A Saluda County man died in a house fire Sat. morning, June 28.

  According to Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner, Jerry Boyd Maroney, 58, died in the fire at his 172 Prater Road, Batesburg, residence at approximately 5:10 a.m.

  An autopsy performed at Newberry County Memorial Hospital revealed Maroney died of smoke inhalation.

  Maroney shared the house with his brother David, who was not at home at the time of the fire.

  SLED’s arson team was called the scene. The fire is still under investigation, but it appears the blaze started in the kitchen.

  Deputy Donovan Shealy is the investigating office for the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office.

  Responding to the scene were the Sheriff’s Office, and fire departments from Midlands, Batesburg-Leesville and Saluda.

  COLUMBIA, South Carolina —— United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins, stated Wed., June 25, TOBY LEE ROGERS, age 19, of Spartanburg, pled guilty Wednesday in federal court in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to the charge of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).   

  United States District Judge Henry F. Floyd of Spartanburg accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

  Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on June 29, 2007, officers with the South Carolina Highway Patrol attempted to stop a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Interstate 85 in Spartanburg County. While continuing the pursuit into Woodruff, officers learned that the vehicle was stolen. 

  The driver of the stolen vehicle, maintaining a high rate of speed, refused to stop and fired shots at the officers.  The pursuit continued into Laurens County, the city of Clinton, Newberry County, and finally ended in Saluda County, when the driver wrecked the stolen vehicle. 

  The driver, identified as Toby Lee Rogers, was taken into custody shortly thereafter.  A search of the vehicle turned up seven stolen firearms, spent shell casings, and assorted rounds of ammunition.  With previous state court convictions for burglary, Rogers is a con-victed felon, and is prohibited, under federal law, from possessing firearms or ammun-ition.      

  Mr. Wilkins stated the statutory maximum penalty Rogers can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 10 years, plus a special assessment of $100.

  The case was investigated by agents of  the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Woodruff City Police Department, Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda County Sheriff’s and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

  Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office handled the case.  This prosecution was a part of Operation CeaseFire.   CeaseFire is a joint local, state, and federal initiative which seeks to prosecute aggressively individuals who unlawfully use, possess, or transfer firearms. 

  Additionally, this prosecution of this case was a part of Spartanburg County’s "Summer of Silence" initiative.  Under this banner, all levels of law enforcement and Solicitor Trey Gowdy’s office are working in concert with ATF and the US Attorney’s office to review every firearm or ammunition case made in Spartanburg County this summer for possible adoption and prosecution in the federal system.

  WASHINGTON, SC – Con-gressman Gresham Barrett (SC, 03) selected a piece of art drawn by Lauren Jones, a graduating senior of Saluda High School, as the 2008 Third District Congressional Art Competition winner. 

  The piece entitled "Back Porch in Saluda," was among 16 pieces of art entered into the competition this year.

  "This is the 6th year we have hosted the competition in the district, and I continue to be impressed by the artistic abilities of our students," said Congressman Gresham Bar-rett. "Lauren’s piece really touches your heart. Thousands of people will enjoy her art and think of South Carolina when they see it hanging in the Capitol over the next year. It is a piece that she and her family can be proud of for many years."

   The competition is an annual contest for high school students to showcase their artistic abilities. Each individual Member of Congress organizes a local competition in his/her congressional district.

   The winning artwork will remain on display in Wash-ington, D.C. through next spring where it can be enjoyed by lawmakers, staff, and hundreds of visitors who tour the U.S. Capitol daily.