Community of Heroes

COMMUNITY OF HEROES
Community
of Heroes
THE TRAGEDIES
AND TRIUMPHS
OF 2015
A special edition of
www.thestate.com
THE STATE
MEDIA CO.
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER
Sara Johnson Borton
publisher@thestate.com
VP & EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Mark E. Lett
mlett@thestate.com
EDITORIAL
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Paul Osmundson
(803) 771-8308
posmundson@thestate.com
DESIGNER
Elissa Macarin
(803) 771-8471
emacarin@thestate.com
WRITERS
Harrison Cahill
hcahill@thestate.com
David Cloninger
dcloninger@thestate.com
Cassie Cope
ccope@thestate.com
Sarah Ellis
sellis@thestate.com
Tim Flach
tflach@thestate.com
Jamie Self
jself@thestate.com
Andrew Shain
ashain@thestate.com
Avery Wilks
awilks@thestate.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Tim Dominick
tdominick@thestate.com
Tracy Glantz
tglantz@thestate.com
Dwayne McLemore
dmclemore@thestate.com
Gerry Melendez
gmelendez@thestate.com
Matt Walsh
mwalsh@thestate.com
Sean Rayford
online@thestate.com
1401 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: 771-8488 | Fax: 771-8613
MATT WALSH
Sara Johnson Borton, publisher of the State Media Co., uses the Columbia River Walk that
parallels the Columbia Canal almost daily to get exercise. The canal, a vital source of water
for the city, was breached by floodwaters in October 2015.
We are a people
of strong will
My identical twin sons had to fight to
live from the minute they were born. They
were three months premature and weighed
less than two pounds. The odds were not
in their favor. A very wise doctor, a man of
science and of faith, observed my struggle
to accept their fate.
When things looked especially bleak,
he offered me this: Science cannot explain
will. Some children have the will to live.
Those children beat the odds. Mine did.
South Carolinians exhibited that lifeaffirming will in 2015. We had the will to
beat the odds. We faced adversity with
grace. We refused to let hatred take hold
when we lost fellow citizens, friends and
family. Instead, we responded with love, a
force that disarms evil of power.
We had the will to remove a flag that
stirred racial division; one that gave power
to a cause for which honorable men fought,
but a cause that was wrong. We lived through
a 1,000-year flood. We suffered loss, but it
didnt wash away our spirit of community or
our willingness to be our brothers keepers.

We are a people of strong will, and a
community of heroes. The title of this
book came from a sentence in a beautifully
composed letter from Kassy Alia, whose
beloved husband gave his life this year as a
police officer in Forest Acres.
We know there are heroes around every
corner in our community from athletes
who delight and inspire to troops who protect our freedom. We find heroism among
our teachers, our preachers, our volunteers
and in the selfless acts of our neighbors.
This book is a tribute to the hero in each
of you, and a remembrance of an unprecedented year of challenge and victory. A
year when South Carolinians exhibited the
will to beat the odds.
God bless.
Sara Johnson Borton, president
and publisher of The State,
the Island Packet and
the Beaufort Gazette
INDEX
USC professor
Raja Fayad and
police officers
Greg Alia and
Stacy Case killed
Community
of Heroes
2-17
USC womens
basketball
team
goes to the
Final Four
18-31
Nine
massacred
at Emanuel
AME Church
in Charleston
32-43
Confederate
flag removed
from the
State House
grounds
44-55
Historic rainfall
swamps homes,
flood raods
across Midlands,
South Carolina
TRACY GLANTZ
2015: Our year

to remember
56-69
USC football
coach Steve
Spurier
resigns
70-80
Robert
Ariails views
of the events
of 2015
81
SARAH ELLIS
It has been some year.
Unprecedented. Unimaginable. Unforgettable.
A year of good and bad, glad
and sad.
A year when a flag and a flood
made history.
Communities cried tears of
joy and grief.
A man with a gun showered
heartache upon a Charleston

church and the entire state. A
man with a visor and a knack for
quips made his last sideline play
call.
A squad of women filled an
arena and our spirits with hope.
A squad of officers mourned the
loss of a brave peer.
There were moments we
wish had never happened and
moments we wish would never
end.
It was a year to remember and
a year to remind to remind
us as a state of the beauty of the
heart of South Carolina.
COMMUNITY OF HEROES | 1
Above: Pallbearers carry

the casket of Forest Acres
police officer Greg Alia at
St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Alia was killed in the line
of duty at Richland Mall.
Right: Kassy Alia grieves
during the funeral for
her husband, Forest
Acres officer Greg Alia, at
St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Far right: Several bouquets
of flowers sit on the steps
of the Arnold School of
Public Health building on the
University of South Carolina
campus the day after
professor Raja Fayad was
shot in a murder-suicide.
SEAN RAYFORD
2 | COMMUNITY OF HEROES
Community
of Heroes
DEATHS OF
RAJA FAYAD,
GREG ALIA
& STACY CASE
SEAN RAYFORD
omestic violence.
Campus violence.
Officer-involved
violence.
The Columbia community
struggled to console itself,
left reeling after all three
issues came within months
of one another.
In February, USC professor
Raja Fayad was shot to death
on campus by his former
wife, who then shot and
killed herself. The university
was shocked, saddened yet
strengthened by togetherness.
In late September, Forest
Acres police officer Greg Alia
was shot to death on duty
chasing a suspect at Richland
Mall. He left behind a young
wife, a baby boy and a community that wrapped its arms
around the family, forever
touched by Alias character
and brave service.
In early November, Columbia police officer Stacy Case
died in a car wreck while
responding to a call. She was
an Iraq War veteran respected by all colleagues.
In the moments of violent
tragedy, the Columbia area
found itself weakened by
grief and strengthened by
the hands of neighbors lifting
one another in love and hope.
Sarah Ellis
TRACY GLANTZ
TIM DOMINICK
People react to the

announcement of
a murder-suicide
at the University
of South Carolina
campus.
TIM DOMINICK
Law enforcement officers respond to a shooting at the Arnold School of Public

Health on the University of South Carolina campus.
USC students seek

normalcy following
campus shooting
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015
BY HARRISON CAHILL | hcahill@thestate.com

University of South Carolina students in the
Arnold School of Public Health faced a somber reminder of a lost life when they arrived at
classes Monday.
They were returning for the first time since
the school was closed Thursday afternoon
following a shooting that claimed the life of a
distinguished professor.
Awaiting them were flowers, chalk writings
and signs that were hung to keep the memory
of 45-year-old Raja Fayads time with the university alive. Fayad was shot and killed by his
46-year-old ex-wife, Sunghee Kwon, inside
the public health building before she shot and
killed herself.
First-year grad student Anthony Crimarco,
26, said the return to classes is somewhat
surreal and that many professors who teach in
the building have had a difficult time with the
loss of a faculty member.
Its a reminder that even though we live
in a bubble here on campus, it is accessible to
anyone. Its quite easy for anyone to walk into
a building with a firearm, Crimarco said.
Raja Fayad
He was so much fun.

But most important,
he walked the walk as a
living example of the
complete quality faculty
member: outstanding in
unselfish service to his
community and students,
exemplary to all of us with
his many gifts for teaching
and mentoring.
Tom Chandler, dean of USCs school of public
health, writing on the schools website
My heart breaks
knowing that in just
a few months, I will read
Dr. Fayads name out loud
during our annual Silent
Witness ceremony to honor
the slain victims of domestic
violence. It is my hope that
the tragic death of Dr. Fayad
inspires us all to do our part
in this fight. We must accept
that domestic violence is
a real problem in South
Carolina. We cannot ... risk
losing another life to this
reckless crime.
Alan Wilson, South Carolina
attorney general
But, despite the worries of another incident happening, or not,

I trust the universitys system
enough to feel secure.
Crimarco said moving forward, the best thing for the community to do is to remember and
honor the life of Fayad while still
carrying out a sense of normalcy. It was a sentiment shared by
many students who attend classes in the public health building.
Senior public health major
Kelsey Davis, 22, said the atmosphere among the students in
her afternoon class was pretty
normal because the shooting
didnt happen on the floor where
her class was being held. But,
thoughts of the incident lingered.
It was a little weird coming
back to the building knowing that
it did happen here, Davis said.
Our teacher started the class
asking if anyone had issues that
they wanted to talk about. She
sent out an email before saying
that it was going to be a light
lecture today.
Sophomore exercise science
major Sara Desmarais, 19, said
she was in the building on Sunday for a study session before
students came back to classes.
She said the faculty has been sensitive to the students emotional
needs to help restore normalcy.
Everyone has been really
good at making sure we feel
comfortable coming back to the
building, Desmarais said. We
did, more or less, feel comfortable since it was an isolated incident. No one spoke up and said I
dont feel comfortable being in
the building. We know its safe.
MATT WALSH
TRACY GLANTZ
USC freshman Michael Woodel wrote Raja on his arm in remembrance

of slain professor Raja Fayad. Left: Meredith Graham, left, and Grace
Oliphant bring flowers to a memorial for Fayad on the steps of the
Arnold School of Public Health.
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A SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE, GENEROUS ACTS OF KINDNESS
Harris Pastides
It was just last February when

a senseless act of violence took
Professor Raja Fayads life. In
the ensuing months, I have often
reflected on Rajas legacy as a
beloved educator and as a research scientist. And I will never
forget the generous acts of kindness offered to our grieving university, including expressions of
support from the highest levels
of state and local government
as well as condolences from
alumni, parents and strangers. We were all moved when

Clemson students designated a
campus Garnet and Black day as
a show of solidarity. This, surely,
defines community.
And how best to keep Rajas
compassionate community spirit
alive? Ultimately, I decided to ask
our Carolina Family to join me in
becoming better keepers, better
neighbors and better colleagues.
And they have. When the recent
floodwaters subsided, it was

gratifying to see that, just as the
community had supported us in
our time of need, USC students,
4,000 strong, responded with
hours of tireless community service. It is through gestures like
these both large and small
that we will keep Raja close to us
as we do better and better.
Harris Pastides, president,
University of South Carolina
AFTER WORDS
The university held a
memorial service in
early April for Fayad. A
Lebanese cedar tree was
planted in his memory
near the Arnold School
of Public Health, where
the native of Lebanon
was associate professor
of exercise science.
Among the sentiments on the plaque
was a poem by Lebanese-American poet
Khalil Gibran:
The hearts affections
are divided like the
branches of the cedar
tree; if the tree loses one
strong branch, it will suffer but it does not die; it
will pour out all its vitality into the next branch
so that it will grow and
fill the empty place.
The sun is out

this morning.
Lets honor
Professor Fayad
with respect.
TIM DOMINICK
Above: The area

surrounding the Arnold
School of Public Health
building was cordoned
off after the shooting on
campus.
Show someone
that we care.
Hold a Gamecocks
hand today.
Harris Pastides, via Twitter
Left: In response to the

shooting, Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services
brought therapy dogs
in training to campus.
Students were encouraged to pet and receive
comfort from the animals.
TRACY GLANTZ
Officer
was strong
and brave
selfless
Sunday, October 4, 2015
BY AVERY G. WILKS | awilks@thestate.com
Greg Alia
Hundreds gathered Saturday at St.

Joseph Catholic Church and Elmwood
Cemetery to mourn the death and
celebrate the life of Forest Acres police
officer Greg Alia.
Alia, 32, a seven-year veteran of the
Forest Acres Police Department, was
shot and killed Wednesday morning
by a suspect in Richland Mall. His
funeral Mass and burial services were
crowded with police officers and law
enforcement officials, including Forest
Acres Police Chief Gene Sealy, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and S.C.
Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Some mourners who packed into the
downtown Columbia church, including
police from departments across South
Carolina, wore blue ribbons in support
of police.
Alia on Saturday was recalled as a
gentle, patient protector who sought to
serve others before himself.
Christine Corbly, one of Alias sisters
who spoke at the funeral Mass, said
Alias overwhelming love and happiness were evident in the way he treated
his family, friends and those he protected as a police officer.
This is not the first time my brother
rushed into danger, and if things had
been different, it wouldnt have been
the last, Corbly said.
This is not what made my brother
a hero. What made my brother a hero
was that every day he got up, put on his
uniform, loved his family, loved his son,
loved his wife, was full of commitment
and happiness and contentment that he
poured into everything he did.
WHAT I
LEARNED
FROM
GREG ALIA
Dont judge,
just listen.
Dont laugh at
peoples dreams;
when they
succeed, youll
feel bad you
tried to crush
them.
Be grateful
for what you have
while you have it.
Do what you
can now, and
youll make a
difference and be
celebrated when
you go to heaven.
MATT WALSH
SEAN RAYFORD
Above: A Columbia police

officer stands near the
scene where Forest Acres
police officer Greg Alia
was shot to death
in Richland Mall.
Lift others up;

thats our greatest blessing.
Left: Greg Alias family

members, from left, Gregs
sisters, Christine Corbly
and Rebecca Mesnil;
brother-in-law Pierre
Mesnil; mother Alexis Alia;
father Richard Alia;
aunts Catherine Harding
and Regina Scudder;
sisters-in-law Tina
Persinger and Talia Kugler;
wife Kassy Alia; sister-in-law
Kara Kugler; and motherin-law Carol Ann Kugler,
grieve at the funeral.
Invest time in
people today; we
could be gone
tomorrow.
Liberty v. Justice,
guest columnist
MATT WALSH
Kassy Alia, center, is joined by family

during a vigil for her husband, Greg,
at the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity
house on the University of South
Carolina campus.
He gave it his all.

Corbly, who is older than Alia,said she
used to read to him stories about heroes,
warriors and adventure when they were
kids. She said Alia wasnt usually drawn to
the main character, preferring the sidekicks
instead for their loyalty, selflessness and
sacrifice.
It seems that is the man he tried to
become strong and brave, selfless, Corbly
said.
Never the star, never the center, but rather the one who sacrificed himself so the hero
could escape and save the day.
Monsignor Richard Harris, who delivered
the homily at the funeral Mass, said Alia
always looked for the good in others and that
even when there wasnt much good to find,
he was still patient and understanding.
We will miss Gregory Alia his voice, a
touch, a smile, and a presence that will be
longed for in the weeks, months and years to
come, Harris said. And there is the wish to
say just one more, I love you.
Corbly thanked those in attendance for
the outpouring of support the family has received over the past few days, most of all the
memories of her brother that friends shared
with them.
A GoFundMe page set up by Alias Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity brothers at the University of South Carolina had raised nearly 3,500
donations, amounting to nearly $175,000, as
of Saturday afternoon.
That support also was visible on the way
to Alias burial service, said Chris Scott, who
grew up with Alia in Forest Acres and went
to USC and then California with him before
he came back to South Carolina to become a
police officer.
Officers and others lined the streets
throughout Columbia, the officers saluting
the funeral procession as it drove from St.
Joseph on Devine Street to the cemetery on
Elmwood Avenue.
It blew me away, Scott said.
There were officers at every corner. They
saluted every time.
Outside of every shop on the way, there
were people standing there.
Scott said the driver of the hearse said
that in the more than 1,800 funerals he had
worked, he had never seen anything like
that.
To see this tidal wave of support and people that Greg knew and touched he was the
most magnetic, charming guy, Scott said. I
think his greatest superpower was he could
not just make friends, but he could bring
people together and form groups of friends
and then bring them together.
I know hundreds of people here, all
through Greg, and every single one of them
has an amazing, incredible story.
GREGORY
How do you make the
senseless killing of a
32-year-old police officer
something positive for
his parents, wife, son, sisters, family, friends and
community? How do you
cope with never hearing
his voice again, seeing
his smile, or laughing
with him? How do you
deal with no loving arm
around your shoulder, or
dad to play with his son?
We as a family have
reflected on Gregory and
his short life, remembering the positive things he
meant to all of us. In his
32 years he touched many
lives with his friendly wit,
compassion, and genuine
concern. The outgoing
and compassionate spirit
of Gregory made our
community a better place,
something Greg would be
proud of. The Alia family
thanks all of our community for their love and support. We were honored to
have shared our Gregory
with you.
Mom
(M. Alexis Alia)
CLEMSON
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SEAN RAYFORD
APPY
UNHofficers
Local law enforcement
salute outside in the rain at St. Joseph Catholic Church during the funeral for
Forest Acres officer Greg Alia. Right: Retired Forest Acres police officer Jay Lewis pays respects to his former
colleague, Greg Alia.
We mourn
a brave @UofSC
Gamecock today.
Our thoughts and
prayers are with
the Alia family and
the Forest Acres
Police Dept.
E DAME
VS. NOTR
Officer Greg
Alia.
Our hearts
are broken.
Forest Acres is a
small community,
a small police
department.
Were one big
family.
S
Y G. WILK
BY AVER
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Monday, Nov. 9, 2015
BY GLEN LUKE FLANAGAN
gflanagan@thestate.com
The Columbia police officer killed in a

crash Saturday night near the Vista was an
Iraq War veteran who worked one of the
departments most difficult beats.
Stacy L. Case, 37,
joined the Police Department in September
2011. She started as
a patrol officer in the
citys east region, then
moved to the Community Service Division
as a community officer
and crime prevention
officer, said Chief Skip
Holbrook. Her last
assignment was in Columbias north region.
Stacy Case
She was extremely
respected, Holbrook
said. She walked into the door with just
enormous respect, being a seasoned combat
veteran, a military police officer. She led by
example.
When a call reporting shots fired at
Lincoln and Gervais streets was received
Saturday night, Case responded because she
was nearby.
Before Case could arrive, however, her
cruiser collided with another police vehicle
also responding to the shooting incident.
Case died from injuries sustained in that
crash, at the intersection of College and
Park streets, at about 10:17 p.m. Saturday.
Before joining the Police Department,
Case was in the Army for 15 years. She
received several awards, including the Iraq
Campaign Medal with two campaign stars,
the National Defense Service Medal, the
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary
Award, the Army Commendation Medal, the
Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit
Commendation and a Good Conduct Award.
Case recently had completed her bachelors
degree in criminal justice from Limestone
College, according to the Police Department.
Expect us to persevere and draw strength
from one another, Holbrook said. Well
grieve together, and well get through this.
Its what we do, and this is just a tragedy
beyond words.
MATT WALSH
A COMMUNITY OF HEROES
I have been honored to hear
many stories about my husband
as a police officer, many of which
I had never heard before as he
was never one to tell stories of
his good deeds. While each story
showcases a unique interaction
with my hero, they all similarly
demonstrate Gregs commitment
to serving our community. When
presented with the opportunity
to assist others, he did so with
respect and kindness. When faced
with the choice to run toward
or away from danger, he made
the valiant decision to risk his
life so that lives of others would
be protected. Greg is a shining
example of how our community

responds when faced with challenging situations. Events over
the past year have shown that the
people of South Carolina are one
community. We place love and
support for others above the needs
of our own. We reject reactions of
hatred and violence. Through our
actions, we continue to honor my
husbands legacy of service and
foster an environment where my
son and many other children
will grow to be strong and compassionate. We will continue to
thrive as a community of heroes.
Kassy Alia
SEAN RAYFORD
AFTER WORDS
Alias death was followed by three days of vigils, memorials and
community support for his family and the Forest Acres Police
Department. Hundreds from the community gathered to see
Alias car, parked in front of the department, and to place flowers
on the hood. A GoFundMe page set up for Alias family quickly
received more than $200,000 in donations. Hundreds of police
officers from across South Carolina gathered for Alias funeral in
a light rain, just hours before floods swept through Forest Acres
and other parts of the Midlands and South Carolina.
MATT WALSH
Kassy Alia
shows
drawings
that her
husband
made while
at the Forest
Acres Police
Department.
Community
of Heroes
USC WOMENS
BASKETBALL
G
They played with so much rigor, vigor, enthusiasm
and determination we couldnt ask for anything more.
They gave the fans exactly what we wanted, and that
was hard work and dedication.
USC fan Kimberlei Davis of Orangeburg on the Gamecocks
amecock fans
went mad over
Dawn Staley and
the USC womens basketball team.
The Gamecocks attracted more fans than
any team in the country
throughout the season.
This town couldnt get
enough.
Capping off a season
of 30 wins and historic
fan attendance, the team
made its Final Four debut.
Tears were shed but no
love lost when the teams
championship dreams
died on a Tampa hardwood court in April.
Those ladies had given
us all something to crow
about.
Sarah Ellis
TRACY GLANTZ
South Carolinas Aja Wilson drives to the basket as Notre Dames Brianna Turner and Kathryn Westbeld
defend during the Final Four. Left: The University of South Carolina womens basketball team celebrates
after beating Florida State in the Greensboro Regional to advance to the Final Four.
TRACY GLANTZ
Guard Khadijah Sessions, right, and guard Tiffany Mitchell celebrate

beating North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen at the Greensboro
Coliseum.
She did it
her way
Staleys vision always included
a trip to the Final Four
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
BY DAVID CLONINGER | dcloninger@thestate.com

They accepted it with varying degrees of skepticism.
I dont think, coming in, you ever believe youre going to
make it, senior Elem Ibiam said.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley told every player she
recruited to come be a part of a growing program, that with
their contributions, they could one day challenge for a Final
Four berth. All heard it, but only some thought it possible.
I knew it was going to take time, but I knew what she was
preaching would come true. Its so amazing to see it so fast,
Courtney Newton said after watching her former coach and
some of her former teammates cut the net at Greensboro
Coliseum in the NCAA Regional to advance to the Gamecocks first Final Four. I remember when there were 100
people in the stands. To see this is just unreal.
Newton graduated in 2012 as part of Staleys first NCAA
tournament team. Newton signed to play for Susan Walvius, but injuries provided her a fifth year of eligibility. When
Staley came in 2008, she mentioned what she was finally
able to do in the 2014-15 season.
Newton, even though she knew Staley was taking over a
16-16 program, believed it.
TRACY GLANTZ
Coach Dawn Staley

celebrates with
fans, cutting down
the net after
USC won the
Greensboro
Regional.
TRACY GLANTZ
South Carolina guard/forward Aja Wilson takes a shot.

Right: South Carolina guard Khadijah Sessions steals
the ball from Savannah State forward Shanikwa Buie.
Below: Coach Dawn Staley grabs a piece of candy during
the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Never. Not any day of the

week. My four years here
have been unbelievable.
NG RULES
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I A
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, MARCH
SATURDAY
21, 2015
TATE.
WWW.THES
PAGE B1
she had any regrets during her four-year

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WWW.THES
PAGE B1
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TRACY GLANTZ
South Carolina guard Bianca Cuevas maneuvers around North Carolina guard Jessica Washington. Right: Coach Dawn Staley celebrates
beating North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen game at the Greensboro
Coliseum.
SWEET 16 USC 67 | UNC 65

North Carolina
guard Brittany
Rountree fouls
South Carolina
center Alaina
Coates.
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WWW.THES
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PAGE B6
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TRACY GLANTZ
Coach Dawn Staley stomps on the floor after a call she did not
like. Top: Alaina Coates battles for the ball. Right: South Carolina
celebrates the victory over Florida State in the Elite Eight game at
the Greensboro Coliseum.
DWAYNE MCLEMORE
ELITE EIGHT USC 80 | FSU 74

To finally be here is unreal. I feel like Im dreaming.

Senior Elem Ibiam on making the Final Four
Coach has always preached

about it from Day 1, when she
stepped on campus, Newton
said. She had a vision to get here
and do this and do better things
than just the Final Four.
Staley never quit saying it, even
when her first team finished 1018. More and more recruits began
to hear the message, and the team
began to win.
I knew it was possible, especially my senior year, said
Markeisha Grant, a junior-college
transfer who joined the team in
2010. Everybody buying into the
vision, and look where they are
now.
Grant and Newton were seniors
in 2012, when the Gamecocks
bloomed into a 25-win team that
reached the Sweet 16. Ibiam,
Aleighsa Welch and Tina Roy
were freshmen that year. Those
three were vital in convincing
other recruits to come to the party,
and the first tournament appearance made Staleys vision a little
clearer.
We didnt set forth the vision
for no reason, junior Asia Dozier
said. Coming in with Tiffany
Mitchell and Khadijah Sessions
and Tiffany Davis, we all had one
goal in mind, and that was our
whole purpose for coming here
and playing for a coach like coach
Staley.
Three years later, the Gamecocks turned Staleys words into
reality.
Staley believed it could happen,
even at a school that had one Elite
Eight appearance in its history.
We love this feeling. We love
cutting down nets, we love putting
on hats, we love putting on new
shirts that say Champions,
Sessions said. Weve got one
mission, one goal, and thats being
national champions.
They came up two wins short,
losing
toTNotre
Dame in the Final
S
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what a wild ride it was.
: GOOSE
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LEGE BAS
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UNDECID
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TRACY GLANTZ
Coach Dawn Staley talks to her team

during a timeout in the second half of the
Final Four game.
Top: South Carolina forward Aleighsa
Welch is comforted by India Farmer after
Notre Dame defeated USC in the Final
Four.
Right: South Carolina center Alaina
Coates shoots over Notre Dame forward
Brianna Turner.
Far right: USC coaches, staff and players
wave to the fans after being defeated by
Notre Dame in the Final Four.
FINAL FOUR NOTRE DAME 66 | USC 65

DWAYNE MCLEMORE
South Carolinas
Tiffany Mitchell
and Notre Dames
Jewell Loyd shake
hands before the
Final Four game.
Im hungry. Im starving. I hate

losing, and this whole team
feels the same way. We cant wait
to start working to get back here.
USC star freshman Aja Wilson after the semifinal loss
to Notre Dame in the Final Four
| CAPITAL
T 2015
, NO. 48
125TH YEAR
| SOUTH
| COPYRIGH
| $1.00
SPAPER
A'S NEW
CAROLIN
NER B2
EVE OF OPE
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TRADE ON
SCHOOL
MAKE BIG
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BRAVES
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DWAYNE MCLEMORE
EVERY TEAM MUST RESPECT THE JOURNEY

This team has probably
embraced it too much (making
last seasons NCAA Final Four),
in that they might be a little
bit complacent. They probably
forgot about what it took to get
to that point. We almost have
to break them down and build
them back up, to let them know
that last year, we worked for that.
It wasnt something that came
easy. We got lucky, because those
games could have gone either
way in Greensboro (at the NCAA
Regional).
I want them confident, but I
also want them respecting the
journey. Its a long journey, its a
journey in which, if theyre disciplined enough, we can get back

and, maybe, take a step farther in
getting to the national championship game and winning a national
championship.
That is our goal. Thats our ultimate goal, but this team is a little
bit younger, a little less experienced in some ways, especially
the leadership department. We
have some players who are quite
talented, but they have to really
respect the journey, theyve got
to do things on and off the court
that create a championship team.
Dawn Staley
TRACY GLANTZ
AFTER WORDS
Junior guard Tiffany
Mitchell was named to
the Associated Press
All-America first team
and was selected as
the SEC Player of the
Year for the second
consecutive season
Senior forward
Aleighsa Welch was
selected by Chicago
in the second round
of the WNBA draft,
the first WNBA draft
pick under coach
Dawn Staley. Welch
was named the SEC
Scholar-Athlete of the
Year.
USC was ranked No.
1 in the nation for the
first time in program
history, a ranking it
held for 12 weeks.
TRACY GLANTZ
Center Elem Ibiam, left, and guard Khadijah Sessions celebrate during
Round One of the NCAA tournament. Left: Coach Dawn Staley talks to
the team during a timeout against Notre Dame.
Dawn Staley had her

contract extended
and salary raised,
making her the first
womens coach in
school history to earn
$1 million per year and
keeping her at USC
through the 2020-21
season. Her salary was
bumped $200,000,
meaning she will make
$1.1 million in 2015-16.
The Gamecocks
finished the season
ranked No. 3 in both
major polls, the
highest finish in school
history.
USC had the best
average home attendance in the country
(12,293).
TIM DOMINICK
Tiffany Mitchell and the Gamecocks greet a small but enthusiastic

crowd of Gamecock fans when the team returned to Columbia after
playing in the Final Four. Left: Cocky and the cheerleaders bring the
team onto the court before the second half of the Final Four game
against Notre Dame.
Aja Wilson was picked

as the SEC Freshman
of the Year.
TIM DOMINICK
People visited Emanuel AME Church

in Charleston to pay their respects
to the nine killed by a gunman.
Community
of Heroes
CHARLESTON
MASSACRE
In a holy place in the
Holy City, in the midst of a
churchs sacred serenity, a
holy terror erupted.
The June massacre
at Charlestons historic
Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church sent
waves of sorrow rippling
through the state and the
nation.
A flurry of bullets interrupted a Wednesday night
Bible study, sending nine
souls home to the God they
worshiped together that
night.
A Columbia-area man
who apparently boasted
of white supremacy was
accused of the racially motivated, ruthless crime.
Among the lives taken: A
state senator who pastored
the church. A librarian. A
recent college graduate. A
high school track coach.
Among the lives
changed? All of ours.
Sarah Ellis
Residents, visitors mourn
GERRY
MELENDEZ
nine killed in Charleston

Friday, June 19, 2015
BY JAMIE SELF | jself@thestate.com

CHARLESTON Sadness and a heat
wave settled in on the Holy Citys peninsula
Thursday.
While rickshaw drivers pedaled their
carts, looking for red-faced tourists in need
of rides, mourners moved with heavy hearts
through the city, near a historic black church
where nine victims were shot dead Wednesday night.
Residents brought flowers to a police
barricade at Calhoun and Elizabeth streets, a
block away from where police say a gunman
entered the Emanuel African Methodist
Episcopal church, was welcomed into a Bible
study and opened fire an hour later.
Among the mourners was state Rep. Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston, who expressed
amazement at the massacre, which took the
life of his friend and State House colleague,
state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, the pastor of
Mother Emanuel, as the church is known
locally.
My God, a holy sanctuary. Youre talking
about a pastor. Youre talking about innocent
people praying to their God, Gilliard said.
Here we are in the greatest country in the
world. (That) should not happen, Gilliard said.
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said his city
is resilient and will lift up the families of the
three men and six women who were slain.
GERRY MELENDEZ
Eliana Pinckney and other members of state

Sen. Clementa Pinckneys family arrive for his
memorial service at the College of Charlestons
TD Arena.Left: A woman is moved by the choirs
performance at Pinckneys memorial service.
Every fiber in my body hurts ... and Ill never be the same. ...
But as we said in Bible study, we enjoyed you,
but may God have mercy on you.
Felicia Sanders, the mother of victim Tywanza Sanders, speaking during a bond hearing
for the man accused of killing nine people inside Emanuel AME Church
President Barack Obama gave the eulogy at the memorial service for state Sen. Clementa Pinckney.
We had a bad guy, didnt live here, came to

town, did a horrible deed, Riley said.
Near the citys open-air market, Lowell and
Annette Stevenson were planning to celebrate
Lowells birthday and the Sumter couples
wedding anniversary.
Its kind of sad and scary that something like
that happened right there, Lowell Stevenson
said. You think that being at a church is like
being at home. You think you go into the house
of the Lord that its protected, and the doors are
always open.
Kim Hamby and her 4-year-old daughter,
Kayla, placed bouquets of flowers at a makeshift
memorial set up under a police barricade near
Emanuel church.
Hamby, a Charleston resident, said she came
to a realization while praying earlier Thursday:
The Emanuel AME Church shooting victims
would not die in vain.
Were mourning with the families, but
theres peace. Theres a covering of peace over
this city, Hamby said, holding Kayla on her hip.
God never makes mistakes. Theres going
to be good out of this.
GERRY MELENDEZ
GERRY MELENDEZ
Deborah Brockington Dawson, of Charleston, reacts

to a song by the choir during the service for Pinckney.
Right: A group of clergy visited Emanuel AME Church
in Charleston to pay their respects and see where nine
members of the congregation were killed.
TRACY GLANTZ
Gov.Nikki Haley and

other dignitaries watch as a
horse-drawn caisson brings
the casket of Sen. Clementa
Pinckney to the State House.
We woke up today, and

the heart and soul of
South Carolina was broken.
Gov. Nikki Haley, the day after nine were shot
and killed at Emanuel AME Church
125TH YEAR,
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PALMETE
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FRIDAY, JUNE
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WWW.THES
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TIM DOMINICK
After watching the way people came

together, my heart was full. Ive never
been so proud of my state.
George Culler, 67, an African-American and a Vietnam War veteran, who stood in
line to view state Sen. Clementa Pinckneys body lying in state at the State House
MATT WALSH
State Sen. Vincent Sheheen grieves for state Sen. Clementa Pinckney the day after
he was shot to death in Charleston. Top: A prayer vigil was held at Morris Brown
AME Church for the nine people killed at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.
After the vigil, spontaneous hugs were shared.
TIM DOMINICK
Aaron Eller and his boys, Leim and Graham, pray in front of
Emanuel AME Church. Right: State Sen. Clementa Pinckney
lies in state inside the rotunda of the capitol building.
COMMUNITY OF HEROES GERRY

| 39
MELENDEZ
TIM DOMINICK
A prayer vigil was held at Morris Brown AME

Church for the nine people who were killed
by a gunman in Emanuel AME Church.
AFTER WORDS
At 10 a.m. on the Sunday after the June
17 killings, church bells rang across
downtown Charleston in a message
of healing and love to the world. Its
about grace, hearing the bells and being
part of a community that we love, said
Kelly Nix, standing in the shadow of St.
Matthews Lutheran. And searching for
grace and faith in a time when you think
unthinkable things.
Later that day, an estimated 10,000
people gathered at Charlestons Ravenel
Bridge in a show of unity.
The day before, a Toronto newspaper
posted a video on its website showing
hundreds of people most of them
white marching through downtown
Charleston chanting black lives matter.
Top right: Clementa Pinckneys widow, Jennifer,

and their daughters, Eliana and Malana, watch as
the South Carolina Highway Patrol Honor Guard
carries the senators casket into the State House.
Bottom right: Annie Simmons, widow of
the Rev. Daniel Simmons, receives the American
flag that was draped over her husbands casket
from Corey Reeves, a member of the Fort Jackson
Honor Platoon, during a burial service at Fort
Jackson National Cemetery.
125TH YEAR,
NO. 128
| SOUTH
CAROLINA'S
THU RSD
NEWSPAPER
GHT
| COPYRI
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| CAPITAL
2015
FINAL
125TH YEAR,
TE.C
| THE STA
E 25, 2015
AY, JUN
NO. 130
| SOUTH
CAROLINA'S
OM
SAT URD
TE.C
| THE STA
E 27, 2015
AY, JUN
SO LE MN
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[ 19 73 -2
FINAL
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AS
GOD HOSE
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| CAPITAL
2015
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| COPYRI
| $1.00
NEWSPAPER
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GERRY MELENDEZ
TIM DOMINICK
LOVE IS THE CHANGE AGENT

After huddling under the desk in
the adjacent room, hearing gunshots being repeatedly fired, embracing and covering our 6-year-old
child while praying for our 11-yearold child still in Columbia with her
grandmother, knowing my beloved
Ta had gone to be with the Lord,
anticipating my death and the death
of my child, and learning that the
perpetrators motives for this violent act were steeped in hate, I saw
how a community could respond to
such a horrific tragedy with grace
and hope. I witnessed thousands on
the bridge in Charleston standing shoulder to shoulder filled with
generosity, compassion, care, and
concern demonstrate how a
community, rooted in faith, could
cause that faith to come alive to live
out the word of God, which teaches

that love must be sincere cling
to what is good (Romans 12:9).
The outpouring of love experienced
in the aftermath of the June 17
massacre at Mother Emanuel AME
Church causes me to know that we
have a greater calling: to love. Love
conquers all and hate does not win.
Sincere love is the centerpiece.
My husband gave his life in an act of
love. In fact, his last act as a Christian was an act of love. He was where
he wanted to be and where God
needed him to be, in his church, with
his Bible open, but more importantly, with his heart open. His actions
and the giving of his life have led to
reconciliation and created a New
Jerusalem where all hearts are
open, minds are changed, communi-
ties are brought together and forces

of division are vanquished.
Now, the doors that have been
opened through this sacrifice must
remain open for the benefit of all.
What a great example of love that
I am blessed to pass on to our wonderful daughters! It is my hope and
prayer as we move forward that acts
of love and selflessness are passed
on to all children to create a new
beginning, a better South Carolina,
and more loving world. Lets move
forward with an open heart, so love
and grace will be the hallmark of
our society.
Clementa Pinckney
Jennifer Benjamin Pinckney,

widow of Clementa Carlos Pinckney,
state senator and pastor of
Emanuel AME Church
MATT WALSH
State Sen. Clementa Pinckneys

casket passes the Confederate flag
at the State House, where a viewing
was held after he and eight others
were shot to death during Bible
study at Emanuel AME Church.
GERRY MELENDEZ
William Taylor, 8, of
Greenwood, came with his
father, Jeremy, to witness
what he thought would be
a historic day in Columbia,
on July 6, 2015.
We are all
united under
one flag, and thats
the way it should
always be.
Rep. Wendell Gilliard, Charleston Democrat
whose district includes Emanuel AME Church
Community
of Heroes
BATTLE FLAG
COMES DOWN
ome thought the

day would never
come. Some hoped it
wouldnt. Many declared it
was time.
For more than half a
century, a Confederate flag
the symbol of South Carolinas Confederate history
and of the decades-long
plight of Civil Rights in the
South had cast a controversial shadow at the S.C.
State House.
But the racially motivated Charleston massacre
cast a new shadow over the
defense of South Carolinas history of Confederate
pride.
With no lack of outcry
from either side arguments of true love and true
hatred for the flag swirled
for weeks July saw the
Confederate flag furled.
Sarah Ellis
Above: The South

Carolina Highway
Patrol Honor
Guard removes
the Confederate
flag from the State
House grounds.
Right: Gov. Nikki
Haley signs
the bill to
remove
the flag.
TRACY GLANTZ
New day
in South
Carolina
TIM DOMINICK
Saturday, July 11, 2015
BY CASSIE COPE & ANDREW SHAIN
ccope@thestate.com, ashain@thestate.com
The Confederate battle flag is gone

from the South Carolina State House.
The white-bordered, square banner bearing the St. Andrews cross was lowered for
the last time Friday in front of the Confederate Soldier Monument by an honor guard
of seven S.C. Highway Patrol officers.
They folded and rolled up the four-foot
flag. Troopers walked to the north steps

and handed the flag to Allen Roberson,
director of the Confederate Relic Room
and Military Museum, where the banner
will eventually go on display.
The seven-minute flag-removal ceremony drew an estimated 10,000 onlookers who filled sidewalks and lawns on the
north side of the State House and spilled
onto Gervais Street.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley
watched the historic ceremony from the
Capitol steps with former Govs. David
Beasley and Jim Hodges.

It felt like this massive weight just
lifted off the state, Haley said afterward.
It was an emotional day, it was a time of
allowing people to respect their heritage in
the proper place which is a museum
but also allowing South Carolina to move
forward. Its a new day in South Carolina.
The governors and spectators saw
an era end when the flag came down at
10:09 a.m.
The Confederate flag had flown at the
State House for more the five decades
48 | COMMUNITY
OF HEROES
TRACY
GLANTZ
GERRY MELENDEZ
Casey Kelley, of Gilbert, said it was more about heritage as he held up the Confederate flag on Gervais Street in front of the State House on July 6,
2015. Left: Asha Jones sits with a sign during a rally to show support for the removal of the Confederate flag from the State House grounds.
IGHT
| COPYR
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125TH YEAR,
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TRACY GLANTZ
Above left: Sons of Confederate Veterans Commander Leeland Summers addresses a crowd of media during
a news conference on the State House grounds. Above right: Karl Larsen wears a shirt he designed with a
disheveled Confederate flag on it. He put nine bullet holes in it to represent the nine lives lost in the shooting
in Charleston. Larsen was protesting the Confederate flag on the State House grounds. The rally stemmed
from the shootings of nine black parishioners in Charleston.
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TIM DOMINICK
Above: Gov. Nikki

Haley, surrounded by
three former governors, some family
members of the slain
nine, and many legislators, signs the bill to
remove the Confederate flag from the State
House grounds.
Right: Rep. Gilda
Cobb-Hunter hugs former Gov. David Beasley
after the bill is signed.
IGHT
| COPYR
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125TH YEAR,
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PROTESTS e petitions
after being raised to honor

the 100-year anniversary of
the Civil War, which started
at Fort Sumter in Charleston.
The flag was removed
for good after the shooting deaths of nine black
churchgoers at Charlestons
Emanuel AME Church last
month.
The tragedy that shocked
the nation prompted Haley
to call for the flags banishment.
State lawmakers joined
her. They voted this week to
banish the banner despite
objections from some legislators who argued the flag and
other symbols of the Confederacy did not represent the
hate demonstrated by the
accused shooter.
Haley said she hoped the
flags removal gave the families of the Charleston shooting victims and those who
had fought for a long time to
bring it down some peace.
The governor said she
plans to have a campaign,

similar to her anti-bullying
initiative, about what bringing down the flag means and
how the Emanuel victims
forever changed the history
of South Carolina.
What do we do when the
emotions start to fade, and
how do we make sure that
this feeling that we have, and
the ability to bring people together for the good of everyone continues? she asked.
Beasley, who lost a reelection bid in 1998 in part
because he fought to take
down the flag, said he was
overwhelmed with emotion.
What an amazing day,
and the emotions, yes, the
flag being relegated to its
proper place in history, but
the greatest emotion was
coming from seeing all the
people standing out there,
black and white, Democrat
and Republican, united
together in love, forgiveness
and reconciliation.
TIM DOMINICK
Its a nice
start that
will take us
to a new
day.
Joseph Darby,
presiding elder of
the AME churchs
Beaufort district
TIM DOMINICK
Rep. Patsy Knight

hugs Rep. Todd
Rutherford as they
celebrate passing
a bill that removed
the Confederate flag
from the State House
grounds.
MATT WALSH
Legislators visited the

Confederate Relic Room
to discuss plans for the
Confederate flag.
TIM DOMINICK
Above: The Rev.

Jesse Jackson
watches the South
Carolina Senate
debating the bill.
Right: Rep. Jenny
Horne gave an
impassioned plea to
remember the nine
people who were
killed in Charleston.
TIM DOMINICK
Bobbie Flowers and her granddaughter, Kathryn Level, of Lexington,

watch as Gov. Nikki Haley called for legislators to remove the Confederate flag from the State House grounds.
TRACY GLANTZ
Ronit Elk says a prayer after the Confederate flag was lowered on the State House grounds. Its the first step in the healing. So much needs to be done.
AFTER THE FLAGS REMOVAL, S.C.

MUST CONTINUE SEEKING UNITY
Editors note: These are edited
excerpts from a letter to the editor
published on July 7, 2015.
South Carolina faces the most
precarious risks and opportunities of the past 150 years.
The question is no longer,
Will the flag come down?
The question is, How will it
come down?
How will South Carolina and
our nation be affected by its
removal? Will we be more politically polarized by it? Will the
race-baiting charlatans on both
sides win the day to gain more
power? Will the extremist KKK
and New Black Panthers threaten using violence to further
spread fear and divide us?
South Carolina has an obligation to work together so that
the dignity of each person is
recognized and respect for each
person is shown regardless of
skin color.
Solving the ills of our society

wont be easy. We dont need
riots. We dont need to scream
past one another. We need humility. It will take work. We need
those who will work with the
integrity, conviction and the passion of a William Wilberforce,
who worked for the abolition
of slavery in the British Empire
without a shot being fired. America lacked such a man, and slavery was abolished with the blood
of more than 600,000 men.
Unity wont just happen
through one episode of holding
hands and singing campfire
songs. It is time to work together, pray together and persevere
together for better understanding of one another and solving
the most pressing needs of our
society.
TRACY GLANTZ
Supporters greet Rep. Todd Rutherford after the Confederate flag

was lowered on the State House grounds.
CAROLINA'S
144 | SOUTH
125TH YEAR, NO.
NEWSPAPER
FINAL
2015 | CAPITAL
| $1.00 | COPYRIGHT
The Rev. Patrick V. Dye

of Macedonia Baptist
Church Columbia
ATE.COM
MINICK@THEST
TIM DOMINICK/TDO
SC turns page
in history book
House on
at the S.C. State
rose
te flags 54 years
loudly. Their voices
ended the Confedera
ceremony that
chanted and cheered
started lowering
he brief solemn
of 10,000 that
iron fence and
before a crowd
stood inside an
of current and
Friday took place
Patrol troopers
and a number
to
State Highway
Gov. Nikki Haley
they made in answer
when three S.C.
the Capitol lawn,
watching the history
to furl it. Across
but stood silently,
last month.
the Civil War banner
in Charleston
made no speeches,
gunned down
being
former state leaders
ers
merican churchgo
nine African-A
STORY PAGE A4
VOICES IN THE CROWD
experienced
Some moments onlookers who
among the 10,000 State House
S.C.
gathered at the
of the flag.
to witness the removal
Page A4
DYLANN ROOF GUN
SNAFU
accused
FBI that allowed
A mistake by the shooter Dylann Roof to
Charleston church a pledge for an probe
drew
purchase a gun
leader.
by a S.C. elected
PHOTO PAGES
day in South
Images from a historic of the Confedicon
Carolina when an House grounds for
eracy left the State
the last time
Pages 6-7
B6
Index: Business, C6
Comics,
Classified, B7 |
Weather, C8
Page A5
TIM DOMINICK
A large crowd gathered to watch the South Carolina Highway Patrol Honor Guard remove the Confederate
flag.
I couldnt stop crying, Ive been fighting for this since

the 1960s. Im so glad my children and grandchildren
will not have to live under it.
Mazie Butler Ferguson, 72, Sumter native
AFTER WORDS
ONE FAMILYS
TREASURED T-SHIRT
Russ Webb of Columbia says the T-shirt
has been gently handwashed, folded
and placed in a drawer.
The shirt was initially worn in 2000 by
his father, Wayne, at the King Day at the
Dome rally that helped launch that years
effort to remove the Confederate flag
from the State House dome. Webb, who
was 20 in January 2000, attended the rally with his father, who died the next year.
On July 10, 2015, Russ Webbs mother
gave him his fathers T-shirt just before
the ceremony to remove the Confederate flag from the State House grounds.
He attended the rally with two of his
three daughters. The oldest is 13.
Ill keep it, Webb said. My kids might

like to hear the story when they are a
little older.
A THURMOND VOTES
TO MOVE THE FLAG
State Rep. Paul Thurmonds support
for removing the Confederate flag from
the State House grounds was one example of how South Carolina has changed.
His late father a former governor,
presidential candidate and U.S. senator
built a national reputation on supporting
segregation. Strom Thurmond set a U.S.
Senate filibuster record in August 1957
while opposing a civil rights proposal.
But Paul Thurmond, a Charleston Republican, took a strong stand in support
of moving the flag.

Said Thurmond: I am proud to be
on the right side of history regarding
removal of this symbol of racism and
bigotry from the State House.
FLAG TO BE DISPLAYED
IN MUSEUM
The flag removed from the State House
grounds eventually will be displayed in the
Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum. During the flag debate in July, the
S.C. House passed a resolution directing
the Relic Room to present a budget to the
Legislature by Jan. 1 for displaying the flag.
For now, the flag is being kept in the
Relic Rooms climate-controlled collections area.
TIM DOMINICK
Above: Former
Gov. David
Beasley and the
Rev. Nelson B.
Rivers III pause
to talk about
the flag removal
ceremony.
Left: Members
of the South
Carolina House
take photos of
the final vote
that passed the
bill to remove
the Confederate
flag from the
State House
grounds.
TIM DOMINICK
Highway Patrol Honor Guard members fold the Confederate flag.
TIM DOMINICK
TIM DOMINICK
DNR officer Brett Irvin and Lexington

County Deputy Dan Rusinyak carry
June Loch to dry land after she was
rescued from her home in the Pine
Glen subdivision off of Tram Road in
the St. Andrews area of Columbia.
Community
of Heroes
THE FLOOD
OF 2015
o one could have

imagined such a
flood, such destruction, such lingering
aftermath.
In October, the eyes of
the nation looked once
again at a suffering South
Carolina. How many hard
times could fall on one
place in one year?
Up to 2 feet of rain fell
across some parts of the
state. Floodwaters rose for
days. Dams failed. Roads
and bridges crumbled.
Thousands of homes were
left unlivable. At least 19
lives were lost.
Out of the historic deluge
of water and worry also
came a deluge of compassion and volunteerism both
from within and beyond
the borders of the Palmetto
State.
Sarah Ellis
MATT WALSH
Zahid and Davon Richardson are greeted by a rescue team in the Shandon Crossing apartment complex. Rescue crews from across the country
worked to help those in need after rain and floodwaters ravaged the Columbia area.
Flood destruction brings out

heartwarming volunteerism
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015
BY SARAH ELLIS & TIM FLACH
sellis@thestate.com, tflach@thestate.com
Heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Thats how Eugenia Hardwick described the scene around her in a friends
east Columbia yard, where heaps of
soaked possessions lay pulled from the
house. All along Kilbourne Road and

in the neighborhood behind it, similar
scenes unfolded, flanked by lines of cars
that had pulled in just to offer help.
Volunteers clogged the hard-hit neighborhood bordered by Gills Creek and
Lake Katherine, where historic rainfall
this weekend caused unprecedented
flooding.
Even if the floods didnt reach their
houses, the people of the Midlands and

beyond felt the deeply devastating effects
of the weekends catastrophic weather.
Im just amazed at all these people
that are helping people that they dont
know, or they didnt know before, Hardwick said.
Sixteen-year-old Russell Isaacs and his
family were lucky enough not to feel the
hurt of the floods. But he felt the hurt of
GERRY MELENDEZ
Members of the Lexington High baseball team walk by a residence on Burwell Lane as they volunteer to help those affected by the flood.
GERRY MELENDEZ
Angela Riggs, of Forest Acres, hugs First Citizens Bank employee Terrance
Schafer after getting a free lunch from the bank. Its just really a comforting feeling to see all of our community coming together like this, she said.
Below: Water is distributed at Lower Richland High School.
TRACY GLANTZ
TRACY GLANTZ
Volunteers, including Anna Walkup, 15, preserve photographs from

flooded homes near Gills Creek.
The water was coming no

matter what. ... I kept counting
the bricks on my mailbox, and the
water was going up at two bricks
per hour.
Clay Lovelace, whose Shady Lane house was flooded Oct. 4
TRACY GLANTZ
Parts of Horry County

were still covered in water
days after heavy rains
pounded South Carolina.
DWAYNE MCLEMORE
The Columbia
Canal breached
after historic
rainfall.
Far left: Gov.
Nikki Haley
assesses flood
damage in
Horry County
from a S.C.
National Guard
helicopter.
TRACY GLANTZ
MATT WALSH
A Forest Acres resident looks out over a bridge that was destroyed after the Overcreek dam broke, flooding areas downstream. Below: Three cars
lie on top of each other at a home on Old Neck Road in Columbia.
I thought I was
going under. Initially,
I thought it was over.
Tyson Neil, motorist trapped in his truck when it
was washed into Forest Lake by torrential rains.
OCTOBER
MONDAY
5 2015
$1.00
No. 230
VOL. 125TH, TED THESTATE.COM
STAY CONNEC
/THESTATENEWS
FACEBOOK.COM@THESTATE
TWITTER.COM/
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GERRY MELENDEZ
om
his community, all the

same, and that drove him
to action.
On Wednesday, he
and his mother, Tammy
Neff, rallied a group of
boys from the A.C. Flora
ROTC program and the
Columbia chapter of
DeMolay, an international young mens organization, and descended on
Kilbourne Road, ready
to assist. With swarms
of other volunteers, they
helped homeowners gut
their drenched houses.
In that neighborhood,
floodwaters rose several
feet in many houses,
even above the roofs of
some, neighbors said.
Your eyes are opened
to how lucky you are, and
other people werent as
lucky, Isaacs said. I
just wanted to help them
through this time of
need.
At a news conference
Wednesday, Gov. Nikki
Haley saluted all the
volunteers who were
showing up to do this
kind of work.
Haley said the flood
has brought out neighbors helping neighbors
and people helping
strangers.
We are people of
compassion, she said.
Some members of
downtowns Midtown
Fellowship forewent
Bible study to come help
clean up the neighborhood instead.
Were trying to help
out any way we can,
George Thomas said.
Most of us were fortunate enough not to be
affected.
Another group came
down from the Christian
Life Church in the St.
Andrews area.
How can we take it
easy when our community is suffering? said
Sonia Isom.
MATT WALSH
Beverly Steinhaus
hugs Carol Hill, a
friend who helped
clean her house on
Burwell Street after
it was submerged in
floodwater. During
the flood, a boat
ended up on their
front porch after
a neighbor saved
flood victims from
their homes.
TIM DOMINICK
Heather Dorn and Copper, residents of the Pine Glen subdivision in the St. Andrews
area of Columbia, are rescued from their home. Right: Alex Carter, a volunteer with the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, takes a break after helping inside a home on
Glenhaven Drive in Columbia.
TRACY GLANTZ
John Wienges, front, and Phil Lenski paddle a canoe with Angela and Logan Smith, 7, who they rescued from a flooded
house on Timberlane Drive near Gills Creek. Left: A Lexington city police officer walks to the edge of Twelve Mile Creek to
check on the floodwaters that broke the Old Mill dam in Lexington. Below: Elliott Powell rescued dozens of Lake Katherine
residents with his deck boat and a canoe.
TIM DOMINICK
MATT WALSH
G TO
HT THIN
E RIG
GAM
MOVING
USC-LSU
THURSDAY
$1.00
8 2015
OCTOBER
No. 233
M
VOL. 125TH, CTED THESTATE.CO
STAY CONNE
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OM/THESTATE
TWITTER.CO
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More vi . fights floods
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THE FLOO
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GERRY MELENDEZ
T PERRY
STAR
OCKS TO
officials
focus on
holding
gether
dams to
gs
Sandba s
and rock
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reinforc d
Wildewoo
area dam
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$1.00
9 2015
, 1B
TURDAY
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TWITTER.CO
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ll get wo
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u go ou
when yo
I consider
myself to
be someone
who was in a
position to do
what South
Carolinians do.
They do the right
thing. They help
their fellow man,
especially in a
crisis. We pray
for each other
and we love
each other.
Elliott Powell, who used
his boat to rescue Lake
Katherine residents
trapped by rising
floodwaters
EW SHAI
BY ANDR
tate.com
ashain@thes
shocks from
The after s historic
end
the week continued to
rainstorm Columbia area
shake the ay with more
Wednesd king, more
brea
s
more
dam
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g.
people dyin loyees of a
pany
Two emp
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track
road
died early
the storm ay after their
Wednesd me subrs in
vehicle beca
in floodwatenty.
ed
merg
land Cou
lower Rich es of Robert
of
The bodi
Vance, 58,
Bradford Ky., and Ricky
n,
Lexingto onald, 53, of
Allen McDke, Ohio, were
Chesapea the vehicle in
pulled from k, Richland
ate.com
Cedar Cree ner Gary
mwalsh@thest
Coro
MATT WALSH
the
County
g
Durin
r.
Watts said. McDonald
floodwate
erged in
Vance and with three
was subm
ling
t after it
of
es.
were travers from a job site
ell Stree
the hurt
their hom
e on Burw
not to feel felt the hurt of
nesday
co-worke
her hous flood victims from
enough
a.m. Wed drove
ed clean
s. But he the same,
saving
about 3
d who help
vehicle
the flood
hbor was
all
munity,
l Hill, a frien h after a neig
when theirbarricade, near
to action.
his com
porc
a
hugs Caro
his
drove him
through block of CongaSteinhaus d up on their front
and that nesday, he and d a
Beverly
the
the 2100
fell into
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n Wed
f, rallie
arming
heartw
GERRY MELENDEZ
Lane Albert walks through her childhood home with her niece Ella Albert, 8, in the Coldstream subdivison in Irmo. The home owned by her mother,
Karen Albert, was damaged by the flood. Its a little surreal, she said, walking through the home she lived in since she was 3. Below: Maylee Gilmore,
66, takes a break as she and her grandson Brailon Floyd, 11, pick up supplies and lunches at Gadsden Elementary School.
TORN AND TATTERED, BUT PROUD AND STRONG, AGAIN

We are rediscovering an
important truth about ourselves: We are South Carolinians quiet people in little
places doing extraordinary
things. Stories of heroism
are emerging. Untold thousands of our fellow travelers
are opening their hearts and
wallets to help each other.
Volunteers are flooding
South Carolina far and wide
to help.
In times of crisis, people
need strong leadership. And
our leaders need strong people.
We have both.
Editors note: These are

edited excerpts from a column
published Oct. 12, 2015, in the
Palmetto section of The State.
No state in the country has
faced more than South Carolina this year.
There was the unnatural
disaster in Charleston when
evil disguised as human desecrated a sacred house of God
and spilled the blood of nine
innocent saints.
After the murders of the
Emanuel Nine, there were
no riots. No looting. Little
belligerency of any kind. The
words of the families to the
killer God, forgiveness, redemption swept across the
state like living waters from
a gentle stream. The families
were torn and battered, yet
their sweet spirit was lifted

by heavenly breezes to every
corner of our state.
I have no data to back me
up, but it seems that the flood
has exacted more of a toll in

the Midlands than Hurricane
Hugo (in 1989).
The worst of nature has
brought out the best in us.
Robert McAlister, who served as

communications director and later
chief of staff for Gov. Carroll Campbell, owns a Columbia marketing
and public relations company.
National Guard Sgt. Gerry Ortiz unloads sandbags in Columbia one day before floodwater and rain ravaged the Midlands.
MATT WALSH
TRACY GLANTZ
An evacuee sleeps at a Red Cross shelter at Lower Richland High School.
MATT WALSH
A national guard Hummer drives down Carter Drive during a flood

rescue in a Forest Acres neighborhood.
MATT WALSH
A Chinook moves an excavator over the Columbia Canal, which broke

and spilled into the Congaree River. The Columbia canal is a source of
water for many residents.
Above: A couple
stands in the center
of Garners Ferry Road
after heavy rains
caused Gills Creek to
overflow its banks.
Right: A portion of
Wise Ferry Road in
Lexington gave way
during the flooding.
Far right: A section
of washed-out railroad
along Congaree Road
in the Lower Richland
community.
TIM DOMINICK
AFTER WORDS
The Flood of 2015
by the numbers
Dams that broke

in Lexington County
16.69
Inches of rain
that fell Oct. 4
at Gills Creek
17
Dams that broke

in Richland County
541
Roads closed
in South Carolina
on Oct. 5
TRACY GLANTZ
VS.
CLEMSONTECH
GEORGIA
3:30 p.m.
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Dodd, La king
are wrea DE
havoc at 1B
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for Tige
USC VS. LSU
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BER
SUNDAY OCTO
$3.00
11 2015
No. 236
M
STAY CONNE
3:30 p.m.
in SEC
s to 0-4
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on ESPN
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GERRY MELENDEZ
54
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canal
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work on the
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TWITTER.COM
THE FLOOD
Important
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S
LESSONRN
TO LEA
$1.00
10 2015
No. 235
M
STAY CONNE
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isory lik k
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Columbiabeen on the
in
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munity has this week,
School to ways residents
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whatever areas need
to
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were deva
from those
whose lives weekends
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tated by
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when there
historic
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Congregan. Church in
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are partn
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AT THESTAT
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GERRY MELENDEZ
Coach Steve Spurrier

watches his team
stretch during a
Gamecocks practice
in August 2010.
Community
of Heroes
COACH STEVE
SPURRIER
RESIGNS
elp.
If Steve Spurrier knew how
to play the game as well as
anyone ever has, he also
knew when the game was
over.
After 10-and-a-half
seasons of unprecedented
success at Williams-Brice
Stadium, Spurrier saw his
glory days wane as the University of South Carolinas
head football coach.
With 86 wins from the
USC sideline and, just
as valued, countless jabs
at rival Clemson South
Carolinas all-time winningest coach found his
team at a 2-4 season and
winless in the Southeastern
Conference.
Spurrier wouldnt be one
to overstay his welcome.
In October, the Head
Ball Coach turned in his
visor, and Gamecocks
turned hopeful eyes toward
an uncertain future on the
football field.
Sarah Ellis
TIM DOMINICK
Steve Spurrier observes from the sideline. The Gamecocks took on Kentucky in their first home game of the 2015 football season on Sept. 12.
GERRY MELENDEZ
Spurrier talks to a linesman after a call against the Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in
Gainesville, Fla., on Nov. 15, 2014. Right: Spurrier waves to the crowd after the Gamecocks win
against UAB on Sept. 15, 2012, at Williams-Brice Stadium. This was Spurriers 200th win as a
college coach.
TIM DOMINICK
GERRY MELENDEZ
South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier answers questions during a Capital One Bowl Kickoff news conference, Jan. 1, 2012.
Behind the smirk,

HBC was darned likable
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015
BY DAVID CLONINGER
dcloninger@thestate.com
I think what Ill always remember

is that smirk. He would flash it often
in a news conference after a line he
knew would get repeated, after a par-
ticularly good round on the course,

after anything he did, really. Steve
Spurrier never smiled; he smirked,
and without arrogance.
He did it because thats the only
way he knew.
Spurrier was better, thats all. Better
at football (coaching and playing),
better at golf, better at one-liners. The
arrogance came from a lifetime spent

being better by talent, and the times
he was petty and childish were taken
in hand because of the several thousand times he was so darned likable.
Spurrier did what he said he would.
He took South Carolina to unprecedented heights, winning more games
than anyone ever had and taking it
GERRY MELENDEZ
TIM DOMINICK
Coach Steve Spurrier, with quarterbacks Dylan Thompson and

Connor Shaw, watch the defense play during the South CarolinaEast Carolina game on Sept. 8, 2012. Top: Spurrier congratulates
Shaw on senior night at Williams-Brice Stadium on Nov. 30, 2013.
Right: Spurrier is carried off the field after the Gamecocks win over
Florida at Ben Hill Stadium on Nov. 13, 2010, in Gainesville, Fla.
GERRY MELENDEZ
GERRY MELENDEZ
Spurrier gets a Gatorade bath as time winds down in the Gamecocks 30-13 win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl game at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando
on Jan. 2, 2012.
I have enjoyed watching

him build the Gamecocks
football program, visiting with
him, and, typically, enjoying his
quotes and insights. Steve leaves
an indelible mark on the
Southeastern Conference
and on college football.
S++
COLUMBIA,
SOUTH CAROL
NOVEMBER
SUNDAY,
14, 2010
Greg Sankey, SEC commissioner
S3
Swamp after
es Saturday at The
Tori Gurley celebrat
Page S1
the Gators, 36-14.
Gamecocks pound
PS
ST CHAM
B6
56
PS!
SEC EAST CHAM
Clear to partly cloudy,
USC 36,
sunny, 70 | 7 p.m.
14
R SEC EA
LANTA FO
ON TO AT
FLORIDA
THE STATE,
the
40 | 1 p.m. Mostly
OLINA 36,
SOUTH CAR
E.COM
WWW.THESTAT
A 14
FLORID
8 a.m. Mostly sunny,
SECTION
Weather:
| Opinion, D2
NA
SOUTH CAROLI
F1 | Movies, E2
COLUMBIA,
D1 | Classified,
Abby, E6 | Business,
WWW.THESTAT
R
E
D
R
O
W
E
N

Index:
GERRY MELENDEZ
Spurrier
congratulates
defensive
end Jadeveon
Clowney after
their win over
Michigan in the
Outback Bowl
on Jan. 1, 2013.
14, 2010
++
y
r
o
t
s
i
h
,
y
l
l
a
n
Fi
INA
E.COM
NOVEMBER
SUNDAY,
.COM
THESTATE
C. ALUKA
ABERRY@
BERRY/C
victory.
tle
to East ti
ds USC
a
le
re
o
Lattim
a in the
st Florid
erback
USC quart
Stephen
s again
a score
er of the
fourth quart
36-14
Gamecocks
Garci
RUSHING
By JOSH
KENDALL
m
state.co
it was gono idea

but we had down like that,
er
ing to come captain Spenc
said senior o hit field goals
USC
A GAME,
YARDS IN Opponent
St.
Player Bennett
Brandon z
Jeff Grant k
Steve Wadia s
George Roger s
George Roger s
George Roger
tson
HISTORY
East Tenn.
Ohio
Clemson
Wake Forest
Duke
N.C. State
Michigan
Eastern
ida
Year Yds
1991 278
1973 260
1950 256
1978 237
1980 224
1979 217
2000 215
2010 212
14,
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER
2010
GERRY MELENDEZ
USC head coach Steve Spurrier talks to a referee after a fourth down play against LSU on Sept. 22, 2007. The spot of the play, which turned the ball
over to LSU, was challenged by USC but the call stood. Below: Spurrier and players participate in the Gamecock Walk to the stadium prior to the start
of their game against East Carolina on Sept. 8, 2012.
to the SEC Championship Game,

which he had christened the Spurrier Bowl while he was at Florida.
He got a division championship.
He went to bowl games year after
year. He coaxed the countrys best
recruits to play for him.
He did what no other coach
could. Spurrier made little ol South
Carolina a winner.
Spurrier was the one who recognized that Williams-Brice Stadium
and USC needed to look more
attractive to recruits. He was the
one who knew better facilities drew
better players, and while they might
not win big, they would win enough
to draw more people and more dollars to benefit the university.
It all flowed into the best success
USC football ever had, which coincided with the best overall athletics
success USC had. The Gamecocks
won 11 games in three consecutive
seasons, three more times than
they ever had, and through it all
was Spurrier, ever charming and
ever cantankerous.
He had his downtimes. His
imperious If youre not with me,
youre against me tone made for
good copy but painted a picture of a

man who loved the kudos when he
won, but couldnt handle it when he
didnt.
Thats a lot of what made him so
compelling. He never apologized,
just said what he thought, and if
you disagreed, well, tough. Steve
Spurrier was an original, and he
knew his supporters would never
question they would cheer him,
love him, sometimes boo him, but
never leave him.
The This, that and the others
and but anyways were frequent
and the news conferences always
featured one quote or moment that
you knew would live forever. Spurrier was a natural figure, with a ball
or whistle in his hand, and he never
forgot how to work a room.
How he left wasnt pleasant, but
his career is unchanged. Spurrier is
a winner, and despite the ending,
he did what he said he would.
Having never been one to reflect
on what hes done in his magnificent run, Im sure he would simply
shrug, smirk and sum up when
asked about his life.
It is what it is.
GERRY MELENDEZ
MATT WALSH
Spurrier
announces
his resignation
Oct. 13, 2015.
Hes a legend in college football, a

Hall of Fame lock. Hes good for the
game. Hes going to be missed for college
football. Hes quotable on every level. He
was deadly honest about every issue, and
he led the country in college football in a
lot of issues.
Todd Ellis, former USC QB
| CAPITAL
HT 2012
TCH
OCKWA
GAMEC
I A
U M B
C O L
MONDAY,
GERRY MELENDEZ
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier and Clemson coach

Dabo Swinney shake hands and chat prior to their game
Nov. 24, 2012, at Memorial Stadium in Clemson.
NOVEMBER
I A
U M B
C O L
SUNDAY,
L I N A
A R O
T H C
S O U
26, 2012
OM
e
65th gam
won his
Spurrier
coach
, Steve
ningest
Clemson
the win
against
right as
s at USC:
victory
Rex En
win
ys
ng
da
65
ssi
tur
pa
those
With Sa
mecocks,
a look at
of the Ga
Here is
history.
as coach
Carolina
in South
OM
TATE.C
WWW.THES
PAGE S1
121ST YEAR,
SOUTH
NO. 3 |
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75 | COPYRIG
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A R O
T H C
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1, 2013
USC 31,
PAGE C1
65 WINS
TATE.C
WWW.THES
DECEMBER
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TIGERS TU
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TIM DOMINICK
Coach Steve Spurrier waits for the assistant coaches

to join him for a picture during media day Aug. 7, 2011.
HES CARING, PASSIONATE

AND A GOOD FOOTBALL COACH
TIM DOMINICK
USC running back Marcus Lattimore announces in a

news conference Dec. 10, 2012, his intentions to enter
the NFL draft. I will always be a Gamecock. God Bless
Gamecock Nation, he said.
When I first came to Carolina,

I already had an opinion based on
things in the past. But Coach Spurrier, man, hes awesome, he is. Hes
a guy thats so passionate about the
game of football that it rubbed off
on you.
And everything that he did, he
did it with passion, he did it 110 percent, and thats something that Ive
learned from him, that I can carry
on for the rest of my life.
I can just think about the first
time I got injured. His presence,
with the phone calls, with texts,
just always checking on me every
week. He was so persistent in

making sure I was OK, when he
had a team to run and lead to those
11 wins.
Hes a guy thats caring, hes a
guy thats passionate and he means
everything to me. And Ive learned
so much from him because of those
two characteristics. Hes caring,
hes passionate, and obviously hes a
good football coach. Its been amazing being around him for the past
five years. Its been amazing. He
means everything to me, he does.
Marcus Lattimore
AFTER WORDS
Winningest coach in USC
history with 86 victories
First USC coach to win
11 games in a season,
something he did for
three consecutive seasons
First USC coach to finish
in the Top 10 in the final
Associated Press poll and
in the final BCS standings
First USC coach to win six
SEC games in a season and
go undefeated against SEC
Eastern Division opponents
First USC coach to sign the
No. 1 player in the country
(Jadeveon Clowney)
First USC coach to win the
SEC Eastern Division title
(2010) and defeat a No. 1
team (Alabama, 2010)
I think what hes brought here is proving to everyone in

America that it can be done here. I think well have a lot
of people looking at this job now that wouldnt have looked at
it five years ago just because of what he did here.
Beat Clemson five

consecutive seasons
Tommy Suggs, former USC QB
IATELY
G IMMED
ETIRIN
RRIER R
SPU
INSIDE
Spurrier
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No. 239
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Senate leader
M
STATE.CO
os and
GERRY MELENDEZ
Seeing Coach Spurrier step away as Head Ball Coach at South Carolina was very
emotional for me. He is unequivocally the best team player a coach can be in an
athletic department. Folks think of iconic coaches as demanding and prima donnas, but
he was none of that. He was so supportive of all the sports at Carolina.
Eric Hyman, former USC AD
GERRY MELENDEZ
A message to former South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier is written on a motor home at Williams-Brice Stadium on Oct. 17, 2015. Top: Spurrier
spends a moment on the sideline in the second half against South Alabama at Williams-Brice Stadium on Nov. 22, 2014.
Community
of Heroes
Robert Ariails views
Robert Ariail,
The States
editorial
cartoonist,
has won
international,
national,
regional and
state awards
for his work.
He has been a
Pulitzer Prize
finalist three
times.

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COMMUNITY OF HEROES

Sara Johnson Borton

VP & EXECUTIVE EDITOR

1401 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201

our willingness to be our brothers keepers.

2015: Our year

heartache upon a Charleston

Above: Pallbearers carry

People react to the

Law enforcement officers respond to a shooting at the Arnold School of Public

USC students seek

BY HARRISON CAHILL | hcahill@thestate.com

He was so much fun.

But, despite the worries of another incident happening, or not,

USC freshman Michael Woodel wrote Raja on his arm in remembrance

Forever to Thee, part of

A SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE, GENEROUS ACTS OF KINDNESS

It was just last February when

alumni, parents and strangers. We were all moved when

floodwaters subsided, it was

The sun is out

Above: The area

Left: In response to the

BY AVERY G. WILKS | awilks@thestate.com

Hundreds gathered Saturday at St.

Above: A Columbia police

Lift others up;

Left: Greg Alias family

Kassy Alia, center, is joined by family

He gave it his all.

Harris Pastides, via Twitter

Police Chief Gene Sealy

BY GLEN LUKE FLANAGAN

The Columbia police officer killed in a

example of how our community

Guard Khadijah Sessions, right, and guard Tiffany Mitchell celebrate

BY DAVID CLONINGER | dcloninger@thestate.com

Coach Dawn Staley

South Carolina guard/forward Aja Wilson takes a shot.

Never. Not any day of the

she had any regrets during her four-year

FIRST ROUND USC 81 | SAVANNAH STATE 48

Above: Guard Olivia Gaines passes

SECOND ROUND USC 97 | SYRACUSE 68

USC celebrates Tiffany

SWEET 16 USC 67 | UNC 65

USC coach Dawn Staley

ELITE EIGHT USC 80 | FSU 74

To finally be here is unreal. I feel like Im dreaming.

Coach has always preached

Coach Dawn Staley talks to her team

FINAL FOUR NOTRE DAME 66 | USC 65

Im hungry. Im starving. I hate

EVERY TEAM MUST RESPECT THE JOURNEY

journey in which, if theyre disciplined enough, we can get back

Dawn Staley had her

Tiffany Mitchell and the Gamecocks greet a small but enthusiastic

Aja Wilson was picked

People visited Emanuel AME Church

Residents, visitors mourn

nine killed in Charleston

BY JAMIE SELF | jself@thestate.com

Eliana Pinckney and other members of state

We had a bad guy, didnt live here, came to