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News

Two plead guilty in shooting incident
UNION — A Union man and an Enoree man could spend up to nearly 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in connection with a 2011 shooting incident. Rashaad Akim Green, 19, 204 Lipsey St., Union, and Monterius Quantray Dawkins, 20, 131 Sparktown Drive, Enoree, each pleaded guilty this week in General Sessions Court to two counts of assault and battery first-degree and were sentenced by Judge Lee S. Alford of York to 18 months in prison wit...
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Fain pleads guilty to felony DUI
UNION — A Whitmire man won’t learn his sentence until May after pleading guilty to a 2011 collision that left two men dead. Matthew Olin Fain, 26, 620 Evans St., Whitmire, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony DUI before Judge Lee S. Alford of York in General Sessions Court this week. Union County Clerk of Court Freddie Gault said Friday afternoon that after his client pleaded guilty, Fain’s attorney requested that sentencing be delayed un...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
Monarch Elementary School students line up for their turn in the jumping castle on the school playground Friday morning. The jumping castle and an accompanying slide and the chance to play on them were the rewards the students purchased with the "Monarch Money" they earned at school.

MES students earn ‘Monarch Money’ to buy incentives
MONARCH — Good behavior that earned them “Monarch Money” enabled students at Monarch Elementary School to spend part of Friday playing on an inflatable slide and jumping castle. Principal Anita Maness said the school’s Good Behavior program enables children to earn Monarch Money by doing their “jobs” as students. The money they earn enables them to buy rewards each month sponsored by the school’s PTO, although the rewards are the ones the s...
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Photo courtesy of SCMA

Holly Pisarik, director of the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, presents Wanda Taylor, an associate with Milliken & Company’s Cedar Hill facility, with an award from the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance honoring the facility for its 2012 safety record.

Three local manufacturers recognized for their safety records
SPARTANBURG —Three manufacturing facilities in Union County are among 99 across the state recognized by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance for outstanding workplace safety accomplishments in 2012. In a statement released this week, the SCMA announced that the Milliken and Company Cedar Hill Plant, the Sonoco Pinckney/Paragon plant and the South Carolina Electric & Gas Neals Shoals Hydro facility were among the facilities recognized f...
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Timken recognized as one of world’s most ethical companies
CANTON, Ohio — The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR; www.timken.com) has earned a position on Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies list for the third time since 2010. Ethisphere is an international organization focused on the advancement of best practices in corporate governance, risk, sustainability, compliance and ethics. This year’s list of nominations, the largest since the award’s inception in 2007, included companies in more...
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Hospital district looking at options to improve finances
UNION COUNTY — A state program that pays 100 percent of charity care at rural hospitals and a federal program that funds health clinics are among the options being explored by the Union Hospital District to move its finances into the black. In recent years, the district, which is composed of Wallace Thomson Hospital, Ellen Sagar Nursing Home, Union County EMS, and Carolinas Health Associates, has lost approximately $2 million to $3 million ...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
What would you do?
No one knows when Christ will return, but return He will because He said he would and so, sooner or later, it will happen. What would you do if you knew that the next day would see His return and all that would mean for the human race? Would you finally, under the threat of the most final of all deadlines, do what you should have already done and accept Him as your Lord and Savior or would you continue to deny Him and face the terrible consequences of that denial? Well, what would you do?

Church Calendar
Saturday, March 9 9 a.m.-until: Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Church, Tinker Creek Road in Santuc holds a fish and hot dog plate sale. Fish plates are $7.50. Hot dog plates are $6. Call 864-427-0696 for more information. Sunday, March 10 9 a.m .: New Emanuel service times change with Sunday School at 9 a.m. and Worship Service at 10 a.m. Dr. James L. Mason, Pastor. 10:45 a.m.: St. Paul Baptist Church observes Youth Day during morni...
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Photo courtesy of Foster Park Elementary School

Going Platinum

Save the Children announced the recipients for the in-school reading awards at Foster Park Elementary School for the time period September-December 2012. The Platinum Star was given to the in- school second graders for the highest level of achievement for reaching and maintaining goals in the following areas: the percent of children scoring below 90 percent correct on quizzes, the average percent of quizzes passed, the percent of children reading 90 percent or higher independently and the average percent of quizzes passed. This award recognizes their hard work during guided independent reading time (GIRP).

Community Calendar
Saturday, March 9 • The Carlisle Finishing Group meets at 9 a.m. at Midway for breakfast. The Voices of Faith will entertain. All retirees and former employees are welcome. Call 466-5276 for more information. • Union County Dixie Girls Softball registration for ages 3 to 18 is held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Union County Recreation Department, 111 Thomas St. Cost is $55. • Mt. Joy Masonic Lodge #203 on the Pea Ridge Highway in K...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
Union Hospital District CFO Paul Newhouse (standing) addresses a joint meeting of Union County Council and the Union Hospital District Board Thursday evening.

Hospital district looking to reduce spending by $3 million
UNION COUNTY — The Union Hospital District is hoping to break even by implementing $3 million in spending reductions over the next 90 days. During a joint meeting of the Union Hospital District Board and Union County Council Thursday evening, district Chief Financial Officer Paul Newhouse presented the district’s plans to deal with the financial difficulties the district has experienced in recent years. The district is losing approximately ...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
A section of a building at a Jonesville body shop continues to burn and collapse as firefighters attempt to extinguish the flames Thursday afternoon.

Fire destroys Jonesville body shop
JONESVILLE — What began as a report of a car fire turned out to be a structure fire that destroyed a Jonesville body shop Thursday afternoon. Firefighters from the Jonesville, Kelly-Kelton, and Bonham fire departments battled the blaze at Justin’s Paint & Body, 215 S. Main St., Jonesville, for nearly four hours before clearing the scene at 3:48 p.m. Jonesville Chief Jimmy Wilkins, however, said his department was initially the only one disp...
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Small businesses being recruited for Work Ready Communities effort
UNION COUNTY — A member of a steering committee formed by Union County Supervisor Tommy Sinclair to help the county become the first Work Ready Community in South Carolina is working to recruit the support of local small businesses for the effort. Torance Inman, Union County Chamber of Commerce executive director, is a member of the Union County Steering Committee which is developing a community plan for the Work Ready Community effort and ...
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Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Teaching Assistant Cayse Jeter answers questions for, left to right, Quadrik Smith, Devin Richards and Dabareon Scott at the School Within a School help desk.

A second chance in the ‘School Within a School’
UNION — Those involved in a pilot program at Sims Middle School say students are making great strides as they are offered a second chance and an opportunity to experience success. One year ago, the Union County School District announced the launch of a pilot project known as “School Within a School,” which was to take place during the current school year. The concept was to target students — based on attendance, discipline, grades and other...
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Local students earn degrees from Limestone College
GAFFNEY — During its December commencement exercises, Limestone College awarded degrees to over 450 graduates. Local students who received their degrees from Limestone include: • Angie Brewington of Union received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. • Jacqueline Byars of Pacolet received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Management. • Lillian Canupp of Union received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Ad...
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Crime Report
The Union Public Safety Department reported the following arrest : — George Kenneth Gardin, 24, of 2433 Buffalo West Springs Highway, Buffalo, was charged with reckless driving, failure to stop for a blue light and narcotics violations around 12:20 p.m. on March 6. According to the incident report, an officer observed Gardin driving at a high rate of speed in front of Foster Park Elementary, and when he activated the blue lights, Gardin ac...
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Gottschalk at the Gist’s: A musical performance to be held at Rose Hill Plantation in March
UNION — Experience a relaxing afternoon concert from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on March 23 in the Gist mansion ballroom at Rose Hill Plantation as we explore the musical lifetime of American composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869). Enjoy a special piano performance by Dr. Brennan Szafron, organist and choirmaster at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, Spartanburg, S.C. Louis Gottschalk, born in New Orleans, travelled the world, creating music w...
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Jonesville Elementary/Middle School second quarter Honor Roll
Teachers’ Honor Roll Bailey Angel Caleb Antisdel Jada Bagwell Maija Bays Baylie Black Hagan Blackwell Dymia Brannon Miyonna Brannon Harley Jo Bright Camry Bullock Shelley Burgess Alayda Byrd Daytona Caldwell April Case Halee Chambers-Yount A.C. Curenton Delaney Duckett Zaria Eison Jesseca Farr Kalib Farr Keirston Floyd Jemeria Foster Micia Foster Tory Foster Kinsleigh Fulghum Breanna Garner...
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Photo courtesy of Monarch Elementary School

Monarch scientists

Monarch Elementary School held it’s annual Science Fair in preparation for the USC-Upstate Regional Science Fair. Several hundred projects were created as students conducted experiments following the scientific method. First, second, and third place ribbon winners are: Physical Science (first grade) Landon Sumner, Emma Garner, Garrett Ponder, (third grade) Carson Valentine, Kaigan Wilson, Marquavious Salter, (fourth grade) Brett Gregory, Dalton Gregory, Jabarious Crosby, (fifth grade) Sydney Childers, Mackenzie Harris/Ethan Sumner, Colby Gregory, Tevion Young; Math/Computer Science (first grade) Solomon Land, (second grade) Karissa Murphy. (third grade) Alazia Jeter, Shanyia Means-McBeth, Chandler Sizemore, (fourth grade) Grace Kirby, Tabarious Hill (fifth grade) Jake McGee; Biology (5K) Alex Garrett, (second grade) Jamal Judge, (fourth grade) Lindsey Johnson, Julia Bailey, Gavin Thompson, (fifth grade) Erica Lawson, Mary Ashton Garrett, Cailey Edwards; Chemistry (5K) Cameron Kendrick, (first grade) Kaitlyn Gist, Daria Davis, Ryder Smith, (second grade) Shonta Wicks, (third grade) Triston Manus, Rylee Austin, Julianna Smith, Autumn Wilson, (fourth grade) Anotonette Moore, Rebekah Fox, Yariah Stewart, (fifth grade) Sydnie Thompson, Holden Cooke, Courtney Seymore; General Science (5K) Eva Jolly, (second grade) Dontee Wicks, (third grade) Alex Ocampo, Brian Renwick, Macie Bradburn, (fourth grade) Jeremy Spears, Caitlin Davis, Chamir Dunn, (fifth grade) Haleigh Palmer, Jamaye Jeter, Gabby Manus, Connor Mitchell; Behavioral Science (first grade) Ayden Lancaster, Hunter Woods, (third grade) Ruthie Dean, Caityln Rish, Caitlin Goode, (fourth grade) Ebonie Proctor, Bryson Dowis, Caleb Pickens, (fifth grade) Kate Burgess, Layla Voiselle/Kayley Jayne Addis, RJ Sanders; Consumer Science (5k) Tyla Stewart, (first grade) Kerrie Hill/Falijah Jackson, Matthew Johnson, (second grade) Abby Gregory, (third grade) Luke Davis, Jameir Jones, Noah Smith, (fourth grade) Corenza Stewart, Logan Betenbaugh, Kallee Garner, (fifth grade) Madison Millwood, Anna Carolina Alexander, Trevor McCall, Taliyah Thomas. Pictured are the first place blue ribbon winners.

Community Calendar
Friday, March 8 • A breast cancer benefit for Kathy Farr Burgess is held from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. at Shadys with entertainment provided by Cadillac High and The Bud Newman Band. A silent auction will beheld and T-shirts, coozies and bracelets will be sold. All money raised will go to help the family with medical bills and expenses. For more information or to make a donation call 864-426-5786 or go online at kathyscancerbenefit@yahoo.com. ...
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Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Gestamp employee Bart Miller prepares a tour group for a trip through the facility.

Gestamp offers educational, job opportunities
UNION — A tour of Gestamp was likely the first of many educational opportunities for local high school students at the facility. A group of school representatives touring Gestamp on Wednesday morning included Upstate Regional Career Specialist Toney Farr, school board members Dr. Wanda All and Jantzen Childers, Superintendent Dr. Kristi Woodall, Job Placement/CATE Coordinator Patty Hughey, Director of Secondary Education Cindy Langley and I...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
The Union County Advanced Technology Center will host a WorkKeys testing class offered at the center April 8-17 by the Union County School District's Adult Education program.

WorkKeys class offered at Union County Advanced Technology Center
UNION COUNTY — A testing program that determines a person’s ability to perform up to 18,000 different jobs will be offered at the Union County Advanced Technology Center in April. Kathy Jo Lancaster, technology center site coordinator, and Eric Childers, director of Adult Education for the Union County School District, announced Wednesday that the WorkKeys testing program will be offered at the technology center April 8-17. The class, which...
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Jonesville approves purchasing procedures ordinance
JONESVILLE — An ordinance that spells out the Town of Jonesville’s purchasing procedures was approved by Jonesville Town Council this week. The ordinance is composed of seven sections which cover not only the bidding and awards process for contracts and other purchases by the town, but also the responsibilities of the council, mayor and town employees in the process, penalties for any violations of the process, and the non-discrimination po...
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Learning what it takes to grow food
UNION — A new gardening club will teach youth participants with a hands-on project. Union County 4-H is starting a new special-interest gardening club to teach youth to prepare, plant, maintain and harvest a small vegetable garden. “If you have ever thought you might have a green thumb, here’s the chance to find out how good you are at growing a garden,” said local 4-H agent Anne Brock. “This is a great way to learn where our food comes f...
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Library Notes
Library Hours Monday – Friday 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday – 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Upcoming Events Book Donations The Friends of the Library will have mini-sales and accept book donations from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on March 15 and April 1 at 112 E. Main St. Friends of the Library receive a 50 percent discount during sales. Acrylic Painting Adult Acrylic Painting will be held from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 7. Cost for materi...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
The intersection of U.S. 176 and New Hope Church Road has been the scene of 38 accidents in the past eight years. The number of accidents and the presence of Jonesville Elementary/Middle School has led to calls for a stoplight at the intersection. An overwhelming majority of the participants in an online poll conducted by The Union Daily Times on the subject agreed that a stoplight was needed.

Poll: Majority says stoplight needed at intersection
JONESVILLE — By a margin of nearly three-to-one, the participants in an online poll conducted by The Union Daily Times believe a stoplight is needed at the intersection of U.S. 176 and New Hope Church Road in the Jonesville area. Statistics compiled by the S.C. Department of Public Safety show that there have been 38 accidents at the intersection since 2005. The statistics, which include only accidents that resulted in more than $1,000 in v...
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Derik Vanderford|Daily Times

Grant Osborne shows his sketch which was used for the design of the Miracle League 5K Walk, Run or Roll t-shirts.

Walk, run or roll for the Miracle League
UNION — For those who want to help The Miracle League of Union County with the last leg of its fundraising goal, it’s time to walk, run or roll. At the beginning of each school year, the Arthur State Bank Junior Board of Directors — made up of juniors and seniors of Union County High School — decides upon a particular cause for which to raise funds for the entire year. Board members say the decision became easy as students suggested various...
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Charles Warner|Daily Times
The temporary recycling convenience center that serves the Bonham community will remain open while a nearby section of S.C. 18 is closed for the construction of the spur linking the new Gonvauto manufacturing facility with the Norfolk & Southern Railroad line across the highway.

Temporary recycling center to remain open
BONHAM — The temporary recycling convenience center serving the Bonham community will remain open during the three days part of S.C. 18 is closed for the construction of a rail spur. The Gonvauto South Carolina, LLC metal fabrication manufacturing facility currently under construction on a 24-acre site in the Bonham community will be linked the Norfolk & Southern Railroad line that runs along S.C. 18 by a spur which is also under constructi...
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