The Greenville News from Greenville, South Carolina • Page 12

2B greenvilleonline.com Monday, December 4, 2006 The Greenville News inmates part of state tree-planting program Joint venture a way to beautify roads, boost anti-litter campaign, officials say INTERESTED? For more information about the Palmetto Tree Grant program, call Sherryl Jenkins toll-free at 1-877-PAL-PRDE or 803-758-6034, or go to www.palmettopride.org. ed trees from one of the grants in last year's cycle. The city is planting trees in the U.S. 25 median, in part, to replace the Bradford pear trees damaged during the last ice storm. The city of Simpsonville, the Oconee County Roads Department and the Pickens County Beautification and Environmental Advisory committee are among the 2007-08 tree grant winners, according to the Palmetto Pride Web site.

The program only offers trees native to the state. One of the grant requirements is that trees be used in beautification projects on public properties. This year, the program received requests from 25 groups, including high schools, elementary schools, municipalities and community groups throughout the state. The variety of trees available has grown from five bald cypress, river birch, red cedar, tulip poplar and sycamore to 15, due partly to feedback from awardees. Jenkins said she expects a higher number of applicants next year because word about the program is getting out.

South Carolina." And she said it gives the Department of Corrections a program it can pass on to inmates. "It gives them a trade. It just works for everybody." About 30 inmates participated in the Palmetto Pride tree planting program, according to an e-mail from Alice Robertson of the Department of Corrections. During the first cycle, 992 trees were awarded, and during the second cycle, 3,000 were awarded, Robertson said in the e-mail. The city of Travelers Rest is among those award dency not to litter.

So the two concepts work hand in hand." Palmetto Pride budgeted $2,500 to buy the seedlings, soil and pots from the forestry commission. Inmates from Turbeville and Kershaw correctional institutions grow the trees. The trees recently were transported to Broad River Correctional Institution for distribution to make it easier for groups who will pick them up, Jenkins said. It's a project that's working, Jenkins said, because "we just all have the same goal in mind to beautify By Angelia Davis Staff Writer adavis greenvillenews.com Some South Carolina inmates are doing more to beautify the state than picking up litter alongside highways. They are planting, watering and growing trees as part of Palmetto Pride's tree grant program.

Municipalities, neighborhood associations, gardening clubs and other nonprof it groups can obtain the trees through grants. Sherryl Jenkins, Palmetto Pride grant coordinator, said the joint venture between her agency, the state Department of Corrections and the state Forestry Commission began more than two years ago. Sen. David Thomas, chairman of Palmetto Pride, the state's anti-litter organization, said, "The approach we're taking is not just an anti-litter campaign for the state. It's also a beautification campaign.

"When a state is beautiful, when a state is pristine, there are nice plantings, and when people are really impressed with their surroundings, they have a ten West Georgia Road work continues State school districts to keep eye on bullies New law requires schools to track, punish students who intimidate others HEIDI HEILBHUNN Staff Construction continues around Interstate 385 and West Georgia Road in Simpsonville. The Associated Press COLUMBIA Some schools call it harassment, some call it intimidation. Starting Jan. 1, all 85 South Carolina school districts will call it bullying. A new state law that takes effect then requires the districts to define bullying and outline procedures tb track and punish students who are bullies.

The push for the law goes back to the 1999 school shooting in Colorado. Investigators have said the students who went on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School were victims of bullying. "It's a different environment out there in many places than it was years ago," said state Rep. Ronnie Townsend, R-Anderson. Townsend said the Safe School Climate Act gives "teeth" to school policies and defines bullying to include behavior that has not traditionally been covered by discipline policies.

The law also Other updates: Motorists trav eling in these areas should prepare for detours andor '276. delays ing and paving. 7. West Georgia Road Harrison Bridge Road: Work is wrapping up on the new interchanges at West Georgia Road and Harrison Bridge Road near 1-385. Work continues on the widening of 1-385 in that area and on the adjacent frontage roads.

8. Neely Ferry Road: The bridge on Neely Ferry Road over Rocky Creek is being replaced. Neely Ferry is closed through traffic from Baker Road to Davenport Road. Detours are posted. 9.

State 11: Work is under way on replacement of the State 11 bridge over the North Saluda River in northern Greenville County. The bridge is about 1 mile west of U.S. 25. The bridge will remain open, but Old Settlement Road is closed. i 10.

Woodruff Road: Woodruff Road between Laurens Road and this week: 1. East McBee Avenue: East McBee Avenue has reopened to through traffic. Be prepared for delays relating to ongoing construction in that area. 2. Old Tanner Road: Old Tanner Road west of Greer is closed to through traffic for the replacement of a bridge over Mountain Creek.

Detours are posted. TravelerA Rest ft 29 Sumter water customers told to use system filters Health officials say supply for homes contaminated SmpsomiM 3. Baldwin Road: Baldwin Road between East Standing Springs Road and Log Shoals Road is closed to through traffic for replacement of a culvert. Detours are posted. 4.

Camperdown Way: Look for closures andor delays in the vicinity of Camperdown Way and River Street due to ongoing construction in the area. 5. South Main Street: Watch for lane closures, delays in the vicinity of construction adjacent to the downtown baseball stadium Roper Mountain Road is being widened. Watch for closings, lane shifts and delays. 11.

Garlington Road: Work has been completed on a new bridge on from warnings to expulsion, according to one school district's proposed policy. The main goal, guidance counselors say, is to stop the behavior before the bullied student lashes out as was the case in Columbine. "You need to be able to stop it before" it gets out of hand, said Mary Dixon, a guidance counselor at Summit Parkway Middle School. Guidance counselor Tami Dougherty started Bates-burg-Leesville Middle School's Bully Busters last year. "I knew students wanted change," she said.

The 40 middle school students in the program are taught how to recognize bullying behavior and how to respond when they witness someone getting picked on. Student Michael Ridge said the group gives others like him the courage to report bullying. "I was afraid to tell anybody because the bullying might get worse," he said. Bully Busters, he said, lets students know "they have a lot of people backing them up that can help them solve their problem." partment of Health and Environmental Control, said the contaminant levels have dropped to about three times more than is allowed in drinking water since the district switched wells. The district will begin buying water from the city of Sumter by February 2008, said Sam Hopkins, a member of the water district board.

But that will cost about $500,000. Ethylene dibromide is mainly used in antiknock gasoline mixtures. Trustees also elected Paula Harper Bethea as vice chair and re-elected Joseph "Pat" Patrick as secretary. Shearer is a 1 964 graduate of Presbyterian College and senior partner and member of the board of partners with the Powell Goldstein LLP law firm in Atlanta. GREENVILLE Senior Action offers 'Adopt-ASenior' Senior Action is offering its "Adopt-A-Senior" Christmas Program.

To adopt a senior, participants can either donate a $100 gift certificate for each senior sponsored or donate various items for a "Holiday Box" for a senior. For more information, call 335-5012 or 467-3660. WE WANT YOUR NEWS Let us know what is happening in your suburban neighborhoods. Tell us about coming events, meetings, projects and awards. Please include pictures of people involved, if available.

Send your news to j. Garlington Road at Rocky Creek. 12. Hudson Road: Hudson Road at Brushy Creek has reopened following replacement of a bridge over the creek. 13.

Harrison Bridge Road: The new Harrison Bridge Road interchange over 385 opens this week. on South Main. 6. GarrisonReedy Fork roads: Intersection improvements have started at the intersection of Garrison Road and Reedy Fork Road. The work includes installation of a traffic light, road widening, grad A i.

directs schools to track intimidation or incidents in which one student inflicts emotional pain on another. The law also covers cy-berbullying, which is electronic harassment through computers and cell phones. Bullying is defined as words or gestures that actually hurt or threaten to hurt a student physically or emotionally or damage a student's property. Bullying also includes insulting or demeaning students, causing a substantial school disruption. "You have to have laws" to keep students from fighting, said Michael Kneece, a member of a student support group at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School called Bully Busters.

Knowing that a bully will be punished will make other students like school better, Kneece said. "You want to want to come to school," he said. Punishments can range just one filter, so drinking water will have to come from one faucet, said Doug Kinard with the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. Neither the water district nor the state agency could tell customers when the water quality improve. The water has a high level of the chemical ethylene di-bromide about 10 times more than is allowed in drinking water.

Jack Pettit, with the Sumter County office of the De at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The opera will be performed at BJU's Rodeheav-er Auditorium and is based on the traditional Christmas story in Luke 2. Tickets are free and can be obtained at the Programs and Productions box office. GREENVILLE Retirement learning program enrolling Enrollment has begun for the winter term of Furman University Learning in Retirement program.

More than 70 classes are offered in literature, music, history, art, computers and more. For more information, call 294-2998 or visit CLINTON Shearer elected college board chair William B. Shearer Jr. has been elected to serve as chairman of the Presbyterian College board of trustees, ft Delays and lane shifts are dependent on weather conditions and will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. For detour maps and other information on these and other projects, go to www.dot.state.sc.us.

Additional information on road construction can be faxed to 298-4395 or 298-4438. parades ''tmtyimfmam. jimp mi The Associated Press SUMTER State health officials have given residents on a Sumter area water system filters because the supply coming into their homes is contaminated and not drinkable. Customers of the Wedge-field-Stateburg Water District still had many questions Friday when they walked away from a local church with the free filters. Each of the about 1,200 homes in the district got A Christmas dinner will also be held Saturday, Dec.

9, at which time the toys and clothing will be distributed. Monetary donations can be dropped off at the center, or call Angela Lake at 233-4191 orjanitt Cox at 275-8713. GREENVILLE St. Joseph's wins State Quiz Bowl The St. Joseph's Academic Team grabbed first place in the South Carolina Independent School Association 2006 State Quiz Bowl.

The team from the private Catholic high school in Greenville includes William McClintock, Olivia Belton, Taylor Davidson, Daniel DeMars, Gwen Smith and MattSohner. GREENVILLE BJU presenting Christmas opera Bob Jones University will present the premiere of "Simeon," a Christmas opera with music composed by Dwight Gustafson and text written by David Bure, Friday and Saturday Tis the Simpsonville's turn: Girl Scout Troop 100, under the leadership of Natalie and Steve Stosak, dedicated its entry to the troops. A large crowd lined Main Street and enjoyed the annual Simpsonville Christmas parade Sunday. More than 100 entries, including three bands, Hillcrest, Mauldin and Woodmont, entertained. The parade's theme was "A Christmas Wish." GWINN DAVIS Staff season for The campaign is co-sponsored by The Greenville News, Bi-Lo, Greenville Meats and Pepsi-Cola.

The newspaper will publish the names of contributors and the amounts of donations. Members of Post No. 3 are selling Goodfellows la'-pel pins, and the proceeds will go toward purchasing food for ths, needy. Iff GREENVILLE Garrett selected first vice president Summary Court Judge Charles R. Garrett of Greenville County has been selected first vice pres Garrett ident of the South Carolina Summary Court Judges Association.

Garrett is a summary court judge on Greenville's Eastside. GREENVILLE Allen Temple hosting aid program The Allen Temple Community Development Center's Sarah Ministry Club will host a Christmas assistance program at 11 a.m. Saturday at the community center, 404 VardrySt. The club is looking for people to donate toys and clothing for families in the West EndWest Greenville communities by dropping off the items from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Goodfellows fund at $1,600 Donations by individuals, businesses and groups can be mailed to Goodfellows Club, P.O. Box 133, Greenville, SC 29602. The Goodfellows Club Committee includes Post 3 Commander Richard Duncan, Earl Watson, -Roy Gul-lick, Cecil Buchannan, Frank Ward and Alvii) Hill. The Goodfellows Club has received $1,602 so far this year to help the needy. The James F.

Daniel Jr. American Legion Post No. 3 is sponsoring the fund for the 81st year to raise money to distribute boxes of food to needy families iijj the Greenville area..