Local News in Brief for Nov. 14 11/14/2008 1:09 AM Police look into store robbery
Williston police are investigating an armed robbery reported around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday at the IGA grocery store in Williston, police said.
The man entered the store with his hands under his jacket or in his pockets, with a visible bulge as if he had a firearm, said investigator Rodney Pruitt.
He approached the manager of the store and told her, "Don't be a hero," Pruitt said. He then entered a storage container where some of the store's cash was kept and began loading the inside of the sleeves of his jacket with wrapped bundles of money. The man then ran away and likely left in a waiting vehicle one block away.
Police say John Carlton Rhodes, 40, is a light-skinned black male, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and about 170 pounds. Report any information as to his whereabouts to the Williston Police Department at (803) 266-7013.
Police link man to Aiken robbery
The Aiken County Sheriff's Office has linked an Aiken man to an armed robbery Tuesday at Waffle House on 105 Frontage Road in Aiken, officials say.
Timothy L. Lakes, 23, of Jack Jones Street in Aiken, will be charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The suspect reportedly grabbed a steak knife off a table, jumped over the counter and demanded money from employees. The subject received an amount of money from the cash register. The subject dropped the knife as he left the retaurant and then sped away in a dark silver automobile. The suspect is about 5 feet 7 inches and 150 pounds. He has a teardrop tattoo under his left eye.
Anyone with information, is asked to call (800) 922-9709.
Response exercise to be held Saturday
Public safety agencies from across Aiken County, in conjunction with Langley-based CYTEC Industries, will participate Saturday in an exercise designed to evaluate the emergency response of a simulated chemical release, officials said.
Players will respond as if there were a fire and injuries.
The exercise will begin at 9 a.m. and end about 2 p.m.
The exercise will be held at CYTEC Industries, 405 Carline Road, in Langley.
Due to emergency vehicle traffic in the area, motorists should avoid Carline and Langley Dam roads during the exercise, officials said.
The following agencies will participate in the exercise: Langley Fire Department, Graniteville-Vaucluse-Warrenville Fire Department, Bath Fire Department, Beech Island Fire Department, Sage Mill Fire Department, Aiken County Emergency Management Division, Aiken County Emergency Medical Services, Aiken County Sheriff's Office, Aiken County Hazardous Materials Team and Aiken Regional Medical Centers.
SAHS to present 'After Juliet' play
South Aiken High School students will present the play "After Juliet," at the school auditorium today at 6 p.m. The production depicts what might have happened after Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."
Admission is $5. Performances are also scheduled Thursday, Nov. 20, and Friday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. The cast includes Lucy Sue Herron, Justin Harrelson and Pedro Lopez de Victoria and is directed by teacher Craig Kessler.
The play was written by Sharman Macdonald, the mother of actress Keira Knightly.
Coloring contest prize is 2 tickets
The cast of the USC Aiken production of the children's play, "The Emperor's New Clothes," will hold its annual coloring contest at Chick-fil-A tonight from 5 to 7 p.m.
The contest is open to all students in kindergarten through fifth grades. First- and second-place winners will receive two complimentary tickets to the production, which is scheduled at the USCA Etherredge Center on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.
Mattie C. Hall to host dementia talk
Mattie C. Hall will host the Dementia Dialogues by Jan Merling on Tuesday and Nov. 25 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Call 649-6264 for more information.
Learn self-defense and awareness
Watford's School of Karate will offer a Women's Self-defense and Awareness Clinic on Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. This class is open to ladies 12 and older. This is a free class. For more information or to reserve your space, call 649-2236.
ADPS to hold PIO/media meeting
Aiken Public Safety will be hosting the next PIO/media meeting at Bobby's BBQ on the Aiken/Augusta Highway on Wednesday. There will be a buffet lunch at 11:30 a.m. with the meeting to follow. This is an opportunity to put faces with new names and discuss concerns among the organizations. This is open to all reporters, producers or assignment managers who would like to attend.
Senior Men's Club meets Wednesday
The Aiken Senior Men's Club will meet on Wednesday at Houndslake Country Club. Dr. Matt Barber, official veterinarian for the Aiken Mounted Police, will be the guest speaker. His topic will be horse care, well being and preventive medicine. For more information, call R.B. Clyburn at 644-9752.
VFW post to sell chicken stroganoff
VFW Post 10601 will sell Chicken Stroganoff on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The cost is $6 per plate and includes corn, broccoli with cheese, rolls, tea and dessert.
Mid Day Lions to hold wine tasting
The Aiken Mid Day Lions will hold An Evening Tour of Wine Tasting on Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Southside Gallery, Centre South Shopping Center. The cost is $25 per person. Tickets are available at Cafe Monet, Southside Gallery, Just Breath Studio and Security Federal or by calling Vicky Wood at 641-3060.
ZTA will host its yard sale
ZTA will hold its annual yard sale to benefit Komen for the Cure on Saturday from 7 to 11 a.m. at 124 Pendula Court.
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Comment Title: Another Wasted Week in the Aiken Courtroom
Another wasted week in Aiken County as two concurrent criminal general sessions were conducted, but no jury trials. Once again, the solicitor did a bait and switch by selecting a drug case trial that she knew would plead out at the last minute although the narcotics officer had been terminated for misconduct in office.
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