The Index-Journal from Greenwood, South Carolina • Page 5

Friday, September 16, 2005 The Index-Journal, Greenwood, SC 5A Ophelia soaks coastal N0C MARRIAGES I ljfM Maurice King and son Abraham stand in front of Fulchers Seafood in Oriental, N.C. Parts of Oriental were under water after Hurricane Ophelia made its way through, dumping massive amounts of rain into the Neuse River. 1 mU SALTER PATH, N.C. (AP) Hurricane Ophelia, North Carolina's least welcome guest, refused again to leave Thursday, lashing the Outer Banks with rain and wind as coastal residents elsewhere returned home to damaged homes and businesses. Ophelia just "beat us and beat us and beat us," one storm-weary resident said before the system was downgraded to a tropical storm Thursday night when its sustained winds chopped to 70 mph.

While the weakening storm's center was expected to stay just off shore, the northern side of Ophelia's eyewall, the ring of high wind surrounding the eye, could remain over the Outer Banks until midday today, the National Hurricane Center said. Gov. Mike Easley said gauging the scope of the damage was difficult because of the storm's slow path, first affecting the state's southeastern coast on Tuesday and then crawling north and east Wednesday and Thursday to its position off the Outer Banks. "It's almost like working three different storms," Easley said. ocean, the hurricane center said.

A hurricane warning for the North Carolina coast was reduced to a tropical storm warning, extending from Cape Lookout northward to Cape Charles Light, including the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, the hurricane center said. The storm was blamed for one traffic death. Earlier, a surfer disappeared in rough water off the coast of South Carolina. On the Outer Banks, Dare County officials said Hatteras Island reported gusts to 95 mph. Other than power outages, Hatteras Island was in prett good shape, said county spokeswoman Sharon Sullivan.

Farther north on the Outer Banks, most businesses remained open in Nags Head and Manteo and a few people braved intermittent rain squalls to shop or check out the surf. David Gexldard, 58, of Asbhurn, said he was a bit disappointed in Ophelia. "I'm a weather junkie," he said. "I thought it was gonna be worse than this." Brian Kermit Mcintosh, Piedmont, and Sheila Gail Lomax, Piedmont. David Edward Davis, Waterloo, and Latonya Kay Stone, Clinton.

Stephen Everett Fisher, Titusville, and Evelyn Marie Burchfield, Titusville, Fla. Derek Michael Reeder, Greenwood, and Ellyn Elizabeth Taylor, Greenwood. James Winston Creswell, Greenwood, and Angela Kay McFar-land, Greenwood. Daron Maurice Watkins, Calhoun Falls, and Sara Louise Crosby, Calhoun Falls. Christopher Ryan Fisher, Hodges, and Carmen Erin Burnett, Hodges.

Steven Ray Harris, Liberty, and Frankie Paulette Hodges, Ware Shoals. Carl Lomax, Greenwood, and Gail Denise Hamilton, Greenwood. Simeon Thomas Spearman, Hodges, and Towanda Johnette Massey, Hodges. Timothy Roger Bradberry, Greenwood, and Tammy Jo Tutton, Greenwood. Jeffery Brian Crisp, Ninety Six, and April Michelle Evans, Ninety Six.

AP photo More than 48,000 homes and businesses remained without power Thursday evening in eastern North Carolina, utilities said. That was down from a peak of about 1 20,000 the previous night. It appeared the mainland had dodged the severe flooding many had feared, but the wind and waves had taken a toll. "We were not expecting this," said Laurie Garner, whose boyfriend's restaurant was severely damaged at Salter Path on Bogue Banks, southwest of More-head City. "It just beat us and beat us and beat us." Salter Path Fire Capt.

Joey Frost estimated that as many as 25 people had to be rescued. In neighbor ing Emerald Isle, six houses were destroyed and more than 120 had major damage. Fire Capt: Bill Walker said. Ophelia, an erratic storm that has looped and meandered north since fanning off the Florida coast last week, stalled early Thursday afternoon, then resumed a slow eastward drift toward the open BOOKINGS REPORT LEAF (CAP, Gutters Gutter Protection Systems Serving Upstate South Carolina Since 1993 r.i.fj..u.i.w.unT.trt i I tl I i CS "Talk to our customers before you spend too much ice, crank or crack. Victor Richard Williams, 30, of 134 Ebony Drive, Ninety Six, attempted armed robbery; possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Jermal Daniel, 23, of 1203 Gum Greenwood, criminal sexual conduct; possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Cynthia Denise Hartley, 34, of 103 Southern Greenwood, possession of crack cocaine. and purchase another product." MISS MAGGIE'S MEAT VEGETABLE LUNCH Every Monday-Friday 1 1am-2pm Ask For Your Senior Discount Card 10 OFF FOR SENIORS 60 AND OLDER! NON-SMOKINQ SECTION GUTTER CLEANINGS AVAILABLE CALL 229-6800 FOR FREE ESTIMATE These arrests wore reported this past week by the Greenwood Sheriff's Department, Greenwood Police Department, Ninety Six Police Department, Ware Shoals Police Department and other agencies. Those listed here who have their charges dropped or are found not guilty can provide official documentation of the action to The Index-Journal for publication of the case's outcome. Stephanie Michelle Parks, 30, of 826 Phoenix Greenwood, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

Roderick Willie Dean, 30, of 301 Spring Valley Road, Greenwood, attempted armed robbery; possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Jywanza Kanyma Tompkins, 28, of 5 Oakhaven, Greenwood, armed robbery; possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Robert Darnell Martin, 22, of 111 Richard Greenwood, attempted armed robbery; possession of a weapon during a violent crime. John William McGee, 41, of 132 Cline Road, Greenwood, trafficking in All-You-Can-Eat Buffets! Sundays Southern Buffet 11 am -4pm 7 Includes drink A dessert Wednesdays Seafood Buffet Phoenix Cafe New Orleans Style Cuisine 101 Court Square, Abbeville, SC Across from the Opera House 366-0202 Fax: (864) 366-0203 www.phoen ixcafeofabbevi I le.com 1 JL 4 -8pm includes 12 lb. of crab legs fiAardi Gras Mondays All Classic 4 Original Entrees Reservations accepted Mon.

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