Greenville named site of 2016 GOP presidential debate

COLUMBIA — The only Republican presidential primary debate happening in South Carolina will be held in Greenville in February, just a week before the state's GOP primary.

State Republican Party Chairman Matt Moore said in an email statement Monday night that a debate would be held on February 13 at the Peace Center, in partnership with the Republican National Committee and CBS News.

The debate will be carried live on CBS.

There are currently 17 presidential hopefuls vying for the Republican nomination.

Tast week, the Democratic Party unveiled its presidential primary debate schedule, which includes a Jan. 17 debate in Charleston to be aired on NBC.

Trump declines invitation to attend Tim Scott town hall

CHARLESTON — Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has declined an invitation to attend one of the town hall meetings that South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott is arranging with GOP presidential candidates.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports (http://bit.ly/1gvU0eA) that Trump is the only candidate to do so.

Scott has been planning a series of town hall meetings in which the candidates appear individually to discuss issues with voters.

State Rep. Jim Merrill, who is working with the Trump campaign in the state, says Scott's invitation conflicted with other primary events that Trump is attending. He said Trump might be available in January if Scott's offer still stands.

Scott spokesman Joe McKeown says the senator will continue with plans to arrange town hall meetings with the other GOP candidates.

Graham to announce members of SC national security team

COLUMBIA — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham plans to release the names of the people who have agreed to be on his South Carolina National Security Coalition during his 2016 Republican presidential run.

Graham is campaigning this week in South Carolina. He will stop by the South Carolina Military Museum in Columbia on Tuesday morning to announce the members of his new team.

Graham spent Monday in the Upstate, criticizing President Barack Obama's deal with Iran that the president says will stop Iran from making a nuclear bomb.

Graham says Obama made a bad deal that will only make it easier for Iran to get a nuclear bomb.

Aiken City Manager John Klimm urged City Council on Monday to develop a more targeted plan for downtown development, pointing in particular to a revitalization program through the state's Municipal Association.

The program, known as the Main Streets South Carolina initiative, aims to help cities generate greater economic activity and sustain such development.

"There are tools out there we aren't using," Klimm said, adding Aiken has "great potential," but more can be accomplished in the years ahead.

Communities must apply to the Municipal Association to participate in the Main Streets program, which fosters downtown promotion and advertising, as well as business retention and recruitment.

Klimm explained that participation in the program would only be part of these development efforts, as other opportunities also exist.

Council has additionally explored the possibility of hiring a staff person to specifically examine the City's economic reinvestment fund - additional dollars that became available in the City's budget after the passage of the hospitality tax earlier this year.

Klimm also pointed to the need for greater investment on the City's Northside, which he believed "lacked a real economic development strategy" at the moment.

Council also unanimously authorized City staff to seek bids to curb storm water drainage issues near 1935 Whiskey Road - property that's being developed by restaurant chains Starbucks and Chipotle.

According to City staff, $50,000 is already available through the City's economic reinvestment fund to cover costs related to the project, which includes finding a proper detention mechanism for drainage. City Utilities Director George Grinton indicated during the meeting that nearby property owners have agreed "in concept" to contribute funds related to the project, but no formal agreement has been reached.

In other business, members of Council voiced support for approving a specific plan and price range by the end of September to address ongoing infrastructure issues in the Gem Lakes subdivision. Council and City staff have repeatedly met over the past several years with the neighborhood's developers, Kisner and Gaul LLC, and the neighborhood's residents to come to an agreement on how to move forward with repeated roads issues. A recently released report, drafted by Atlanta-based Willmer Engineering, indicated the flow of construction trucks coming through the subdivision has resulted in the "cracking and weakening of the pavement," which has allowed water to infiltrate underneath and create road "failures."

Michael Ulmer is a North Augusta native and the opinions page editor for the Aiken Standard.

A North Augusta man was charged Monday with traveling too fast for conditions after he reportedly struck two dump trucks on I-20, according to Lt. Allan Rollins, with the Richland County Sheriff's Office.

While traveling on I-20 eastbound at 10:30 p.m., George Yoder, 66, approached two dump trucks with warning flashers on, and failed to pass both trucks, side swiping the dump truck to his immediate front, police said.

Police said both dump trucks were occupying the left lane, and part of the emergency lane, in a staggered formation while performing highway clean-up and sweeping off roadway debris.

Both trucks, police said, are owned by Sweeping Corporation of America, and were operating under contract by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

After Yoder made contact with the truck, police said Yoder continued driving east and then struck the rear of the second dump truck, which was stopped in the left lane.

The truck's driver exited the vehicle to pick up some debris. That driver did sustain injuries that do not appear to be life-threatening, police said.

Police said Yoder also walked away uninjured.

AUSTIN, Texas — Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry has stopped paying his 2016 presidential campaign's staff in the key early primary state of South Carolina, amid flagging poling numbers and sluggish fundraising.

Spokesman Lucy Nashed said late Monday that "tough decisions have to be made in respect to both monetary and time-related resources."

"Governor Perry remains committed to competing in the early states and will continue to have a strong presence in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina," Nashed said in a statement. "The Governor is also looking forward to his trips to South Carolina this Thursday and to Iowa next week."

Perry has spent more time than any White House hopeful in Iowa, which opens presidential primary voting, and has frequently visited New Hampshire and South Carolina, sites of the next two primaries.

It wasn't clear if the pay suspension would be permanent. It was first reported by National Journal.

Katon Dawson, Perry's South Carolina state campaign chairman, didn't return messages seeking comment Monday night. But some other Perry South Carolina staffers said they would continue to work as volunteers, at least for the time being, believing the former governor's fortunes may improve.

Perry campaign officials in other states referred questions about salaries to headquarters in Austin, which declined to comment beyond Nashed's statement.

"As far as I know, we still have a plan and we're still on track," said Sam Clovis, the campaign's Iowa state chairman.

Perry just barely failed to crack the top 10 in national polls of the crowded Republican presidential field, keeping him off the main stage at last week's much-watched debate. His campaign announced in July that Perry had raised only around $1 million in about a month -- though super PAC support pushed its total war chest to nearly $18 million.

Perry spent 14 years at Texas governor, the longest tenure in state history, before leaving office in January.

He's hoping to convince Republican primary voters that he's humbler and better prepared than in 2012, when his first presidential bid opened to strong fundraising and a brief surge in the polls -- but fizzled amid a series of public gaffes.

Perry dropped out of the race four years ago just before the South Carolina primary, after disappointing showings in Iowa and New Hampshire.

An Aiken man reported to Aiken County Sheriff's Office deputies Monday that a woman he lives with on Tulane Drive assaulted him by grabbing his genitals and threatening to cut him.

The man told deputies he and the woman got into an altercation that quickly escalated and became violent, according to an incident report.

According to the incident report, the man claimed the woman became extremely angry, grabbed his genitals and held a knife to his stomach threatening to cut him.

The man said she then let him loose and preceded to cut a pillow in the bedroom, and the incident ended with the woman pouring hot candle wax over his arm, according to the incident report.

Deputies said the woman told them the man was drunk and she had not done any of what he alleged, and the candle wax accidentally fell on both of them, the incident report stated.

No one was arrested or charged.

AUGUSTA - Comedian Thomas "Nephew Tommy" Miles will perform at Augusta's Bell Auditorium, 712 Telfair St., on Sept. 25.

Tickets of $47 and $37 go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

"Miles has built a career that encompasses radio, television, film and more," as stated in a press release. "Thomas' role as co-host of the nationally syndicated 'Steve Harvey Morning Show' puts him in front of a live radio audience of more than eight million listeners daily ... Thomas also has a loyal following as a stand-up comedian and has earned a reputation for wowing crowds."

He has also acted in plays and several independent movies.

"Whether on the stage, big screen, television or radio, Miles continues to demonstrate his remarkable talent to the delight of audiences worldwide," as stated in a press release.

The show will begin at 9 p.m. with doors opening at 8 p.m.

For more information, visit www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com or call 877-4AUGTIX.

Stephanie Turner has been the Aiken Standard's arts and entertainment reporter since 2012. A few months prior, she graduated with her journalism degree from Valdosta State University. She currently lives in Evans, Ga.

City of Aiken officials have issued a 24-hour boil water advisory for Bonnieview Estates.

Aiken's Engineering and Utilities Department issued the advisory at 10:47 a.m. Tuesday as a precaution for residents affected by the break who lost water pressure.

Homes on Shannon Lane, Sharyn Lane, Robinhood Trail, Monterey Lane, Mockingbird Lane, Goode Lane and Brunswick Lane are also included under the advisory.

Officials recommend that customers in the area who are without water boil the water for at least two minutes and allow the water to cool prior to consumption for the next 24 hours.

For more information, call the City's Engineering and Utilities at 803-642-7617.

Boil water advisory issued for Bonnieview Estates

The Rev. Kristin Dollar's life was a clash of ups and downs, questions about God and times of depression. Then, while pursuing her undergraduate at Furman University, one of the newest additions to St. John's United Methodist Church found her "la familia" and her true calling while working with a Spanish-speaking congregation.

Dollar started her role as the associate pastor of nurture on June 28. Her daily routine involves a great deal of pastoral care, including visiting people and hearing out their problems.

But before accepting the job, she was fighting her own problems dating back to her days as a North Augusta resident attending Augusta Prep.

"When I was in high school, I had a lot of questions about God, and I went through some really rough times," Dollar said. "I'd say I had a really shaky faith."

The questions continued at Furman, but Dollar was able to balance her confusion with an internship that provided more than class credit. She interned at Triune Mercy Center in Greenville, South Carolina. The center is a church that welcomes everyone, but mainly provides a house of worship for the homeless and less fortunate.

"My sophomore year, I got a lot of life out of listening to peoples' stories, and I like to think I was able to help them as well," Dollar said.

But her next year brought even more challenges, and Dollar said she hit a pretty bad low point and was not doing very well. Thinking of her time at Triune Mercy Center, Dollar said she went back to the church "in search of a pew to sit in."

Not only did Dollar find a pew, but she found a sense of peace.

"All of those questions I had been asking didn't even matter," she said. "It was really incredible because all of the people who I was listening to before were now saving me by listening to my problems."

After that experience, Dollar said going to seminary was something she had to do. And through her time at seminary, she met St. John's Senior Pastor Tim McLendon at a conference. After learning about her Aiken County roots, the church was eventually able to recruit Dollar as its associate pastor of nurture.

"I got such a strong sense of family at Triune, and that experience is one I hope I can bring with me to St. John's," she said. "This congregation has been so opening and welcoming by embracing me before they even knew me."

In addition to Dollar, St. John's has recently announced other changes. Dr. Ray Litts, the former nurture pastor has been named senior pastor at Hibben UMC in Mt. Pleasant. Also, the Rev. Nancy Reed will remain with McClendon and Dollar, at St. John's.

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.

CHARLESTON — The first black representative elected to the South Carolina House since Reconstruction has died at age 92.

Frederick A. Fielding says his father, Herbert U. Fielding of Charleston, died of natural causes Monday.

The elder Fielding was elected to the House in 1970 and would later serve in the state Senate during the 1980s and 1990s. He made an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1992.

He helped operate Fielding Home for Funerals, the largest black-owned funeral home in the state, and was active in political and civic activities.

His son says Fielding's most cherished honor was the Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian award.

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., told The Post and Courier (http://bit.ly/1hvChVD) that Fielding was a gentle man dedicated to advancing civil rights.

Ten people were killed on South Carolina roadways over the weekend, according to preliminary data released Monday by the Department of Public Safety.

The data was collected from Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. until Aug. 9 at midnight; however, no deaths were reported in Aiken County, according to the report.

All 10 deaths were on U.S. routes, South Carolina roads and secondary roads, and of all those who died over the weekend, half were not wearing their seat belts.

As of Aug. 9, 560 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 463 deaths during the same time in 2014, according to the release.

Also, 59 pedestrians have died compared to 49 in 2014; 86 motorcyclists have died compared to 57 in 2014; and nine bicyclists have died compared to seven in 2014 on state roads and highways, according to the release.

There have been 16 fatalities on Aiken County roadways since Jan. 1

Staying mindful of downtown development will be a continued focus for Aiken, according to City Manager John Klimm, as City staff and City Council explore ways to invest in the area.

Klimm urged City officials during Council's meeting on Monday to develop a more targeted plan for fostering the development of downtown, an effort he believes should be collaborative and holistic.

"I'm not an advocate to the exclusion of other areas in town," Klimm said, noting recent efforts to boost both Aiken's Northside and Southside. "I just think that the foundation is there downtown."

Klimm mentioned in an interview Tuesday that the key to the sustained development of downtown is the attraction of people to live, work and play. Such efforts, he said, can be aided by the City participating in a revitalization program through the state's Municipal Association known as the Main Streets South Carolina initiative. Communities must apply to the Municipal Association to participate in the program, which fosters downtown promotion and advertising, as well as business retention and recruitment.

"So why I think it's important for Aiken to at least apply is that there is technical expertise there," Klimm said, adding the program's experts can help ensure commercial and residential space downtown is being effectively utilized.

Attracting more people to downtown is also tied to having an attractive design and charm, which Aiken has, Klimm said, but can also build upon.

"We need to highlight our uniqueness. We need to make sure our design says something about our community."

He added that creating greater connectivity with USC Aiken and Aiken Technical College would also be key to attracting younger people downtown, as well as keeping them in the community in the long-term.

"Both are hidden jewels," he said about the schools. "You have thousands of students there, but I sense that there's a variety of opinion that there's enough here for them. You know you have succeeded in your downtown revitalization efforts when you can not only see it, but feel it."

Also on Monday, members of Council voiced support for approving a specific plan and price range by the end of September to address ongoing infrastructure issues in the Gem Lakes subdivision. A recently released report, drafted for the City by Atlanta-based Willmer Engineering, indicated the flow of construction trucks coming through the neighborhood has resulted in the "cracking and weakening of the pavement," which has allowed water to infiltrate underneath and create road "failures."

These issues prompted the City earlier this year to enter into a contract with Rick Toole, president of Augusta-based W.R. Toole Engineering Inc., to perform a $30,000 soil and roadway investigation to test the quality of the roads in the neighborhood.

Toole presented Council with several options on Monday to try to resolve this issue, noting that estimated costs and the level of risk associated with the repairs will be part of the conversation in finding a resolution.

Klimm noted City staff hasn't reached a clear recommendation, but wants to offer Council a more clear directive by the end of September.

"We shouldn't conclude that the least expensive model is not the one to take. We also shouldn't assume necessarily that the most expensive option is the better option," Klimm said, adding Council will likely hold a work session on the issue to reach a better understanding of it.

City Council member Dick Dewar noted Tuesday that it's clear Council "needs to make a decision," but didn't believe there's "universal agreement" as to what caused the problem.

"We really don't know the exact cause, but I think we have good choices and solutions," Dewar said, noting the report presented by Toole. "I just want to try to get something that will fix as much of the problem that we can possibly fix."

Council and City staff have repeatedly met over the past several years with the subdivision's developers, Kisner and Gaul LLC, and its residents to come to an agreement on how to move forward with repeated roads issues. Council also meet in executive session Monday to consider possible legal ramifications tied to these ongoing infrastructure issues.

Michael Ulmer is a North Augusta native and the opinions page editor for the Aiken Standard.

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office is looking for a white male, possibly involved in a drug-related shooting incident, according to the scanner; although a Sheriff's Office spokesman said "it's too early to say anything like that."

A call came through the scanner around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, with the incident location on Graystone Drive off of Beech Island Avenue, according to the scanner.

Deputies are looking for the man, who might have driven off in a brown or gray Chevy pickup truck pulling a trailer, according to scanner reports.

Capt. Eric Abdullah, a spokesman with the Sheriff's Office, said no one was injured in the incident and the "disturbance call" is still under investigation.

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

An Aiken woman called police Tuesday claiming that someone was throwing bricks at the side of her house located on Screech Owl Trail. The woman said a brick broke through her bedroom window while she was on the phone. Deputies were unable to determine who was throwing the bricks.

Deputies responded to a suspicious activity call Monday at an abandoned house on Brandywine Road. Deputies reported finding several Aiken juveniles smoking marijuana, and ticketed one of them who claimed ownership of the drugs. Deputies called their parents to come pick them up.

A Jackson woman reported Monday that a man assaulted her at her home on Bea's Way. Deputies asked the woman about her injuries; she claimed the man hit her over the head with a glass object and pushed her down some steps.

A North Augusta woman reported Monday she got into an altercation with her fiance at their home on Edisto Drive. She said he assaulted her and destroyed several items in the residence. Deputies said the man fled before they arrived.

Deputies met a North Augusta woman at a Clearwater restaurant Monday. She told deputies her boyfriend, who lives with her at a home on Duncan Road, had assaulted her and broke her phone. Deputies were unable to contact the boyfriend.

According to reports provided by the Aiken Department of Public Safety:

An Aiken man was arrested and charged Tuesday after officer saw him and a girl walking on Collar Street. Officers reportedly searched the man and found a small bag of methamphetamine in a cigarette box. He was placed under arrest, and the girl was released.

An Aiken man was arrested Monday after officers pulled him over for speeding on Pine Log Road. Upon searching the man, they found marijuana and pills that he did not have a prescription for.

An Aiken woman was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident Monday. A witness told officers they saw the woman hit a trash can and drive through the front yard of a residence on Two Notch Road. The report stated she caused $1,500 in damage to the yard.

An Aiken woman reported that, when she took her grandfather to the doctor Monday, her uncles took items from the residence located on Juniper Loop. The woman told officers her uncles were upset because they weren't made executors of her grandfather's will. She reported that they took furniture and left sticky notes all around the house stating which items were theirs.

Officers responded Monday to a house located on Crane Court where an Aiken woman reported that her parents stole her prescription medicine to take for themselves. She told officers her parents kicked her out of the house after she approached them about the issue.

An Aiken man reported Monday his motorcycle was stolen from his home on Silver Bluff Road. He said no one else had keys to the motorcycle, and he was unsure of how it was taken.

An Aiken woman reported Monday that a car pulled up next to her while she walking on Troon Way, and a man in the vehicle asked her some lewd questions just before showing her his genitals. The woman wrote down the tag number to report it to police.

Officers responded Monday to a house located on George Street, where the owner reported that unknown subjects had broken in. Officers reported five broken windows and more damage to the exterior of the property.

These are the bookings recorded for the Doris C. Gravat Detention Center for Aug. 10, 2015. Some of the people listed may not have actually spent time in jail if they posted bond and were released. Although those listed have been arrested and charged, that does not mean they have been found guilty. All bookings may be viewed online by visiting www.aikenstandard.com and clicking on the "Crime" tab.

Robert West Jr., 47 — domestic violence third degree, unlawful use of a telephone

Tequan Martrell Holmes, 26 — possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, possession of firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, hold for Aiken Department of Public Safety, burglary second degree

Darrin Marquile Holston Jr., 21 — failure to comply, burglary second degree three counts

James Nicholas Pardue, 28 — public drunk

Jennifer Ouimette, 45 — driving under the influence, possession of other controlled substance in schedule I to V

Travis Sental Turner, 36 — domestic violence second degree

Mack Eugene Griffin, 47 — disorderly conduct/gross intoxication

Torrey Enell Thomas, 36 — failure to pay bench warrant

Piere Romeo Wilson, 18 — shoplifting

Jeremy Marquise Holloway, 27 — simple possession of marijuana bench warrant

Leondre Malik Henderson, 18 —discharging a firearm in the City

Ryan David O'Callaghan, 31 — assault and battery second degree

Carrie Melissa Taylor, 38 — shoplifting less than $2,000 must appear bench warrant

Dwayne Earl Caldwell Jr., 19 — shoplifting $1,000 or less commitment

Russell Ervin Lott, 40 — failure to pay child support two counts

Nancy Marie Richardson, 43 — shoplifting first offense

Michael Brock Bell, 20 — burglary third degree first offense two counts, grand larceny value more than $2,000 but less than $10,000

Keith Farrai Brannon, 58 — forgery less than $5,000

Jennifer Mae Deloach, 36 — driving under the influence

Danielle Jeaneen Dunlap, 43 — no driver's license second offense bench warrant, shoplifting $1,000 or less, driving under suspension, failure to stop for law enforcement

Robin Snipes Smith, 46 — open container bench warrant, transporting alcohol with an open seal bench warrant, uninsured motor vehicle bench warrant, driving under suspension bench warrant

An Aiken man reported Monday that he received an anonymous tip accusing a recent tenant of breaking into a residence and stealing a stove and refrigerator.

The man said he recently evicted the tenant from a house on Hudson Road, according to an incident report provided by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

The man reported getting an anonymous phone call claiming the tenant had broken back into the house in order to steal a 21-foot refrigerator and a stove, deputies said.

The man went to the residence to see if the claims were true and discovered both the fridge and stove were gone, according to the report.

Deputies reported the window beside the back door had the screen cut out and the window was "wiped off with an unknown object," the report states.

The man said he was called again by a restricted number and was told that the former tenant was trying to sell the kitchen items at a local appliance store, according to the report.

Deputies said they are trying to get into contact with the former tenant.

Police: Man accused of stealing appliances

The third annual Make New Friends 5K and 1-Mile Daisy Dash will raise funds for Aiken area Girl Scouts who want to travel and learn.

Proceeds from the races, scheduled for Sept. 25 at Citizens Park, will be used to provide financial support for local participants in the Girl Scouts Destinations program.

Girl Scouts from the Aiken area journeyed to Boston, Wisconsin, Germany and Spain this year.

"There is an application process, and the girls have to get references and write essays," said Bridget Ricks, a Girl Scouts volunteer. "My daughter, Sammie, went to CampHERO in Wisconsin in July and had a fabulous time. She got CPR and rescue training, and she rappelled off a four-story building."

The fee for the Daisy Dash, which will start at 6 p.m., is $10. The cost for the 5K, which will begin at 6:30 p.m., is $25.

Training sessions for the 5K are being held at 7 p.m. at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday before the race.

To register for the 5K and Daisy Dash, visit www.active.com.

For more information, visit the Make New Friends 5K page on Facebook.

Representatives of organizations interested in becoming sponsors can call Patrick Krohn at 803-220-9209 or email katie@millersnack.com.

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.

A woman who was driving an SUV that overturned off Engineer Road in Aiken County on Tuesday morning was not injured, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

Valentina Gomez-Alvarado, 37, was driving a 2004 Trailblazer east on Engineer Road when she ran off the left side of the road and lost control, Lance Cpl. Judd Jones said. She crossed back over to the right lane and ran off the right side of the road, where the SUV overturned.

She was charged with driving too fast for conditions.

Woman rolls SUV, cited for driving too fast

A group that looks at economic development opportunities associated with capabilities at the Savannah River Site was recently selected as a finalist in the Post-Secondary Outreach category for the 2015 Georgia STEM Education Awards.

The group, the SRS Community Reuse Organization, or SRSCRO, is a nonprofit regional group focused on supporting job creation in a five-county region. The region includes Aiken, Allendale and Barnwell counties in South Carolina and Richmond and Columbia counties in Georgia.

The Georgia STEM Awards recognize schools, programs and companies for outstanding efforts and achievements in supporting and promoting the areas that make up STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

Specifically, the reuse organization was recognized for identifying STEM workforce skills needed to support existing and emerging technologies in its region. To align education programs with high technology job needs, a partnership with five colleges and universities was established, reuse officials wrote in a press release.

The partnership is called Advancing Nuclear Skills Regionally and includes Augusta Technical College, Georgia Regents University, Aiken Technical College, University of South Carolina Aiken and University of South Carolina Salkehatchie.

Partners developed seven new post-secondary programs to support technical workforce demands. College graduates are successfully entering technology careers because of the STEM-based degree programs made possible through this regional collaboration.

Mindy Mets, a member of the group, said STEM efforts were initiated in 2009 when the group commissioned a nuclear workforce study to define local impact of growth in the high-tech, nuclear industry.

"The study concluded that 10,000 new nuclear workers in 57 key job classifications were needed over 10 years locally," Mets said.

The announcement was released Monday by the Technology Association of Georgia and the association's Education Collaborative. The winner of the award will be announced during a special awards gala Aug. 28 at the Carlos Community Center, 2500 Clairmont Road N.E., Atlanta.

"It is so gratifying to see STEM education gaining momentum throughout the state of Georgia. The programs selected as finalists are leading the way in this effort and sharing best practices that will prepare our students for the challenges ahead," Michael Robertson, executive director of the education collaborative, said.

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, Georgia, and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Follow him on Twitter @DerrekAsberry.

School Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford welcomed teachers on their first day back to classrooms across the County as they prepare for the 2015-16 school year at a Board of Education meeting Tuesday.

"I was able to visit some schools today, and it was nice to hear a little noise in the hallways," said Alford, who spoke at his first regular School Board meeting after presenting his first 100 days entry plan at a special meeting Aug. 4.

"It's certainly nice to have the teachers back, and I hope we'll have a great week of preparation and some professional development, allowing them an opportunity to get into their classrooms and get ready to teach students Monday."

Alford said he expects U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., to visit Aiken High School at about 1 p.m. Aug. 25. He is expected to visit classes and meet with teachers and staff.

Wilson also is expected to sponsor a community reception and town hall meeting at 6 p.m.

During business items presented by Board members, the trustees approved the reappointment of Clarence Jackson to the Area 1 Advisory Council.

The Board also approved the reappointment of Darrell Blocker and Karen Key and the appointment of Mark Stone, Crystal Morlan and Michelle Burns to the Area 2 Advisory Council.

The board approved a change order for the installation of artificial turf for the football field at North Augusta High School in the amount of $145,178.

The amount includes storm drainage at the bleachers, unsuitable soils on the field and rerouting water lines from under the field.

A change order is work that is added to or deleted from the original scope of work of a contract, altering the original contract amount or the completion date.

Board members heard a report of minority purchases for the fiscal year that ended June 30. According to the report, the District spent $156,095 during the year with nine minority vendors.

The Board also approved a custodial pilot program with Augusta Janitorial. The District is seeking a comprehensive custodial program that will assist with improving the cleanliness and upkeep of facilities.

The pilot program is at two elementary schools, one middle and one high school.

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

Amateur photographers who enjoy taking pictures of animals and landscapes have an opportunity for their work to be recognized.

Bird & Butterflies is seeking entries for its "South Carolina - Nature's Palette" contest.

The competition will have three categories: critters, scenery and youth (age 16 and under).

"The photos don't have to be taken in Aiken or Aiken County; they can be from anywhere in South Carolina," said Ron Brenneman, who owns Birds & Butterflies with his wife, Dori. "In the scenery category, it would be nice to get pictures from all over the state."

Photos of domestic animals such as dogs and cats or farm animals such as horses and cows won't be accepted in the critters category.

"The subject has to be some kind of wild animal," Brenneman said.

Entries can be dropped off Sept. 7 through 12 at Birds & Butterflies at 117 Laurens St. N.W.

There will be an entry fee of $5 per photo in the critters and scenery categories, and submissions will be limited to two per person.

There will be no entry fee in the youth category.

"The print size for the photos should by 8 inches by 10 inches, and each print should be matted so that it is approximately 11½ inches by 14 inches in size," Brenneman said.

A panel of judges will select first- and second-place winners in each category. Voting for a "People's Choice Award" will be held Sept. 14 to 19.

The contest's winners will be announced during a reception at Birds & Butterflies on Sept. 22 that will start at 5:30 p.m. The prizes will be Birds & Butterflies gift cards.

The photos will be on display at the store until Sept. 26.

This is the sixth year that Birds & Butterflies has sponsored a photo contest. In the past, the store has published and sold a calendar with some of the contest photos in it and donated some of the proceeds to a charitable cause, but there won't be a calendar this year.

"With all the electronic devices that are available now, calendars don't seem to be that popular anymore," Brenneman said.

Last year, the photo contest had around 70 entries.

For more information, call 803-649-7999 or visit www.birdsand butterfliesaiken.com.

Dede Biles is a general assignment reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the newspaper since January 2013.