The Sigma Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. looked back on four decades of community service on Saturday, but also took the time to look forward to the next 40 years.

The morning celebration was held at the Woodside Plantation Club before Aiken residents and leaders that included House Rep. Bill Clyburn, D-Aiken, City Council members Lessie Price and Gail Diggs and County Council member Willar Hightower.

The program's theme was "Forty Years of Serving the Community and Still Uplifting As We Climb," and Dr. Shawn Foster, the incoming deputy superintendent of Aiken County Public Schools and the program's keynote speaker, called on his fellow fraternity brothers to "be a part of somebody's wildest dreams" moving forward.

Foster is the director of Student and Administrative Services for the Spartanburg School District 7, and holds state certification in the areas of superintendent, secondary supervisor and guidance and counseling. Foster also holds a Master's degree in the arts and education and a doctorate in education, and has experience working as a director, principal and guidance counselor.

Foster will replace District Deputy Superintendent David Caver, who will retire in late June.

"You've done a lot in 40 years, accomplished a lot over the past 40 years," he said. "But it's not about what you did, but about who you did it for. No matter what we accomplish, no matter what I have done, I need to be reminded that it wasn't for me but for someone else to have those opportunities."

The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was founded in November 1911 on the Howard University campus in Washington, D.C. The fraternity is comprised of more than 750 chapters nationally; each chapter is mandated to implement programs involving scholarships, social action, health initiatives, literacy, mentoring, education and music.

Nathaniel Dicks, the chapter's president, also spoke briefly Saturday. He, as well as Foster, recognized one of their late fraternity members who died just a couple of months ago.

From that, Foster told the audience to always remember to be "humble" while doing the impossible.

"You worked so hard for so long with so little that you're now capable of doing anything with nothing," he said. " ... Thank you for what you'll continue to do."

Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.

The Aiken County Animal Shelter witnessed a true delight Tuesday when a Georgia woman adopted a dog - a dog that, at one point, wasn't expected to live.

The shelter took in the female 5-year-old boxer-pit bull mix April 30, and it had a fever of 104.7 degrees from an infected uterus. When the shelter's veterinarian, Dr. Lisa Levy, noticed the fever, she put the dog on an antibiotic to help lower the dog's temperature.

Levy says the dog's fever had lowered when she came in the next day, but she said the dog looked sicker than when she was taken in.

Levy didn't really have a choice but to perform surgery over the weekend, she said, because the dog wouldn't have made it another day.

"I decided that if I didn't do it, she was going to die," Levy said.

During the hour-long surgery, Levy found that the dog's infection led the uterus to rupture in three places. The infection had even found its way into the dog's belly, she said.

But it was the dog's energy that led Levy to believe that the animal was a fighter and was not ready to let go.

Unlike most animals who have similar medical problems, Levy said this dog was alert and barked at any question asked.

"She kept talking, and that told us that she wanted to live," Levy said. "If you talked to her, she'd talk back to you."

But the dog's fight still wasn't over.

The surgery's success only lasted five days, before the dog's belly again began filling up with fluid, Levy said. But after draining her belly and putting her on another antibiotic, she completely recovered after almost a week, Levy said.

Levy said she would have given the dog less than a 50 percent chance of living, even if the dog were taken to a top-notch facility. Overcoming the low-survival odds and the dog's spirit led the shelter to name the dog Lourdes, after a French city known for miracle healing.

"That's why we call her Lourdes, because she's a miracle," Levy said.

Lourdes appeared on WRDW News Channel 12 last Monday morning as the featured animal of the week. The news station has a weekly segment showcasing some of the animals people can adopt from the shelter.

It was then that 86-year-old Peggy Glover saw Lourdes on television and wanted her. Glover, a Lincolnton, Georgia resident, drove more than an hour to adopt Lourdes.

She said she had to have Lourdes because her 15-year-old Dalmatian was getting older.

Glover said the new addition fits right into her family, and she is glad she has another dog to keep watch of anyone coming.

"I like to have an animal around so I can know if anyone is around," Glover said of Lourdes. "I just can't believe how well-behaved she is."

The Aiken County Animal Shelter takes in more than 5,000 abandoned dogs and cats annually from both Aiken and Edgefield counties. The shelter's standard adoption rates are $70 for dogs and $35 for cats.

The price covers an identification chip for the animal, any spay or neuter surgery and rabies and vaccination shots for a year.

The shelter is located at 333 Wire Road.

For more information about the shelter, call 803-642-1537, or visit fotasaiken.org.

Shortly before school ended Friday, Chukker Creek Elementary School students applauded throughout their classmates' limbo contest and a "Dance Crew" performance.

Even some of the teachers demonstrated their dancing capabilities. Yet that was only the closing act in a busy, often moving day of activities.

The overall program was titled "Salute to Our Local Heroes Field Day" - the eighth year for the event, said Chrystie Weimer, the physical education teacher.

The children got to explore two fire trucks and met two drug dogs from the S.C. Department of Corrections. The children also had written letters and cards to thank law enforcement officers, EMS personnel and firefighters - a school-wide salute. Several field day events were held, as well.

The limbo contest attracted about 30 kids who strove to traverse an increasingly shorter distance. Dilara Yener won the event, safely getting under a bar no more than 3 feet off the ground.

Chukker has about 90 children on the Dance Crew team, and many of them performed to cheers from other students.

The teachers drew even louder applause, especially when a group of female teachers were joined by first-year instructor Eric Kohne.

"It was a great atmosphere," said Weimer. "It was a great opportunity for us to express our gratitude for all law enforcement."

Rob Novit is the education reporter for the Aiken Standard.

According to reports provided by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office:

A Graniteville man reported Saturday that someone took a GPS, wooden arts and crafts box, a key and a USB flash drive from a van and a truck parked at his house on Oak Street. He also said that a generator was missing from a shed on the property.

A woman was arrested Saturday at a North Augusta home after a man reported that she slapped a cigarette out of his mouth, hit him in the back of the head several times and bit him on the back in a dispute over a truck. The victim said the woman also struck the side of the truck with a car that she was driving. In addition, the victim said he pushed the woman away after she bit him and she fell.

The pastor of a church on Vaucluse Road in Aiken reported Saturday that someone took an air conditioning unit from one of the church's buildings.

A Graniteville man reported Saturday that someone removed a steel box that had invoices in it from his truck, which was parked at his house on Stephens Road.

A 36-year-old Wagener man was arrested on Saturday and charged with first degree criminal domestic violence after an argument at a home on Flowing Wells Road. The female victim said the man struck the left side of her face two or three times with his fist and also hit her in the mouth. The victim also said the man had a gun and had threatened to kill himself. The subject said he shot his cell phone in anger. The responding officer took custody of the gun, which the victim had hidden behind a couch.

A 32-year-old Beech Island woman was arrested Saturday for shoplifting, disorderly conduct and third degree assault and battery at a business on Jefferson Davis Highway in Clearwater. According to the incident report, the woman opened a package containing stereo headphones and then hid he package in a grocery aisle. The subject also a pushed a woman who confronted her.

A 16-year-old male victim from Neeses reported Saturday that his older brother told him to leave his home on Joyner Pond Road in Aiken pushed him on the shoulder, dragged him to the ground and punched him in the head during an argument about 4-wheel-drive trucks. The victim said he pushed his brother back in self-defense. The subject said he wrapped his arms around the victim to keep him from becoming violent and the victim punched him multiple times. Neither the subject nor the victim wanted to press charges.

An Aiken woman reported Saturday that a man she got in an argument with at her home on Andrews Circle told a neighbor that he was going to "shoot her house up."

A 41-year-old Windsor man was arrested for disorderly conduct Sunday on Clippership Loop after a woman reported that she "made him leave" her house when he showed her some white powder. According to the responding officer, the man was "grossly intoxicated from drinking alcoholic beverages."

A burglary was reported Saturday at a home on Seivern Road in Wagener. A man said the house belonged to his later mother and that a small safe and costume jewelry were missing.

A Graniteville man reported Saturday that a 2005 Chevrolet pickup was missing from his business on Belvedere Road in Beech Island.

A Batesburg man reported Saturday reported that someone had taken items from places where he was storing them outside of his home on Old Chalk Bed Road.

A Perry man reported Saturday that his juvenile daughter was being mistreated while living with his ex-wife and her husband in Trenton. The complainant said he had seen a bruise in the shape of a handprint on his daughter's arm about a year ago and had photos of bruises on her arms. The daughter said the Trenton man physically disciplines her and grabs her and her mother by their arms when he is angry.

A Graniteville man reported Saturday that another man jumped on top of him and tried to hit him with a closed fist during an argument that the victim was having with a woman about their daughter at their house on Bettis Academy Road. The woman said the victim was upset that she wanted him evicted from the home and threatened to leave and take their daughter with him. The woman also said that the alleged victim attacked the other man, pinned him to the ground and wrapped his hands around his throat because the man said he had no right to take the juvenile from the home.

A Monetta woman reported Saturday that a 17-year-old male subject pushed her after she tried to stop him from punching holes in the wall of her home on Main Street after he became angry. A male victim said the subject punched him in the head when he tried to stop the subject from punching holes in the wall and pushing around the female victim. The responding officer arrested the subject, but then released him after the victims decided that they didn't want to press charges.

Trimming foliage

I appreciate the beauty of our parks, but wish the city would recognize and fix the many places where the foliage is hiding important signs and do some serious trimming for the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

Thanks, Council

Thank you, Aiken City Council, for raising the water rates, trash rates and the hospitality tax. Thank you Aiken County Council for thinking about a property tax increase even though you said no property tax increase when the one percent sales tax was voted in. Maybe the next time, the councils can "bundle" all of this together.

Online billing

Happy to know that one can pay their trash pick-up bill online with Tyler's Sanitation, very convenient for customers. This convenience should be made available when paying bills with the City of Aiken also. To ensure delivery before the 20th of each month my payment has to go out the first week of each month, the same if I use my online bill payment with local bank. I have incurred late fees from time to time because of this slow and inconvenient process. Change this please.

Price difference

Why are the prices higher at stores on the Southside than they are on the Northside?

Low-paying jobs

Isn't Whiskey Road getting saturated with low-paying jobs? Can't we get something other than one right after the other? We need something different. Whoever is doing the planning needs to wake up.

Memorial Day parade

The Memorial Day parade was a wonderful, patriotic event. I'm a 77-year-old navy vet and want to thank Aiken for this show of support and appreciation for our veterans. We are honored to have served our country.

We would like to thank the sponsors of the Memorial Day parade. God bless our military. We should pray for them and the sacrifices they have made.

Nail salon

Thank you to the very special young lady in the TLC Nail Salon. I had a gift certificate but didn't realize it wasn't for the place I was in until the service was completed. I couldn't find my credit card, and this young woman paid for my service. Please know your next service at that salon is already paid for. Thanks for paying it forward.

Thanks, volunteers

I would like to thank all of the wonderful fathers and men who volunteer their time at Gloverville Elementary School. They take their own time to help the teachers and help the students.

The City of Aiken's newly adopted 1 percent hospitality tax takes effect today, and the Aiken Standard plans to report once a month what funds the City receives.

City Council adopted the tax in May in a 4-to-2 vote. The tax is set at 1 percent and is a tax on the gross proceeds from the sale of prepared meals, food and beverages in the city. That includes meals and beverages prepared in grocery stores, delis, bakeries, gas stations, hotels and nursing homes.

City officials estimate the tax will bring at least $1.2 million per year into the City, and the use of the collected funds will be divided four ways - $600,000 for business-related investments, $160,000 for business license relief, $110,000 for business vitality and $330,000 for enterprise capital reserves.

Businesses inside the city limits that serve prepared meals and beverages are expected to turn in their month's worth of collected funds to the City's Finance Department by the 20th of each month. Those receipts also will be available monthly in City Council's agenda.

For more information about the hospitality tax, call 803-642-7642, email licenses@cityofaikensc.gov, or view the City's video at www.youtube.com/user/CityofAikenSC.

Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard. An Atlanta native, she has a mass communications-journalism degree with the University of North Carolina Asheville.

Residents have until the end of this week to submit comments or ask questions regarding potential environmental impacts of three proposed chicken houses in Salley.

A public notice ran in the Aiken Standard in May indicating the Farm Service Agency was requested to provide financial assistance for the construction of three new broiler houses, with all related equipment. The notice states the houses will have a total capacity of 108,000 birds at any given time, and will be located at 899 Williamson Road in Salley on approximately 128 acres. This area is already surrounded by poultry houses within 1,325 feet in all directions, the notice states.

Steve Slice, both the farm loan program specialist and the environmental coordinator for the Farm Service Agency in Columbia, said the federal agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, does lend money to farmers and guarantee loans that banks make to farmers for financial assistance.

Slice said anytime the federal government offers financial assistance for any type of construction operation, that project is subject to the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires the agency to look at not property value, but natural and cultural resources. That includes wetlands, flood plains, scenic areas, historic and archaeological sites, natural landmarks and endangered species.

"It is a process, and by the time we're through we put a document together, about an inch thick, and most of the time, we conclude that the use doesn't have adverse effects," Slice said. " ... Once we collect all of the information and get comments back from the public and from the Historical Preservation Office, and they (applicant) gets permits from DHEC (S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control) we will publish a final notification to say whether or not we concluded any issues."

Aiken County Council member Kathy Rawls, who represents the proposed location, said she does not have a "problem with these chicken houses nor have I heard from anyone in the community who has objections."

All comments should be directed to the Agency's Farm Loan Officer Bud Sarvis in the Barnwell County Office either at 100 Fuldner Road, Barnwell, S.C. 29812, or by calling 803-259-7143.

Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard. An Atlanta native, she has a mass communications-journalism degree with the University of North Carolina Asheville. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.

Aiken Technical College student veterans donned chef hats, aprons and even mustaches recently, raising $800 for the college's Student Veterans Association recently.

Association members transformed the Student Activities Center into an Italian bistro for the day. Students sold plates of spaghetti, donated by Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar in Aiken.

Students, faculty and staff purchased dine-in and to-go plates for $5, with all proceeds benefiting Student Veterans Association's service projects for local veterans.

"We wanted to do something to bring the campus together as a community to support our local veterans," said Association President Joel Wightman. "As soon as we mentioned the word 'veterans' to Travinia's, they were on board and graciously donated all the food for sale."

ATC has close to 200 student veterans, and offers many resources and assistance to veterans and their families. ATC's Student Veterans Association connects student veterans on campus and provides them with support and resources to achieve success.

The Veterans to Careers initiative, a partnership between ATC, USC Aiken, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and the Aiken-Augusta Warrior Project, strive to match student veterans' programs, discipline and skill sets that can lead to temporary positions with businesses in the area.

Welding II students at the Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center made and installed crosses for the town of Edgefield recently to honor veterans.

"The crosses the town has used for years were falling apart," Bill Cheatham, welding instructor, said. "The veterans who were recognized with the crosses made the ultimate sacrifice and deserve the best."

Cheatham's welding II students delivered and set up the crosses on May 20 in preparation for the Memorial Day ceremony on May 25. The project was the American Welding Society Chapter's community project for 2015.

"It feels good to do things for others," said welding student Jessie Greene.

Arthur Northrop, director of the Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center, said he could not be more proud. "These guys are learning what giving to others is all about."

The students spent more than 60 hours cutting, grit blasting and welding the crosses. In addition, they designed and cut in the veterans' names and the wars in which they served. The names were cut on the Welding Department's CNC plasma cutter.

"We have had great support from the community," said Cheatham.

The project's community partners are Trantech Radiator Products - President Greg Horton, Jim Fowler, Kevin Riley, Mike Holmes and Tim Malcom with Expert Collision Repair. Trantech powder coated the crosses a bright white, and Expert Collision painted the veteran's names and the war names. "When these kids see that the community supports a project like this, it makes an impact," added Cheatham.

The crosses are displayed one week before Memorial Day each year. Anyone wishing to assist the chapter by donating money to the project can call Bill Cheatham at 803-275-1767 or contact any of the welding II students.

The Aiken Design Review Board will meet Tuesday in a work session to again discuss proposed changes to building height in downtown Aiken.

The 5:30 p.m. meeting is open to the public and will be held in the Municipal Building's room 204, 214 Park Ave.

The City has used its current height rule since 1971, which states no building be constructed higher than about 50 feet. City officials are requesting that the height ordinance be changed to 65 or 70 feet.

Area hotel owner Neel Shah is proposing to gut and revitalize Hotel Aiken on Richland Avenue. Although most of the hotel portion will keep its current height, Shah is proposing to construct a six-floor addition on the hotel's Newberry Street side.

Those proposed changes include queen- and king-size rooms, a dining area and a possible exercise room on the bottom floor.

The Design Review Board will follow their work session with a 6:30 p.m. regular meeting in Council Chambers, also open to the public.

Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.

The Aiken County School Board will hold a special called meeting to hear input from the public about the 2015-16 budget Tuesday.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. in the District office at 1000 Brookhaven Drive.

Before the public input session begins, Tray Traxler, the District's comptroller, will present an overview of the budget. Since the Board began discussing the budget in January, member have added:

- A 1 percent cost-of-living raise for all District employees at a cost of $1.7 million

- Funds to include full-time assistant principals at all middle schools, regardless of size, for a cost of $88,100

- Money to staff all elementary schools, regardless of size, with a minimum of one full-time assistant principal for a cost of $344,142

- Funds for a Freshman Academy at South Aiken High at a cost of $195,000

- Funding for a science, technology, engineering and math program at Jackson Middle and a science, technology, engineering, arts and math program at New Ellenton Middle for $323,600, including $118,600 for one-time costs

- $100,000 in one-time money for bands

- $8,375 in one-time money to provide materials for testing in the adult education program

- $47,500 in recurring money to hire one electrician for the maintenance department

- Recurring money to provide equivalent funds to schools for unused athletic supplements

The final budget will be presented June 23.

In other business, the Board is expected to discuss and possibly take action regarding the Superintendent Search Quantitative Rating Form.

During executive session, the Board is expected to discuss contractual issues.

An Aiken native, Larry Wood is a general assignment reporter for the Aiken Standard.

Hundreds of family members, friends and community residents attended the funeral of a tiny boy on Sunday - a sweet, funny 4-year-old named Kyrie Henry.

A Greendale Elementary School student, Kyrie was killed in a school bus accident on Wednesday. Even those who had never met Kyrie had seen family pictures and heard from many people about his vivid smile and giggling laugh. He loved hugs, eager to give as well as receive them.

"He opened doors to us from our hearts," said an aunt, Carol Williams.

At the service at New Beginnings Ministries, Bishop Hezikiah Pressley Jr. presented the eulogy. Ministers Bessie Graham and Crystal Graham-Baker provided solos.

The son of Lisa Taylor-Henry and Darren Henry, Kyrie was known throughout Greendale. His teacher, Becca White and his speech therapist, Dana Stevens, spoke emotionally about their love for Kyrie and the impact he had on their lives. They described his joyful spirit and said that "his memory always will be with us."

The service was attended by School District Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt, School Board member Levi Green and three Aiken County legislators - Sen. Tom Young and Reps. Don Wells and Bill Hixon.

"There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from the community," Green said. He cited the support as well from Greendale Principal Sonya Colvin and her faculty and staff.

From working road construction 80 hours a week during summers as an undergrad at USC Columbia, to creating Enterprise SRS and helping the Savannah River Site grow out of a closure mentality, Dave Moody has always prided himself in being a hands-on individual.

Moody announced in November that he plans to retire this month after four years with SRS and 36 years with the Department of Energy. Moody still plans to engage in the site and watch it grow into the "springboard for how we recover our nuclear industry."

The road to DOE

Moody grew up in Florence, South Carolina, doing carpentry with his grandfather and plumbing with his father. After graduating high school in 1967, he attended USC Florence for a year before marrying his wife, Pat, in 1968. The newlyweds moved to USC Columbia to campus housing, a location that is now a parking garage.

"Our honeymoon consisted of opening boxes in our little apartment on campus and, unfortunately, we had left all of our gifts back at her home. So, for a week until we went back, we had one pot to cook with - an interesting challenge," Moody said.

As he inched closer to receiving his degree in chemistry, an opportunity to conduct research opened up the summer before his senior year. Moody said that set the stage for his career when his adviser suggested he consider graduate school.

He accepted an offer from Indiana University, where he was able to conduct more research in his first year.

The fixer

After earning his Ph.D in inorganic chemistry, Moody was invited to compete for a directors'-funded post doctorate at Los Alamos National Lab, his introduction to the Energy Department.

At that time, the former construction worker was finally considering academia as a career and began working on catalysts for cleanup at the New Mexico lab. After successes at the lab, Moody's manager asked him to take over the lab's nuclear medicine program. Moody said he stabilized that program, then moved on to Rocky Flats - a Colorado plant that served as a nuclear weapons production facility in the 1950s.

In 1989, Moody was asked if he would take on a task to restart the program.

"I went on a two-year assignment that turned out to be 10. I knew it was the waste issues that would keep it from restarting. So I started working those out and helped stabilize all the plutonium that was sent to SRS that I now have to work to get rid of," Moody said, laughing.

Moody then went to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Under Moody's leadership, the plant was able to receive up to 45 shipments a week after only receiving a couple each week before his arrival.

Eventually, Moody moved into a role as the Carlsbad field office manager, where he continued improving the number of shipments and worked to develop a path forward.

'We are not a closure site. Get over it.'

Moody accepted the SRS manager position in 2010, but was no stranger to site activities. Believing the site was the "key to the nuclear future of this country," Moody first called an all-hands meeting to reinforce the fact that SRS is not a closure site.

Following in that belief, Moody crafted Enterprise SRS - an initiative that focuses on clean energy, environmental stewardship and nuclear nonproliferation.

Under Enterprise SRS and the Recovery Act, officials were able to re-purpose 85 percent of the site, rather than spending millions of dollars decommissioning areas of the property. Another effort under the act was the grouting and closing of the site's P and R Reactors in 2011. The 30-month effort contributed 62 square miles to the site's operational footprint reduction strategy and provided jobs and a boost to the economy through $1.6 billion in Recovery Act funds, according to DOE.

Other successes under the program included the growth and exposure of the Savannah River National Lab, which includes partnerships with Clemson University and in aiding Fukushima.

One part of the program Moody said he would have liked to have seen SRS take part in is the production of small modular reactors - reactors powered by uranium with electricity outputs of reportedly less than 300 megawatts. They are reported to allow for less on-site construction and increased containment efficiency, but officials in the nuclear industry are divided on how practical they are.

Regardless, Moody said he is not giving up on them, and that SRS is the best place in the country for the technology.

"When you look at the manufacturing prowess of South Carolina, you look at the region and coupling that with SRNL - this is the perfect place to build small modular reactors," he said. "That's been the driver behind it. It's not to have the first of them. It's really to build that whole industry."

Moody said he's had the pleasure of overseeing the operational closing of four liquid waste tanks and is happy to report that two more are scheduled to close in the near future.

In addition, Moody was able to change the status of the site's H Canyon facility - the only hardened nuclear chemical separations plant still in operation in the U.S. - from preparing for shutdown to receiving shipments of nuclear materials from around the world for processing.

"When you look at this administration's initiatives on capturing proliferate materials around the world and keep them out of the hands of terrorists, SRS is the go-to place for that," Moody said.

Wide open future

Budgetary issues, as well as infrastructure needs, are lasting concerns, said Moody. Still, he credits the South Carolina and Georgia congressional delegations for listening to local SRS officials and stakeholders and fighting for proper funding. In addition, Moody said the stakeholders themselves - including the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce, the local colleges and businesses - have all been instrumental.

Though infrastructure and funding needs are rising, Moody still sees a "wide open future" for SRS through the expansion of the national laboratory, ongoing clean-up efforts, and working with Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.

Specifically, Moody predicts that the processing of nuclear materials will become more lean and won't call for large structures like H Canyon.

"We need to show this whole new approach on how we're going to do nuclear processing in this country. SRNL will be the springboard to do that in partnership with industry and academia," he said.

Always a hands-on activist for nuclear, the Florence native now will take on a new role as a retired but engaged resident who has handed over the keys to Jack Craig, the new SRS manager. Craig was the interim manager when Moody arrived several years ago and was Moody's top pick for his successor.

Moody added, "(Jack) really is the best choice to take the site from where we are now and move it forward."

Derrek Asberry is the SRS beat reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the paper since June 2013. He is originally from Vidalia, Ga., and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Follow him on Twitter @DerrekAsberry.

Downtown Aiken soon will be bidding farewell to one of its best-known and longest-lasting businesses.

The Stoplight Deli is closing after celebrating its 22nd anniversary earlier this year. June 10 will be the last day of operation for the restaurant at 119 Laurens Street N.W.

"I don't want to be interviewed; I would rather for this to happen very quietly," said owner Teddy Milner when asked why she had decided to shut down the eatery, which was known for its large collection of whimsical salt and pepper shakers in addition to its soups, salads and sandwiches.

The Stoplight Deli's customers, however, were eager to talk and express their dismay.

"It's very sad; it's the end of an era," said attorney Bill Tucker of Hull Barrett. "It's a comfortable place to go and have a good lunch, and Teddy is a good friend, so I've always tried to support her. Sometimes I eat there once a week, and sometimes I often eat there twice a week and sometimes more."

Tucker learned the Stoplight Deli wouldn't be around much longer early last week.

"I found out Tuesday (May 26) when I went in to order, and the staff was pretty teary," he said. "Downtown is going to miss having a deli-type, informal lunch place. It's getting to the point where there are more fine dining places or pizza places around. There's nothing wrong with either one, but after losing the West Side Bowery (in 2013) and now the Stoplight Deli, there is a niche that won't be filled."

Anne Campbell also was unhappy to hear the news about the Stoplight Deli.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sad," she said. "I love going to the Stoplight Deli, I love the food, I love the atmosphere and I love Teddy Milner big-time. It's a meeting place where people feel comfortable in intimate surroundings. To me, it is one of downtown's institutions, and for a lot of people that can't be replaced, no matter what goes in where it is."

Sam Erb, who owned the West Side Bowery in The Alley with his family, purchased the building where the Stoplight Deli is a tenant last year.

"Hopefully somebody will come in there and start new and fresh," he said. "I've got some people that are interested, but I don't know what will happen. The restaurant business is tough, and for it (the Stoplight Deli) to have gone on as long as it has was a good thing. It will be missed in downtown Aiken."

Ron Brennerman of Birds & Butterflies, which is next to the Stoplight Deli and in the same building, described the restaurant as a good neighbor.

"I know a lot of people love going in there, and they are going to be very disappointed when they find out they are leaving," said Brennerman, who owns Birds & Butterflies in partnership with his wife, Dori. "There have been so many times in the 18 years that we've been here that I've gone over there and gotten some type of deli sandwich. We certainly will miss them."

Dede Biles is a general assignment reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the newspaper since January 2013. A native of Concord, N.C., she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

After 36 years as a teacher in Aiken County Public Schools, the last six at Clearwater Elementary, Ann Kitchings is retiring at the end of the school year.

She won't be gone for long, however. After some quality time at the beach this summer, Kitchings will return to Clearwater in the fall as a certified tutor.

Faculty, staff, students, family and friends recognized Kitchings for her dedication to the profession at an assembly Thursday and dedicated the school's 2014-15 yearbook to her. The school, along with friends and family, also honored Arleen Mitchum, a kindergarten teacher's aid and a crossing guard at Clearwater, who will retire after 28 years.

Kitchings started her career at Pinecrest Elementary and then moved to Laurens Street Elementary when Pinecrest closed. When Laurens Street Elementary closed, she moved to Aiken Elementary and taught there for 28 years.

After Aiken Elementary, she taught reading intervention at Jefferson Elementary before coming to Clearwater to teach resource, working with students with disabilities.

During her years as a teacher, Kitchings has taught kindergarten and second grade, and worked with students from 4K to fifth grade as a resource teacher.

Kitchings first knew teaching was her life's vocation in second grade at Millbrook Elementary.

"That was thanks to Mrs. Wood," Kitchings said. "She was one of those beautiful, sweet ladies with blue hair. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a teacher."

Kitchings said the "actual teaching" kept her in the profession. "That's what I've always wanted to do, and that's what I enjoy doing, working with the kids and helping them to learn the things that are challenging for them," Kitchings said.

As a certified tutor next year, Kitchings can continue doing what she loves best.

"I'll get the best part of what I like, which is the teaching," she said. "I'm looking forward to coming back."

While Kitchings relaxes at the beach, Mitchum will travel to her camper in the mountains and is looking spending time there in the fall.

A lifelong resident of area, Mitchum has been a part of Clearwater Elementary most of her life. She, her children and grandchildren all went to the school.

Mitchum volunteered in her daughter's kindergarten class and then substitute taught at the school before being hired as a teacher's assistant.

"I've got to experience a long life here, not just my 28 years," Mitchum said.

Mitchum said she will miss her time with the children. "We do our academics, but I play with them and sing to them," she said. "Helping them and watching them learn how to read and then seeing the children years later - that's been the most rewarding."

An Aiken native, Larry Wood is a general assignment reporter. He started at the Aiken Standard in September 2014.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Eight days after blocking it, Senate Republicans have agreed to begin debate on a House bill that would overhaul the National Security Agency's handling of American calling records while preserving other domestic surveillance provisions.

But that remarkable turnabout didn't happen soon enough to prevent the laws governing the programs from expiring at midnight Sunday as Republican Sen. Rand Paul, a presidential contender, stood in the way of extending the program, angering his GOP colleagues and frustrating intelligence and law enforcement officials.

Now, the question is whether the Senate will pass a bill the House can live with. If so, the surveillance programs will resume, with some significant changes in how the phone records are handled. If not, they will remain dormant.

The Senate vote on the measure known as the USA Freedom Act can come no earlier than 1 a.m., Tuesday. Senate Republican aides said they expected some amendments, but no major revisions to the bill.

"Having gone past the brink, the Senate must now embrace the necessity of acting responsibly," said Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee, in a statement after Sunday's Senate vote.

The high-stakes drama played out as Congress debated the most significant changes prompted by the disclosures of Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who revealed the phone records collection and other main surveillance programs. With no deal reached in time, the NSA stopped collecting American phone records at 3:59 p.m. EST Sunday, officials said.

Other authorities that expired allowed the FBI to collect business records in terrorism and espionage investigations, and to more easily eavesdrop on a suspect who is discarding cell phones to avoid surveillance.

Intelligence officials publicly warned of danger, but were not deeply concerned with a lapse of a few days or weeks, given that the authorities remain available in pending investigations. What they most fear is a legislative impasse that could doom the programs permanently.

"The Senate took an important--if late--step forward tonight," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement. "We call on the Senate to ensure this irresponsible lapse in authorities is as short-lived as possible."

President Barack Obama supports the USA Freedom Act, which ends NSA bulk collection of U.S. phone records but allows the agency to search records held by the phone companies. That bill, which preserves the other expiring provisions, passed the House overwhelmingly May 13.

Senate Republicans blocked that legislation on May 23, arguing that it undercut the NSA's ability to quickly search the records. It fell three votes short of the 60 needed to advance.

But with no other options, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in an about-face, reluctantly embraced the House-passed bill Sunday night.

"It's not ideal but, along with votes on some modest amendments that attempt to ensure the program can actually work as promised, it's now the only realistic way forward," McConnell said.

The Senate then voted 77-17 to move ahead on the USA Freedom Act.

McConnell was boxed in by the actions of his fellow Kentucky Republican, Paul, who helped stymy the leader's attempt to pass an extension of current law. Paul objected each time McConnell attempted to bring that measure to a vote.

Paul opposes the USA Freedom Act as not going far enough. But, he predicted , the USA Freedom Act "will ultimately pass."

Earlier, in a fiery speech decrying NSA surveillance, he shouted, "This is what we fought the revolution over, are we going to so blithely give up our freedom? ... I'm not going to take it anymore." Supporters wearing red "Stand With Rand" T-shirts packed the spectator gallery.

Paul's moves infuriated fellow Republicans and they exited the chamber en masse when he stood up to speak after the Senate's vote on the House bill.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. complained to reporters that Paul places "a higher priority on his fundraising and his ambitions than on the security of the nation."

Paul, for his part, asserted that, "People here in town think I'm making a huge mistake. Some of them I think secretly want there to be an attack on the United States so they can blame it on me."

Civil liberties groups were split. Some, including the ACLU, oppose the USA Freedom Act as too weak, and applauded the expiration of the surveillance laws. If the USA Freedom Act passes, the NSA would resume bulk phone records collection during a six month transition period to the new system.

"Congress should take advantage of this sunset to pass far-reaching surveillance reform, instead of the weak bill currently under consideration," said Michael Macleod-Ball, acting director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office.

But that seemed unlikely. Liberal senators who have been aggressive in criticizing the NSA are backing the USA Freedom Act.

"I'm pleased Republicans joined with Democrats to do what's responsible and support the passage of the USA Freedom Act," said Sen. Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat. "This is a bipartisan compromise that would ensure that our intelligence community has the tools it needs to focus more narrowly on the records of actual terrorists, and end the bulk collection of law-abiding Americans' private phone calls."

Chriswell's legacy endures: Former Silver Bluff, Midland Valley football coach dies at 71

Clayton Chriswell, the first head football coach at Silver Bluff High School who later led the Midland Valley football team, died Thursday. The 71-year-old Chriswell died of lung cancer.

Chriswell's known for achieving great success on the gridiron, including winning a state championship at Silver Bluff in 1986. He also built a legacy that extended beyond the football field and still endures.

Read more: http://bit.ly/1HGxvKi

Aiken's new city manager Klimm embraces Aiken, shares hopes and goals

John Klimm's life would be forever molded around the day he witnessed late President John F. Kennedy and wife Jackie step out of St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis, Massachusetts, as Klimm sat on his father's shoulders.

"That's the earliest memory that I have of being aware of politics," said Klimm, Aiken's new city manager. "I was there very young, but I was there in Hyannis Port during the Kennedy years; and that obviously was a very special time and a special place."

Read more: http://bit.ly/1FlnQre

Peaches for purchase: Stands open around Aiken County

The time is ripe for juicy South Carolina-grown peaches.

They're readily available in Aiken and the surrounding area, and many more will be arriving at local produce stands and grocery stores in the coming months.

"I'm very excited," said Emily Green earlier this week. "I think peaches are indicative of what summer is supposed to be like. They're fresh and seasonal."

Read more: http://bit.ly/1M3vtIo

Car hits 3 pedestrians and kills 1 person on US-17

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Highway Patrol says one person has died and two others were taken to the hospital after a vehicle struck three pedestrians in Myrtle Beach.

Multiple news outlets report the accident occurred at 10:47 p.m. Saturday on US-17 in Horry County.

South Carolina Highway Patrol reports the vehicle was traveling southbound when the three pedestrians crossed the road.

The accident is still being investigated.

The names of the pedestrians and the driver have not been released.

Ring recovered from ashes of fiery, 10-vehicle crash on I-26

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — An engagement ring feared destroyed in a fiery, multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 26 near Columbia has been returned to its owner unscathed.

WIS-TV reports that Kelly Winters assumed the flames consumed his wife's ring. Winters was in one of the 10 vehicles destroyed in Wednesday's crash after a tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons of fuel overturned.

No one was seriously injured. Winters helped pull one driver to safety.

One thing Winters left behind was the ring he was getting resized for his wife.

But his insurance adjuster found it while sifting through the ashes in the impound lot. Winters says the ring was hand-delivered to him at the hospital, then taken to a jeweler to get cleaned, repaired and resized.

Winters then surprised his wife with it Friday.

3-year-old shot, leading to 2nd shooting outside hospital

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Horry County authorities say a 3-year-old was accidentally shot at a home near Myrtle Beach, leading to an argument between family members and a second person being shot outside the hospital.

Local media outlets report the child was stable but in critical condition following surgery. The second person's wound is not life threatening.

Horry County Police Lt. Raul Denis says investigators believe the child found a gun in a dresser drawer about 1 p.m. Saturday and accidentally fired it. Police do not expect to file charges.

The second shooting occurred a few hours later outside Grand Strand Medical Center.

Myrtle Beach Police Lt. Joey Crosby says two people were arrested.

Police did not immediately release any names.

Hospital spokeswoman Julie Kopnicky says the hospital was temporarily on lockdown

A Warrenville woman reported that a man poured gasoline on her and ignited it but she escaped from any injury, according to the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

No arrests were made when deputies responded to a disturbance at 7:12 a.m. on Pleasure Island Road, according to a sheriff's report.

The woman told deputies she was lying on the porch when the subject started pouring gasoline on her. The woman said that the man then lit the gasoline but she was able to get away before the flames reached her, according to the report.

The man then came at her with a wrench but dropped it before getting to her, according to the report. The woman said that the man then struck her twice in the face with his fist. The woman got away and went to a friend's house to get a ride home and call the police.

Deputies then met with the man who said he had been asleep and knew nothing about the incident, investigators said. He added the last time he saw the woman was when the deputies responded to the location the first time, according to reports.

The deputies had originally responded to the incident location at 3:50 a.m. for a disturbance.

A witness also stated he was asleep and did not observe the altercation, deputies said.

Deputies did not observe burn marks on the porch and could not establish probable cause for an arrest, according to reports.

A Boil Water Advisory has been issued for residents in Warrenville and Gloverville who have or are experiencing low water pressure or no water.

Employees are working to repair a broken water main in the Pleasant Pointe subdivision area.

The Valley Public Service Authority is asking residents to vigorously boil their water for at least one full minute prior to drinking or cooking until further notice. Also, any ice made from water which has not been boiled should not be used.

No contamination of the system has been confirmed, the Authority said in a press release; however, they said the potential for contamination exists.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is working with the water system to handle the problem.

For more information or for answers to questions and concerns, call the water authority at 803-593-2053.