February 10, 2012

You are here: Home / 2009 / July / Archives for 15th

Alleged child killer to be arraigned Thursday

July 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Rickey Lee Blackwell was released from the Spartanburg Regional Medical Center today after recovering from a gunshot wound to the stomach which authorities say was self-inflicted. Blackwell is charged with first-degree murder after authorities say he went to an upstate home last week and shot 8-year-old Heather Brooke Center four times connected to a domestic dispute.  The child was the daughter of the boyfriend of his estranged wife, Angela Blackwell.Solicitor Trey Gowdy says they will seek the death penalty against Blackwell, who was taken into the Spartanburg County Jail today wearing a bullet proof vest. He’s scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning.

Angela Blackwell told a News Channel 7 reporter today that she hopes authorities keep Blackwell in prison for the rest of his life. She said that Blackwell smiled at her(his wife) when he shot the girl.

Funeral services for the girl were held Sunday afternoon in Duncan. More than 500 bikers showed up to the funeral. A representative of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle escort group said it was an appropriate tribute to a little girl who loved riding bikes.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News

Former county councilman sentenced for computer spying

July 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Former Greenville County Councilman Tony Trout has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison and must pay $400 in court costs. That sentence was handed down Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Spartanburg. Trout was convicted in April of illegally accessing a computer, destroying records and intentionally intercepting and disclosing electronic communications. U-S attorney Walt Wilkins says it was a fair and just sentence.

“We’re certainly are satisfied with the sentence of 12 months and a day. This case is really more than about the sentence, it’s about the public trust that was instilled in Tony Trout and how he violated that trust as a Greenville County Councilman. In addition, it sends the message that computer intrusion is a serious crime.”  

Federal prosecutors say Trout used monitoring software to access County Administrator Joe Kernell’s computer, took private e-mails and posted them on a Web site. Trout must serve 85 percent of his sentence..He has 10 days to file an appeal. A forlorn Trout thanked his supporters.

“I really would like to thank the people of Greenville County for the letters, all the phone calls, and all the prayers. I think one man can still make a difference, but the jury said I wasn’t that man. “

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, News, Politics & Government

“Achievement gap” shrinks little in literacy

July 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The achievement gap between white and African-American students in South Carolina public schools mirrors the rest of the nation’s. A federal report indicates that although math and reading test scores have improved for both ethnic groups, the achievment gap has decreased only in math.But fourth grade white students scored 26 points higher than African-American students in math, even though that gap is five points lower than it was in 1992. The national gap was also 26 points difference.

The gap in reading is the same 26 points, but that discrepency has decreased by only one point since 1992.

State Superindentent Jim Rex says it’s an indication of progress.  “We’re making some fairly significant progress and shrinking the achievement gap in math.  Like the rest of the country, we’ve sort of plateaued out in terms of shrinking the reading gap.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education, News

Israeli attack on The Liberty unlikely an accident, says SC writer

July 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The late ’60s was a tumultuous time in both the U.S. and around the world. The Vietnam War was in full gear. A counterculture revolution was occurring here in the States and in June of 1967, there was the Six-Day War in the Middle East. A lightly armed American spy ship, known as The Liberty, that had been sent to monitor the war was attacked in international waters off the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces. It was a brutal attack that left many Americans dead or gravely injured. James Scott, a Wofford graduate and former writer with The Post and Courier, has spent nearly three years researching and writing a book titled The Attack on The Liberty that uncovers lurid details from that fateful day. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Military, News

Folly Beach talking trash

July 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Charleston’s only alcohol permitted beach may change its law. Currently under consideration, the town of Folly Beach may ban alcohol on the beach after the amount of trash that more than 40,000 visitors left behind over the Fourth of July weekend. However, council members are trying to find other ways to prevent this from happening.

Tuesday night, Folly Beach residents joined town councilmen at a scheduled council workshop meeting and they held signs that read: “Litter Makes us Crabby.” Folly Beach Town Councilman Eddie Ellis says he doesn’t think the trash belonged to residents, and he feels like they do.

“Just really sickened about it because out here on the “Edge of America” we try to keep the Bohemian feel and we like people to come out here and be able to enjoy themselves, and it’s kind of a slap in the face. They come out here and leave all kinds of litter,” says Ellis.

Ellis says this year was the worst they had ever seen it. Right now, the town is looking at its options, and whether or not it should ban alcohol all together because most of the trash consisted of beer cans and alcohol bottles. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, Human Interest, News, Recreation & Entertainment
« Older Posts