Three in a row
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com
      Grassy Pond Elementary School third grade teacher Terri Bridges spends a few minutes every evening updating her message on "Roll Call." In this case, Bridges isn't taking attendance in class. She uses an automated phone service operated by The Gaffney Ledger so her students can stay current on homework assignments.
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Judge issues $335,533 judgement against company
By TIM GULLA Ledger Staff Writer tim@gaffneyledger.com
      A circuit court judge on Tuesday handed down a $335,533 judgement against a Gaffney firm sued in 2007 following a verbal contract dispute. A firm called Thunder Industries Inc. had sued Sanders Brothers Inc. last year claiming it was owed additional money for its efforts in helping the mechanical and industrial fabrication business gain new customers.
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Group recommends freezing teacher pay
"We faced the threat of losing up to 1,000 teacher jobs."
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com
      School districts statewide were hit with a 7 percent cut Thursday by the state Budget and Control Board. This will take away $164.7 million from public school budgets and comes on economic forecasts that the state's unemployment rate could reach 14 percent next year. Overall, South Carolina plans to cut spending by more than $380 million.
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Town receives $204,663 to demolish school, senior center
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger
      The halls of two Blacksburg area schools will again be abuzz within the next few weeks, but not for the reason of educating local students. Gov.
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Daughter of local woman graduates basic training
      Army Reserve Pvt. TyHisha E. Clark has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills.
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POLICE REPORT
      The Gaffney Police Department is on the lookout for a clothes thief. According to a report, about $150 in clothing was stolen from a washing machine at a West Buford Street apartment complex Nov. 26 between 3:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
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Celebration planned
      On January 17 - 18, reenactors in Revolutionary War period clothing will bring the 18th century to life at Cowpens National Battlefield. To celebrate the 228th anniversary of the decisive American victory over the British at Cowpens, the park staff is planning free activities from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday.
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Grammy winner is featured speaker at MLK Day celebration
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com
      Rocks, splintered bottles and debris were hurled in the direction of 10-year-old Daryl Davis while he carried the American flag for his Scout troop at a parade in Boston. This marked the future Grammy-winning pianist's introduction into the dark world that divided America along racial lines.
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Police raise $1,600 to help children
Christmas with a Cop
By TIM GULLA Ledger Staff Writer tim@gaffneyledger.com
      Holding a toy in his hand, Blacksburg Police Sgt. Peter McBride agonized over whether he should buy it. "Is this right for a 7-yearold boy?," he asked aloud while double- and triplechecking a carefully written wish list in his other hand.
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Photo
     UNITED WAY DONATION — Libby Cheek, of the United Way of the Piedmont, is shown accepting a contribution of $5,400 from Jeff Richardson, Vice President of First Piedmont Federal Savings & Loan Association, who made the presentation on behalf of First Piedmont.
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Waste Management CEO Receives Award from Wildlife Habitat Council
      David P. Steiner, chief executive officer of Waste Management (WM), received the first Conservation Education and Outreach (C.E.O.) Award on behalf of Waste Management from the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) at the council's 20th Annual Symposium recently.
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State First Steps director stresses importance of early childhood education
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com
      State First Steps Director Susan DeVenny is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead with the state early childhood education initiative headed into the strong winds of a turbulent economic time. But DeVenny said she believes early childhood education holds the key to providing children with a good start in school.
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Shelton honored by publications
      Bob Shelton of Shelton Properties has been named one of America's top 200 real estate professionals in a ranking sponsored by The Wall Street Journal, REAL Trends and lore magazine. Shelton, from Gaffney, had an impressive 201 transactions on his way to becoming one of Gaffney's Top Professionals.
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Consumer Affairs will hear complaints
      The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs will visit the Gaffney community on Wednesday, Dec. 17, to handle consumer complaints and questions. Regional SCDCA outreach coordinator Patty Guthrie will be at the Cherokee County Public Library, 300 E. Rutledge Ave. Consumers may come with questions or complaints regarding a business between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
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Graduates from basic
      Private Allen Ragstole, son of James and Debbie Ragstole, graduated from Marine Corps basic training Nov. 26, 2008, at Parris Island. Pvt. Ragstole's next assignment is at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
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Gaffney Christmas parade set for tomorrow; line up is first to arrive, first in line
      The City of Gaffney will hold its annual City of Gaffney/ Veterans Christmas Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec.13. Just as they did last year, this year's entries will line up on Railroad Avenue; the parade will march down Limestone Street and will disperse at Thompson Park and Park Place.
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