NEWBERRY COUNTY — Over the past year The Newberry Observer reported on numerous breaking news and major events happening in Newberry County and around South Carolina. This year there have been tragedies, storms, retirements and promotions. Here is a look back on the top 10 stories of 2015.
1. Two storms hit the county and the state
This year, two storms rocked Newberry County and the rest of the state. In February a winter storm left most of Newberry County covered in ice and many without power. Newberry Electric Cooperative reported over 1,100 people were without power.
The storm caused many trees to fall into the roadways, making travel difficult. Sheriff Lee Foster estimated hundreds of trees were moved out of the roads by the Sheriff’s Office, Rescue Squads, Fire Departments and the Department of Transportation.
The second major storm to affect Newberry County was Hurricane Joaquin. The storm caused historic levels of rain to hit the state. In Newberry County, the Department of Transportation reported 10 roads and bridges were closed due to flooding. The bridge over Cannons Creek in Pomaria was washed away by the storm.
The storm continued to affect Newberry County with the damage it caused to agriculture. Local experts say we will not know the full extent of what the damage caused until next season.
2. Sea Pro returns to Whitmire
Sea Pro Boats announced in August that it would return to Newberry County this year. They returned to the market with The Next Wave, an all new line of bay boats and center console offshore fishing boats that will be built in the county. Sea Pro will invest $5.5 million into the county and bring 238 jobs to Whitmire.
Sea Pro was originally founded in 1987 and was purchased by Brunswick Corporation in 2005. Jimmy Hancock, one of the original Sea Pro owners, along with Tidewater Boats’ founder, Preston Wrenn, decided to relaunch the company.
3. Rep. Walt McLeod announces retirement
Rep. Walt McLeod announced in October that he would not run for re-election next year. When McLeod ends his run next year he will have served 20 years in the South Carolina State House. He said that 20 years is long enough, and that our system of government works better when there is a rotation of new legislators in the State House. While McLeod said he does not know what he will do in retirement, he says he is not a candidate for the graveyard.
4. Missing teenagers
On April 30, Jonathan Dale Dennis, 15, and Alysia Margaret Skipper, 16, were reported missing in the early morning. Many in Newberry County showed their support for the missing teenagers by wearing green ribbons and holding a prayer vigil. The search went nationwide with the FBI, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the National Crime Information Center helping. They were found on May 12 in San Diego, Calif., after police received a complaint about two people panhandling in front of Home Depot.
5. Newberry College Scaling the Summit
Newberry College announced last September it would launch a comprehensive capital campaign called Scaling the Summit. The goal was to raise $35 million, as of July 15 of this year they raised $10.5 million of their goal.
To help promote the campaign, the college planned speaking engagements in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Washington, D.C. One of the first was held in Newberry on Feb. 9 and was hosted by Billye and Peggie West, their daughter Misty West and Zeb and Angela Reid.
6. Three murders
This year, three murders took place within Newberry County — one in Little Mountain and two in Newberry.
Ronnion Danyell Barron, 32, was killed in July during a home invasion in Little Mountain. Barron was shot and killed after someone knocked on the door of his mobile home shortly after midnight. Jermaz James Dreher, 16, Tyler McKenzie Elkins, 21 and DeCarolos Tramaine Satterwhite, 21, were arrested and charged in the case with a fourth person reportedly killing himself following a standoff with police in Richland County.
In the second case, Roberto Facio-Ledesma, 41, was found dead in his Main Street business in Newberry in August. Kenny Octavis Ruff, 32, was arrested the same day and charged with murder, armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a commission of a violent crime. Chief of Police Roy McClurkin said the motive was robbery.
The third case involved the death of Richard Richshon Devell Sims, 24. Sims was shot multiple times in November during a birthday party being held at the Drayton Street recreation center. Christopher Omar Cromer, 31, was charged with the murder, and turned himself in after it was released he was being sought.
7. Confederate Flag comes down
In July, the state of South Carolina saw the end of an era when the Confederate Flag was moved from its location at the State House grounds after the S.C. House of Representatives voted 94-20 and S.C. Senate voted 37-3 to take it down. The flag was relocated to the Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum in Columbia.
8. Charleston shooting
South Carolina was in shock in July after Dylann Storm Roof, 21, opened fire and killed nine people, including Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney, at the Emanuel African Episcopal Church or “Mother Emanuel” in Charleston.
Many politicians expressed shock and deep sadness. Rep. Walt McLeod said that the world was a better place because Pinckney walked among us.
In Newberry County a prayer vigil was held in remembrance of the nine victims lost. Nearly 600 people gathered to pray in remembrance and unity.
9. Retirees and newcomers
Several new faces took jobs in Newberry this year while some decided it was time to ride off into the sunset.
Dennis Brown left the Newberry Police Department after being the police chief for a year. Roy McClurkin was appointed interim chief of police until a new chief is hired.
In April, Teresa Powers left the position of economic development director for Newberry County in April. Powers had been in the position since 2004. Rick Farmer, a Columbia native, was hired shortly after. Farmer said there were several things that attracted him to Newberry County, but none more important than the quality of life and excellent schools.
This year also saw officials retire or announce their intention to retire. Deborah Smith, who served as the director of the Newberry Opera House for 20 years, retired in August. Molly Fortune of Atlanta was chosen as her replacement.
Ted Smith, executive director of the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce, retires at the end of this year. Smith had been in the position since 2010. Michelle Long, current administrator with the Chamber, was named as his replacement in December.
Jackie Bowers, clerk of court for 26 years, announced her retirement in November. She will end her run as clerk of court at the end of her term next year.
10. Prosperity community rallies
Wafik “Tony” Eshaak, the owner of Roma’s House of Pizza, received second degree burns after a smoker he was using during a catering event exploded. He received burns to his face, forehead, neck, ears, arms and fingers. Many community members rallied behind Eshaak praying for his recovery and expressed their love for him and his family. Eshaak said he would do what his best for his family and survive.