| PAGE LABEL EVEN | INSIDE: MORE THAN $118 IN COUPONS AND SAVINGS IN TODAY’S ISSUE! Vol. 117 No. 130 www.upstatetoday.com WEEKEND July 3-4, 2021 $1.25 TTHEHE JJOURNALOURNAL West-Oak baseball players gather after beating Gilbert in the second game of the Class 3A State championship series last month. The War- riors’ first-ever trip to the State baseball series was the highlight of the 2020-21 sports season for the school. To read more, turn to page C1. JERRY BEARD | THE JOURNAL ‘CELEBRATE COMMUNITY’: Journal donates more than $20,000 to local charities and nonprofits.B1 WESTMINSTER Children, 8 and 9, charged in deadly shooting An overhead drone shot Boys face involuntary manslaughter of fields near 1490 Coffee Road charges in killing of man shot on tractor in Westmin- ster, where BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR hogging last month. man. He was found dead 62-year- THE JOURNAL Friday afternoon, on his tractor on Coffee old Danny Oconee County Sheriff Road on June 23. Smith was WESTMINSTER — An Mike Crenshaw said there “It’s a tragic loss of life, shot to 8-year-old and a 9-year-old was evidence two boys and we continue to pray death while have been charged with fired a .22 caliber rifle “in for Mr. Smith’s fami- bush hog- involuntary manslaugh- a reckless manner” in the ly,” Crenshaw told The ging on his ter in family court in the direction of 62-year-old Journal. “It’s even more tractor. fatal shooting of a man Danny Andrew Smith, JERRY BEARD | who was killed while bush killing the Westminster SEE BOYS, PAGE A6 THE JOURNAL UPSTATE CRIME Newly convicted murderer booked into state prison BY RILEY MORNINGSTAR to the S.C. Department of THE JOURNAL Corrections. The SCDC Watching records COLUMBIA — Decota department Brown was booked into a did not have state prison in Columbia an updated on Thursday, hours after mug shot for eyes a jury found him guilty Brown, only of murdering his grand- a booking mother in March 2019. photo from Brown was booked into Brown May 2018, the Kirkland Correction- when he al Institution, an all-male pleaded guilty to shoplift- prison that opened in ing, resisting arrest and PHOTOS BY LAUREN PIERCE | THE JOURNAL 1988 and sits near the There are around 1,000 cameras spread across the Clemson University campus, according to Clemson University Broad River, according SEE MURDERER, PAGE A7 Police Chief Gregory Mullen. University adds cameras Seneca cameras an OCONEE COUNTY for a ‘more robust system’ ‘investigative tool,’ according to chief Local cities set to BY LAUREN PIERCE THE JOURNAL BY NORM CANNADA THE JOURNAL celebrate July 4 CLEMSON — Clemson Uni- versity police have installed SENECA — The Seneca Police security cameras since 2004 to Department has installed cameras BY NORM CANNADA fill Gignilliat Field today bolster public safety, according in different areas of the city to help THE JOURNAL and tonight for music, to the department’s chief. look for and identify vehicles and children’s activities, University Police Chief suspects SENECA — After food and fireworks. Gregory Mullen said there are in crimes, a year with fewer “I think there’ll be a approximately 1,000 cameras as well as OUR VIEW gatherings because of lot of people,” Johnson across campus, with the num- help find TO READ A RELATED COVID-19, local com- said, adding others will ber of cameras increasing as missing EDITORIAL, TURN munities have sched- watch the fireworks the university expands. people — TO PAGE A4. uled events to celebrate show from other parts technology Independence Day this of the city. “We’ll have PLANS, DEVICES NOT that is not weekend. food vendors along with FOR PUBLIC RECORD an invasion of privacy, according to water slides and bouncy Mullen said the cost of the Signs around the Clemson the state attorney general’s office. SENECA houses, and they’re all cameras was “not readily avail- University campus warn people Seneca Police Chief Casey Bowling Seneca events coordi- manned. Feel free to of the near-constant state of nator Riley Johnson said SEE UNIVERSITY, PAGE A7 surveillance in public places. SEE SENECA, PAGE A7 about 10,000 people could SEE JULY 4, PAGE A3 | INSIDE | | INFO | WILLIE SAYS: ARRESTS A6 ENTERTAINMENT B4 SOUTH CAROLINA D1 DELIVERY (864) 882-2375 Happy CALENDAR A2 LIFESTYLE B1 SPORTS C1 CLASSIFIEDS (864) 882-2375 CLASSIFIEDS D4 OBITUARY B2 STOCK REPORTS D3 ADVERTISING (864) 973-6305 245th birthday to the United COMICS B3 OPINION A4 WORSHIP D2 States of America! B7 113 Tranquil Cove MLS #20232125 Architectural perfection in this beautiful home in the Cliffs at Keowee Springs! 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms! Screened porch! Outdoor kitchen! | PAGE LABEL EVEN | A2 THE JOURNAL SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2021 | CALENDAR | TODAY THE CENTRAL Farmers Market on Bolick Field behind the caboose Officials urging fireworks safety on Main Street in Central will open at 8 a.m. At 9 a.m., children’s old-fashioned games like sack races, three-legged races and carrying THE JOURNAL STAFF including sparklers — and an egg on a spoon will start. At 10 a.m., American Legion Post 151 soaking all fireworks in will lead children on their decorated bicycles in a parade around the COLUMBIA — With a bucket of water before field’s walking path. Independence Day cel- throwing them in the ebrations here, the S.C. trash. MONDAY Department of Health and Those wanting to use OCONEE GOLD Prospectors Association of America will meet at 7 Environmental Control fireworks are asked to ob- p.m. at Hibachi Grill in Clemson. (DHEC) is urging resi- serve local laws and local dents to stay safe when weather conditions. Dry TUESDAY using fireworks this weather can make it eas- POWERFUL CLUB of Toastmasters International will meet at 6 p.m. weekend. ier for fireworks to start via Zoom. For a Zoom link, call (864) 944-5735. According to the Nation- a fire, according to State al Fire Protection Asso- Fire Marshal Jonathan WEDNESDAY ciation, fireworks start Jones. ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT group meeting at 2 p.m. at Clemson more than 19,500 fires “Independence Day is Downs in the Corley Center, 150 Downs Blvd., Clemson. If a no-cost, each year, including 1,300 a time to celebrate our in-home sitter is needed in order to attend, call 1-800-272-3900. structure fires and 300 nation’s history. Many Meetings are open to family members who have someone with vehicle fires. In addition, choose to watch the ‘rock- Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. the organization says ets’ red glare’ by using burns account for 44 per- consumer fireworks or OCONEE COUNTY Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) cent of injuries treated in attending a professional Chapter 41 has resumed processing VA disability claims on Wednesdays emergency rooms in the fireworks display,” Jones from 1-5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 112 E. North 2nd St., Seneca. month surrounding July said. “We don’t want a Bring DD214, medical records and all VA correspondence. (864) 973-8455 4. Children are largely time of celebration to turn affected, with 36 percent into a time of tragedy. THURSDAY of victims being under the Fireworks can be enjoyed OCPL FRIENDS of the Library book sale 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the age of 15. safely. Have fun, but basement of the Walhalla Library. No appointment necessary. If you “Too often, the usage of adhere to safety precau- have not been vaccinated, masks will be required. fireworks is not taken as tions.” seriously as it should be,” In addition to practicing WIDOWED PERSONS Moving Forward, Oconee County will meet said Dr. Virginie Daguise, firework safety, DHEC is for lunch at 1 p.m. at Applebees in Seneca. (864) 985-0542 DHEC’s director of chron- FILE also encouraging South ic disease and injury pre- For those planning to use fireworks this weekend, the Carolinians to maintain JULY 10 vention. “The fact is, they South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental COVID-19 safety mea- HOT DOG plate sale 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fair Play Lodge 132, Highway can cause severe injuries Control has offered recommendations to stay safe. sures over the weekend. 182, Fair Play. Two hot dogs, slaw, chips and a drink $6. (864) 557-2985 and burns, and some cases are even fatal. We dations include keeping want people to have fun a safe distance from the during the Fourth of July person lighting the fire- the thrive summer concert series weekend, but we also want works, moving to a safe presents them to be careful. That distance after lighting, with special guests means following safety wearing safety goggles guidelines on the firework when lighting fireworks, labels, paying attention pointing fireworks away to your surroundings and from homes and flam- MICHELLE keeping others at a safe mable substances, not distance.” allowing young children Other safety recommen- to play with fireworks — MALONE Please join us in welcoming these new subscribers to The Journal family! LC Branch Greg Davis SATURDAY, JULY 10 Ronnie Lee Gates Open 6pm • Show Starts 7:30pm Lynn Lathrop Tickets $12 or $15 Day of Show • Children 10 & Under Free No Coolers Through The Gate Tickets Available At: Red Arrow Entertainment THE JOURNAL food vendors beer The Farm Center • thriveconcertseries.com Miss A Day, Miss A Lot The FARM Center Amphitheatre Call 864-882-2375 to subscribe today. 2063 Sandifer Blvd., Seneca, SC Microchip Your Pet Day Saturday, July 17 • 9am-6pm You are welcome to take a tour! Microchip Blood Connection will be here 12-5pm ONLY $ with FREE $10 E-cards to donators 10 FIRST EVER Spay & Neuter Clinic In Pickens County! (NOT A SHELTER) 864-986-0425 115 B Commons Way, Central | LOTTERY | | THE WEATHER | | RIVERS AND LAKES | CASH FIVE — 7/2/21 Lake Change (As of 7 a.m.