Belton Man Charged in Staton Murders

The Anderson County Sheriff's Department has arrested Matthew Fulbright, 29, of Belton, in connection with the murders of Skip and Jo An Staton. Fulbright has been charged with murder and armed robbery in the case. Fulbright apparently knew the Statons through their jewelry business.

Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper said in a press conference Thursday morning that the arrest came after a phone tip on the case and that Fulbright apparently set up a meeting with the Statons under the ruse to taking them to the home of a person who had a large quantity of jewelry for sale. Fulbright then allegedly took them to an isolated area, now believed to be the Waterside Road location, where the crime took place.

Skipper said that Fulbright has no criminal record beyond minor traffic violations. Skipper also said the investigation remained ongoing and is reluctant to say if there were other suspects in the crime.

Skipper also said Fulbright led law enforcement to the body of Jo An Skipper, which was found last night off S.C. 413 near Iva.

Second Body Found, Arrest Made

ANDERSON, S.C. (Thursday, October 29, 2009, 8:40 AM) – Anderson County Sheriff’s Office investigators have located the body of Jo Ann Staton late Wednesday night.
 
One person has been arrested.
 
The sheriff, John Skipper, will be holding a press conference at 9:15 a.m. today to provide details on the investigation.
 

Investigation Goes On for Missing Taylors Woman

ANDERSON, S.C. (Tuesday, October 28, 2009, 2:00 PM) – The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the discovery of missing Taylors man’s body and vehicle.
 
At approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Anderson sheriff’s deputies responded to a deceased man in a wooded area off of Asaville School Road.  The man was identified as Homer Staton, 72, of 1 Graystone Way, Taylors.  He and his wife, Jo Ann, 69, were reported missing from Greenville County.  They were last seen there at a local restaurant Friday afternoon. An autopsy revealed that Staton died of blunt force trauma and his death was ruled a homicide.
 
Their vehicle, a black 2007 Toyota Corolla, was found off of the roadway at a pasture gate on Horton Road, Belton, on Saturday.  It was unoccupied and blood was found on the interior.
 
Searches of the areas were conducted by on foot and by air in an effort to locate evidence and Mrs. Staton.  The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was utilized in a body of water near the location where the vehicle was located.  A cadaver dog was also used in the searches.
 
Searches of the areas were conducted by on foot and by air in an effort to locate evidence and Mrs. Staton.  The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was utilized in a body of water near the location where the vehicle was located.  A cadaver dog was used in the searches.
 
Leads from the Staton Family, their friends and the community continue to come in and investigators are following up on all of them. There has been no further information as to the whereabouts of Mrs. Staton.No searches are presently in progress and no Arrest Warrants have been issued.

Update on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 12:29AM by Editor

WYFF Reporting Body Found

http://www.wyff4.com/news/21459553/detail.html

Pride of Pendleton Band Takes Upper State Top Honors

To Compete Saturday for State Title

Pendleton – Pendleton High’s Pride of Pendleton band won their 9th consecutive SCBDA AA Upper State Championship. Pendleton's marching show entitled "The Faces of a Clown", defeated thirteen upper state bands. Under the direction of Rob Smith, Pendleton’s winning streak of nine upper state championships is currently the longest in the state. The Pendleton band will compete for the AA State marching band championship this Saturday, October 31 at Batesburg-Leesville High School. The band will march at 8:45pm with awards at 10:00pm.

Pet of the Week

This dog is a Basset mix and is approximately 3 years old.  He was turned over to Animal Control who brought him here to us.  He gets along great with other dogs and is very sweet!  He could sure use a wonderful and loving forever home!!  If you are wanting to adopt this small fellow, please call the shelter between 11:00 am. And 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at 864-260-4151.  We are located at 615 Highway 28 By-Pass, Anderson, SC 29624

"Rock the Rooftop" and Help Others

Burgundy Blues and Lilia Day Spa will be hosting an event Sunday November 1st called “Rockin the Roof Top”. The Mac Arnold Band, who are donating their performance, to benefit Anderson Interfaith Ministries. Tickets are $50 and all proceeds benefit AIM. Craig Cahaly is donating a suit and Lilia is donating his/her massage, dinner, and a night in the Roof Top Apartment. Tickets are one chance for $10 or 3 for $25 (you do not have to be present to win). Tickets can be purchased at Lilia, AIM or on the AIM website.

Flash Flood Warning Through Late Tonight

A flash flood warning has been issued for the Upstate, including Anderson County, and runs through late tonight.

Several hours of moderate to heavy rain across the watch area may result in areas of excessive runoff. Flooding of small creeks, streams, and low lying areas will be possible this afternoon through early Wednesday. Urban areas will likely see flooding within areas of poor drainage.

Rain Moves Chili Cook Off to Thursday

Due to expected inclement weather on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, the Chili Cook Off has been moved to Thursday, October 29. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we hope to see you on Thursday night to enjoy the Chili Cook Off and Block Party.

There will be 13 local restaurants competing for Chili Cook Off awards, two live bands, and Block Party specials. For $4, you will receive a chili ballot and will have the opportunity to receive samples from each of the 13 participating restaurants. The event will be in Downtown on Main Street.

Details can be found here.

La France Elementary Art Gallery Now Online

La France -- La France Elementary School artists can now display their work all over the world. Jeryl Hollingsworth, the school's art teacher, has set up an online art gallery at www.artsonia.com/schools/lafrance1. Visitors can browse the artwork in the school gallery by grade level, or by specific exhibits. "This program is a wonderful way to get parents and family members more involved in Art Education," said Mrs. Hollingsworth.

Any teacher or parent can create an online art gallery for their child or school. Artsonia provides several online features such as fan clubs and personal guestbooks, as a way for families to encourage the creativity and imaginations of their young artists. In addition, family members can purchase keepsakes imprinted with the child's artwork, with Artsonia donating 15 percent of their annual product revenue back to school art
programs.

Anderson County Seeks Help Identifying Industrial Sites

ANDERSON — Local developers and realtors are invited to attend a luncheon at noon on Tuesday, October 27 at the Civic Center of Anderson. Hosted by the Anderson County Council, the event seeks to bring local stakeholders together to discuss possible industrial park sites within Anderson County. Realtors are encouraged to come with a list of properties meeting the criteria for prospective industrial sites.

The idea for this forum came out of a recent meeting with South Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Mr. Joe Taylor. Anderson County Council Chairman Eddie Moore, Council member Cindy Wilson, S.C. House Member Mike Gambrell and Interim County Administrator Rusty Burns traveled to Columbia to seek ways to encourage economic development.

During that initial meeting, Taylor advised the county delegation to put together an extensive inventory of available industrial sites. He suggested that the County contact local realtors/developers seeking new properties with industrial potential, stating that a larger pool of sites creates better opportunity for successful recruiting of prospective industry. 

Prospective site criteria:

• Site must be within two miles of an interstate and/or one mile of a major US or SC highway
• Property must have on-site sewer and water
• Property must be Infrastructure-ready
• Site can be 50 to 1,000 acres or larger
• Sites can be single tract or several parcels coupled together 

Missing Greenville Man was Murdered

Wife Still Missing

ANDERSON, S.C. – An autopsy revealed that the death of a missing Greenville County man, whose body was found in a wooded area on Asaville School Road in Anderson on Sunday, is a homicide. According to the Coroner’s Office, the man, Homer L. Staton, 72, of 1 Graystone Way, Taylors, SC, died of blunt force trauma.

Staton’s unoccupied vehicle, a black 2007 Toyota Corolla, was found with blood stains on the interior on Horton Road, Belton, around 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24.  Sheriff’s investigators, attempting to locate the owner, went to Staton’s home in Taylors and met with Greenville County investigators there.  During a meeting with family members, it was learned that Homer Staton and his wife, Jo Ann M. Staton, 69, were last seen in Greenville County during the afternoon on the previous day.  A Missing Person investigation was initiated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office at that time.

Around 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Anderson sheriff’s deputies responded to Asaville School Road regarding a call of a deceased man in a wooded area off the roadway.  The man was identified as Homer Staton. A search of that area for more evidence began this morning at 9:00.  No additional information or evidence has been gleaned.

Investigators ask that anyone who has seen the couple, or their vehicle, over the weekend, as well as those who have information about the death, to call the Anderson Sheriff’s Office at 864-260-440 or either the Greenville or Anderson CrimeStoppers.

McCants, Midway Take Reading Honors

McCants Middle School and Midway Elementary School of Science and Engineering took top honors in the recent “No Book Left Unread” 2009 Summer Reading Program sponsored by the State Department of Education. McCants was the Reader Leader School among all middle schools with an enrollment of 751 or more students. McCants’ students, faculty and staff read a total of 742,707 pages. Martha Taylor, named in March the South Carolina Media Specialist of the Year, is the Library Media Specialist at McCants. Midway was the Reader Leader School among all elementary schools with an enrollment of 751 or more students. Midway’s students, faculty and staff read a total of 417,209 pages. Melinda Butler is the Library Media Specialist at Midway.

In addition to the schoolwide achievements, two members of the McCants family earned individual honors. Caitlyn Singletary, an eighth grade student at McCants, read 63,260 pages, tops among students at middle schools with an enrollment of 751 or more. Likewise, McCants Nurse Jean Newman was tops in the faculty/staff category with a total of 25,190 pages read.

Veterans Day Parade Set for Nov. 15