Latest South Carolina news, sports, business and entertainment

LAKE-BODY FOUND

Autopsy set after woman’s body found in SC lake

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — An autopsy is planned for a woman whose body was found inside a car that was submerged in Lake Wateree.

Fairfield County Chief Deputy Keith Lewis says 79-year-old Inge Conrad’s body was inside the car when they pulled it out of the water late Friday.

The search for Conrad began Friday morning after the son who lives with her and his siblings reported her missing. Conrad was last seen when she left another son’s home in Kershaw County Thursday.

Lewis says evidence shows a car ran off the driveway of Conrad’s home and into the lake. He says divers searched the lake, which is about 15 feet deep.

The cause of the accident isn’t known, but Conrad’s children told authorities that she had recently suffered a seizure.

BODY DISCOVERED

SC children playing in woods discover man’s body

(Information in the following story is from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com)

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Officials in Charleston County suspect a man whose body was found in the woods by children playing hide-and-seek was killed.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports Deputy Coroner Scott Ramsey identified the man as 67-year-old James Butler of Ravenel. Ramsey said the cause of death has not been determined.

Butler’s body was found in a wooded area behind a vacant house with broken-out windows. Charleston County Sheriff’s Maj. James Brady said detectives were working to determine a motive and to piece together details of the death.

A spokesman for the family said they would have no comment.

TODDLER ABANDONED

Repost of photos fails to determine toddler’s ID

ANDERSON, S.C. (AP) — While authorities say nearly 2 million people have reposted to social media photos of a toddler abandoned at an Anderson home, the young girl remains unidentified.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said the story of the girl, believed to be 2- to 3 years old has led to tips, but not one that has revealed her name.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Chad McBride said the girl is in foster care and is in no immediate danger. But McBride said scarring shows she has been through heart surgery, so finding her name is critical to getting her medical record.

The girl was left in a stroller Tuesday night on the doorstep of an Anderson home. The homeowner said he didn’t recognize the child.

BRIGHT’S FUTURE

SC Sen. Bright readies for possible US Senate run

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — State Sen. Lee Bright thinks America is at a vital crossroads and must make the right decisions to survive.

The Spartanburg County lawmaker’s political career seems to be at a similar juncture, as he decides whether to cash in on his conservative credentials and take on U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in the 2014 Republican primary.

Bright hasn’t definitively announced he is running. But he has thrown out plenty of signs, including spending the winter touring the state, holding public hearings for his bill eliminating the need for a permit to carry a gun in public.

Myrtle Beach Tea Party Chairman Joe Dugan says the tea party likes Bright, but members aren’t ready to support one candidate yet.

COPPER THEFTS

SC officials say new laws don’t stem copper thefts

(Information in the following story is from: The Greenville News, http://www.greenvillenews.com)

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Although tougher laws have been passed, officials in South Carolina say metal robbers continue to plague homeowners, churches, government agencies and utilities.

The Greenville News reports that thefts continue despite a decline in copper prices. The continued thefts have led lawmakers to consider even tougher laws targeting the recycling of metal taken from air conditioners.

Current law requires sellers of copper to first obtain a permit from their local sheriff’s office before taking their metal to a scrap yard.

Some utilities say they have actually seen a reduction in thefts after the law was passed. Mark Quinn of Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina says members generally have seen far fewer thefts since the law was enacted in the summer of 2011.

RIVERS BRIDGE CLEANUP

SC site among Civil War sites being spruced up

ERHARDT, S.C. (AP) — The Rivers Bridge State Historic Site in Bamberg County is one of more than 100 Civil War sites nationwide set to be cleaned up by the Civil War Trust.

The battleground is near the village of Erhardt, and on Saturday volunteers will be cleaning the grounds. Those attending are being invited to bring weed eaters and pruning saws.

The battlefield was the site of one of the main Confederate attempts to stop Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman as he marched toward Columbia in 1865.

About 1,200 Confederates dug in at Rivers Bridge on the Salkehatchie River were attacked by about 5,000 federals.

The Confederates were finally forced to withdraw after the Union troops flanked them by crossing swamps both upstream and downstream from their position.

PHILBIN-SC

Regis Philbin touring Spartanburg hospital

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Television personality Regis Philbin is spending part of his weekend in South Carolina.

WHNS-TV reports that Philbin is in Spartanburg on Saturday to serve as guest of honor at a benefit for the Spartanburg Regional Foundation.

Saturday is the foundation’s Society of 1921 Gala. That group represents people who donated at least $1,250 to the foundation.

While he’s in town, Philbin is also planning to tour the Spartanburg Regional Heart Center.

FAMILY FISHING CLINIC

DNR hosting family fishing clinics on Lake Rabon

LAURENS, S.C. (AP) — Amateur anglers, now is your chance to learn a thing or two.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is offering a family fishing clinic on Lake Rabon this Saturday.

The introductory class is sponsored by the DNR Aquatic Education Section and is designed to introduce the basics of fishing to anglers of all ages. Participants will learn skills like how to tie a fishing knot, rig a rod and reel, and cast.

The clinics are free, and registration is available online at www.dnr.sc.gov/aquaticed/fishingclinic .

Future clinics are scheduled for upcoming Saturdays in other areas around the state.