Local News

Parents’ weekend set for USC in Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — University of South Carolina students in Columbia have gotten fair warning to tidy up their rooms and wash those clothes. It’s parents’ weekend. University spokeswoman Megan Sexton says a record number of family members are expected to be on campus Friday through Sunday. She says about 9,840 people are expected to participate, which is 2,200 more…

Exhibit of civil rights photos opens at USC

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — An exhibit of photographs taken during the struggle for civil rights in South Carolina is going on display at the University of South Carolina’s McKissick Museum The show called “Defying the Quiet” opens Friday and is on display through Jan. 17. It is free and open to the public. The display features photos from Cecil Williams,…

Single-gender charter school opening in Orangeburg

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) âone space€one space” South Carolina’s first single-gender charter school is opening in Orangeburg next fall. The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reports (http://bit.ly/1765l8U ) that Garden City Preparatory Academy for Boys has been approved by the state Charter School District. The district’s director of new school development, Traci Bryant-Riches, says the school has been granted a 10-year…

Columbia overrides police chief on gay parade

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) âone space€one space” Columbia officials have overridden a decision by interim police chief Ruben Santiago to order two officers to march in the South Carolina Gay Pride Parade even though they did not want to participate. Santiago had ordered a lieutenant and sergeant to join eight other officers in last Saturday’s parade even though they cited religious…

Man gets 17 years in prison for DOT worker’s death

LEXINGTON, S.C. (AP) — A 39-year-old Lexington County man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for striking and killing a transportation department worker on Interstate 20 last year. Circuit Judge Robert Hood on Thursday sentenced Thomas Stafford after he pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident. Twenty-one-year-old Nicholas Johnson was…

SC extends WIC funding through end of October

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) âone space€one space” Recipients of a supplemental food program are getting a few more weeks of help thanks to South Carolina’s health department. On Friday, the Department of Health and Environmental Control told its more than 122,000 clients that it would continue to back the federally funded Women, Infant and Children program through the end of October….

SC agency’s investment staff gets $1.4M bonuses

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) âone space€one space” Fourteen staff members of the agency that invests retirees’ pension money are receiving a combined $1.4 million in bonuses for the portfolio’s performance. The Retirement System Investment Commission approved the performance payments last week for the agency’s investment staff. The amounts range from $30,000 to $300,000. Treasurer Curtis Loftis cast the lone no vote…

Trustees OK SC State administrative restructuring

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) âone space€one space” South Carolina State University President Thomas Elzey’s plans to restructure the administration are taking effect. The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reports (http://bit.ly/GCDebw ) that the university trustees approved the plan Thursday to create several new positions. The plan calls for adding a provost, who would report to the president and be in charge…