Grinch can't dampen holiday spirits

KNIGHTSVILLE — A thief didn't exactly steal Christmas, but he surely disappointed a group of volunteers working to help one crime victim in her recovery.

The Charleston Trident Home Builder's Association is nearly finished constructing a new home in the Hidden Hills community for Carol Armstrong.

A vicious attack at a North Charleston business in 2002 partially paralyzed the 43-year-old woman and left her confined to a wheelchair and blind in one eye.

Her small home off Ashley Phosphate Road isn't handicapped-accessible, so the association is building a new one for her.

Last week, someone snuck into the garage of the new house and stole three white decorative columns that had yet to be installed on the front porch.

"It was a very nasty, ugly thing to do," Armstrong said.

The construction will go on, and the columns will have to be replaced. But project supervisor Andy Barber said it won't delay the move-in planned for the first week of the New Year.

"I'm just so excited, because it's our Christmas gift this year," Armstrong said.

As for the thief, Armstrong said she won't waste any energy on being angry. She said she hopes the culprit will return the columns, no questions asked.