have

taken the lead in the effort to help solve this ongoing national problem.

Last year, with the help of thousands of volun-teers, letter carriers all across America collected more than 74.4 million

pounds of non-perishable foodthe second-highest amount since the drive be-gan in 1992, bringing the grand total to just under 1.3 billion pounds.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 NEWS THE GREER CITIZEN A5

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BY KATIE CRUICE SMITHFOR THE GREER CITIZEN

While many kids still have their minds on spring break, Devenger Road Presbyterian Church is already planning this summers Vacation Bible School.

Beginning May 1, parents can register their children for Devenger Roads In-ternational Spy Academy from Answers in Genesis. The program is free and is being offered to children from K3 through rising seventh graders.

We are offering registra-tion early because we need to have an idea of what the numbers will be in order to be prepared food-wise, said Amanda Malphrus, who has been organizing the churchs VBS for six years. Other churches are doing it early, too, and we want to make sure we get ours on peoples calen-dars.

The church will be pre-senting their VBS from July 20-24 from 5:45-8:30 p.m. The children will be fed dinner each evening (also free of charge) that will tie into the theme of the evening. At 6:25 p.m., the children will meet as a group and then be divided up by ages to rotate from crafts to Bible time to rec-reation and then to music.

We prepare supper for

the kids every year, said Malphrus. We know par-ents are just getting home [at this time] and try-ing to feed the kids. And our kitchen workers are great.

Although the church has a budget set aside for VBS each year, the food direc-tor also asks people in the church to sign up to make or donate food to help off-set the overall cost.

A wonderful thing about our church is that we have such giving peo-ple, said Malphrus. We hardly have to buy any food, and its been that way for at least as long as we have been here. Every-body just pitches in, and

people just donate.For a church with a mem-

bership of around 60, the donations are significant, especially considering that last year, there were 65 kids who attended VBS.

We want to grow, and we are doing everything we can to grow, said Malphrus. VBS is one of the best opportunities to reach young children. We feel theres a need to reach the next generation in the community and the world.

To register, visit deveng-erroad.org or call Mal-phrus at 268-7652.

YARD AND BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER

Glassy Mountain Baptist Church, located at 935 N. Glassy Mountain Road, Landrum will host a yard and bake sale fundraiser on May 3 beginning at 8 a.m. The yard and bake sale will begin the fund-raiser and hot dogs will be available at 11 a.m.

OFFERING FREE FOODEBENEZER WELCOME

The Bread of Life Food Pantry at Ebenezer Wel-come Baptist Church, 4005 Highway 414, Landrum, is open on Thursdays from 2-4 p.m. The pantry is open to families in need of assistance. Photo ID is re-quired. For more informa-tion, call 895-1461.

AUDITIONS FOR PALMETTO STATESMEN

The Palmetto Statesmen barbershop singers invite men who sing to audi-tion for a show entitled How The West Was Won.

Those interested my try out any Monday evening at 7 p.m. until May 26 at the Duncan United Meth-odist Church. The show will be presented Sept. 13 in Duncan at the District 5 Fine Arts Center. Learn-ing tracks and sheet music will be provided. Call 322-0165 for details.

GRIEFSHAREFAIRVIEW BAPTIST

Fairview Baptist Church, 1300 Locust Hill Road, Greer, will host Grief-Share, a support group led by Carol Allen, on the sec-ond Sunday of each month from 4:45 - 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Carol Allen at 292-6008.

Food Drive at GCM set

VBS registration begins

PRESTON BURCH | THE GREER CITIZEN

Kind cutsDominick Jackson, bottom, receives a free hair cut from Arianna McAbee at Greer Reliefs annual Care Fair.

CHURCHNEWS

PHOTO | SUBMITTED

Emma Kate Pearson, standing, helps the children visualize what they learned at last years VBS at Devenger Road Presbyterian Church.

Beulah BradleyBeulah Mae Thompson

Bradley, 91, of Greer, went home to be with the Lord in the presence of her family at The Cottages at Brushy Creek on April 26, 2014.

Loving widow of F.C. Bradley, she was a daugh-ter of the late Tommy Richard Thompson and Hattie Bess Mason Thomp-son, and faithful member of Victor Baptist Church.

Surviving are three sons, Wilton C. Bradley (Bar-bara) of Lyman, H. Gerald Bradley (Beda) of Greer, and Rick Bradley (Paula) of Greer; a daughter, Bar-bara B. Oliver (Larry) of Greer; one brother, Marvin Thompson (Alice) of Greer; eleven grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchil-dren and twelve great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Bradley was prede-ceased by her step-moth-er, Lelia Thompson; six brothers, Troy Thompson, Roy Thompson, Buford Thompson, Earl Thomp-son, Broadus Thompson and Lewis Elmer Thomp-son; two sisters, Clara Bradley and Irene Coo-per; and two step-broth-ers, Howard Seay and Bill Seay.

Funeral services were held 2 p.m. Tuesday at The Wood Mortuary, con-ducted by Rev. Ken Vick-ery and her grandson, Rev.

Lance Bradley. Burial fol-lowed in Wood Memorial Park.

Visitation was held 12:30-1:45 p.m. Tuesday at The Wood Mortuary.

The family is at the home of her son, Gerald Bradley, 622 E. Suber Road, Greer.

Memorials may be made to Victor Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1147, Greer, S.C. 29652.

A special thanks to all of the loving staff at The Cottages at Brushy Creek for taking such wonderful care of B.B. She loved you all.

Online condolences may be made at www.thewood-mortuary.com.

Daniel L. LynchVeteran

Daniel Lefoy Lynch, 78, of Greer, died April 22, 2014 at National Health Care.

A native of Spartanburg County, son

of the late Henry Eugene and Eula Greer Lynch, he was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War, the owner and operator of Nu- Steam Carpet Cleaning and at-tended Memorial United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Duncan-Ballenger Sunday School Class.

Surviving are his wife, Dorothy Wactor Lynch of the home; two sons, Rick

Lynch and Larry Lynch both of Travelers Rest; a daughter, Judy Sandall of Greer; a sister, Jo El-len Brockman of Reidville; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held 4 p.m. Saturday at Mountain View Cemetery, conducted by Rev. John Rush.

Visitation was held 2:30-3:45 p.m. Saturday at The Wood Mortuary.

The families are at their respective homes.

Memorials may be made to Memorial United Meth-odist Church, 201 N. Main St., Greer, S.C. 29650 or Greer Community Minis-tries, P.O. Box 1373, Greer, S.C. 29652.

Online condolences may be made at www.thewood-mortuary.com.

FROM PAGE ONE

Ann Cunningham, Parks and Recreation director, received approval from council to go forward with applying for a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant, which will be used to support the demoli-tion and construction of a new press box, restroom and concession facility at Century Park. The grant requires a $400,000 com-mitment to be fronted by the city, with half of the funds being reimbursed by the grant and the proj-ect would have to be com-pleted by December 2016.

Council unanimous-ly passed accepting a $45,700 bid for the Black-water Road bridge project, which was the only bid re-ceived.

Alvetia Williams, com-munity service coordinator with the Alston Wilkes So-ciety, addressed council to provide information about the societys purpose. Established in 1962, the organization was estab-lished to assist offenders, ex-offenders and veterans integrate back into society by assisting with living needs, offering workshops and programs, providing services and serving as a liaison with second chance employers. For more infor-mation about the society, visit alstonwilkesscoiety.org.

City Engineer Don Hollo-man presented the Build-ing and Development Standards annual report, stating that in 2013 the department approved

600 single family and 136 multi-family dwellings, two churches and one as-sisted living facility. The department also handled 30 condemnations with 23 of the structures being demolished and seven be-ing rehabilitated. The de-partments goal is to make

each sub-departments ef-forts more efficient and time effective.

The next regularly sched-uled Greer City Council meeting is May 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Greer City Hall.

abradford@greercitizen.com | 877-2076

ONLINE |

OBITUARIESThe Greer Citizen

A6 THE GREER CITIZEN WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

View Obituariesonline at

greercitizen.com

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In Loving Memory of My Son

Gregory Mann6/1/1982 - 4/13/2001

I wish I could see you onemore time come walking

through the door...But I know that is impossible,I will hear your voice no more.I know you can feel my tears,and you dont want me to cry.

Yet my heart is broken andI cant understand why

my precious son had to die. I pray that God will give me

the strength to somehowget me through...

As I struggle with theheartache that came when

I lost you.Love and miss you so much,Mom, Dave, Jen & Family

Warm Weekend WeatherRain moves out and sun moves back in for the Weekend. A big warm up heads our way this weekend with highs soaring to the upper 70s and low 80s for Saturday and Sunday. After a couple wet, stormy, cool days we will see tem-peratures climb back to normal this weekend. Afternoon highs will stay in the low to middle 70s through the end of the week with lows in the upper 40s and middle 50s. Have a great weekend!

Greer Family FestWhere: Downtown GreerDate: Friday, 6-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.Temps: Partly sunny. Mid 50s to start. High upper 70s.

7652

4.8715.20-0.25

6:40 AM8:14 PM

May 21 May 28 May 6 May 14

71/41 PS 76/46 SUN62/41 PS 73/48 PS71/57 RN 74/61 SUN73/60 RN 76/64 SUN73/51 SUN 80/55 SUN71/46 PS 76/56 PS76/52 PS 82/59 SUN71/49 PS 78/54 SUN

71/41 Partly Sunny76/46 Sunny

72/42 Partly Sunny78/48 Sunny

78/48 Sunny82/53 Sunny

80/50 Sunny84/55 Sunny

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Wednesday Thursday Friday

Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday

Weekend Outlook

FROM PAGE ONE

texting-while-driving ban only outlaws the use of cell phones for text mes-saging, emailing and me-dia use when driving. Cell phone use for voice-to-text messaging and phone calls will still be permitted.

During the public hear-ing held prior to the laws final approval, residents Randi Jones and Jackson Batson spoke in opposi-tion and resident Holly Watson spoke in favor of the proposed law high-lighting both the need for the law, as well as the in-adequacies of it.

I can tell you by the statistics that Greenville County is the most dan-gerous place to drive in South Carolina, Watson said. We are leading the state in traffic fatalities for 2013 and 2014, and most importantly we are leading the state by a landslide in traffic fatali-ties for ages 15 to 24. I be-lieve that not texting while driving will save lives, and thats what were trying to accomplish.

In 2012 the most cur-rent information available the number of traffic fatalities in South Caro-lina exceeded the national average and 41 percent of them were related to alcohol impaired driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in a five-year trend from 2008 to 2012 although Greenville County had the highest increase for driving fatali-ties in the state it was not ranked among the top 10 counties with the highest fatality rates.

In 2012, nationally, dis-tracted driving resulted in about 10 percent of vehi-cle crash fatalities (3,328 deaths) and 18 percent of vehicle crash injuries (421,000 injuries), accord-ing to the National High-way Traffic Safety Admin-istration. That year, about 10 percent of all drivers in fatal vehicle crashes involving distracted driv-ing were 15 to 19 years old, and there were 378 fatal crashes killing a to-tal of 415 people with cell phone use involved with drivers reportedly talking on, listening to or manipu-lating a cell phone during the time of the crash.

While neither residents nor councilmembers ar-gued distracted driving was not a problem, the laws enforcement, the laws intent verses the way the law is written, and in-consistency among similar laws statewide and in cit-ies all raised concerns.

There is no perfect law, Im completely aware of that, Jones said. I just feel like if you premature-ly pass this law, before it can be amended, that theres going to be a lot of problems and it could ruin credibility.

It states that, [If] an arresting officer has prob-able cause to believe that a motor vehicle has violated a section, the officer may request consent to view the mobile telephone. Im not sure if anybody is aware, but the Supreme Court, in several states and at the federal level, have discussed thisI feel like if we pass this ordinance as its written, it would really jeopardize

the credibility of it since the constitutionally of it is still in question, Jones said during the public hearing. And also, I have a discretion between the fact that is says, if an ar-resting officer has prob-able cause. When I hear the word probable cause I think, OK, so they dont need consent because they can search whatever they want because they have a reason to. But then it says the officer can re-quest consent so I feel like theres really going to be a discretion between what the citizens believe and the officers believe.

Greer Lieutenant Jimmy Holcombe clarified in an interview after the meet-ing that if an individual doesnt consent to an offi-cer searching their phone to verify if they were in fact texting, the officer cannot search the phone, but they can still issue a ticket.

If youre innocent, just like with most folks, theyre going to go, Oh I was making a phone call, and theyll show you the phoneAgain, (in regard to) the law itself or any-time youre trying to see somebodys property, its against the law for us to take it without consent, Holcombe said.

However, because the law allows for phone calls and not texting, it could make differentiating be-tween the two difficult, thereby making it harder to enforce.

The enforcement is nearly impossiblewith-out being able to go through their cell phone its he said, she said in any

case, Batson said. You are being presumed guilty before being proven in-nocent. [If officers] see a phone in hand even if they think its a phone they can write a ticket.

Its the same as a speed-ing ticket or anything elseif we decide to write a citation we go to court and testify as to what we saw, and what we did and everything else, and they refused to show the phone and we let the judge de-cide, Holcombe said.

Holcombe also serves as an Alive at 25 instructor, and he said distracted driv-ing, not only in relation to texting, is the number one cause of collisions.

State legislators are currently working on a statewide law regarding cell phone use while driv-ing, but the specifics of the law havent yet been agreed upon. Holcombe said if a statewide law is passed, it will make it eas-ier to enforce because of consistency. But, if the lo-cal law is stricter than the state law, the local law will continue be enforced in addition to the state law. The fines associated with the state law would likely replace the fines presently attached to the local law.

Prior to Greers texting-while-driving ban going into effect, Holcombe said a sign will be posted to let people coming into the city know that texting will not be allowed and, during the first month, warning citations will probably be issued.

abradford@greercitizen.com | 877-2076

FROM PAGE ONE

ready to deal with them, meet their needs, com-municate with them in the right way. We stress stewardship of our re-sources, natural and his-toric resources and qual-ity customer service. We do our best to protect our resources so people that come here can enjoy it, whether theyre in a cab-in, just here for the day to hike or picnic, we try to give the best customer service we can.

An interpretive ranger also has to be trained to assist people in instances of search and rescue. It is for this reason CPR, first aid, blood born pathogens, defensive driving and law enforcement training are all periodically taken.

We have a lot of rescues on this mountain, people who are hurt or lost, he said.

Although there are near-ly 40,000 people visiting the Visitors Center, and nearly 50,000 hikers tak-ing the trails yearly, only about six to 10 search and rescues occur annually. Rescues are most com-monly due to a sprains or due to dehydration. When a hiker needs to be rescued, the park staff is tasked with locating the in-dividuals on trails and car-rying them miles down the paths. Stegenga said that it is when people are out of shape or inadequately pre-pared that accidents hap-pen and search and rescue becomes necessary.

However, an interpretive rangers job also requires keeping the natural envi-ronment safe by balancing the naturally thriving envi-ronment with the low-im-pact of visitors.

Were hoping that its low enough impact for people that the natural

systems will run their course, but when you get something introduced like an exotic insect or plant that weve got to try to control it or eradicate it or do what we can to protect the natural ecosystem, the natural stuff, he said.

In addition to his time outdoors, Stegengas job as an interpretive ranger also requires him to han-dle administrative tasks, attend yearly conferences and keep track of visi-tor traffic data to send to Columbia. The Columbia-based office uses the data to monitor how the park does. Parks are given tar-get numbers for visitors, which links to funding. While the government provides some funding for state parks, most of the funding is self-generated among the parks. Parks throughout the state pool together their profits and redistribute their funding among all the parks.

Essentially, an inter-preter requires balancing a little bit of everything in hopes of maintaining a safe and protected en-vironment for all parties involved.

Its a challenge to try to preserve things, and yet, give them a good ex-perience and keep people safe. You just have to know your resources, he said. Youve got to know whats in the park so you can not only protect it, but to tell other people about it, educate other people about it, be able to answer questions about different things so theyre equipped to be here, enjoy it and be safe.

LAW: City texting ban becomes e ective July 1

COUNCIL: Accepts $45,700 bid for bridge project

RANGER: Trained to rescue

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Southside Baptist Church 410 South Main St. Greer

And they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. - Isaiah 6:3

BAPTISTAbner Creek Baptist Church2461 Abner Creek Rd., Greer 877-6604Airport Baptist Church776 S. Batesville Rd., Greer 848-7850Apalache Baptist1915 Gap Creek Rd., Greer 877-6012Bible Baptist Church6645 Mountain View Rd., Taylors 895-7003Blue Ridge Baptist Church3950 Pennington Rd., Greer 895-5787BridgePointe600 Bridge Rd., Taylors 244-2774Burnsview Baptist Church9690 Reidville Rd., Greer 879-4006Calvary Baptist101 Calvary St., Greer 877-9759Calvary Baptist108 Forest St., Greer 968-0092Calvary Hill Baptist100 Edward Rd., LymanCalvary Road Baptist Church108 Bright Rd., Greer 593-2643Camp Creek Baptist Church1100 Camp Creek Rd., TaylorsCedar Grove Baptist Church109 Elmer St., Greer 877-6216Community Baptist Church642 S. Suber Rd., Greer 848-3500Double Springs Baptist Church3800 Locust Hill Rd., Taylors 895-1314Ebenezer-Welcome Baptist Church4005 Highway 414, Landrum 895-1461El Bethel Baptist Church313 Jones Ave., Greer 877-4021Emmanuel Baptist Church423 S. Buncombe Rd., Greer 877-2121Enoree Fork Baptist Church100 Enoree Dr., Greer 268-4385Fairview Baptist Church1300 Locust Hill Rd., Greer 877-1881First Baptist Church202 W. Poinsett St., Greer 877-4253Freedom Fellowship Greer High 877-3604Friendship Baptist Church1600 Holly Springs Rd., Lyman 877-4746Good News Baptist Church1592 S. Highway 14, Greer 879-2289Grace Baptist Church760 W. Gap Creek Rd., Greer 879-3519Grace Place407 Ridgewood Dr., Greer 877-7724Greer Freewill Baptist Church110 Pine Ridge Dr., Greer 968-0310Heritage Chapel Baptist Church218 Alexander Rd., Greer 989-0170Highland Baptist Church3270 Hwy. 414, Taylors 895-5270Hillcrest Baptist Church111 Biblebrook Dr., Greer 877-4206Hispanic Baptist Iglesia Bautista Hispana199 Hubert St., Greer 877-3899Holly Springs Baptist Church250 Hannon Rd., Inman 877-6765Locust Hill Baptist Church5534 Locust Hill Rd., Travelers Rest 895-1771Maple Creek Baptist Church609 S. Main St., Greer 877-1791Milford Baptist Church1282 Milford Church Rd., Greer 895-5533Mount Lebanon Baptist Church572 Mt. Lebanon Church Rd., Greer 895-2334New Hope Baptist Church561 Gilliam Rd., Greer 879-7080New Jerusalem Baptist Church413 E. Poinsett St., Greer 968-9203New Life Baptist Church90 Becco Rd., Greer 895-3224Northwood Baptist Church888 Ansel School Rd., Greer 877-5417ONeal Baptist Church3420 N. Highway 101, Greer 895-0930Pelham First Baptist Church2720 S. Old Highway 14, Greer 879-4032Peoples Baptist Church310 Victor Avenue Ext., Greer 848-0449Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church201 Jordan Rd., Lyman 879-2646Pleasant Grove Baptist Church1002 S. Buncombe Rd., Greer 877-6436

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church4899 Jordan Rd., Greer 895-3546Providence Baptist Church2020 Gibbs Shoals Rd., Greer 877-3483Rebirth Missionary Baptist Church2375 Racing Road, Greer 877-0449Riverside Baptist Church1249 S. Suber Rd., Greer 879-4400Second Baptist Church570 Memorial Drive Ext., Greer 877-7061Southside Baptist Church410 S. Main St., Greer 877-2672St. Johns Baptist Church2 Groveland Rd., Taylors 879-2904Suber Road Baptist Church445 S. Suber Rd., Greer 801-0181Taylors First Baptist Church200 W. Main St., Taylors 244-3535United Family Ministries13465 E. Wade Hampton Blvd., Greer 877-3235Victor Baptist121 New Woodruff Rd., Greer 877-9686Washington Baptist Church3500 N. Highway 14, Greer 895-1510Welcome Home Baptist Church1779 Pleasant Hill Rd., Greer 901-7674

CATHOLICBlessed Trinity Catholic Church901 River Rd., Greer 879-4225

CHURCH OF CHRISTRiverside Church of Christ2103 Old Spartanburg Rd., Greer 322-6847

CHURCH OF GODChurch of God - Greer500 Trade St., Greer 877-0374Church of God of Prophecy2416 N. Highway 14, Greer 877-8329Eastside Worship Center601 Taylors Rd., Taylors 268-0523ONeal Church of God3794 Berry Mill Rd., Greer 895-4273Pelham Church of God of Prophecy139 Abner Creek Rd., Greer 801-0528Praise Cathedral Church of God3390 Brushy Creek Rd., Greer 879-4878

EPISCOPALGood Shepherd Episcopal200 Cannon St., Greer 877-2330

LUTHERANAbiding Peace Ev. Lutheran Church401 Batesville Rd., Simpsonville 288-4867Apostolic Lutheran Church453 N. Rutherford Rd., Greer 848-4568Immanuel Lutheran Church & School LCMS2820 Woodruff Rd., Simpsonville 297-5815Redeemer Lutheran Church, ELCA300 Oneal Rd., Greer 877-5876

METHODISTBethel United Methodist Church105 E. Arlington Ave., Greer 879-2066Covenant United Methodist Church1310 Old Spartanburg Rd., Greer 244-3162Ebenezer United Methodist Church174 Ebenezer Road, Greer 987-9644Faith United Methodist Church1301 S. Main St. (S. Hwy. 14), Greer 877-0308Fews Chapel United Methodist Church4000 N. Highway 101, Greer 895-2522Grace United Methodist Church627 Taylor Rd., Greer 877-7015Lee Road United Methodist Church1377 East Lee Rd., Taylors 244-6427Liberty Hill United Methodist Church301 Liberty Hill Rd., Greer 968-8150Liberty United Methodist Church4276 Highway 414, Landrum 292-0142Memorial United Methodist Church201 N. Main St., Greer 877-0956Mountain View UMC6525 Mountain View Rd., Taylors 895-8532Sharon United Methodist Church1421 Reidville Sharon Rd., Greer 879-7926St. Mark United Methodist Church911 St. Mark Rd., Taylors 848-7141

St. Paul United Methodist Church3856 N. Highway 101, Greer 895-5570Victor United Methodist Church1 Wilson Ave., Greer 877-5520Woods Chapel United Methodist Church2388 Brown Wood Rd., Greer 879-4475Zoar United Methodist Church1005 Highway 357, Greer 877-0758

PRESBYTERIANBlue Ridge Presbyterian Church2094 Highway 101 North, Greer 483-2140Devenger Road Presbyterian Church1200 Devenger Rd., Greer 268-7652Fellowship Presbyterian Church1105 Old Spartanburg Rd., Greer 877-3267First Presbyterian Church100 School St., Greer 877-3612Fulton Presbyterian Church821 Abner Creek Rd., Greer 879-3190

OTHER DENOMINATIONSAgape House900 Gap Creek Rd., Greer 329-7491Anglican Church of St. George the Martyr427 Batesville Rd., Simpsonville 281-0015Bartons Memorial Pentacostal HolinessHighway 101 North, GreerBethesda Temple125 Broadus St., Greer 877-8523Beulah Christian Fellowship Church1017 Mauldin Rd., Greenville 283-0639Calvary Bible FellowshipHoliday Inn, Duncan 266-4269Calvary Chapel of Greer104 New Woodruff Rd. Greer 877-8090Christ Fellowship343 Hampton Rd., Greer 879-8446Christian Heritage Church900 N. Main St., Greer 877-2288Christian Life Center 2 Country Plaza 322-1325Christian Outreach 106 West Rd. 848-0308El-Bethel Holiness 103 E. Church St. 968-9474Faith Family Church3339 Wade Hampton Blvd., Taylors 244-0207Faith Temple5080 Sandy Flat Rd., Taylors 895-2524Glad Tidings Assembly of GodHighway 290, Greer 879-3291Greer Mill Church 52 Bobo St., Greer 877-2442Harmony Fellowship Church468 S. Suber Rd., Greer 877-8287Harvest Christian Church2150 Highway 417, Woodruff 486-8877International Cathedral of Prayer100 Davis Avenue Greer 655-0009Lifesong Church12481 Greenville Highway, Lyman 439-2602Living Way Community Church3239 N. Highway 101, Greer 895-0544Mountain Bridge Community Church1400B Wade Hampton Blvd., Greer 350-1051New Beginnings Outreach104 New Woodruff Rd., Greer 968-2424New Birth Greenville3315 Brushy Creek Rd., Greer 848-2728New Covenant Fellowship2425 Racing Rd., Greer 848-4521New Hope Freedom109 W. Wade Hampton Blvd. Greer 205-8816New Life in Christ 210 Arlington Rd. 346-9053Point of Life ChurchWade Hampton Blvd. Duncan 426-4933Springwell Church4369 Wade Hampton Blvd., Taylors 268-2299Trinity Fellowship Church3610 Brushy Creek Rd., Greer 877-04191700 N. Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville 244-6011United Anglican Fellowship1001 W. Poinsett St., Greer 629-3350United Christian Church105 Daniel Ave., Greer 879-0970United House of Prayer213 Oak St., Greer 848-0727Upstate Friends Meeting (Quaker)39 Hillcrest St., Lyman 877-9392Upstate Tree of Life203 East Bearden St., Greer 848-1295Victorian Hills Community Church209 Victor Ave. Ext., Greer 877-3981Vine Worship Center4373 Wade Hampton Blvd., Taylors 244-8175

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A Duncan man is behind bars at The Spartanburg County Detention Center after police say he robbed two Dollar General Stores, a Kangaroo gas station, and attempted to rob a Citgo gas station. Rob-ert Craig Allen, 53, of 5 Princess Drive, has been charged with two counts of armed robbery and two counts of attempted armed robbery.

According to police reports obtained from the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office, last Friday morning Allen walked into the Dollar General Store on Reidville Road and placed two bags of Dori-tos on the counter before asking the clerk to hand over all the money in the register while claiming he had a .22-caliber gun in his jacket. After getting the money, Allen fled the scene in a late 90s model Chevy truck and, later that day, attempted to rob a Citgo store on Highway 101, but the clerk refused to give him the money, despite Allen holding his hand behind his back as if he had a gun. Allen then drove to a second Dollar General Store on Highway 146 and robbed that store (while holding his hand be-hind his back as if he had a gun) before fleeing in a Chevy truck. The following morning, Allen robbed the Kangaroo gas station in Woodruff. He was arrested and charged Saturday. His bond has not yet been set.

(Note: All information contained in the following blotter was taken directly from the official incident reports filed by the Greer Police Department or The Spartanburg County Sher-iffs Office or The Green-ville County Sheriffs Of-fice. All suspects are to be considered innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.)

CDVMichael Anthony Fos-

ter Jr., 31, of 16 Dunbar Court, Greer, has been charged with criminal do-mestic violence.

According to incident reports, an officer was dispatched to the above address in reference to a hang-up call in which a woman could be heard crying. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Foster Jr., who was outside the residence with a pile of be-longings. Foster Jr. stated that had been in a fight with his common law wife and was moving out. The officer then met with the victim who stated that she and Foster Jr. had gotten into an argument and that he ripped the door off the

hinges and it struck her in the leg. Foster Jr. was ar-rested and transported to the Greer City Jail.

MULTIPLE CHARGESKevin Jermaine Barton,

40, of 111 Fuller St., Greer, has been charged with: faulty equipment, expired tag, expired drivers li-cense, simple possession of marijuana and failure to pay child support. Ac-cording to incident re-ports, an officer was on routine patrol when he observed a vehicle travel-ing at a high rate of speed on Brushy Creek Road and Henderson Circle without a working tag light. The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and its driver Barton. Barton informed the officer that he did not have his license with him but the officer saw it in the center con-sole of the car and asked him to retrieve it. The offi-cer learned it was half of a beginners permit. The of-ficer could smell the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and con-firmed through the SCDMV that both Bartons license and tag were expired. The officer also confirmed that Barton had two fam-ily court warrants for fail-ure to pay child support. A search of the vehicle yielded a small amount of marijuana inside a ciga-rette packet. Barton was arrested and transported

to the Greer City Jail and then to Greenville County Detention Center.

DUITracey Channell, 49, of

150 Joe Roy Drive, Lyman, has been charged with driving under the influ-ence. According to incident reports, an officer was on routine patrol when he ob-served a white Hummer traveling on U.S. Highway 29 and Johns Road that was having a difficult time maintaining its lane. The officer caught up with the vehicle and saw it to con-tinue to swerve. At this point, the officer activated his blue lights to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle initially failed to stop until the officer activated his siren. Upon approaching the vehicles driver (Channell), the offi-cer observed her eyes to be extremely blood shot and detected a strong smell of alcohol coming from in-side her vehicle. When the officer asked Channel for her license, registration, and proof of insurance, he noticed her speech to be very slurred. Channel admitted to the officer she had been drinking. The officer asked Channel to step out of the vehicle and performed a series of field sobriety tests that she failed. She was placed under arrest and trans-ported to the Greer City Jail where she refused a breathalyzer.

ASSAULT & BATTERYPamela Muller, 50, of

110 E. James St., Greer, has been charged with as-sault and battery (third), and public intoxication. According to incident re-ports, an officer respond-ed to an address on Pel-ham Street in reference to a disturbance between two women. Upon arrival, the officer met with the victim

who stated she and Muller got into an argument and Muller then produced a pocketknife and threat-ened to kill her. She stated that Muller then stabbed the drivers seat headrest at which point she (the victim) called police. The officer then spoke with a witness, who stated Muller produced a pocketknife and threatened to kill the victim. The witness stated when he saw the pocket knife and that it was point-ing toward the victim, he struck Mullers hand caus-ing the knife to cut the back of the drivers seat headrest. The officer ap-proached Muller who had an open pocket knife in her hand and instructed her to close the blade. Muller was extremely intoxicated and continued to try to argue with the victim. She was

arrested and transported to the Greer City Jail.

SHOPLIFTINGKimberly Pipkin, 27, of

321 Caleb Mark Drive, Ly-man, has been charged with shoplifting. Accord-ing to incident reports, an officer responded to Walmart in reference to a shoplifting that had just occurred. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the

complainant who stated that Pipkin purchased some items from the elec-tronic department of the store and then selected other items and placed them inside the bag with the purchased items be-fore proceeding out of the store without paying for them. Pipken was arrested and transported to the Greer City Jail.

POLICE AND FIREThe Greer Citizen

A8 THE GREER CITIZEN WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

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Investigators are work-ing to identify a man they said used a stolen credit card at two Greer stores earlier in April.

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Police ask anyone with information on the case or the mans identity is asked to call Sgt. Marcus OShields at 848-5353 or email moshields@cityof-greer.org.

Duncan man facing robbery charges

WILLIAM BUCHHEIT | THE GREER CITIZEN

Afternoon frightFamily members console each other following an accident that occurred last Tuesday afternoon near the intersection of Boiling Springs and Phillips roads. No one was seri-ously hurt in the crash, which occurred after rain dampened the streets.

Craig Allen

PHOTOS | SUBMITTED

Giving backBridget Musteata, a law enforcement victims advocate with the Duncan Police Department, is pictured with Ben Leslie, who is battling Synovial Sacoma, a rare form of cancer. Musteata delivered a basket created by the Duncan Police Department lled with police and re memorbilia.

Police seek man using stolen credit card

PHOTO | SUBMITTED

Greer Police are requesting public assistance in identifying this man caught on surveillance using stolen credit cards.

POLICE REPORT |

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN A9

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SPORTSThe Greer Citizen

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

BLAMECANNADA

BILLYCANNADA

B

A much bigger issue

I know the last thing you probably want to hear more about right now is the racist remarks attrib-uted to Clippers Owner Donald Sterling.

Weve been beaten over the head with this story for nearly a week now and its everywhere you look. When I first heard about it, I checked the national news sites to see if they were going with wall-to-wall in coverage, as is customary in 2014. Surely enough, I was not disap-pointed, and my faith in the news industry began to sink a little.

Before I go any further, I will make something clear just for the sake of stat-ing the obvious.

No one in their right mind could justify Ster-lings comments about African Americans. For those of you that dont know, the owner told his girlfriend not to associate with minorities pub-licly. This is a disgusting thing to say, and it is well within anyones rights, especially African Ameri-cans, to be saddened and disappointed.

Now that you know where I stand on the top-ic, let me tell you that it does not qualify as news. Some of you may com-pletely disagree, but this kind of story is exactly why we havent made the progress wed all hoped to make over the past several decades.

I hate racism. I think its cruel, meaningless and completely damaging to society. I hate it so much that I cringe every time its brought up casually in conversation, as if it were something to argue about during your lunch break to kill some time.

There arent two sides to this issue. Its wrong to hate others because of the color of their skin. It just is.

As a society, weve become addicted to the polarizing topics. The na-tional media spoon-feeds us stories they think will get us worked up, and they do get us worked up. I havent been in the news biz long, but when youre spending the majority of your time talking about whos gay, whos rac-ist, whos sexist, whos a bigot, youre probably missing the important stuff.

Those things are impor-tant issues. Dont get me wrong. There is, in fact, a time and place to discuss them. However, making those things the basis of all news coverage is a sad indicator of how divided we actually are.

Whats the point in glamorizing racist re-marks by playing them over and over on a loop? Its on every channel you turn to, its on every news site you visit, its dominating social media. I dont even have cable and I knew about Sterlings comments hours after the tapes were released.

Sterlings remarks were made in private (which is a whole different issue) and if it were up to me, they should have stayed that way. Nobody needs that kind of hatred and carelessness in the world, or in the news. Sure, we learned that hes a racist and now we can take proper action against him, but is that going to solve our problems?

Is suspending Donald Sterling going to end rac-ism? Avoiding racism a front-page headline would be far more effective. It might be a place to start, at least.

Runners road to recoveryCommunityoffers supportBY BILLY CANNADASPORTS EDITOR

Greer resident Shannon High was just passing his first obstacle at the recent Goodwill Mud Run when disaster struck.

It was the first obstacle at the start of the mud run and he went into the water

and he didnt come up, Highs brother-in-law, Ja-son Blackwell, said. Luck-ily there was a girl right behind him that went in and pulled him up. Once they got him to the hos-pital, the did an X-ray and found out he had broken his neck.

High, who has been mar-ried to his wife, Mandy, for more than 15 years, has three children ages 10, 12 and 14. Blackwell said

SEE RECOVERY | B3

At Fluor Field during D5 nightBY BILLY CANNADA SPORTS EDITOR

The Byrnes baseball team got what it needed last week and then some, making its case for the 2014 playoffs.

The Rebels began the successful push by squeaking out a 6-5 win over Wade Hampton on District Five Night at Fluor Field in downtown Green-ville. The game was part of a double-header with the Greenville Drive.

It was nice getting to play out there, Byrnes coach Michael Maus said. When you get a chance to play at a place like Fluor Field, its something that you dont forget. To win the way that we did was something I told the boys theyd be telling their kids and grandkids about one day. It was really fun.

Facing a tight game in the last inning, Maus saw his seniors step up and earn a huge win.

[Alex] Eubanks pitch count was getting pretty high and I was thinking about pulling him in the last inning, Maus said. He convinced me to let him stay in there because it could have possibly been his last time pitching for us. He ended up strik-ing out the side.

We ended up with two outs and a base hit in there. Somebody got in-tentionally walked and we had a base hit that won the game for us, he said. Weve come back and won in the last at bat a lot this year so it really wasnt

anything different. It was just a bigger stage with all of the D5 support.

Maus said it was the big-

gest crowd his guys had seen all season.

I had seen where they had said there might have

been 1,500 people, Maus said. Thats the most weve played in front of

SEE D5 | B3

BY BILLY CANNADA SPORTS EDITOR

It wasnt exactly a re-laxing spring morning on Lake Robinson, but bass catching teams turned out despite 50-degree weather for the 19th annual Greer Family Fest fundraiser anyway, and some left with big prizes.

The teams battled rainy conditions on April 19, but event organizer Larry Beheler said it was still a great success.

It was a good tourna-ment, Larry Beheler said. This was our 19th year and it turned out really goodall but the weather.

The bass dont know about the rain and the wind, but boy we sure did.

Beheler said several of the teams brought in size-able catches.

Several six pound fish weighed in, Beheler said. We had a guy that had a 6.74 weight in and right behind him we had a fish that weighed in at 6.72. That gentleman had three fish and he won.

The winners, a duo of Gregg Perry and Thomas Lysyczyn, had a fish that weighed in at a whopping 6.98 pounds.

I saw them at 12 oclock. I went into the cove where

SEE BASS | B3

BY BILLY CANNADASPORTS EDITOR

Greer track and field standout Andrew Hill will continue his athletic ca-reer at North Greenville University, signing a letter of intent with the Crusad-ers last week.

Hill said after talking with coaches and players at the university, the deci-sion was pretty easy.

I really liked the coach-es there, Hill said. I liked their method of training. I already knew a lot of the guys that already run there and theyre all pretty cool. Its a great Chris-tian atmosphere at North Greenville.

It will also be nice to stick close to home.

That really wasnt a determining factor, but I guess it is nice, Hill said.

Hill has already been on campus a number of times and has gotten the oppor-tunity to watch the team in action, he said.

The coaches kind of in-formed me of their train-

ing and how many miles a week they are running, Hill said. I got to watch them do a workout and I got to watch their prac-tices. They walked me through what a week of practice looks like and it

was definitely something I wanted to do.

Hill will take with him some pretty fond memo-ries of being a Yellow Jacket.

[I will always remember] winning a region cham-pionship my freshman year, Hill said. We ended up going to state that year and placing sixth.

The incoming college freshman will major in ac-counting.

Ive always liked all things math related and the business atmosphere in that, Hill said.

Although he does not fully know what to expect, Hill said he hopes he can find a way to have an im-mediate impact.

I want to try to be one of their top five runners on the cross country team and score points at the conference champion-ships in track, Hill said. Whatever I can do to help the team.

Hill said he is looking forward to a team experi-ence at North Greenville.

Im really looking for-ward to have a team with common goals, Hill said. Im excited to have a team thats going to push me every day and just develop good friendships with all of them and my coaches.

billy@greercitizen.com | 877-2076

Rebels douse Wade Hampton

Shannon High

WILLIAM BUCHHEIT | THE GREER CITIZEN

Rebel nation showed its support at the Greenville Drives District Five night at Fluor Field in downtown Greenville. The event featured a game between Byrnes and Wade Hampton.

PHOTO | SUBMITTED

Gregg Perry and Thomas Lysyczyn won the Family Fest tournament on April 19, catching three sh that, combined, weighed more than 18 pounds.

Bass duo wins Family Fest tournament

BILLY CANNADA | THE GREER CITIZEN

Andrew Hill, signing, will continue his track and eld career at North Greenville University next season.

Hill to run for Crusaders

Im really looking forward to have a

team with common

goals.

Andrew Hill

FUNDRAISER |What: Community Yard SaleWhen: May 10, 7:30 a.m. Where: Praise Cathedral

3390 Brushy Creek Road

B2 the greer citizen sports wednesday, april 30, 2014

By Billy Cannada SportS Editor

The Greer softball team finished on top, defeat-ing rival Blue Ridge 3-2 to claim the region champi-onship last Friday.

Greer finishes the sea-son 18-7 overall, with a 12-2 record in the region. Yellow Jacket coach Ash-leigh Anderson said she is proud of her team.

Finishing the regular season with four wins was a great accomplish-ment, Anderson said. We practiced really hard last Thursday to prepare for Blue Ridge on Friday. I feel like we are ready to face any team in the post-season. We competed with some really strong teams in our region this year, which I think prepared us for postseason games.

Heading into the season, finishing atop the region was always a goal.

Its a major accomplish-ment to win region, An-derson said. Our region is pretty tough, so to win it, you have to have leader-ship on the team and play-ers who play together well. We had all of that and were successful.

Anderson said she has gotten solid play all year long from Samantha Bagley, who was key in the win over Blue Ridge.

She has pitched well when she needed to and been a clutch hitter, she said. She drove in all three

runs against Blue Ridge.The win over the Tigers

was huge for Andersons team and the program.

The win was very im-portant, not only because it clinched the region title, but because it was against our rival, Anderson said. I think it helped our team gain a great deal of confi-dence going into playoffs. Blue Ridge is a very good team, so to beat them was a great accomplishment.

With playoffs kicking off this week, Anderson said her team has been trying to get back to the basics.

We have been really focused on practicing and playing one day at a time, she said. We make sure we are doing the little

things well each day. The team has worked really hard to relax and play the game they know how to play instead of trying too hard to be successful.

Defense will be the fo-cus heading into a playoff scenario where the Yellow Jackets will not know the competition as well.

This week we will be working on hitting the ball and recognizing what the pitcher is throwing so we are more patient and the plate, she said. We will also be working a lot on defense and defensive situations that may arise in the playoffs as we face teams we havent played before.

By Billy CannadaSportS Editor

Byrnes locked up the No. 2 spot in its region last week, securing a good po-sition for postseason play, which begins this week.

I thought we had a good week last week, Lady Reb-els head coach Brandi Aik-en said. With spring break and rain outs, we went 14 days between games so it was nice to get to play again.

Byrnes took down Dor-man 6-2 on Tuesday and beat Wade Hampton by a score of 11-0 on Wednes-day and Thursday.

Seventh grader Tatum Arboleda had a big day at the plate against