David Berman | Summerville Journal Scene

David Berman

‘Best and brightest’ holiday displays named

The Finishing Touch won Summerville DREAM’s first-ever “Best and Brightest” holiday decorating contest with a window display that included a tree, ornaments hung by ribbons and lights. The public decided the winners by popular vote with ballots cast ... full story

Most Wanted 01/01/10

Editor’s note: According to information provided Wednesday by the Summerville Police Department, the following suspects were still at large.Name: Charles Otis J. PelfreyAge: 19Description: White male; 6 feet 4 inches; 200 poundsLast known address: Be ... full story

Crime Beat 01/01/09

U-Haul used in brazen burglaryNot only did a man break into a home on Balsam Circle and steal $10,000 worth of tools late Dec. 23, he brought a U-Haul to cart off the loot, a Summerville Police report shows.The next door neighbor heard loud noises co ... full story

The year in review in law and order

Local law enforcement saw a year marked by tragic ends and new beginnings, arrests and accolades.2009 began with a changing of the guard in the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office. L.C. Knight was officially sworn in as sheriff Jan. 6, giving him the ... full story

Retired music teacher to launch singing group

The fictional high school show choir on “Glee” is taking a break while the wildly popular television show goes on hiatus until April. In the meantime, a real show choir is forming in Summerville and you don’t have to be in high school to join.“Main S ... full story

The Rob Report 12/23/09

Type of theft: Armed robberyLocation: Bi-Lo, Boone Hill RoadDate: Dec. 17Time of day: 6:15 p.m.Item stolen: WalletTotal value: $20Incident report details: Deputies arrived to find victim, a Bi-Lo truck driver, bleeding from his mouth and nose; his ey ... full story

Police dept. wins award for guard, reserve support

The Summerville Police Department was one of a dozen South Carolina employers recognized Dec. 4 for going “above and beyond” in its support of National Guard members and military reservists.At a presentation in Myrtle Beach, Chief Bruce Owens accepte ... full story

Best of '09: Earthquakes shake Summerville this year

In February and August, vibrations felt in and around Summerville were the result of small, but significant quakes in the area. There have been four reported earthquakes in the Summerville area since December 2008 and more than 30 in the Charleston r ... full story

Best of '09: Crime Beat 2009

Editor’s Note: The following are highlights from a year’s worth of incident reports.Suspect describes selfCaught trying to break into her car, a Summerville teen reportedly told a nail salon employee in January: “Put your (expletive) back in the buil ... full story

Jamaican lottery scam preys on local victims

Foreign lottery scams are nothing new, but in the past month OK Grocery employee Amoretta Alger has seen a Jamaica-based swindle gain traction in Summerville.Alger processes Western Union wire transfers at the North Main Street convenience store. She ... full story

No rain on this parade

The skies were blue, the weather was unseasonably warm and the streets were awash in sunshine Dec. 20 as hundreds of people watched the annual Summerville Christmas Parade. Organizers Summerville D.R.E.A.M. and the Summerville Fire Department had tri ... full story

Church AC units destroyed, stripped of copper

Six air conditioners outside Old Fort Baptist Church on Dorchester Road were gutted for their copper tubing late Thursday or early Friday.The units, which were used to help heat and cool the worship and ministry centers, were dismantled during the th ... full story

Fire empties Walmart, creates crowd in parking lot

Walmart on North Main Street was evacuated Wednesday after a small fire broke out in the middle of the store just before 3 p.m.Summerville Fire and Rescue Chief Marc Melfi said it appeared someone set fire to bouquets of fake flowers in the “Celebrat ... full story

Bike-pedestrian committee on chopping block

Summerville’s bicycle and pedestrian committee gave a frosty reception Wednesday to a town staff recommendation calling for the citizen panel to be disbanded as a committee by ordinance and remade as an ad hoc arm of the planning commission.Following ... full story

Most Wanted 12/18/09

Editor’s note: According to information provided Wednesday by the Summerville Police Department, the following suspects were still at large.Name: Thomas Anthony Love Sr.Age: 48Description: Black male, 6 feet 1 inch; 194 poundsLast known address: Dove ... full story

Crime Beat 12/18/09

Store robbed at knifepointA man who robbed CVS Pharmacy on North Main Street last weekend distracted the cashier with a request for cigarettes and then pulled a hunting knife, according to a Summerville Police report.The suspect, described as a white ... full story

Ambulance overturns in wreck

A Dorchester County EMS ambulance flipped over Dec. 11 after being hit by a motorist who fled the scene and was later arrested for driving under the influence, authorities said.The ambulance was turning right into the Sunoco gas station on Highway 78 ... full story

Baffling blade: Origin of found sword unknown

For 30 years, Jim Way looked after a sword that was once sealed in darkness and remains shrouded in mystery.He never took the rusted weapon to an expert for analysis and never did his own research on its backstory. He had always called it the “Civil ... full story

The Rob Report 12/16/09

Type of theft: Attempted armed robberyLocation: Bacons Bridge Road (Creekside Mobile Home Park)Date: Dec. 7Time of day: 12:50 a.m.Items stolen: NoneTotal value: N/AIncident report details: Victim was retrieving his house keys from his car when two me ... full story

Crime Beat 12/16/09

Wave lockers burglarized during gameSteals weren’t confined to the basketball court Dec. 3 at Summerville High School, a police report shows.While the Green Wave boys’ basketball team was playing Woodland High School, someone was in the locker room s ... full story

Santa at the Ridgeville Christmas Parade

Santa Claus remained jolly despite the cold weather Dec. 12 at the Ridgeville Christmas Parade. See more photos from the parade by clicking here. full story

Officer’s gesture yields thanks from overseas

Marcie Dickerson is the sort of person who keeps jumper cables in her car in case someone else has a dead battery. She likes to help people, but doesn’t give it much thought. That’s just how she was raised.So when a man with a European accent approac ... full story

East Edisto master plan unveiled

As it looks ahead several decades at a sprawling East Edisto tract with residential communities, commerce parks and retail storefronts, MeadWestvaco is also looking to the past — at the land’s rural character and the company’s own roots in sustainabi ... full story

Muralist not picky when it comes to her canvas

Michele Levani spent the early part of this week working in the bathroom at Sherwin Williams on North Main Street, but she’s not the paint store’s plumber.Levani is a muralist, one who sees a blank wall as an artistic opportunity, even if it means pa ... full story

Most Wanted 12/11/09

Editor’s note: According to information provided Wednesday by the Summerville Police Department, the following suspects were still at large.Name: Nicholas Scott McBethAge: 21Description: Black male; 5 feet 8 inches; 165 pounds Last known address: Dog ... full story