LOCAL
THE SUMTER ITEM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2015
VANDAL
|
A7
RIOT FROM PAGE A1
FROM PAGE A1 the chicken houses have. The alarms control the heat, air conditioning and ventilation units inside the houses. The alarms notify the farmers via cellphone when their building gets too hot or cold. Each house holds as many as 20,000 chickens. It only takes about an hour for the chickens to die once the ventilation and heating or cooling systems are turned off. “Whoever is doing this knows exactly how these alarms operate,” Garrett said. “And it is not an easy combination but a system of switches that you have to turn on and off.” Garrett said there is a strong possibility that whoever is responsible lives in Clarendon County, as all of the hits, except one, have been in this area. The sheriff’s office first received a report on Feb. 16, when four farms throughout the county were vandalized, and four houses suffered a total loss. On Feb. 19, three more chicken farms fell victim, causing the loss of four more houses. On Feb. 23, a single farm was targeted, causing the loss of eight houses. Sumter County Sheriff’s Office also reported an incident on Feb. 19 in which a farm near the Clarendon border was targeted, and 2,000 chickens died as a result. Clarendon and Florence county sheriffs’ offices along with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division have been searching for the suspects involved in this case. All of the incidents have occurred in the middle of the night.
RACE FROM PAGE A1 category. In previous years, the race has been ridden counterclockwise. Race directors will determine which direction the ride will be when they ride the course today. Races will start and end west of the dam of Old Levi Mill Lake and
OBITUARIES JOBE M. MCLEOD Jobe Manning McLeod, 89, husband of the late Katie Lee Turner McLeod, died on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at his home. Born on Dec. 21, 1925, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Seymon and Bessie Bartlett McLeod. MCLEOD He was a retired painter for B.L. Montague and a charter member of New Start Community Church of the Nazarene. He is survived by two daughters, Jane Mills (Jim) of Mayesville and Helen Cope (Joey) of Society Hill; two sons, Ricky McLeod (Rena) and Terry McLeod (Julie), both of Sumter; a daughter-inlaw, Janice McLeod of Sumter; 15 grandchildren; 19 greatgrandchildren; and two special grandchildren, Jobey McLeod and Kacey Floyd. He was preceded in death by a son, Danny McLeod; a granddaughter, April Black; a great-grandson, Joshus Lee; three brothers, Willis McLeod, Bubba McLeod and S.W. McLeod; and three sisters, Corrine Ingram, Mel Ingram and Edith Barwick. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at New Start Community Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Dale Turner officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joseph McLeod, Chip McLeod, Wade King, Feliche Cruz, Andrew Jefferson and Todd Daley. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Stephens Funeral Home and at other times at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Ricky and Rena McLeod, 4540 Pond Loop Road, Sumter. The family would like to thank Bob Arnold and Best Lumber Co., his nurses, Teresa Brown and Renee Easterling, Hospice Care of Sumter, Dr. Les Beben, and Seth Land and his staff for all of their care and attention. Memorials may be made to New Start Community Church of the Nazarene, 4686 J.W. Rhames Road, Manning, SC 29102. Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St.,
KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY / THE SUMTER ITEM
Fully grown chickens are seen in a chicken coop in Clarendon County recently. About 300,000 chickens have died in Clarendon and Sumter counties as a result of vandalism to chicken houses, with more than $1 million in property damage. Chicken farmers throughout the county have also been on alert. Ambrose Han, of A&G Farms in Manning, suffered a loss of 40,000 chickens and two houses on Feb. 16. His brother, Hubert Hahn, also a local chicken farmer, said that is about a $40,000 loss in monetary value. “We’re losing a lot of money as a result of this,” said Hahn. “All of the chicken farmers are on alert.” Garrett said if a suspect is charged and convicted, he or she could face 16 counts of burglary and
destruction of property. He also said the sheriff’s office is in contact with federal authorities to see if the case falls under a federal statute because the crime involves potential tampering with the food chain. Pilgrim’s Pride could not be reached for comment at press time. Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have information on this case to call the department at (803) 435-4414 or call 1-888-CRIME-SC to leave an anonymous tip. Calls to the sheriff’s office can also be anonymous.
the park office. Co-race Director Geoff Duncan praised Poinsett State Park staff, saying they have helped create an outstanding course at a venue that welcomes riders. He said as many as 200 riders attend the races. The entry fee is $35 for Category 1 and $30 for Categories 2 and 3. There is also a $10 late fee for signing up the
Manning, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org
CARLOS H. SKELTON SR. Carlos Henry Skelton Sr., 70, widower of Shirley Jeffords Skelton, died on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at his home. Born in High Point, North Carolina, he was a son of the late Archland H. and Earline Womble Skelton. Mr. Skelton attended Wise Drive Church of the Nazarene and retired from Yellow Freight Co. He enjoyed fishing and NASCAR. Mr. Skelton was an avid South Carolina Gamecocks fan and a member of the Gamecock Club. Survivors include two sons, Jerry Dean Skelton and Carlos Henry Skelton Jr. (Bessie), both of Sumter; three brothers, Clifford Skelton of Gilbert, J.B. Skelton of Aiken and William Skelton of North Carolina; two sisters, Nell Skelton of Alabama and Dorothy Scarborough of Goose Creek; and a special niece, Lynn Smith of Woodrow. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Billy Skelton and Archie Skelton. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Sammy Geddings officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Elon Baptist Church Cemetery in Lydia. Pallbearers will be John Miles, Jim Miles, Joshua Anderson, Joshua Gibbons, Jay Dial and Richard Irick. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Elmore-CannonStephens Funeral Home and other times at the home, 2640 Indigo Drive. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Amedysis Hospice for the compassionate care they provided. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
VICKI JO POLLOCK Vicki Jo Pollock, 53, died on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Van Wert, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Richard M. Sr. and Mary Conley Pollock. Survivors include a son,
a “disturbance” as they sorted out details Thursday. Multiple prisoners reportedly attacked seven officers in an inmate dorm at the facility, which was later secured by Lee Correctional’s emergency team and a crew of SLED agents. Friday’s statement specified how seriously the officers were injured. Two of the officers sustained multiple stab wounds, and five others endured a barrage of kicks and punches. All of the officers were treated at outside medical facilities Thursday and released. Prison doctors treated two inmates who were injured during the melee, requiring no additional treatment. Rumors swirled that several officers were taken hostage during the ordeal, a notion that department officials said was not true. The riot sparked shortly after noon Thursday as an officer was trying to search an inmate and erupted into the ensuing riot that left the seven officers and two prisoners wounded. There has not yet been any word as to what transpired to escalate the incident. Prison officials also have not pinpointed what the exact cause of the violent encounter was. Those are some of the details SLED looks to uncover during its investigation. The prison went on security lockdown for several hours in the immediate aftermath of Thursday’s chaos. A guard stood armed with a shotgun at the front gate of the facility, turning away all visitors who pulled up to the entrance alley. Other armed guards could be seen patrolling the rooftops surrounding the prison. SLED agents poured onto the premises in unmarked vehicles early Thursday afternoon to help respond to the situation. By 8:40 p.m. Thursday, those same vehicles left the prison complex.
day of the race. Registration begins at 7 a.m. on race day. You can preregister at www.mtpleasantvelo.org. Pro category racers win cash awards depending on the number of entries, and all other categories are awarded unique medals and prizes provided by Maxxis and Affordabike, a bike shop in Charleston. Participants must have an annual
Max Allan Pollock of Sumter; a brother, Richard M. Pollock Jr. of Sumter; a sister, Tami Finkbeiner (Gene) of Sumter; nine nieces; four nephews; and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Dianne Hodgison officiating. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
GEOFFREY A. ALSBROOKS Geoffrey A. Alsbrooks, 59, husband of Harper Hill Alsbrooks, died on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Pageland, he was a son of Elizabeth “Betty” Florence Alsbrooks and the late Rev. Jasper Alsbrooks. He was a member of Calvary Church of the Nazarene. Geoffrey was a sub-contractor for The State newspaper and was a self-employed contractor for Alsbrooks Construction. He also served as the director of the Sumter Softball Association. Survivors include his wife of Sumter; mother of Sumter; three daughters, Brittony Geddings (Jerry) of Sumter, Geran Winters (Michael) of Jonesville and Brienne Alsbrooks of Sumter; eight grandchildren, Landon, Alyssa, Colton, Haylee and Kaylee Geddings, and Mikey, Rachel and Ruth Winters; three brothers, Tim Alsbrooks (Betty) of Sumter, Kevin Alsbrooks of Sumter and the Rev. Gregg Alsbrooks (Dodi) of Bel Air, Maryland; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Calvary Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Gregg Alsbrooks officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Nazarene Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Larry E. Florence, Donnie Florence, Bobby McDuffie, Steve Alsbrooks, Rod Saunders, Mike Larkins and David Florence. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Calvary Church of the Nazarene and other times at the home of his mother. Memorials may be made to Calvary Church of the Nazarene, 4235 Nazarene Church Road, Sumter, SC 29154. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematori-
or one-day USA Cycling Mountain Bike license. For more information, email racedirector@mtpleasantvelo. org. The Maxxis Southern Classic Series includes races in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The Knot is the first one of the year. Lone Star Barbecue will be selling food at the event.
um of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
OLLIE MAE LOWERY LANE Ollie Mae Lowery Lane, 78, of 220 Council St., entered into eternal rest on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Willie Williams and Lillian Lowery. The family will receive relatives and friends at the home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Ephriam D. Stephens Funeral Home of Sumter.
ODESSA MACK MANNING — Odessa Mack, 71, died on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, at Puritt Health, Orangeburg. She was born on Feb. 23, 1944, in the Davis Station section of Clarendon County, a daughter of the late Rutledge and Martha A. David Mack. The family is receiving friends at the home of her sister, Viola Lemon Cain, 6699 Moses Dingle Road, Manning. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
MELVIN O. CHESTNUT SR. Retired Sgt. Maj. Melvin O’Neal Chestnut Sr. was born on May 25, 1960, a son of the late Joseph Sr. and Mable McLeod Chestnut. He was called to heaven on Feb. 24, 2015, in San Diego, California. He entered the Marine Corps on June 16, 1978, and attended recruit training at Parris Island. Upon completion of recruit training, he attended the Infantry Training School (ITS) at Camp Pendleton, where he was designated the MOS of 0311. He had numerous duty stations Marine Barracks, Hawaii, Camp Pendleton, Parris Island and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Also, he was deployed to West Pac deployment aboard the USS Cayugal (LST 1186), Okinawa, Japan; Mediterranean deployments aboard the USS Iwo Jima and USS Saipan; participated in Desert Shield and Desert Storm; West Pac aboard the USS Boxer; Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom; and Al Asad, Iraq. Sgt. Maj. Chestnut retired on June 30, 2008, from the United States Marine Corps with 30 years of honorable ser-
vice to God, Country, Corps and family. He was a working member of the New Creation Church of San Diego; a member of the Marine Corps League San Diego Bulldog Detachment No. 835; and a member of the Montford Point Marine Association Inc., Chapter No. 12 San Diego. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Armed Forces Expedition Medal, Combat Action, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon w/star, Good Conduct Medal (10th award), and numerous others. He leaves behind to cherish his memories: his wife, Beverly R. Freeman-Chestnut of LaGrange, Georgia; two sons, Melvin O’Neal Chestnut II and Brodric Chestnut; six sisters, Mildred (Elias) Wells, Helen Richardson, Mary Chestnut, Thomasena (David) Wheeler, Rebecca Hunt and Daphne Chestnut; three brothers, Joseph (Patricia) Chestnut Jr., Walter (Vivian) Chestnut and Alphonso Chestnut; brothers and sisters-in-law of San Diego and Georgia; a host of special nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. The family will be receiving family and friends at the home of his sister, Mary Chestnut, 46 Bethune Park Drive (formally Raccoon Road), Mayesville. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Clarks United Methodist Church, 2980 Oswego Highway, Sumter, with the Rev. Wyatt C. Minton III, pastor. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 5, in San Diego with full military honors. This is a courtesy announcement of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc. com.
HELEN R. HANCOCK Helen Rodgers Hancock, 78, wife of Bruce D. Hancock, died on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, at her home. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.