| PAGE LABEL EVEN | ‘PANDEMIC POSSE’ T Vol. 116HE No. 348 JOURNALThursday, December 17, 2020 $100 Swinney, T J Tigers sign ‘SOUNDS OF THE SEASON’: Seneca High presents choral concert on YouTube. B1 18 recruits for DEAL NEAR?: Negotiators close in on agreement on COVID economic aid bill. D1 2021 class. C1 PICKENS COUNTY Longtime Pickens County sheriff dies at age 83 ‘His legacy will live Stone remembered for professionalism, innovation, integrity on in the countless BY GREG OLIVER gest-serving sheriff in including 22 years as to a computerized ver- Clemson resident Mar- men and women THE JOURNAL South Carolina history assistant sheriff, called sion. garet Thompson was a and sec- his former boss “a good Getting a job at the road patrol deputy for 25 he helped, both in PICKENS — Those ond-longest man.” sheriff’s office at the years under Stone and who worked with David in the nation “I think he made a time wasn’t easy, as the second woman he the law enforcement Stone during his 44 when he difference in a lot of Morgan pointed out that hired after Dot Trotter. years as Pickens County left office in people’s lives at some of employees never left. “We knew he was the sheriff recalled the 2012, died the most difficult times “I don’t think we ever leader, we knew his word profession and in the professional way he Tuesday in their lives,” Morgan advertised for the job was final,” Thompson treated officers, along night. He said. and literally had a file said. “The sheriff was community at large.’ with providing the tools Stone was 83. Morgan said Stone cabinet full of applica- the sheriff, and one of necessary to help them Tim transitioned a records tions of people wanting the things when he ran Mike Crenshaw do their job. Morgan, who served system where notes to come to work, usually Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw Stone, the lon- under Stone for 37 years, were kept on legal pads by reference,” he said. SEE STONE, PAGE A3 WALHALLA SIX MILE Woman plans shared garden The spirit survives for community BY NORM CANNADA on a small tract of land THE JOURNAL on S.C. Highway 28 across from the Wal- WALHALLA — A halla City Pool. With local teacher has about 40 percent of the embarked on a project estimated $5,000 in she hopes will give startup costs already more people access to raised, she hopes to healthy food and help plant the first seeds by them learn to grow that early March. food themselves. The garden is ex- Sarah Carpenter is pected to include 20 organizing the Walhal- la Community Garden SEE GARDEN, PAGE A5 Town’s first Christmas lights contest emerges from canceled parade BY LAUREN PIERCE demic, the town’s THE JOURNAL parade committee moved forward with SIX MILE — a Christmas lights NORM CANNADA | THE JOURNAL Christmas isn’t can- contest instead. Sarah Carpenter is organizing an effort to start a com- celed in Six Mile. People can drive munity garden across from the Walhalla City Pool. When the annual along the contest Christmas parade route with a scaven- was shelved this ger hunt provided year because of the COVID-19 pan- SEE LIGHTS, PAGE A3 PICKENS COUNTY Students return to classroom today BY GREG OLIVER “Our decisions for THE JOURNAL school (Wednesday and Thursday) were made EASLEY — Pickens in close consultation County students will with Pickens County return to in-person Emergency Manage- LAUREN PIERCE | THE JOURNAL instruction today ment with regard to Heath Hale holds his daughter, Arya, for a after Wednesday was weather conditions,” picture with Santa Claus on Monday in Six designated as a digital School District of Pick- Mile. learning day due to ens County superinten- PHOTOS SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL the threat of inclement dent Danny Merck said weather and the impact of COVID-19. SEE STUDENTS, PAGE A3 | INSIDE | | INFO | WILLIE SAYS: ARRESTS A6 COMICS B3 OPINION A4 DELIVERY (864) 882-2375 You CALENDAR A2 ENTERTAINMENT B4 SPORTS C1 CLASSIFIEDS (864) 882-2375 CLASSIFIEDS D2 LIFESTYLE B1 STOCK REPORTS D4 ADVERTISING (864) 973-6305 sure must not love your COLUMNISTS B3 OBITUARIES B2 WORLD | NATION D1 family very much. B5 The CLA leans further forward. And sends every other car back. The 2021 CLA 250 Coupe CARLTON MOTORCARS www.CarltonMB.com 2446 Laurens Road (864) 213-8000 Greenville, SC 29607 A2 THE JOURNAL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 Wednesday’s COVID-19 numbers at a glance Confirmed Confirmed Percent cases deaths positive South Carolina 2,424 42 20.6% Oconee County 33 4 26.0%* PHOTOS SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL Pickens County 153 5 26.8%* A total of 79 golfers raised $31,000 for Toys for Tots during an event last month at Cross Creek Plantation. * Seven-day moving average Cumulative cases South Carolina: 241,471 cases, 4,444 deaths Oconee County: 4,139 cases, 50 deaths Toys for Tots event raises $31K Pickens County: 8,115 cases, 105 deaths BY BRIAN GRAVES stoops to help a child,’” SOURCE: SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL THE JOURNAL Brown said. The Oconee County SENECA — There have Toys for Tots program’s been many golf swings toy is continuing through over the years that have this week. | CALENDAR | brought smiles to millions Last year’s efforts pro- — from the tee-off grace vided more than 9,000 toys TODAY of Tiger Woods to the chip to a little more than 1,600 THE SENECA Woman’s Study Club will host a drive-by meeting at shot swing ending a John- children. 3:15 p.m. at the Ballenger House. Members will drive by and leave ny Carson monologue. “This year the need has Christmas donations for Our Daily Rest. But the swings of 79 been greater,” Walker said. players at Cross Creek “But, the support of the OCL FRIENDS of the Book Sale every Thursday by appointment only Plantation last month community has been great- in the Walhalla Library basement, 501 W. South Broad St., Walhalla. were even more important er as well, and we cannot Email [email protected]. Masks and social distancing required. — bringing smiles to hun- thank everyone enough.” dreds of area children. Pictured at the 2020 Toys for Tots charity golf tourna- Donations are accepted SATURDAY The seventh annual ment, from left, are co-founder and organizer Eddie through toysfortots.org, FLEET RESERVE Association, Branch 15, breakfast at 8:30 a.m., fol- Toys for Tots charity Brown, champions Brad LaRue and Jim LaRue, and by going to the local drive lowed by a business meeting at 9 a.m. at Chicopee United Methodist golf tournament raised a co-founder and organizer T.J. Grove. tab and selecting “Oconee Church, 403 S. Catherine St., Walhalla. [email protected] or record-breaking $31,000, County.” (864) 638-7553 according to organizer Brown also gave credit and his team of Marines Eddie Brown. to Cross Creek golf profes- for assembling, collecting In addition to the funds, sional Mark Ernst and his and distributing all of the golfers brought more staff for “always giving us those toys,” he added. than 200 toys and bicycles great support and making “I think President with them to be distrib- our day a pleasant one.” Abraham Lincoln said uted by the U.S. Marine “The real heroes are it all when the made the Corps in its annual drive (Toys for Tots) regional co- statement, ‘No man ever PURCHASE. to help provide gifts for ordinator Robert Walker stands so tall as when he local children during the Christmas season. Brown said the “loyal BUILD. players came through.” “Despite the fact that Connecting play was down almost 30 percent, we were able to and REFINANCE. give our local Marines more than we could have expected under the cir- Caring cumstances,” Brown said. Brown is a golf veteran ASSISTED LIVING • RESIDENT CARE Low, Competitive Rates as well as a Toys for Tots MEMORY CARE • RESPITE STAY leader, having organized A Senior Living Found Only At Toys for Tots fundraisers • No Long Term Lease or Rental Agreement Community with in the Atlanta area for • Competitors Special: 10% Off Your Current Rate Personalized many years. We are now allowing indoor visitation Support Tailored Your Community Bank. “After I moved here, I as allowed by DHEC. to Meet Your just wasn’t able to trav- Needs. el back and forth and I couldn’t do it by myself,” Merry Christmas Brown said. “I had made friends with T.J. Grove, who owns the Sole Grill and Sushi Bar, and he said he would be willing to help establish a charity 115 Gillespie Road in Seneca • (864) 882-0783 • theresidencesofsc.com tournament here, and he’s Accepting Applications. Must be COVID19 tested negative. been all-in ever since.” Conventional • VA Fannie Mae • Freddie Mac Don’t Miss the Sounds of the Season. Our friendly professional lenders are ready to help. HEAR Call us today — 864.882.2765 or for the Holidays! visit us at www.OconeeFederal.com Hearing loss is linked to many things, including early onset dementia, an increased risk of falling down and annoying Tinnitus. Oconee Federal, the oldest financial institution in Oconee County. Call Today to Schedule a Hearing Aid Evaluation: 864.888.8865 Serving our community for over 96 years! We are practicing the safest COVID-19 protocols. 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