Across the area

Association endorses Scott for board seat

The Richmond County Association of Educators has endorsed Patsy Scott for the vacant District 5 school board seat.

Dr. Cheryl Willis, the president of the association, said the endorsement was made "overwhelmingly" Tuesday . Mrs. Scott, the widow of the late District 5 trustee Joe Scott , is a retired operating room nurse preceptor and has tutored children for more than 20 years. She is running against James Williams Jr. and Aishia Leverett, who was endorsed earlier this month by the Augusta-Richmond County Committee for Good Government.

The association also endorsed Augusta Commission candidate Bill Lockett in District 5.

Four properties lack licenses, city agrees

The Augusta License and Inspection department believes four properties brought to its attention by the "concerned citizens of Harrisburg" activist group are illegal boardinghouses, and the owners are working with inspectors to bring them back into compliance with city code, Code Enforcement Manager Pam Costabile said Wednesday.

In a Sept. 24 meeting with Sheriff Ronnie Strength, Planning and Zoning Director George Patty and License and Inspection Director Rob Sherman, Harrisburg residents Lori Davis and Butch Palmer turned over a list of six properties that they said were being split up and illegally rented to multiple tenants. Under city code, a property owner must have a license for a boardinghouse, which must have ample square footage; if not, no more than three unrelated adults can live under the same roof.

Ms. Costabile said complaints on two of the houses were unfounded, but four -- 1685 Jenkins St., 1691 Jenkins St., 601 Moore Ave., and 605 Moore Ave. -- had too many tenants and no licenses. James Key owns the Jenkins Street properties and Tim Steedly owns the Moore Avenue properties. Both owners are cooperating with inspectors, Ms. Costabile said. The houses will have to be converted to single-family residences, she said.

Augusta State backs alcohol awareness

Augusta State University will observe Alcohol Awareness Week from Monday through Oct. 22. The week of events will feature a fatal vision goggles and drunken-driving obstacle course event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday on the sports field next to the Jaguar Student Activities Center.

Aiken County to get seven cypress trees

Aiken County will soon have new trees growing throughout the city thanks to a statewide beautification program.

Palmetto Pride received a tree grant last year, and on Wednesday 56 state organizations received about 3,000 trees that were grown by South Carolina Department of Corrections' inmates and horticulturists, said Sherryl Jenkins, grant coordinator. Aiken County received seven Leyland cypresses to be planted throughout the city by Three Rivers Solid Waste.

Governor or president would be given access

Aiken County administrators were asked to construct a policy that would allow any sitting president or governor to speak to students with parental permission.

School board member Levi Green made the motion Tuesday, citing President Obama's Sept. 8 speech for students that caused parental concern.

Mr. Green said the school board is nonpartisan, so any policy should allow an elected official, regardless of party, to speak to students rather than be prohibitive.

The speech was taped to show to students later because administrators said they didn't have enough prior notice to incorporate it into lesson plans. Mr. Green said parents should choose whether a student can participate or watch a program, citing the current policy for Veterans Day programs.

S. Carolina educators honor Aiken advocate

Public Education Partner's executive director, Diane Mangiante, was named a Champion for Education by the South Carolina School Boards Association.

Mrs. Mangiante leads the nonprofit education organization that's operated by a volunteer board.

The SCSBA cited the nonprofit's innovative programs, which have brought more than $4.4 million to the area in support to Aiken County teachers and students.

Aiken robbery suspect captured in Florida

A man wanted in connection to an armed robbery and for striking a store clerk in Aiken County has been captured in Florida.

Richard Brown, 29, of Hard Street in Graniteville, was arrested over the weekend in Daytona Beach on an unrelated charge, Aiken County sheriff's Sgt. Dave Myers said in a Wednesday news release.

Mr. Brown was wanted in Aiken County for armed robbery and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, the release said.

On Sept. 6, authorities believe Mr. Brown, armed with a metal pipe, entered the Gregg's Gas Plus in the 100 block of Bettis Academy Road in Graniteville, demanded money, struck a store employee on the head and chest, grabbed the cash register drawer and left.

Crime tips eligible for reward up to $1,000

AIKEN --- The Aiken County Sheriff's Office released Wednesday its top 10 most wanted felons.

The sheriff's office holds warrants for these individuals for criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, assault and battery, manufacturing ice and crack cocaine, distribution in the proximity of a school or park, and grand larceny, Sgt. Dave Myers said in a news release. To review the list, go to augustachronicle.com.

Anyone with information about these suspects can contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at (800) 922-9709 or CrimeStoppers of the Midlands at (888) 599-TIPS. Callers remain anonymous and will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Three arrested after robbery, carjacking

Three men were arrested Wednesday in connection with an armed robbery and carjacking at the Ramada Limited at 2154 Gordon Highway on Tuesday night.

According to Richmond County jail records, Kavuan Bernard Moore, 20, of 3650 Rome Way; Martin Salance Harvey, 21, of 2375 Barton Chapel Road; and Tevin Demarcus Bell, 17, of 2375 Dublin Drive; were arrested and charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and hijacking of a motor vehicle in connection with the crime.

An incident report states that about 9:30 p.m. two of the men robbed the hotel at gunpoint, stealing money from a cash drawer and also stealing a woman's purse. The men then carjacked a 2006 GMC Sierra truck from two women outside the front lobby.