The Times and Democrat from Orangeburg, South Carolina • 4

THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT Orangeburg, S.C. Saturday, December 23, 2000 Holiday deadline The Times and Democrat will be printing early on Christmas Eve. The Obituary desk will open at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24, to take obituaries, and close at 4 p.m.

on that day. There will be no newspaper on the day after Christmas, Dec. 26, as the newspaper is closed on Christmas Day in order to allow employees to spend the day with their families. Suspects shoot man, burn car, after argument in club By CHARLENE SLAUGHTER Staff Writer A group of suspects shot a man and burned his car after an argument at a club Thursday night. The victim, an Orangeburg man, said he was at the Lime Light Club on Bleakley Street when he got into an argument with several suspects.

One of the suspects pulled a gun and chased the victim outside the club. The suspect reportedly shot at the victim several times, wounding the victim's right arm and leg. After being shot, the victim fled to a nearby porch. The suspects reportedly turned around and ran over to the victim's 2000 Chrysler PT Cruiser and set it on fire. EMS responded and transported the victim to the hospital and the fire department put the fire out.

The car was worth $25,000. In other reports on file at the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office Friday: A man robbed the Cato clothing store located in North Plaza on North Road in Orangeburg Thursday evening. According to a report on file at the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office Friday, three employees were exiting the business at 11 p.m. and in the process of locking the door when an unknown man wearing dark clothing walked up to them with a pistol in hand. The man demanded money, and the employee holding the bank bag dropped it by the right side of her leg.

The suspect picked up the bag, which contained $5,648, and fled the store on foot toward the east side of the building. Deputies responded to the scene with the K-9 unit but were unable to locate the suspect. Two witnesses reportedly saw the suspect rob the victims at gun-point but did not see his face. Members of the multijurisdictional task force arrested a man on two counts of distribution of crack cocaine. Camell Gordon, 28, of 1743 Pineland Vance, was reportedly arrested on Dec.

20. Gordon's arrest comes after a six month investigation in Vance by the task force. An estranged husband became irate after finding his wife at another man's home and reportedly assaulted the man. The suspect saw the woman at the victim's home and became upset. He reportedly threw a bottle at the victim's residence, breaking a window.

The suspect then charged the victim and threw him into a fence. He then picked up a wood log and hit the victim across the back. The victim punched the suspect in the mouth, causing a cut. The suspect was escorted off of the property and the victim was advised to see a magistrate about a warrant. An Orangeburg man reportedly stole a car from Cruz Auto Sales located on Neeses Highway, and was later caught by deputies speeding on 301 North.

The suspect reportedly went to the business and said he wanted to buy a 1988 Buick Skylark. The victim told the suspect that the car needed repairs. The suspect said he could repair the car if he could borrow some tools. The suspect reportedly went into a back room and later returned to the main area claiming another salesman said he could test-drive the car. The suspect left with the car and approximately $200 worth of tools and did not return.

A deputy traveling on 301 North toward Santee saw a Buick Skylark traveling at a high rate of speed. The suspect was stopped on Whittaker Parkway and Hampton Road. The suspect did not have a driver's license and gave the deputy a false name. He showed the deputy some credit cards with the name on it but kept giving the officer a different date of birth. The deputy searched the car and found a picture ID of the suspect.

The car was found to have been stolen from Cruz Auto Sales and the suspect was arrested and charged with driving with an open container of alcohol, possession of a stolen vehicle and giving false information. An Orangeburg woman reported returning home and seeing a Dodge van speeding away from her Rising Creek Road home. The victim gave chase but could not catch the van, which contained three unknown suspects. The victim found that the suspects had apparently kicked open her front door and stolen approximately $12,100 worth of electronics, clothing, dirt bikes and compact discs. The case is under investigation.

There were seven domestic reports on file at the OCSO Friday. Two arrests were made. A Vance man was arrested for criminal domestic violence after a physical altercation with his wife. A Eutawville man was arrested for CDV after threatening to "take everybody out" in the house. The suspect cooperated with the arrest, saying he needed to "get away from his family." Friends may call at the funeral home.

Mrs. Janice T. Taber Mrs. Janice T. Taber, 98, of Columbia, died Thursday, Dec.

21, 2000, at Calhoun Convalescent Center in St. Matthews. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, in Peterkin Cemetery at St.

Matthew's Parish Episcopal Church in Fort Motte. Mrs. Taber was born in Charleston County, a daughter of the late Fred Towles and Annie Schaffer Towles. She was a longtime resident of Columbia. She was the widow of William Preston Taber.

Survivors include a number of nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box Aiken, S.C. 29802 or to St. Matthew's Parish Episcopal Church, P.O.

Box 447, St. Matthews, S.C. 29135. Dukes-Harley Funeral Home of Orangeburg is in charge of arrangements. Harry West Harry West, 72, of 328 West Ridge Lane, Cross, died Friday, Dec.

22, 2000, at Trident Medical Center in Charleston. Funeral plans will be announced by Eutawville Community Funeral Home of Eutawville. Friends may call at the funeral home. Mrs. Francis Magruder Witt Graveside services for Mrs.

Francis Magruder Witt, 81, of The Methodist Oaks, Orangeburg, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, at Riverside Cemetery in North, with the Rev. Kermit Shrawder and the Rev. Jack Anderson officiating.

Mrs. Witt died Thursday, Dec. 21,2000. She was born in Orangeburg County, a daughter of the late Arthur Magruder and Gussie Magruder. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Orangeburg.

She was the widow of Frederick Levi Witt. Survivors include two sons, F.M. Witt of Santee and Larry A. Witt of Mount Pleasant; three grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.

Saturday at Culler-McAlhany Funeral Home of North. Friends may call at the funeral home. Mrs. Annie Bell Tomlin Brown The funeral for Mrs. Annie Bell Tomlin Brown, 64, of 148 Holland North, and formerly of Sumter, will be held at 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 24, 2000, at Mulberry Missionary Baptist Church near Sumter, with the Rev. O.S. Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be trustees of Mulberry Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Brown died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000. She was born July 26, 1936, in Sumter, a daughter of the late Marcus Tomlin and Annie Tomlin.

She attended the public schools of Sumter. She was a member of Mulberry Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Inspirational Choir, the Adult Women Sunday School Class, the Trustee Wives and the Pastor's Aide. She was employed by Tuomey Hospital for 26 years. Survivors include two sons, Harry Lee Davis of Wedgefield and Moses Daniels Jr. of Sumter, four daughters, Mrs.

Mary Bell Tomlin, Mrs. Rosa Lee Ford and Mrs. Jeannie Williams, all of Sumter, and Mrs. Eloise Gordon of Roosevelt, Long Island, N.Y.; two sisters, Mrs. Betty Vaugh of Moncks Corner and Mrs.

Mabelle Lucas of North; two brothers, Lewis Alexander Tomlin and Charlie Tomlin, both of Sumter; two grandchildren reared in the home, Mrs. Claudette Dykes of Bush Kill, and Ronald Davis of Charlotte, N.C.; 19 additional grandchildren and 30 greatgrandchildren. Friends may call at the residence of her son, Harry Lee Davis, 12 James Haskell Road, Wedgefield, S.C. WB. Crumel Funeral Home of North is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Inez Z. Cummings Mrs. Inez Z. Cummings, 77, of Orangeburg, and formerly of St.

Albans, W.Va., died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, in Handley Funeral Home Chapel in Danville, W.Va., with Watson Wiley officiating.

Burial will be in Lovejoy Cemetery in Palermo, W.Va. Mrs. Cummings was born in Midkiff, W.Va., a daughter of the late Bascom Bellomy and Ella Mae Spears Bellomy. She had resided in Orangeburg since 1998. Survivors include a daughter, Orbera Gail Burks of Elloree; a Orangeburg.

Pallbearers will be Chris Edgemon, J.T. Gant, Ernie Edgemon, John Edgemon, Steve Edgemon, Kevin Edgemon, Johnny Edgemon, Paul Johnson, Nell Shuler and Walter McGee. Mrs. Edgemon was born Oct. 27, 1917, in Orangeburg, a daughter of the late Charlie C.

Johnson and Willie Mae Kemmerlin Johnson. She was a member of Garden City Baptist Church and the Lydia Sunday School Class. She was retired from Belk-Hudson. She was the widow of Marvin Edgemon Sr. Survivors include two sons, Robert C.

Shuler and Marvin Edgemon both of Orangeburg; two daughters, Mrs. Bobby (Becky) Sandifer of Bamberg and Dorothy Ann (Dot) of Orangeburg; three sisters, Mrs. Ernest (Jeanette) Edgemon of Orangeburg, Mrs. Miriam J. Shuler of Bamberg and Mrs.

Gladys Bohannon of Moultrie, three grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren; two step-granddaughters; and six step-greatgrandchildren. Friends may call at the residence and at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be made to the American Heart Association of S.C, P.O. Box 6604, Columbia, S.C. 29260 or to the American Lung Association of S.C., P.O.

Box 1609, Columbia, S.C. 29202-1609. Donald E. Houseman Donald E. Houseman, 78, of Chapin, died Thursday, Dec.

21, 2000, at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas, Nev. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, at Palm Mortuary in Las Vegas, Nev. Mr.

Houseman was born Sept. 17, 1922, in Altoona, Pa. He was employed as a plant manager. He was a World War II Army veteran and a member of Chapin Baptist Church and Rotary Club of Orangeburg. Survivors include his widow, Mrs.

Verna Houseman of Chapin; a son, Garry Houseman of Ashburn, a daughter, Mrs. Neal (Lee Ann) Pettit of West Columbia; and four grandchildren. Palm Mortuary of Las Vegas, is in charge of arrangements. Lerich Stroman Lerich Stroman, 85, of 1998 Stroman Orangeburg, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2000, at his residence following a brief illness.

Funeral plans will be announced by Simmons Funeral Home of Orangeburg. Columbia motel clerk found shot to death son, Cecil (Junior) Cummings of St. Albans, W.Va.; a sister, Mary Sue Chapman of Columbia; four brothers, Elba Bellomy of Clarington, Ohio, Rufus Bellomy of Ohio, Enos Bellomy of Griffithsville, W.Va., and Bill Bellomy of St. Albans, WVa. Thompson Funeral Home of West Columbia is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Leola Zimmerman Curry Mrs. Leola Zimmerman Curry, 79, of Dandrige-Burgandi Manor, Youngstown, Ohio, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000, at North Side Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, following a brief illness. Funeral plans will be announced by Simmons Funeral Home of Orangeburg.

Friends may call at the residence of her sister, Mrs. Daisy Kennerly, 223 Tecza Drive, Orangeburg, and at the funeral home. Mrs. Gladys K. Daniels Mrs.

Gladys Daniels, 73, of Route 1, Box 13, Olar, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2000, at Bamberg County Hospital in Bamberg. Funeral plans will be announced by Carroll Mortuary of Bamberg. Friends may call at the funeral home. Mrs.

Dorothy Ravenel Johnson Shuler Edgemon Mrs. Dorothy Ravenel Johnson Shuler Edgemon, 83, of 359 Seminole Avenue, Orangeburg, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000, at The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg. The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec.

23, 2000, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Orangeburg. Burial will be in Crestlawn Memorial Gardens in In Loving Memory of Willie James DuPree who departed this life one year ago today, December 22, 1999 God took you home, it was his will but in our hearts we love you still. Your memory is a dear today as in the hour you passed away. You still are, and always will be part of who we are, wliat we are and what we do. Today, tomorrow and forever.

Please dear God, tell him we love and miss him so. Sadly missed by. Wife, Children, Grandson, Mother, Father, Brother, Sister Relatives COLUMBIA (AP) The owner of a motel has been found shot to death and Richland County sheriffs deputies are searching for the killer. counter, Pellicci said. Investigators have not determined a motive in the 6laying, Pellicci said.

No arrests have been made. Art Mullett, operator of the Scottish Inn, was found shot to death shortly before 1 a.m. Friday, sheriffs Lt. Joseph Pellicd said. A motel guest found Mullet's body behind the EPA sues Duke Energy, power plants failed to install Hootie and the Blowfish might move golf tourney By The Associated Press COLUMBIA Hootie and the Blowfish's next Monday after The Masters charity golf tournament might be on Kiawah Island, rather than in Columbia.

The band has begun negotiation with the island resort town, the band's manager said. "We just want to make our tournament as special as we can, and keep the money for charity in the state," said manager Rusty Harmon. The band has staged a charity event in Columbia since 1995 on the Monday in April after The Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga. A Hootie and friends" concert usually follows the tournament at The Township auditorium. Three of the band's four members, lead singer Darius Rucker, guitarist Mark Bry an and bassist Dean Felber, have moved to Charleston recently.

Columbia Mayor Bob Coble said the city has had a wonderful relationship with the band. "I can certainly understand that their golf tournament is better suited for a resort like Kiawah or Hilton Head," Coble said. It was here because this is where they got their start, but the bottom line for them is to make money for their charities, and a place like Kiawah will entice more of the golfers to come over from The the vicinity of these plants and also to communities located miles downwind. Until then, we will continue to pursue these cases." Duke Energy, through its Duke Power subsidiary, provides electricity to more than 2 million customers in North Carolina and South Carolina. The EPA's lawsuit was not unexpected since the agency issued the company a notice of violation in May, Duke Energy spokesman Joe Maher said.

The federal Clean Air Act allowed Duke Energy and other utilities to avoid the expense of modernizing old power plants with equipment to reduce smog, acid rain and soot. Equipment representing the best available technology was required to be installed when the utilities made major modifications to their plants. Duke Energy replaced large portions of the boilers that are the hearts of the coal-burning plants, says cleaners the EPA said in May. The changes would have increased emission of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates and required new state or federal permits, the EPA said. Duke Energy calls the work on its coal-burning plants routine maintenance.

"We think EPA is retoactively and unfairly changing the rules in the middle of the game so that what was considered to be routine maintainance when we did it is now being considered as non-routine and we're being penalized for it," Maher said. The EPA's lawsuits follow a four-year investigation involving more than a half dozen of the country's largest electric utility companies. The utilities have all denied violations. Two power companies in addition to Cinergy have settled with the EPA. Each agreed to make environmental improvements worth about $1 billion-Some, including Ohio-based American Electric Power have vowed to fight the EPA charges.

The Justice Department, acting on behalf of the EPA, has filed Clean Air Act lawsuits against American Electric Power, FirstEnergy, Illinois Power, Southern Indiana Gas Electric and the Southern Company. A separate administrative action has been taken against the gov-, ernment-owned Tennessee Valley. Authority. On the Net: Justice Department http:www.usdoj.gov Duke Energy: http:www.duke--energy.com The lawsuit is the latest in a series against large electric utility companies in the Midwest and South. The EPA says the utilities failed to install pollution control equipment required by the Clean Air Act.

"Today, the Clinton-Gore administration is taking another step in its ongoing enforcement against illegal and harmful levels of air pollution from coal-fired power plants," EPA Administrator Carol Browner said. The administration said Thursday that Cincinnati, Ohio-based Cinergy Corp. agreed to a $1.4 billion settlement of a similar lawsuit. Most of the money will be spent on environmental improvements at Cinergy plants in Indiana and Ohio. "We hope that Duke Energy also will agree to reduce their emissions," Browner said.

"Such an action would provide great health benefits to people living in In Loving Memory of Bowman H. Felkel, Sr. who departed this life one year ago today. December 23. 1999.

One year ago, it seems like yesterday, The Lord saw fit to take your life away. Though you are gone and our hurt runs deep, I We still have the memories in our hearts to keep. Sadly missed by. Your wife and children By The Associated Press GREENSBORO, N.C. The Environmental Protection Agency sued Duke Energy Corp.

Friday, saying the power company upgraded coal-burning power plants in the Carolinas without installing clean-air technology as required. The federal suit alleges that eight of Duke Energy's power plants illegally released "massive amounts of air pollutants for years," the Justice Department said in a statement. A Duke Energy spokesman said the company did nothing wrong and would contest the allegations in court. There are angels among Those we see day by day And those we feel at each moment. I speak for all who knew you when I say how much we miss you And miss your warming smile.

But when we think of you somehow you appear in a dream "a wucn or a gentle "I'm here!" The world misses you, and so do we. Love, "Your Friends- wr I In Loving Memory of Ms. Woodell Williams (Aunt Dell) Sunrise 12-5-11 Sunset 12-23-98 Two years have passed since Death came so quickly and stole you away like a thief in the night. We have hope that one Great Day, your spirit will be quickened and you will rise above it all with a new glorified body. "Weeping may endureth for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." We Miss You! Niece: Georgia Mae Jones, Grand Niece: Valerie Jones-Smalls.