No one pushes No. 1 Clemson's defense harder than its offense.

The combination has led to undefeated season, an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and a spot in the national semifinals against No. 4 Oklahoma (11-1) at the Orange Bowl on Thursday.

Sometimes, though, it's hard to determine if Clemson's best defense is its explosive offense, putting up big numbers that none of the Tigers' 13 opponents this season have been able to outscore.

The formula was tested the last two games and almost cost Clemson its undefeated season. The Tigers led rival South Carolina 28-10 before a late Gamecocks rally cut it five, 37-32. in the ACC title game, Clemson was up 35-16 against North Carolina before needing a final second onside kick recovery to hold off the Tar Heels, 45-38.

Containing Oklahoma will be a challenge for Clemson's defense, but maybe not its toughest of the year.

Before the teams arrived in Florida on Saturday, Tigers receiver Deon Cain said in some ways, keeping pace with Clemson's offense is an even bigger motivation.

"If we keep scoring points, that's going to tell (the defense) they need to do better," Cain said, "because they want to be up there competing with us, too."

But the lapses by Clemson's defense, ranked seventh in the country, raises questions whether it's a national championship caliber unit.

"I don't know," Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "I don't know yet."

The problems weren't there at the start of the season when Clemson's defense picked up the mantle left by last year's group, which ended the year ranked No. 1 overall in FBS in fewest yards allowed. Despite losing eight starters from a year ago, the Tigers showed out strong early on to pull out close victories over Louisville (20-17) and Notre Dame (24-22).

Clemson needed a last second stop on the Irish's two-point conversion try - defensive tackle Carlos Watkins stuffed Notre Dame quarterback Deshone Kizer - to leave soggy Death Valley with the signature victory.

The high water mark took place in Miami when Clemson shut out the Hurricanes 58-0 on Oct. 24.

Since then, the Tigers have shown breakdowns and inconsistencies defensively - and against several opponents they were supposed to dominate as easily as the Hurricanes.

North Carolina State put up 41 points against the Tigers, the most given up by Clemson in two seasons.

Syracuse kept things a game into the fourth quarter of Clemson's 37-27 victory before South Carolina made things too close for comfort to close the regular season.

"We wish we didn't have the breakdowns and played better," linebacker Ben Boulware said. "It's something we will fix."

A consistent defensive effort would help Clemson's offense, no matter how many points its capable of putting up.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson, third in the Heisman Trophy voting this year, led an attack that put up 60 touchdowns and 500 points this season. The offense seemed to find its full potency at the time Clemson's defense took its foot off the gas pedal.

The Tigers had nine straight games of 500 or more yards of offense to finish the year. Clemson's defense allowed 27 or more points in four of its last six games.

Clemson has been able to find enough balance on each side of the ball to build big leads down the stretch, but not to put teams away.

Against North Carolina, the defense forced two punts, intercepted Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams and stopped a fake punt try as Clemson went from trailing 16-14 to ahead 35-16.

Watson said the Tigers are ready to make whatever play necessary to win games - be it a long scoring pass or a forced fumble to stymie an opponents' momentum.

Venables called it a "big plus" that his guys get to work against Watson, 1,000-yard runner Wayne Gallman and a host of talented quick receivers. Venables said knowing how effective Clemson's offense is lets the defense be more aggressive, knowing that mistakes won't always cost the Tigers.

The defensive coordinator said, "It's been fun watching those guys battle and go week in and week out against each other and have the kind of success that they've had on game day."

The line goes that a picture is worth 1,000 words, or maybe even more.

Sometimes, photos by themselves can tell a deeper story, capturing storms that sweep through communities, wide smiles on prom days and the dedication and faith that a new church building will finally come to fruition.

The Aiken Standard compiled the top 10 most clicked photo galleries of 2015, all of which can be found on the newspaper's website at www.aikenstandard.com.

The top 10 list is below:

1. Aiken County Severe Weather

A small tornado ripped through parts of Aiken County this year, damaging property and bringing down trees.

As families and businesses surveyed their properties to see what was damaged, Aiken Standard readers captured their own photos to show what unforeseen storms can do to communities.

To view the photo gallery, click bit.ly/22qvqzL.

2. Aiken High School Prom

Aiken High School students put on their best dresses and suits this year, stepping out to debut their looks at Aiken High School's prom.

To view the photo gallery, click bit.ly/1My2DNY.

3. St. Mary's Dedication

In February, dozens from the greater Aiken County area visited St. Mary Help of Christians Parish's new 19,000-square-foot church on Fairfield Street. The church cost $9 million to construct, and was designed by McCrery Architects, of Washington, D.C., who based the design on fine buildings in Aiken, Renaissance architecture and of the very early Christian period.

To view the photo gallery, click bit.ly/1QYJX03.

4. Spring Steeplechase

Thousands flocked to the annual renewal of the Aiken Spring Steeplechase in March. The annual race brought more than 30,000 people to the race track.

To view the photo gallery, click bit.ly/1kiwB1W.

5. Prom Time for North Augusta High School

This year's North Augusta High School prom on April 25 had a "masquerade" theme, with Paige Holloway and Briggs Smith as its royal couple. Prom was held at the North Augusta municipal building.

To view the photo gallery, click bit.ly/1NEabCS.

6. St. Mary Dedication 2

In February, dozens from the greater Aiken County area visited St. Mary Help of Christians Parish's new 19,000-square-foot church on Fairfield Street. The church cost $9 million to construct, and was designed by McCrery Architects, of Washington, D.C., who based the design on fine buildings in Aiken, Renaissance architecture and of the very early Christian period.

To view the photo gallery, click bit.ly/1NEbd1J.

7. Midland Valley Prom

Midland Valley High School students were to be remembered prom night. Boys and girls made sure to perfect their looks before stepping out for the big night.

To view the photo gallery, click bit.ly/1OpKJ7y.

8. St. Mary's Inside

St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church opened its doors earlier this year, giving the public the opportunity to tour its new church on Fairfield Street.

To view the photo gallery, click bit.ly/1VcDcbD.

9. Aiken Spring Steeplechase Races

Steeplechase isn't all about the outfits or the big hats.

For many, Spring Steeplechase was about seeing the horses, hoping to see their pick cross the finish line first.

To view the photo gallery, click bit.ly/1Ocz1v2.

10. Hopelands Prom

Prom can't be prom without "pre-prom."

In May, high school students posed for multiple photos at Hopelands Gardens before strutting their moves out on the dance floor.

To view the photo gallery, visit bit.ly/1OjSeqq.

Wondering how you will fare financially in 2016?

Below are what experts think next year will hold for financial matters close to home: Raises, rent, gas, food and health.

Will you get a raise next year?

Maybe.

Wage growth has been perhaps the job market's biggest weakness since the recession ended. Pay increases have been both slow and uneven, highly dependent on your field of employment. And for many, it has not been enough to keep pace with the cost of living.

In November, average hourly earnings climbed 2.3 percent from a year earlier, according to the government's most recent report. But that is only about two-thirds the roughly 3.5 percent typically seen in a strong economy.

Many economists are optimistic Americans' pay will start growing faster soon because hiring has been good and layoffs have been low. But that's been the case for a while, and wages haven't taken off yet.

Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank, is not expecting major gains ahead. He notes that measures that include a broader mix of compensation beyond hourly wages show there's even less growth in pay than it seems.

"I'm not convinced things are going to grow as much as I would like them to," he said.

Will my rent go up?

Yes, most likely.

It's been a tough few years for U.S. renters because demand has outpaced supply, causing prices to rise.

Rents increased 4.5 percent in October, 5.3 percent in September and 6.2 percent in August, according to real estate data firm Zillow. The median rental payment nationwide was $1,382 in October, roughly 30 percent of the median U.S. family income and high enough for the government to consider it financially burdensome. Over the past decade, that number of renters spending over this threshold on rent has jumped from 14.8 million to 21.3 million, or 49 percent of all renters.

There are more rent increases anticipated ahead.

"Rents are expected to rise in virtually all major cities in 2016," said Hessam Nadji, senior executive vice president with commercial real estate services firm Marcus & Millichap.

Some small consolation: While rents will still rise, the pace of rent growth will slow modestly from the exceptional levels set in 2015 as new construction creates more housing competition, Nadji said.

Will gas prices stay low?

Yes, most likely.

Oil prices have plummeted over the last year, a result of high global supplies and weaker demand than expected. U.S. drivers are paying less than $2 a gallon on average for the first time since the Great Recession. Seasonal factors and volatile oil prices will push prices up and down throughout the year, but overall prices are expected to remain low compared with recent years.

The Energy Department forecasts an average of $2.37 a gallon next year, which would be the lowest annual average since 2009.

Tom Kloza, head of energy analysis at the Oil Price Information Service, said drivers should expect lower lows and higher highs at the pump in the year ahead, but he doesn't expect the price of a gallon of gasoline to go over $3 at any time in 2016.

"Nationally we are looking at a year that is very similar to the year we are ending," Kloza said.

What about food?

New year, same dish.

Food prices should rise at a rate near the historical average, according to the USDA's forecasts.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service anticipates the price for food will be up 2 to 3 percent for 2016, same as 2015 and in line with the 20-year historical average of 2.6 percent. That includes food people consume at home and out at restaurants.

Annemarie Kuhns, an economist at the ERS, said that certain food prices were off this year due to unusual events, such as the avian influenza that led to the death of millions of birds and sent egg prices up roughly 15 percent. Looking ahead, she and fellow economists anticipate these prices could level off in 2016 - assuming cooperation from Mother Nature.

Will my health insurance cost more?

Probably.

People buying their own coverage through the exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act should see premiums go up faster in 2016 than in previous years, said Cynthia Cox, associate director of health reform and private insurance at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

According to Kaiser research, if you do not shop around and let your plan passively renew, the premiums for the lowest silver level plan --the most popular on the exchange -- will increase 15 percent on average next year. If you are willing to switch, premium increases are expected to be zero to 1 percent. This is because the exchange is set up to encourage shopping around.

These increases apply only to people who are receiving subsidies to help pay for the insurance. For those who do not, the increase is expected to be 6 percent.

Cox added that shoppers should also update any personal information - such as changes to your family size or income - which can impact what they pay.

"It's very important to go back online and shop every year," Cox said. "This is still an evolving market - there are new insurers coming in and other insurers leaving. The only way to find (the best price) is to go online or navigate through a broker."

Employer-sponsored plans premiums increased about 4 percent this year. And while Kaiser does not forecast employer-sponsored plan price changes, it does not anticipate any unusual hikes in health care costs that tend to push up insurance prices. However, employees may end up paying more out of pocket for deductibles, copayments and other expenses they are responsible for, depending on their employer's plan.

Follow Sarah Skidmore Sell at www.twitter.com/sarahssell. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/sarah-skidmore-sell.

The person responsible for the death of 16-year-old Gail McFadgen could still be roaming the streets of Aiken County, as no suspects have been identified.

"Gail McFadgen was murdered eight months ago, and we still do not have any plausible suspects," said Capt. Eric Abdullah with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. "Before long, it will have been a year. The Sheriff's Office is doing what we can, but we need help from the public. Someone out there knows something, and we need them to come forward."

On April 14, McFadgen was sitting on a wall outside a Diamond Street home in Clearwater when she was shot in a drive-by shooting by an unknown gunman about 9 p.m., according to witnesses on the scene.

The teen died of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen, and her death was ruled a homicide, said Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton.

According to the incident report, witnesses said the gunshot came from the vehicle's rear, driver's-side window.

Witnesses told deputies the suspect was in a dark-blue four-door Honda Civic that drove past them at a high speed when they heard "a loud gunshot," Abdullah said.

"I knew (McFadgen) from the neighborhood," said resident Marcus Cummings, 20, of Clearwater. "She was a sweet girl who did not deserve what happened to her. It's a real tragedy. They need find out who did this and put them behind bars forever."

Cummings said he lives near Diamond Street, where McFadgen was killed. He said he believes people out there know who committed the crime, but for whatever reason no one is talking.

He said the incident was most likely gang related.

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case but is being assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

The ATF Regional Gang Enforcement Unit is investigation because of alleged gang activity in the area.

"We still encourage people to come forward with any information that could help lead us to her killer," Abdullah said. "There is still hope in bringing whomever is responsible for this tragedy to justice."

The only way to bring some kind of peace to her family would be to find the shooter who still roams the Aiken County streets, Abdullah said.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the Sheriff's Office at 803-648-6811 or 888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372).

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

Floyd & Green Fine Jewelers is providing scholarships to four local students to attend USC Aiken.

The students are Miah Love Byrd, a freshman from North Augusta majoring in elementary education; Kayla Renee Howard, a sophomore from Belvedere majoring in psychology; Brianna Marie Snelling, a junior from Windsor majoring in biology; and John Benjamin Webb, a senior from Aiken, majoring in business administration.

The scholarships will follow the students throughout their college careers. When the upper level students graduate, new recipients will be chosen.

Tom Williams and Steve Floyd, co-owner of Floyd & Green Fine Jewelers, said they are committed to maintaining scholarships for four students each year.

"We are very excited to continue strengthening our commitment to USC Aiken," Williams said.

"We want to make a difference in the future of our community," Floyd said. "This is one way we want to continue our tradition of giving back."

Floyd & Green Fine Jewelers, located at 515 Silver Bluff Road in Aiken, started the business in 1992.

For more information, visit floydandgreen.com or follow the business on Facebook at facebook.com/floydand green.

Clays for Conservation isn't just for crack shots. It's also an event that beginning shooters can enjoy.

"All levels of experience are welcome," said Katie Roth, executive director of the Aiken Land Conservancy. "If you've never done sporting clays before, we will have professional instructors who can show you how."

Clays for Conservation will be held Jan. 17 at the National Wild Turkey Federation's Palmetto Shooting Complex. Registration will start at 10 a.m., and the sporting clays competition and instruction will begin at 10:30 a.m.

There also will be a catered barbecue lunch at 12:30 p.m. and a silent auction.

Starting at 1:30 p.m., additional shooting games - including Flurry, Wobble and Rabid Rabbits - will be offered for $10 per round.

Proceeds will benefit the Land Conservancy, which preserves natural and historical resources in and around Aiken County through conservation easements granted by landowners and privately funded acquisitions of significant properties.

"Clays for Conservation is like many of our events because we try to have a tie-in to open space," Roth said. "You can't have a sporting activity such as this if you don't have big pieces of preserved land to do it on."

The cost to participate for both beginning and experienced adult shooters is $125 apiece. The fee for junior division shooters, 18 years of age and younger, is $75.

Prizes will be awarded to the best adult, top scoring team, best beginner and best junior.

"In years past, we've had a range of ages, but we'd like to get more juniors involved this year; that's why we put in a junior division," Roth said.

Spectator tickets are available for $75 each.

"The Palmetto Shooting Complex is a brand new, state-of-the-art facility, and we are going to be giving tours of it to the people who don't want to shoot," Roth said.

For more information, call 855-252-5263 or go online and visit www.conserveaiken.org.

The Palmetto Shooting Complex is at 535 Gary Hill Road, Edgefield.

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.

There are many things to do this New Year's Day besides watching parades and football, or getting over the celebrating of New Year's Eve the night before.

The staff at Congaree National Park will conduct two Owl Prowl hikes the evening of Jan. 1 and will be ringing in the New Year with South Carolina State Parks.

As part of the New Year celebration, National Park Service staff will be joining the staff at Sesquicentennial State Park for their traditional First Day Hike at 1 p.m. before returning to conduct the Owl Prowl hikes at Congaree National Park.

These activities will also serve to kick off celebrations of the National Park Service Centennial and support the "Find Your Park" campaign.

The First Day Hikes are part of a formal partnership involving National Park Service sites and state parks in South Carolina. Staff from both agencies will work together to provide opportunities for visitors to the region.

Throughout 2016, there will be a wide range of activities offered at various park locations.

"We are excited about this partnership," said Congaree National Park Superintendent Tracy Stakely. "It's a great way to showcase the incredible parks and sites in South Carolina. We're encouraging everyone to find their park in 2016."

The First Day guided Owl Prowl hikes offered at Congaree National Park will provide opportunities to explore the forests of Congaree National Park from the convenience and safety of a boardwalk trail. Park Rangers will lead the hikes and will regale participants with stories of the floodplain forest and the animals that call it home, including the barred owl - an animal which is often seen and heard but sometimes misunderstood.

The hikes begin at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center at 4:30 and 5 p.m. Reservations are required as space is limited and can be made at www.eventbrite.com.

Other activities include a similar First Day Hike at Aiken State Park in Windsor to be followed by the annual Polar Plunge at noon.

The First Day Hike begins at 10 a.m. at Aiken State Park in Windsor to help all those with aspiring New Year's resolution to spend more time enjoying the outdoors and get in better shape. The 3-mile hike around the Jungle Trail will include beautiful scenery, accessible wildlife and an all around good time communing with nature.

Hikers will meet at 10 a.m. in the picnic area and are encouraged to bring a water bottle, snack, good hiking shoes, and should dress for the weather.

Admission is free with a $2 paid entry into the state park.

Those interested in taking the annual Polar Plunge dip at Aiken State Park this New Year's Day are invited to brave the forecasted mild 80-degree temperatures and show up ready to swim.

Participants will gather for the dip at the swimming area following the First Day Hike between 12 and 12:30 p.m. Bring a change of clothes and a towel.

Participants age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Dan Brown is the government reporter for the Aiken Standard.

Students in Schofield Middle School's Beta Club spread Christmas cheer while promoting literacy to children at the Freedman Parenting Center in Graniteville.

For their first service project, the eighth-grade students read to students in the center's infant classes and in Head Start classes at the center, which provides educational services for preschool children and daycare for babies and toddlers.

They also acted as teachers' aides for the day, working with children from birth to age 4.

"Our students are very enthusiastic about working in the community," said Terri Whetstone, the Beta Club adviser, who teachers eighth-grade South Carolina history. "For our first project, we decided we wanted to promote literary starting with young children."

The students began their project caroling to the children and staff at the Freedman Center and then went into classrooms to read and promote reading.

One group of students performed a puppet show and did finger painting with the children.

"They also sang and danced with the children," Whetstone said. "Of course, children learn through play, and they just had a great time."

Although both the students and the children had fun, their focus was always on literacy, Whetstone said.

"For every thing that they did, it was still literacy - promoting reading and phonetic awareness," Whetstone said. "The teachers didn't want them to leave."

The Beta Club is a service organization for elementary, middle and high school students that was founded at Wofford College in Spartanburg in 1934, Whetstone said. The club promotes character, academics and student volunteerism.

"Volunteerism is what the Beta Club is all about," Whetstone said. "This project related to Christmas, but hopefully we're giving our students a love for service whether it's Christmas or any time of the year. I hope that being a member of the Beta Club will be a spark and that the students will want to do more in the community and continue their service when they become adults."

A native of Aiken, Larry Wood covers education for the Aiken Standard.

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

A Greenville man reported Saturday that the rear window of his 2010 Kia Soul shattered while he was driving on Old Barnwell Road near Psalms Circle. The victim said he heard a loud boom and saw fireworks nearby. The responding officers found a hole the size of a BB or a pellet in the driver's side rear window of the vehicle.

An Aiken woman reported Saturday that a man shoved her to the ground and attempted to grab her neck at a home on Shadow Oak Place. The subject said he didn't assault the woman. He also said the victim scratched him.

An Augusta man reported Saturday that his Samsung Galaxy S5 cellphone was taken from a home on Hillsboro Drive in Aiken.

A 45-year-old Batesburg man was arrested for disorderly conduct on Goose Platter Road in Batesburg. According to the incident report, the subject was intoxicated, slurring his words and cursing loudly.

A Warrenville woman reported Sunday that a man grabbed her during an argument at a home on Saddle Horse Road. The victim said the subject began removing her belongings from the residence and placed them outside. She said he was upset because he thought she was "messing around with another guy."

A Graniteville man reported Saturday that another man picked up an unloaded shotgun at him and pulled the trigger during an argument on Saturday at a home on Ridgecrest Road in Graniteville. The victim didn't want to press charges against the subject.

An Atlanta woman reported Saturday that her friend, a man from Norcross, Georgia, hit her multiple times in the face with his fist at a home on Gentry Street in Graniteville. The victim said the man had been drinking and became belligerent. She said he hit her when she told him to calm down and stop using profanity.

A Warrenville woman, who lives on Oxpens Road, reported Saturday that following her recent divorce, the address where her pension was sent had been changed to her ex-husband's address, her homeowner's insurance policy had been canceled and changes had been made in her cellphone account and it had been canceled. She said the insurance company told her that her ex-husband had canceled the homeowner's policy.

A Warrenville woman reported Saturday that someone threw an egg at her 2012 Toyota Highlander SUV while she was driving the vehicle on Townsend Street in Beech Island.

A burglary was reported Saturday at a home on Southern Avenue in Warrenville.

A Georgia man reported Saturday that someone had taken his 1998 Chevrolet S-10 pickup while it was parked outside of a home on Powell Street in Graniteville. The victim said he was watching television inside the residence when he heard the truck starting up. He looked outside and saw a white man driving the truck as it left the scene.

A Ridge Spring woman, who lives on Bogeyville Road, reported Saturday that charges of more than $1,000 had been made on her debit card account without her permissions.

A Beech Island woman reported Saturday that her husband tried to grab her tablet computer from her during an argument at their home on Turner Street and then went into a bedroom and "destroyed" a computer that was in there. The victim didn't want to press charges.

A 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with malicious injury to personal property under $1,000 after an argument at a home on Pleasant Acres Circle in Ridge Spring on Friday. The female victim said the man forced his way into a bathroom after she locked herself and their two children inside it. She said the subject then grabbed her wrist and twisted it and also took her cellphone from her and threw it against the wall. After the man left the residence, the victim said she noticed that her wallet was missing. The subject said he didn't take the victim's wallet.

A Beech Island man, who lives on Elm Street, reported Saturday that a Clearwater man threatened to kill him "if he walked on the street." The responding officer couldn't find the subject.

Savannah River Site Manager Jack Craig was recently selected to receive a 2015 Presidential Rank Award.

In a letter that U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz sent to colleagues, Moniz said the Presidential Rank Awards are the nation's highest civil service awards and are bestowed upon those who have demonstrated sustained, extraordinary performance and achieved notably outstanding accomplishments.

He added that winners must be strong leaders, professionals or scientists that have made significant and lasting contributions to the agency's effectiveness on a sustained basis.

Craig was one of only 11 Department of Energy leaders in the nation's complex to be named as a recipient.

"The accomplishments of this group are truly noteworthy, and each are more than deserving of this prestigious award and recognition," Moniz said.

Craig took over duties as site manager after Dave Moody retired in June. Craig has 20 years of experience in various technical, management and executive leadership positions within the department.

During his time working in Ohio, Craig was responsible for oversight of 192 federal staff members that support 15 Department of Energy sites with an annual budget of more than $1 billion.

At the Savannah River Site, Craig previously acted as manager of the site's operations office and oversaw disposition of legacy plutonium and uranium materials, receipt and management of spent nuclear fuels from research reactors and treatment of 37 million gallons of radioactive liquid waste.

Craig said he has experienced personal and professional growth as a civil servant.

Moving forward, Craig said he will use his time as SRS manager to build on the strong legacy of national service.

"I am committed to the safety of every employee, growing and sustaining the important SRS missions, ensuring the viability of Site infrastructure, developing our workforce for the future, and remaining engaged with our regulators, community and stakeholders," he added.

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.

Man on lawnmower killed after crash with pickup truck

ORANGEBURG - A man on a riding lawnmower has died after a crash with a pickup truck driver in Orangeburg County.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol tells local media outlets that the crash happened at 11:15 p.m. Saturday. Authorities say a lawnmower and a 2010 Ford pickup truck were both traveling west when the truck hit the mower in the back.

Troopers say the man driving the mower was killed. The truck driver wasn't hurt.

Authorities are still investigating and have not released the name of the man driving the lawnmower.

Couple's handicap accessible van stolen on Christmas Eve

COLUMBIA - A Columbia couple is having trouble after they say someone stole their handicap accessible minivan.

Media outlets report Robert and Deborah McCurdy woke up Christmas morning to find their $60,000, fully converted minivan gone. Robert McCurdy became a quadriplegic after being injured in a driving accident 35 years ago. He and his wife used the 2012 Honda Odyssey to drive him to and from work every day.

Robert McCrudy says converting the van to being handicap accessible was very costly, and that he had two more years of payments on it.

The couple filed a police report and asked neighbors if they saw anything, but most weren't home.

Anyone with information about the van is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Director hopes gift will launch Botanical Garden fundraising

CLEMSON - The director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden hopes a $1 million gift is the start of a fundraising wave to improve the state resource on Clemson University's campus.

The Anderson Independent-Mail reports (http://bit.ly/1mlNlGP) that Mike and Lynn McBride of Simpsonville and their children are giving the money to expand the Children's Garden.

The gift will pay for finishing the Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant canopy walk in the Children's Garden, build a duck dock at the pond and provide more programming.

Director Patrick McMillan says it's the biggest single gift in the garden's history. The McBride family is challenging others to raise an additional $1 million by May 30 to turn the 295-acre Botanical Garden into a showcase in the Upstate.

Lown, Knight share Aiken Standard Coach of the Year honor

Midland Valley head coach Rick Knight and Silver Bluff head coach Al Lown will both tell you that there is no better compliment than simply getting the most out of their players, whether it be as men or as players on the football.

This year, both coaches were paid that huge compliment, as each got their team's best effort and finished the season with 10 wins and an appearance in the state championship game.

With the biggest compliment already in the bag, the tandem can add another accomplishment to their growing list of accolades. Lown and Knight are the 2015 Aiken Standard Co-Coaches of the Year.

To read more, click bit.ly/1UbEVg6.

Official: Aiken Mall purchased by mystery buyer

The Aiken Mall has been purchased, but who has purchased the mall off Whiskey Road is still clouded in secrecy.

Karie Chitwood, the specialty leasing and marketing manager with Jones Lang LaSalle Retail, headquartered in Chicago, confirmed the sale Wednesday.

"All I can confirm (is) there is a purchase and sale agreement for the property," Chitwood said.

To read more, click bit.ly/1OtuPJi.

Aiken man shot during reported armed robbery Tuesday

According to an Aiken Department of Public of Safety incident report, a man was sitting in his car when a black man wearing a black skull cap and dark jacket approached his driver's side door. The victim said the man pointed a gun at him and told him to "give up what he has got," according to the report.

To read more, click bit.ly/1MBZnkM.

Aiken County Student Advisory Council engages students above all

To gain a greater understanding of the goals, challenges and desires of the Aiken County Public School District's 24,614 students, Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford, together with his leadership team, established a Student Advisory Council for Aiken County's most important stakeholder - students.

The first meetings were held Dec. 7, 8 and 10 at the District office, with lunch provided by Chick-fil-A of Aiken and a special appearance by their holiday cow.

Principals from Aiken County's 41 public schools nominated students for the Student Advisory Council. Four students were nominated from each high school, three from each middle school and two fourth- and fifth-graders from each elementary school.

"I appreciate the student perspective," Alford said. "To better understand how best to serve them, we need to hear from students directly."

To read more, click bit.ly/1MBZvkc.

Police: Columbia man carjacked on Shiloh Heights Road

Deputies responded to Shiloh Heights Road on Thursday after a Columbia man was reportedly carjacked in the neighborhood.

According to an Aiken County Sheriff's Office incident report, dispatch received a call that a man was yelling for help and taking off his clothes in front of a residence. Upon arrival, deputies located the man, who said he had been carjacked by a man named "Mark."

The man told deputies he picked up "Mark" around Edisto Road, and "Mark" stated he needed a ride to the Shiloh Heights Road residence, the report said.

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COLUMBIA - Several major events happened in South Carolina in 2015.

The police shooting of an unarmed black man in North Charleston. The killing of nine people during Bible study at a historic African-American church in Charleston. Historic flooding that dropped nearly half their yearly rain fall in less than two days. The Confederate flag flown on the Statehouse grounds coming down after multiple other efforts had failed.

Each of those events had key people working behind the scenes, whether it be South Carolina National Guard commander Maj. Gen. Robert Livingston leading flood response, state Rep. Russell Ott making sure the bill to remove the Confederate flag stayed on track or Charleston Mayor Joe Riley keeping his city together after nine died in a racially-motivated church shooting.

Week Zero. It was another late summer Friday in Williston, uncomfortably hot under a high-hanging sun, but this particular Friday offered promise. It offered promise for the Williston-Elko Blue Devils, as it marked the season opener for the Class A powerhouse against a Bamberg-Ehrhardt program of similar stature. It also offered promise for senior running back Shakur Chisolm, a new addition to the team - and the school - earlier in the week.

It was hard not to notice Chisolm on the Blue Devils' sideline that night. Not yet able to play, Chisolm stood among his Blue Devils teammates in a gray T-shirt, hair peeking out above a blue and white Williston-Elko visor. He was present in huddles, offering encouragement to his new teammates and interacting with fans throughout the game. Even though he wasn't in uniform, he got involved in any way he could.

"Friday night lights is like the best thing in the world," said Chisolm, adding that it was a great feeling knowing that he was back around the game of football and, though he wasn't in action that night, he would be able to play again. "It's one of the best things to be a part of."

Being back on the football field was a welcome change for Chisolm after a tumultuous offseason that saw the former Barnwell star transfer to Allendale-Fairfax only to become the victim of an alleged hazing incident at a preseason camp. He withdrew from the school and eventually landed at Williston-Elko just in time for classes to begin. He missed out on the Blue Devils' first game of the season, but he quickly made up for the lost time - he ended the year as the area's leading rusher, running for 2,187 yards and 31 touchdowns on just 209 carries. He immediately put the Blue Devils on his back and was off and running, saying he felt like he was playing with a chip on his shoulder, and he essentially ran away with Aiken Standard Offensive Player of the Year honors from his first carry.

'They just made me feel loved there'

Williston-Elko head coach Derek Youngblood called Chisolm's arrival a blessing for both parties: Chisolm was a young man who really wanted to just play the game and enjoy himself, and the Blue Devils were able to provide that for him while also making use of his abilities as an athlete and as a humble leader.

"The numbers he put up on the field for us were great, but the leadership he brought to our football team was even greater. He was able to kind of take our team and put them on his shoulders," Youngblood said, adding that Chisolm's teammates were willing to reciprocate once they saw how much he cared and was willing to give for their success. "He was a great leader, and our kids followed him. We went as he went. I just can't say enough about the young man that he is. He was very business-like, every day, and practiced just as hard as he played. I'm very privileged and very honored just to be able to coach him."

For Chisolm, it was as simple as finally being able to go back to doing what he loved.

"It felt good with all the stuff that happened during the offseason, just to take my mind off that stuff," he said. "Williston, they took me in as family. They didn't treat me any different. They just made me feel loved there."

Running with the Devils

They especially loved what they saw on the football field. He rushed for more than 100 yards in 10 of the 11 games he played - the only game he didn't was a late-season blowout in which huge numbers weren't needed. He topped the 200-yard mark in five different games, including a 300-yard output - with four touchdowns - against Fox Creek during the regular season. That particular Friday was one where Chisolm's leadership showed in a big way, and he provided one of the sound bytes of the year when he revealed during a postgame interview his motivational tactics that week - Fox Creek had scheduled Williston-Elko for its Homecoming game, a game often considered to be an easy win, so he used that perceived slight to fire up his teammates.

Youngblood mentioned that game as one of Chisolm's highlights of the year while adding that it's hard to choose which game, or even which run, may stand out when so many were so good.

"It's just to hard to separate them, because they were all pretty good games," said Youngblood. "He just kind of went out there every night and gave it all that he had. I think his numbers showed that he was a guy that was very consistent in the way that he played."

One particular play that did stand out to both player and coach, however, was a big touchdown run Chisolm had against Silver Bluff in his season debut. Chisolm appeared to be wrapped up at several points in the run by several different players, but he managed to break free and take it the distance. Youngblood called it one of the best runs he had ever seen, and Chisolm said even he was surprised when he made his great escape.

The great games continued throughout the regular season, and his performance didn't drop off once the Blue Devils entered the playoffs. He fell short of duplicating his 300-yard effort against Fox Creek in the teams' first-round rematch, instead settling for 228 and four more touchdowns, then followed that up with perhaps his best game of the year. Facing eventual state champion Southside Christian in the second round, Chisolm ran for 287 yards and four touchdowns as the Blue Devils tried but failed to match the Sabres score-for-score.

'He will excel at the next level'

Though his physical tools are in no short supply, Chisolm pointed to his vision as his greatest strength as a runner. That enabled him to find the holes created by a veteran Blue Devils offensive line and quickly reach the next level of the defense. From there, it looked more or less like a smooth jog to the end zone for Chisolm as opposing defenders frantically churned their legs trying to chase him down - they rarely did.

Those tools and that vision are now the major selling points for Chisolm as he looks to find his way onto a big-time college roster. He admitted that recruiting has been a tough situation so far, with coaches from smaller schools stopping by. The process may end up taking all the way to signing day in February, but Youngblood isn't worried.

"There's no doubt in my mind that he's going to play football at the next level," he said. "It's just about where that's going to be and what's going to be the best fit for him. He's got the mind set and he's been blessed with the tools that there's no doubt in my mind that he will excel at the next level."

Wherever that next step may be, Chisolm will take it with the knowledge gained from lessons learned throughout a difficult year. Most of what he'll take with him from his time in Williston, though, is what he learned about love and caring.

"With this team right here, I felt the love from the coaches and from everybody," he said, adding that he was never made to feel out of place despite his late arrival and the circumstances surrounding it. "I've never been this close with the fans. Williston has great, great, great family - fans, coaches, teachers, all around. ... I loved that, man."

Kyle Dawson covers sports for the Aiken Standard. Follow him on Twitter @ItsKyleDawson.

An Aiken man and North woman are facing multiple charges in connection to an alleged assault that took place in Warrenville over the weekend.

Christopher Eugene Blitchington, 45, of 2491 Beaver Creek Lane, faces charges of first-degree assault and battery, third-degree domestic violence and disorderly conduct, according to arrest records.

Amanda Williams, 28, of 240A Sam Austin Road, is charged with simple larceny $2,000 or less and third-degree assault and battery, according to arrest records.

Aiken County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to an address at Harrison Road on Saturday where they met with a victim who said the two picked her up and drove her to Warrenville, according to an incident report.

When she attempted to leave the car, the victim alleged Williams and Blitchington began assaulting her by groping and grabbing her, the report states.

The victim told deputies she ran to Harrison Road to call for help and another victim was still being assaulted by the two, the report said.

That victim was allegedly hit on her head and punched with a closed fist, the report states.

Deputies later found Williams and Blitchington lying in a yard on Kneece Street, apparently intoxicated, according to the report; and Williams had stolen items belonging to one of the women.

Police found no visible injury, and both victims refused EMS, the report states.

A fast-food worker was allegedly assaulted on Christmas Eve by a drive-thru customer who was unhappy with his order.

Officers from the Aiken Department of Public Safety responded to a Chick-fil-A on E. Gate Drive in Aiken late Thursday morning and while on the way to the scene, learned the customer was currently assaulting the employee, according to an incident report. Multiple units arrived on scene and found a man pinned to the ground by witnesses, according to the report.

He was later placed in investigative detention while officers spoke to witnesses and the victim on scene.

Officers found the man had a large cut on the small of his back while he was being handcuffed, and the victim had multiple bruises and abrasions on her face and neck.

The victim told officers one of her employees was standing outside near the drive-thru taking orders and the suspect, who had already been through the drive-thru, returned and threw a container of waffle fries at the employee, according to the report.

The victim said she walked outside to speak with the man about the incident when he started threatening her in the parking lot and grabbed a cane from his car and started striking her in the abdomen with it, the report states. She stated he dropped the cane and began to strike her in the face with his fists when she and the suspect both fell to the ground. He continued to strike her until witnesses pulled him off of her, the report said.

Multiple witnesses on scene said they had seen the man attack her and one saw a woman strike him with a small hatchet in the small of his back while he was attacking the victim, the report said.

The man's wife told police that he suffers from schizophrenia and had not taken his medication in about three weeks.

He was transported by ambulance to Georgia Regents University and the responding officer is to speak with the Aiken County Solicitor's Office, according to the incident report.

These are the bookings recorded for the Doris C. Gravat Detention Center for Dec. 23-27, 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.

Aaron Duane Lupton, 33 - shoplifting $1,000 or less

Quinten Oneal Gleaton, 22 - kidnapping, robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during a violent crime

David Irvin Fralick, 26 - driving under the influence first offense

Solen Coleman III, 48 - shoplifting value $2,000 or less general sessions court bench warrant, manufacture methamphetamine first offense, shoplifting $2,000 or less enhancement

Desmond Kean Harley, 25 - possession of cocaine more than first

Ericka Keandra Young, 33 - driving under the influence second offense, no South Carolina driver's license

Coleman Tiko Duncan, 35 - simple possession of marijuana

Cinda Anne Palmer Boon, 53 - fraudulent check two counts

Herman Alfred Brown, 32 - family court failure to appear

Anthony Francis Pagano, 50 - simple possession of marijuana, driving under suspension first offense

John Allen Lifsey, 29 - simple possession of marijuana

Stevie Dewain Chavis, 43 - unlawful carrying of a pistol, malicious injury, willful injury to a courthouse or jail

Joshua Michael Stader, 30 - disorderly conduct, trespassing/entering enclosed,

Corey Michael Wilkins, 20 - simple larceny $2,000 or less, shoplifting, trespassing after notice

George Stevie Hilliard, 58 - public drunk

Julia V. Hancock, 44 - disorderly conduct

Deon Kristian Sheehy, 48 - domestic violence third degree

Roy Williams, 56 - assault and battery third degree

David Michael Milam, 41 - failure to pay child support

Joshua Lee Holtzclaw, 23 - shoplifting second offense

Courtney Lynn Filyaw, 19 - shoplifting first offense

Debra Ann Wooden, 55 - trespassing after notice, malicious injury to animals

Vasco Keiron Smith Jr., 26 - malicious injury to animals or property $1,000 or less

Melvin Butler Jr., 23 - driving under suspension first offense, driving under the influence first offense

Krystal Flynn Garrick, 34 - driving under the influence

Yolanda Felicia Morris, 42 - disorderly conduct/gross intoxication, prescription drug without a prescription

Lauren Ashley Hall, 27 - driving under the influence first offense, possession of more than one driver's license, illegal transport of legal liquor

Dana Ingle Fisher, 46 - disorderly conduct/gross intoxication

Calvin Bernard Tyler, 35 - disorderly conduct/bench warrant

Joshua Jeffrey Reames, 31 - shoplifting less than $2,000

Phoebe Yvette Wright, 49 - shoplifting value more than $2,000 and less than $10,000 enhancement

Toni Denise Young, 50 - $2,000 and less than $10,000 enhancement

Amanda LeeAnn William, 28 - disorderly conduct, simple larceny $2,000 or less, assault and battery third degree two counts

Christopher Eugene Blitchington, 45 - disorderly conduct, assault and battery first degree, domestic violence third degree

Clemson Quarles, 41 - driving under the influence

DeVante LaPaul Kimbrough, 20 - driving under suspension, leaving the scene unattended, burglary nonviolent second degree, disobeying a lawful order, unlawful carrying of a pistol, reckless driving

Randy Heyward Williams, 46 - disorderly conduct/gross intoxication

Donovan Anton Hill, 28 - simple possession of marijuana bench warrant, misrepresenting identity to law enforcement, driving left of center, driving under suspension

Jeffrey Charles Nenscel Jr., 37 - possession of less than 1 gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base first offense, family court/failure to pay two counts

Yuvonda Neisha Pope, 30 - shoplifting bench warrant, violation of beginner's permit bench warrant

Michael Chad Broadwater, 41 - possession of less than 1 gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base first offense, disorderly conduct/gross intoxication

John Allen Schifferli Jr., 20 - driving under suspension fixed period fifth offense

Richard James Boucher, 22 - simple larceny $1,000 or less, malicious injury to animals or property $1,000 or less

Rayshad Joe Lundy, 23 - malicious injury to personal property, failure to comply, malicious injury to real property, disorderly conduct/gross intoxication

Shardasia Jamilah McKever, 17 - unlawful escape, grand larceny $5,000 or more

Johnny Bernard Willingham, 27 - domestic violence second degree

Frederick Ledoux Kemmerly, 51 - disorderly conduct/gross intoxication

Octavia Alisha Valentine, 20 - driving under suspension license not suspended for driving under the influence first offense bench warrant

Floyd Jester Marshall, 32 - domestic violence third degree mutual

Rachel Nicole Marshall, 33 - domestic violence third degree mutual

Michael Anthony Caldwell, 50 - family court failure to pay per order, assault and battery third degree

Oliver Marvin, 50 - trespassing

Corey Andrew Langley, 22 - shoplifting $1,000 or less

Clarence Lewis, 72 - driving under the influence first offense

Nicholas Brandon Johnson, 29 - hold for South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, hold for South Carolina Highway Patrol, failure to surrender driver's license, driving under the influence first offense, driving under suspension first offense

Cheryl Faye Wright, 33 - hold for Aiken Department of Public Safety

Russell Shane Whitt, 43 - hold for Aiken Department of Public Safety, failure to comply

Nicholas Lanier Scott, 36 - disobeying a lawful order bench warrant, hold for South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, sale or delivery of a pistol to and possession by certain persons unlawfully, possession of a firearm or ammunition by person convicted of a violent felony

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

An Aiken man reported to deputies Sunday he saw someone enter an abandoned camper on his property at Jefferson Avenue and take out items.

An Aiken man reported Sunday he believes someone threw something at his car while he was driving home on Reynolds Pond Road. The man said he did not see anything on the road, but when he got home saw his car had scratches and dents on the right rear door and right front of the truck bed.

A Windsor man reported when he returned to his Charleston Highway home from vacation, he found a blower was stolen from the bed of his pickup.

A North Augusta man reported a North Augusta woman hit him in the head with a beer bottle and her nephew later struck him in the face during a domestic dispute Sunday. Charges were not filed, and the victim said he would drive himself to the hospital.

Deputies conducted a well-being check on an Aiken woman walking down Atomic Road who said she was picked up in Augusta by several men she believed assaulted her.

A Ridge Spring man reported he was assaulted in a parking lot on Old Jackson Highway. He said while he was getting out of his vehicle, an Aiken woman asked him to come to her car and give her a hug, then began tightening her grip on him. After he got a way, he said four people began hitting him with a closed fist all over his body, knocked him to the ground, and took his keys and cellphone.

An Aiken woman reported her Gloverville church received voicemails from private numbers about racial issues.

An Burnenttown reported Sunday a burglary occurred at his Hillman Road address this month while he and his family were in the process of moving. He noticed both sheds had been broken into, and the back door was open. Deputies were unable to find any signs of forced entry but did find personal items strung out inside the home.

A Graniteville woman reported a cellphone, cellphone case and folding chair were stolen from her Ergle Street patio Sunday.

An Aiken man reported someone abandoned their vehicle at his Glenwood Drive home Sunday blocking access to his home and driveway. It was later towed.

Deputies responded to a school in Gloverville where someone possibly punched out a window. Deputies recovered what appeared to be a piece of skin near the window but had no other clues in finding the person.

A Salley man reported a white man wearing a checkered shirt entered his Doan Swamp Church Road home, took items and put them in a truck.

A Warrenville man reported someone stole his car from the parking lot of an Augusta Road store Saturday.

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

A 36-year-old Hephizibah man was charged with DUI after officers saw a white Volkswagen heading the wrong way down a one way on Union Street on Monday.

A Windsor man and woman were charged with possession of cocaine and schedule II controlled substance after officers pulled them over when their car took an improper right turn from York Street to Hampton Avenue on Saturday. A child in the car, where the drugs were found, was sent to Public Safety and then released to her grandfather.

Officers responded to a fight in progress Saturday at Davis Terrace NW and found one man lying in the middle of the street on his back. The man reported his uncle hit him. Witnesses said the two were arguing over a radio antenna when he was hit.

An officer responded to a disturbance at a drug store on Richland Avenue on Sunday regarding an Aiken man who was shouting racial slurs and yelling phrases such as "KKK" to customers and employees. The man was taken into custody for disorderly conduct.

An Aiken man was arrested for several charges Sunday after officers responded to a report of a burglary on Laurens Street. There was damage to the front door of the home and a windshield of a car was broken into. He was asked to leave the property but returned to get some items but was chased out of the home.

Officers responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at University Parkway on Saturday where a man was holding his bleeding stomach. The man said he was in Augusta when was stabbed but neither Public Safety or Richmond County Sheriff's Office could verify how he received the superficial stab wound.

A 33-year-old Aiken man reported a man shot into his home on Colleton Avenue on Thursday after the two got into an argument while playing cards and he wouldn't give him $10. Police were unable to locate the person who fired the shots.

Officers responded to a Chesterfield church Thursday where the glass had been knocked out of the north facing door and two piles of human excrement were laying among the shards of glass. Several items including a DVD player and monitors were stolen, according to the church pastor.

COLUMBIA - The police shooting of an unarmed black man in North Charleston. The killing of nine people during Bible study at a historic African-American church in Charleston. Historic flooding that dropped nearly half their yearly rain fall in less than two days. The Confederate flag flown on the Statehouse grounds coming down after multiple other efforts had failed.

The past year has been one of significant change for South Carolina. Here are a series of snapshots about the key moments and players in 2015:

Walter Scott

Before his death was shown around the world and he became a symbol of the ongoing debate over police shootings of unarmed African-Americans, Walter Scott was just a 50-year-old forklift driver at a warehouse and a father behind on his child support payments.

He was pulled over on April 4 for a broken brake light by North Charleston Officer Michael Slager. People go to jail all the time in South Carolina for missing child support payments and Scott, who was behind on his, called his mother from his car to say he might need her help getting bail.

Moments later, he ran from his car and around the corner. Slager ran after him toward a vacant field. A passer-by captured what happened next on his cellphone. The video showed Slager firing eight shots at Scott's back. Scott was struck by several bullets and fell.

The shooting happened in a city whose officers faced years of accusations of mistreating minorities.

Scott's family called for calm, especially after Slager's swift arrest, saying they did not want Scott's memory soiled by violence.

A co-worker of Scott said at the time it was a fitting tribute. "He wouldn't hurt a fly, man," Ronald Smith said.

Joe Riley

In his 40th and final year as Charleston's mayor, Joe Riley faced his most trying time.

The man who steered the city through Hurricane Hugo in 1989 found his toughest moments on a hot, sticky summer night when what he called "pure, pure concentrated evil" came to a church in his 345-year-old city.

After a call at 9:30 p.m. June 17, Riley hurried to historic Emanuel AME Church where nine black parishioners had been shot and killed during a Bible study.

In the days following, Riley again became the face of the historic city, comforting victims, attending funerals and being a voice of calm.

"I knew that in this incident everything I did, everything I said, had to be perfect," to ensure calm prevailed, Riley said.

The city - and indeed the whole nation - seemed to come together in the wake of the shootings, with thousands gathering on sweeping Ravened Bridge over the Cooper River in a show of unity several days later. President Obama and other dignitaries traveled to Charleston to pay their respects for those who died. More than $5 million has been donated by thousands of people to help support the victims' families and fund college scholarships for Charleston-area students.

Riley has made it clear that he will continue to work on the issue of gun violence after he leaves office.

"We do not want to encroach on law-abiding citizens' rights to own a gun but we must prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands," Riley said at an event earlier this month at Emanuel to announce a new effort to curb gun violence.

The suspected killer in the Charleston shootings, Dylan Roof, was able to buy the gun that was used in the shootings because of a record keeping problem that prevented federal officials from disqualifying him before a three-day deadline expired.

Russell Ott

Russell Ott knew that the Confederate flag flying outside the South Carolina statehouse had to come down, and it had to come down now - not later.

The eyes of the nation and the world were squarely focused on his place of work and the little known 37-year-old House member who took over his dad's seat back in 2013 was having trouble believing what was happening. He hadn't made a passionate speech imploring his colleagues to let go of the symbol of a bygone era, but he firmly believed it was time for it to happen and he didn't want to see the legislature and the state blow their chance of having it happen and risk looking like fools or obstructionists.

Gov. Nikki Haley had said less than a week after the slayings at Emanuel AME Church that the flag should come down and the state Senate had reached the same conclusion.

But as the sun set on July 8, the people who wanted the flag removed were stunned. Flag supporters in the house suddenly appeared to have enough votes for an amendment to the bill backed by Haley and the Senate that would postpone its passage, keeping the rebel banner flying outside the chambers. The flag supporters wanted a guarantee that the flag would be sent to a museum and they were willing to hold up the process for it, even if it meant going against the rising tide of support to bring it down.

Ott has been around the Legislature but never before had been a key figure. He lobbied for farmers for nearly a decade before replacing his dad and in three years had been the sponsor of one bill that has become law - creating a migratory waterfowl committee. But he knew parliamentary rules and he knew there was an arcane, rarely used way that he could get the flag supporters what they wanted and also keep the state on pace to bring the banner down.

His goal was simple. The longer the debate went on, the more likely it was that the whole process would get derailed.

He and his colleagues went to work, twisting arms, holding last minute votes and watching the clock tick past midnight to allow them to vote on the final measure during a new day.

At 1 a.m. the bill finally passed. On Friday July 10 the flag finally came down. In South Carolina, however, the debate over the fate of the flag still rages on.

Maj. Gen. Robert Livingston

It was the most important mission of South Carolina National Guard commander Maj. Gen. Robert Livingston's life, directing thousands of soldiers and civilians during South Carolina's historic floods.

Livingston was a true soldier working with Gov. Nikki Haley to carry out her wishes and by her side when she gave the public updates.

But people around the state left little doubt that Livingston's preparation in the days and years before the floods, and his decisive action as the disaster unfolded, prevented a terrible situation from being so much worse.

"We were rescuing people at the same time we were putting things together back in Columbia," Livingston said.

Livingston helped get clean water into the pipes at Columbia hospitals worried about how many critically ill patients might die if they had to close and move them. His soldiers saved dozens of lives with air and boat rescues and helped repair washed out roads and bridges. They averted what would have been a disaster on top of a disaster by keeping Columbia's water system running and water coming from almost 400,000 taps by fixing a canal breach and laying pipe to get water into the treatment plant.

"A lot of the guys who were doing a lot of discussion had built roads and dams and things like that down in Ecuador and Honduras and places like that back in the 1980s and 90s," Livingston said. "They understood building structures in less than ideal conditions."

Now Livingston laughs that he has another set of problems, created by well-meaning South Carolinians who poured kindness at his soldiers for weeks.

"The support from the people of South Carolina was just tremendous," Livingston said "I'm having to put half of my soldiers on the weight control program now because they got fed so many doughnuts, cookies and everything else."

As the final hours of 2015 tick away, many revelers will head out to bars, parties or other gatherings to ring in the new year, but law enforcement has a few things to keep in mind to ring in the new year safely.

The S.C. Highway Patrol will be ramping up its presence around the state, especially with license and DUI checkpoints, said Lance Cpl. Judd Jones. This includes putting a majority of troopers out during peak hours and in trouble spots.

Jones said fatalities are up statewide compared to 2014. There have been 25 fatalities on Aiken County roadways this year, compared to 20 at the same time last year.

Capt. Eric Abdullah with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office also said deputies will be out in force Thursday night, New Year's Eve.

"We understand folks are going to be celebrating, and we don't want to put a damper on their fun; we just want them to be responsible," Abdullah said. "If you are going to be out and about on Thursday night, be responsible and have a designated driver, or have cab fair. So you and everyone else trying to have a good time can get home safely."

Anyone caught driving drunk will be arrested, according to law enforcement.

Under South Carolina law, a first-offense conviction for DUI carries fines of almost $1,000 when assessments and surcharges are tallied, imprisonment for up to 30 days and suspension of a driver's license for six months, according to The Associated Press.

Wendy Scott, owner of Aiken Taxi Service, said she will bring on additional drivers to accommodate the New Year's Eve crowds.

"It's one of our busiest nights of the year," she said. "Make a plan to call us, and we can be there. Don't wait until the bar closes to call, because everybody else does."

Scott said cab drivers accept cash and credit or debit cards as payment. Just call Aiken Taxi Transport at 803-507-8294.

If you plan to celebrate without alcohol or will be a designated driver, Jones said it's still important to drive defensively and be on the lookout for impaired drivers.

If you see an impaired driver, call 911 or *HP (*47).

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