The Index-Journal from Greenwood, South Carolina • Page 2

Tee LMEX-Jcmm 2A Greenwood, Lakelands SC April 10, 2004 Area law officials: Novelty gift used by crack addicts Two items available at local convenience stores suspected of being used by crack addicts are 'the rose" and a vial with a small cigar inside. One local clerk, ho didn't want to be identified, said customers come in not paying particular attention to any specific rose color. That was how she knew they ere not buying them as a cheap gift. Some cities such as Chicago have banned the sale of the tubes. Saluda Police Chief Anthony Staten said his department is proposing that a new ordinance allow officers to make an arrest for paraphernalia if the person is also in possession of an illegal substance or is making an illegal substance using that item.

Staten said the rose item by itself is not illegal, just like rolling papers, but it just depends on what the item is being used for. "Marijuana anywhere is illegal. Scales by themselves aren't illegal nor are rolling papers," Staten said of items commonly used to weigh marijuana and roll the drug into joints. "Once you are in possession of drugs in conjunction with them, there lies the issue." the ones we see are cracked or charred on the end," McAllister said. Chris Crawford of Greenwood says authorities should do something about the sales.

Crawford worked in a convenience store where the novelty items were sold. "This will not stop until we send a message that we are not going to condone it here," he said. "Until the General Assembly passes a law, there's nothing we can do but enforce the laws that already exist," McAllister said. "The tube has a purpose other than smoking dope. It has to have drug residue in it or a controlled substance." McAllister pointed out that just like baking soda is sold in stores, it isn't illegal until a person has used it to make crack cocaine.

When asked at area convenience stores, clerks knew that crack addicts were using the tubes. By SHAVONNE POTTS Index-Journal staff writer It's a seemingly innocent novelty gift a tiny fake rose, sealed in a slender, 4-mch glass tube that costs less than a buck and is typically sold in convenience stores near other impulse items such as, cigarette lighters. But area law enforcement Says the gift isn't so innocent, especially when the tube is modified by drug addicts and used as a crack cocaine pipe. "The street name is 'the rose' and crack addicts go in and ask for the rose," said Maj, Ronnie McAllister of the Greenwood Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division. McAllister said addicts could usually find all the materials they need to smoke crack in a central location.

"They use a piece of Chore Boy a copper scouring pad that is usually somew here beside the tube. They use the pad as a filter, remove the plastic ends of Staff photo by Shavonne Potts the tube, put the crack piece in the tube, use a lighter and smoke it," he said. In Greenwood, officers have seen evi dence of drug addicts using the rose tubes for about a year. "Since it's not tempered glass, most of Cadets learn skills at Baker Creek State Park 4 'c 11 ft' ByTASHA STEIMER Index-Journal staff writer McCORMICK More than a dozen Civil Air Patrol cadets spent the past few days learning land navigation skills and search1 and rescue techniques at Baker Creek State Park. The cadets, most of whom are members of the Emerald City Composite Squadron, also practiced plane crash and missing persons scenarios.

First Lt. Mike Albertson, squadron commander, said the group can learn first-hand during the field training. "We try to do two big outings during the year," he said. "It combines military structure with outdoors skills." The Civil Air Patrol, a sidiary of the United States Air Force, provides cadet programs for youths 12 -18, emergency services and aerospace education. The organization, which includes 'aolf Votun'teSFs, often participates in searching for lost persons, disaster-relief support and transportation or communication support.

Cadet Commander John Michael Cooper and 1st Sgt. discipline and leadership. "I liked the idea of getting a pilot's license because I always wanted to get mine," Cooper said. "When I got into it, I liked the military aspect of it." Newton said he always wanted to fly for the Navy and the Civil Air Patrol was a step in that direction. "I wanted to try the military lifestyle to see if I could handle the environment," he said.

"If kind of clicked for me." Newton also recently participated in cadet training in Columbia with other youths around the state. "Cadets are in charge of cadets," he said. 'The first time you go, you go as a basic cadet. The next time you go you could be in charge." Albertson said the squadron continues to. grow ag-ipajytiys looking fof 'new members.

Por information, contact Albertson by e-mail at Tasha Steimer covers general assignments in Greenwood and the Lakelands. She can be reached at 223-1811, ext. 3305, or: tsteimerinde.xjournal.com V. i. i.

Staff pfioto by Tasha Steimer From left, cadets John Michael Cooper, Adam Newton and Clark Sealy search for an ELT signal Friday during a plane crash scenario at Baker Creek State Park. The cadets, members of the Civil Air Patrol Emerald City Composite Squadron, spent Thursday through today camping at the park and field training. Adam Newton, who have been August 2002, said the experi-in the squadron since it began in ence has taught them a lot about -X anvil- Ninety Six teen killed in wreck 4 r7tfr 5 I ft WnHIMIMMMM MIWIBMiillB 'l driving, was riot wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected from his window. The cause of death was head and body injuries. No autopsy will be performed, Kelley said.

A passenger, Andrew Schuster, 18, of 82 Saluda Ninety Six was also not wearing a seat belt, Sluder said. Schuster was taken to Self Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and released. Galphin was a Ninety Six High School junior who was on the school's wrestling team. Schuster is also a wrestler and soccer player. The students were on spring break this week.

No cause of the wreck has been determined yet, Sluder said. From staff reports A Ninety Six teen was killed Friday afternoon in a one-vehicle wreck. Jordan Allen Galphin, 17, of 322 Floyd Road died at the scene of the wreck on S.C. 34, said Deputy Coroner Marcia Kellcy. Galphin was traveling east of Greenwood about 2:30 p.m.

when his vehicle ran off the right side of the road, reports said. He over-corrected and came back across the road toward the left side, struck an embankment and overturned, said Highway Patrol Spokesman Lance Cpl. Steve Sluder. Sluder said Galphin, who was x' v'-T-P 1 i I -v vittvM Staff photo by Shavonne Potts Easter egg hunt (ireenwood resident Uriah Edwards, 3, searches for Easter eggs with grandmother Tammy Sampson, not shown, during a hunt Friday at Percival-Thompkins Funeral Home. The Easter egg hunt was something Percival-Thompkins co-owner Marchelle Spearman wanted to do as an outlet for some of the children in the area.

Volunteers hid about 500 eggs. Staff photo by Tasha Steimer A tow truck driver cleans up debris following an accident on S.C. 34 Friday afternoon that killed one high school student and injured another. Regulators suspend license, delete call letters of Greenwood radio station GiiEEIuVOOD area tally For the week ending April 9 yes vote no vote 0 did not vote By WALLACE McBRIDE Index -Journal senior staff writer Hoivycur luivmalters voted According to Doyle's letter, though, that paperwork should have been filed by Aug. 1, 2003.

An FCC representative Jaid WLMA should have stopped broadcasting after receiving notice that its license was suspended. 'They can dispute what is said in the letter, but this letter speaks for itself," said James Brad-shaw, deputy division chief of the FCC Media Bureau. "We had the paperwork on file prior to the notice," Moore said. "Apparently, there was some kind of paperwork problem, but it has been resolved. In the meantime, we are continuing to broadcast as usual." Wallace McBride covers Greenwood and general assignments in the Lakelands.

He can he reached at 223-1812, or: wmchrideindexjour-. nal.com 7 Regulators suspended the license of a Greenwood radio station earlier thjs month for failure to file a renewal application. WLMA 1350 AM also had its. call letters deleted March 2, according to records on the Federal Communications Commission Web Despite an order to immediately cease operations a public notice signed by Peter Doyle, chief of the FCC Audio Division the station has continued to broadcast. "We have submitted all of the proper paperwork," said station owner Ron Moore.

"We expect it will be resolved in the next four or five days. It's a non-issue, as they say." The FCC notice is dated March 2, but Moore said he filed his paperwork the previous month. Text provided by Thomas Voting Reports COMPANY PENSIONS: Senators passed, 78-19, a bill enabling companies to reduce payments to defined-benefit pension plans, shifting risk to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. and taxpayers. It provides special help to steel, airlines.

A yes vote was to send HR 3108 to President Bush. II OVERTIME, TRADE: Senators failed, 49-48, to get 60 votes for advancing a bill granting corporate tax breaks to offset the loss of federal subsidies deemed illegal by the World Trade Organization. Democrats are stalling the bill over GOP refusal to allow a vote on overtime Issues. (S 1637). Rep.

Barrett has two events scheduled in Greenwood MEDICAL SUITS: Senators failed, 49-48, to reach 60 votes needed to end Democrats' delay of a GOP bill limiting malpractice suits against obstetricians and gynecologists. A yes vote backed a bill (S 2207) capping certain jury awards at $250,000 and curbing lawyers' fees. U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett has two events scheduled in Greenwood Tuesday.

He will beat the Greenwood County Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Dawson Room at Lander University. For information, call the Chamber, 223-8431. The 3rd District Congressman also will be at a town hall meeting, from 11:30 a.m. p.m.

'at the Greenwood Municipal Building, 820 Monument St. For information, contact the Congressional Office, 223-8251. i NEXT WEEK: Congress is in recess until the week of April 1 9. i.