Authorities need DNA test to identify body
AIKEN --- Authorities are still trying to identify a body found Tuesday night behind a trailer in Windsor.
An autopsy Wednesday determined that the man died of a gunshot wound, Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said. Aiken County sheriff's Capt. Troy Elwell said a man who was collecting cans in the area smelled the body and found it behind the home on Stillwater Road.
"About all I can tell you right now is it's believed to me a male -- believed to be a black male," Capt. Elwell said. "He's been at the location for some amount of time. Weeks at the minimum."
The man who found the body, who was not identified, was arrested on several outstanding warrants. Capt. Elwell said they are not related to the case and that the man is not a suspect. Mr. Carlton said DNA analysis will be needed for identification.
Ex-DSS exec, 5 others indicted in fraud case
The former finance director for the Department of Social Services and five other people were indicted Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Columbia, accused of embezzling more than $5.2 million.
Paul Timothy Moore, 61, of Columbia, was charged in federal indictments with theft of federal program funds, mail and wire fraud, and conspiracy. Also indicted were Columbia residents Herbert McKie, 27, Tyra L. Goodson, 36, Nova Kathleen Johnson, 40, and Sandra Denease Smith, 45, and Aiken resident Calandra Fabary Thomas, 38, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Columbia.
Mr. Moore, brother of former state Sen. Tommy Moore, is accused of using his position as the agency's finance director to authorize the issuance of hundreds of DSS checks, averaging about $7,000, between May 2004 and October 2008. The checks were made payable to names allegedly provided by a co-conspirator, who recruited the named individuals to cash the checks and split the proceeds, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Also charged in the case is Gwendolyn Robinson, 41, a former basketball coach at Aiken High School, who entered into an agreement last week with federal prosecutors to plead guilty, said Kevin McDonald, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office. Mr. Moore remains in federal custody.
Slave quilt codes to be discussed at ASU
Augusta State University students will discuss the significance of slaves' quilt codes this afternoon.
Secret messages were often communicated through quilt patterns.
The students will examine the quilt codes and other aspects of slavery as part of the Student Research Forum. The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. today in Room 170 of University Hall.
For more information, contact the Office of Public Relations and Publications at (706) 737-1877.
48Volt band to join rockers at First Tee
Augusta act 48Volt has been added to the lineup at the 2009 Drive for Show, Rock Fore! Dough benefit concert scheduled for April 7 at First Tee of Augusta on Damascus Road.
The band will open the concert in the spot traditionally reserved for local acts. Other confirmed acts on the bill are Hootie and the Blowfish and the Zac Brown Band. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $35 at the gate.
Proceeds benefit First Tee of Augusta. Advance tickets go on sale Saturday. For more information, go to www.rockforedough.com or www.ticketalternative.com.
Enrollment at Aiken Tech rises to 2,907
Aiken Technical College has set a record enrollment this spring, beating its previous record set in the fall.
The spring enrollment of 2,907 surpassed the fall's 2,780 students, said Tom Slizewski, director of marketing and public relations. The economy likely played a part in the increase, but the increase is primarily the result of strong recruitment efforts.
"Our state funding got cut so much it was almost a matter of survival," he said.
Enrollment is also up slightly at Augusta Technical College, where the number of students increased about 1 percent compared with last year. Enrollment is now about 4,200 students.
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