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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"To date, no diaries, journals, or letters have been located that would support the theory that quilt blocks were used in a secret quilt code. No oral testimony in support of the code was ever provided by former slaves who were interviewed by the Works Progress administration in the 1930s, nor did anyone come forward at a later time. Admittedly, the Underground Railroad was clandestine; to be discovered was to be punished. However, once the fear of retribution was over, why did no one at all share information about the secret quilt code? Not one quilt or quilt block has been recovered that can be documented as having conveyed hidden messages among slaves during the era of the Underground Railroad."....this is a new "American Myth"...(the rewriting of History)
I think hair weaving should be examined as a form of coded communication. It's mysterious, not many understand it and it certainly sends a message. I'd not be surprised to learn that the quilt story was just a cover for the real code. You have to be on top of these things to form a viable theory.
quilt codes????? I see some are trying to rewrite history again! Is this another "Amerian" Tale?
The traditional Naysayers are out in force. If you do not care or believe it then do not attend. I believe them before I will ever believe any of you.
Who gives a crap??? Keep living in the past and you will never go forward. Lets beat a dead horse even more
You should read what they are 'teaching' in school. It's like they are rewriting the books every year. My daughter asked me why early settlers kidnapped Africans and made them slaves. I was astonished. I guess they dont like to face the fact that tribal leaders would trade captured members of other tribes for liquor and gunpowder.
I agree that the hairweaving sends a message---it's the same message that the EMO kids send out with their dyed hair and spikes
Right on areyouserious.....
The quilts are a theory, not an attempt to rewrite history. I don't see any of you complaining this much about Darwin's Theory of Evolution or Einstein's Theory of Relativity, which are widely accepted and are also taught in school. What about that crazy theory about the Egyptian pyramids possibly being built by aliens? That's one of the theories many of us were taught in middle school. I remember thinking that one was pretty lame, even as a 6th grader! The organizers of the quilts event are probably not trying to rewrite history, but peak curiosity to either prove or disprove the theory of a secret communications code used by slaves. It's another way to dig deeper into our history as Americans. As previously stated, if you don't like the idea, then don't attend. There are plenty of things that I don't comment on because I don't like the idea or am just not into. Some of you should do the same. Don't comment, and don't attend!
Amen KingJames I read this crap here everyday and would love to post on some of these stories but the spirit of conviction convicts me and so I keep my mouth/hand stroke shut. Sometimes it's best to hold you peace or ask God to bite on your tongue.
quilt codes, ha, ha, ha!
I suppose we have some here that don't believe we had Navajo code talkers either, that were critical in the war effort.
We are talking fact, in that case Baroness--not some fiction that someone pulled out of their azz.
I think the quilt code is a great theory, but not sure it can stand ANY inspection. We should just make it part of the February celebration and let it become fact over the years. We can use it for the true source of Kwanza.
Quilt codes??? I have read many stories, poems, folklore in History and English classes at ASU and not once was there mention of any codes embedded in the intricacy of the quilts. WOW! A historical breakthrough! Just think what we may learn by cracking the codes!!
I would think that slaves had little chance for quilting. Other chores, lack of material and need would have made this virtually impossible. If the slaves did in fact make a quilt it was probably to keep warm, not for "secret codes".
"We are talking fact, in that case Baroness--not some fiction that someone pulled out of their azz." ----- I thought white people had more pride in their race and culture? Oops, forgot, white trash don't. BTW, do you even have a momma to tell you to wash your mouth out?