The Greenville News from Greenville, South Carolina • Page 2

2A greenvilleonline.com Thursday, May 3, 2007 The Greenville News LOCAL NEWS kefranf cOTci planned emson $5 million project would be built on former Holiday Inn site down at the end of 2006 and will be torn down this summer, Hansen said. A public auction will be held in about a month to sell television sets, kitchen appliances, beds, dressers and all the other items that were part of the hotel. An exact date hasn't been set, Hansen said. Demolition and construction plans are in motion, with demolition beginning right after the auction and construction starting over the summer, Hansen said. to $600,000 for the to condominiums, Hansen said.

A community dock, where boats can be tied temporarily, and the lakefront area will be open to the public, Hansen said. "As the front door for the city of Clemson, we want this project to be really nice and something that folks are pleased with," Hansen said. "It's the first thing people see, so we want things to be right." The Lake Hartwell Inn shut board, is planned on the five-acre site of the current Lake Hartwell Inn, formerly a Holiday Inn that was a landmark for decades in the college town. The planned Clemson Grande will offer 93 luxury condominiums, a selection of restaurants and specialty shops, and possibly a spa, said James Hansen, one of four partners, two from the Sen-eca-Clemson area and two from By Anna Simon Clemson Bureau asimon greenvillenews.com CLEMSON Work could begin this summer on a $5 million condominium project planned on Lake Hartwell that will transform the site of a Clemson landmark. The project, just approved by the city's architectural review Painters send wave over Easley Waving high: Augustin Pache-co, below, waves as he climbs to the top of the nearly 100-foot Easley Combined Utilities water tower in Easley.

He and Vinicio Caleron, right, are repainting the tower this week. I J. 5W Clemson at slight City water rates also may go up By Anna Simon Clemson Bureau asimongreenvillenews.com CLEMSON A budget' proposal released Wednesday contains a small tax increase for Clemson residents. The proposed 1.6-mill tax increase would add $6.40 to the tax bill on a $100,000 home. Residents and businesses could also see a proposed 3.5 percent water price increase of eight cents per 1,000 gallons, up from $2.30 to $2.38 per 1,000 gallons.

Rising health insurance, gasoline costs and construction costs add this year to the expense side of the ledger; however, residential growth has added to the tax base and kept the proposed increase minimal, said Rick Cotton, city administrator. Residential development continues to be strong and should continue to help city coffers and spread the tax burden in the next few years to come, Cotton said. The 2006 tax rolls contained $39 million in new private real estate investment, and the city will see the first tax revenue on that in 2008, Cotton said. The city also has seen growth in local option sales tax receipts, which is money that goes back to local taxpayers as a tax bill credit, and Cotton anticipates that trend will continue. Clemson's proposed 2007-08 tax rate is 79.5 mills, which comes to $318 on a $100,000 home, but after the local option sales tax credit, the net tax is $202, Cotton said.

On the flip side, insurance costs are on the rise, with general medical inflation and the delayed impact of Hurricane Katri-na on the insurance industry be Local briefing Clemson's First Friday parade to be on Sunday CLEMSON Clemson University's annual First Friday Parade, which kicks off football season, will be a bit different this year. Because Clemson's football season opens this year on Labor Day, the parade will be held on Sunday, Sept. 2, at 5 p.m., according to a statement from Clemson. The parade will also have a new name to mark the occasion: "Sunday is the New Friday Parade." The parade will have the theme "Reigning Over the Sunshine State." Participation is open to the public, and groups interested in participating must apply by June 15. The form is available at www.centralspirit.net.

Warrants identify men charged in Zaxby's heist Two men have been charged in the robbery of a Zaxby's restaurant in Anderson this month. Dureyll Levaria Sullivan, 18, of 1724 Martin Ave. in Anderson, and Dontarious Rodriquez Sullivan, 22, of 103 Camilia Drive in Anderson, have both been charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, according to Anderson police warrants. The men are currently being held in the Anderson County Detention Center on charges from Anderson County, a police report said. More than $5,000 was stolen from the restaurant, the police report said.

More charges are likely, said Linda Dudley-Graham, a police spokeswoman. Claire Anderson General improvement found on SAT, ACT College admission test scores in Southern Regional Education Board states generally have improved over the past decade, but average scores in many states still have not reached national averages and gaps persists among average scores for various groups of students, according to a new SREB report. "Improving ACT and SAT Scores: Making Progress, Facing Challenges," just released by SREB, analyzes 10 years of test-score data and trends across the region. "Students throughout the region are raising average ACT and SAT scores over time. It is good news that more students are taking the exams and preparing for college.

Still, many states have a way to go to meet the national averages. We must help traditionally underedu-cated groups of students raise their scores," said SREB President Dave Spence in a statement. Six ACT-dominant states and four SAT-dominant states, including South Carolina, kept pace or gained ground on the national average from 1997 to 2006. Hospital health fair is today in Clemson Oconee Memorial Hospital will host a free interactive health fair from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.

today at the Ramada Inn in Clemson. The public event will feature seven 30-minute mini-seminars; lots of giveaways from pharmaceutical companies and OMH departments; lung function, BP, BMI, vision, hearing, colon health, and other screenings; and an "Ask a Doc" area. Columbia. "There are a lot of folks who are retiring and interested in moving into this area, and we see a demand for a project that will have the amenities these condominiums will offer," Hansen said. Two four-story buildings are planned, with commercial space on the first floor of each and con-dos above, Hansen said.

Prices range from $400,000 Photos by ALAN DEV0RSEY A Staff Addis said Goode's siblings last saw him 10 or 15 minutes before he was found in the swimming pool. The pool is above ground level and had around three feet of water in it, Addis said. The toddler likely used the pool's ladder to climb in the water, he said. The Oconee County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death. plans today mons said Easley was nearing the point of seeking permits from the state Department of Transportation to begin work based on the plans to be discussed at the TIF meeting.

Tax Increment Financing District Committee members include Councilmen Larry Bagwell and Dave Watson. The group's regular monthly meetings are held in the main conference room of City Hall. HOME DELIVERY SUBSCRIPTIONS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE (800) 736-7136 Hourc 6 a.m.- 6 p.m., 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Walk-In hour: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Rates: When delivered by carrier in areas where service is available 3 mwrUu (months months Mon.Sat.

Sat.Sun. Sunday only $207.99 $121.34 $90.79 $131.49 $78.27 $90.79 'Business only Sunday delivered on Monday Mail subscriptions (800) 736-7136 IF YOU MISS YOUR PAPER For a replacement paper, please (800) 736-7136. Limited delivery areas. S52.00 S104.00 $30.33 S60.67 $22.70 $45.40 $32.87 $5.74 $19.57 $39.13 $22.70 $45.40 if i looking tax hike ing felt across the board, Cotton said. The city's gasoline cost is expected to increase by $10,000 based on an estimated price of $2.40 a gallon, according to the budget proposal.

One mill, which comes to $4 of that added tax cost on a $100,000 home, covers a increase in the city's fire protection contract with the Clemson University Fire Department, which also serves the city. This is the fifth and final year of the current contract, which increased by $50,000 annually. A trio of unfunded environmental regulatory mandates impacted the current budget by $67,000. The costs were absorbed because no increase had been recommended to the water or wastewater utilities, but a water increase is proposed this year, according to the budget document. No wastewater increase is proposed.

The budget also contains upgrades of one Municipal Court employee and one Planning Office employee from part time to full time, and addition of one position to be split between the Parks and Recreation and Horticulture departments. The added position would enable the city to maintain additional highway right-of-way areas and help maintain additional park grounds in the Nettles Park expansion and addition of a new city park to be added in the Summey Street area in the near future. "The proposed general fund budget is extremely tight, and we have consciously held the line on operating expenses to the extent possible," Cotton wrote in a briefing that accompanies the budget proposal. "Our goal is to keep service delivery and responsiveness at the same level as the current year." manager for the Powdersville Water District. He said the initial phase is going to be the recycling center and entranceways; the sports complex will be built when all the funding is in place.

Spencer said he has children who play sports, and having more space will be great for the growing Powdersville area. County Administrator Joey Preston has said the 46-acre site is planned to have a recycling and education center, walking trails, multipurpose fields for activities like baseball and soccer, picnic shelters and green space. Anderson County Councilman Ron Wilson said a library is also under construction in the Powdersville area. "It's one of the most rapid-growing areas in the state," Wilson said. LOTTERIES Winning South Carolina numbers WEDNESDAY MIDDAY PICK 3 WEDNESDAY MIDDAY PICK 4 .5 9-8-5 WEDNESDAY EVENING PICK 3 WEDNESDAY EVENING PICK 4 4-6-2-6 MONDAY PALMETTO CASH 5 2-18-30-36-38 Multiplier 3 SATURDAY P0WERBALL 16-22 43-46 49 Powerball: 10 Power Play: 4 Winning Georgia lottery numbers WEDNESDAY MIDDAY CASH 3 9-9-3 WEDNESDAY MIDDAY CASH 4.3 4 6 5 WEDNESDAY EVENING CASH 3 TUESDAY EVENING CASH 4 TUESDAY FANTASY 15-19-20-27-30 TUESDAY MEGA MILLIONS 11-16 31-52-53 Mega Ball: 42 Seneca toddler drowns in pool Powdersville sports complex soon on way the intensive care unit of Greenville Memorial Hospital at a.m., said Coroner Karl Addis.

Goode's older brother found him the pool, located at 434 Alberts Road in Seneca, around 6:55 p.m. Tuesday, Addis said. Goode was taken to Oconee Memorial Hospital and later transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital. downtown scape islands on Main Street, and crosswalks. Designers of downtown's landscaping and parking plans talked with Pickens city officials this week regarding crosswalks, said designer Allen Fortner.

The options for crosswalks beyond simple, lines include stamped asphalt, stamped concrete and brick pavers. City Administrator Fox Si-' NEWS BUREAUS Anderson (864) 654-7563 Clemson (864) 654-7563 Columbia (803) 256-7367 EasleyPickens (864) 306-3302 Greer (864)2984276 LaurensClinton (864) 984-5444 Powdersville (864) 654-7563 greenvilleonline.com NEWS TIPS OR COMMENTS newstipgreenvillenews.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Lettersgreenvillenews.com NEWS DEPARTMENTS localnewsgreenvillenews.com lifestylegreenvillenews.com businessgreenvillenews.com sportsgreenviIlenews.com citypeoplegreenvillenews.com weddingsgreenvillenews.com By Claire Anderson Staff Writer canderson greenvillenews.com A 2-year-old Seneca boy died Wednesday after being found floating face-down in a swimming pool in his grandparents' backyard, according to the Oconee County Coroner's Office. Bobby James "BJ" Goode died Easley to get By Ginny Johnson Staff Writer gwjohnson greenvillenews.com Crosswalks and updated plans for downtown Easley are the main topics to be covered by the city's Revitalization Committee at 8:30 a.m. today. Architectural design firm Land Planning Associates Inc.

will present updated plans for Easley's downtown area including parking-space layout, land- WHERE TO CALL GENERAL INFORMATION (864) 2984100 TO TALK TO AN EDITOR Executive Editor 294165 Managing Editor 2984471 Metro Editor 2984301 Suburbs 2984438 Toll-free (800) 274-7879 Sports (after 3 p.m.) 2984239 Toll-free (800) 395-8326 Business 2984490 Lifestyle 2984294 Editorial Page 294321 Photography 294211 GETTING IT STRAIGHT Our main concern in all stories is to be accurate. If you know of an error in a story, call the Executive Editor at 294165, fax to 864-2984364, email to jpirunangreenvillenews.com or write him at P.O. Box 1688, Greenville, S.C. 29602 in 5 in By Julie Howie Staff Writer jhowle greenvillenews.com A groundbreaking Monday kicks off construction for the Dolly Cooper Sports Complex that is planned to bring Powdersville residents walking trails, multipurpose fields and a recycling center. The groundbreaking at 3 p.m.

starts work on the first phase of the project, which will include clearing the entrance and grading, said Angie Stringer, Anderson County spokeswoman. She said there will also be a check presentation Monday for a $250,000 grant the county received from the state for the sports complex. The property, located off Old Anderson Road, sits on the Powdersville side of the Saluda River, said Dyke Spencer, general The Greenville Newt (USPS 229300) Is published daily and Sunday. WHERE WE'RE LOCATED 305 S. Main Greenville, S.C.

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