Local briefs for Nov. 11
O'Charley's hosts family fundraiser
O'Charley's of Aiken is hosting a fundraiser Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. for the family of 42-year-old Paula Phillips, who died Oct. 23 when she was fatally injured during a car crash at the family's South Aiken home.
Ten percent of the sales will go to the Phillips family.
A memorial fund has been established at First Citizens Bank (any branch in the area), under Spoken Word Tabernacle, Paula Phillips Memorial Fund.
Leads developed on missing man
Investigators with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office have developed a number of leads surrounding the disappearance of a 37-year-old Aiken man who left his family's Saddlebred Loop home Halloween night, claiming he was planning to attend a high school football game and hasn't been heard from since, according to officials.
Lt. Michael Frank, spokesperson for the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, issued a press release to local media outlets Friday asking for help locating Cary L. Mason.
Frank said Mason left home for the Blackville-Hilda football game on Oct. 31, driving his mother's red 2006 Ford Expedition. It is unclear whether he actually attended the game.
The following day, the Edgefield County Sheriff's Office found the sport utility vehicle overturned on Girl Scout Road.
Frank said the man had less than $10 with him when he left.
He said investigators expect later this week to have a clearer picture of the events that led up to his disappearance.
The man is not believed to be endangered, Frank added.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this individual is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at (800) 922-9709. Individuals also should call CrimeStoppers of the Midlands at (888) CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.
Fatal accident is investigated
The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that occurred early Sunday just outside the city limits of Allendale, which officials say claimed the life of a 67-year-old Salley man.
Harold L. Johnson, of Hoss Lane in Salley, was the driver of a vehicle that crashed into a tree around 4:30 a.m. on Highway 641, the Aiken County Coroner's office confirmed Monday.
The Allendale County coroner refused to answer questions, saying he would not release the name of the deceased man.
According to the S.C. Highway Patrol, the crash is still under investigation; however, state troopers have said the man was driving a 1988 Cadillac when the vehicle left the road and struck a tree Sunday.
He was fatally injured and died at the scene, according to the highway patrol. Toxicology is pending. He was not wearing a seat belt, troopers said.
Board to swear in four members
Four new Aiken County Board of Education members will be sworn in at the regular board meeting at the district office, 1000 Brookhaven Drive, tonight at 7 p.m.
The new trustees, elected last week, are Dr. John Bass (District 1), Keith Liner (District 4), Donna Moore Wesby (District 8) and Richard Hazen (District 9).
In other business, comptroller Tray Traxler will provide a budget update and a report on the 2007-08 audit.
In closed session, the School Board will get a legal briefing and hear two student disciplinary appeals.
Holly Days needs local entertainers
Entertainers are needed to perform in Downtown Aiken during the annual Holly Days. Musical and vocal entertainers provide songs of the season and other entertainment while shoppers visit the downtown stores. The Holly Days will be celebrated Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13 and 20. Entertainers should call the ADDA office at 649-2221.
Economic series to be presented
Liz Stewart of Stewart and Associates Inc. will lead an information series titled "Finding Success in Today's Economy" on Wednesday, Dec. 3. All seminars will be held at Newberry Hall from 8 to 10:30 a.m.
The cost is $35 per seminar for ADDA members and $50 per seminar for nonmembers. The topic of the Wednesday seminar is "Stop Selling - Build Customer Relationships." For more information or to RSVP, call 649-2221.