WASHINGTON — The two emails on Hillary Rodham Clinton's private server that an auditor deemed "top secret" include a discussion of a news article detailing a U.S. drone operation and a separate conversation that could point back to highly classified material in an improper manner or merely reflect information collected independently, U.S. officials who have reviewed the correspondence told The Associated Press.

The sourcing of the information in the emails could have significant political implications as the 2016 presidential campaign heats up. Clinton, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, agreed this week to turn over to the FBI the private server she used as secretary of state, and Republicans in Congress have seized on the involvement of federal law enforcement as a sign that she was either negligent with the nation's secrets or worse.

On Monday, the inspector general for the 17 spy agencies that make up what is known as the intelligence community told Congress that two of 40 emails in a random sample of the 30,000 emails Clinton gave the State Department for review contained information deemed "Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information," one of the government's highest levels of classification.

The two emails were marked classified after consultations with the CIA, which is where the material originated, officials said.

The officials who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity work in intelligence and other agencies. They wouldn't detail the contents of the emails because of ongoing questions about classification level. Clinton did not transmit the sensitive information herself, they said, and nothing in the emails she received makes clear reference to communications intercepts, confidential intelligence methods or any other form of sensitive sourcing.

The drone exchange, the officials said, begins with a copy of a news article that discusses the CIA drone program that targets terrorists in Pakistan and elsewhere. While a secret program, it is well-known and often reported on. The copy makes reference to classified information, and a Clinton adviser follows up by dancing around a top secret in a way that could possibly be inferred as confirmation, they said. Several officials, however, described this claim as tenuous.

But a second email reviewed by Charles McCullough, the intelligence community inspector general, appears more suspect. Nothing in the message is "lifted" from classified documents, the officials said, though they differed on where the information in it was sourced. Some said it improperly points back to highly classified material, while others countered that it was a classic case of what the government calls "parallel reporting" -- different people knowing the same thing through different means.

The emails came to light Tuesday after Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, reported that McCullough found four "highly classified" emails on the unusual homebrew server that Clinton used while she was secretary of State. Two were sent back to the State Department for review, but Grassley said the other two were, in fact, classified at the closely guarded "Top Secret/SCI level."

In a four-page fact sheet that accompanied a letter to Clinton supporters, Clinton spokeswoman Jennifer Palmieri stressed that Clinton was permitted to use her own email account as a government employee and that the same process concerning classification reviews would still be taking place had she used the standard "state.gov" email account used by most department employees. The State Department, meanwhile, stressed that it wasn't clear if the material at issue ought to be considered classified at all.

Still, the developments suggested that the security of Clinton's email setup and how she guarded the nation's secrets will remain relevant campaign topics. Even if the emails highlighted by the intelligence community prove innocuous, she will still face questions about whether she set up the private server with the aim of avoiding scrutiny, whether emails she deleted because she said they were personal were actually work-related, and whether she appropriately shielded such emails from possible foreign spies and hackers.

Clinton says she exchanged about 60,000 emails in her four years as secretary of state. She turned over all but what she said were personal emails late last year. The department has been making those public as they are reviewed and scrubbed of any sensitive data.

The State Department advised employees not to use personal email accounts for work, but it wasn't prohibited. But Clinton's senior advisers at the State Department would have been briefed upon basic protocol for handling classified information and retaining government records. In Clinton's time, most officials saved their emails onto a separate file or printed them out when leaving office. Only recently has the department begun automatically archiving the records of dozens of senior officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry.

In the emails, Clinton's advisers appear cognizant of secrecy protections.

In a series of August 2009 emails, Clinton aide Huma Abedin told Clinton that the U.S. point-man for Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, and another official wanted "to do a secure" conversation to discuss Afghan elections. Clinton said she could talk after she received a fax of a classified Holbrooke memo, also on a secure line. Later, Abedin wrote: "He can talk now. We can send secure fax now. And then connect call."

But other times, the line was blurred. Among Clinton's exchanges now censored as classified by the State Department was a brief exchange in October 2009 with Jeffrey Feltman, then the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East. Both Clinton and Feltman's emails about an "Egyptian proposal" for a reconciliation ceremony with Hamas are marked B-1.4, classified for national security reasons, and completely blacked out from the email release.

A longer email the same day from Clinton to former Sen. George Mitchell, then Mideast peace envoy, is also censored. Mitchell responds tersely and carefully that "the Egyptian document has been received and is being translated. We'll review it tonight and tomorrow morning, will consult with the Pals (Palestinians) through our Consul General, and then I'll talk with Gen. S again. We'll keep you advised."

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for help in locating Jeremy Clinton Lawton, who is wanted in connection to an Aug. 11 Beech Island shooting.

Lawton is wanted for pointing and presenting a firearm, unlawful carry of a pistol and discharging a firearm into a dwelling.

These charges are the result of the shooting that occurred Aug. 11 at 189 Graystone Dr. in Beech Island, according to the Sheriff's Office.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

According to a Sheriff's Office incident report, people inside the Graystone residence told deputies Lawton came to the house and told one person he was going to take a motorcycle from the backyard, and a verbal argument ensued.

A man at the residence told deputies he was on the way inside the home when Lawton brandished a chrome handgun and began firing at the residence, the report stated.

The man told deputies he believes he heard approximately four shots being fired, the report stated.

Another person at the residence told deputies they observed a silver pickup truck leave from the scene, and another man was sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle, according to the report.

Lawton is also wanted for pointing and presenting a firearm and criminal domestic violence high and aggravated involving a separate incident.

Lawton is described as 6 feet and 200 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at 803-648-6811 or 803-642-1751.

People can also call Crimestoppers of the Midlands at 888-CRIME-SC or www.midlandscrimestoppers.com.

Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1000.

The Aiken Standard will update this story as more information becomes available.

Maayan Schechter is the Digital News Editor with Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Authorities want to talk to a man who donned a fairly realistic bear costume — head and all — and wore it when harassing a bear and two sows trying to feed on pink salmon in an Alaska river.

The incident happened Monday on the Chilkoot River near Haines, said Alaska Fish and Game Assistant Area Management Biologist Mark Sogge.

It wasn't immediately known what the man was trying to accomplish.

A crowd had gathered at a weir, used to count fish, because the sow and two cubs have frequently been showing up there to feed during the salmon run.

The crowd, which is kept at a safe distance from the weir, became startled when a man decked out in a bear outfit ran through the area Monday evening.

The man began to jump up and down, and then got close to the cubs, within five to 10 feet, Sogge said.

Alaska Fish and Game technician Lou Cenicola moved the sow out the way for the man's safety and then tried to talk to the man, which Sogge said is a little outside Cenicola's normal duties.

"Our job is to count fish," Sogge said.

The man refused to identify himself, Cenicola said.

Sogge reported the man told the technician: "You have the license plate number. You figure it out."

The man then drove off without ever removing the costume head and revealing his face.

Wildlife officials reported the incident to troopers, including the license plate number. Troopers are investigating, spokeswoman Megan Peters said. If warranted, the man could face wildlife harassment charges.

"This is not the first time we've encountered a man in a bear suit," Peters said.

The other incident of a man in a bear suit came during the forest fair in Girdwood, just south of Anchorage, a few years back. That man's arrest was captured on film for the now-canceled "Alaska State Troopers" reality TV show.

Haines is about 500 miles east of Anchorage, near the top of Alaska's southeastern panhandle.

The Aiken County School District is taking a stand on athletic transfer waivers.

The county's high school principals got together and decided transfer students would not get endorsements according to Aiken County Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford.

Last week, North Augusta High School decided not to sign off on 17 transfer waivers to play fall athletics at Fox Creek High School. One additional student, a cheerleader, was also denied but no such waiver is required for her to participate.

"This is a district-wide policy; a number of students who did not get endorsement were zoned for Midland Valley for the same circumstance," Alford said. "This is not unique to North Augusta High School and not to Mr. (John) Murphy. It probably would have been in everyone's best interest if we communicated these things earlier in the year, and not have them become an issue right before school. In the future we just need to communicate better."

Murphy, North Augusta's principal, said he would welcome the students back. Each of the students involved are currently zoned for North Augusta.

"We would love to have them stay at North Augusta," he said. "We would do anything we could to help them athletically and academically."

Alford said the issue has come down to athletic participation, which should not be the focus. The students are able to transfer and enroll at Fox Creek, as well as any other district or charter school. They will, however, have to sit out one calendar year from athletic participation.

"The issue in this case is that not only do students want to transfer, but they also want to be able to participate in athletics when they get there," he said. "My hope and desire is that decision is not based on athletics first. We believe in the comprehensive high school experience, and high school athletics are a very important part of that. In this circumstance, the (South Carolina High School League) constitution allows and put onus on the principals at those schools engaged to sign off, and ratify a student's participation if they choose to attend, and consequently play at a school they are not zoned to attend. The principal has right to say 'yes, I agree' or 'no, I do not.'

"In this circumstance our high school principals got together and decided they wanted to approach it in a consistent way."

Fox Creek Principal Josh Trahan said that he respected Murphy's decision.

"At the end of the day, the High School League allows those kids to play subvarsity with the permission of the principal or superintendent," he said. "John has the right to deny it. I called all of the parents involved and told them that. Those kids can go back to North Augusta if those parents know playing sports is critical to the kid's success."

Despite the current situation, Trahan said he would sign off on any would-be transfers from Fox Creek to North Augusta.

The students involved mostly account for the fall sports. Additional students may request transfer waivers for sports such as basketball, baseball or softball in the winter and spring.

Alford said in a picture perfect situation, the parents would have known in April or May and had the whole summer to prepare.

"We will not restrict anybody's desire to attend a different educational setting," he said. "We wish them the very best in that academic experience. They just have to go knowing they won't be able to participate in athletics as a freshman."

Scott Rodgers is the news editor at The North Augusta Star and has been with the paper since 2013. Follow him on Twitter @TheScottRodgers.

A 45-year-old Aiken woman reported she was robbed Thursday after picking up an unknown man at a gas station on Jefferson Davis Highway.

The victim told deputies she thought she was doing a good deed when she picked up the unknown man, because he asked her to help him by giving him a ride, according to a report provided by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

The victim stated that once the man was riding in her car with her, he started going through her purse, deputies said.

Once the victim realized what was happening, she slammed on the brakes and stopped the car in the middle of the highway, according to the report.

The victim told deputies that once the vehicle was parked, the man grabbed $50 out of her purse, pulled out a stick with something sharp attached to the end of it, and preceded to violently hit her with it, according to the report.

Deputies said another driver saw this happening, so that person ran over to the passenger side of the car and pulled the man out of the victim's car, according to the report.

The victim said she drove away as fast as she could to the hospital once the man was out of her car, according to the report.

Deputies are searching for the man who attacked her and the driver who came to her aid.

During these final weeks of summer, the American Red Cross is trying to get as many eligible donors as they can to ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients in need.

Karen Overmyer, the external communications manager with Red Cross, said the need for blood donations is constant.

"Blood donations often decline in the summer months, usually around August, because vacations are planned and back-to-school activities ramp up," Overmyer said.

"On average, during the summer months, about two fewer donors give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than what is needed," she added.

Donors with types AB, O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially encouraged to donate.

Plasma from type AB donors can be transfused to patients of any blood type, as can type O negative blood, according to Overmyer.

She also said the most in-demand blood is Type B negative and A negative, which can be transfused to Rh-positive or negative patients.

Individuals who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood, Overmyer said.

Blood drives will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 25 at Aiken Technical College, 2276 Jefferson Davis Highway, and from 2 to 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Aiken Mall, 244 Whiskey Road S.

For more information, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Tripp Girardeau is the crime and court reporter for the Aiken Standard.

EDGEFIELD — Once Saluda resident Riley Nordin gave the signal, the event staffer pressed the button and an orange, clay figure glided through the air. But after a loud pop from Nordin's rifle, the figure exploded, signaling another successful shot during Friday's portion of the Turkey Shoot sporting clays tournament.

Though the event has been going on since 1994, the National Wild Turkey Federation was proud to hold the four-day event for the first time at its home in Edgefield at the Palmetto Shooting Complex. The courses at the shooting complex are designed to offer many different types of shots and targets.

Nordin is a regular shooter and said he participates with the local 4-H Club.

"Today wasn't too good," Nordin said with a smile, as smoke exited his rifle. "But we'll see what the next two days bring."

The first two days of the event were mainly used for smaller competitions, so first-timers and amateurs could have fun playing some of the various shooting games on the courses. But Nordin was referring to the main event - a two-day, 200-target competition on both Saturday and Sunday that often features professional shooters from across the country. Overall, $100,000 in cash and prizes are for the taking this year.

Other participants Friday included Davis Williams, a 13-year-old who has been shooting for about four years. Williams came from Swansea with the rest of his family to participate in the event.

His dad, Dean Williams, said the family represents the Calhoun Sporting Clays Team from Camden.

The family has been involved with sporting clays for about three years, Dean said.

"We all enjoy just coming out here and being a part of this," Dean said. "It's a great event, and we always look forward to it."

The Palmetto Shooting Complex is part of the organization's $18 million Hunting Heritage and Outdoor Education Center, which is under construction and scheduled for completion in 2017.

Overall, the turkey shoot is expected to see more than 400 shooters and about 1,200 total, said Pete Muller, the public relations specialist for the National Wild Turkey Federation.

"It's a fair amount of traffic for Aiken and Edgefield, and that helps the local economy when visitors hit the towns to go get food and shop around," Muller said.

Rhett Simmons, the manager of the shooting complex, added that holding the event for the first time in Edgefield is an honor for the federation.

"A lot of pride goes into this, and we're extremely proud of what we've done so far," Simmons said.

The turkey shoot will continue through Sunday. Festivities generally kick off between 7 and 8 a.m. at the Palmetto Shooting Complex, 535 Gary Hill Road in Edgefield. The National Wild Turkey Federation is located down the road at 770 Augusta Road.

For more information about the turkey shoot, visit www.nwtf.org/events/turkey-shoot.

Derrek Asberry is the SRS beat reporter for the Aiken Standard.

Megiddo Dream Station is coming to Aiken.

The Graniteville-based organization is setting up a new campus at Friendship Baptist Church on Richland Avenue.

The first Work for Success program will start there Oct. 5. The eight-week series of classes will be offered at Friendship Baptist three times a year.

Work for Success teaches unemployed men and women how to become better job candidates.

"We feel like we will be opening the door for a lot of people who can't make it to Graniteville because of transportation issues and other reasons," said Kay Benitez, Megiddo's executive director. "We've also have had a waiting list in Graniteville because we don't have the space to accommodate everyone. Friendship Baptist does a lot of work in the community, and this will be a natural extension of what they already do."

In June, Megiddo began offering its Work for Success program at Second Providence Baptist Church in North Augusta.

"The expansions to North Augusta and Aiken will allow us to reach more people throughout Aiken County," Benitez said.

In other Megiddo news, a Work for Success graduation ceremony was held Aug. 11 at the Midland Valley First Church of the Nazarene in Clearwater. Eighteen students participated.

In 2014-15, 37 students completed the Work for Success program. Most also completed one or more advanced classes that focused on developing skills in such areas as caregiving, construction and customer service.

Jeff Burton, Stephanie Byrne, Drey Drummings, Rayshard Edmondson and Nikie Roach graduated with honors. They all had perfect attendance and participated in 40 hours of volunteer service.

"It's a very humbling experience to see these people take such a positive and meaningful step forward in their lives," said Megiddo Board Chairman Greg Tompsett. "Megiddo Dream Station provides an opportunity for so many in our society that have simply been left behind. Every person has value and deserves an opportunity to better himself or herself. These graduates have taken it upon themselves to better their lives, and we're so proud to play a role in that wonderful transformation."

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 Graniteville woman was arrested and charged with shoplifting Thursday after she was caught taking items from a store in Warrenville on Old Depot Street, according to the report.

Jessica Bell, 31, is charged with shoplifting first offense and possession of prescription pills, according to an incident report provided by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

An employee of the store that Bell was shopping in noticed Bell acting suspiciously, according to the report.

The employee contacted police after watching Bell conceal something in her purse, deputies said.

Deputies asked Bell to open her purse once they arrived to the location; Bell admitted she put items in her pocketbook in an attempt to take them, according to the report.

Bell took cleaning sponges and a car air freshener, according to the report.

Deputies also found a bag of white powder and an array of pills in Bell's purse, according to the report.

One of the pills was identified as a prescription medication, for which Bell did not have a prescription, deputies said.

Bell was arrested and taken to the Aiken County detention center.

Woman faces shoplifting charge

The City of New Ellenton was fined $2,000 after a state health department cited a number of fecal coliform violations at the City's wastewater treatment facility.

On the Aug. 13 meeting agenda for S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, or SCDHEC, the agency wrote that New Ellenton's Wastewater Treatment Facility was responsible for several violations.

The agency has a permit to spray treated wastewater on nearby land, but issues arose in September, October and December of last year.

On Feb. 19, a notice of violation was issued due to discharge monitoring reports that New Ellenton sent to the department. Specifically, the town violated the Pollution Control Act, Water Pollution Control Permits Regulation and State Land Application Permit because it "failed to comply with effluent discharge limits of its permit for fecal coliform," the agency wrote.

As a result, New Ellenton is required to pay $2,000 in four installments and submit a corrective action plan and schedule of implementation to address the deficiencies.

New Ellenton Mayor Vernon Dunbar said the fine was unfortunate because of the work the town has done to make improvements to the facility. The town received a $350,000 rural infrastructure grant a couple of years ago to make much needed upgrades, Dunbar said.

Upgrades included refurbishing the whole sewer system, replacing the liner at the facility to prevent leakage and overhauling pumps.

Dunbar said, during that time, communication became strained between the contractor and the operator. The lack of communication is a significant part of the issue, which is why one of the corrective actions taken was creating a more direct line between workers and the operator, he said.

"We saw the fine as a little unfair because of all the work we've had to do modify the facility and make it more operational," Dunbar said. "Nevertheless, I understand we have to play by the rules and go by the law. But it was just unfortunate that it occurred this way."

Derrek Asberry is the SRS beat reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the paper since June 2013.

Aiken County's Vaucluse area will be under a boil water advisory Monday.

Residents who are customers of the Valley Public Service Authority water system will experience water interruption from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday as S.C. Department of Transportation crews work to lower a 12-inch water main.

Once water returns, customers will need to boil their water for at least one minute before using the it, according to the Valley Public Service Authority.

This action will last until notified otherwise.

Vaucluse area must boil water Monday

Two weeks into his work as the Aiken County School District's new superintendent, Dr. Sean Alford expressed thanks for the warm welcome he has received throughout the community.

On Friday, he attended a meet-and-greet reception co-hosted by USC Aiken Chancellor Dr. Sandra Jordan and Liz Stewart, chairman of Public Education Partners, or PEP, at the university.

Public school classes will begin Monday. While the transition to new leadership is important, Alford said, "the spotlight will begin to shine on our students and teachers. ... One thing I can promise is that our decisions will be in the best interests of the students."

USCA has enjoyed a long partnership with the school district, Jordan said. Over the past 26 years, the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center on campus has educated and entertained more than a million children with science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, programs.

"We're looking forward to working with you and your team," Jordan told Alford. "I'm so happy to be collaborating with an education professional with your stature and your experience."

PEP was established in 1995 as a public school advocacy organization to promote and assist the school district. Beginning in 2004, PEP raised funds to purchase STEM-based computer labs at several middle schools. Stewart said she and other board members will continue its mission of collaborating with the district.

"We want to help make sure the teachers have an easier time of doing innovative, exciting and meaningful work," Stewart said. "We're blessed to have a board that is very committed."

USCA's new School of Education Dean Dr. Judy Beck and Professor Dr. Michelle Vanderburg, also cited initiatives that continue to put more education majors in the public schools. Senior students have already started internships with mentor teachers throughout the county. Juniors will soon start working with teachers and students at two elementary schools.

Again, Alford said he is grateful the school district and USCA already are working together on several projects.

"There is always room for more opportunities to improve and advance these initiatives," he said.

Senior writer Rob Novit is the Aiken Standard's education reporter and has been with the newspaper since September 2001. He is a native of Walterboro and majored in journalism at the University of Georgia.

These are the bookings recorded for the Doris C. Gravat Detention Center for Aug. 15, 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.

James Tillman Kyzer, 59 — unlawful use of a telephone/911

Austin Lee Cardamone, 18 — unlawful carrying of a pistol, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, burglary first degree, simple possession of marijuana

Gregory Antoine Johnson, 37 — disorderly conduct/gross intoxication, possession of cocaine first offense

Clattee Williams Jr., 44 — possession of cocaine first offense

Romon Jeroid Williams, 26 — failure to comply, driving under suspension second offense

Johnnie Bob Smith Jr., 37 — driving without a license bench warrant

Antwan Nijev Frazier, 24 — false information to police bench warrant, failure to comply

Joseph Antonio Harris, 24 — driving under suspension, proof of insurance required, false information to police/fire, open container in motor vehicle, suspended tag bench warrant, operating an uninsured motor vehicle bench warrant

John Lee Marshall Lillard, 39 — sexual exploitation of a minor third degree four counts, sexual exploitation of a minor second degree 10 counts

Marquese Devante Shelton, 20 — simple possession of marijuana

Randall Lee Rucker, 21 — hold for probation

Robert Jonathan Norbits, 49 — possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine sentence, distribute, sell, purchase or manufacture drugs other than crack cocaine

Deondre Pierre Brown, 25 — burglary first degree, assault and battery first degree, hold for Lake County, Florida

Aaron Robert Boggs, 21 — simple possession of marijuana

Benjamin Taylor Bilton, 20 — indecent exposure two counts

James Edward Frazier, 50 — manufacture, distribution etc. cocaine base second offense

Jessica Brooke Bell Grey, 31 — failure to pay child support, shoplifting first offense, hold for Aiken County Sheriff's Office

Jimmie Johnson, 62 — public drunk

Ronnie Gartrell Jr., 29 — theft of a controlled substance first offense

Calvin James Scott, 17 — simple possession of marijuana

James Patrick Welty, 36 — breach of trust with fraudulent intent

Joseph Kendral Mobley, 26 — shoplifting $1,000 or less

Robert Lee Watkins Jr., 41 — hold for Jones County Sheriff's Department

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

Deputies responded to a call about a structure fire Friday on Old Barnwell Road in Montmorenci. The blaze left a man and a woman homeless. Deputies reported the house fire as suspicious and said they will continue to investigate.

A 42-year-old North Augusta woman reported Thursday someone hit her vehicle and drove away. Her car was parked on Clearmont Drive when the hit-and-run occurred.

A 31-year-old Aiken man reported Thursday someone entered his home on Mosley Road while he was away. Deputies reported the man contaminated the scene, and they were unable to process the evidence.

A 42-year-old Aiken woman reported Thursday the house she owns on Legion Road in Warrenville had been broken into and items were stolen.

A 31-year-old Warrenville man reported Thursday his car was stolen from his home located on Arabian Court. The man also said the burglars stole his chainsaw.

A 39-year-old Aiken man reported Thursday someone stole his ATV from his home located on Talatha Church Road.

A 64-year-old Aiken man reported Thursday a drug dealer showed up at a house on Duke Lane asking for money he was owed. The man said, when he didn't have the money, the suspect broke out the windshield of a car that the man was in the process of buying from someone else.

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

A 52-year-old Aiken woman reported Thursday someone broke into her residence on McCormick Street and stole three televisions from the house.

A 24-year-old North Augusta man reported Thursday he was assaulted at a hotel on Richland Avenue. He told officers he was in his room when three individuals came in, assaulted him, took his iPhone and stole his prescription medication.

Officers arrested and charged a 24-year-old Aiken man Thursday after he fled on foot during a traffic stop, entered an empty house on Brown Lane and resisted arrest.

A North Carolina-based company is a few weeks away from completing a facility in Jackson to support metal fabrication, including production of piping, tanks and boilers.

Wachs Services, based in Belmont, North Carolina, announced plans Wednesday via a press release to use a 120,000-square-foot facility at Bishop and Atomic roads to house its fabrication operations. Plans are for the building, now being renovated, to open for business in mid-October.

"The facility will fabricate a wide range of products for the power industry that range from small pipe spools to large modular components," it read.

"We're just thrilled to have them here in Jackson," said Jackson Mayor Todd Etheredge, who was re-elected in April with growth as a campaign priority.

"Our initial investment is approximately $3 million," said Allie Abel, Wachs marketing specialist, "and that's for the purchase of the building, upgrades, renovations and then equipment."

Abel also noted that the Jackson operation will have six full-time office personnel. "The amount of people we employ in the shop will vary depending on the amount of projects we have," she said.

Etheredge pointed out that Jackson native Keith Willingham, an executive vice president at Wachs, has "gone on and done great things, and he's decided to locate a business in Jackson - going to create some growth, going to create some jobs and create some energy in Jackson, and that's what we need to spur some other development."

The company's press release, which described Wachs as a specialty welding and machining company, noted that "For over 20 years, Wachs Services has provided specialty welding and machining services to the nuclear, petro-chemical and power-generation industries."

More details are available at www.wachsservices.com.

Bill Bengtson, is a native of Florence, Alabama, and has worked for Aiken Communications since March 1996, helping cover events for the Aiken Standard and The North Augusta Star.

South Aiken High School's faculty and students welcomed incoming freshmen Thursday with lots of solid information - most of it in funny, even goofy ways.

Student Government Association members brought messages about what to wear and not wear, how to treat other students and teachers and more. In 30-second bursts, the upperclassmen would rush out of the gym, change costumes and rush back for another gag with a message.

Student Government President Joseph Heyward cheerfully admitted that he and his friends went totally over the top, "just trying to make it fun for them, and hopefully, they'll remember what we talked about."

Heyward recalls his own orientation experience as a freshmen - an event that blew him away. It's much more than middle school, he said. "More like middle school on steroids."

After leaving the gym, the ninth-graders were escorted to the football field for relay races. They took off their shoes, which were tossed into the middle of the field, and scores of students made mad dashes to try and get their shoes the fastest.

Freshman Ja-Kobe Bush enjoyed the programs but is also bringing a serious approach to high school.

"I want to get a leap on my education and move onto 12th grade and then to college," he said.

For the first time, South Aiken has implemented a formal Freshman Academy program. Assistant Principal Tami Shaffer introduced the academy teachers to the students and their parents.

The orientation "is a great way to help (the students) see each other and meet the teachers," said Megan Scholar, a ninth-grade English teacher. "All of us will be on the same hall ... We want them to know that we're not just their teachers. We can help them get through and go from there."

Senior writer Rob Novit is the Aiken Standard's education reporter and has been with the newspaper since September 2001.

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the individual in these photos. The suspect in the photos is a person of interest and may be connected to car break-ins in the Warrenville area. If anyone has any information on the identity of this suspect, we encourage them to contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at 803-648-6811 or contact CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-888-CRIME-SC. For more information visit www.sc crimestoppers.com.

Suspect wanted for multiple car break-ins

Aiken Public Safety investigators have arrested two individuals for a commercial burglary at Palmetto Package Store on Park Avenue.

Tequan Martrell Holmes, 26, of Aiken has been arrested for Burglary 2nd Degree, Possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, possession of a pistol by a convicted felon, and failure to comply with a lawful order of a PSO. Mr. Holmes was placed on notice at the Aiken Safe Community meeting held in December 2013. As an offender who has been placed on notice, Holmes was informed by a panel of community members and law enforcement officials to not violently reoffend with drugs, weapons, violent crimes, or crimes of violence. The consequences of reoffending would result in his case being prosecuted swiftly and to the maximum extent of the law.

Darrin Marquile Holston Jr., 21, of Aiken has been arrested for three counts of Burglary 2nd Degree and failure to comply with a lawful order of a PSO. In addition to the burglary on Aug. 10, Holston was identified as the individual who burglarized the Palmetto Package Store on two previous occasions in June and July 2015.

On Aug. 10, Aiken Public Safety officers were on patrol near the incident location when the two individuals were observed throwing bricks at the front door of the business in an attempt to force entry. After a brief foot chase, the individuals were arrested. Upon the arrest of Holmes, he was in possession of a firearm.

Two arrested for commercial burglary

One of two Aiken teenagers arrested after allegedly pointing a firearm last Friday near Lakeside High School in Coumbia County has been transported from the Aiken County detention center to the Georgia jurisdiction where the alleged crime took place.

William Jerimiah Hawkins-Mullins, 18, of Palm Drive, was charged Thursday in Columbia County with criminal trespass, disruption or interference with operation of public schools, pointing or aiming a gun at another and carrying a weapon within a school safety zone, according to a report published in The Augusta Chronicle. He had been held in the Aiken County detention center since Aug. 7 on the Columbia County warrants.

Hawkins posted a series of SnapChat videos of a handgun being discharged from a vehicle, according to a Columbia County Sheriff's Office press release.

In other SnapChat posts, Hawkins stated he was in Augusta, in the Lakeside High School parking lot and in the Lakeside High School cafeteria, according to the report.

Mahoney said that Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt received a call from an unidentified person who saw the video, and Hunt called Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle.

One witness told police a white male in a dark colored Chevrolet Avalanche pointed a weapon at him while students were on the bus at Old Evans Road near Bobby Jones Expressway, the report stated.

Police said no direct threats were made to any particular school, but out of caution, all area schools were put on lockdown.

The suspects were tracked using a cellphone that led police to Aiken, according to the report.

Mahoney told the Aiken Standard the individuals appear to be involved in crimes in both Columbia and Aiken counties, turning the investigation into a joint investigation. Aaron Lott, 17, of Lorraine Drive in Aiken, was also arrested in the case and remains in the Aiken County detention center on unrelated charges.

Aiken teen faces school gun charges

The Aiken Department of Public Safety Police Athletic League held its fourth annual Blue Night 5k run/walk Friday at Citizen's Park on Banks Mill Road.

The event is designed to raise money for the Police Athletic League program, which is organized to provide athletic and recreational activities to children who may not be afforded the opportunity to participate in standard athletic programs, according to program officials.

People of all ages and backgrounds registered to be a part of the event.

Aiken resident George Lawson, 66, said he was excited to be running the 5K this year.

"I ran in the event last year, and I found it to be very well organized and a great cause at that," Lawson said. "I wish Aiken had more events like this."

Lawson said the crowd was bigger this year than it was in 2014, and he was happy to see so many kids involved.

Aiken resident Robert Morris, 14, said he went to Aiken High School and was running the 5k along with many other students from all around the area.

"I've been training for this since June, six days a week," Morris said. "My goal is to cross the finish line in 22 to 23 minutes."

After the event was over, there was a special celebration with music and door prizes.

For more information on the Aiken Department of Public Safety Police Athletic League, visit http://on.fb.me/1DRxfNo or call 803- 642-7686.

Tripp Girardeau is a beat reporter with the Aiken Standard.